Plant genetic resources in India: management and utilization

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Science
• Genetics
• Conservation Biology

Background:

• Plant genetic resources (PGR) are vital for agricultural sustainability and food security.
• India, a gene-rich country, faces challenges in protecting its natural heritage while facilitating international germplasm exchange.
• The Indian Council of Agricultural Research-National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (ICAR-NBPGR) is the central institution for PGR management in India.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline the comprehensive activities of ICAR-NBPGR in managing plant genetic resources.
• To highlight the institution's role in exploration, collection, characterization, conservation, and exchange of PGR.
• To emphasize the importance of PGR for crop improvement, climate resilience, and safeguarding agricultural biodiversity.

Main Methods:

• Exploration and collection of PGR from diverse sources.
• Ex situ conservation in the National Genebank, currently holding over 0.40 million accessions.
• Characterization and evaluation of germplasm for various traits, including disease resistance and climate resilience.
• Quarantine of imported PGR and transgenics.
• Utilizing advanced techniques like genome-wide association mapping and climate analog data for germplasm deployment.

Main Results:

• The ICAR-NBPGR system has safeguarded indigenous PGR and introduced valuable exotic resources, significantly contributing to agricultural production.
• The National Genebank Network conserves a substantial collection of PGR.
• Ongoing research focuses on detailed evaluation, impact assessment of conservation practices, and identification of novel genes/alleles for enhanced utilization.

Conclusions:

• Effective management and utilization of PGR are essential for enhancing crop improvement programs and ensuring future food and nutritional security.
• ICAR-NBPGR plays a pivotal role in identifying and deploying trait-specific, climate-resilient genotypes and valuable germplasm.
• Continued focus on characterization, evaluation, and advanced genetic analyses will maximize the utilization of PGR for agricultural advancement.