Edited by
R.S. PARODA
Dy. Director General (Crop Sciences)
Indian Council of Agricultural Research
Krishi Bhavan, New Delhi - 110 001, India
R.K. ARORA
Associate Coordinator (for South
Asia)
International Board for Plant Genetic Resources
c/o NBPGR, Pusa Campus, New Delhi -110 012, India
International Board for Plant Genetic
Resources
Regional Office for South and Southeast
Asia
New Delhi
© 1991 Editors
Published by the International Board for Plant Genetic
Resources,
Regional Office for South and Southeast Asia, c/o
NBPGR,
Pusa Campus, New Delhi 110 012, India
Cover Photo: A hypothetical model showing the complementary use of different conservation technologies - (Ref. Lyndsey A. Withers' article).
Copies available from
IBPGR Regional Office, New Delhi
Printed in India by
Malhotra Publishing House,
A 38/3, Mayapuri, Phase I, New Delhi 110 064
1. Plant Genetic Resources: General Perspective - R.S. Paroda and R.K. Arora
Introduction
Change from nomadic life to settled agriculture
Dynamics of plant domestication
Regions of crop plant diversityNuclear centres and regions of diversity
Spectrum of genetic resources
Value of crop plant diversity
Threat to genetic diversity
Conservation of genetic diversitySummary
References
Appendix I. World centres of diversity of cultivated plants (Hawkes, 1983)
Appendix II. Cultivated plants and their regions of diversity (refer Fig. 3)
2. Plant Diversity in the Indian Gene Centre - R.K. Arora
Introduction
Antiquity of Indian agriculture
Indian subcontinent as gene centreGenetic diversity and its distribution
Extent of prevalent diversityDiversity in other economic plants
Medicinal and aromatic plants
Forest trees
Wild forage plants
Native ornamental plantsSummary
References
Appendix I (a). Crops and areas where rich diversity in landraces and primitive cultivars occurs (Mehra and Arora, 1982; with additions by the author)
Appendix I (b). Rice varieties from Kerala with useful genes (Khoshoo, 1986)
Appendix II (a). Distribution of important wild relatives and related types in different phyto-geographical zones (Arora and Nayar, 1984)
Appendix II (b). Wild relatives and related endemic and/or rare species including endemic cultigens (Arora and Nayar, 1984)
3. Plant Exploration and Germplasm Collection - R.K. Arora
Introduction
Plant exploration and germplasm collectionPriority regions and crops
Germplasm collecting: Logistics and tacticsTechnical aspects
Logistic preparation/Implementation
Practical guidelinesSampling strategy
Sampling frequency and size
Collecting sites/sourcesCollecting wild relatives of crop species
Field data recording
Germplasm collecting strategies: salient points
Other considerationsDepletion of genetic resources
Reassessment of collection priorities
Ecogeographical surveys
In-vitro germplasm collection techniquesFuture emphasis/requirements
Summary
References
Appendix I (a). Passport data sheet used by the NBPGR, New Delhi (adapted from FAO/IBPGR form)
Appendix I (b). Example of general collecting form (Hawkes, 1983)
Appendix II. Field collection form recommended by the IBPGR and adapted for use in rice (IRRI-IBPGR, 1983)
4. Plant Introduction and Exchange - B.P. Singh
Introduction
Historical perspective
National plant introduction and exchange service
Import of plant genetic resourcesPlant introduction and quarantine agencies in India
Procedure for exchange of germplasmIntroduction of plant genetic resources
Export of plant genetic resourcesCollections of materials for export
Quarantine inspection of material for export and mode of transmittalInland supplies of plant genetic resources and related information
Documentation and dissemination of information on introduced germplasm
National policy in germplasm exchange
Summary
References
Appendix I. Some promising primary and secondary introductions
5. Plant Quarantine - Ram Nath
Introduction
Plant quarantine as a national service
Complementary role of plant quarantine
Pest/pathogen detection techniquesSalvaging of infested/infected material
Fumigation
Heat treatment
Chemical treatments
Tissue cultureExamination of pest/pathogen risk in plant introduction
Quarantine regulations
Plant quarantine system in India
NBPGR's responsibilities
National coordination
International/regional cooperation
General considerations
Summary
References
Appendix I. Important pathogens and pests intercepted on introduced seeds/planting materials at NBPGR*
6. Germplasm Evaluation and Utilisation - T.A. Thomas and P.N. Mathur
Introduction
Components of germplasm evaluationSeed increase
Preparation of descriptor listPassport data
Characterization
Preliminary evaluation
Further characterization and evaluationSome practical considerations
Information management of evaluation data
Recent concepts related to utilisationNBPGR's coordinating role
Germplasm utilisationCereals and millets
Pulses
Vegetables
Fruits
Plantation crops
Fibre crops
Medicinal plants
Oilseeds
Forage crops
7. Genetic Improvement: Achievements in Crop Sciences - R.S. Paroda
Introduction
Research support and co-ordination
Crop improvement: National perspectiveCereals and millets
Pulse crops
Forage crops
Commercial/Industrial crops
8. Under-utilised Plant Resources - Bhag Mal and Vandana Joshi
Introduction
Wealth of less Known plants
Life support species
National coordinated programmeFood plants
Fodder plants
Energy plantation crops
Hydrocarbon and industrial plants
Other potential plantsConservation of minor crop plants
Future considerations
Summary
References
9. Conservation of Plant Genetic Resources - P.P. Khanna and Neeta Singh
Introduction
Conservation perspective - In-situ and Ex-situConcept of base and active collections
Long-Term and short-term storage of field crops
Conservation needs: Physiological and allied requirements
Genebank managementManagement of facility
Management of collections
Management of information
10. Plant Genetic Resources Conservation: Recent Approaches - K.P.S. Chandel and Ruchira Pandey
Introduction
Recent conservation approaches - The need
In-vitro conservationCryopreservation of in-vitro cultures
Examples of successful cryopreservation
Preservation of embryos
Clonal plantlets and seedlings
Mature plant pieces
Freeze preservation of pollenNew conservation strategies - Indian scenario
Future perspectives
Summary
References
11. Biotechnology and Plant Genetic Resources Conservation - Lyndsey A. Withers
Introduction
In-vitro conservation: Foundation technologies
In-vitro collecting
In-vitro storage: Principles, successes and continuing challenges
In-vitro conservation of key crops
Complementary conservation strategies
Summary
References
12. Biosphere Reserves and in-situ Conservation - R.K. Arora and R.S. Paroda
Introduction
Choice of conservation strategiesGlobal concern
Basic structure of biosphere reserves
National committment/perspective
Identification of biosphere reserves
Support-data for research and managementWild relatives of crop plants
Research needs vis-à-vis prioritiesEcology and biology of plant resources
Evolutionary studies
Location specific problems on vegetation stability
Process of eco-developmentResource management in the biosphere reserve
General considerations
Summary
References
13. Documentation of Plant Genetic Resources - R.L. Sapra
Introduction
Information systems
Data Base Management Systems (DBMS) and models
Databases, descriptors and descriptor statesStandards for data preparation
Documentation: PGR national effortsPlant introduction reporters and crop inventories
Quarantine information, check lists, etc.
Passport information
Herbarium information
Field evaluation and cataloguing
Genebank information
Other published information
Trainings on documentation and information managementFuture considerations
Summary
References
Appendix I. List of catalogues published by NBPGR
14. Indian National Plant Genetic Resources System - An Overview - R.S. Rana and R.K. Arora
Introduction
Brief history
NBGPR and its activitiesIndian Plant Genetic Resources System (IN-PGRS)
Partnership in PGR conservation and management
Recent developments
In retrospect
Summary
References
Appendix I. Indian Plant Genetic Resources System. Directory of National Active Germplasm Sites (NAGS).
Introduction
CGIAR
IARCs
IBPGR and its activitiesGlobal network of base collections
Crop genetic resources networks
Integrated conservation strategiesFAO and plant genetic resources activities
FAO commission on plant genetic resources
International agreements/code of conductFAO/IBPGR/IARCs collaboration
Other international/regional organisations
BiodiversityDevelopments in biotechnology
General considerations
Summary
References
Appendix I (a). Base collections of seed crops, which accepted responsibility for long-term conservation (IBPGR Annual Report, 1989)
Appendix I (b). Field genebanks (active collections for vegetative material) which have accepted responsibility for conservation (IBPGR Annual Report, 1989)