How Germplasm can be observed?
Ans. Ex situ conservation efforts in India In the year 1988, India in collaboration with the United States signed an Indo-US project of approximately 72 crores rupees for 7 years. This project in- involved the construction of a National Gene Bank which consists of
(i) a seed repository (Seeds are stored at - 20° C),
(ii) Cryobank (Storage Of germ plasm at 96 °) and
(iii) Tissue culture repository (Tissues are stored & cultured at 10-25° C),
In India, although the facilities for the storage of seeds of those crop plants which can withstand high drying and low-temperature conditions are already available, but in vitro Conservation in the form of tissue culture and cryopreservation is more advantageous. With this view, the year 1986 Department of Biotechnology Government of India, established the National Facility for Plant Tissue- Culture Repository (NFPICR) at the National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR) Located in Delhi. For the development of this repository, funding was done by the Government. The main aim of this repository is to develop suitable in vitro Conservation technologies for medium and long-term preservation of clonally propagated agri-bio horticultural and plantation crops and their wild relatives. This program also aims, to develop techniques for the cryopreservation of seeds, pollen, and in vitro culture. For this purpose, liquid N2 (-196° C) Containers and liquid N2 Plants are in use for cryopreservation. In Liquid N2 without loss of viability and vigor various crops, such as Millet- (Pearl Millet, Minor Millet), oil seeds- (Brassica species, Sunflower, Sesame), Vegetables- (Onion, carrot, turnip, chili, radish, tomato, amaranths) pulses- (Vigna spp.), narcotics-(poppy, tobacco) have been maintained, similarly, cryopreservation of excised embryonic axes of some recalcitrant seeds species (e.g., Tea Orange, Neem) and for Cocoa, Jackfruit, and almond has been tried. In addition to this virus free tissue cultures and short-term or long-term conservation of various plants. like citrus spp. banana, yam, sweet potato, ginger, etc. have been maintained.
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Conservation efforts made by the private sector-
In recent years several organizations & Industries have been set for biodiversity conservation. These Non- Governmental Organizations (NGOs) are running community seed banks or Gene banks. They Link traditional farmers with Ex situ conservation programs. They save & exchange seeds of over 5000 native varieties. Ex-situ conservation of crops like sugarcane, pineapple, rubber, oil palm, etc. Is also done by industries. Farmers also help in the Ex situ conservation of fruit & forest trees through agroforestry.
Ex-situ conservation of the gene pool of woody plants has been done by the Centre for International Forestry Research.
Conservation efforts made by the private sector- In recent years several organizations & Industries
have been set for biodiversity conservation. These Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are running community seed banks or Gene banks. They Link traditional farmers with Ex situ conservation programs. They save & exchange seeds of over 5000 native varieties. Ex-situ conservation of crops like sugarcane, pineapple, rubber, oil palm, etc. Is also done by industries. Farmers also help in the Ex situ conservation of fruit & forest trees through agroforestry.
Ex-situ conservation of the gene pool of woody plants has been done by the Centre for International Forestry Research.
Management of Germplasm Collection-
With the availability of facilities for the conservation of valuable germplasm, it is also necessary that facilities & resources for the multiplication, regeneration, evaluation, Characterization, documentation, and distribution of the available germplasm should be developed. It is also necessary that the identity and stability of the Conserved germplasm should be maintained. From a safety point of view, samples must be duplicated at different sites and transferred into modern conservation storage. These precautions must be taken by germplasm repositories. In the U.S. these facilities are provided & fulfilled by the National Plant Germplasm System (NPGS). In India for the conservation and management of the germplasm, the National gene bank has been established at IARCS, which conserves & manages the germplasm of Indigenous crop plants.
Reference:
- Bsc 2nd year botany 3 dots.
