intro germplam conservation

 

Germplasm Conservation:-

Germplasm broadly refers to the hereditary material transmitted to the offspring through germ cells.

Germplasm provides the raw material for the breeder to develop various crops. Thus, conservation of germplasm assumes significance in all breeding programmes.

As the primitive man learnt about the utility of plants for food and shelter, he cultivated the habit of saving selected seeds or vegetative propagules from one season to the next one. In other words, this may be regarded as primitive but conventional germplasm preservation and management, which is highly valuable in breeding programmes.

The very objective of germplasm conservation is to preserve the genetic diversity of a particular plant or genetic stock for its use at any time in future. In recent years, many new plant species with desired and improved characteristics have started replacing the primitive and conventionally used agricultural plants. It is important to conserve the endangered plants or else some of the valuable genetic traits present in the primitive plants may be lost.

A global body namely International Board of Plant Genetic Resources (IBPGR) has been established for germplasm conservation. Its main objective is to provide necessary support for collection, conservation and utilization of plant genetic resources throughout the world.