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The use of ex situ conserved plant genetic resources

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 March 2007

Toby Hodgkin ,
V. Ramanatha Rao ,
Angélica Cibrian-Jaramillo  and
Samy Gaiji
Toby Hodgkin*
Affiliation:
International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI), Via dei Tre Denari, 472/a, 00057 Maccarese (Fiumicino), Rome, Italy
V. Ramanatha Rao
Affiliation:
IPGRI, Asia, Pacific and Oceania Office, P.O. Box 236, UPM Post Office, Serdang, 43400 Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
Angélica Cibrian-Jaramillo
Affiliation:
Center for Environmental Research and Conservation, Columbia University, 1200 Amsterdam Avenue, New York, NY 10025, USA
Samy Gaiji
Affiliation:
International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI), Via dei Tre Denari, 472/a, 00057 Maccarese (Fiumicino), Rome, Italy
*
*Corresponding author. E-mail: t.hodgkin@cgiar.org
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Abstract

Plant genetic resources are conserved so that they can be used to improve crop plant pro- duction and in other ways. However, it is often asserted that use of ex situ conserved germplasm is inadequate and that genetic diversity maintained in genebanks is underutilized. In part, this reflects an incomplete recognition of what constitutes use of plant genetic resources, and of the many different ways in which material from genebanks contributes to improved agricultural production. Based on recent information from surveys of distribution of germplasm from genebanks, and from surveys of users, we suggest that the evidence indicates that there is substantial use of ex situ conserved materials for a wide range of different uses. We suggest that barriers to use of ex situ conserved germplasm may often result from a lack in numbers of users, and from limitations in capacity to effectively utilize the genetic diversity present in genebanks to reduce genetic vulnerability and increase sustainability in modern production systems.

Keywords

distributiongenebank accessionsgenebanksgenetic diversitygermplasm conservation
Type
Research Article
Information
Plant Genetic Resources , Volume 1 , Issue 1 , April 2003 , pp. 19 - 29
Copyright
Copyright © NIAB 2003

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