The document discusses plant germplasm resources (PGRs) in India. It provides background on the historical collection and conservation of PGRs in India. It notes that Dr. Harbhajan Singh and Dr. R.H. Richharia made significant contributions to collecting rice germplasm in India, with Dr. Richharia documenting over 19,000 rice varieties. It also summarizes the status of PGR collection and conservation in Chhattisgarh state, including over 23,000 rice accessions collected and conserved by Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Raipur. Finally, it outlines the key activities related to PGRs like exploration, collection, conservation,

1. INDIRA GANDHI KRISHI VISHWAVIDYALAYA ,RAIPUR,CHHATTISGARH
SPEAKER
SONILAL BHARDWAJ
M.Sc.(Ag) Previous

2. •
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•
•
•
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Introduction
Historical Aspect
Concept of Plant Germplasm
Importance of PGRs
Kinds of Germplasm
Gene pool system
Global Germplasm at a glance
Status of Plant Germplasm in Chhattisgarh state
Contribution of Dr. Harbhajan Singh And Dr. R.H. Richharia in collection of
PGRs.
• Germplasm activities
•Utilization
•Organizations' associated with Germplasm
•Conclusion

3. India has the vast Biodiversity in the world. In the 1920s & 30s Vavilov
was active in investigating the origin and diversity of major crop plants (As
the first major explorer, collecter and evaluater ) and would crop
genetically resources Vavilov established one of the fewest germplasm
banks in the world and set the pattern for the systemic introduction of new
genetical materials which has become more widespread in recent year,
( Jenning & Cock,1977).
The genes required for crop improvements are present in different lines,
varieties, strain or populations of the crop species and their relatives. Some
useful genes are contributed by the wild relatives of crops.
The various lines, strains, populations of crop species and its related wild
species constitute the germplasm of the crops.

4. Sir Otto Frankel coined the term Genetic resources in 1968 to aware the plant breeders of
this gradual loss of germ plasm.
1970 In USA initiating action to collect, conserve, evaluate and utilize the plant germ
plasm resources ,when southern corn leaf blight was out broke.
Alphonse de Candolle was the first botanist who attempt to locate the origin of crop
plants,in 1882 he published a book "Origin Of Cultivated plants.”
1926 Nikolai Ivanovich Vivelov ,the Russian explorer,genetist and agronomist organized
the world wide exploration for collecting the seeds and propagating material of large
number of cultivated crops, wild and related species.
1951 Vavilov proposed eight centre of origin and three sub centre of different plant
species.
1961 FAO organized the first International technical meeting on plant exploration &
introduction.
1968 The Crop Ecology & Genetic Resources Unit (CEGRU) of FAO was established.
1974 International Board Of Plant Genetic Resources (IBPGR) was established in Rome.
1992 IBPGR was transformed to a new autonomous organization International Plant
Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI) to assist the countries (developing).
1905 conservation of PGRs was initiated in India.
1976 NBPGR was established in New Delhi for conservation of various crop species.

5. The sum total of genes in a crop species is referred as to as
genetic resources or gene pool Or gene stock or germplasm.
In other word , gene pool refers to a whole library of different
alleles of a species.
Germ plasm is the basic material with which a plant breeder has
to initiate his breeding programme.
It is the genetic wealth that a crop has acquired over millions of
years of its existence under natural conditions or human
cultivation and thus provides the raw material for further
improvement through natural or human interference.

6. i. Germplasm represents the elite genetic variability or diversity available in a crop
species.
ii. Germ plasm consists of land races, modern cultivars, obsolete cultivars, breeding
stocks, wild forms and wild species of cultivated crops.
iii. Germplasm includes both cultivated and wild species or relatives of crop plants.
iv. Germplasm is collected from the centre of diversity, gene banks, gene sanctuaries,
farmer’s fields, markets and seed companies.
v. Germ plasm is the basic materials for launching a crop improvement programmes.
vi. Germplasm may be indigenous or exotic or alien.

7. 1. Foundation of an effective crop improvement programmes.
2. Genetic diversity is an essential if high level of productivity are to be
sustained.
3. Past breeding efforts have largely been based on relatively small samples of
4. locally adapted cultivars, with the result that as that as state of varietal
improvement has advanced the genetic base of the crop has become narrower.
5. Only in recent years has it become apparent that plant breeding programmes
with a broad genetic base can help to prevent the rapid and extensive spread of
pests and diseases and thus sustain high crop yield .
6. In any crop in order to meet the growing need of varietal improvement and to
ensure the effectiveness of breeding , it is essential to assemble preserve and
develop the entire array of existing germplasm as for as this is available.

8. There are five types of the Germplasm can be explain:A.LAND RACESThese are primitive cultivars which had selected and cultivated by the farmers for
many generations.
Characteristics :1.They are evolved under subsistence agriculture.
2.High level of diversity.
3.Provide high degree of resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses.
4.It have broads genetic bases
5.Wider adaptability & protection from epidemic of diseases & pests.
B. OBSOLETE CULTIVARS –
These varieties were developed by systematic breeding efforts, were once
commercially cultivated.
These are the varieties which were popular earlier and now have been replaced by
new varieties.
*wheat varieties K65, K68, Pb 591 were most popular traditional tall varieties before
introduction of high yielding dwarf Mexican wheat.
Continue….

9. C. MODERN CULTIVARSThe currently cultivated high yielding varieties are referred to as modern
cultivars. It is also known as improved cultivars or advanced cultivars.
D. ADVANCED BREEDING LINESPre –released plants which have been developed by plant breeders for use in
modern scientific plant breeding are known as advanced breeding lines or cultures
or stocks.
They includes advanced cultures which are not yet ready for release to farmers.
E. WILD FORMS OF CULTIVATEDWild forms are the wild species from which crop species were directly derived.
Such plants have generally high degree of resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses
and are utilized in breeding programmes for genetic improvement of resistance to
biotic and abiotic stresses.
They can easily cross with cultivated species. Oryza nivara and O.fatua are wild
forms of rice crop.

10. WHAT IS GENE POOL ?
A gene pool consists of all the genes and their alleles present in all such individuals,
which hybridized or can hybridized with each other.
It includes all cultivated cultivars, wild species and wild relatives.
GP2
PRIMARY GENE POOL
GP3
SECONDARY GENE POOL
The genetic materials
That leads to partial
Intermating is easy Leads to
production of fertile Hybrids. Fertility on crossing with
It includes plants of the same GP1 is called as secondary
or closely related spp. Which Gene pool
It includes plants belongs to
Produce fertile offspring on
Related species
Intermating
It can cross with GP1,but
It designated as GP1
hybrid are sterile & some are
fertile
TERTIARY GENE POOL
The genetic materials which leads to
production of Sterile hybrids on
crossing with primary gene pool is
termed as tertiary gene pool.
It includes materials which can be
crossed
With GP1 ,but the hybrids are sterile
Transfer of genes from such materials
to GP1 is possible with the help of
special breeding techniques.

11. BASIC CONCEPTS RELATED TO PGRs
GENE SANCTUARIES:Area of great genetic diversity are protected from human interference. These protected
areas in natural habitat are referred to as gene sanctuaries. Garo Hill of Assam wild
relatives of citrus.
GENE BANK
Gene bank refers to a place or organization where germplasm can be conserved in living
state.
Gene banks are mainly three types:-
1.SEED GENE BANK
A place where germplasm is conserved in the form of seeds is called seed bank.
In seed banks there are three types of conservation viz.
a)short term for 3-5 yrs.
b)Medium term for 10-15 yrs.
c)Long term for 50 yrs or more.
2. FIELD GENE BANK
Field gene banks also called plant gene bank are area of land in which germplasm
collections of growing plants are assembled. It is also called ex-situ conservation of
germplasm
3. MERISTEM GENE BANK
Germ plasm of asexually propagating species can be conserved in the form of meristems.
It is used in conservation of horticultural crops.

12. GENE BANKS FOR VARIOUS CROPS
SN
CROPS
CENTRES
1
Wheat
DWR, Karnal
2
Rice
CRRI,Cuttack,IGKV,Raipur
3
Potato
CPRI,Shimla
4
Cotton
CICR,Nagpur
5
Sugarcane
SBI,Coimbatore
6
Tobacco
CTRI, Rajahmundry
7
Pulses
IIPR, Kanpur
8
Forage crops
IGFRI,Jhansi
9
Tuber crops(except potato)
CTCRI,Trivendaram ,Kerala
10
Plantation crops
CPCRI,Kasargod
11
Oilseeds crop
DOR Hyderabad
12
Horticultural crops
IIHR, Bangalore
13
Sorghum
NRC Sorghum ,Hyderabad
14
Soybean
NRC Soybean ,indore
15
Ground nut
NRC Groundnut, Junagarh
16
Maize
IARI, New Delhi

13. STATUS OF THE PLANT GERM PLASM RESOURCE AT A GLANCE
World –
CIP (International Potato Center, Peru.)
founded in 1971, maintains the world’s largest
genetic bank of potatoes that is 7000 accessions
of native, wild & improved varieties.
4300 from Andes and 180 wild potato ,it is
bitter to eat.
IRRI, Los Banos,Phillipines- International rice gene bank, the world largest rice
genetic diversity that is 110000 different types of rice from all over the world.

14. GERM PLASM HOLDING IN ICRISAT GENE BANK
CROP
ACTIVE
BASE
ACCESSION HELD IN
TRUST
Sorghum
37904
34313
36771
Pearl millet
21594
20343
21563
Chickpea
20140
16977
17124
Pigeon pea
13632
11794
12389
Groundnut
15419
12640
14803
Finger millet
5949
4620
5949
Foxtail millet
1535
1054
1535
Prosomillet
842
576
835
Little millet
466
384
462
Kodo millet
658
630
656
Barn yard millet
743
487
743
118882
103818
113830
Total
The ICRISAT gene bank ,Patancheru, India currently conserves 118882 accessions of the five
mandate crops& six small millets from 144 countries.

15. In India, National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR),New Delhi ,maintains large
collections of Sorghum sp., Pennisetum sp., wheat, barley, oat, rice, maize and other agricultural and
horticultural crops.

16. Table: Germ plasm accessions conserved in the NBPGR (December31,2006)
Sn
Crops
Accession (no.)
Seed bank
Cryogene bank
In vitro
gene bank
1
Cereals
134421
239
2
Millets & forage
48657
287
3
Pseudo cereals
5492
76
4
Grain legumes
52844
632
5
Oilseeds
47515
470
6
Fibre crops
9546
64
7
Vegetables
21201
432
531
8
Fruits & nuts
265
2123
650
9
Medicinal ,aromatic& Narcotic
crops
5333
805
357
10
Spices & condiments
1632
115
346
11
Agroforestry & forestry
2053
1636
12
Plantation & industrial crops
13
Duplicate safety samples
10235
Total
339194
Grand Total
789
20
7922
1904
349020

17. Ambikapur centre
Raipur centre
Jagdalpur centre

18. Chhattisgarh ,the newly emerged state of India, popularly known as “Rice Bowl” of the
country due to rich rice diversity exist in the state. Dr. R.H. Richharia and researchers
of the Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Raipur (C.G.) have collected the number
of rice germplasm accessions and made university rice in the conservation of rice
genetic resources.
PGRs in Raipur
Sn.
Crop
Accessions
1
Rice
23250
2
Lathyrus
1900
3
Arhar
4
Linseed
5
Lobia
63
6
Dolicus bean
36
7
Gram
23
8
Ivy gourd
32
9
Tuber crops-Elephant foot (27),sweet potato(93), tapioca (8),
Tikhur (2), Kewu kand Arbi (21)
143
10
Spices- Ami zinger (1),Ami turmeric (1), Domestic turmeric (2)
11
Tamarind
45
1350
4
11

19. 12
Brinjal
78
13
Barbatti
18
PGRs in Jagdalpur
Sn
Crop
Accessions
1
Minor millets-kodo (35), kutki (32), ragi (15)
103
2
Oilseeds-toria (73), mustard (16), caster (15)
104
3
Tubers –elephant foot (39), sweet potato (50), tapioca (36), arbi (121),
kewu kand (10) ,yams (129)
385
4
Cashew
9
PGRs in Ambikapur
Sn
crops
Accessions
1
Maize
46
2
Litchi
9

20. Dr. Harbhajan singh was the most distinguished
plant explorer, renowned as the “indian vavilov”.
He imparted a distinct identity to the discipline
plant genetic resources in india. Dr. Singh
introduced large germplasm of wheat and rice that
contributed to the green revolution in india. He
also introduced several new species such as
soybean, sunflower, low chilling and temperate
fruits and a wide range of ornamentals.
The late Dr. R H Richharia was one of the leading experts on
rice in India.
He documented and collected an amazing 19,000 rice varieties
during his career. As per his estimation, India was home to
200,000 varieties of rice.
The late Dr. R H Richharia was one of the leading experts on
rice in India.
It is also relevant to point out here that Dr. Richharia's
collection of 19,000 rice varieties is today in the hands of the
Indira Gandhi Agricultural University (IGAU), Raipur,
Chhatisgarh, which has since then added (only) another 5,000
varieties. The official number of samples existing with IGAU is
therefore 23250.

21. There are six important activities related to plant genetics resources:
A.Exploration & collection
B.Conservation
C.Evaluation
D.Documentation
E.Distribution
F.Utilization
A. EXPLORATION & COLLECTION
Exploration refers to collection trips and collection refers to tapping og genetic diversity from
various sources and assembling the same at one place. This is a highly scientific process.
In India, plant exploration and collection activities have been more systematized after the creation
of the National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR) in 1976, between 1946 to July 1976, a
total of 31,235 germplasm collections comprising cereals, millets, legumes, oilseeds, vegetables,
fiber yielding and other economic plants including wild relatives, were made.
Process of exploration and collection
Source of collection > Priority of collection > Agencies of collection >
Method of Collection >Method of sampling >Sample size

22. Types of seed collection
Based on the use and conservation seed collections are of three type
Type
Particulars
Base
collection
It includes maximum
number of accessions
available in a crop
Active
collection
Germ plasm is
actively utilized in
breeding
programmes
Working
collection
These collection are
frequently utilized by
breeders in their crop
improvement
programmes
Conservation
upto
Stored at
Moisture
content
long term
50 years or
more
-18 to 20˚C
hermatically
sealed
Seed dried to
5% moisture
content & have
>85% viablity
Medium term
8-10 years
0˚C
8%
Short term
3-5 years
5-10˚C
8-10%

23. EXPLORATION PROGRAMME
a) Planning
b) Making contacts wuth local research organization
c) Gathering equipment and preparation
d) Meeting with local researchers /government
e) Sorting out of collected samples
f) Reporting to the headquarters
g) Preparation and publication of reports
h) Delivering /distributing collected samples
Range of activity- by car cover 100-150 km/day whereas on foot 10 km/day
is standard for exploring and collecting the germ plasm .

24. MERITS OF EXPLORATION AND COLLECTION
1.Collection helps in tapping crop genetic diversity and assembling the same at one
place.
2.We got material of special interest during the exploration trips.
3.We come across a new species during the process of collection.
DEMERITS OF EXPLORATION AND COLLECTION
1.Collection of germplasm especially from other countries, sometimes leads to entry of new
disease, new insects and weeds.
2.Collection is a tedious job.
3.Transportation of huge collections also poses difficulties in exploration and collection.

25. B. CONSERVATION
Conservation refers to protection of genetic diversity of crop plant from genetic
erosion.
“FUTURE OF OUR NATIONAL FOOD SECURITY DEPENDS ON OUR ABILITY TO
CONSERVE BIOLOGICAL WEALTH.”
-- M.S. SWAMINATHAN
METHODS:
There are two methods of germplasm conservation
A.In-Situ conservation
-- under natural habitat
B.Ex-situ
--- approaches require collection and systematic long-term storage of seeds
outsides the natural habitats of species.
Components of ex-situ conservation
•Seed gene bank (at - 20o C)
•Cryo bank under liquid (at -165 to -196o C)
• In-vitro tissue culture bank

26. Seed can be conserved under
I.Long term- 50 to 100 years
II.Medium term- 10-15 years
III.Short term – 3-5 years storage conditions
Roberts (1973) has classified seeds into two groups for storage
purpose:
Orthodox seeds
Seeds which can be dried to low moisture content and stored at low
temperature without losing their viability.
As- corn ,wheat, rice papaya, chickpea etc.
Recalcitrant seeds
Seeds which show very drastic loss in viability with a decrease in moisture
content below 12 to 13 %.

27. C. EVALUATION
Evaluation refers to screening of germplasm in respect of morphological, genetical, economic,
Biochemical ,physiological, pathological and entomological attributes.
Why germ plasm evaluation is an essential ?
• To identify gene sources for resistance to biotic & abiotic stresses, earliness, dwarfness
productivity and quality characters.
• To classify the germ plasm in various groups.
• To get a clear picture about the significance of individual germplasm.
Documentation refers to compilation, analysis, classification, storage and dissemination of
information.
Database management system-relational database management system (RDBMS)
In gene bank RDBMS is used

28. The specific germplasm lines are supplied to the users on demand for utilization in the crop
improvement programmes
There are some trait specific germplasm and wild species introduced in India and distributed
by the several centres
Sn
crop
Country
Specific trait
Distribution by
1
Hordeum vulgare L.
EC 657889
CANADA
Resistant to spot form of
neck blotch
DWR, Karnal
2
Oryza sativa L.
a.EC 659913-14
USA
Improved resistant to
sheath blight
NBPGR, CRRI
b.EC 657109-118
France
Blast resistant
TNAU,
c.EC 659921
Vietnam
Drought tolerant
NBPGR
Nigeria
Resistant to imp. Disease
in low lands
DMR,New Delhi
NRC soybean
USA
Resistant to soybean
mosaic
3
Zea mays L.
EC659915-17
4
Glycine max L.
EC638228

29. Distribution involves supply of representative seed samples from the gene bank in
response to requests from users.
• Distribute seeds only from active or working collections.
• Send the seeds in a way that they reach their destination in good condition.
• The environmental conditions during transport can be detrimental to seed quality.
Therefore distribute seeds in moisture proof envelopes.
Standard quantity of seed distributed per accession from ICRISAT gene bank

30. MASTER FILE DURING THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE GERMPLASM
Reference number: Reference number assigned in sequence starting from 1
each year.
Crop: Crop name.
Consignee: Consignee’s last name followed by abbreviated first and
second names.
Designation of consignee: Designation of the consignee, e.g. Plant Breeder,
Assistant Professor, etc.
Organization:
Name of the organization in full.
Address:
Address of the consignee.
Location: City or town where the organization is located.
Country:
Country name of consignee.
User status: Status of organization requesting germplasm (eg, commercial
company, national institute, non-governmental organization, individual,
etc).
Date of request: Date on which the request was received.
Date supply: Date on which seed samples were sent.
Number of samples: Number of samples sent.
Purpose: Purpose for which seeds were requested.

31. UTILIZATION OF PLANT GERM PLASM RESOURCES
Expanding the characterization ,evaluation and numbers of core collection to facilitate
use in:
1.Increasing genetic enhancement and base broadening effects.
2.Promoting sustainable agriculture through diversification of crop production and
broader diversity in crops.
3.Promoting development and commercialization under utilized crops and species.
4.Supporting seed production and distribution.
5.Developing new markets for local varieties and diversity rich products, institution and
capacity building.
6.Building strong national programmes.
7.Promoting network for plant genetic resources for food and agriculture.
8.Developing monitoring and early warning system for loss of plant genetic resource for
food and agriculture.
9.Expanding and improving education and training.
10.Promising public awareness of the value of plant genetic resources for food and
agriculture conservation and use
11.Access to PGRs now based on the principle of “Sovereign rights of Nations” as
promulgate under the legally binding conservation of Biological Diversity (CBD),1992
12.Used as a variety, as a parent in the hybridization and also used to tarnsfer resistance
to biotic and abiotic stresses.

32. MEDICINAL USE OF RICE GERM PLASM
Sn. Accession
no.
Variety
Collected from
uses
1
IC390847
Ghathuwan
Abhanpur(C.G.) Suffering from joint’s pain
2
IC390848
Bhejari
Simga (C.G.)
Fed to cow to remove placenta
after delivery with crushed
linseed
3
IC390850
Maharaji
Ghughari (MP)
Removing the weakness in
mother caused by bleeding
after delivery
4
IC390851
Saraiphool
Nainpur (MP)
Removing the weakness in
human beings

33. ORGANIZATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH PLANT GERM PLASM
INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS:
1.Consultative groups on agricultural research institutes(CGAIR)
2.International Plant Genetic Resource Institute (IPGRI), Rome, Italy.
3.International Potato Centre (CIP), Lema,Peru.
4.IRRI,Phillipines.
5.ICRISAT, Hyderabad ,India
NATIOANAL ORGANIZATIONS :
1.NBPGR,Pusa ,New Delhi
2.CRRI, Cuttack, Odisa etc.

34. The plant genetic resources are the key component of any agricultural
production system , indeed of any ecosystem .
It ensure the genetic diversity is an essential if high level of productivity are to be
sustained. For development to be sustainable ,conservation and use of genetic
diversity must be at its core.
Because the world is dynamic ,this need for diversity is continuous. The benefits that
would come from
such conservation
and sustainable use of of plant genetic
resources would be global ,and if these resources are not conserved everyone stands
to lose.