Plant Genetic Resources

The sum total of genes in a crop species is referred to as genetic resources.

Germplasm may be defined as the sum total of hereditary material i.e., all the alleles of
various genes present in a crop species and its wild relatives.

Also known as gene pool or genetic stock or germplasm or genetic resources. Germplasm or
gene pool is the basic material with which a plant breeder has to initiate his breeding
programme.
Important features of plant genetic resources are
Gene pool represents the entire genetic variability or diversity available in a crop species.
Germplasm consists of land races, modern cultivars, obsolete cultivars, breeding stocks, wild
forms and wild species of cultivated crops.
Germplasm includes both cultivated and wild species or relatives of crop plants.
Germplasm is collected from the centres of diversity, gene banks, gene sanctuaries, farmers
fields, markets and seed companies.
Germplasm is the basic material for launching a crop improvement programme.
Germplasm may be indigenous (collected with in country) or exotic (collected from foreign
countries)
Kinds of Germplasm

The germplasm consists of various plant materials of a crop such as

(1) land races (4) advanced (homozygous), breeding materials,
(2) obsolete cultivars (5) wild forms of cultivated species
(3) modern cultivars (6) wild relatives
mutants
These are briefly discussed below :
Land races

These are nothing but primitive cultivars which were selected and cultivated by the
farmers for many generations without systematic plant breeding efforts.
Land races were not deliberately bred like modern cultivars. They evolved under subsistence
agriculture.
Land races have high level of genetic diversity which provides them high degree of resistance
to biotic and abiotic stresses.
Land races have broad genetic base which again provides them wider adoptability.

The main drawbacks of land races are that they are less uniform and low yielders.
Land races were first collected and studied by N.I. Vavilor in rice.
 Obsolete Cultivars

These are the varieties developed by systematic breeding effort which were
popular earlier and now have been replaced by new varieties. Improved varieties of
recent past are known as obsolete cultivars.
Obsolete varieties have several desirable characters they constitute an
important part of gene pool. Example : Wheat varieties K65, K68, pb 591 were most popular
traditional tall varieties before introduction of high yielding dwarf Mexican wheat varieties.
Now these varieties are no more cultivated. They are good genetic resources and have been
widely used in wheat breeding programmes for improvement of grain quality. Now such old
varieties are found in the genepool only.

Modern cultivars

The currently cultivated high yielding varieties are referred to as modern cultivars. They
are also known as improved cultivars or advanced cultivars.
These varieties have high yield potential and uniformity as compared to obsolete varieties
land races.
They constitute a major part of working collections and are extensively used as parents in the
breeding programmes.
As these are good sources of genes for yield and quality, can be introduced in a new area
and directly released.
However, these have narrow genetic base and low adoptability as compared to land races.
Advanced breeding lines

These are pre -released plants which have been developed by plant breeders in modern
scientific breeding programmes. These are known as advanced lines, cultures and stocks.
This group includes, nearly homozygous lines, lines derived from biotechnology programmes i.e.
transgenic plants and mutant lines etc. These lines which are not yet ready for release to farmers. They
often contain valuable gene combinations
 .Wild forms of cultivated species
Wild forms of cultivated species are available in many crop plants. Such plants have
generally high degree of resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses and are utilized in breeding
programmes. They can easily cross with cultivated species. Wild forms of many crop species
are extinct.
Wild Relatives
Those naturally occurring plant species which have common ancestry with crops and can

cross with crop species are referred to as wild relatives or wild species. Wild relatives include
all other species, which are related to the crop species by descent during their evolution. Both
these groups are sources of valuable genes for biotic and abiotic stress and for quality traits
and yield.
Mutants
Mutation breeding is used when the desired character is not found in the genetic stocks of
cultivated species and their wild relatives. Mutations do occur in nature as well as can be
induced through the use of physical and chemical mutagens. The extra variability which is
created through induced mutations constitutes important components of genepool. Mutant
for various characters sometimes may not be released as a variety, but they are added in the
genepool. The germplasm includes those carrying gene mutations, chromosomal aberrations
and markers genes etc. are considered special genetic stocks. They are useful in breeding
programmes.
The gene pool system of classification
The pool of a crop includes all cultivars, wild species and wild relatives containing all
the genes available for breeding use.
Based on degree of relationship, the gene pool of crops can be divided into three
groups (Harland and Dewet, 1971) , viz.,
Primary gene pool
Secondary Gene pool
Tertiary gene pool
These are briefly discussed below :

Primary gene pool (GP1) : This is also known as gene pool one (GP1). The gene pool in which
intermating is easy and leads to production of fertile hybrids is known as primary gene pool. It
includes plants of the same species or of closely related species which produce completely fertile
offspring on intermating. In such gene pool, genes can be exchanged between lines
 simply by making normal crosses. This is the material of prime breeding importance.
Secondary gene pool (GP2) : This type of gene pool is also known as gene pool two (GP2) . The
genetic material that leads to partial fertility on crossing with GP1 is referred to as secondary gene pool.
It includes plants that belong to related species. Such material can be crossed with primary gene pool,
but usually the hybrids are sterile and some of the progeny to some extent are fertile. Transfer of gene
from such material to primary gene pool is possible but difficult.
Tertiary gene pool (GP3) : The genetic material which leads to production of sterile hybrids on
crossing with primary gene pool is termed as tertiary gene pool or gene pool three (GP3). It includes
material which can be crossed with GP1, but the hybrids are sterile. Transfer of genes from such
material to primary gene pool is possible with the help of special techniques.

Types of seed collections

Based on the use and duration of conservation, seed collections are of three types

1.Base collections

2.Active collections

3.Working collections

Base collections: It is also known as principal collection. These consist of all the
accessions present in the germplasm of a crop. They are stored at about
-180C or -200C with 5 + 1% moisture content; they are disturbed only for regeneration.
When the germination of an accession falls below, usually, 95% of its germination at the
start of storage, the accession is regenerated. For reasons of safety, duplicates of base
collections should be conserved in other germplasm banks as well. High quality orthodox
seeds can maintain good viability upto 100 years.
 Active collections : The accessions in an active collection are stored at temperatures
below 150C (often near 00C), and the seed moisture is kept at 5%. The storage is for
medium duration, i.e., 10-15 years. These collections are actively utilized in breeding
programme. These collections are used for evaluation, multiplication and distribution of
the accessions. They are usually maintained by multiplying the seeds of their own
accessions. But from time to time, base collection material should be used for
regeneration of these collections. Germination test is carried out after every 5-10 years
to assess the reduction in seed viability.
Working collections : The accessions being actively used in crop improvement
programmes constitute working collection. Their seeds are stored for 3-5 years at less
than 150C and they usually contain about 10% moisture. These collections are
maintained by the breeders using them.
Core collection
The concept of core collection was proposed by Franked it refers to a subset of base
collection which represents the large collection. Or a limited set of accessions derived from an
existing germplasm collections.
Germplasm activities
There are six important activities related to plant genetic resources.
1. Exploration and collection 4. Documentation
2. Conservation 5. Multiplication and Distribution
3. Evaluation 6. Utilization
Exploration
Exploration refers to collection trips and collection refer to tapping of genetic diversity
from various sources and assembling the same at one place.
The exploration and collection is a highly scientific process. This process takes into
account six important items, viz, (1) sources of collection, (2) priority of collection, (3) agencies
of collection, (4) methods of collection, (5) methods of sampling and (6) sample size.
Merits and Demerits
There are several merits and demerits of exploration and collection of germplasm, some
of which are as discussed below:
Merits
Collection helps in tapping crop genetic diversity and assembling the same at one place.

It reduces the loss of genetic diversity due to genetic erosion.

Sometimes, we get material of special interest during exploration trips.
Collection also helps in saving certain genotypes from extinction.
Demerits

Collection of germplasm especially from other countries, sometimes leads to entry of

new diseases, new insects and new weeds.
Collection is a tedious job.
Collector, sometimes has encounter with wild animals like elephants, tigers etc.
Transportation of huge collections also poses difficulties in the exploration and
collection.
Germplasm conservation
Conservation refers to protection of genetic diversity of crop plants from genetic erosion.
There are two important methods of germplasm conservation or preservation.
or
Germplasm conservation refers to maintain the collected germplasm in such a state that there is
minimum risk for its loss and that either it can be planted directly in the field or it can be
prepare for planting with relative ease when ever necessary.
There are two important methods of germplasm conservation or preservation viz.,
1. In situ conservation 2. Ex situ conservation
In situ conservation
Conservation of germplasm under natural habitat is referred to as in situ conservation.
This is achieved by protecting this area from human interference : such an area is often called
as natural park, biosphere reserve or gene sanctuary. A gene sanctuary is best located within
the centre of origin of crop species concerned, preferably covering the microcenter with in
the centre of origin. NBPGR, New Delhi is making attempts to establish gene sanctuaries in
Meghalaya for Citrus and in the North-Eastern region for Musa, Citrus, Oryza, Saccharum
and Megifera.
This method of preservation has following main disadvantages
Each protected area will cover only very small portion of total diversity of a crop
species, hence several areas will have to be conserved for a single species.
The management of such areas also poses several problems.
This is a costly method of germplasm conservation

A gene sanctuary not only conserves the existing genetic diversity present in the
population, it also allows evolution to continue. As a result, new alleles and new gene
combinations would appear with time.
The risks as sociated with ex situ conservation are not operative.
 Ex situ conservation

Conservation of germplasm away from its natural habitat is called ex situ germplasm
conservation. This method has following three advantages.
It is possible to preserve entire genetic diversity of a crop species at one place.
Handling of germplasm is also easy
This is a cheap method of germplasm conservation
Preservation in the form of seed is the most common and easy method, relatively safe,
requires minimum space and easy to maintain. Glass, tin or plastic containers are used for
preservation and storage of seeds. The seed can be conserved under long term, medium term
and short term storage conditions.
Roberts in 1973 classified seeds on the basis of their storability, into two major groups.
viz.,
1. Orthodox seeds 2. Recalcitrant seeds
Orthodox Seeds : Seeds of this type can be dried to low moisture content of 5% and
stored at a low temperature without losing their viability are known as orthodox seeds.
Most crop seeds belong to this category. Such seeds can be easily stored for long periods;
their longevity increases in response to lower humidity and storage temperature. Eg.
Wheat, Rice, Corn, Chickpea, Cotton, Sunflower
Recalcitrant seeds : The viability of this group of seeds drops drastically if their
moisture content is reduced below 12-30%. Seeds of many forest and fruit trees, and of
several tropically crops like Citrus, cocoa, coffee, rubber, oil palm, mango, jackfruit, etc.
belong to this group. Such seeds present considerable difficulties in storage. They require
in situ conservation.
Evaluation
Evaluation refers to screening of germplasm in respect of morphological, genetical,
economic, biochemical, physiological, pathological and entomological attributes.
Evaluation requires a team of specialists from the disciplines of plant breeding, physiology,
biochemistry, pathology and entomology. First of all a list of descriptors (characters) for which evaluation
has to be done is prepared. This task is completed by a team of experts from IPGRI, Rome, Italy. The
descriptors are ready for various crops. The evaluation of germplasm is down in three different places,
viz., (1) in the field, (2) in green house, and (3) in the laboratory.

4. Documentation
It refers to compilation, analysis, classification storage and dissemination of information. In plant
genetic resources, documentation means dissemination of information about various activities such as
collection, evaluation, conservation, storage and retrieval of data. Now the term
documentation is more appropriately known as information system. Documentation is one
of the important activities of genetic resources. Large number of accessions are available in
maize, rice, wheat, sorghum, potato and other major crops. About 7.3 million germplasm
accessions are available in 200 crops species. Handling of such huge germplasm
information is only possible through electronic computers.
5. Distribution
The specific germplasm lines are supplied to the users on demand for utilization in
the crop improvement programmes.
Distribution of germplasm is the responsibility of the gene bank centres
The germplasm is usually supplied to the workers who are engaged in research
work of a particular crop species.
Supplied free of cost to avoid cumbersome work of book keeping.
The quantity of seed samples depends on the availability of seed material and
demands
Proper records are maintained about the distribution of material.
It helps in acclimatization and purification of the material.
Utilization
It refers to use of germplasm in crop improvement programmes. The germplasm can
be utilized in various ways. The uses of cultivated and wild species of germplasm are briefly
discussed below:
a) Cultivated Germplasm
It can be used in three main ways: (1) as a variety, (2) as a parent in the
hybridization, and (3) as a variant in the gene pool.
b) Wild Germplasm
it is used to transfer resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses, wider adaptability and
sometimes quality such as fibre strength in cotton.
Organizations associated with germplasm
IPGRI – International Plant Genetic Resources Institute
NBPGR – National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources