History, Achievements, and Current Status of Genetic Resources Conservation

Abstract

This paper has been written to look back at the early period of crop genetic resources conservation and inform readers of what has been achieved so far and what needs to be done in the future. The recognition of the value of crop genetic resources and early efforts at collecting germplasm by pioneer plant explorers, such as F.N. Meyer and N.I. Vavilov, and some of the strategies they employed are described. Historic examples of collection, evaluation, and utilization of genetic resources, notably by the late J.R. Harlan and other U.S. agronomists, are highlighted. The use of wild progenitors in improving biotic and abiotic stress tolerance has been covered. Previous and present status of genetic resources collection and storage, both ex situ in gene banks and in situ in the natural habitats of crops and their wild progenitors, is discussed. The creation of agrobiodiversity is a dynamic process and hence the work on conservation of genetic resources has to continue. With the increasing use of biotechnology in crop improvement, the value of germplasm already collected and conserved will substantially increase as researchers seek out new sources of useful genes in the future.

Trends in ex situ conservation of plant genetic resources: a review of global crop and regional conservation strategies

“…Wild species related to crops have proved useful to crop improvement as sources of a variety of valuable traits, particularly pest and disease resistance, and tolerance to abiotic stress (Hajjar and Hodgkin 2007;Tanksley and McCouch 1997;FAO 2009b;Meilleur and Hodgkin 2004;Maxted and Kell 2009;Hoisington et al 1999;McCouch et al 2007;Gur and Zamir 2004;Damiana 2008). The wild portion of a crop genepool generally contains much greater genetic variation than that contained in the cultivated taxa, as domestication and improvement have created genetic bottlenecks that have limited the diversity available in the crop (Vollbrecht and Sigmon 2005;Petersen et al 1994;Tanksley and McCouch 1997;Damiana 2008).…”

Conservação ex situ e on farm de recursos genéticos: desafios para promover sinergias e complementaridades

“…A aceleração do processo de perda de diversidade genética observado nesse período fez crescer o interesse pelas variedades locais 'landraces' como fontes de genes resistentes a estresses bióticos e abióticos, levando à recomendação expressa da coleta generalizada de germoplasma dos principais gêneros agrícolas presentes na alimentação humana a partir de 1972, bem como a sua conservação em bancos de germoplasma (Damania, 2008 (Brieger et al, 1958 …”

Gene Banking for Ex Situ Conservation of Plant Genetic Resources

“…Much of the germplasm of major crops and their wild and weedy relatives already resides in gene banks. The effect of the vast increase in accessions since the 1970s on germplasm utilised for crop production has thus far been modest (Damania 2008 ). More than a decade ago, a US survey found around three-quarters of soy and wheat breeders and around three-fi fths of cotton and sorghum breeders, but only 45 % of corn breeders used gene banks more than 'rarely'.…”