Exchange of plant genetic resources: Prospects in India

National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources has the major responsibility of introducing genetic resources and distributing the same to various research Institutes/organizations within the country. It is involved in enrichment of plant genetic resources through germplasm exchange, procurement and collection from centres of diversity suitable for different agro-climatic conditions. Different biotic and abiotic stresses are the major production constraints in many crops, hence, introduction of crops from the centre of diversity is much needed to bring into superior seeds of various crops with high yield, quality, resistance to pest and diseases and tolerant to abiotic stresses through crop improvements programmes. Future emphasis is to introduce specific genotypes with special characters especially like high quality lines and lines resistant to various biotic and abiotic stresses. During the past five years 211 298 accessions including 467 995 samples of seed/planting material were introduced from 103 countries. Out of theses 116 149 accessions having 138 352 samples were germplasm while 58 024 entries having 329 704 samples were trials/nurseries entries and 1 139 wild species of different agri-horticultural crops were also introduced. During this period a total of 78 298 accessions were exported as per norms/regulation lay down by NBA and with permission of ICAR/DARE, for research purposes only. NBPGR has supplied 50 657 samples of various crops to national users in different institutes/organizations across the country for various crop improvement and breeding programmes.