Since the beginning of the 90s, a paradigm shift has become evident in the case of plant genetic resources. This is the result of basic changes such asThese developments are of major and wide-reaching importance for the problem of biodiversity. In order to prepare gene banks for future responsibilities, the concept of “integrated gene banks” will be introduced here. In order to set a broader framework for securing plant genetic resources, a new discipline, agrobiodiversity, will be delineated.