gp.singh@icar.gov.in; director.nbpgr@icar.gov.in

Plant genetic resources (PGR) are the foundation of agriculture as well as food and nutritional security. The ICAR-NBPGR is the nodal institution at national level for management of PGR in India under the umbrella of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi. India being one of the gene-rich countries faces a unique challenge of protecting its natural heritage while evolving mutually beneficial strategies for germplasm exchange with other countries.

The Bureaus activities include PGR exploration, collection, exchange, characterization, evaluation, conservation and documentation. It also has the responsibility to carry out quarantine of all imported PGR including transgenics meant for research purposes. The multifarious activities are carried out from ICAR-NBPGR headquarters and its 10 regional stations located in different agro-climatic zones of India. It has linkages with international organizations of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) and national crop-based institutes to accomplish its mandated activities. ICAR-NBPGR encompasses the National Genebank Network and at present, the National Genebank conserves more than 4.68 lakhs accessions.

ICAR-NBPGR collects and acquires germplasm from various sources, conserves it in the Genebank, characterizes and evaluates it for different traits and provides ready material for breeders to develop varieties for farmers. NBPGR works in service-mode for effective utilization of PGR in crop improvement programmes which depends mainly on its systematic characterization and evaluation, and identification of potentially useful germplasm. For effective utilization of germplasm, ICAR-NBPGR is actively engaged in organizing Germplasm Field Days in every crop season. Germplasm field days provide an opportunity to the users for on-the-spot assessment of variability and select the material of their interest.

The Bureau also develops genomic tools for enhanced utilization of crop germplasm; generates and conserves genomic resources; undertakes molecular profiling and DNA fingerprinting of crop varieties; and molecular diagnostics for GM detection. It is responsible for identifying trait-specific pre-adapted climate resilient genotypes, promising material with disease resistance and quality traits which the breeders use for various crop improvement programmes.

The system has contributed immensely towards safeguarding the indigenous and introducing useful exotic PGR for enhancing the agricultural production. Presently, our focus is on characterization of ex situ conserved germplasm and detailed evaluation of prioritized crops for enhanced utilization; assessment of impact of on-farm conservation practices on genetic diversity; genome-wide association mapping for identification of novel genes and alleles for enhanced utilization of PGR; identification and deployment of germplasm/ landraces using climate analog data; validation of trait-specific introduced germplasm for enhanced utilization.

Utilization of PGR stands at a crucial juncture and strategic decisions on the way forward are imperative. Traditional methods of PGR management are being challenged by changing needs, priorities, climate, technologies, and policies.

Envisaging the overwhelming pressure on the natural existence and evolution of PGR does not require prophecy. However, looking through more than four decades shows the promise of modern technologies in combating genetic erosion and enhancing utilization of PGR. It is in this context that adopting every upcoming technology is the best way forward.