This document discusses germplasm databases. It defines germplasm as the genetic resources or DNA of an organism. Major databases discussed include GRIN, which contains the National Plant, Animal, Microbial, and Invertebrate Germplasm Programs; IPGRI, which maintains databases on plant genetic resources holdings and collections; and SINGER, the genetic resources information network of the CGIAR. The functions of these databases are to provide access to characterization, evaluation, inventory, and distribution data on national germplasm collections.

1. GERMPLASM DATABASE

2. GERMPLASM
 A term used to describe the genetic resources, or more precisely the
DNA of an organism and collections of that material
 The term germ plasm was first used by August Weismann to describe
a component of germ cells which were responsible for heredity

3. PURPOSE OF GERMPLASM
 Collections of plant, animal and bacterial germplasm for use in
breeding new organisms and the conservation of existing species.
 Current procedures are being taken to conserve germplasm such as
botanical gardens, in situ conservations, and ex situ collections.

4. TYPES
 Mainly there are three types of germplasm based on the
genetic material
 Microbial germplasm
 Plant germplasm
 Animal germplasm

5. GRIN
 The Germplasm Resources Information Network's
(GRIN) - Largest database on germplasm collection
 It includes,
– National Plant Germplasm System (NPGS)
– National Animal Germplasm System (NAGP)
– National Microbial Germplasm Program (NMGP)
– National Invertebrate Germplasm Programme
(NIGRP)
 The GRIN database is managed by the Database
Management Unit (DBMU)

6. FUNCTIONS OF GRIN
 GRIN provides personnel and germplasm users continuous access to
databases for the maintenance of
– characterization
– evaluation
– inventory
– distribution data
– important for the effective management and utilization of national
germplasm collections.

7. IPGRI
 Maintains a number of databases that contain meta information on
plant genetic resources.
 Germplasm holdings database
 The purpose of this database is to provide a summary of each
genebank's holdings. The data include: species name, number of
accessions, biological status of material held (e.g. wild species,
landrace, breeder's material, etc.),
 Collecting database
 The purpose of this database is to provide quick access to information
on all germplasm-collecting missions in which IPGRI has been
involved

9. OTHER GERMPLASM DATABASES
 European central crop database
 Centralize and hold information on germplasm accessions that are
maintained in different European institutes.
 The System-wide Information Network for Genetic Resources
(SINGER) is the genetic resources information exchange network of
the Centres of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural
Research (CGIAR). It provides access to information on the
collections of genetic resources held by the CGIAR Centres

10. NATIONAL PLANT GERMPLASM SYSTEM
 NPGS is a cooperative effort by public and private organizations to
preserve the genetic diversity of plants.
 The NPGS aids the scientists and the need for genetic diversity by:
– Acquiring crop germplasm
– Preserving crop germplasm
– Evaluating crop germplasm
– Documenting crop germplasm
– Distributing crop germplasm

12. BARLEY GERMPLASM DATABASE
 This database consists of information about more than 30
items
 variety name, origin ,history, morphological, physiological
and ecological traits of 4,000 cultivars.

13. NATIONALANIMAL GERMPLASM PROGRAM
 It’s functions are
– to coordinate the availability,
– conservation and utilization of animal and aquatic genetic
resources
– provide optimum access to desirable genes and gene complexes
that will contribute to the future food and fiber supply.

15. NATIONAL MICROBIAL GERMPLASM PROGRAMME
 Maintains the genetic diversity of agriculturally important
microorganisms to enhance agricultural efficiency and profitability.
 To collect, authenticate and characterize potentially useful microbial
germplasm
 Preserve microbial genetic diversity
 Facilitate distribution and utilization of microbial germplasm for
research and industry

17. TYPES OF MICROBIAL GERMPLASM
 The Agricultural Research Service maintains several microbial
germplasm collections including
1. Culture Collection
2. Collection of entomopathogenic Fungal Cultures
3. Fungus Collections

18. THANK YOU