This document discusses germplasm introduction and exchange. It defines germplasm introduction as the transfer of crop plants or genetic resources from one area to another where they have not been cultivated before. The objectives of germplasm introduction include introducing new plant species, high yielding varieties, enriching germplasm collections, and obtaining new sources of biotic and abiotic stress resistance. The document outlines the types, agencies, and steps involved in plant introduction and exchange in India and internationally. It discusses the merits of introducing new germplasm, but also notes some potential demerits such as introducing new weeds, pests, or diseases.

1. Germplasm
Introduction and Exchange
Submitted by
G. Vinay Kumar, Ph.D
Dept. of Genetics and Plant
Breeding
Agricultural college, Bapatla
Submitted to
Dr. T. Srinivas,
Professor , Dept. of Genetics
and Plant Breeding,
Agricultural College, Bapatla

2. Germplasm Introduction
Plant introduction or germplasm introduction is defined as the transposition of crop
plants or plant genetic resources from the place of their cultivation to areas where it
is untried.
According to Allard (1960) plant introduction is the acquisition of superior varieties
by importing them from other areas.

3. Germplasm Introduction
Objectives
 To introduce new plant species there by creating ways to build up new industries.
E.g. Oil palm
 To introduce high yielding varieties to increase food production. E.g. Rice and wheat.
 To enrich the germplasm collection. E.g. Sorghum, Groundnut.
 To get new sources of resistance against both biotic and abiotic stresses.
 Aesthetic value – ornamentals.
Purpose
•Results in establishment of entirely new species
•Provides material for hybridization
•Introduced material acts as source for biotic and abiotic stresses
•To create genetic variability

4. Germplasm Introduction Types
• Bennet (1965) proposed two broad types based on alteration in the original genotype during introduction
Primary introduction
• When the introduced variety is well suited to the new environment, it is released for
commercial cultivation without any alteration in the original genotypes.
• Eg. Semi dwarf wheat varieties Sonora 64, Lerma Rojo from CIMMYT, and rice
varieties Taichung Native 1, IR 8, 1R 28, 1R 36 from IRRI, Philippines.
Secondary introduction
• When the introduced variety is subjected to selection to isolate a superior variety or
alternatively, is hybridized with local varieties to transfer one or few characters from
this variety to the local ones, it is known as secondary introduction.
• Eg. Wheat varieties KalyanSona and Sonalika, selected from material introduced
from CIMMYT, Mexico.

5. Based on utilization
• A. Direct utilization:
Introduction of crop plants or germplasm for direct
commercial cultivation
• B. Indirect utilization:
Not for direct cultivation but for improvement of
present cultivars through crossing or breeding
programmes.

6. • World wide
• IBPGR/IPGRI (1974)
• CGIAR (1971)
• In India
• NBPGR (1946)
• FRI (1906)
• BSI (1890)
• CRI of different crops
Plant Introduction Agencies in India
NBPGR - National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (New Delhi) Agriculture & Horticultural crops
FRI - Forest Research Institute (Dehradun) Forestry plants
BSI - Botanical Survey of India (Calcutta) Plants of Botanical Interest
CRI- Central Research Institute of different crops Tea, Coffee, Sugarcane, Potato, Tobacco etc.,

7. • Central agency – export and introduction of germplasm
• It has 10 regional stations
History
• 1946 - Division of Botany at IARI, ICAR, New Delhi
• 1956 - Plant Introduction and Exploration organization
• 1961 - Division of Plant Introduction
• 1976 - National Bureau of Plant Introduction (NBPI)
• 1977 - Named as National Bureau of Plant Genetic
Resources (NBPGR)
NBPGR

8. 1. Procurement - through NBPGR
2. Quarantine - phytosanitary certificate
3. Cataloging
• Exotic collection (EC)
• Indigenous collection(IC)
• Indigenous wild collection
4. Evaluation - assess the potential
5. Multiplication & Distribution
Steps in Plant Introduction

9.  Obtain an entirely new crop species (maize, potato, tomato etc.)
 To serve as new varieties (sonora-64, lerma rojo – wheat. TN 1, IR 8 - rice)
 Save the crop from disease & pest (coffee was introduced in south america
from africa to prevent losses from leaf rust)
 Used in scientific studies
 Used for aesthetic value
 Maintenance and protection of genetic variability are possible
 Quick and economical method of crop improvement
Merits of Plant Introduction

10. • Introduction of weeds, diseases and pests
(a) Weeds - Argemone, Eichhornia, Lantana
(b) Fungal diseases - late blight of potato, flat smut of wheat, coffee rust,
bunchy top of banana
(c) Insect pests - potato tuber moth, woolly aphid of apple, fluted scale of
Citrus
• Ornamental species becomes noxious weeds
• Threat to the ecological balance
Demerits of Plant Introduction

11. Germplasm Exchange
• Done / Coordinated by Division of Germplasm Exchange, NBPGR
• Activities of Division of GP exchange
• To ensure import/export of PGR of agri-horticultural and agri- silvicultural plants
strictly under phyto sanitary conditions.
• To arrange national (inland) supplies of already available PGR to scientists as well as
to growers/farmers.
• To procure and assemble literature and prepare bibliographies on PGR
• To prepare 'Crop Inventories' on plant genetic resources.
• Document and disseminate the information as 'Plant Introduction Reporter’.

12. • As per Plant Quarantine Order, 2003
• Two mandatory requirements
• Import permit issued by NBPGR before import of any material (IP)
• Phytosanitary certificate from the country of origin (PSC)
• Commercial purposes – bulk quantity
• Application form to Directorate of Plant Protection, Quarantine & Storage
(DPPQS), Faridabad
• Research purposes - small quantity
• Application form (PQ Form 08) to the Director, NBPGR
Import of germplasm

13. • Director, NBPGR - authorized to issue import permit and receive imported
materials from customs authorities for its quarantine inspection and
clearance, as per clause 6 (2) of PQ Order 2003.
• The recipient desirous of importing seed/planting material has to apply
PQ Form 08 to the Director, NBPGR.
• The IP is issued in form PQ 09 in triplicate.
• IP is valid for six months from the date of issue.
• Validity may be extended up to one year on request, if adequate reasons
in writing are justified.
• Import permit is non-transferable
• IP to be sent to the supplier and he should attach the same in duplicate
along with the consignment.
Import permit

14. Processing fee for issuance of import permit

15. • An indentor who wishes to import transgenics has to submit the proposal to Review
Committee on Genetic Manipulation (RCGM) through the Institutional Biosafety
Committee (IBSC).
• RCGM is an authorized agency of the GOI, functioning under DBT, which assesses the
applications submitted for importing transgenic material for research purposes and
issues Seed Transfer Clearance Letter.
• RCGM examines the desirability of import of transgenic line, from the biosafety point of
view.
• It includes representatives from DBT, ICMR, ICAR, CSIR and other experts in their
individual capacity.
• After getting the technical clearance for import, from RCGM, the indentor has to apply
to Director, NBPGR, New Delhi for the issuance of IP in the prescribed PQ 08 form
along with Seed Transfer Clearance Letter issued by DBT
Import permit for transgenics

16. • After obtaining the IP, the recipient should send it to the concerned
official/supplier (abroad) who has agreed to supply the required
germplasm for use in research.
• The supplier should be instructed to send the copies of IP (one pasted
outside the seed parcel and other inside the seed packet) and other
relevant documents with the consignment.
• The IP and PSC in duplicate must be enclosed along with the
seed/planting material for custom clearance.
• It should be clearly instructed to the sender/supplier that consignment
should be addressed only to the Director, NBPGR, New Delhi.
• The port of entry of germplasm is New Delhi Airport only.
Release of the Consignment

17. Handling charge

18. • All indents for import of germplasm are registered for assigning the case number and then
forwarded to the Plant Quarantine (PQ) Division, without opening the parcel along with correctly
filled Import Quarantine (IQ) form, for detailed quarantine inspection and clearance.
• After clearance from PQ Division, the samples are first arranged taxonomically indicating their
genus, species, common name and cultivar name etc. For national accessioning in the national
record.
• Each introduction/accession is assigned an Exotic Collection (EC) number which remains
unchanged with information like name and address of the indentor, address of the source
institute/country, characteristics and details of the germplasm, relevant references, date of arrival,
form of the material and recipients of the materials.
• All assembled healthy seed/plant material is dispatched to the various researchers to make use of
these valuable genetic resources
• The accessioning of the imported material is done online at www.nbpgr.ernet.in/geq.
• Only small qty imported. For transgenics – DBT specifies qty.; 5 – 10 % retained as voucher
sample
Registration, National Accessioning and Import Quarantine

19. • Germplasm should be obtained in small quantities (3000 to 4000 seeds only)
• In case of vegetative materials, it should not exceed six scion woods,
rhizomes, etc.,
• While in case of rooted plants, the number should be kept to the minimum (1-
2 plants each).
• Efforts should be made to avoid repeat introductions
www.nbpgr.ernet.in/Downloadfile.aspx?EntryId=7500
Permitted quantity

20. Permitted quantity of imports and exports

22. • The access to Indian biological resources by foreign nationals or export of germplasm
for research purposes is governed by Biological Diversity Act (BDA), 2002 & Biological
Diversity Rules (BDR), 2004 (http://www.biodiv.org).
• The act was enacted under the provisions of the CBD.
• As per section 3 of the Act, no person from outside India or a corporate, association,
organization incorporated or registered in India having non -Indian participation in its
share capital or management, can access any biological resources or associated
knowledge, for research , commercial utilization, bio-prospecting or bio-utilization,
without prior approval of National Biodiversity Authority (NBA).
• However, as per Section 5 of the Act, exchange of germplasm for collaborative research
under the bilateral agreements/collaborative projects are, exempted, which confirm to
the policy guidelines issued by the central govt. or approved by the central govt.
• The proposals for export received under collaborative research projects are examined
and screened by the Germplasm Export Facilitation Committee (GEFC).
Export of Germplasm

23. Chairman: Director, NBPGR, New Delhi
Members:
• Director / Project Director / Project Coordinator (concerned crop)
• Assistant Director General (concerned crop)
• Assistant Director General (Intellectual Property & Technology
Management, ICAR)
• Director/Dy. Director (DARE)
• Head, Plant Quarantine Division, NBPGR, New Delhi
• Officer-in-charge, Germplasm Exchange Unit, NBPGR, New Delhi
• Officer-in-charge, Policy Planning Unit, NBPGR, New Delhi
Germplasm Export Facilitation Committee (GEFC)

24. • Request Letter from foreign institution submitted to ICAR or through Research
Institutions or any researcher in India or outside India
• Details of the Collaborative Research Project duly signed.
• Details of the seed/planting material under consideration for export
• Import permit of the recipient country
• Signed copy of ICAR/DARE approved Material Transfer Agreement
(MTA)/ Standard Material Transfer Agreement (SMTA)
• Proforma for Export (check list) duly filled in and signed
Documents to be submitted along with export proposal

25. • The GEFC submits its recommendations to DARE, for the final approval.
• After the approval is conveyed by Subject Matter Division (SMD), the seed/planting
material is collected from NBPGR and PSC is issued by PQ Division after
quarantine inspection of the seed/planting material meant for export.
• The seed/planting material is dispatched to the indentor along with IP and PSC

27. • The researchers/users desirous of obtaining any seed/planting material
for research/experimental purpose from NBPGR may submit the
request in the prescribed requisition proforma for the supply of
seed/planting material or Form GEX 01 , along with Material Transfer
Agreement (MTA) signed by the recipient, to Director, NBPGR or officer-
In-charge, Germplasm Exchange Unit
• Feedback information (in the prescribed proforma ) on the performance
or utilization of material, along with sufficient quantity of multiplied
seed must be sent to Director, NBPGR, New Delhi in case of all the
material supplied to researchers and users across the country, whether
imported or indigenous
National (Domestic) Supply of Germplasm

29.  Always obtain IP before importing seed/planting material for research/experimental purposes
from Director, NBPGR.
 IP and PSC must accompany every seed/planting material
 As per Schedule-V of PQ Order 2003 seed/planting materials are to be imported only by
authorized institutions or the requests should be forwarded only through respective authorized
institutes.
 As per Schedule-IV of PQ Order 2003 seed/planting materials are prohibited for import from the
countries mentioned against them due to incidence of diseases and pests.
 The seed/planting material meant for exchange should not be treated with any chemicals.
 The consignment should be addressed to Director, NBPGR, New Delhi.
 The port of entry for germplasm is New Delhi only.
 National Identity numbers (EC) allotted to specific accessions by Bureau must not be changed.
 This identity is required for documentation, use, reference, benefit sharing, legal purposes etc.
Points to Remember

30. Merits & Demerits of germplasm
exchange
Merits:
• Legal control over the exchange of germplasm
• Avoids import or export of deadly new weeds, pests
and diseases from one place to another.
• Helps to transfer of only healthy material
• New crops may transferred from one place to another.
Demerits:
• It is a lengthy procedure as so many legal rules are
involved.
• It is time consuming period.
Merits: