introduction ot pgr

1. Introduction to
Plant Genetic
Resources
Plant genetic resources refer to the diverse array of plant species,
varieties, and cultivars that serve as the foundation for agriculture and
food production. These resources encompass the genetic diversity found
in wild, cultivated, and traditional plant varieties, crucial for breeding,
research, and enhancing crop resilience.
Presented by: Lubna Shaheen

2. Importance of Plant Genetic
Resources
1 Food Security
Plant genetic resources are crucial for
maintaining a diverse and resilient food
supply, ensuring future food security as the
global population grows.
2 Breeding and Improvement
They provide the genetic diversity needed
for plant breeders to develop new,
improved crop varieties that are higher-
yielding, more disease-resistant, and better
adapted to changing environmental
conditions.
3 Medicinal and Industrial Uses
Many important medicines, biofuels, and
other industrial products are derived from
the genetic diversity found in wild and
cultivated plant species.
4 Ecological Balance
Plant genetic resources play a crucial role
in maintaining the delicate balance of
natural ecosystems, contributing to
biodiversity and overall environmental
health.

3. Types of Plant Genetic Resources
Landraces
Traditional plant varieties
adapted to local environments
and cultural practices, often
with high genetic diversity.
Wild Relatives
Undomesticated plant species
closely related to cultivated
crops, with valuable genetic
traits for breeding.
Ex-situ Collections
Germplasm stored in seed
banks, field gene banks, and
botanical gardens for
conservation and research.

4. In-situ Conservation of
Plant Genetic Resources
In-situ conservation involves the maintenance and protection of plant
genetic resources in their natural habitats. This approach allows species
to evolve and adapt to changing environmental conditions, preserving
their genetic diversity and adaptive potential.
In-situ conservation sites include national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and
other protected areas, where native plant species are safeguarded in their
native ecosystems.

5. Ex-situ Conservation of Plant Genetic
Resources
Seed Banks
Seed banks are specialized
facilities that store and
preserve a wide variety of plant
seeds, ensuring the long-term
conservation of genetic
diversity.
Field Genebanks
Field genebanks maintain living
collections of plants in their
natural or semi-natural
habitats, allowing for the
preservation of entire
ecosystems.
Cryopreservation
Cryopreservation techniques
enable the long-term storage of
plant genetic material, such as
seeds, pollen, or vegetative
tissues, in ultra-low
temperature conditions.

6. Germplasm Collection and
Characterization
Germplasm Exploration
Systematic surveys and explorations to identify and collect diverse plant genetic resources
from their natural habitats.
Germplasm Acquisition
Establishment of formal agreements and procedures to ethically and legally obtain
germplasm samples from various sources.
Germplasm Characterization
Detailed morphological, biochemical, and molecular profiling of germplasm to understand
its unique traits and potential uses.

7. Evaluation and Utilization of Plant
Genetic Resources
1
Characterization
Assess the genetic diversity and unique traits of plant species
2
Evaluation
Test the performance and suitability for specific uses
3
Documentation
Maintain detailed records of evaluated traits
and uses
Evaluating and characterizing plant genetic resources is essential to understand their potential
applications. This involves assessing the diversity of traits, testing the performance under different
conditions, and carefully documenting the evaluated characteristics. This process helps identify valuable
genetic resources for further utilization in breeding, research, and product development.

8. Challenges in Plant Genetic Resources
Management
Conservation Challenges
Maintaining the biodiversity and genetic
integrity of plant genetic resources is
challenging due to factors like climate
change, habitat loss, and urbanization.
Documentation and Access
Incomplete documentation and restricted
access to plant genetic resource collections
can hinder their effective utilization by
researchers and breeders.
Funding Constraints
Insufficient funding for conservation,
evaluation, and maintenance of plant genetic
resource collections is a major obstacle to
their long-term sustainability.
Policy Barriers
Unclear or conflicting policies governing the
collection, exchange, and use of plant genetic
resources can create legal and regulatory
hurdles.

9. International efforts in plant genetic
resources conservation
Global
Initiatives
Major international
organizations like
the Food and
Agriculture
Organization (FAO)
and the Convention
on Biological
Diversity (CBD)
have spearheaded
global efforts to
conserve and
sustainably utilize
plant genetic
resources
worldwide.
Multilateral
Agreements
Key international
agreements such as
the International
Treaty on Plant
Genetic Resources
for Food and
Agriculture
(ITPGRFA) and the
Nagoya Protocol
promote equitable
access and benefit-
sharing of plant
genetic resources
globally.
Regional
Cooperation
Regional plant
genetic resources
networks in Africa,
Asia, Europe, and
the Americas
facilitate information
sharing, capacity
building, and
collaborative
conservation
initiatives across
countries.
Research
Partnerships
International
research centers
like the Consultative
Group on
International
Agricultural
Research (CGIAR)
work closely with
national programs to
collect, characterize,
and conserve plant
genetic diversity for
future use.

10. Future Prospects and Research
Priorities
Advancing Sustainable
Agriculture
Developing climate-resilient crop varieties
and sustainable farming practices to ensure
food security in the face of environmental
challenges.
Genetic Diversity Conservation
Prioritizing the preservation of endangered
plant species and wild relatives to maintain
the genetic pool for future breeding and
research.
Biotechnology Applications
Exploring the potential of genomics, gene
editing, and other biotechnologies to enhance
crop traits and improve the utilization of plant
genetic resources.
Collaborative Research
Fostering international partnerships and
knowledge-sharing to advance the
understanding and management of plant
genetic resources globally.

11. Thank you
Any Questions?