Page | 19
3
Exploration and Germplasm Collection: Status, Priorities and
Page | 20 plant genetic resources (PGR) in the country, including germplasm having potential for combating with abiotic stresses like salinity, drought, cold and heat. India has 40 identified agro-biodiversity spots in Western Himalaya, Eastern Himalaya, Eastern Ghats, Aravalli, Eastern region of India and Vindhyan ranges (Nayar, 1996).
Presently, over 500 species of both indigenous and exotic cultivated plants are widely grown in different agro-ecological regions of the country. The crop wild relatives have played a significant role in crop improvement. Recently, about 4,157 utilizations of CWR in crop improvement, spanning 127 crops have been reported. In India, 833 taxa belonging to 741 species, including wild/weedy form(s) or populations of 145 crop species have been shortlisted as CWR in India and among these 238 species have been prioritized for exploration and collection (Pradheep et al., 2014).
Table 1. Major crop species of Indian origin Crop group Crop (botanical name)
Cereals and millets Rice (Oryza sativa), little millet (Panicum sumatrense), kodo millet (Paspalum scrobiculatum)
Grain legumes Black gram (Vigna mungo), moth bean (V. aconitifolia), pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan), horse gram/kulthi (Macrotyloma uniflorum), velvet bean (Mucuna utilis)
Fruits Mango (Mangifera indica), banana (Musa spp.) jamun (Syzygium cumini), jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus), Citrus group, lime and others, karonda (Carissa congesta), khirni (Manilkara hexandra), phalsa (Grewia asiatica), bael (Aegle marmelos), wood apple (Feronia limonia), kokam (Garcinia indica)
Vegetables Eggplant (Solanum melongena), ridged gourd and smooth gourd (Luffa spp.) round gourd/tinda (Praecitrullus fistulosus), pointed gourd/parval (Trichosanthes dioica), taro/arbi (Colocasia esculenta), yam (Dioscorea spp.), jimikand (Amorphophallus campanulatus), kundri (Coccinia indica), cucumber (Cucumis sativus), rat tailed radish/mungra (Raphanus caudatus) Oilseeds Rai, sarson and toria types (Brassica spp.)
Fibres Jute (Corchorus capsularis), cotton (Gossypium arboreum), sunnhemp (Crotalaria juncea)
Medicinal and aromatic plants
Rauvolfia serpentina, Saussurea lappa, Indian belladonna (Atropa acuminata), Indian barberry (Berberis aristata), Guggul (Commiphora wightii)
Spices and condiments
Turmeric (Curcuma domestica), ginger (Zingiber officinale), cardamom (Elettaria
cardamomum), Bengal/large cardamom (Amomum aromaticum), long pepper (Piper longum), black pepper (Piper nigrum), betle leaf (Piper betel), cinnamon (Cinnamomum spp.)
Other crops Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum), bamboos (Bambusa arundinacea), Dendrocalamus hamiltonii, Sinocalamus giganteus), Sesbania sesban, tea (Camellia sinensis)
Page | 21 Status of germplasm collection in India
The collecting of plant genetic resources (PGR) primarily aims at tapping available variability in different agri-horticultural crops, their wild relatives and related species. The germplasm so collected reveals the nature and extent of variability in different species, within species, cultigens, etc. as also their agro-ecological/phyto-geographical distribution. It is obvious thus that much PGRs had been explored, collected and studied in the later part of the nineteenth century. The knowledge so gained formed the basis of further studies and diverse genetic resources got assembled for use in crop improvement programmes (Mehra and Arora, 1982; Paroda and Arora, 1986). The search for new genes got initiated through the foresight of late Dr. B.P. Pal in 1940s and plant exploration and germplasm collection activity got impetus (Pal, 1937).
In India, systematic plant exploration and germplasm collection work was initiated with the establishment of central agency in 1946 in the Division of Botany, Imperial Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi. Late Dr. Harbhajan Singh, an eminent and pioneer plant explorer initiated germplasm collection and significantly contributed in the field of plant genetic resources. This activity has been more systematized after creation of National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources in 1976. This activity has been more systematized after the creation of the National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR), New Delhi in 1976.
Prior to this, between 1946 to July 1976, a total of 31,235 germplasm accessions of cereals, millets, legumes, oilseeds, vegetables, fiber yielding and other economic plants including wild relatives were collected (Table 2).
Table 2: Indigenous germplasm collections made prior to the creation of NBPGR
Period Collections Crop groups
1946-1950 615
Cereals, millets, legumes, oilseeds, vegetables, fibre yielding and other economic plants including wild relatives.
1951-1955 3,363
1956-1960 4,245
1961-1965 4,470
1966-1970 1,902
1971-1975 10,737
1976 (upto July) 5,603
Total 31,235
This activity received greater impetus from 1985. Up to 1998, major emphasis was on crop- specific collaborative explorations (Gautam et al., 1998). Majority of exploration missions were multi-crop/region specific surveys, while after 1976 till 1984 both multi-crop/region specific and crop- specific surveys were made. Later, for the one and half decade, collaborative explorations with crop based institutes received greater impetus. After CBD in 1993, germplasm was considered as sovereign property of the nation. The urgency was felt and NBPGR/ICAR rose to the occasion. With the help of World Bank aided project National
Page | 22 Agricultural Technology Project on Plant Biodiversity, this activity has taken a major boost from September 1999. It was a unique effort at national level, wherein more than 130 organizations representing all crop based Institutes, SAUs, other Governmental and Non- Governmental Organizations (NGOs) worked in collaboration for national cause of collecting and conserving agro-biodiversity. Several Indo-International programs on plant exploration and collection of specific crops and groups of crops were undertaken by IARI (the erstwhile Plant Introduction Division) and NBPGR in collaboration with certain international organizations or with financial support.
Since inception of the NBPGR, significant work has been done on exploration and collection of germplasm of different agri-horticultural crops and their wild relatives from diversity rich areas in country. From August 1976 to May 2019, 2740 explorations have been undertaken in which a large number of germplasm collections (2,75,692 including 207,760 cultivated and 36,697 wild types) of economically important agri-horticultural crops and their wild relatives have been collected from different agro-ecological zones/habitats involving more than 130 organizations including crop-based institutes, state agriculture universities (SAUs) (Table 2).
The collections of different crops were categorized in to 13 crop groups viz. cereals, pseudo- cereals, millets & minor millets, pulses or grain legumes, vegetables, oil seeds, fruits, fibre and allied crops, fodder crops and grasses, medicinal and aromatic plants, spices and condiments, agro-forestry/ tree spp., sugarcane and other crops. Collection status of each crop group is presented in table 2. Highest collections have been made in cereals followed by vegetables and pulses. Collection status, gaps and priority areas of crops and their relatives are presented in paper under these crop groups.
Table 3: Germplasm of crop-groups collected by ICAR-NBPGR
Sl.No. Crop-group Accessions (1946- 2019)
1. Cereals 60577
2. Pseudocereals 7310
3. Millets & minor millets 22521
4. Vegetables 53983
5. Pulses (grain legumes) 41151
6. Oil seeds 25228
7. Fruits 13820
8. Fibre and allied crops 5559
9. Fodder crops and grasses 2116
10. M & AP, spices & condiments 27873
11. Agroforesty/ tree spp. 2094
12. Sugarcane 1232
13. Other economic crops/plants 12228
Total accessions 275692
Page | 23 Gap analysis of augmented diversity: a new initiative
The term ‘Gap analysis’ refers to a systematic method of analyzing the degree of conservation of taxa, in order to identify those locations, taxa, and particular traits (adaptations) un- or under- secured in conservation systems (Maxted et al., 2008).
Technological advances in both software and hardware, together with the increased availability and accessibility of geographical, environmental and biodiversity data, have led to increased application of GIS (Geographical Information System) analysis for collecting, conservation and use of PGR in the last two decades. NBPGR has initiated gap analysis work of augmented indigenous germplasm accessions (1,30,984) of seven crops viz. rice (1,00,425), wheat (8,013), maize (8,375), pigeonpea (2,967), finger millet (3,898), fox-tail millet (5,891) and tomato (1,415) assembled from different states of the country (Semwal et al., 2017, Panwar et al., 2015, Pandey et al., 2014, Semwal et al., 2013). However, remaining precious germplasm (>3,06,911 accessions) of cultivated, underutilized crops and crop wild relatives (1,746 species) of the country need to be geo-referenced and gaps to be identified on priority basis. Gap analysis study is generally conducted to identify the ‘gaps’ in collections vs conserved diversity (Margules, 1989). The analysis is also used to assess the genetic and geographical diversity of crops and their wild relatives, as it allows to detect incomplete germplasm collections as well as to decide which species should be collected and in which locality these collections are to be focused.
Gap analysis can be categorized in to four steps: (1) to identify and classify biodiversity, (2) to locate areas recognized for biodiversity, (3) to identify biodiversity that is under represented in those known areas, and (4) to set priorities for new collection programme through ground truthing. GIS tools have been used to find out the gaps in existing collections and to identify areas for future collections, as well as to locate germplasm collection sites for potential/trait-specific crops, for the purpose (Hijmans et al. 2001).
Priorities and future thrust
Ex-situ Conservation of Plant Genetic Resources
For present and future use, diversity useful for mankind needs to be conserved using ex-situ.
Focused collection of less collected/ unrepresentative germplasm of indigenous crop taxa belonging to prioritized crops namely vegetables and their wild relatives, millets & minor millets and their wild relatives; pulses/legumes and their wild relatives; oilseeds and their wild relatives; fruits of Indian origin, underutilized crops and cereals after gap analysis from targeted areas viz. un-explored/under-explored areas, diversity rich pockets, remote, inaccessible and tribal dominated areas, etc. for their ex-situ conservation by involving various stakeholders, ICAR crop-based institutes, SAUs, KVKs, NGOs and state government departments.
Page | 24 Mapping, documentation and cataloguing of genetic resources
India is richly endowed with plant wealth of cultivated crops and species of economic importance. However, the diversity available at species and genetic level, their distribution, habitat and niche areas of crop wild relatives (CWR), crops/ landraces, minor and potential fruits, medicinal and aromatic plants have not been systematically documented and mapped at fine grid level. Hence, proper inventorization and documentation of these resources can lead to identification of gaps in exploration, quantifying the genetic erosion component and device strategies to rehabilitate the lost diversity by recouping from gene banks. Mapping and documentation of plant diversity will be helpful in identification of vulnerable species and areas, study trends in diversity and predict impact of climate change. The database would be of great use in planning and use of natural resources and future studies. In this regard, PGR database, herbariums and secondary information would be used to document and map the diversity of prioritized crops/species of economic importance. Real time Remote Sensing data, GIS and ground truthing needs to be done involving Indian Institute of Remote Sensing (IISR) and Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). Data pertaining to unique traits/characters, areas of occurrence, richness and distribution, in-situ sites, habitat dynamics, traditional knowledge/ cultural value of plant genetic resources should be documented. This is a gigantic task require involvement of all stakeholders under NARS (National Agricultural Research System), BSI, CSIR and others in central/state universities including experts in GIS, software development and data management to document and map the diversity in cultivated and economically important species of plants.
In-situ on-farm management of native agro-ecosystems
The crop wild relatives (CWR) have played a significant role in crop improvement, global food security in the wake of climate change, and require immediate conservation measures before these are lost. In India, 833 taxa belonging to 741 species, including wild/weedy form(s) of 145 crop species have been shortlisted. Of these, so far only 15% of CWR species diversity could be conserved in National Genebank (NGB). Besides, there are several wild species including minor fruits like kokum (Garcinia indica), jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus), sahajan (Moringa oleifera), jamun (Syzygium cumini), bael (Aegel marmelos), ber (Ziziphus mauritiana), phalsa (Grewia asiatica), khajoor (Phoenix dactylifera), kronda (Carissa carandas), khirni (Manilkara hexandra), chironjee (Buchananai lanzan), custard apple (Annona squamosa), figs (Ficus spp.), mulberry (Morus alba), berries, Rubus spp., Ribes spp., Prunus spp., etc. are rich in nutrients, antioxidants and source of livelihoods for remote villagers in general and for tribal’s and forest dwelling communities in particular.
Medicinal and aromatic plants are also rich in bio-molecules and widely used in Indian system of medicines, can boost the economy of India. Their in-situ conservation is very essential due to over exploitation and loss of species and genetic diversity. Majority of the abovementioned species are habitat/niche specific, growing in farms, forests and degraded community land, which are under severe pressure of habitat loss due to several reasons. It is
Page | 25 very essential to conserve these resources in their natural habitat to ensure adaptation and evolutionary process in changing climate, nutritional security and posterity. There is need to identify their habitat/niche specific sites for declaring them as in-situ conservation sites/
Biodiversity Heritage Sites. Status of species, population and genetic diversity at each site needs to be assessed taking help of remote sensing techniques to locate and identify the potential sites to study current status and temporal changes. Besides in situ/ ex-situ conservation, documentation of associated traditional knowledge is equally important as several species are being exploited by tribal people residing in remote/forest areas.
The representation of CWR in seed banks, in general, is inadequate and often collected sporadically (rather than systematic collection). The second State of the World Report on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture reports about 10% share of wild species in the global germplasm holdings, in which CWR constitute about 2-6% (Maxted and Kell, 2009). Major impetus for CWR collection at national level was made during National Agricultural Technology Project on Sustainable Management of Plant Biodiversity (1999- 2005) operational at NBPGR and afterwards, about 27 per cent of accessions collected every year (after 1999) belongs to wild species. This has resulted in about 12% share of wild species of PGR importance to the total collection in NGB of NBPGR, New Delhi. CWR occupy about 2.76% of the total collections in this genebank.
Mainstreaming agricultural biodiversity conservation and utilization
Agricultural biodiversity is the foundation of agriculture. It is the source of genetic material that is vital to future generations. The use of agricultural biodiversity can help make agricultural ecosystems more resilient and productive; and can contribute to better nutrition, productivity and livelihoods. However, there is significant loss in species, population and habitat of agrobiodiversity due to several reasons. It is a well known fact that most of the improved varieties have lower nutritional value than traditional landraces produced organically and generally failed under stresses (biotic and abiotic). Importance of on-farm management and sustainable use of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (PGR- FA) are recognized at the national and international level, and the key policy developments.
In-situ on-farm management of farmers’ varieties on smallholding/marginal farms provides a valuable option for conserving crop diversity for sustainable utilization. More importantly, it helps sustain evolutionary systems that are responsible for the generation of genetic variability. After achieving food security, the national focus would be on nutritional security and on climate resilient farming systems. For these, the ICAR-NBPGR is a key institution in the country that can make available the nutritionally rich widely adapted landraces and farmers varieties of crops for all types of growing conditions in the country. This endeavour will enhance capacity of farming and dependent communities by strengthening local seed supply systems and establishment of community seed banks (CSBs).
Page | 26 References
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