Track 4-1-1: Plant Genetic Resources, Collection, Conversation, Evaluation and IPR Issues
Description
Indian gene centre possesses rich genetic and species diversity in native forage grasses (1256 spp.), as about one third of them, chiefly belonging to the tribes namely Andropogoneae, Paniceae and Eragrostideae, are of forage importance (Handbook of Agriculture, 2009). Forage grasses are important source of livestock feed. Collecting genetic diversity in major native forage species, occurring in both wild (mostly in rangelands) and cultivated state, is of paramount importance in conservation and use. Considerable genetic variability has also been generated in some introduced forages (e.g. Panicum maximum, Brachiaria spp.) as a result of repeated introductions followed by acclimatization due to cultivation under various climatic conditions of India. Since inception in 1976, ICAR-NBPGR has been nodal organization at country level for survey, exploration, collection, characterization, documentation and conservation of plant genetic resources (PGR) viz., landraces of crops, their wild relatives, and other economic plants including forages.
Included in
Collecting Genetic Resources of Major Forage Grasses in India: Progress and Future Strategies
Indian gene centre possesses rich genetic and species diversity in native forage grasses (1256 spp.), as about one third of them, chiefly belonging to the tribes namely Andropogoneae, Paniceae and Eragrostideae, are of forage importance (Handbook of Agriculture, 2009). Forage grasses are important source of livestock feed. Collecting genetic diversity in major native forage species, occurring in both wild (mostly in rangelands) and cultivated state, is of paramount importance in conservation and use. Considerable genetic variability has also been generated in some introduced forages (e.g. Panicum maximum, Brachiaria spp.) as a result of repeated introductions followed by acclimatization due to cultivation under various climatic conditions of India. Since inception in 1976, ICAR-NBPGR has been nodal organization at country level for survey, exploration, collection, characterization, documentation and conservation of plant genetic resources (PGR) viz., landraces of crops, their wild relatives, and other economic plants including forages.
