This article explores essential facts about germplasm conservation, the need for its preservation, the benefits it brings, and the obstacles hindering its effective utilization.
It is crucial to recognize that conservation involves adequate planning, controlled exploitation, judicious use, and efficient resource management to ensure the availability of these resources for present and future use.
As the human population increases, demands on available resources intensify. Conservation of germplasm ensures the continuity of wild species, which are vital for the advancement of biotechnology.
What is Germplasm Conservation?
Germplasm conservation involves the deliberate storage of genetic materials under standardized conditions by regulated agencies, primarily to prevent extinction. The process is carried out using technological innovations that ensure the materials retain their original properties, even when stored in artificial environments.
Biotechnological approaches have been extensively employed, as research continues to accommodate new bio-materials.
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The Need for Germplasm Conservation in Agriculture
The rapid decline in the abundance of wild and local biodiversity necessitates setting apart genetic materials to prevent their disappearance from natural environments. In the drive to meet excessive demand for desired varieties, certain wild forms are often ignored. As a result, there is:
1. Increasing availability of cultivars: These are more controlled and widely accessible.
2. High-quality supply: Conserved materials maintain high quality.
3. Clear botanical identification: There is no ambiguity in the identification of plant varieties.
4. Genetic improvement: Advances in genetic improvement and agronomic manipulation are supported.
5. Enhanced post-harvest management: Post-harvest handling of conserved materials is generally superior.
6. Greater safety: The safety of germplasm is ensured, with little or no adulteration.
Benefits of Germplasm Conservation in Agriculture
The benefits of germplasm conservation include:
1. Genetic improvement: It serves as a gene pool for genetic enhancement.
2. Adaptation and endurance: Conserved genetic materials help crops adapt to various unfavorable biotic and abiotic stresses.
3. High-yielding varieties: Contributes to the development of varieties with improved yields.
4. Pest and disease management: Plays a role in enhancing pest and disease management practices.
5. Reduced dependency on external inputs: It helps reduce the reliance on external agricultural inputs.
Obstacles to the Effective Use of Germplasm in Agriculture
Several challenges hinder the effective use of plant genetic resources:
1. Lack of characterization and evaluation data: There is insufficient data on genetic materials, limiting their use.
2. Poor national coordination: Weak coordination of national policies and insufficient links between national genebanks and germplasm users hinder effective utilization.
3. Limited farmer access: Farmers often lack the information needed to utilize plant genetic resources effectively.
4. Lengthy testing requirements: Varieties developed by International Research Centres (IRC) and African National Agricultural Research Systems (ANARS) are often delayed in reaching farmers due to repeated testing requirements, even in countries with similar agro-ecological conditions.
The absence of national capacity to maintain and provide basic seeds in a timely manner further hampers the exploitation of approved varieties.
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Other Obstacles to Germplasm Conservation
1. Weak Disaster Management: Increasing occurrences of droughts, floods, and conflicts lead to food and seed insecurity, particularly in Africa. While it is widely accepted that disasters occur regularly, there is often insufficient forward planning or consultation at the national or regional levels.
African countries generally lack the capacity to respond effectively and sustainably to such events. Relief programs frequently introduce unsuitable varieties during disasters, eroding biodiversity and causing the loss of valuable local genetic resources.
A significant portion of the assistance allocated to Africa is invested in relief operations, with a smaller share directed towards seed development efforts that would ensure sustainable seed supply and improve preparedness for future crises.
2. Inadequate Regional Seed Marketing: There is a lack of collaboration and harmonization at regional and continental levels concerning the development, movement, and use of high-yielding seeds and vegetatively propagated materials.
Restrictive seed certification and variety release requirements, which vary by country, along with excessive phytosanitary and foreign currency regulations, act as non-tariff barriers, impeding seed exchange.
Improved coordination and capacity-building efforts at national, regional, and continental levels are needed to overcome these constraints. This requires the harmonization of seed rules and the development of better policies to facilitate seed trade.
Although international research centers and African national agricultural research systems have developed new, improved varieties, these often fail to reach farmers due to lengthy testing requirements and other constraints.
Additionally, a lack of national capacity to maintain approved varieties and provide basic seeds in a timely manner hinders the effective exploitation of these resources.
In conclusion, germplasm conservation is critical for preserving genetic diversity and sustaining agricultural advancements. However, addressing obstacles related to data availability, policy coordination, disaster management, and seed marketing is essential to maximize the benefits of conserved plant genetic resources.
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