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Definition
Crop genetic diversity is one of the fundamental natural
resources upon which agriculture depends. Several CCRP projects
are involved in the conservation, analysis, and utilization
of crop genetic diversity.
"The two basic approaches to germplasm conservation are
in situ and ex situ methods. In situ refers to maintaining
plants and animals in their original habitat, most notably
in farmers' fields (also known as on-farm conservation). Ex
situ conservation refers to maintaining organisms outside
their original habitats in facilities such as genebanks, field
genebanks or botanical gardens. Experience shows that diversity
is only secure when diverse conservation strategies are employed.
Ex situ and in situ approaches are not mutually exclusive;
no single method of conservation is optimal for all situations,
and no single method can succeed alone. Different conservation
systems can complement each other and provide insurance against
the shortcomings of any one method. Ultimately, the success
of both in situ and ex situ approaches depends on forging
strong links between the two. In practical terms this means
conservation and utilization using both institutional scientific
innovation and the community genius of farmers and indigenous
peoples."
Source: Shand, Hope. 1997. Human Nature: Agricultural Biodiversity
and Farm-based Food Security. Rafi, FAO, 110 pages. As excerpted
at the FAO's
Sustainable Development Department (SD).
Relevant CCRP projects
Previously funded projects
 Sweetpotato
diversity (Kenya)
Relevant events
None listed as of
.
Relevant literature
Available in PDF format
 Scientific references: germplasm conservation
Available on the Internet
Erosion of crop genetic diversity
- Website: ODI
- Reference: Tripp, R. and W. van der Heide. 1996. The erosion
of crop genetic diversity: challenges, strategies and uncertainties.
Natural Resources Perspectives 7, March 1996.
- Description: "This paper describes the challenges
to conserving crop genetic diversity, presents some of the
strategies that are being implemented to reverse the erosion
of that diversity, outlines several gaps in our knowledge
that must be addressed in order to make such strategies
more effective, and concludes with some policy implications."
Managing plant genetic diversity
- Website: IPGRI
- Reference: Engels, J., V.R. Rao. A.H. Brown and M.T. Jackson.
2001. Managing Plant Genetic Diversity. CABI Publishing.
- Description: "This book contains more than 40 of
the papers presented at the conference on Science and Technology
for Managing Plant Genetic Diversity in the 21st Century.
It addresses key scientific and technical aspects of the
management of plant genetic resources now and in the future.
It is essential reading for those working in genetic resources
conservation and will also prove invaluable for those conducting
research in areas such as plant genetics, breeding, biotechnology
and biodiversity."
In situ germplasm conservation
- Website: IDRC
- Reference: Brush, S. (Ed.). 2000. Genes in the Field.
IDRC/ IPGRI/ Lewis Publishers. Ottawa, Canada. 300 pp.
- Description: "Genes in the Field provides an interdisciplinary
foundation for an important new conservation program: maintaining
biological resources of crop plants within the systems where
they have evolved. The book offers a truly global vision
of the on-farm conservation movement and, like no other
before it, provides a comprehensive review of the issues
and challenges of on-farm conservation of genetic resources.
The book's chapters are written by a collection of outstanding
scholars and academics from a variety of disciplines; they
include biologists, agronomists, anthropologists, economists,
lawyers, and agricultural development specialists."
Using molecular markers technology for plant genetic diversity
studies
- Websites: IPGRI
- Module
1: Using Molecular Marker Technology in Studies
on Plant Genetic Diversity: Learning module
- Module
2: Genetic Diversity Analysis with Molecular Marker
Data: Learning Module
- References:
- de Vicente, M.C. and Fulton T. 2003 Using molecular
marker technology in studies on plant genetic diversity.
Illus. Nelly Giraldo. IPGRI, Rome, Italy and Institute
for Genetic Diversity, Ithaca, New York, USA.;
- de Vicente, M.C., López, C. and Fulton, T.
(eds.). 2004. Genetic Diversity Analysis with Molecular
Marker Data: Learning Module. International Plant Genetic
Resources Institute (IPGRI), Rome, Italy.
- Description:
"These modules, developed jointly by IPGRI and the
Institute for Genomic Diversity, Cornell University, aim
to promote capacity building and research biodiversity
use and conservation worldwide through the application
of molecular markers. They discuss the fundamental principles
of genetic diversity, the qualities of the markers used
to measure it and the most widely used technologies, including
those based on proteins, DNA and the polymerase chain
reaction. Explanatory graphics and photographs illustrate
key experimental procedures, and real-life examples are
given of applications to particular cases of genetic diversity
studies and/or germplasm management. These should help
in the use of the modules as a useful educational resource,
whether as a self-tutorial or incorporated into a university
curriculum. They also compare the various techniques -
their advantages and disadvantages, and relative costs
of each procedure to help the beginning scientist understand
the key components for selecting those procedures most
appropriate for a given research.
Because these modules were designed for use as a training
aid or reference tool, lists of key references, references
to extra applications and equipment lists are also given.
The modules are intended for scientists with a minimal
background in genetics and plant molecular biology, but
with a working knowledge of plant genetic resources and
issues concerning their conservation and management. We
hope that the modules will be particularly useful to scientists
in developing countries, for whom print materials may
be unavailable, expensive, or too quickly outdated. We
also hope that they will be useful for science educators
who wish to have access to a general overview of current
DNA technologies and their possible uses in biodiversity
conservation and use."
Host plant resistance and the conservation of genetic
diversity
- Website: University
of Minnesota, Radcliff's World IPM Textbook
- Reference: Eigenbrode, S.D. 1996. Host Plant Resistance
and the Conservation of Genetic Diversity. In: E. B. Radcliffe
and W. D. Hutchison [eds.], Radcliffe's IPM World Textbook,
URL: http://ipmworld.umn.edu, University of Minnesota, St.
Paul, MN.
- Description: This chapter discusses the advantages and
disadvantages of ex situ vs. in situ germplasm collections
as they relate to preserving traits conferring host plant
resistance to insects and pathogens.
Relevant links
International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI)
Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research
(CGIAR)
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