The National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources has its Headquarters at New Delhi, located at latitude of 28° 35’ N, longitude of 70° 18’ E and an altitude of 226 m above mean sea level. NBPGR functions under the administrative control of the Crop Science Division of the ICAR. The Bureau draws guidelines from the Crop Science Division of ICAR, Bureau’s Management Committee, Research Advisory Committee and Germplasm Advisory Committees.

The Bureau has four Divisions, two units, three cells and an experimental farm at its Headquarters in New Delhi and 10 regional/ base stations located in different phyto-geographical zones of India. Besides this, a National Research Centre on DNA fingerprinting and an All India Coordinated Research Project on Under-utilized Crops are also located at the Bureau (Fig. 1).

Plant Exploration and Collection Division has the objectives to plan, coordinate and conduct explorations for collecting germplasm. Germplasm Evaluation Division is entrusted with the prime responsibility of characterization and evaluation of all the indigenous and exotic germplasm collections for their field performance and other important traits like resistance to biotic/ abiotic stresses and phytochemical attributes along with maintenance and regeneration. This division has an experimental farm located at Issapur about 45 km from the main campus covering an area of 40 ha. Germplasm Conservation Division is vested with the task of conservation of germplasm of various crop plants, and to undertake basic research on various aspects of seed storage and longevity. Plant Quarantine Division has the power vested by Plant Protection Advisor to the Government of India, under the Plant Quarantine (Regulation of Import into India) Order 2003 under the Destructive Insects and Pests Act (1914), to carry out quarantine of the plant germplasm imported for research purposes. It also undertakes the quarantine of material under export and issues the phytosanitary certificate. Germplasm Exchange Unit has the responsibility of introducing genetic resources of diverse crop plants and their wild relatives and distributing the same within the country, and also exports the germplasm. There is also a Tissue Culture and Cryopreservation Unit, with the main objective to conserve economic plants, for which conventional methods of storage are unsuccessful or inadequate, through in vitro and cryopreservation techniques. In addition, the Bureau has three cells, namely PGR Policy, Agriculture Research Information System and Technical Cell.

The NRCDF has facilities for molecular fingerprinting of released varieties and genetic stocks of crop plants of India. It has the objectives of standardization of molecular marker systems for DNA profiling and their application in variety identification. The NBPGR Headquarters, along with the network of 11 regional /base/ satellite stations covering different agro-climatic regions, and the linkages with 59 National Active Germplasm Sites constitute the Indian Plant Genetic Resource Management System.

Mandate
To act as nodal institute at national level for acquisition and management of indigenous and exotic plant genetic resources for food and agriculture, and to carry out related research and human resource development, for sustainable growth of agriculture.

Objectives of NBPGR
- To plan, organize, conduct and coordinate exploration and collection of indigenous and exotic plant genetic resources.
- To undertake introduction, exchange and quarantine of plant genetic resources.
- To characterize, evaluate, document and conserve crop genetic resources and promote their use, in collaboration with other    national organizations.
- To develop information network on plant genetic resources.
- To conduct research, undertake teaching and training, develop guidelines and create public awareness on plant genetic    resources.

Indian Vavilov Dr. Harbhajan Singh (1914-1974)

Dr. Harbhajan Singh was the most distinguished plant explorer, renowned as the “Indian Vavilov”. He imparted a distinct identity to the discipline Plant Genetic Resources in India. Dr. Singh introduced large germplasm of wheat and rice that contributed to the Green Revolution in India. He also introduced several new species such as soybean, sunflower, low chilling and temperate fruits (peaches, apples, West Indian cherry, Chinese gooseberry) and a wide range of ornamentals. He also made outstanding contributions in the field of vegetable breeding, Pusa Sawani cultivar of okra being the crowning example.

Born at Pusa, Bihar he received early education at Kharar and Amritsar. Dr. Singh post graduated in Botany from Agra University and then completed Diploma course of associateship in Economic Botany from Imperial Agricultural Research Institute (now Indian Agricultural Research Institute). He later joined Division of Botany, IARI as regular research staff. Later, he adorned the position of Head of Plant Introduction Division of IARI with great distinction, taught and guided many postgraduate students with an unusual blend of scientific and human qualities.

His contributions to the field he loved most have been multifarious. He organized a number of systematic explorations and evaluation programmes in India and abroad. Dr. Harbhajan Singh published over 130 research papers, bulletins, monographs and popular articles. He served as consultant to several organizations and represented the country in international fora. The President of India conferred on Dr. Singh the Padma Shri award in 1971. Punjab Agricultural University decorated him with the degree of Doctor of Science (Honoris causa).

Dr. Harbhajan Singh believed and worked relentlessly with the firm conviction that example is better than percept. He was a human being par excellence. We feel greatly honoured by dedicating this volume to the memory of the person who was a pioneer in the field of plant genetic resources and was an outstanding plant breeder.