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| DIVISIONS |
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Germplasm Exploration and Collection |
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The main objectives of the division
are to plan, coordinate and conduct explorations for collecting
germplasm. India, being the centre of diversity for several
crops, holds a rich wealth of useful plants and their wild relatives.
The Bureau has so far conducted 564 explorations in diverse
agro-ecological regions and habitats representing different
phyto-geographical zones of the country. The explorations have
been undertaken from the headquarters, the regional stations
and base centres which has helped in assembling 1,07,346 accessions
of agri-horticultural crops/genera. It has also established
a National Herbarium of cultivated plants which holds 12,599
herbarium specimens of 2,657 species belonging to 1,085 genera
and 215 families. The corresponding holdings of seeds as voucher
specimens are 1818. |
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Germplasm Evaluation |
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All the indigenous and exotic germplasm collections
are evaluated for their field performance and other important
traits like phytochemical attributes and resistance to biotic/abiotic
stresses. Germplasm maintenance and regeneration are other important
activities of the Division. Details of the performance of these
crops and their passport information is published in the form
of catalogues. Laboratory facilities for quality analysis of
Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (MAP) and pulses also have been
developed. The Division is also in the process of developing
national database for documentation and information management
of PGRs. |
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Germplasm Conservation |
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NBPGR has been assigned the mandate
for long term conservation of germplasm of all major and minor
agri-horticultural crops, and also for coordinating conservation
activities at the national level. Germplasm Conservation Division
also undertakes research on various aspects of seed storage
and longevity. It has also established linkages with other gene
banks in the country.
The Indian National Gene Bank has been established by the NBPGR
to conserve national heritage of germplasm collections in the
form of seeds, vegetative propagules, tissue/cell cultures,
embryos, gametes, etc. Based on experience gained from working
with a built-in cold storage vault obtained from UK in 1983,
four modules (two units of 100 m3and two of 176m3 capacity)
were installed in 1986 for long-term storage of seeds of orthodox
species kept in laminated aluminium foils at -20oC after drying
them to 5% moisture content. The Gene bank presently has 18
storage modules with a total capacity of about one million accessions.
Currently it holds a total of 3,53,877 accessions of different
agri-horticultural crops and ranks fourth in the world . It
also has a large cryopreservation bank with holding capacity
of quarter million samples of small seeded crops. A total of
over 6,000 accessions can be stored in the in vitro repository.
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Plant Quarantine |
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Introduction
of plant material carries the risk of entry of the associated
pests, diseases and weeds. The Bureau has been given the responsibility
on behalf of the Government of India to carry out quarantine
checks on the crops meant for research purposes. Detailed quarantine
examination is carried out for fungal, bacterial and viral diseases,
insect and nematodes and weeds. The Bureau has good facilities
comprising laboratories including X-ray radiography, ELISA and
green houses to carry out the requisite tests. During the last
5 years, 6,32,880 samples were received and examined, and subsequently
2,453 phytosanitary certificates were issued. |
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| UNITS |
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Germplasm Exchange |
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Exotic species and varieties have
also contributed significantly to the agricultural economy of
the country. Germplasm Exchange Unit has the responsibility
of importing genetic resources of diverse agri-horticultural
crops under phytosanitary conditions. It also exports and distributes
germplasm at national level with requisite phytosanitary certification.
The NBPGR has been introducing/exchanging germplasm from 81
countries and 8 International Agricultural Research Centres.
So far, 13,71,814 accessions have been introduced and 3,95,223
accessions supplied to other countries including SAARC countries. |
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Tissue Culture and Cryopreservation (TCCP)
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The facility was started in 1986 with the support
of Department of Biotechnology, Government of India and has
the objective to conserve in vitro cultures of economic plants
for which conventional methods of storage are unsuccessful or
inadequate. Basic research work on cryopreservation of seeds,
pollens and in vitro material is also undertaken. Cryopreservation
in liquid nitrogen has been successfully attempted in recalcitrant
species like cocoa, coffee, tea, almond, jackfruit, litchi and
trifoliate oranges. |
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Agricultural Resources Information System
(ARIS) Cell |
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The ARIS Cell established in 1997 is responsible mainly for
software development and procurement, management and maintenance
of the Local Area Network (LAN) including computer hardware
and software. In addition, this Cell also imparts computer training
in relation to database management of Genetic Resources. This
cell has so far |
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Developed a LAN of 150 nodes at new and old building
of NBPGR. |
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Developed and maintaining Library Database using the Libsys
software. |
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This unit has so far conducted 18 training programs on Information
Management in PGR and trained about 200 personnel belonging
to NBPGR, ICAR institutes, State Agriculture Universities and
State Agriculture Departments. Also conducted/co-ordinated international
meeting/training programmes related to PGR databases. |
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Has developed software for various activities in NBPGR like
Diary/Dispatch/Financial Management System for the NATP Cell
etc. |
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Developed databases for PGR activities |
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Staff (ARIS Cell)
Dr. R.C.Agrawal
Pr. Scientist & I/c ARIS Cell
Mr. Rajeev Gambhir
Technical Officer
Mr. Vijay Mandal
Technical Assistant
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PGR Policy Planning |
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Provided technical input on policy issues related
to PGR management with special reference to relevant legislations
such as Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers Rights (PPVFR)
Act, the Biological Diversity Act (BDA) and Plant Quarantine
(Regulation of Import into India) Order 2003.
Technical inputs were provided at the international negotiations
of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food
and Agriculture, the Global Plan of Action for PGRFA, International
Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM) No 11 and 15. Technical
input also provided to the Department of Agriculture and Cooperation
for compliance with WTO- SPS Agreement and development of Pest
Risk Analysis.
An analysis of the PPVFR Act was undertaken with respect to
its implementation. The BDA was studied particularly with reference
to its implications on the acquisition and exchange of crop
genetic resources.
Measures to conserve on-farm diversity through existing institutional
setup were suggested. Meetings of the “Functional Committee
on Plant Genetic Resources” were organised by DARE/ ICAR
to guide on the policy issues regarding management of plant
genetic resources.
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