Germplasm utilization
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This document discusses efforts to enhance the utilization of germplasm collections for crop improvement. It outlines how scientists at ICRISAT developed core and mini core collections representing entire germplasm collections to overcome issues with the large size of collections. These subsets were extensively evaluated at multiple locations and through field days to identify promising sources for breeding programs. Only a small portion of total germplasm had previously been used in breeding due to large collection sizes, lack of data, and limited access. The development of core and mini core collections aimed to facilitate greater utilization of genetic resources.
Germplasm utilization
- 1. Sept 2012 Germplasm Utilization Enhancing germplasm utilization ™™ To overcome the size-related problems of utilizing collections, scientists at ICRISAT developed core and mini core collections representing the entire collection for diversity. ™™ Established networks and tested sets of selected germplasm and mini core collections (178 sets) for various locations in 26 countries. ™™ Organized field days facilitating selection of promising germplasm by researchers. ™™ Developed trait-specific genepools. ™™ Extensive multi-disciplinary evaluation/ screening of germplasm, particularly core and mini core collections at ICRISAT and by NARS resulted in identification of several new promising sources for use in crop improvement programs. Crop Entire collection Accessions used in core development Core collection Mini core collection Sorghum 37,943 22,473 2,247 242 Pearl millet 22,211 20,766 2,094 238 Chickpea 20,140 16,991 1,956 211 Pigeonpea 13,632 12,153 1,290 146 Groundnut 15,419 14,310 1,704 184 Finger millet 5,949 5,940 622 80 Foxtail millet 1,535 1,474 155 35 Introduction ™™ Only a small proportion (<1%) of assembled germplasm has been used in crop improvement programs. ™™ Germplasm distribution over the years indicates reduction in demand and in number of accessions requested. ™™ Most breeders use working collections leading to narrow genetic base in resulting cultivars. ™™ Greater use of germplasm is needed for sustainable crop improvement to develop high yielding cultivars with a broad genetic base. Reasons for low use of germplasm ™™ Large size of collections. ™™ Lack of data on traits of economic importance, which shows high genotype × environment interaction. ™™ Restricted access to the germplasm collections. ™™ Inadequate linkages between genebank and users. Mini core collection as a means of accessing genetic resources by researchers. Field days Sorghum field day at ICRISAT-Patancheru. Pearl millet field day in Namibia. Pearl millet field day at ICRISAT-Patancheru. Chickpea field day at ICRISAT and selection of germplasm by NARS scientists. Chickpea field days at ICRISAT. Groundnut germplasm field days at ICRISAT- Patancheru. Sweet stalk accessions identified in sorghum collection. Vegetable pigeonpea, a source of income to the poor farmers. Core and mini core collections