National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR)

This article provides notes on national bureau of plant genetic resources (NBPGR).

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

The Bureau has four Divisions, two units, four cells and an experimental farm at its Headquarters in New Delhi and 10 Regional Stations located in different phyto-geographical zones of the country. Besides, a National Research Centre on DNA Fingerprinting and an All India Coordinated Research Network Project on Under-utilized Crops are located in the Bureau (Fig. 4.2).

Plant Exploration and Germplasm Collection Division has the objective 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 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, of the Destructive Insects and Pests Act (1914) to carry out quarantine of the plant germplasm including transgenics imported for research purposes.

It also undertakes the quarantine of material under export and issues phytosanitary certificates. Further, the Division undertakes supportive research pertaining to detection and identification of pests as well as development of suitable quarantine treatments.

To facilitate the imports, the Bureau also undertakes the preparation of draft Pest Risk Analysis (PRA) for germplasm as per International Plant Protection Convention norms.

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 export the germplasm.

There is a Tissue Culture and Cryopreservation Unit, with the main objective to conserve economic plants through in vitro and cryopreservation techniques, for which conventional methods of storage are unsuccessful or inadequate. In addition, the Bureau has four cells, namely PGR Policy. IPR, Agriculture Research Information System and Technical Cell.

There are facilities for DNA fingerprinting of released varieties and genetic stocks of crop plants of India. The center has worked with the objectives of standardization of molecular marker systems for DNA profiling and their application in variety identification. It has developed diagnostics for detection of transgenes in crop plants.

The NBPGR Headquarters with the network of 10 Regional Stations (Fig. 4.3) covering different agro-climatic zones, and the linkages with 56 National Active Germplasm Sites (Fig. 4.3) constitute the Indian Plant Genetic Resource Management System (IPGeRMS).

The list of 56 NAGS is given in Table 4.4:

Brief History of NBPGR:

1935 – Realization of need by the Crops and Soil Wing of the then Board of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry to establish an organization to carry out plant introduction activities.

1937 – Emphasizing the importance of crop germplasm by late Dr. B.P. Pal in his classic paper ‘Search for New Genes’.

1941 – Reiteration of need of plant germplasm conservation by the Indian Society of Genetics and Plant Breeding.

Initiation by Dr. B.P. Pal to set-up a unit for assembly of global germplasm under phytosanitary conditions.

1946 – The ICAR Scheme for Plant Introduction commenced functioning in the then Botany Division of IARI under the leadership of late Dr. Harbhajan Singh.

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 occupied 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 the memory of the person who was a pioneer in the field of plant genetic resources and was an outstanding plant breeder.

1956- Expansion and strengthening of the 1946 scheme as Plant Introduction and Exploration Organization in the Botany Division at IARI, New Delhi.

1961 – Establishment of a separate Division of Plant Introduction, headed by Dr. Harbhajan Singh at IARI, New Delhi.

1970 – Constitution of a High Level Committee by Govt. of India and input of visionaries like Dr. B.P. Pal, Dr. M.S. Swaminathan and Dr. A.B. Joshi to strengthen plant germplasm management activities.

1976 – Upgradation of Division of Plant Introduction as an independent institute i.e. National Bureau of Plant Introduction.

1977 – Renaming of National Bureau of Plant Introduction as National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR), located at New Delhi.

Mandate:

1. To plan, organize, conduct and coordinate plant explorations for collection of genetic diversity with particular reference to native and naturalized crops and their wild relatives in India and in specific cases abroad.

2. To undertake introduction, distribution, exchange and quarantine of plant germplasm for research purposes.

3. To characterize, evaluate and document germplasm collections of agri-horticultural crops and their wild relatives. Develop and operate National Database for storage and retrieval of information on plant genetic resources, farmers’ knowledge, innovations, practices and ethno-botanical knowledge.

4. To promote safe conservation of plant genetic resources on a long-term basis using ex- situ methods and in-situ on farm conservation of landrace diversity (agro-biodiversity) in collaboration with other national/international organizations.

5. To conduct basic researches in the area of biosystematics, germplasm conservation and characterization for providing a sound scientific backup to Bureau’s services and to develop the National Programme on Plant Genetic Resources.

6. To undertake teaching and training on plant genetic resources for postgraduate students linked with PG School, IARI; to organize suitable training programmes at the regional, national and international levels.

7. To act as sole repository of all notified/released varieties along with herbarium specimens with relevant information and original/parental lines.

Regional Station Akola:

Year of establishment: 1977

Location: Latitude 20° 43 ‘N, longitude 77° 04’E, altitude 281 m above mean sea level.

Objectives:

1. Exploration and collection of the crop genetic wealth of the region.

2. Evaluation and maintenance of the crop genetic resources suited to this region.

3. Characterization, documentation and cataloguing of plant genetic resources.

4. Identification and distribution of promising germplasm for their utilization in crop improvement programme.

Mandate crops (Total germplasm holdings – 31,181):

Sesame, safflower, groundnut, niger, castor, linseed, soybean, pigeonpea, chickpea, horsegram, lentil, winged bean, Lathyrus, finger millet, proso millet, kodo millet.

Research Centre, Amravati

Year of establishment: 1976

Objectives:

Characterization and evaluation of agri-horticultural crops namely chickpea, castor, pigeonpea and minor fruits.

Mandate crops (Total germplasm holdings – 4,839):

Chickpea, castor, pigeonpea

Regional Station Bhowali:

Year of establishment: 1985

Location: Latitude 29° 20’N, longitude 79° 04’E, altitude 1600 m above mean sea level

Objectives:

Plant exploration for collection of landrace diversity in agri-horticultural crops, less known underutilized, endemic species, particularly, of medicinal and aromatic value from Kumaon and Garhwal Himalayas of Uttarakhand including tarai region.

Maintain and evaluate germplasm collection of crops suited to this region, particularly wheat, barley, hill maize, rice, amaranth, beans, vegetables, peas and several medicinal and aromatic plants and cataloguing of information. Field screening of wheat and barley germplasm for diseases, under natural epiphytotic conditions and identification of resistant donors.

Mandate crops (Total germplasm holdings – 2,665):

Wheat, barley, lentil, chilli, French bean and wild relatives.

Exploration Base Centre, Cuttack:

Year of establishment: 1986

Location: Latitude 20° 40’N, longitude 80° 52’E, altitude 23.5 m above mean sea level.

Objectives:

1. To coordinate, collaborate, explore and collect the indigenous crop plants and their wild relatives from Orissa and adjoining regions.

2. To characterize germplasm material especially rice varieties of Orissa and adjoining area for agro-morphological and economic characters.

3. To document the information.

4. To prepare herbarium and seed museum of distinct landraces and wild relatives of crop plants for Base Centre and National Herbarium of cultivated plants.

5. To conserve germplasm of the region in the long-term storage (National Gene Bank)

Mandate crops (Total germplasm holdings – 581):

Rice, medicinal, agricultural and horticultural crops

Regional Station, Hyderabad:

This regional station was established initially as Plant Quarantine Station in ARI campus of Acharya N. G. Ranga Agricultural University at Rajendranagar, Hyderabad to cater to the needs of plant quarantine clearance work particularly on five mandate crops of ICRISAT and paddy international trial material received from IRRI, Philippines meant for research organizations in south India.

A modest beginning was made in 1977, by taking possession of 16 acres of land that was provided by the University. Central Plant Protection and Training Institute in collaboration with Directorate of Rice Research was authorized to take up the plant quarantine clearance work until the establishment of PQRS of NBPGR in 1985.

Power was delegated to the Officer-in- Charge to process export samples and issue phytosanitary certificates. A new office cum laboratory complex equipped with modern facilities was inaugurated in 1997 and was upgraded to Regional Station. An excellent environment controlled, modern Quarantine Green House Complex was provided to the regional station under USAID PGR Project in 1996. A medium-term gene bank facility has been provided.

Year of establishment: 1985

Location: Latitude 17° 19’N, longitude 78°23’E, altitude 542 m above mean sea level.

Objectives:

1. Quarantine processing of germplasm exchanged by ICRISAT and other research institutes and SAUs located in South India.

2. Collection, augmentation, characterization, evaluation and conservation of plant genetic wealth of mandate region.

Mandate crops (Total germplasm holding – 2903):

Quarantine: Pigeonpea, groundnut, sorghum, chickpea, pearl millet and small millets.

Evaluation: chillies, tomato, brinjal, blackgram

Regional Station, Jodhpur:

Year of establishment: 1976 (NBPGR, Regional Station)

Location: Latitude 26° 18’N, longitude 73°00’E, altitude 224 m above mean sea level.

Objectives:

1. Augmentation, collection, evaluation, conservation, documentation and cataloguing of PGR suited to arid and semi-arid environments.

2. Distribution of germplasm to researchers, farmers and other indentors.

Mandate crops (Total germplasm holdings-15,169):

Pearl millet, cowpea, guar, moth bean, mungbean, castor, til, ber, carissa, cordia spp., pomegranate, acacia spp., atriplex spp., jojoba, jatropha spp., khejri, and tumba

Exploration Base Centre, Ranchi:

Year of establishment: 1988

Location: Latitude 23°N, logitude 85’E, altitude 625 m above mean sea level.

Objectives:

1. Systematic collection of landrace diversity and wild relatives of all crops of this region.

2. Characterization and maintenance of cultivated crops and their wild relatives particularly rice, minor millets, pulses, oilseeds (niger, safflower and sesame), fruit and vegetable crops.

3. Ex-situ conservation of germplasm (as field gene bank) and also long-term conservation of seed samples in National Gene bank.

Mandate crops (Total germplasm holdings – 226):

Behera, Terminalia arjuna, Pongamia glabra, mahua, bael, plash, jamun, barhal, jackfruit, aonla and semal

Regional Station, Shillong:

Year of establishment: 1978

Location: Latitude 25° 30’N, longitude 91° 54’E, altitude 1850 m above mean sea level.

Objectives:

1. Exploration and collection of indigenous plant genetic resources of agri-horticultural crops and their wild relatives from north-eastern regions of India, evaluation and characterization, maintenance and ex-situ conservation of germplasm.

2. Documentation of information and preparation of inventories and catalogues for utilization by user scientists.

Mandate crops (Total germplasm holdings -1,761):

Maize, paddy, rice bean, ginger, colocasia, turmeric and chilli, under utilized crops including Perilla, buckwheat, Coix, adzuki bean and Chenopodium

Regional Station, Shimla:

Year of establishment: 1976 (NBPGR, Regional Station)

Location: Latitude 31° 05′ N, longitude 77°05’E, altitude 2176 m above mean sea level

Objectives:

1. Introduction of PGR of temperate crop species useful for the north-western Himalayas, exploration for germplasm collection from north western hills, evaluation and maintenance of agri-horticultural crops suited to temperate climate and identification of promising cultivars and genetic stocks.

2. Documentation of genetic resources, preparation of inventories, seed lists and dissemination of information to various agricultural institutes.

Mandate crops (Total germplasm holdings – 7,322):

Apple, peach, almond, pear, apricot, strawberry, feijoa, hazelnut, pecannut, plum, cherry, walnut, aosandra butyrecea, rubus, ribes, kiwi, other minor fruits, French bean, amaranth, buckwheat, chenopod, adzukibean, ricebean and meetha karela

Regional Station, Srinagar:

Year of establishment: 1988

Location: Latitude 34° N, longitude 78° 8’E, altitude 1893 m above mean sea level

Objectives:

1. Systematic collection of landrace diversity and wild relatives of all crops of this region.

2. Characterization and maintenance of temperate fruit plant diversity and their wild relatives.

Mandate crops (Total germplasm holdings – 800):

Apple, almond, walnut, wheat, barley, Brassica and other local crops

Regional Station, Thrissur:

Year of establishment: 1977

Location: Latitude 10° 31′ N, longitude 76° 17’E, altitude 40 m above mean sea level

Objectives:

1. Exploration and collection of genetic resources of crop plants and their wild relatives of southern region.

2. Characterization, evaluation and distribution of genetic resources suited to this region.

3. Documentation and ex-situ maintenance of mandate crops, their wild relatives and miscellaneous useful plants.

Mandate crops (Total germplasm holdings -10,402):

Rice, horsegram, Sesamum spp., Vigna, okra

Vegetable Crop Germplasm of NBPGR:

The information is summarized in Table 4.5.

Indian National Gene Bank at NBPGR:

Plant biodiversity can be conserved in natural habitat (in situ) or away from natural habitat in gene banks (ex situ). Seeds can be stored for long terms (25-100 years), medium term (2-25 years) or short term (6-24 months). Germplasm under long term conservation is designated as base collection. These are not disturbed except for regeneration.

Long term storage is in cold storage modules at -18 to -20°C. The germplasm under medium term storage (2-5°C, 40% RH) is referred to as active collection available for multiplication and distribution. The short term collection (10-12°C, 40% RH) referred to as working collection is maintained by plant breeders/researchers for routine seed storage.

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 m³ and two of 176 m³ capacity) were installed in 1986 for long-term storage of seeds of orthodox species kept in laminated aluminium foils at 20°C after drying them to 5% moisture content.

The Gene bank presently has 18 storage modules with a total capacity of about the million accessions. Currently it holds a total of 3,77,194 accessories 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 seeds crops.

A total of over 6,000 accessions can be stored in the in vitro repository. Status of base collections in National Gene Bank is summarized in Table 4.6. The list of varieties/elite germplasm fingerprinted in various crops using molecular markers is given in Table 4.7.

Germplasm Passport Data:

This is a set of information which is gathered while collecting the germplasm through plant exploration, etc.

The passport data includes the following information:

1. Collector’s name and address

2. Collaborating institute: name of scientist(s) and address 0

3. Area surveyed

4. Duration of survey (from……………………… to………………… )

The information in tabular form is as per following proforma:

Type of Material: Seeds, Fruits, Inflorescence, Roots, Tubers, Rhizomes, Suckers, Live Plant, Herbarium,………….

The completed sheets for the allotment of IC number should be sent to

Head, Exploration Division

National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources,

Pusa Campus, New Delhi-110 012

Registration of Plant Germplasm at NBPGR:

The need for recognition to the developers of new improved varieties is being served by the Central Sub-Committee on Crop Standards, Notification and Release of Varieties of Agricultural Crops (CVRC) as part of the Indian National Agricultural Research System (NARS).

Further the enactment of Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Right Act 2001, provides for protection of the intellectual property rights of plants breeders and farmers involved in development of plant varieties.

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) operates the mechanism for evaluation, identification and recommendation for release of crop varieties. The Ministry of Agriculture under the Seed Act, 1966, Section 5 provides procedure for notification of released varieties through CVRC and ensures production and sale of seeds meeting the Minimum Seed Certification Standards.

Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (PGRFA) form the basis for genetic improvement of crop species in development of new varieties. Hence, it was realised that due recognition should be accorded to the persons/institutions who are associated with the development and identification of improved or unique potentially valuable germplasm and genetic stocks.

It is also desirable from the point of changed world scenario of Intellectual Property Rights regimes to inventorize, document and put all the important genetic resources into public domain, facilitating their safe and accelerated use in research and crop improvement.

Recognising the above need, a mechanism for “Registration of Plant Germplasm” was instituted at the National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR), New Delhi by the ICAR for registration of valuable sovereign genetic resources with known characteristics.

This mechanism is envisaged to serve as the recognised tool for registration of PGRFA at national level. This would also provide facilitated access to the developed or identified potentially valuable germplasm for utilisation in crop improvement programmes.

Since the institution of this mechanism, 13 meetings have been held and a total of 403 germplasm belonging to 75 crop species have been registered. The revision of the guidelines is an effort towards simplification and inclusion of provision required as per the changing scenario for submission of application and seed/genetic material. The details on guidelines on germplasm registration and application form can be downloaded from the site www(dot)nbpgr(dot)ernet(dot)in.