Evaluation, Maintenance, and Conservation of Germplasm

Ranbir Singh, S. K. Sharma

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

7 Scopus citations

Abstract

Germplasm resources constitute the building blocks of crop improvement program. These provide basic raw material and reservoir of genes for breeding high-yielding and disease-resistant cultivars/varieties/hybrids. It is believed that the genus Brassica has Mediterranean origin from where it spread to African and Asian countries. Globally, there are more than 74,000 accessions of oilseeds and vegetable Brassica germplasm available, with five countries namely China, India, United Kingdom, United States, and Germany holding more than 60% of total world's rapeseed-mustard germplasm. Indian subcontinent is a rich center of diversity for Brassica juncea and different morphotypes of B. rapa. Efforts have been made to strengthen genetic resources of oilseed Brassicas through conducting Brassica explorations and collections within the country as well as through introductions of trait-specific germplasm from rapeseed-mustard growing countries which have been maintained at different research centers in India. Besides cultivated species, a large collection of wild relatives belonging to 15 genera and 46 species have been maintained. During last two decades, over 9500 accessions have been evaluated and characterized for important morphoagronomic traits at various centers under different agroclimatic conditions. On the basis of evaluation studies, promising donor genotypes have been identified for important agronomic traits and utilized in development of rapeseed-mustard varieties. To meet the challenges ahead, priority areas for future research on rapeseed have been mentioned.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationRapeseed Breeding
EditorsSurinder Kumar Gupta, M. Delseny, J.C. Kader
Pages465-481
Number of pages17
DOIs
StatePublished - 2007
Externally publishedYes

Publication series

NameAdvances in Botanical Research
Volume45
ISSN (Print)0065-2296

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