International Germplasm Collection, Conservation, and Exchange at ICRISAT

Germplasm is the most important raw material for any crop improvement program, and yet humankind continues to be faced with the extinction of this invaluable and irreplaceable resource. One of the best descriptions of genetic resources is given by Mehra and Arora (16) who stated, "Plant genetic resources represent the sum total of diversity accumulated through years of evolution under domestication and natural selection". Genetic manipulation (3) is advancing at a fast pace and the process may be even more accelerated by the application of genetic engineering techniques. But nothing can be achieved, even by genetic engineering, unless those desirable genes are at our disposal. Jain (11) considered germplasm as part of human biological heritage without whose free exchange present-day farm productivity would not have been possible. In this regard, the International Agricultural Research Centers strategically located at regions of rich crop diversity are in a unique position to collect and conserve germplasm and make it readily available to all scientists throughout the world