Germplasm Exchange and Plant Quarantine Systems at ICRISAT

The germplasm is considered as a pan of human biological heritage without whose free exchange and availability, present day farm productivity would not have been possible (Jain. 1982). Therefore. collection, evaluation, utilization, conservation and exchange of genetic resources assume considerable significance, especially in view of the rapid degradation and exploitation of the available biodiversity all over the world (Mehra and Arora, 1982; Mengesha. 1984; Paroda and Arora. 1986; Paroda, 1989). Considerable efforts are being made worldwide to conserve the genetic resources of important crop plants. Free exchange of diverse germplasm is essential. Genetic manipulation is advancing at a fast pace and the progress may even be more accelerated by the application of genetic engineering techniques in the future (Law, 1986)