Managing Genetic Resources in Temperate Fruit Crops

Biodiversity representing variation within genetic resources at gene, population, species and ecosystem level is our heritage that makes a key contribution to well-being and sustainable development.India is one of the mega biodiversity-rich countries of the world, with only 2.4% of the land area; it accounts for 7.8% of all the recorded species on this planet and ranks 10 th in the world and 4 th in Asia in plant diversity.This richness of species and genetic diversity provides many opportunities, which can be achieved through appropriate management of this diversity.There has been a significant progress in introduction, collection, characterization, conservation and utilization of genetic resources of horticultural crops.Germplasm management activities on temperate fruit in India are primarily carried out by NBPGR, however conservation in field gene banks is also done by various institutes.Besides field gene banks, germplasm of temperate fruits is also conserved by cryobanks, in vitro tissue culture.Thus, in the situation of climate change and depletion of natural resources, the challenges are more to feed growing population, so efforts are required for exploring the unexplored areas for collection of horticultural biodiversity for conservation and utilization for the benefit of mankind.In the quest to meet the emerging challenges, the gains with respect to genetic resources have to be sustained and further collection of new genes are required to be looked and utilized for gains where the strong base of horticultural plant biodiversity have to be in driving seat for bringing gene revolution.