Wide variability in the ICRISAT germplasm collections as a source for genetic enhancement of crop cultivars

Sustained gains in plant breeding rely on variation in crop gene pool. Therefore, it is essential to conserve crops’ diversity in situ and ex situ. Globally over 7.4 million germplasm accessions have been conserved in about 1750 genebanks. The greater use of germplasm diversity in crop improvement programmes could potentially broaden genetic base of crop cultivars. The ICRISAT genebank conserves over 128,000 germplasm accessions of six mandate crops (sorghum, pearl millet, finger millet, chickpea, groundnut, pigeonpea) and five small millets (foxtail millet, proso millet, barnyard millet, little millet and kodo millet). The collection is dominated with cultivated germplasm (97.7%) while wild and weedy relatives represent only 2.3%. Large variability was reported in the germplasm collections conserved at ICRISAT genebank, as revealed by characterization and evaluation of small subsets of total collection. However, large-scale evaluation to uncover hidden untapped potential is required to identify and introduce novel variability in to the crop improvement program.