DEPARTMENT OF PLANT GENETIC RESOURCES,TNAU

COIMBATORE.

ESTABLISHMENT:

Indian subcontinent is one of the 12 mega biodiversity centers and

represents two of the eight vavilovian centers of origin and diversity of crop
plants.Two of the eighteen globally identified HOTSPOTS of biological
diversity occur in India,one each in the WESTERN GHATS and the
NORTHERN HIMALAYAS .The biological diversity is the fundamental basis
of agricultural production and is being rapidly eroded and disappearing
throughout the world because of several developmental changes. Hence, there
is an increasing realisation to conserve germplasm in view of continuous
replacement of cultivars and land races with new improved varieties. To
accomplish this, a new department “DEPARTMENT OF PLANT GENETIC
RESOURCES “ has been established at centre for Plant breeding and genetics,
TNAU on 1st AUGUST 2009 under the survillance of NBPGR.

OBJECTIVES:

1.To plan, organise,conduct and coordinate exploration and collection

of indigenous and exotic plant genetic resources.
2.To maintain the available plant genetic resources without loss of
viability / purity by way of preserving them under controlled conditions.
3.To characterise, evaluate, document and conserve crop genetic
resources and promote their use, in collaboration with other national
organizations.
4.To develop information network on plant genetic resources.
5.To conduct research , undertake teaching and training , develop
guidelines and create public awareness on plant genetic resources.
6.To establish the IPR rights under PPV and FRA act.
FACULTY:

DR . GANESH RAM S – PROFESSOR AND HEAD OF PGR

DR . THIRUVENGADAM V – ASSISTANT PROFESSOR IN
PLANT BREEDING IN PGR.

INFERENCE:
In PGR, breeding activities were practised in rice, millets, oilseeds,
pulses and forage crops since 2009 . This research station was established
mainly for collection, conservation, utilisation, preservation and exchange of
genetic resources of plants.
PLANT GENETIC RESOURCES:
All the alleles of Various genes, present in a crop species and in wild
relatives is referred to as germ plasm or plant genetic resources.

CONSERVATION OF GERMPLASM:
Conservation means the production of genetic diversity of crop
plants from genetic erosion. 2 methods involved are INSITU
CONSERVATION and EXSITU CONSERVATION.

INSITU CONSERVATION:
Conservation of germplasm under natural condition. NBPGR , NEW
DELHI , established gene sanctuaries in MEGHALAYA.
EXSITU CONSERVATION:
Conservation of germplasm in gene banks. This involves field gene
bank, seed gene bank, plant bank, shoot tip bank, DNA banks, cell and organ
banks.

GERMPLASM ENTRIES IN PGR:

RICE --- 3101
 MILLETS --- 11951
PULSES --- 7929
OILSEEDS --- 2365
FORAGE --- 156
BIOFUELS --- 35
VEGETABLES --- 767
MISCELLANEOUS --- 63
These are some of the germplasm entries of various crops that are
preserved in PGR.
In 2010, DR.K. RAMAIAH GENE BANK was established for the
conservation of germplasm of plant sp. And animal sp.
Plant sp. – 41,000, Animal sp. – 81000
In this gene bank, 500 self pollinated crops and 1000 cross pollinated
crops are stored at -24 degree celsius for long period of 10 yrs.

DR .K. RAMAIAH GENE BANK

Mandatory process:
 Seed processing.
 Principles adopted in seed conservation.
 Germplasm registeration.
 Gene bank ID.
 Assigning barcode.
 Passport data entry.
 Seed dessication.
 Deposition in gene bank.
 Viability monitoring.