Plant Genetic Resources In Indian Perspective

The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA) is a pivotal piece of recent legislation, providing a route map for the use of such resources for sustainable agriculture and food security. Plant Genetic Resources and Food Security explains clearly the different interests and views at stake between all players in the global food chain. It touches upon many issues such as international food governance and policy, economic aspects of food and seed trade, conservation and sustainable use of food and agricultural biodiversity, hunger alleviation, ecological concerns, consumers' protection, fairness and equity between nations and generations, plant breeding techniques and socio-economic benefits related to food local economies. The book shows that despite the conflicting interests at stake, players managed to come to an agreement on food and agriculture for the sake of food security and hunger alleviation in the world. Published with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations and with Bioversity International.

The Book entitled "Genetic Resources and Seed Enterprises: Management and Policies" addresses the three core issues vital to modern crop improvement. The first part is related to collection, characterization, conservation and evaluation of plant genetic resources with focus on biotechnology interventions. The second part analyses in depth the principles of seed technology along with focus on seed industry which is expanding fast under private sector. The third part deals with international agreements and national legislations related to biodiversity conservation, seed policies and intellectual property rights. The book shall be very handy to undergraduates and post graduate students across a wide spectrum of disciplines in agricultural universities and professionals dealing with plant genetic resources, seed and policy framework.

Food is the basic need of human beings. The increasing population and enhanced standard of living are placing greater demands on food-related requirements in terms of quantity, quality and diversity. The Green Revolution which significantly enhanced productivity of important food crops, nevertheless, resulted in certain fallouts as genetic erosion, soil degradation, chemical pollution and aquifer depletion. Amongst these, decrease in plant genetic diversity is an irreversible loss. As the basic raw material for future plant breeding, plant genetic resources of foodgrains are the key to future food security. Though, plant breeding has attracted the attention of many authors, plant genetic resources remain somewhat neglected. This book gives an overall perspective current status of genetic resource of important foodgrain crops (wheat, rice, maize, barley, sorghum, millets, pulses and legumes and underutilized crops). It provides a comprehensive compilation on current status of information on origin, taxonomy, diversity, collection, exchange, evaluation, utilization, molecular characterization and conservation for food grain crops. Eminent scientists and crop specialists have critically analyzed the information in view of the present and future research priorities. In addition, management issue related to plant genetic resources are also discussed. At present such information on these crops is lacking and this book fills in the void. It shall serve as reference for genetic resource managers, researchers, teachers, students and policy makers in biology and agriculture.

With exponentially increasing population across the globe and shrinking resources, the concern of food security is looming large over the world community. To catch up with the fierce pace of growth in all the sectors of development, ensuring uninhibited availability of food resources is a prime agenda. The growing global demand for food, feed, fiber and bio-based renewable materials, such as bio-fuels, is changing the conditions for genetic resources development and bio-resource production worldwide. The crucial role in ensuring food security is played by the agro-based industries and enterprises. Advances in plant genetic resources coupled with traditional knowledge of the local tribes and native practices facilitate achievement of food security.

One of the world centers of crop evolution and origin, Ethiopia has long been recognized as an important area of diversity for several major and various minor crops. Based on an international conference held in Addis Ababa, this book describes how plant genetic diversity in Ethiopia is of vital importance in breeding new varieties of crops with desirable characteristics, such as increased resistance to pests and diseases and greater adaptation to heat and drought. The three main sections in the book consider the Ethiopian center of diversity, germ plasm or genetic material collection and conservation in Ethiopia, and the evaluation and utilization of Ethiopian genetic resources. A broad range of food and feed crops and plants of medicinal and industrial importance are discussed, both at a national and international level. A brief account of conservation strategies and gene bank problems unique to Ethiopia is also given. The importance of Ethiopia's plant genetic resources to world agriculture has been demonstrated on more than one occasion. Plant breeders, geneticists, and botanists throughout the world will, therefore, find this unique book a valuable source of information and an essential reference work.