Role of Genebanking in the Era of Genomics

Abstract

The global system for conservation of plant genetic resources (PGR) is a pan-continental network integrating more
than 2000 national and international genebanks out of which 130 genebanks hold more than 10,000 accessions
and eight have more than 100,000 accessions. As per the PGR Genesys platform, accessions conserved in ex
situ genebanks comprise more than 4 million maintained by over 450 institutes across the globe. Accumulation
of huge quantity of germplasm accessions of unknown value and genetic composition within genebanks made
its inclusion in crop breeding, economically unmanageable. This article provides some of the new age tools and
methodologies being applied for more eff ective management of genebanks