Repository of Allium Genetic Resources at ICAR-NBPGR: Prospects and Challenges for Collection and Conservation

Abstract

Allium genetic resources repository at the Indian National Genebank (INGB) located at ICAR-National Bureau
of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR), in India is one of its unique kind which holds germplasm of exotic and
indigenous taxa. Under national programme on plant genetic resources, eff orts have been made to enrich the
repository of Allium genetic resources with three components viz. seed genebank, in vitro and cryogenebank,
and fi eld genebank. In this paper the details on the collecting and conservation eff orts of Allium species are
presented, with action points highlighted for the future conservation and crop improvement programmes in the
context of the Indian gene centre.