WHAT IS GENE BANK?

 

Gene Banks are a type of biorepository which preserve genetic material . A collection of seed plants and tissue cultures etc. A gene is the basic physical and functional unit of heredity . They are made up of Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA)

NATIONAL BUREAU OF PLANT GENETIC RESOUECES

It is the nodal organization for management  of plant genetic resources in India and functions under the control of  ICAR.

It is conserving seed germplasm for long term conservation at (-20 degree Celicious)  in its NGB.

It plans , Organizes, conducts and coordinates exploration and collection of indigenous and exotic plant genetic resources . it is headquartered in New Delhi and has 10 regional stations.

Germplasm is living tissue from which new plants can be grown.  NBPGR is meeting the need of in-situ and ex-situ germ plasm conservation.

PLANT GENETIC RESOURCES

• They are the biological basis of food security and , directly or indirectly , support the livelihood of every person on earth.
• They have been defined as the genetic material of plants , which is of value as a resource for present and future generations of people.
• They are any plant materials, such as seeds , fruits, cuttings, pollen, and other organs  and tissues from which plants can be grown.
• They have an important role to play to ensure food security , they have been foundation for the development of agriculture ever since it started 10,000 years ago.

OTHER FACILITIES

• The Svalbard Global Seed Vault in Norway houses the World's largest collection of seeds.
• India's seed Vault is at Chang La (Ladakh) in the Himalayas.
• National animal Gene Bank.