NE009: Conservation and Utilization of Plant Genetic Resources
Statement of Issues and Justification
STATEMENT OF ISSUE:America's abundant and inexpensive supply of food and fiber is based on a productive and progressive agricultural system. The foundation for this productivity has been based on scientific knowledge and exploitation of useful genetic diversity for developing new, higher quality cultivars that can resist pests, diseases, and environmental stresses. Genetic uniformity of modern cultivars results in a noteworthy lack of genetic diversity with the potential attendant susceptibility to new pest and abiotic stresses. The genes that are needed to provide a continued flow of new varieties that produce higher yields with better quality, and better withstand pests, diseases, and abiotic stresses can only come from diverse plant germplasm.
JUSTIFICATION:
Biological diversity in plants benefits human welfare directly, as various species are used to satisfy basic human needs, and indirectly, as diversity supports many processes essential to human survival and progress (Office of Technology Assessment, 1987). Without an assured source of food we would not be free to engage in those activities which are associated with the quality of life to which we have become accustomed (Wilkes, 1983). However, plant genetic resources native to the United States are few. The tremendous progress made by the agricultural sector of the United States has been founded almost exclusively on plant genetic resources imported from areas outside the U.S. Recent international treaties and the adoption of restrictive laws governing germplasm access in many countries have seriously complicated the acquisition and exchange of germplasm. Since the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) entered into force in 1993, the free and open access to genetic resources from other countries has largely become a thing of the past. These restrictions make it imperative that the U.S. maintain and secure existing national germplasm collections to provide the genetic basis of future crop improvement.
Seed collections at the Plant Genetic Resources Unit (PGRU) located at Geneva, NY include 11,737 accessions representing approximately 162 species in 32 genera. Major holdings include tomato (Lycopersicon), onion (Allium), Crucifers (Brassica), celery (Apium), winter squash (Cucurbita), radish (Raphanus), other vegetables, and buckwheat (Fagopyrum). The clonal collections contain 52 species of apple (Malus), 23 species of grape (Vitis), and 11 species of cherry (Prunus) for a total of 5205 accessions. The National Germplasm Repository (NGR) and the Northeast Regional Plant Introduction Station (NERPIS) comprise PGRU. Both the seed and clonal crops for which Geneva has responsibility are important components of agriculture in the northeast. Many northeastern State Agricultural Experiment Stations (SAESs) have research and extension responsibilities for these valuable commodities. The vegetable crops maintained at Geneva account for about 45% of the value of U.S. production and the fruit crops account for 53% of the value of production of fruit trees and vines.
The Regional Research Project NE-9 serves as a unique component of a national effort to enhance crop improvement by providing accessibility to genetic resources of selected horticultural and agronomic crops and by conducting problem-oriented research to establish higher quality collections for ultimate conservation and utilization. As a component of a national germplasm system, PGRU serves as a convenient conduit to and from the Northeast for all types of germplasm and genetic resources information. Over the years, NE-9 has contributed greatly, either directly or indirectly, to the producer and consumer as evidenced by increased regional and domestic agricultural products and productivity. These contributions have been tangible, as in the form of germplasm, and intangible, as in the form of increased knowledge. Both service and research activities have been conducted concurrently. Contributions of plant genetic resource conservation and utilization efforts will affect future studies of plant biology as well as those of commodity improvement. The overall effort is an endeavor involving multiple disciplines, locations, and interests. Because of these complexities (biological, operational, and logistical in nature), the cooperating organizations are best served by a regional approach.
Research at PGRU focuses on activities that are complementary to its conservation responsibilities to increase the effectiveness by which the PGRU performs its conservation and utilization mission. Primary disciplines associated with the research include plant genetics and crop improvement. This groundwork also may serve as a springboard for future germplasm enhancement within state experiment stations of the Northeast and the United States as a whole. Typical applications of molecular markers to conservation and management of the germplasm collections involve solving problems in maintenance and genetic characterization of collections; determining genetic diversity to identify genetic gaps and duplicates in collections; and establishing and validating core subsets. Screening germplasm collections for resistance to common diseases is performed in cooperation with Cornell University and USDA pathologists.
If we are to move towards greater utilization of plant genetic resources, research targeted at all five objectives (p. 7-8) of this project proposal must be integrated. Plant genetic resources acquisition, conservation, and use have had a major, positive effect on the improvement of field and horticultural crops. Throughout history, plant scientists have shown flexibility in utilizing new resources and tools that contribute to progress in crop improvement. As biotechnology programs in the northeastern U.S. have grown, plant genetic resource conservation has become more critical. Molecular biologists must have this reservoir of genes available if they are to transfer useful genes to plants that breeders can then exploit. Continuing progress in improving the performance of crop plants while simultaneously improving our understanding of plant biology will be accomplished by the integration of new technologies with the broadest possible array of genetic resources.
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