Articles
Crop biodiversity and plant genetic resources
Article number
1421_1
Pages
1 – 10
Language
English
Abstract
Plant genetic resources is one of the most crucial resources needed for adapting and developing agriculture and food production in a changing climate and secure feeding of a growing population.
Conservation of plant genetic resources and making these available for plant breeding and agricultural research is instrumental for ensuring future food security.
Development of new crop varieties that can adapt to changing environmental conditions, resist pests and diseases, and provide a diverse range of food, animal feed, medicinal and industrial products, is needed.
Crop plant diversity is, for several reasons at stake.
Genetic diversity in agriculture has been reduced due to industrial farming and reducing the number of crops and varieties that are actively being cultivated and used.
Genetic resources found in crop wild relatives in nature are also threatened by habitat destruction, climate change, and other human activities.
According to the Convention on Biological Diversity, each country is the owner and responsible for management of its biological and genetic diversity.
The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture underlines this responsibility and establishes a global system to provide farmers, plant breeders and scientists with access to plant genetic materials.
Most countries recognize the value and the responsibility for conservation and use of these resources and have established national programs and genebank facilities for conserving plant genetic resources and making these available for breeding and research.
In addition, international organizations and projects are working across borders, in particular FAO and the CGIAR system (Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research). This article outlines briefly methods for the conservation of plant genetic resources and gives examples on how these are used to conserve plant genetic resources in Norway and in the Nordic countries.
The mission and role of the Svalbard Global Seed Vault is explained in more detail.
Conservation of plant genetic resources and making these available for plant breeding and agricultural research is instrumental for ensuring future food security.
Development of new crop varieties that can adapt to changing environmental conditions, resist pests and diseases, and provide a diverse range of food, animal feed, medicinal and industrial products, is needed.
Crop plant diversity is, for several reasons at stake.
Genetic diversity in agriculture has been reduced due to industrial farming and reducing the number of crops and varieties that are actively being cultivated and used.
Genetic resources found in crop wild relatives in nature are also threatened by habitat destruction, climate change, and other human activities.
According to the Convention on Biological Diversity, each country is the owner and responsible for management of its biological and genetic diversity.
The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture underlines this responsibility and establishes a global system to provide farmers, plant breeders and scientists with access to plant genetic materials.
Most countries recognize the value and the responsibility for conservation and use of these resources and have established national programs and genebank facilities for conserving plant genetic resources and making these available for breeding and research.
In addition, international organizations and projects are working across borders, in particular FAO and the CGIAR system (Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research). This article outlines briefly methods for the conservation of plant genetic resources and gives examples on how these are used to conserve plant genetic resources in Norway and in the Nordic countries.
The mission and role of the Svalbard Global Seed Vault is explained in more detail.
Authors
Å. Asdal
Keywords
crop biodiversity, plant genetic resources, conservation methods, Svalbard Global Seed Vault
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