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Enhancement of plant germplasm

  • Chapter
Biotic Diversity and Germplasm Preservation, Global Imperatives

Part of the book series: Beltsville Symposia in Agricultural Research ((BSAR,volume 13))

Abstract

Enhancement is the process of transferring genes that control desirable traits of wild, unadapted germplasm to adapted germplasm that can be used in advanced breeding programs. The wild germplasm we collect, store, and evaluate is of little value unless it will be used by plant breeders. The emphasis in germplasm enhancement is to bring wild plant germplasm to a level at which the plant breeder can use it directly in cultivar development.

If we were to examine the source of the attributes of our present-day crop cultivars, we would discover that wild-growing germplasm provided the original genes for such traits as adaptability to hostile environments, resistance to diseases and insects, and superior quality characteristics. There are numerous examples: tomatoes, alfalfa, cotton, soybeans, wheat, strawberries, oats, crested wheatgrass, pearl millet, bermudagrass, etc. For the future, wild germplasm is expected to provide additional genes for our improved seed, fiber, and forage crop cultivars.

Since commercial seedsmen rarely have the incentive to invest long-term efforts in enhancement activities, germplasm enhancement using raw, wild germplasm will be primarily a responsibility of governmental agencies. Therefore, public policies will greatly influence future germplasm enhancement activities. These activities will be strengthened with the continued development and maintenance of a strong National Plant Germplasm System, including the continued promotion of free exchange of germplasm and genetic information among plant scientists worldwide.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Agricultural Research Center, U.S. Dept. Agric, Beltsville, Maryland, 20705, USA

    James H. Elgin Jr. & Philip A. Miller

Authors
  1. James H. Elgin Jr.
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  2. Philip A. Miller
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Systematic Entomology Laboratory, USDA, ARS, Building 003, 20705, Beltsvikke, MD, USA

    Lloyd V. Knutson (Research Entomologist) (Research Entomologist)

  2. Germplasm Services Laboratory, USDA, ARS, Room 127, Building 001, BARC-W, 20705, Beltsville, MD, USA

    Allan K. Stoner (Research Leader) (Research Leader)

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© 1989 Kluwer Academic Publishers

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Elgin, J.H., Miller, P.A. (1989). Enhancement of plant germplasm. In: Knutson, L.V., Stoner, A.K. (eds) Biotic Diversity and Germplasm Preservation, Global Imperatives. Beltsville Symposia in Agricultural Research, vol 13. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-2333-1_15

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-2333-1_15

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-010-7549-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-009-2333-1

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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