Breeding of Vegetable, Spice and Tuber crops (2+1)

In situ conservation

• Conservation of germplasm under natural conditions is referred to as in situ conservation. This is achieved by protecting the area from – human interference, such an area is often called natural park, biosphere reserve or gene sanctuary. The NBPGR, New Delhi, established gene sanctuaries in Meghalaya for Citrus, North Eastern regions for Musa, Citrus, Oryza and Saccharum.

Merits:

• In this method of conservation, the wild species and the complete natural or seminatural ecosystems are preserved together.

Demerits

• Each protected area will cover only very small portion of total diversity of a crop species, hence several areas will have to be conserved for a single species.
• The management of such areas also poses several problems.
• This is a costly method of germplasm conservation.