Genomic Tools in Plant Genetic Resource Management

Significant progress has been made in conservation of plant germplasm in last few decades. However, the utilization of genetic resources has remained poor. The reason for the under utilization of plant genetic resources (PGR) are non-availability of structured information and resources from gene banks. This was due to lack of characterization and evaluation data, and under usage of genomic tools in characterization. With the evolution of genomic tools, which get cheaper with discovery of newer technologies, it is pertinent to use these tools for management and utilization of PGR from vast germplasm conserved in gene banks throughout world. In this context the present article describes the tools that can be used in gene bank management and the way to utilize the germplasm with the examples from the Indian National Gene Bank.