Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture 68: 1–19, 2002.

© 2002 Kluwer Academic Publishers. Printed in the Netherlands.

1

Genetic diversity and conservation and utilization of plant genetic

resources

V. Ramanatha Rao∗ & Toby Hodgkin

Senior Scientist (Genetic Diversity/Conservation), IPGRI-APO, Serdang, Malaysia and Principal Scientist, GRST,
IPGRI, Rome, Italy (∗ requests for offprints; E-mail: [email protected])

Received 3 January 2001; accepted in revised form 12 July 2001

Key words: adaptation, bottleneck, breeding systems, distribution, extent, genetic diversity, geographic variation,
plant genetic resources, use

Abstract
Biodiversity refers to variation within the living world, while genetic diversity represents the heritable variation
within and between populations of organisms, and in the context of this paper, among plant species. This pool
of genetic variation within an inter-mating population is the basis for selection as well as for plant improvement.
Thus, conservation of this plant genetic diversity is essential for present and future human well-being. During recent
years, there has been increasing awareness of the importance of adopting a holistic view of biodiversity, including
agricultural biodiversity, conservation for sustainable utilization and development. These principles have been
enshrined in the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Global Plan of Action of the Food and Agriculture
Organization of the United Nations. The emphasis is now to understand the distribution and extent of genetic
diversity available to humans in plant species, so that the genetic diversity can be safely conserved and efficiently
used. It is generally recognized that plant genetic diversity changes in time and space. The extent and distribution
of genetic diversity in a plant species depends on its evolution and breeding system, ecological and geographical
factors, past bottlenecks, and often by many human factors. Much of the large amount of diversity of a species may
be found within individual populations, or partitioned among a number of different populations.
A better understanding of genetic diversity and its distribution is essential for its conservation and use. It will
help us in determining what to conserve as well as where to conserve, and will improve our understanding of the
taxonomy and origin and evolution of plant species of interest. Knowledge of both these topics is essential for
collecting and use of any plant species and its wild relatives. In order to mange conserved germplasm better, there
is also a need to understand the genetic diversity that is present in collections. This will help us to rationalize
collections and develop and adopt better protocols for regeneration of germplasm seed. Through improved charac-
terization and development of core collections based on genetic diversity information, it will be possible to exploit
the available resources in more valuable ways.

Introduction of biodiversity for humankind has been well recog-

nised in the recent decades and many would argue that
Biological diversity may be defined as the variation diversity is essential for allowing sustainable develop-
present in all species of plants and animals, their ge- ment of various human activities. Biological diversity
netic material and the ecosystems in which they occur. can enable social and economic systems to flourish in
Diversity can occur at three levels: genetic diversity ways that allow the poorest to meet their food and
(variation in genes and genotypes), species diversity nutritional needs and retain the cultural diversity of
(species richness) and ecosystem diversity (communit- countries throughout the world (Shiva, 1994). The bio-
ies of species and their environment). The importance logical resources of each country are important, but
2

not all countries are equally endowed, and cooperation effective maintenance of wild relatives of crops. It has
between countries is needed for effective conservation been accompanied by a recognition that, in fact, in situ
and use of our global biodiversity. and ex situ conservation methods are complementary
During the past few years there has been increas- and the method chosen should depend on the species
ing awareness of the importance of adopting a hol- concerned and such factors as its distribution and eco-
istic view of biodiversity, including agricultural biod- logy as well as the availability of resources in areas in
iversity, and of linking conservation with sustainable which it occurs.
utilization and development (Arora, 1997). For many, The general trend of the past decades has been the
this began with the establishment of an ad hoc ’Work- release and cultivation of improved cultivars of many
ing Group of Experts on Biological Diversity’ in June major and minor crop species. These cultivars tended
1987 by the United Nations Environment Programme to be uniform. They are usually derived from a limited
(UNEP). This process led to the organization of the number of elite lines, which are often used in the pro-
United National Conference on Environment and De- duction of many cultivars, resulting in an increasingly
velopment (UNCED) in June 1992, at Rio de Janeiro, narrow genetic base for the crop. This, together with
Brazil. At UNCED, the Convention on Biological Di- large-scale cultivation of such genetically uniform cul-
versity (CBD), and the action plan Agenda 21 were tivars, has increased the genetic vulnerability of many
developed which have formed the basis for discussion major agricultural crop species, often with disastrous
and policy implementation since then. As a follow consequences. An often quoted-example is the Irish
up to these developments, the International Technical potato famine of 1840s, when the potato crop in Ire-
Conference (ITC) was organized by the Food and Ag- land was virtually wiped out as the potato varieties
riculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in grown then had no resistance to the leaf blight disease.
July 1996 in Leipzig, Germany, focusing on agrobi- Similarly the outbreak of rice brown spot disease in
odiversity. The work of preparing for this conference Bengal area in 1943, aggravated by typhoons, con-
generated valuable information, at global, regional and tributed to serious famine in India (Council, 1972). In
national levels, on overall status of conservation, util- 1970, as a result of southern corn leaf blight, corn pro-
ization, monitoring and management of plant genetic duction decreased by about 25% in the southern states
resources for food and agriculture (PGRFA). The con- of the USA (Anon, 1973). However, in many of these
ference adopted a 20-point Global Plan of Action for cases, public and private plant breeders had access to
the Conservation and Sustainable Utilization of Plant genetic diversity and were able to produce resistant
Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (GPA), material within a relatively short time. Vulnerability
which was agreed to by over 150 countries particip- due to increasing uniformity continues and several
ating in the conference (FAO, 1996a, b). There have potential disasters may be brewing right now. For ex-
been several follow-up meetings to the CBD and GPA ample, several important traditional crops of Oceania
and most of our on-going and future activities on PGR are highly threatened due to their narrow genetic base
at global, regional and national levels will depend on (Lebot, 1992). In 1993, taro leaf blight destroyed
how we can best plan, integrate and coordinate the about 95% of the taro crop in Samoa, where it is the
activities on biodiversity conservation and use. major staple food. The vineyards in California are be-
Plant genetic resources are among the most essen- ing invaded by new biotype of phylloxera, the aphid
tial of the world’s natural resources and during the relative that affects the root system of vines. Since
last 2–3 decades, major advances have been made in more than 70% of wine grapes in Napa and Sonata
conserving them (Frankel and Bennet, 1970; Frankel counties are grafted on susceptible rootstock, the grape
Hawkes, 1975; Holden and Williams, 1984; Pluck- crop is seriously threatened and the possibility of the
nett et al., 1987; Watanabe et al., 1998; Ramanatha spread of the disease is considered very likely (Granett
Rao et al., 1999). However, plant genetic resource et al., 1991). Given this situation, it is necessary to
conservation merits far greater attention than it is broaden the genetic base of crop plants requiring ac-
now receiving. Over the past few years, there have cess to a large amount of genetic diversity. Although,
been some welcome developments, such as increas- the results of some surveys (Brown, 1983; Chang,
ing efforts to develop improved in situ conservation 1994; Smale, 1997) indicate that the genetic base of
methods which would permit dynamic conservation several important crops has begun to increase over
of plant populations (Jarvis, 1999; Sthapit and Jar- the years, breeding programmes of many important
vis, 1999). This is of particular importance for the crops continue to include only a small part of genetic
 3

diversity available and the introduction of new and ness between different populations. The variation that
improved cultivars continues to replace indigenous underpins genetic diversity arises from mutation and
varieties containing potentially useful germplasm. In recombination. Selection, genetic drift and gene flow
fact, genetic diversity can be seen as a defence against act on the alleles present in different populations to
problems caused by genetic vulnerability. Traditional cause variation in the diversity in them. The selection
farmers built this defence into the genetic structure of can be natural or it can be artificial, as is the case with
landraces through selection over many generations and much of the variation present in crop species (Sun-
it may be necessary to introgress such defence mech- eson, 1960; Frankel, 1977; Nevo et al., 1984; Brown,
anisms into modern cultivars to make them sustainable 1988; Hamrick et al., 1992).
(Martin et al., 1991; Chang, 1994; Kannenberg and It is generally accepted that the genetic variation
Falk, 1995). in plant populations is structured in space and time
Effective conservation of plant genetic resources (Loveless and Hamrick, 1984). The description of the
requires a sound scientific and technical basis. An extent and distribution of the different aspects of ge-
understanding is needed of the conservation methods netic diversity in a species, and of the way in which it
that can be used and the ways in which they can is structured, is an essential prerequisite to determin-
be deployed. Central to any effective conservation ing what to conserve, and where and how to conserve
programme must be a clear understanding of the ex- it. To date, most conservation efforts, either in situ or
tant genetic diversity in the species of concern – its ex situ, have proceeded with little information on the
structure and distribution in nature and in the mater- genetic diversity that was being conserved and there is
ial conserved, either ex situ or in situ (Allard, 1988; an urgent need to remedy this situation. The develop-
Hamrick and Godt, 1990; Hamrick et al., 1991; Ham- ment of such improved descriptions involves not only
rick, 1993; Hamrick et al., 1993; Hamrick and Godt, describing the variation observed, but also identifying
1997). In this paper, we describe some of the factors the major factors likely to affect the genetic structure
affecting the distribution of genetic diversity and the of plant populations and determining the effect they
ways in which information on genetic diversity is ne- have on the amount of variation in a population and
cessary in the conservation and use of plant genetic the distribution of alleles in it. Such factors include cli-
resources. The emphasis in this paper is on crop plants matic, edaphic and biotic ones as well as those specific
and their wild relatives although, relevant information to the populations (e.g. population size, selection), or
from other useful plant species is included. Thus, we to the species (e.g. ploidy, breeding system, linkage).
do not deal here with forest genetic resources, con- Genetic diversity is the basis for survival and ad-
servation of, which may be more complex than crop aptation and makes it possible to continue and advance
species. The available literature is reviewed, and some the adaptive processes on which evolutionary success
research needs are identified. and, to some extent human survival, depends. Survival
and adaptation can be viewed in terms of time, space
and fitness. Fitness includes adaptation, genetic sta-
The extent and distribution of genetic diversity bility and variability. The process of extinction can be
due to biotic or abiotic stresses, caused by factors such
Genetic diversity is usually thought of as the amount as competition, predation, parasitism and disease, or to
of genetic variability among individuals of a variety, isolation and habitat alteration due to slow geological
or population of a species (Brown, 1983). It results and climatic change, natural catastrophes or human
from the many genetic differences between individu- activities. Given these threats, it is essential that the
als and may be manifest in differences in DNA se- genetic diversity in plant genetic resources be properly
quence, in biochemical characteristics (e.g. in protein understood and efficiently conserved and used.
structure or isoenzyme properties), in physiological
properties (e.g. abiotic stress resistance or growth
rate) or in morphological characters such as flower Ecogeographic factors
colour or plant form. Four components of genetic
diversity can be usefully distinguished; the number Geographic differences in the distribution of genetic
of different forms (alleles) ultimately found in dif- diversity are extremely common. Populations may dif-
ferent populations, their distribution, and the effect fer with respect to all aspects of diversity and show
they have on performance and the overall distinct- variation in the number of alleles, the identity of those
4

alleles and the effect they have on the characteristics periods of interaction between the environment and
in the population. The breeding system of the spe- genetic systems (IPGRI, 1994; Brush, 1995). Their
cies is very important in determining the differences outstanding characteristic is climatic and edaphic ad-
between populations from different geographic loc- aptation (Harlan, 1975a, b). Along with breeding sys-
ations. Outbreeders often show much more gradual tems, which affect significantly the factors determin-
changes between populations (e.g. Lanner-Herrera et ing the genetic composition of populations, it has been
al., 1996) reflected often in changes in allele fre- demonstrated that several ecological pressures affect
quency often of a clinal nature (for example, sorghum the distribution of intrapopulation variability and the
in W. Africa see, Morden, Doebley et al., 1989). In accumulation of genetic differences between two pop-
contrast, self-pollinated species show much greater ulations (Baatout et al., 1990). Selection for ecological
differences between populations often with quite dif- adaptation has also been identified as a major force in
ferent alleles in different populations (Tachida and the accumulation of differences in originally identical
Yoshimaru, 1996). wheat populations grown in different parts of France
In fact, geographic variation in distribution is (Goldringer et al., 1998). After 10 years, southern
nearly always impossible to separate from ecologic- populations flowered noticeably earlier than Northern
ally determined variation. Different geographic loca- ones. Disease resistance properties had also changed
tions nearly always differ with respect to some po- in response to differences in the disease present in the
tentially significant ecological characteristic (such as different areas.
latitude, altitude, temperature, and moisture availabil- In crops, geographic factors that reflect social and
ity). For this reason they are often considered together political differences, may be as significant as ecolo-
as ‘ecogeographic factors’. gical factors in determining the distribution of genetic
In general, under natural conditions, there is a diversity. In many studies, using genebank acces-
close relationship between the morphological and the sions, the country of origin appears to be an extremely
physiological traits of plants and of habitats in which important factor in determining the distribution of ge-
the traits have evolved and are expressed. So much so, netic diversity (Allard et al., 1972; Kahler and Allard,
that the habitats may be defined in terms of the charac- 1981; Saghai-Maroof et al., 1990). Spagnoletti Zeuli
teristics of the plant populations naturally occupying and Qualset (1987) were able to identify accessions
them (Bennett, 1970). Adaptive genetic variation, originating in Italy but collected in Egypt on the basis
which is generally quantitative and responsive even to of an analysis of diversity in a world collection of
small habitat differences, often reacts with great sens- durum wheat. This may reflect the tendency of ma-
itivity. Many studies have clearly demonstrated that terials to circulate within a country to a greater extent
there is a clear association between population char- than between different countries. In wild materials the
acteristics and the environments in which they occur picture may be different. Thus, levels of allozyme
(Aston and Bradshaw, 1966; Al Hiyaly et al., 1993). diversity in populations many wild species are not
The work of Nevo’s group (Nevo, 1978; Nevo, 1979; always correlated with political boundaries (Levin,
Nevo et al., 1981; Nevo et al., 1983; Nevo, 1990; 1977; Yeh and O’Malley, 1980; Wendel and Parks,
Nevo et al., 1991, see also below) also emphasizes the 1985).
role of ecological factors in determining the extent and The characteristics of crop plants are the product
distribution of genetic diversity in crop wild relatives. of thousands of years human management and it is
However, this is not universally the case and there are not surprising that socio-economic factors have been
cases where plasticity has apparently been sufficient to identified as of great significance in determining the
allow rather genetically similar populations to occur in extent and distribution of diversity in many crops such
widely differing environments (McNeilly, 1997). as potato in Andes (Brush, 1991), maize in South
In practical terms, ecotypic differentiation in crop America (Quiros et al., 1990), and Mexico (Louette et
plants affects many traits such as the relative rates of al., 1997) rice in Vietnam (Trinh et al., 1995). Differ-
development, resistances to biotic and abiotic stresses, ent communities or different sections of a community
edaphic responses and response to soil fertility, and often keep different amounts of diversity and different
adaptation to cultivation, irrigation and harvesting types of materials. Thus, different communities main-
methods as well as quality differences (Bennett, 1970; tain different types of taro materials in China and high
Bradshaw, 1984). Most important is the fact that and middle-income groups maintain more intra-crop
the local crop races are the consequences of long diversity in some Nepalese communities than low-
 5

income groups (Rana et al., 2000). Local communities depression in the form of decreased seed set, germina-
often continue to maintain very large amounts of di- tion, survival and growth (Perry and Knowles, 1990).
versity as an essential element of their practices. Thus, As a general trend, inbreeding and outbreeding species
Colombo (1997) reported that the amounts of diversity may not only differ in overall levels of genetic di-
of RAPD and AFLP molecular markers found in a versity (Miller and Tanksley, 1990), but they may also
single field of cassava from Brazil were comparable differ in the amount of within and between popula-
to that found in the world collection maintained at tion variances of genetic diversity (Schoen and Brown,
Centro Internacional de Agricoltura Tropical (CIAT), 1991). Inbreeders exhibit greater population to popu-
Colombia. lation variation and are more variable in how genetic
The amounts of diversity found in geographically variation is structured. These are important consid-
or ecologically marginal areas of a crop or species erations while developing strategies for germplasm
may be very much reduced. This can be attributed collecting and maintenance of genetic diversity of
to small population size, reduced gene flow, and his- plant genetic resources.
torical factors and has been observed in Limnathes However, it is also known that sometimes the cor-
alba (De Arroyo, 1975), tomato (Rick et al., 1977) relation between breeding system and genetic diversity
and taro (Yen and Wheeler, 1968; Yen, 1991). Such may not be very strong (Clegg et al., 1992). This
populations may also possess unique genes conferring apparent contradiction is attributable to various other
resistance to stress, or disease. Thus, rice accessions parameters (some of which are yet not very clear)
from mountainous areas of Nepal have the greatest have to be considered. This also confirms that there
cold tolerance yet found in the crop, although the num- is still a need to survey the current information on the
ber of different varieties grown by the communities is breeding systems of the wild relatives of crop species,
much less than that grown by communities living at which should be complemented by research where
middle altitudes less subject to cold stress (Sthapit and information is lacking or needs refining.
Witcombe, 1998).

The importance of bottlenecks

Breeding systems
When an outbreeding population passes through a
The breeding system of a species profoundly affects bottleneck (i.e. new populations are established with
allele distribution. The mating system, floral morpho- small number of progeny plants), genetic variation de-
logy and mode of reproduction all affect significantly clines in proportion to the severity of the bottleneck
the extent and distribution of the genetic diversity (Chakraborty, 1977; Maruyama and Fuerst, 1984,
(Loveless and Hamrick, 1984). These effects are ex- 1985; McCommas and Bryant, 1990; Bryant and
pressed both through geographical parameters and Meffert, 1996; Robichaux et al., 1997). The smal-
through factors under genetic control (Brown, 1990). ler the size of a population and the longer it remains
Despite the central role of breeding systems, know- small, the more genetic variation it will lose. While
ledge of them in particular species under investigation all components of genetic diversity are affected by
is often limited to a broad generalisation that the spe- small population size, bottlenecks are predicted to
cies is an outbreeder or inbreeder (Ellstrand, 1984; have a larger immediate effect on allelic diversity than
Jain et al., 1989; Goodell et al., 1997). Wild species on heterozygosity (Nei et al., 1975). Large losses
often possess breeding systems different from those of of heterozygosity are most likely if the recovery of
their crop relatives and therefore raise different prob- a population to a large size is slow or delayed for
lems with respect to maintenance and regeneration in several generations. Low levels of heterozygosity at
genebanks. one or more loci in a population or species have
Information about the mating system of a species been interpreted as the result of a loss of genetic
can provide insight into genotypic distribution in nat- variation in a previous bottleneck (e.g. Bonnell and
ural populations. Outcrossing helps plant populations Selander, 1974; Parker, 1991). These predictions sug-
maintain high levels of genetic diversity. Coniferous gest that one can use observed losses in heterozygotes
forest tree species are outbreeding, wind pollinated or number of alleles to make inferences about past
and often highly variable. The selfed progeny of most bottlenecks in natural populations. However, because
outbreeding species displays significant inbreeding of the large sampling variance among loci, many loci
6

might have to be sampled to detect differences in vari- visions generates a correlation between neighbouring
ation between populations. More over random linkage populations.
associations within populations and differential levels
of inbreeding among populations will further inflate
sampling variation. Research needed on genetic diversity extent and
The alleles at most risk during a bottleneck event distribution
are those with low initial frequency, which contribute
There continues to be a substantial need for research
little to average heterozygosity. So, the major initial
on many aspects of the extent and distribution of ge-
consequence of a bottleneck is loss of rare alleles
rather than loss of average heterozygosity. Measures netic diversity. In respect to the genetic diversity in
useful plant species, there is a particular need to ex-
of average genetic variation are useful in detecting
the effects of small population size, even though in- plore the ways in which farmer management practices
dividual loci may deviate from expectation. In small and ecological or geographic factors interact to de-
termine population structure. Is the diversity found
populations, the probability of inbreeding increases.
In a random mating finite population, the probability in crop populations still largely explicable in terms
of ecogeographic factors and domestication events or
of selfing should be 1/N, where N is the population
have socio-economic, cultural and political factors had
size. In outcrossing populations, in the absence of
self-incompatibility, there will also be some selfing, the greatest impact and largely minimized the signific-
ance of biological or edaphic factors? Research is also
even with random mating (Crow and Denniston, 1988;
needed on such factors as the distribution of allelic
Muona and Harju, 1989).
variation within and between populations, particularly
with respect to multi-allelic associations and to the
significance of linkage disequilibrium in determining
Within and between population diversity the importance of linkage and allelic associations in
different crop species. Another key issue with direct
practical implications for conservation management
Partitioning of genetic diversity within and between strategies is the extent and effect of introgression
populations is an important factor to be considered
between crop species and their wild relatives (Harris
in most conservation efforts, especially in the case
and Hillman, 1989; Jarvis and Hodgkin, 1999).
of in situ conservation. Measures of genetic variation Research is also needed on the distribution of
in space are strongly affected by correlation between
allelic variation within and between populations, geo-
subdivisions used for sampling (Cavalli-Sforza and
graphic patterns of variation as well as and genomic-
Feldman, 1990), especially with regard to variation in ally determined allelic associations in the crops and
gene frequencies across populations. Usually the vari-
species concerned along with research on breeding
ance of gene frequencies is standardized by obtaining systems. Such studies will provide valuable inform-
the mean gene frequency. Under the model of isola- ation on a number of practical issues of germplasm
tion by distance (usually called the ’stepping stone’
management, including the classification of acces-
model), at the stationary state the correlation between sions by known allelic constitution and the detection
the gene frequencies of two populations falls exponen-
of redundancy in collections.
tially with the geographic distance between them. A
method has been developed (Tachida and Yoshimaru,
1996), to compute identity coefficients of two genes in Molecular analysis of diversity
the stepping-stone model with partial selfing, which is
often the case with outbreeding species. Molecular methods have become an essential part of
Though a part of the differences in subsamples most studies on genetic diversity extend and distribu-
or subdivisions is the result of adaptation to different tion and in the analyses of breeding system, bottle-
environmental niches, local gene statistical proper- necks and other key features affecting genetic diversity
ties that reflect their limitation to the interval 0 – patterns. The studies may use RFLPs, RAPDs, AFLPs
1 and the sampling behaviour that occurs at repro- or SSRs. It is important, however, to understand that
duction (Crow and Denniston, 1988). The pattern of different markers have different properties and will re-
migration additionally imposes a spatial structure. Mi- flect different aspects of genetic diversity (Karp and
gration, dependent on the distance between the subdi- Edwards, 1995).
 7

The results obtained from different molecular Different approaches can give different results (Nes-
markers may themselves be quite different from bitt et al., 1995) suggesting that the character or
those obtained by using biochemical markers such scope of variation examined by each marker may dif-
as isozymes or agromorphological characters. The fer (Hodgkin et al., 2001). Bretting and Widlencher
dendrograms derived from cluster, isozyme variation (1995) reviewed the available approaches and de-
and RAPD loci in cucumbers and melons were found scribed the usefulness and limitations of different ge-
to be dissimilar, though these disparities were con- netic markers for plant genetic resources management.
sistent with differences in the pedigrees and other They also discussed the use of different paramet-
information about each accession and species. A lower ers for genetic diversity and differences that might
coefficient of variation was attained in the estimation result using alternative approaches. Differences in
of genetic differences when using RAPDs compared the diversity characteristics observed may reflect the
to isozymes. The disparity between the marker ana- amount of genome coverage characteristic of a par-
lyses made may be related to the amount of genome ticular marker system in species and its efficiency in
coverage characteristic of a particular marker system sampling variation in a population (Staub et al., 1997).
in species and its efficiency in sampling variation in a In the last decade, various molecular marker sys-
population (Staub et al., 1997). For example, a com- tems have been developed and used although the use
parison of genetic similarity matrices revealed that, of RAPDs still seems to be most common, despite the
if the comparison involved both the cultivated and weaknesses of this marker system (Karp et al., 1997;
wild soybean accessions, estimates based on RFLPs, Karp, 2001). The number and nature of the accessions
AFLPs and SSRs are highly correlated, indicating con- used are also very variable. This ad hoc approach has
gruence between these assays. However, correlations definite weaknesses. Firstly, it is very difficult to com-
of RAPD marker data with those obtained using other pare different marker systems and determine which are
marker systems were lower, may be because RAPDs the best for what purposes. Secondly it is difficult to
produce higher estimates of interspecific similarities. get a clear picture of how effective molecular markers
If the comparisons involved cultivated soybean only, are in helping us to understand the extent and distri-
then overall correlations between marker systems were bution of diversity in crop genepools (Hodgkin and
significantly lower. Within Glycine max, RAPD and Ramanatha Rao, 2001).
AFLP similarity estimates are more closely correlated Microsatellites have obvious advantages for crop
than those involving other marker systems are (Powell, species (e.g. ease of use, high levels of simply in-
1996). herited variation) although they remain expensive and
The studies with wild Beta maritima populations in time consuming to develop for each and every crop
the UK, using molecular markers, provided evidence and generic markers have not been identified. Compar-
of significant gene flow between populations although ative studies of different marker systems are needed
the evidence from isozymes suggested that there was to determine the relative merits of the different ap-
little gene flow (Raybould et al., 1996). This was inter- proaches for different crops, wild species or situations,
preted by the authors as evidence of selection for traits in order to permit researchers to make appropriate
associated with the isozyme markers. Gene flow and choice of methodology. Indeed, in general, there re-
introgression from cultivated plants may have import- mains a need to develop improved methodologies for
ant consequences for the conservation of wild plant studying and sampling genetic diversity in populations
populations, though gene flow from a crop to a wild (Hodgkin et al., 2001).
taxon does not necessarily result in a decrease in the Thus, it is likely that molecular methods are most
genetic diversity of the native plant. This was con- useful for estimating such features as gene flow, ge-
cluded in gene flow study using isozymes on cultivated netic drift and degree of outbreeding, while other
beets (sugar beet, red beet and Swiss chard: Beta vul- marker systems may be most useful for studying ad-
garis ssp. vulgaris) and the wild taxon, sea beet (B. aptive variation. Information thus generated using
vulgaris ssp. maritima) (Bartsch et al., 1999). different markers can provide valuable information
Genetic diversity assessment methods vary in on a number of practical issues of germplasm man-
– the way they resolve genetic differences, agement, including the classification of accessions by
– the type of data generated and known allelic constitution and detection of redundancy
– the taxonomic levels at which they can be most in collections.
appropriately applied.
8

Role of genetic diversity data A number of features of molecular techniques have

been identified which make them particularly useful
The data on the extent, structure and distribution of in systematic studies (Palmer et al., 1988). These
genetic diversity is necessary for several purposes. Al- include:
most all of them have significant direct or indirect – Molecular techniques make it possible to analyse
consequences on the conservation and use of genetic numerous characters, which are also independent,
diversity. Some such roles of genetic diversity data are whereas morphological analysis provides fewer
discussed below. characters, often of dubious homology.
– Morphology is prone to considerable convergence
Taxonomy while most DNA regions are less so and even
if there is some convergence, the genetic basis
Taxonomy provides the necessary underpinning for of convergence in molecules is better understood.
many aspects of management of genetic resources. Thus the molecular approach is more objective.
It allows us to distinguish a set of species priorit- – Molecular markers are relatively independent of
ies for conservation because of their relationship to the environment (Beckmann and Soller, 1986).
crops. It allows clear definition of the crop groups A further advantage has been the opportunity that
that should be considered and their boundaries. It organellar DNA studies can analyse maternal and pa-
also permits clear and unequivocal communication ternal lineages separately. For example, it has been
between conservationists allowing them to exchange proposed that the use of chloroplast DNA (cpDNA)
material and to describe its properties on the basis of restriction fragment analysis provides numerous inde-
a shared understanding of identity. Taxonomy reflects pendent molecular characters that can often rigorously
an accumulation of differences in the genome between define monophyletic lineages (Sytsma et al., 1991; Gi-
different organisms to an extent that they are recog- elly and Taberlet, 1994; Tsumura et al., 1996) and
nized as different taxa. In cultivated plants taxonomy exhibit low intraspecific variation. The latter assump-
it is especially difficult (Harlan and de Wet, 1971) to tion was reviewed and it was concluded that, far from
an extent that it has even been suggested that different being rare, intraspecific cpDNA variation is relatively
procedures are appropriate (Hanelt, 1988) common (Harris and Ingram, 1991). The possible ef-
The basis for speciation is genetic diversity, adapt- fects of this on phylogenetic reconstructions are yet
ation and fixation of genes. While, traditionally tax- to be fully understood, suggesting that cpDNA data
onomy has been based on morphological characters, in should be used along with a wider consideration of the
the case of crop plants, data generated using molecular degree of intra-individual and intraspecific variation
techniques for taxonomic inferences has provided new and of the mode of plastid transmission. There may be
insights into the phylogeny and taxonomy of many some serious questions as to its inheritance patterns,
plant groups. which can create problems of interpretation (Dong and
The classical taxonomic treatments were based on Wagner, 1994). However, there is no doubt that the
comparison of many morphological characters. How- use of both nuclear and organellar DNA in taxonomic
ever, genetic information can considerably increase studies is providing very interesting new insights in a
our knowledge of relationships. Thus, chromosome number of plant families with important crop plants.
paring in polyploid hybrids represents comparison of In the Brassicineae, relationships between species are
synaptic ability of many, if not all, Mendelian loci now seen rather differently in the light of molecular
on the genome. Studies of genetic diversity, genetic studies which tend to confirm results from interspecies
distance and divergence using techniques such as, arm crossing experiments (Warwick and Black, 1993).
ratios, differential staining, electrophoresis, immuno- Not surprisingly, there have been a number of re-
chemical reactions, and more recently measurements ports of discrepancies between analyses of DNA and
of DNA content, DNA hybridization and RFLP stud- morphology in the estimation of plant phylogeny. The
ies, allow comparisons involving smaller amounts of discrepancies may arise as result of procedural prob-
total DNA present, based on DNA sequence similarity lems or biological attributes of the organisms. The
(Kimber and Yen, 1990). These may reflect funda- problems can arise from within both the morpholo-
mental relationships based on sequence similarity and gical and the molecular aspects of the study (Sytsma,
divergence and hence provide a much more detailed 1990). Both kinds of problems must be better under-
analysis of taxonomic relationship. stood to permit a more thorough synthesis of DNA
 9

and morphology for further refinement or resolution Gottlieb, 1982; Rieseberg et al., 1990). The mo-
of taxonomic problems (Spooner et al., 1991). This lecular phylogenetic data as well as studies of the
is expected to greatly enhance our understanding of geographical distribution of molecular markers have
the components of biodiversity, which we wish to confirmed Stebbins’ assertions that hybridization is
conserve. both geographically and phylogenetically widespread.
Whatever methods are used (and there are strong It is not clear whether the hybridization events re-
arguments to suggest that information from both mo- corded in the evolution of many plant groups are an
lecular and classical approaches is required), there is accidental consequence of the evolutionary history of
no doubt of the need for additional and substantial those lineages, with little significance other than to
taxonomic work on many families of useful plants. befuddle taxonomists, or whether they are indicative
There has been an absolute decline in the number of of larger role for hybridization in the origin and evol-
taxonomists in recent years and the discipline is signi- ution of species (Rieseberg, 1995). Nonetheless there
ficantly under-supported (Parnell, 1993). At the same are a number of classic cases where interspecific hy-
time there are many important useful plant families bridization has been essential in the development of
where the taxonomy is very poorly defined which is crop plants. These include both tetraploid (durum)
particularly the case for tropical plant genera such wheat (Triticum dicoccoides) which occurs in both
as Solanum with 1500 species (Bohs, 1990), bam- wild and cultivated forms and hexaploid (bread) wheat
boos with about 1250 species (Wang et al., 1980a, (Triticum aestivum) which occurs only as a cultivated
b; Watanabe et al., 1994; Rao and Ramanatha Rao, species. Brassica napus (oilseed rape and swede) is
1999a, b). Without this knowledge even the simple another amphidiploid species (obtained from cross-
task of deciding what groups or types should be ing B. rapa and B. oleracea) that exists only in the
conserved becomes more or less impossible. cultivated form.
Isozyme evidence has also been used to study ori-
Origin and evolution gin and evolution of crop plants (Jensen et al., 1979;
Doebley et al., 1983; Goodman and Stuber, 1983;
An understanding of the origin and evolution of crop Buth, 1984; Jarret and Litz, 1986; Jarret and Litz,
species greatly helps both in collecting and use of 1986; Chung et al., 1991; Spooner et al., 1992).
any plant species and its wild relatives. This is par- Isozymes were used to detect hybridization at the dip-
ticularly important if effective use of secondary and loid level because allozymes that are present in each
tertiary gene pools (see Harlan and de Wet, 1971; of the two parental species would be found in the
Harlan, 1992) is to be made. Information from taxo- their offspring (Gallez and Gottlieb, 1982). However,
nomic studies, ecogeographic surveys and from work isozymes are biparentally inherited characters, and,
on breeding systems can all provide important per- using the genetic markers representing both the bipar-
spectives on the origin and evolution of the target entally inherited nuclear genome and a uniparentally
species and are thus essential. or clonally inherited cytoplasmic genome such as a
Several authors have proposed that two plant spe- chloroplast (cp) DNA or mitochondrial (mt) DNA is
cies isolated by a chromosomal barrier can, via hy- recommended. To confirm the hybrid origin of a taxon,
bridization, give rise to new fertile diploid species that it should combine the alleles of its two parents and
are partially reproductively isolated from both the par- have a cpDNA similar to one of its parents (see earlier
ents. This mode of hybrid speciation, termed recom- discussion on cpDNA).
binational speciation by Grant (1981a, b), has been Studies of the origin and evolution of crops
modelled genetically (Stebbins, 1957; Grant, 1981) provides an understanding of the ways in which ob-
and tested by experimental synthesis of new ‘hybrid’ served patterns of genetic diversity reflect the process
species by Stebbins (1957) and others. The actual ex- of domestication. Studies of domestication patterns
tent of this mode of speciation in nature is unclear. The in beans (Phaseolus sp.) have resulted in the identi-
detailed genetic information necessary to confirm or fication of a number of major geographically distinct
reject the ‘hybrid’ origin is often lacking (Rieseberg et diversity groups which show rather complex relation-
al., 1990). All these approaches used so far have one ships and evidence of some gene flow between them
limitation – genetic additivity in the putative hybrid (Gepts, 1998; Tohme et al., 1996). This type of in-
species generally cannot be demonstrated, especially formation provides conservation workers with a basis
for the quantitative morphological traits (Gallez and for the development of collecting strategies and can
10

help users identify materials likely to be of greatest wild mandarin, Citrus tachibana (Mak.) Tanaka, in
value in different crop improvement programmes. Japan (Hirai et al., 1990), and mangoes in Indonesia
More detailed studies of domestication can also (Bompard, 1995).
help in developing a better understanding of observed Of course, studies on the extent and distribution
patterns of diversity. Genes associated with domestica- of genetic diversity need to be combined with other
tion traits such as seed size or dispersal characteristics information if we are to realize their full value. They
are bound to have particular states and be invariate need to be integrated with information on habitat, de-
within the domesticated crops. Thus, there will be gree of threat and physical and human geography.
areas of the genome that are fairly uniform, where For example, signs of recent colonization, such as
diversity is minimal. The variation and distribution of location along the roadside, tend to be correlated
alleles at loci close to these areas may differ markedly with reduced diversity in Avena barbata (Jain et al.,
from those in other areas of the genome, as may be the 1981) and Phaseolus vulgaris (Gepts and Bliss, 1988),
case for pearl millet (Poncet et al., 1998). Within spe- but for many species such information is lacking. In
cies patterns of diversity may also reflect the domest- such cases, information about genetic diversity of in-
ication process, particularly when a number of more or dividual populations, derived directly from isozyme
less complex morphological types have developed fol- surveys or other sources, may be critical in guiding
lowing domestication (e.g. spring and winter cereals germplasm collecting.
or the many different vegetable Brassica oleracea or Rather different approaches to the acquisition of
Lactuca sativa types). genetic diversity data may be required for crops, for-
ages and wild relatives. For forages and wild relatives,
Selecting what to conserve ecological information may be relatively more im-
portant than for crops and analyses of patterns of
Taxonomic information and studies on crop evolution diversity using isozymes or molecular markers may
and domestication provide a basic underpinning of be extremely effective (for a review of a substantial
knowledge that supports the conservation process. In body of work using this approach see Nevo, 1998).
each of these areas, an analysis of patterns of variation However, in crops, socio-economic and cultural in-
provides an essential element. Genetic diversity stud- formation may be as important as ecological data and
ies make even more direct contributions in selecting some preliminary assessment of diversity may be pos-
what to conserve, and ensuring that the resources are sible on the basis of numbers of cultivars identified by
well managed and used. By measuring the range of farmers and their observed agromorphological char-
available genetic diversity within and between pop- acteristics (Louette et al., 1997; Bajracharya et al.,
ulations of any species we can adjust our collecting, 1999).
evaluating and breeding strategies to obtain maximum The extent to which variation has already been sat-
variation from any given wild population (Morikawa isfactorily sampled in existing collections, or can be
and Leggett, 1990) and crop materials. Some of the found in suitably protected areas, is a major issue in
ways in which this can be done are illustrated in the planning new collecting missions or other conserva-
next sections. tion activities. Analysis of data from characterization
For both inbreeding and outbreeding species, a studies in genebanks along with data from ecogeo-
useful sampling strategy begins with a survey of pop- graphical surveys, including the information on ob-
ulation diversity before making decisions about how served variation, will greatly help. There is a need
populations will be represented in germplasm collec- to examine the possibility of combining and using
tions, or where in situ conservation activities should be the ecogeographic survey data and characterization
located. In inbreeding species, such surveys are par- data to plan germplasm collecting and management
ticularly important because diversity is often unevenly programmes to explore the complexity of problems
distributed between populations and some populations involved and develop better strategies (Guarino, 1995;
or areas may be particularly significant in terms of the Maxted et al., 1995; Guarino et al., 1998).
amounts of diversity they possess. In outbreeding spe- As noted earlier, the use of molecular techniques
cies, the emphasis is more likely to be on ensuring a in studying genetic diversity in recent years has con-
good coverage of the range of types found (Schoen and tributed to better understanding of the extent and
Brown, 1993) Some examples include Avena popula- distribution of genetic diversity in a number of import-
tions in Canary Islands (Morikawa and Leggett, 1990), ant plant species (Hodgkin and Debouck, 1992; Karp
 11

et al., 1998; Hodgkin et al., 2001). These methods, material in the field for later analysis of diversity us-
coupled with ecogeographic surveys provide inform- ing molecular markers (see Adams et al., 1992, 1999;
ation on species distribution as well as infraspecific Muralidharan and Wemmer, 1994).
diversity, permitting effective sampling of a particular There remains a considerable debate about the re-
region. lative value of information on genetic diversity from
For example, genetic variation within and among studies of agromorphological characters, isozymes or
11 natural populations of Pterocarpus macrocarpus molecular markers. There is also debate about the use
from different forest habitats of Thailand was ex- of different molecular markers (Powell et al., 1996;
amined using isozymes and a high degree of among- Karp et al., 1998) and increasing interest in using mo-
population differentiation was detected (Liengsiri et lecular markers which might give information about
al., 1995). An east-west pattern of population group- patterns of adaptive diversity (Karp, 2001).
ing was observed. The prominent longitudinal differ-
entiation of populations suggests that, for ex situ con-
servation, sampling should be done from a few trees Managing conserved germplasm
from each population, but many populations should
be sampled (analogous to sampling locally common Information from genetic diversity studies and the
genes). For making choices for in situ conservation, use of genetic diversity analysis procedures should be
the authors noted, the study should take into consider- of direct value in managing both in situ and ex situ
ation the range of distribution of the species, across conserved germplasm. So far, deliberate in situ conser-
the borders of countries. Using restriction fragment vation activities for crop plants and their wild relatives
length polymorphisms (RFLPs) it was demonstrated have been rather few. With the exception of the ex-
that the probability of adding new genes to a tomato tensive studies on wild wheat carried out by Nevo and
collection would be about 20 times higher by adding his colleagues (Nevo, 1998), very little investigation
one accession of Lycopersicon peruvianum, a wild re- of plant genetic diversity has been carried out in such
lative of tomato (Miller and Tanksley, 1990). Studies situations. Using morphological characters, isozymes
of the distribution of AFLP markers in Sri Lankan and molecular markers, Nevo and colleagues have
coconut populations have shown that as far as molecu- quite clearly established the ways in which diversity
lar diversity goes, the emphasis should be placed on varies according to variation in soil type, available
collecting relatively large numbers of plants from a moisture and other environmental factors (e.g. Nevo et
few populations since most of the observed diversity al., 1988; Nevo and Beiles, 1989; Owuor et al., 1997;
is within populations rather than between them (Per- Li et al., 1999). They have also shown the ways in
era et al., 1998; Perera et al., 1999). Similar studies which patterns of variation can change over time and
using RAPD markers on coconut plantations of the alter both the numbers and types of alleles present.
South Pacific showed that approximately 60% of the This work provides a basis for the development of
observed diversity occurred within-populations, but various types of monitoring procedures for in situ con-
this level varied between various populations and in- served populations, but to our knowledge, these have
dicated the need for focusing on southern populations yet to be tested and described in the literature.
(Ashburner et al., 1997)
Molecular methods of analysing diversity are also Rationalisation of collections
important because they can refine existing investiga-
tion strategies. Developments in the area of extraction Genetic diversity data provides information necessary
of DNA from dried specimens, such as herbarium ma- to evaluate the extent to which a collection contains
terial and fossils, will help us to better understand significant gaps in terms of the range of variation
the patterns of genetic diversity and phylogenetic re- found in a species or significant redundancies, that is
lationships (Pääbo and Wilson, 1991; Engeln, 1993). accessions with very similar characteristics. A concern
Methods that can be used in the field to assess within with the frequent occurrence of duplicates (i.e. acces-
population diversity to facilitate sampling of max- sions with identical genetic characteristics) has often
imum diversity can be particularly useful for perennial been voiced (FAO, 1996a, b) and Hintum and Visser,
plants and those that do not normally produce viable (1995a, b) discuss the various issues involved for seed
seed. There are now a number of protocols which can genebanks. Molecular markers are likely to be increas-
be used to collect small amounts of leaf tissue or other ingly used to identify near duplicates or very similar
12

groups of accessions. Thus, Phippen et al. (1997) used genetically differentiated populations than inbreeders
RAPDs to analyse a group of morphologically similar (Hamrick and Godt, 1990). Information is required
‘Golden Acre’ type cabbage accessions and concluded on the degree of outcrossing that occurs in order to
that reducing the accessions of the type to only 4 devise appropriate regeneration strategies which will
groups of accessions that would result in a loss of only critically affect both the numbers of plants needed for
4.6% of the total variation in the group. regenerating populations and the required degree of
Duplicates in seed genebanks may not add substan- isolation between accessions. Information on interspe-
tially to seed genebank costs. However, plant genetic cific crossing relationships will also be required for
resources of many plant species have to be conserved determining isolation requirements.
maintaining live plants/trees in field plots or field Despite their importance, very little attention has
genebanks. Maintenance of field genebanks is costly been given to regeneration practices up to now. In-
in terms of requirements for land, supplies, and la- formation on the subject is minimal and most of
bour. A high rate of loss of accessions often occurs the available information is scattered. Breese (1989)
in the collections due to biotic and abiotic stresses. raised a number of questions on germplasm regener-
For these reasons, there is obviously a limit to the ation and emphasized the difficulty in making gen-
number of accessions that can be maintained in field eralized recommendations. There are a number of
genebanks. Limiting the numbers to a manageable size questions that need answers before a rational strategy
needs to be carried out rationally and based on sound for retaining genetic diversity in ex situ collections can
scientific principles (Nissilä et al., 1998). A major be formulated. These relate to genetic stability as well
criterion is avoiding duplicate or near duplicates in as loss of genetic diversity and require data from ex-
the collection, which can, generally, reduce the size periments using a range of different species as well
of field genebanks in many cases. The grouping of as further theoretical studies. In particular, there is
accessions according to their morphological similar- a need to support research to generate crop and spe-
ities is the first and most important step to identify cies specific information on regeneration techniques,
duplicate accessions. The verification of morphologic- including issues such as isolation requirements, popu-
ally identical accessions with molecular markers can lation sizes, and genetic drift, which will contribute
be made to confirm the similarity or otherwise (Con- to the formulation of better regeneration strategies
nolly et al., 1994). Work that started with using RAPD to conserve genetic diversity (Ramanatha Rao, 1991;
markers to rationalize sweet potato collections (Saad Engels and Ramanatha Rao, 1998).
et al., 1999) is now extending to use of microsatellites. Many aspects of conservation management would
DNA amplification fingerprinting (DAF) appears to be benefit substantially from improved understanding of
useful in sweet potato germplasm characterization and the reproductive biology of different crops species and
may be employed to identify duplicate accessions or their wild relatives. A survey of breeding systems,
for identifying core collections. DAF data may also along with further research on these systems and on
be useful for facilitating the selection of parents for aspects of reproductive biology, such as sterility mech-
a breeding programme to ensure a broad genetic base anisms and incompatibility systems where these act
(He et al., 1995). to limit the use of genetic resources or the production
of sufficient seed for storage, will assist in developing
Regeneration of germplasm seed more effective germplasm conservation practices, both
in situ and ex situ.
Even under optimum conditions, accessions held in
ex situ storage will need to be regenerated after a
number of years. The genetic diversity of the con- Improving use of germplasm
served material must be preserved during germplasm
regeneration and this is more complex and difficult Characterization and evaluation
in the case of out-crossing species than in inbreeders
(Porceddu and Jenkins, 1982). So, just as the breeding The accessibility of collections depends largely on
system is a significant factor in determining allele dis- the information available on them. Accurate passport
tribution and diversity in nature, it profoundly affects and characterization data are the first requirements,
maintenance of diversity in collections. Outbreeding but users of plant genetic resources, particularly plant
species possess higher diversity levels and contain less breeders, have also emphasised the need for improved
 13

evaluation of accessions. Evaluation is a complex pro- The concept of the core collection appears to of-
cess and there is serious backlog in most collections. fer a number of potential benefits to users of genetic
There are often very large numbers of accessions in- resources. Plant breeders would have a manageable
volved (frequently many thousands) and a number of number of accessions to use in the search for new char-
the traits (e.g. resistances to biotic and abiotic stresses) acters or character combinations and a structured way
are difficult to measure and subject to significant vari- to evaluate whole collections. Other research workers
ation according to the environment in which they are would be able to concentrate studies on inheritance or
measured. Improved evaluation procedures are needed test new technologies on a defined subset on which a
and the use of augmented plot designs (Narain, 1990) substantial amount of data would be collected. More
provides one way of assessing large numbers of acces- practically, genebanks with limited resources would
sions in a single replicate with control plots that pro- be able to maintain the core collection, a rationally
duces statistically satisfactory data. Core collections chosen set of accessions of crop species at relatively
(see below) provide another way of concentrating low cost. There are now a number of published invest-
evaluation resources for maximum results. igations of the ways in which core collections can be
It is worth emphasising that both characterization established (e.g. Hodgkin et al., 1995; Johnson and
and evaluation data provide an effective source of in- Hodgkin, 1999). Over 60 core collections were iden-
formation for genetic diversity studies. The results tified in a recent survey (C. Spillane, 2000, personal
can be used to help understand patterns of variaiton communication) in a wide range of different crops
in crop species and to identify groups of accessions and wild relatives. There remain important issues to
with high diversity or with shared characteristics. be addressed in ensuring that optimum procedures are
Analyses of agromorphological variation in sesame used for developing core collections. These include
(Hodgkin et al., 1999) were used to develop core col- the extent to which ecogeographic data can provide
lections in both India and China. In China, there was an adequate basis for the development of a core, the
an extremely close association of variation with spe- sampling strategy to be adopted (so that interesting
cific agro-ecological zones although the associations traits with low frequency will be represented), the im-
between agroecological zone and diversity pattern portance of the genetic structure of the crop or species
were much less clearly developed for Indian sesame. concerned, and the ways in which procedures should
Weltzien and her colleagues (Weltzien, 1989; Weltzien be modified for crops with different breeding systems
and Fichbeck, 1990) were also able to use agromor- and for clonally propagated ones.
phological variation to identify patterns of variation in
Syrian landraces of barley and to show how important
moisture availability was to the way in which variation Conclusions
was distributed in the crop in Syria.
The conservation of crop genetic resources can be
Core collections difficult to sell, but the stakes are high (Smith and
Schultes, 1990). There is pressing need for all those
Even where passport, characterization and evaluation who are interested in plant genetic resources conser-
data of germplasm samples of a crop or wild species vation and use to be more involved in all the aspects
are available, large numbers of accessions make it dif- of genetic diversity – to study, understand, enhance,
ficult to choose the most promising ones with which conserve and use it. To do so, we need to understand
to work. One approach to this problem is the develop- the extent and distribution of diversity in species and
ment of core collections. A core collection is intended ecosystems through appropriate research, field stud-
to contain, with a minimum repetitiveness, the ge- ies and analysis. Any conservation effort should be
netic diversity of a crop species and its wild relatives an approach that leads to integrated conservation – a
(Frankel and Brown, 1984; Brown, 1989a,b). It was balance of ex situ and in situ methods. There is a need
envisaged that such collections, which would contain to stimulate international cooperation or joint ventures
approximately 10% of the collection, or 2000–3000 on all aspects of plant genetic resources. Genetic di-
accessions, whichever is the smaller, would provide versity should be understood at all the three levels: at
the starting material for breeders in search of new the level of species, at the level of genus and at the
variation or specific characters and research workers level of ecosystem. Additionally various interactions
investigating diversity. that affect allelic diversity and differences in allelic
14

frequencies within and between populations need to be Adams RP, Zhong M & Fei Y (1999) Preservation of DNA in
understood. We need to survey genetic diversity using plant specimens: inactivation and re-activation of Dnases in field
specimens. Molecular Ecol. 8: 681–683
all available methods of measuring, before identify- Al-Hiyaly SEK, McNeilly T & Bradshaw AD (1993) The effect of
ing the areas and species to be conserved ex situ and zinc contamination from electricity pylons. Genetic constraints
in situ. Appropriate use of systematics, conservation on selection for zinc tolerance. Heredity 70: 22–32
biology and landscape ecology should be made to Allard RW (1988) Genetic changes associated with the evolution
of adaptedness in cultivated plants and their wild progenitors. J.
guide conservation, inventory, study and use of the Heredity 79: 225–238
biodiversity. Allard RW, Babbel GR, Clegg MT & Kahler AL (1972) Evidence
There remain many unresolved questions about the of coadaptation in Avena barbata. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., USA
extent and distribution of genetic diversity in useful 69: 3043–3048
Anon (1973) Genetic vulnerability of Crops. A worldwide problem
plant species. To what extent and in what ways are of raising concern. Agrl. Sci. Rev. 11: 49–55
ecological factors important for the distribution of di- Arora RK (1997) Biodiversity Convention, Global Plan of Action
versity in crops, forages or for their wild relatives? and the National Programmes. In: Hossain MG, Arora RK & Ma-
How do humans modify the underlying biological thur PN (eds) Plant Genetic Resources – Bangladesh Perspective,
Proceedings of a National Workshop on Plant Genetic Resources,
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ments of diversity? What is the most useful combina- (pp 28–35). BARC-IPGRI, Dhaka, Bangladesh
tion of molecular, biochemical and agromorphological Ashburner GR, Thompson WK & Halloran GM (1997) RAPD ana-
lysis of South Pacific coconut palm populations. Crop Sci. 37:
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terns of diversity? It is important that these are tackled Aston DL & Bradshaw AD (1966) Evolution in closely adja-
in a systematic way and not through the continued cent populations. II Agrostis stolonifera in maritime habitats.
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Baatout H, Marrakchi M & Pernes J (1990) Electrophoretic stud-
that is often is the case. This will require cooperation ies of genetic variation in natural populations of allogamous
between investigators, research centres and countries. Hedysarum capitatum and autogamous H. euspinosissimum.
In the light of increased use of molecular methods for Plant Sci. 69: 49–64
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Pandey YR, Tiwari PR & Chaudhary P (1999) Agromorpho-
to link the information on molecular variation to plant logical characters and farmer perceptions: data collection and
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