Model Answer
0 min readIntroduction
Gene banks are crucial repositories of genetic material, playing a vital role in preserving biodiversity and ensuring food security. With increasing threats from climate change, pests, and diseases, the conservation of plant genetic resources has become paramount. The FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) estimates that approximately 7,700 plant species are cultivated worldwide, but the vast majority of crop diversity has been lost in the last century. Gene banks act as a safety net, safeguarding genetic resources for future generations and providing the raw material for crop improvement. This response will explore the concept of gene banks, their types, significance, challenges, and future prospects.
What are Gene Banks?
A gene bank is a facility that preserves genetic resources, typically seeds, but also including plant tissues, pollen, and even animal genetic material. They are essentially living libraries of genetic information. The primary purpose is to conserve genetic diversity for future use in breeding programs, research, and to safeguard against the loss of valuable traits due to disease, natural disasters, or human activities.
Types of Gene Banks
Gene banks are classified based on the methods used for conservation. Here's a comparison:
| Type of Gene Bank | Description | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seed Banks | Store seeds under controlled conditions (low temperature, humidity). | Relatively inexpensive, easy to manage, large quantities can be stored. | Viability declines over time; not suitable for all species. |
| Field Gene Banks | Maintain living collections of plants in the field. | Allows observation of plant characteristics, suitable for vegetatively propagated species. | Requires significant land and resources, vulnerable to pests and diseases. |
| Cryo-Banks | Store plant tissues (e.g., cell cultures, meristems) in liquid nitrogen (-196°C). | Can preserve genetic material indefinitely, suitable for species with recalcitrant seeds (seeds that cannot be dried and stored). | Expensive, requires specialized equipment and expertise. |
Significance of Gene Banks
- Biodiversity Conservation: Gene banks safeguard plant genetic diversity, which is crucial for maintaining ecosystem stability and resilience.
- Food Security: They provide a source of genetic variation for crop improvement, allowing breeders to develop varieties that are resistant to pests, diseases, and climate change.
- Climate Change Adaptation: Genetic resources in gene banks can be used to breed crops that are more tolerant to drought, heat, and salinity.
- Crop Improvement: Wild relatives of crops often possess valuable traits like disease resistance or higher nutritional content, which can be introduced into cultivated varieties through gene banks.
- Scientific Research: Provide material for genetic and genomic studies, contributing to a better understanding of plant evolution and adaptation.
Examples of Gene Banks
- Svalbard Global Seed Vault (Norway): Often called the "Doomsday Vault," it stores duplicates of seeds from gene banks worldwide.
- National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR), India: A major gene bank in India, holding over 170,000 accessions of plants.
- Millennium Seed Bank Partnership, UK: Aims to conserve seeds from 85% of the world's plants.
Challenges Faced by Gene Banks
- Funding: Maintaining gene banks requires substantial and sustained financial investment.
- Conservation Techniques: Ensuring long-term viability of stored genetic material requires continuous research and improvement in conservation techniques.
- Accessibility: Balancing the need for accessibility for research and breeding with the need to protect genetic resources from misuse.
- Loss of Genetic Diversity: Even within gene banks, genetic erosion can occur if accessions are not properly managed or if some varieties are more frequently used than others.
- Biosecurity: Preventing the introduction and spread of pests and diseases into gene bank collections.
The Role of India
India, being a megadiverse country, recognizes the importance of gene banks. The NBPGR plays a vital role in collecting, conserving, and distributing plant genetic resources. The National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) includes components for conserving traditional varieties and promoting the use of climate-resilient seeds.
Case Study: Conservation of Wild Rice (Oryza rufipogon)
Title: Safeguarding the Genetic Heritage of Wild Rice in Northeast India
Description: Oryza rufipogon is a wild rice species crucial for breeding drought-tolerant and disease-resistant rice varieties. Due to habitat loss and overexploitation, its populations are declining. NBPGR has established a field gene bank in Assam, India, to conserve this valuable species. Local communities are involved in seed collection and conservation efforts, promoting sustainable use.
Outcome: The field gene bank has successfully conserved a significant number of Oryza rufipogon accessions, providing a valuable resource for rice breeding programs and ensuring the continued availability of this vital genetic resource.
Conclusion
Gene banks are indispensable for safeguarding plant genetic diversity and ensuring food security in a changing world. While challenges exist, ongoing efforts to improve conservation techniques, enhance accessibility, and secure sustainable funding are crucial. Strengthening gene bank infrastructure and promoting international collaboration are essential for preserving the genetic heritage of plants for future generations. India's role in maintaining and expanding its gene bank collections is vital for ensuring food security and adapting to the impacts of climate change.
Answer Length
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