BP Singh

The Indian National Gene Bank' 247complement the seed repository and this capacity is being furtherexpanded.Infrastructure for installing twelve more modules for longterm storage of around 800,000 seed samples has also beencompleted. When fully developed by 1996 1 the Indian NationalGene Bank will have a capacity for long term storage of over onemillion accessions. -Germplasm holdings in the Indian National Gene Bank andPGR system are listed in Table 1. Information provided inTable 2 presents a global scenario showing known numbers ofgermplasm accessions held by gene banks around the wo:r1d.Indian National Gene Bank ranks third after gene banks of USAand Russia in terms of size of collections. In fact, its capacity forlong term storage is next to that of USA at pres~nt and it Can beeasily expanded ~hen required.Table 1.Germplasm Holdings in Indian National Gene Bankand PGR System as on 31.12.1994ComponentsNo. of accessionsSeed samples dehydrated to 5% moisture 139,576content, sealed in laminated aluminiumJoils and stored at ~20°C .Seed samples, gametes, meristems cryopreserved 875in liquid nitrogen (~196°C)Accessions maintained in tissue/cell cultures 765Reference sample~ stored at 4°C, RH 35% 27,350Accessions under multiplication and 120,226char~cterisation in N13PGR networkAdditional accessions under multiplication 188,263and upgrading in the Indian PGR System