BP Singh

32 B.P. SinghOrnamentals: Rhododenchron, orchids, Hedychium fern and fernallies, Nerium indicum, Polyathea longijolia, Bauhinia, Primula,Camellia and many others.Exchange of Plant Genetic Resources - Past effortsExchange of plant genetic resources in the past has helpedconsiderably number of nations to grow new plants and cropspecies that were not known before. In the process people ofvarious countries were greatly benefited. For example, most of thecrops cultivated in the industrialized countries have their centresof origin and diversification in developing countries. All cropsexcept sunflower and a few :minor species of fruits etc. wereintroduced in USA like wheat ,rice, soybean, which are now beingexported by USA..Wheat, barley, sorghum, maize, groundnut, tea, coffee,potato, tomato, cauliflower, cabbage, pea, cashew, rubber, etc. allwere introduced into India from abroad. Many of these crops havebecome integral part of '~he existing cropping systems in differentparts of the country. This process is still on.Organised Exchange of Plant Genetic ResourcesSystematic activities of introduction and exchange of plantgenetic resources of agri-horticultural crops started as early as 1946at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (JARI), New Delhiunder a scheme initiated at the Division of Botany. Thus, activitiesfurther accelerated by the creation of a new Division of PlantIntroduction in 1961. In 1976 , this Division was raised into anindependent institute, National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resource(NBPGR), New Delhi under Indian Council of AgriculturalResearch. NBPGR has been functiOning as a nationwide research/service organizations for exchange of plant genetic resourcesstrictly under phytosanitary conditions. It is assisting various cropbased institutes, all India Crop improvement programmes,agricultural universities as well as agri-horticultural/forestrydepartments in the country.It has close linkages with more than 85 countries besides thePlant Introduction Agencies having headquarters at Beltsville(USA), Canberra (Australia), Leningt;ad (USSR/Russia), Ottawa(Canada), San Paulo (Brazil), Buenos Aires (Argentina), Lisbon(Portugal), Peredeniya (Sri Lanka), Dacca (Bangladesh), Islamabad