Location: Agricultural Genetic Resources Preservation Research
Title: The USDA-ARS National Plant Germplasm System strategic plan: A roadmap to conserve and utilize U.S. plant genetic resourcesAuthor
Volk, Gayle | |
Warburton, Marilyn | |
SHEEHAN, M - Cornell University | |
Walters, Christina | |
Estrada, Stacey | |
Hanes, Glenn | |
MCFERSON, J - Retired ARS Employee | |
BRETTING, PK - Retired ARS Employee |
Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only Publication Acceptance Date: 6/6/2024 Publication Date: N/A Citation: N/A Interpretive Summary: N/A Technical Abstract: The USDA-ARS National Plant Germplasm System (NPGS) conserves vast collections of plant genetic resources of crops and crop wild relatives for food, fiber, animal feed, industrial, medicinal, and ornamental purposes. The NPGS manages over 620,000 accessions at 22 genebank units dispersed across the U.S., which annually distribute 200,000+ samples globally for research, breeding, and education. As directed by the 2018 Farm Bill, the NPGS conducted a multi-year self-assessment and developed a comprehensive plan to address the identified needs, with significant contributions from the USDA National Genetic Resources Advisory Council. The NPGS Strategic Plan was publicly released in November, 2023 (https://www.ars.usda.gov/crop-production-and-protection/plant-genetic-resources-genomics-and-genetic-improvement/docs/npgs-plan/). It comprises four documents that identify priority activities and describe a ten-year strategy to address backlogs in maintenance and characterization, as well as enhance utilization. When funded, the NPGS Strategic Plan will result in: 1) More plant germplasm maintained disease-free, securely backed up, and readily available; 2) Expanded knowledge of the intrinsic genetic variation and high-value traits in NPGS collections; and 3) New plant germplasm with valuable traits acquired, safeguarded and developed. Genebank units will set management priorities and implement the plan according to available resources. |