National Plant Germplasm System
Encyclopedia
The U.S. National Plant Germplasm System (NPGS) is a cooperative effort by U.S. state and federal government and private organizations to preserve the genetic diversity
of plant
s.
The NPGS aids scientists and the need for genetic diversity by acquiring, preserving, evaluating, documenting and distributing crop germplasm
.
Since many important crop species originate outside the United States, the first steps toward diversity are acquisition and introduction. New germplasm (accessions) enter NPGS through collection, donation by foreign cooperators or international germplasm collections. An identifying number such as the Plant Introduction number (PI number) is assigned to each accession. The accession is then evaluated, maintained, and made available for distribution.
Through these efforts, NPGS assists in improving the quality and productivity of crops. The GRIN database is managed by the Database Management Unit, while the acquisition of plants is managed by the Plant Exchange Office.
Genetic diversity
Genetic diversity, the level of biodiversity, refers to the total number of genetic characteristics in the genetic makeup of a species. It is distinguished from genetic variability, which describes the tendency of genetic characteristics to vary....
of plant
Plant
Plants are living organisms belonging to the kingdom Plantae. Precise definitions of the kingdom vary, but as the term is used here, plants include familiar organisms such as trees, flowers, herbs, bushes, grasses, vines, ferns, mosses, and green algae. The group is also called green plants or...
s.
The NPGS aids scientists and the need for genetic diversity by acquiring, preserving, evaluating, documenting and distributing crop germplasm
Germplasm
A germplasm is a collection of genetic resources for an organism. For plants, the germplasm may be stored as a seed collection or, for trees, in a nursery.-See also:*Germ plasm, the germ cell determining zone...
.
Since many important crop species originate outside the United States, the first steps toward diversity are acquisition and introduction. New germplasm (accessions) enter NPGS through collection, donation by foreign cooperators or international germplasm collections. An identifying number such as the Plant Introduction number (PI number) is assigned to each accession. The accession is then evaluated, maintained, and made available for distribution.
Through these efforts, NPGS assists in improving the quality and productivity of crops. The GRIN database is managed by the Database Management Unit, while the acquisition of plants is managed by the Plant Exchange Office.