China
October 14, 2010
As an important part of biological resources, the gene-rich forage germplasm resources constitute an indispensable genetic basis for the improvement and breeding of new varieties, and a prerequisite for the origination and development of agriculture.
Given its importance, the state has established a long-term bank, a central bank and two respective backup banks for temperate and tropical forage germplasms. The central bank, known as the National Center of Preservation & Utilization of Genetic Resources of Animal & Forage is affiliated to the National Animal Husbandry Service of the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA), and it is managed by the National Center of Grass Product Quality Supervision and Inspection under the Service. At present, the expansion of the central bank is under way, and its storage capacity will thus reach 130,000 accessions of forage germplasms.
As for the preservation, a large number of quality domestic and foreign forage varieties are stored in the central bank. By August 2010, the number of stored germplasm materials has amounted to 18,025, including those of the relic plant of the tertiary period (Ammopiptanthus mongolicus cheng f.), endangered plants (wild groundnuts, milk-vetch and Mongolian milk-vetch, etc.), and a lot of forage varieties unique to China (E. atralus (Nevski) Hand. –Mazz, Festuca sinensis Keng, Poa crymophila Keng, Hedysarum Laeve Maxim., and Lespedeza potaninii Vass., etc.), and quality forage varieties introduced from abroad.
In terms of the utilization, the central bank has made unremitting efforts in improving distribution and utilization of germplasm resources in accordance with the Methods for Management of the Distribution and Utilization of Germplasm Resources in National Medium-Term Forage Germplasm Bank (Trial). Up to now, altogether 320 accessions of germplasm materials has been distributed, including Medicago L., Lolium L., Agropyron Gaerrtn., Bromus inermis Leyss., Elymus L. and other genera of Leguminasae.
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