Germplasm Advisory Committee of ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bengaluru organized an online awareness programme on “Germplasm Registration in Horticultural Crops” on 1st of October, 2021 for the first time. A total of 220 participants from different ICAR institutes, SAUs, KVKs and private sector attended the programme virtually. The programme was intended to appraise the scientists in the horticultural fraternity about the need of germplasm registration and also to comprehend the procedures to be followed for the same. The programme was arranged to benefit all the scientists working directly or indirectly with the genetic resources of horticultural crops. The programme started with the welcome address and brief introductory remarks by Dr. P.E.Rajasekharan, Nodal Officer, Germplasm Committee ICAR-IIHR. He briefed about the importance of germplasm registration and how it has to be utilized in the scenario of climate change and other vagaries of nature . He presented overview of number of registered germplasm in different horticultural crops Dr. B.N.Srinivasa . Murthy, Director, ICAR-IIHR delivered the chief guest remarks on the occasion emphasizing the need for identifying trait specific germplasm and its utilization by way of germplasm registration. He also expressed that such awareness is important as breeders face many difficulties and challenges in procuring germplasm, conservation, labeling, characterization and utilization.He also appreciated the efforts of GAC team ,ICAR-IIHR_arranging the awareness programme
Dr. Anjali Kak Kaul, Principal Scientist from the Division of Germplasm Conservation, ICAR-NBPGR was the first speaker of the programme. She delivered a lecture on the topic “Registration of trait specific germplasm at ICAR-NBPGR”. In her lecture, she elaborated on the procedures to be followed for registration of germplasm, right from the type of material, eligibility criteria, documentary proof to be submitted and how the applications are processed at ICAR-NBPGR were covered. She also explained the conservation and further utilization aspects of registered germplasm which will be available in the public domain. Following her lecture, there was an interaction session wherein she answered to all the queries of the participants.
Followed by lecture of Dr. Anjali Kak Koul, Dr. Rajiv Kumar, Principal Scientist from the Division of Flower and Medicinal Crops, ICAR-IIHR delivered a lecture on exclusively on registration of horticultural crops germplasm. His lecture comprehensively covered different aspects involved in germplasm registration particularly with respect to horticultural crops. He has explained the guidelines for filling the passport data information for obtaining the indigenous collection number (IC number). The lecture explicitly covered the criteria to be followed for seed and vegetatively propagated horticultural crops and also elaborated the guidelines for submitting online applications in the germplasm registration information system portal of ICAR-NBPGR. The lecture was followed by an interaction session attending to the queries of all participants.
The programme was well appreciated by the participants as it could deliver the technicalities as well as modalities involved in the germplasm registration process. The programme was moderated by Dr. Rohini M.R, Scientist, Division of Flower and Medicinal Crops and the formal vote of thanks was delivered by Dr. Anuradha Sane, Principal Scientist and Member Secretary, Germplasm Advisory Committee ICAR-IIHR, Bengaluru.
