National Herbarium of Cultivated Plants (NHCP): Importance of Voucher Specimens of Introduced Germplasm

Herbarium specimens representing plant genetic resources introduced from abroad, are a distinctive component of the National Herbarium of Cultivated Plants (NHCP). These specimens represent diversity augmented in crops and wild species mostly not native to the Indian region. Herbarium specimens, bearing the unique identity number assigned to germplasm introduced into the Indian region, were screened, checked with primary and secondary data records for identity, source locality/area, and its availability as ex situ germplasm. Additional data on area of origin/diversity of species was used to delineate specimens of value in PGR and represented as cultigens, cultivars, both popular and historic, as well as local morphotypes and ecotypes of crops, as well as wild relatives of crops.