Field evaluation and utilization of collections of cereal genetic resources: the current status

Large collections of cereals harbouring a sea of variations have been assembled in gene banks around the world. These collections need to be utilized in crop improvement to justify high amount of effort and time expended and the financial cost involved in maintaining them at sub-zero temperatures. Evaluation is the essential link between conservation and use. Various approaches to evaluation of germplasm have been described but the optimal is one that not only satisfies the criteria for current breeding goals but also takes into consideration the needs of the future since in-depth evaluation of large collections cannot be repeated at frequent intervals. The use of modern techniques, such as tissue culture, embryo rescue, and genetic engineering have resulted in greater use of wild and alien germplasm from the secondary and even tertiary gene pool for crop improvement. The rich genetic resources of such gene pools are increasingly tapped to overcome the constraints to food production in moisture limiting and other stress prone environments.