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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Washington, D.C. » National Arboretum » Floral and Nursery Plants Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #178790
Title: PHALAENOPSIS GERMPLASM CONSERVATION AND PRESERVATION ACTIVITIES

Author
item Griesbach, Robert

Submitted to: International Phalaenopsis Newsletter
Publication Type: Trade Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/15/2005
Publication Date: 7/7/2005
Citation: Griesbach, R.J. 2005. Conservation and preservation of the genus Phalaenopsis. Phalaenopsis. 14:14-15,35-36.

Interpretive Summary: Within the U. S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS), the National Genetic Resources Program (NGRP) is responsible for acquiring, characterizing, preserving, documenting, and distributing to scientists, germplasm of all lifeforms important for food and agricultural production. Within the NGRP, the Ornamental Plant Germplasm Center (OPGC) is responsible for ornamental plants. Because of the extremely large number of ornamental species, OPGC established a list of 30 priority genera. One of the priority genera was the orchid Phalaenopsis. In 2003, Phalaenopsis was the number two flowering potted-plant in wholesale value, worth over $120,000,000. The major industry focus group (International Phalaenopsis Alliance) has established a living collection at the Atlanta Botanic Garden. The OPGC is working with the Alliance to coordinate conservation and preservation efforts.

Technical Abstract: Within the U. S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS), the National Genetic Resources Program (NGRP) is responsible for acquiring, characterizing, preserving, documenting, and distributing to scientists, germplasm of all lifeforms important for food and agricultural production. Within the NGRP, the Ornamental Plant Germplasm Center (OPGC) is responsible for ornamental plants. Because of the extremely large number of ornamental species, OPGC established a list of 30 priority genera. One of the priority genera was the orchid Phalaenopsis. In 2003, Phalaenopsis was the number two flowering potted-plant in wholesale value, worth over $120,000,000. The major industry focus group (International Phalaenopsis Alliance) has established a living collection at the Atlanta Botanic Garden. The OPGC is working with the Alliance to coordinate conservation and preservation efforts.