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ARS Home » Plains Area » Fort Collins, Colorado » Center for Agricultural Resources Research » Agricultural Genetic Resources Preservation Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #420009
Research Project: Curation and Research to Safeguard and Expand Collections of Plant and Microbial Genetic Resources and Associated Descriptive Information

Location: Agricultural Genetic Resources Preservation Research

Title: The USDA-ARS National Plant Germplasm System: Critical importance and impacts of long-term ex situ conservation

Author
item Volk, Gayle
item BRETTING, PETER - Retired ARS Employee

Submitted to: Acta horticulturae
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/17/2025
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: The USDA-ARS National Plant Germplasm System (NPGS) plays a critical role in the conservation and use of plant materials both within the U.S. and internationally. The vast collection has over 620,000+ accessions representing 16,700+ species of crops and their wild relatives. Over 200,000 samples are distributed annually for research, breeding and education purposes. Throughout its long history, NPGS samples have been critical for the success of breeding programs that directly impact agricultural production through the development of new cultivars that are tolerant to environmental extremes, resistant to pests and diseases, and yield higher quality products. Despite its recognized importance, the NPGS is experiencing operational backlogs for PGR management that were described in the NPGS Strategic Plan released in 2023. Biotechnological innovations in cryobiology are being developed and deployed to address some of these backlogs within the NPGS.

Technical Abstract: The USDA-ARS National Plant Germplasm System plays a critical role in the conservation and use of plant genetic resources (PGR) both nationally and internationally. The NPGS conserves 620,000+ accessions of PGR for crops and crop wild relatives and annually distributes 200,000+ PGR samples globally. Throughout its long history, NPGS samples have been critical for the success of research, breeding, and education programs that directly impact agricultural production through the development of new cultivars that are tolerant to environmental extremes, resistant to pests and diseases, and yield higher quality products. Despite its recognized importance, the NPGS is experiencing operational backlogs for PGR management that were described in the NPGS Strategic Plan released in 2023. Biotechnological innovations in cryobiology are being developed and deployed to address some of these backlogs to ensure that NPGS PGR remain available for future generations.