Skip to main content
ARS Home » Southeast Area » Miami, Florida » Subtropical Horticulture Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #423989
Research Project: Conservation, Management, Characterization, and Distribution of Subtropical and Tropical Ornamental Genetic Resources

Location: Subtropical Horticulture Research

Title: Exploring the role of germplasm repositories in plant conservation and distribution

Author
item Nageswara Rao, Madhugiri

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/19/2025
Publication Date: 2/21/2025
Citation: Nageswara Rao, M. 2025. Exploring the role of germplasm repositories in plant conservation and distribution. Abstract. PLANT TALK, International Center for Tropical Botany, Miami, Florida. February 21, 2025.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Title: Exploring the Role of Germplasm Repositories in Plant Conservation and Distribution Abstract: Global food security is increasingly confronted with many challenges stemming from a rapidly growing population and an escalating demand for high-quality food. In this context, gene banks, or germplasm repositories, are essential for preserving plant diversity and ensuring food security. The USDA-ARS National Plant Germplasm System (NPGS) is a key player in this effort, with over 600,000 accessions from more than 10,000 species in its Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN) database. The Subtropical Horticulture Research Station (SHRS) in Miami, Florida, is key within the NPGS, maintaining over 3,000 ornamental tropical and subtropical plant accessions. In the past five years, SHRS has processed over 2,600 germplasm requests, boosting agricultural research. High throughput genetics, next-generation sequencing, and phenomics approaches are being used to characterize priority ornamental germplasms that are useful to Southeast area stakeholders and researchers around the world. SHRS ornamental program effectively increases and conserves more than 56 percent of the world's palm genera collections that are primarily available through the NPGS-GRIN global system. This presentation will highlight the research initiatives at USDA-ARS-SHRS and their potential impact and research opportunities on sustainable agriculture and food security.