Integrated Conservation Approaches for Rescuing, Regeneration and Adaptive Management of Critically Endangered Asteraceae Florae in Africa: A case of <em>Bothriocline auriculata</em> Species in Uganda

Among the 62 Bothriocline plant species, Bothriocline auriculata is the only endemic species in Uganda. Although this species is capable of thriving in diverse agroecosystems including mountainous areas, bamboo thickets, montane and tropical rainforests, it is only sited along Mt. Elgon slopes, the species’ native ecosystem. Unfortunately, for the last two decades, the species’ native ecosystem is undergoing very rapid deterioration as the increasing human populations have no option for survival but to clear protective forests and vegetation for arable farming, grazing and settlement. Despite the proven ecological importance of Bothriocline auriculata as a fodder plant, nutrient recycling and biodiversity in contributing to ecosystem balance, the species is declining at unprecedented rates. Consequently, the Bothriocline auriculata is now on the blink of extinction and is classified as critically endangered. This project aimed to rescue and conserve this species to ensure its full recovery, restoration and conservation under protected ecosystems. The specimens were rescued from the native ecosystem and multiplied into 150 juvenile seedlings. The seedlings exhibited a faster growth rate under well-nourished and moist soil conditions and vice versa. The data confirm the species’ ability to thrive in protected ecosystems with favorable weather and soil conditions for ex-situ conservation

Plant genetic resources in India: management and utilization

Plant genetic resources (PGR) are the foundation of agriculture as well as food and nutritional security. The ICAR-NBPGR is the nodal institution at national level for management of PGR in India under the umbrella of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi. India being one of the gene-rich countries faces a unique challenge of protecting its natural heritage while evolving mutually beneficial strategies for germplasm exchange with other countries. The Bureaus activities include PGR exploration, collection, exchange, characterization, evaluation, conservation and documentation. It also has the responsibility to carry out quarantine of all imported PGR including transgenics meant for research purposes. The multifarious activities are carried out from ICAR-NBPGR headquarters and its 10 regional stations located in different agro-climatic zones of India. It has linkages with international organizations of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) and national crop-based institutes to accomplish its mandated activities. NBPGR collects and acquires germplasm from various sources, conserves it in the Genebank, characterizes and evaluates it for different traits and provides ready material for breeders to develop varieties for farmers. ICAR-NBPGR encompasses the National Genebank Network and at present, the National Genebank conserves more than 0.40 million accessions. NBPGR works in service-mode for effective utilization of PGR in crop improvement programmes which depends mainly on its systematic characterization and evaluation, and identification of potentially useful germplasm. NBPGR is responsible for identifying trait-specific pre-adapted climate resilient genotypes, promising material with disease resistance and quality traits which the breeders use for various crop improvement programmes. The system has contributed immensely towards safeguarding the indigenous and introducing useful exotic PGR for enhancing the agricultural production. Presently, our focus is on characterization of ex situ conserved germplasm and detailed evaluation of prioritized crops for enhanced utilization; assessment of impact of on-farm conservation practices on genetic diversity; genome-wide association mapping for identification of novel genes and alleles for enhanced utilization of PGR; identification and deployment of germplasm/landraces using climate analog data; validation of trait-specific introduced germplasm for enhanced utilization

Bibliography on access to plant genetic resources and intellectual property rights

Plant genetic resources constitute the biological foundation of humankind. Research systems and agricultural production also depend on them. Plant genetic resources result from natural evolution and human intervention, and are considered patrimony of the nations. Although their conservation, use and exchange are among the objectives of the Convention of Biological Diversity and have been recognized internationally, the threats against their safety continue to increase. This bibliography, which contains work published all over the world since 1984, intends to contribute to IPGRI's goal on plant genetic resources policy. It contains 433 references with local descriptors. The records are organized in 2 subjects-access to plant genetic resources (91) and intellectual property rights (342). It includes references on the status of intellectual property rights in several countries, the application of farmers' rights to local varieties and the consequences of limiting access in the development of seed production systems. Available in electronic form only as a Portable Document Format (PDF) file