Cryopreservation of Spices Genetic Resources

Abstract

Plant genetic resources constituting genotypes or populations of cultivars (landraces, advance/improved cultivars), genetic stocks, wild and weedy species, which are maintained in the form of plants, seeds, tissues, etc. hold key to food security and sustainable agricultural development (Iwananga, 1994). They are non-renewable and are among the most essential of the world’s natural resources. Due to deforestation, spread of superior varieties and selection pressure, genetic variability is gradually getting eroded. This demands priority action to conserve germplasm be it at species, genepool or ecosystem level, for posterity (Frankel, 1975).