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In News
- The central government has announced the establishment of a second National Gene Bank (NGB) as a part of the Union Budget 2025-26 under the theme “Investing in Innovations”.
What is Gene Bank?
- A Gene Bank is a bio-repository that preserves genetic material of plants, animals, and microbes, particularly seeds, tissues, and DNA.
- In the case of crops, this involves the storage of germplasm (viable plant material such as seeds) under controlled conditions to ensure their long-term viability.
| Type of Bank | What it Stores | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Seed Bank | Seeds under controlled conditions | ICAR-NBPGR, New Delhi |
| Field Gene Bank | Live plants maintained in the field | For perennial crops like mango |
| Cryobank | Genetic material stored at ultra-low temperatures (e.g., -196°C in liquid nitrogen) | DNA, pollen, embryos |
| DNA Bank | Purified DNA samples | Used for genetic research |
| In Vitro Bank | Plant tissues stored in nutrient mediums | Tissue culture |
Need
- The goal of the new NGB is to conserve 10 lakh crop germplasm.
- These genetic resources are used for crop improvement and genetic resource management.
- The new Gene Bank will have state-of-the-art infrastructure and aims to expand India’s conservation capacity.
- It is important for preserving genetic diversity and promoting sustainable agricultural practices to ensure future food security.
Do you Know?
- The first National Gene Bank is located at the ICAR-National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR) in New Delhi.
- The first NGB is the second-largest gene bank in the world, holding 4,71,561 accessions from 2,157 species.
Source: DD News
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