In Situ Conservation of Agricultural Biodiversity

In situ conservation of agricultural biodiversity has been defined as, "the maintenance of the diversity present in and among populations of the many species used directly in agriculture, or used as sources of genes, in habitats where such diversity arose and continues to grow" (Brown 1999). It concerns entire agroecosystems, including immediately useful species (such as food crops, forages, and agro-forestry species), as well as their wild and weedy relatives that may be growing in nearby areas.

Introgression among crops and their wild relatives

In Situ Conservation in Natural Ecosystems (Crop Wild Relatives)

From the beginning of agriculture, wild relatives of crops have contributed to the diversity and health of crop plants.

Natural protected area/ gene management zone in Turkey where crop wild relatives are found

Over time, natural interbreeding between crops and wild relatives growing at the edges of farmers' fields added to crop diversity and health. Many traits incorporated into modern crop varieties were introduced from wild relatives. In modern varieties of potatoes, wheat, barley, rice, maize and oat, among other crops, traits from wild relatives have improved productivity as well as tolerance to pests, disease and difficult growing conditions. Many wild crop relatives continue to exist only in centres of domestication, predominantly in the developing countries.

Click here to read more about in situ conservation of crop wild relatives in natural ecosystems.

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In Situ Conservation

In Situ Conservation

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