It is all about how to introduce a crop from one location to another,to other country,rules,procedures,benefits & limitations etc.

1. Niroj kumar Jena (05 SST/12)

2. DefinItion
“Transference of a genotype or a group
of genotype of crop plants from the
place of their cultivation in to a new
area where they were not being grown
previously”.

3. Types of Plant Introduction
 Based on adaptation
 Primary Introduction - Variety is well adopted to the new
environment, released for commercial cultivation without any
alteration in the original genotype.
 Secondary Introduction - Introduced variety may be subjected to
selection & hybridisation to isolate a superior variety.
 Based on utilization
 Direct Introduction –new variety takes no time for establishment
 Indirect Introduction –new variety takes some time for
establishment
 Exotic variety – foreign variety directly recommended for
commercial cultivation in new environment.

4. Plant Introduction Agencies
 World wide
 IBPGR/IPGRI (1974) –
 CGIAR
 In India
 NBPGR (1946)
 FRI
 BSI(1890)

5. Activities of NBPGR :-
 Introduce & supplement of required germplasm from & to.
 Exploration & collection of valuable germplasm.
 Inspection & quarantine.
 Testing, multiplication & maintenance of germplasm.
 Publishing its exchange & collection list.
 Setting up natural gene sanctuaries.

6. Sources of Plant Introduction
 Centre of diversity
 Gene bank
 Gene sanctuaries
 Seed companies
 Farmers’ field

7. Procedure of Plant Introduction
 Procurement of germplasm
 Quarantine
 Cataloguing
 Germplasm Evaluation
 Multiplication & Distribution

8. Procurement of germplasm
 As Gift from individuals / institutuions
 Purchase
 collection through exploration
 Propagules
 Restriction on export & introduction of plant
materials

9. Quarantine
 Keeping materials in isolation to prevent the spread of
diseases.
 Fumigation or other treatments (if necessary).
 According to destructive insects & pests act, 1914,
quarantine for different group of plant produce is carried
out by different agencies.
 Quarantine & fumigation centres at Sea-ports(8),
Airports(7) & at entry point of land routes(7).

10. Cataloguing
 Accession number is given to a new introduced material
 Information regarding name of species & variety, place of origin,
adaptation & its various features are also recorded.
 Cataloguing of germplasm collections is published by gene bank.
 The introduced materials are of 3 types & given a prefix-
 EC – Exotic Collection
 IC – Indigenous Collection
 IW –Indigenous Wild

11. Purpose of Plant Introduction
 Obtain an entirely new crop species (Maize, Potato, Tomato etc.)
 To serve as new varieties (Sonora-64, Lerma rojo – wheat. TN 1, IR 8 -
Rice)
 To be utilized in crop improvement
 To save the crop from disease & pest. (Coffee was introduced in
South America from Africa to prevent losses from leaf rust).
 To be used in scientific studies.
 To be used for aesthetic value.

12. Important Achievements
 Crops are cultivated extensively after their
introduction as new crop species.
 Introductions have been directly released as variety.
 Varieties selected from introduction
 Introduction helps to develop varieties through
hybridization.

13. Merits of Plant Introduction
 Entirely new crop plant is derived.
 Quick & economical method of crop improvement.
 Genetic base can be broadened by plant introduction.
 Protection of crops from damage by introducing them in to
disease free areas.
 Development of superior varieties through selection &
hybridization by using introductions.

14. Demerits of Plant Introduction
 Introduction of weeds along with introduced
materials.
 Introduction of diseases along with introduced
materials.
 Introduction of insect pest along with introduced
materials.
 Some plants introduced as ornamental species became
noxious weeds.
 Some introduced plants are threat to the ecological
balance.