Question

Germplasm characterisation under different field conditions ensures

• A. identification of new crop varieties
• B. identification of gaps in the germplasm collection
• C. identification of valuable germplasm for breeding programmes
• D. expression of the heritable traits of the plant

Answer 1

Answer: (B), (C), (D)

expression of the heritable traits of the plant

Germplasm characterization is carried out by growing the accessions in fields by spaced planting under suitable conditions and under protection. Breeders ensure that the plants adapt to the site where they are grown, if not they will not express all their traits. The recording and compilation of data on the important characteristics which distinguish accessions within a species, enables identification of gaps and retrieval of valuable germplasm for breeding programmes, resulting in better insight about the composition of the collection and its genetic diversity.