THE USE OF GENETIC-RESOURCES IN CROP IMPROVEMENT - LESSONS FROM CHINA

The use of crop genetic resources in improvement programmes should be the ultimate objective of all undertakings in the field of germplasm r esources. The present situation and future direction of the use of cro p germplasm in China was assessed from responses to a questionnaire di stributed to 165 plant breeders and curators nationwide. The general o pinions for the limiting factors of germplasm utilization were also ev aluated. Responses from the questionnaire indicated that the use of ge rmplasm in breeding programmes is much more important than the direct use of germplasm in crop production as cultivars released. Among diffe rent types of crop genetic resources, released varieties and breeding lines contribute more to crop breeding. Wild relatives and genetic sto cks, however, are expected to play a greater role in the future. Landr aces will remain important in improvement. Limited useful germplasm av ailable to breeders is the basic reason for the insufficient use of ge rmplasm in crop breeding at present. The complex reasons which affect the availability of useful germplasm involve the research level, links between breeder and curator and others. To counter these, we propose some suggestions and measures which can be implemented in the near fut ure.