Molecular charaterization of elite bamboo germplasm

Bamboo is an important forestry species of India. India harbours the second-largest genetic resource of bamboo with about 23 genera and 136 species. Precious germplasm of bamboo is getting lost due to indiscriminate cutting of clumps. Therefore, conservation of germplasm through ex situ approach is urgently required. Germplasm collections of different bamboo species are being maintained at various national institutes and state forest departments. However, no information is presently available about the special attributes and genetic diversity of these germplasm collections. The present programme aims at characterization of bamboo accessions conserved in these bambusetums for genetic diversity. The AFLP marker technology will be standardized for bamboo and will be used to estimate molecular diversity of accessions of various priority species of bamboos. Also, in vitro conservation of elite bamboo germplasm is stressed. The marker data will be a ready reference for clone identification and quality control of tissue-culture-raised plants of bamboo, pertaining to genetic fidelity. Moreover, it will reveal the extent of genetic diversity present in collections. In-vitro conservation of this precious germplasm in laboratory will ensure that they are not lost due to natural calamities. In addition, mother cultures of these elite accessions will be supplied to various tissue culture laboratories on demand for mass multiplication.