National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources holds a huge collection of about 3.8 lakh germplasm accessions of agri-horticultural crops conserved in the National Gene Bank. However, majority of them have not been properly characterized and evaluated yet. A small portion of the assembled germplasm has only been characterized and evaluated and that too at one location and for a particular season. Further there is no corresponding increase in their use by the crop improvement scientists, indicating that the collections were not being used to their full potential. Thus, a very large gap exists between availability of germplasm and their actual utilization in crop improvement programme. This is because majority of them have not been properly characterized and evaluated to know their actual worth. Furthermore, there is a lack of information on a large number of accessions, particularly for traits of economic importance, which display large genotype × environment interactions and require multilocation and replicated evaluation. Very little information is available on tolerance/resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses in the selected germplasm which are of prime importance particularly under the changing climatic scenario. Substantial knowledge of full genetic potential of the germplasm, their availability with desired traits and proper database with interactive retrieval system are essentially needed for effective utilization of germplasm in crop improvement p rogrammes,. Therefore, proper evaluation of available germplasm for agronomic traits, biotic and abiotic stress tolerance, and quality parameters is an important activity for promotion of germplasm utilization.

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Keeping these considerations in view, a programme on multi-location evaluation of germplasm of four major crops namely, rice, wheat, chickpea and pigeonpea was initiated during the X Plan period (2002-07) as Characterization of germplasm of selected crops for specific traits through network approach (Anticipatory Research). Under this programme, a total of 15,525 accessions of above mentioned crops were received from the National Gene Bank and multiplied for characterization and evaluation for agronomic traits, biotic and abiotic stresses and quality traits in collaboration with Project Directorate/ Project Co-ordinators of these crops and National Active Germplasm Sites (NAGS) associated with them. The hot spot locations identified under the AICRP system were utilized for this purpose. A total number of 3502 germplasm accessions of rice were evaluated for agronomic traits, biotic and abiotic stresses and quality traits during three years (2004, 2005 and 2006). For years 2007 & 2008, promising accessions for evaluation of insect-pests only are provided.The promising accessions identified under the multilocation evaluation programme for different traits have been summarized in this bulletin. It is expected that this information would be of potential value to crop breeders as these could serve as important donors in crop improvement programmes. The information generated through integrated approach will promote effective utilization of plant genetic resources in the national system of crop improvement programme.

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