Agrobiodiversity and Crop Genetic Resource Conservation

Agrobiodiversity encompasses the full range of genetic variation found in cultivated plants, their wild relatives and associated species that support agricultural ecosystems. This diversity underpins food security, livelihoods and ecosystem resilience by providing a reservoir of traits for yield stability, pest and disease resistance, nutritional quality and adaptation to changing climates. Conservation strategies are broadly divided into ex situ approaches—such as genebanks and seed vaults that safeguard germplasm samples under controlled conditions—and in situ or on-farm approaches, which maintain ongoing evolutionary processes by allowing crops and their wild relatives to continue adapting in farmers’ fields and natural habitats. Both modes of conservation are mutually reinforcing: ex situ collections ensure immediate access to diverse genetic stocks, while in situ systems preserve dynamic genetic exchange, cultural practices and local management knowledge. The global challenge is to integrate scientific breeding, policy frameworks and community engagement to sustain agrobiodiversity across scales, from village seed systems to international repositories, ensuring that crop genetic resources remain available for present and future agricultural challenges.

Research from Nature Portfolio

No recent Nature Portfolio content available.

Agrobiodiversity and Crop Genetic Resource Conservation publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in agrobiodiversity and crop genetic resource conservation across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Agrobiodiversity: The range of genetic variation of plants, animals and microorganisms used for food and agriculture, including cultivated species, their wild relatives and associated biota.

Ex situ conservation: The preservation of genetic resources outside their natural habitats, typically in genebanks or seed vaults under controlled conditions.

In situ conservation: The maintenance of species and their genetic diversity within their natural or agricultural environments, allowing ongoing evolution.

Landrace: A locally adapted, genetically heterogeneous crop variety that has evolved under traditional cultivation and management.

Germplasm: Living genetic materials, such as seeds or tissues, used for breeding, conservation and research purposes.

References

1. Co-conserving Indigenous and local knowledge systems with seeds. Trends in Plant Science (2023).
2. Conservation and Use of Latin American Maize Diversity: Pillar of Nutrition Security and Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Agronomy (2021).
3. In situ conservation—harnessing natural and human‐derived evolutionary forces to ensure future crop adaptation. Evolutionary Applications (2017).