Germplasm Conservation of Ornamental Plants - What We Can Learn from Agriculture

The ornamental plant industry is developing rapidly, with the quest for new germplasm resources ongoing at high intensity. This development is not unlike the search for underutilized food plants with the aim to improve nutrition and wellbeing. Germplasm conservation strategies across the use groups are similar in principle, though the ornamental group lacks the global efforts which support global food crops due to their importance for world food security. However, production and marketing of ornamental and horticultural crops that are outside of the immediate global food security needs, make vital contributions to national GDP of many countries and thus can play a significant secondary role in enhancing food security and nutrition. Looking at the strategies used for germplasm conservation and use of ornamental, horticultural and agricultural (food) crops may provide useful lessons.