Pathological Status of Plant Germplasm and Sustainable Crop Production and Conservation

Abstract

The rapid increase in world population requires a proportionate increase in food production for sustenance. The pathological status of cultivation material plays invaluable roles in plant genetic resource (PGR) management and sustainable crop production. Seed-borne pathogens pose a potential threat to global agriculture and plant conservation as evident in the amount of damage and wastage due to infected planting materials. PGR conservation is the management practice involving processes that actively retain the diversity with inagene pool with a view to actual or potential utilisation. Inordertomeetthefoodneedsofourgrowing population, there is need to evolve efficient conservation strategies supported by sustainable crop production. High-quality seeds with good physical, physiological, health and genetic qualities are required to have greater prospects of producing a good crop stand and yield even under adverse environmental conditions. The process of avoiding seed contamination by pests and diseases begins with proper seed production and sterile storage practices. More so, seed-borne diseases can be controlled or suppressed through seed treatment during seed processing or prior to planting. Seed storage has proven to be a useful tool in contemporary plant conservation and crop production. Seeds to be held in seed banks should be properly handled according to standard protocols during harvesting and post-harvest to minimise infection. A good understanding of seed physiology, morphology, maturity and chemical composition, as well as appropriate storage condition, is required for efficient storage of seed for conservation and future use in crop production.