Genetic Erosion: A Threat to Biodiversity Depletion

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Genetic Erosion: A Threat to Biodiversity Depletion

Vijayata Singh^*
Central Soil Salinity Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana-132001, INDIA

Jogendra Singh

Central Soil Salinity Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana-132001, INDIA

Awtar Singh

Central Soil Salinity Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana-132001, INDIA

Arijit Barman

Central Soil Salinity Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana-132001, INDIA

Sagar Vibhute

Central Soil Salinity Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana-132001, INDIA

R. S. Tolia

Central Soil Salinity Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana-132001, INDIA

DOI: NIL

Keywords: Genetic erosion, Biodiversity, Conservation

Abstract

Genetic erosion in crop biodiversity is the loss of genetic diversity, including the loss of individual genes, and the loss of particular combination of genes (or gene complexes) such as those manifested in locally adapted landraces of domesticated plants adapted to the natural environment in which they originated. The term genetic erosion is sometimes used in a narrow sense, such as for the loss of alleles or genes, as well as more broadly, referring to the loss of varieties or even species. The major driving forces behind genetic erosion in crops are: variety replacement, land cleaning, over exploitation of species, population pressure, environmental degradation, overgrazing, and changing agricultural systems. Genetic erosion can be prevented by four ways, viz. on farm or in-situ conservation, off farm or ex-situ conservation and complementary conservation.