Germplasm

Germplasm is a term used to describe the genetic resources, or more precisely the DNA of an organism and collections of that material. The term germ plasm was first used by August Weismann to describe a component of germ cells that he propsed were responbible for heredity, roughly equatable to our modern understanding of DNA.

Worldwide there are collections of plant, animal and bacterial germplasm for use in breeding new organisms and the conservation of existing species.

See also

• International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture
• Seed saving

Also, current procedures are being taken to conserve germplasm such as botanical gardens, in situ conservations, and ex situ collections.

References

• Day-Rubenstein, K and Heisey, P. 2003. Plant Genetic Resources: New Rules for International Exchange
• Economic Research Service. Global resources and productivity: questions and answers

See also: Germplasm, August Weismann, Biology, DNA, Germ cell, Germ plasm, Heredity, International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, Seed saving