Utilization of Plant Genetic Resources and Diversity Analysis Tools for Sustainable Crop Improvement with special emphasis on Rice

Plant genetic resources, in all forms, are valuable for the study of genetic diversity and analysis of genetic variation for crop improvements as they form the basis of world’s food security. The value of conserved germplasm can be assessed for the useful traits in plant breeding and the economic impact on germplasm utilization in crop production and productivity. The objective of this review summarizes the importance of genetic diversity, and utilization of genetic resources in plant development through the advance molecular marker technology. The application of molecular markers, functional genomics and genetic engineering technologies will help to understand the genetic diversity and germplasm management will help to reveal the molecular basis of various biological phenomena in plants. Molecular marker technology is well developed over the last few decades and is beginning to be incorporated into breeding programs worldwide. The effective and complementary use of all technological tools and resources will be required for meeting the challenge imposed by the world’s expanding food demand and scarcity as well. Molecular technologies have been applied in the analysis of specific genes, as well as to increase the understanding of gene action, generate genetic maps and assist in the development of gene transfer technologies.