Plant Genetic Resources Conservation and Management provides, in-depth description of principles and practices of the techniques of both ex situ conservation strategy (seed and field genebanks, in vitro, DNA and pollen storage), and in situ conservation strategy (on-farm and nature reserves) for plant genetic resources (PGR), and current status of their applications. The book covers all aspects of plant germplasm conservation and management including plant domestication and crop evolution, history of conservation, exploration, exchange, quarantine, conservation techniques, characterization and evaluation, information management, intellectual property rights and conservation under climate change. In the area of management of plant germplasm, the book has focused on topics such as sampling techniques during collecting, strategies for enhancing exchange, biosafety and regulation of genetically modified (GM) crops, role of evaluation, core collection and pre-breeding in germplasm utilization. Additionally, it focuses on intellectual property rights (IPRs) and various international treaties on plant germplasm which have made access to genetic resources, a debated topic. It also includes the challenges of conservation in the event of climate change and their potential solutions. The content of the book provides comprehensive knowledge about plant germplasm conservation and management to help understand the basic principles, practices and future challenges involved. With its coverage and specific focused topics, it will be useful to researchers, conservationists, teachers, as well as students who are involved or interested in PGR conservation and management. Contents: Introduction to Plant Genetic Resources and Their Conservation History of Plant Genetic Resources Conservation Plant Domestication and Crop Evolution Plant Germplasm Exploration and Collecting Introduction and Exchange of Plant Genetic Resources Plant Quarantine and Related Regulatory Processes Ex Situ Conservation: Seed Genebanks Ex Situ Conservation: Field Genebanks, Botanical Gardens and Arboreta Ex Situ Conservation: In Vitro, DNA and Pollen Conservation In Situ Conservation: On-farm and Home Gardens In Situ Conservation: Nature Reserves Characterization, Evaluation and Utilization of Germplasm Genetic Resources Information Management Intellectual Property Rights and Access to Plant Genetic Resources Climate Change and the Conservation of Plant Genetic Resources Appendix 1 Appendix 2. A List of Basic Equipment for Germplasm Collecting References Index Binay B. Mandal :- Ph.D., served as a Professor of Plant Genetic Resources Division at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi and, a Principal Scientist at the National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR), New Delhi. He did his graduation and post- graduation from Calcutta and Kalyani University, West Bengal and was recipient of University Merit Scholarship. He obtained his Ph.D. from IARI, New Delhi and did Post-Doctoral Research with Prof. T.A. Thorpe at the University of Calgary, Canada. He also did short-term advanced research on plant cryopreservation with Dr. Erica E. Benson at the University of Abertay, Dundee, Scotland. Dr. Mandal served as scientist (Genetics) at CRRI, Cuttack and developed selected breeding lines in rice through hybridization of inter- geographic races (indica × japonica). He treated developing embryos of rice, instead of commonly used matured seeds, with chemical mutagen which resulted in two- fold increase in mutation frequency. Dr. Mandal's major research work, for over 20 years as Principal Scientist at NBPGR, was on conservation of Plant Genetic Resources (PGR) using in vitro and cryopreservation techniques. His ground-breaking research work leading to development of the first cryopreservation protocol for yams (Dioscorea spp.), is considered one of the early significant contributions in plant cryopreservation. Subsequently, he has made some of the most exhaustive cryopreservation studies on both edible and medicinal species of yams. Dr. Mandal served as Professor in the Division of PGR for 10 years and was involved in teaching and guiding Ph.D. and M.Sc. students. He published research articles including contributory, review articles and book chapters on aspects mostly related to conservation of plant germplasm. He has two books on conservation of PGR to his credit.