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Genetic diversity is a very important issue in
agriculture. Gene banks store cells from various
species in liquid nitrogen that can later be used
to preserve the gene pool of an endangered species.
A wider gene pool can save plants from succumbing
to disease. A good example of this principle is
in the growing of barley. Barley has a narrow
genetic base, which leads to vulnerability to
disease and pests. Since 1900, no more than 20
sources of germplasm have contributed to the varieties
that make up the majority of US barley acreage.
This concerns growers and breeders because of
two recent warning signs: since 1994 two barley
head blight epidemics that have caused billion
dollar looses to farmers. Efforts are being made
by the North American Barley Genome Mapping Project
to build maps of barley germplasm to introduce
resistance to the blight into the US Barley germplasm
base. Over 1,000 loci have been placed on these
maps, showing where on the DNA traits such as
malting quality, winterhardiness, and disease
resistance are located.
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Cornell University has the world's
largest collection of cultures for fungal diseases
caused by insects, mites, spiders, and worms.
This collection is submersed in liquid nitrogen.
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