Which is the first step in plant introduction?
Procurement initiates introduction by identifying, requesting and acquiring desired germplasm along with passport data. Breeder formulates objective for traits like drought tolerance, nutritional quality or disease resistance and submits proforma to NBPGR Plant Exchange Division citing botanical name, gene pool and donor institute. NBPGR consults databases, issues import permit, negotiates Material Transfer Agreement and compliance with Convention on Biological Diversity. Alternatively explorers collect wild relatives, landraces or elite lines during targeted expeditions, preserving herbarium
Ref: NBPGR Manual Plant Exchange and Procurement; FAO Genebank Standards; DDUGU Notes Domestication Introduction Procurement.