Write critical notes on the following: Ex-situ conservation.
Ex-situ conservation: It means maintenance of off-site collections either in gardens by farmers, botanical garden or storing seeds, genes, pollen, tissue culture, etc. The rare plants have been found to flourish in large numbers under the care and protection of gardeners and nature lovers. The farmers have been maintaining genetic diversity (enormous varieties) of crop plants since ancient times by saving seeds or other components for the next plantings. Collection of samples of cultivated and wild varieties of plants and storing them in botanical gardens is another method of conservation of germplasm. In seeds, the living material remains in a metabolically suspended state. When the seeds are to be stored for longer periods, it is necessary to avoid conditions that favor respiration and enzymatic action. Advantages of ex situ conservation: Threatened and endangered species can be conserved. Genetic strains of commercially important plants can be preserved for a long time (seed banks). Gametes of threatened species can be preserved in viable and fertile conditions for a longer duration by the cryopreservation technique. Loss of biodiversity can be reduced. Eggs can be fertilized in-vitro. Can conserve a large number of species and the aesthetic value.
