ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the procedures involved in the acquisition of seed and clonal genetic resources. A discussion concerning plant acquisition by exploration and exchange is given. Seeds are the most widely collected and conserved form of plant germplasm. Plants are collected or exchanged through vegetative techniques to maintain exact genotypes. New technologies, such as in vitro culture, have been applied to plant exploration. Intellectual property rights and quarantine issues have added complexity to plant acquisition, but may provide additional resources for germplasm conservation efforts. Procedures for documenting background information now include ethnobotanical considerations for plant uses. New molecular techniques confirm the botanical and horticultural identity of accessions and help determine gaps and set priorities for new plant acquisitions.
