mittees, and USDA offices. The USDA can remedy these defects by creating a more centrally managed system. It must take systematic actions in six critical areas: administration (especially in linking the budget process to key system needs), germplasm acquisition and collections, facilities and personnel, the mission of the national system, data management, and research. This section presents an overview of the committee's recommendations. A more detailed discussion with additional recommendations appears in Chapter 4.

The administrative and advisory organization of the National Plant Germplasm System should be structured to provide for efficient national coordination.

The need to coordinate nationally a variety of activities and agencies and to respond to growing international relationships has made efficient management of the national system an imperative. The system's management structure must be made more compatible with its nature and activities. For example, the conservation, management, and distribution of germplasm are service activities. At present, the NPGS is largely supported and managed by the ARS, a research agency that functions through regional area offices. More direct authority and responsibility for budget and programs of the NPGS must be vested in a centralized management unit to enable the system to respond more effectively to national needs and priorities.

Effective national coordination of the NPGS depends on establishing a management structure that links programs and policies to budgetary authority and budget process outcomes. The authority to formulate budget recommendations in accordance with the identified needs and responsibilities of U.S. germplasm efforts must reside with an office or individual intimately associated with the operation of the NPGS. This approach will also reduce the complexity of NPGS decision making and funding processes. Through a coordinated, national structure the NPGS could also take the scientific and technical lead in guiding U.S. germplasm activities with other nations and in the international community.

Funds already designated by USDA offices for acquisition, preservation, and evaluation activities could make up the budget for this unit. The portion of the $26.5 million in ARS funds for these activities in fiscal year 1988 was $21 million ($22.5 million in 1989), of which $13.8 million supported work at the principal NPGS sites. The CSRS provided an additional $900,000 in 1988 for management costs at some sites. More funding could be needed for selected enhancement activities, to

Front Matter (R1-R16)

Executive Summary (1-20)

1 Managing Crop Genetic Resources (21-42)

2 Elements of the National Plant Germplasm System (43-86)

3 Administration of the National System (87-106)

4 Prescription for Effectiveness (107-144)

References (145-148)

Glossary (149-153)

Abbreviations (154-155)

Authors (156-160)

Index (161-173)