Worldwide, food crops are increasing their yields but from ever fewer varieties. The genetic base of the world's food supply is shrinking, at an ever faster rate. The dangers in this situation are the particular concern of plant geneticists, who act as the conservators of the world's genepool of agricultural species. The genetic resources saved from extinction today may provide the solutions for tomorrow's unexpected pests or calamities. Hence germplasm conservation is an imperative for society, having an inestimable but unquestioned value.