Ornamental crops play an indispensable role in enriching our daily lives, offering not just visual delight but also therapeutic benefits. Moreover, the floriculture industry stands as a pivotal pillar within the nation’s agriculture sector, experiencing a substantial 16% increase in sales from 2019-2022, marking it as one of the fastest-growing industries. Safeguarding ornamental plant diversity has become more crucial than ever to sustain this industry and ensure its continued growth and resilience in the face of climate changes and evolving consumer preferences. Located in Columbus, OH, the Ornamental Plant Germplasm Center (OPGC) is one of 20 gene banks in the U.S. National Plant Germplasm System. Established through a cooperative effort between the USDA-ARS and The Ohio State University, it began operations in 2001. The center’s main goals are to acquire, document, maintain, characterize, and distribute herbaceous ornamental genetic resources and associated information for conservation, and to enhance scientific research as well as the floriculture and nursery industry. Current priority genera include Begonia, Coreopsis, Lilium, Phlox, Rudbeckia, and Viola. Since the OPGC began operation, 7350 accessions have been acquired, representing significant diversity within the 432 genera and over 2000 species of herbaceous ornamentals conserved. More than 13,000 germplasm items have been delivered free of charge to researchers, breeders and educators around the world. This presentation will outline the core functions of OPGC, including its germplasm collection, conservation techniques, and collaborative research initiatives.
