Biodiversity in Fruit Crops

Biodiversity in Fruit Crops

Conservation of Genetic Resources of Tropical Fruits in India in Field Gene Banks

Germplasm of Fruit Crops Available at IIHR, Banglore

Mango

• Genetic diversity of mango available in India is very rich and at present more than 0ne thousand vegetatively propagated varieties exist in the country.

Features of Diversity

• Presence of high heterozygosity.

• Cross pollination.

• Seed propagation.

• Abesance of vegetative propagation in earlier days.

• Indiscriminate selections.

Wild Species

• Mangifera blommesteinii

• M. leschenaultia

• M. superb

• M. paludosa

Cultivated Species

Apart from Mangifera indica, India is also the home of four other species, viz.,

• M. andamanica

• M. khasiana

• M. sylvatika

• M. camptosperm

The species of Mangifera occurs mainly as complex biotic community in tropicals humid forest, sub-tropical rain forest and tropical dry forests or woodlands of Indo-Malayan biogeographic realm.

In Sri Lanka, there is a large diversity for M. zeylanciz. It is localy known as Etamba.

Endangered Species

• M. cochinchinenesis

• M. flava

• M. lagenifera

• M. pentandra

• M. reba

• M. superb

Vulnerable Species

• M. duperreana

• M. inocarpoides

• M. monandra

• M. timorensis

• M. zeylancia

Centre of Mango Diversity

In India seven centres of mango diversity have been recognized, one being a sub-centre. These are place where maximum diversity has been notices for species as well as varietal diversity.

1. Humid tropical region- Manipur, Tripura, Mizoram and Assam

2. Chota Nagapur Plateau-Trijunction of Orissa, Bihar and MP

3. Santal Paraganas in Bihar

4. South MP adjoining Orissa and AP

5. Dhar Plateau of MP adjoining Gujarat and MH

6. Humid tropical south peninsular India

7. Andaman and Nicobar Isalands

Varietal Diversity

Most of the varieties have arisen as chance seedlings. In India, there are three main centres of development of mango i.e. Lucknow-Sharanpur belt of UP, Murshidabad area of WB and Hyderabad area of AP.

The Mangifera germplam falls under two categories:

1. Seedling Races

This group includes both wild and cultivated types. Under this category the cultivated one come under the monoembryonic types. The polyembryonic types are seen generally in the Weastern Ghats of Peninsular India.

2. Horticultural Races

Vegetatively propagated varieties are includes which clones are resembling.

In-Situ Conservation

It is well knpwn that many species of mango, when introduced to other area do not perform well or die.

Citrus

The number of citrus accessions worldwide are listed to be 6000 includes of wild species, old cultivars, advanced cultivars and breedling lines. Globally a total of 33 genera and 224 species of citrus and its wild relatives (Aurantioides subfamily) are reported which can be used for its improvement.

The sub geneus Papeda comprises maximum number of truly wild species of citrus. These species are mostly reported to grow wild in forest in India, China, Myanmar and Malaysia. The true citrus are grouped into 6 genera. They are-

1. Citrus – Distrubed in India, China, Myanmar and Malaysia

2. Eremocitrus and Microcitrus – Australia

3. Clymenia – Guinea

4. Ponicirus and Fortunella – China

The wide distrubation of ‘Soh Nairiang’ a wild sweet orange wild Indian mandarin (C. indica), C. Assamensis, C. Ichangensis, C. Latipes and C. Microptera in various parts of N.E. region of India growing up to an elevation of 2000 m is reported.

Exploration and Collection

A total 457 accessions of citrus belonging to different species/group collected and added to national gene bank from different states of India.

1. Citrus accessions collected and maintained at NECC- 614

2. Exotic- 62

3. Rootstock- 23, Scion- 39 (mandarin, sweet orange pummel and grape fruit) collected mostly from USA, Japan, Australia, Brazil and Niger.

4. Indigenous- 552

Superior Clones Selected

1. Nagpur mandarin – 79

2. Acid lime – 12

3. Mosambi – 15

4. Pummel – 9

5. Citron – 2

Unexploited High Yielding Land Races

Some of the land races are identified as Kachai lemon and Elaichi Nimboo.

Rare/Wild and Endangered Species

1. Citrus indica

2. Citrus macroptera

3. Citrus latipes

4. Citrus assamensis

5. Citrus ichangensis

6. Citrus megaloxycarpa

7. Citrus rugulosa

8. Citrus sinensis

In-Situ/Home Garden Conservation of Wild and Semi-Wild Citrus Species in India

Citrus Gene Sanctuary

This is the first gene sanctuary of its type in the world for conservation of endangered citrus species, located in east, west and south Garo hills districts of Meghalaya. The core area of the site spread in about 10256.96 ha under Nokrek National Park, Govt. of Meghalaya. Climate of citrus gene sanctuary area is tropical with high humidity, high rainfall of 3846 mm and moderate cold. Its gene pool has potential to develop a number of new species.

Banana

The wild Musa accuminata occurs in Assam, Burma, Siam, Indo-China, the Malayan Peninsula and Archipelago and the Philippines. North- Eastern region of India including Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura and Mizoram, lie at a point where M. balbisiana from Indian sub condiment meets M. accumiata from S.E. Asia.

Diversity in Banana

Diploid Banana

Papaya

A total 92 collections was made from exotic (36) and indigenous (56) sources.

Status of Papaya Germplasm in Field Gene Bank at Various Locations

• CARI (6)

• GBPUAT (24)

• IIHR (20)

• NBPGR Amravati (24)

• UAS RS Raichur (6)

Guava

In guava 16 collections were made from various sources, of which 3 cultivars occupy the place of commercial importance. Guava aneuploid No. 82 has been developed through crossing diploid with seedless (triploid) variety using indigenous germplasm.

Status of Papaya Germplasm in Field Gene Bank at Various Locations

• BAC Sabour (14)

• CARI (2)

• CISH (95)

• GAU Ahmedabad (5)

• GBPUAT (16)

• GKVK BANGLORE (6)

• ICARRCNEH (25)

• IIHR (38)

• KAU (4)

• NBPGR Shilong (15)