Breeding of Fruit and Plantation Crops

Germpalsm collection and its significance

• The plant genetic resources constitute a reservoir of genes and gene complexes and are the raw materials for improvement of horticultural crops. The richness of species and genetic diversity in horticultural crops provided many opportunities, which can be achieved with adoption of more rational, science based and pragmatic approaches. There has been a significant progress in collection, conservation and utilization of genetic resources of horticultural crops. The concerted efforts made in past have yielded results and large number of varieties.


• Surveys to collect elite germplasm for genetic improvement of fruit crops by the Institutions is primarily confined to their respective areas of operation. However, these attempts have been mostly sporadic. Surveys to exploit the indigenous diversity has now been realised particularly because of the threat of genetic erosion. In India, it is estimated that 10 per cent of about 5000 endemic flowering plant species, i.e. 1700 species, are so threatened (Nayar, 1987). The National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources organised crop-specific explorations with inter-institutional collaboration in pre-identified regions known to have rich diversity.

Banana

• India harbours a great diversity in banana and plantain which can cater to any need, be it for fruit industry, vegetable industry, flower industry or even leaf Industry. They form a market worth several billions across the globe. With systematic efforts on understanding their specific utilities, many of the lesser known varieties, especially the land races can be exploited. The real strength of the country lies not only in exploiting the commercial varieties, but also in thinking differently and exploiting the untapped potential of this crop.


• Seeded landraces Ladiarit, Ladison, Rigitchi and other elite types Hatigola, Eboke, Ginde, Egitchi and Essing from Meghalaya landraces mostly belonging to balbisiana (BB group) having resistance to drought cold and frost, M.cheesmani and M. velutina, from Arunachal Pradesh, banana varieties Kulprit, Safri, Anatur and Dingamanika from Cachar and Jaintia hills and landraces Palayakodan, Kallur, Nayoodyan, Koombodiayan, Annarkanan and Katu from North Kerala and Betta-bale, Putta – bale, Karibale, Bergi-bale, Sungathi-bale, Rasa-bale, Pachcha-bale, Gujar-bale and Raja-bale from Karnataka have been reported.

Citrus

• The number of Citrus accessions worldwide is listed to be 6000 inclusive of wild species, old cultivars, advanced cultivars, and breeding 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. Citrus and its relatives of subfamily Aurantioideae are considered native of South-east Asia, North-east India, South China and North Myanmar have been acclaimed to the primitive centres of origin of contemporary Citrus species.
• The genus Eremocitrus and Microcitrus are found in Australia, Clymenia in New Guinea, Poncirus and Fortunella distributed in China and genus Citrus distributed in India, China, Myanmar and Malaysia. In India, Citrus types Mimangnarang, Chinora and Sohkwit of C.macroptera, Sohsyng of C.assamensis, Sohkhyllah (a natural hybrid), Sohmyngor of C.grandis and Sohsien, a vermillion coloured C.reticulata from Meghalaya (Anon., 1986), wild types resembling pummelo, orange, lemon and limes such as Rebab, Tahi, Tanyum, Sohmiag, Riang, Pinch-Tasing, Pinchipunia, Sikiang-Tasing Sipa-egra from Arunachal Pradesh (Anon., 1987) were found to occur.

Jackfruit

• Jackfruit types Varikka, Kooza, Navarikka/Pazam Varikka, Rudrakshachakka or Thamarachakkal (Kooza + Varikka) and other wild forms have been collected from Wynaad Plateau in Western Ghats of Kerala. Three types, Rasdar, Khajwa and Sugandhi were identified in the plains of eastern UP.

Mango

• From Orissa, regular bearing Paushia, scented Haldibas, bunch bearing Seetabhog, flavoured Topisundari, Baunia, Karpurkeli, other elite types Belgaja, Theki, Chanamunda, Mahorajpasand, Manda, Sagarlangra types having bright coloured fruits such as Lal Sundari, Sinduri, Beta Sundari, Goba Sundari, Sundarimath and Ashokgaja; types having good taste, such as Swarnalata, Chandrama and Sasgulla; and Khoja, having fruits with long shelf life , potential commercial cultivars Agna-Kosha, Sunehari Udyan Sundari, Lahsun, Kachhaswadi, Dahipatti and Lungagudi; and rootstock types Thurri and Gurudi have been collected.


• A dwarf and late maturing mango cultivar, Moreh, collected from Manipur bears very sweet fruits with high pulp content within two years after planting and is free from stone weevil (Anon., 1989-90). Promising types Ladankoo, Heer, Anphus, Meenakshi, Avadh-ki-Shaam, Makhsoos, Jalmorni, Shareefa, Dilpasand, Nashpati, Kakran, Pukhraj, Sharbati, Bagrain, Sahib Pasand and a pickling mango bearing 25-40 fruits in a cluster have been selected from the variability existing in western UP

Other Fruits

• Some wild edible temperate fruits such as Sorbus cuspidata, Malus baccata, Pyrus pashia, Prunus cornuta, Punica granatum, Juglans regia and Ribes himalense from Kumaon hills walnut, hazel nut, P.cornuta, apple, pear, Rosa sp., Crataegus, Rubus and Corylus colurna from Pangi variety and Elaegnus, Prunus, Docynia and Pyrus from khasi hills in Meghalaya have been collected.