K Pradheep

‘Drumstick tree’ (Moringa oleifera Lam.): a multipurpose potential species in India

Moringa oleifera Lam., a medium sized tree species has gained importance due to its multipurpose usage and well adaptability to dry and hot climates of north-western plains, central India and dry regions of peninsular India. This species is reported in this paper for distribution of diversity and genetic resources value in different parts of the country. Information on diversification in use viz. regional importance has been included to broaden the scope for value addition, identification of potential value and use in plant genetic resource programmes.

Chinese chives (Allium tuberosum Rottler ex Sprengel): a home garden species or a commercial crop in India

Chinese chives (Allium tuberosum Rottler ex Sprengel) is a less known cultivated vegetable in western and eastern Himalayan regions of India. This species is reported here for its potential for commercialization to supplement the onion and garlic production in different parts of India especially under the present unpredictable climatic conditions. Due to multipurpose use and wider adaptability of the species future thrust is laid on collection and conservation programmes in India.

Collecting Crop Genetic Resources from Mon, A Remote District of Nagaland

An exploration for agri-horticultural crops from Mon district of Nagaland has resulted in the collection of 138 accessions representing rich variability in major field crops such as rice, maize and foxtail millet, besides first time collection of local germplasm of chenopod and prosomillet in this state. Drastic reduction in cultivation of Jobs tears, a native crop of North-eastern Hill region, was observed. Diversity in exotic vegetables–Abelmoschus caillei, Capsicum chinense and C. frutescens, Solanum aethiopicum and S. macrocarpon along with important crops viz. okra, chilli and brinjal was also noted. Brief information on the salient collections, cultivation practices, local type preferences, folk use and conservation strategies are also highlighted.

Taxonomy, Diversity and Distribution of the Genus Cucumis L. in India

The eco-geographic distribution and taxonomy of 17 taxa of Cucumis L. was investigated based on the study of 978 herbarium sheets in seven major Indian herbaria and germplasm collection of 261 accessions. Distribution map was plotted based on authentic identification of herbarium specimens and field observations under natural conditions. Areas of higher concentration/richness have been worked out for individual taxon. Morphological, ecological, phenological features and economic importance are discussed. The ideal time for collection of germplasm is indicated.

Diversity in wild relatives of wheat: an expedition collection from cold-arid Indian Himalayas

Impact of climate change is of much concern across the globe in recent years and more specifically to the fragile ecosystems like cold-arid Himalayan region especially from a perspective on biodiversity and its conservation. Hence, collection and conservation of the biodiversity ex situ is a much better option to safeguard species at risk; especially for crop wild relatives with reference to agriculture. We have explored in 2014 and 2015 the cold-arid tracts of Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir states in India and collected 169 accessions of wheat wild relatives comprising 12 taxa, viz., Elymus L. (8/139 acc.), Hordeum L. (2/4) and Leymus Hochst. (2/26) belonging to the tribe Triticeae. New geographic occurrence of six species—Elymus himalayanus (Nevski) Tzvelev, E. repens (L.) Gould, E. schrenkianus (Fisch. et C.A.Mey) Tzvelev, Hordeum brevisubulatum (Trin.) Link subsp. turkestanicum (Nevski) Tzvelev, H. bogdanii Wilensky and Leymus duthiei (Stapf ex Hook.f.) C. Yen, J.L. Yang et B.R. Baum was reported. Broader variability at inter- and intra-specific level in Elymus nutans Griseb., E. dahuricus Turcz. and Leymus secalinus across the ecological amplitude was observed. E. dahuricus population was heterogeneous for waxiness and pigmentation characters. Collected germplasm would serve as a potential resource for introgression of biotic and abiotic stress tolerance genes towards developing resilient wheat cultivars.

On the taxonomic status, occurrence and distribution of Cucumis hystrix Chakrav. and Cucumis muriculatus Chakrav. (Cucurbitaceae) in India

Field observations and herbarium studies distinguish C. muriculatus from C. hystrix for many distinct morphological characters. The present record of C. muriculatus in India is based on the collections from Mizoram, previously described as Cucumis hystrix var. mizoramensis Sutar et S.R. Yadav, and is synonymized under it here. Full description, taxonomic key and comparative morphology of C. muriculatus and C. hystrix are given along with notes on their ecology, adaptability under cultivation and economic potential. Collections of these two rare crop wild relatives of cucumber from Indian Gene Centre assume great significance for cucumber improvement.

An underutilized species Allium fasciculatum Rendle “Shanu Dungdunge” (subgenus Amerallium , section Bromatorrhiza ) from north eastern India: study on variability, eco-geography and domestication trends

Allium fasciculatum Rendle (subgenus Amerallium, section Bromatorrhiza), an underutilized species from north eastern India was investigated for taxonomy and character variation based on data from field, experimental, herbarium and eco-geographical study. In addition comparative study with a close relative, A. hookeri was undertaken and was presented. Trends of domestication of A. fasciculatum and an identification key to subg. Amerallium sect. Bromatorrhiza were discussed to facilitate collection and conservation of germplasm.

Methodology for Collecting and Preparing Herbarium Specimen of Allium

Taxa belonging to the genus Allium are bulbous or rhizomatous with hollow or flat leaves and small delicate flowers, therefore preparing an ideal herbarium specimen is difficult. Quite often some of the characters are not well preserved while processing for herbarium specimen; occasionally they are misunderstood for characters therefore defeat the very purpose of their use as source for taxonomic study. In this paper the authors have made an attempt to provide methodology on collection and preparation of herbarium specimens of different species of Allium. Information provided herein is primarily based on the authors’ field experience and experimental and herbarium study on the genus in the Indian context. Most significant observations to be recorded in field during collecting include characters of root and bulb/rhizome, leaf, scape and flower. The paper also includes modified procedures for ‘difficult to preserve herbarium specimens’ with special notes on plant odour, flower colour and leaf colour. This can be broadly applied to taxa belonging to other bulbous groups with appropriate modification. Illustrations provided in this paper depict the representative types to facilitate better understanding by the readers.

“Meetha patta” (Plukenetia corniculata Sm.): a new report of leafy vegetable crop from north-eastern region of India

During survey and field collection of crop genetic resources in diverse parts of north east India, the authors came across Plukenetia corniculata Sm. under cultivation at field as well as homestead level for use as a leafy vegetable, a species otherwise known under cultivation from Southeast Asia. Its preference over other leafy vegetables by the Naga tribes was noted during market survey in Dimapur and Mokokchung districts of Nagaland. Apart from being delicious and easy to cultivate, higher nutritive values in the edible portion indicate its potential for popularization. Detailed information on botany, ecology, cultivation and utilization is provided here. Collecting more diverse germplasm, identifying elite types and their biochemical characterization, and developing standard cultivation practices would aid in popularising the crop at the country as well as regional level.

Potential introduced medicinal plant African bitter leaf (Vernonia amygdalina Delile) in India: botany, propagation and uses

African bitter leaf (Vernonia amygdalina Delile) (family Asteraceae) has been reported as a potential medicinal plant for India in view of its use in treatment of multiple diseases. A species of African origin has been found under cultivation in selected pockets of central and eastern India. The aim of this paper is to report genetic resource value of this wonderful medicinal plant and to explore the possibility of cultivation at commercial level as a health supplement. Since this plant is not commonly known in India, botany, propagation methods, attempt on in vitro multiplication and uses are discussed.