TROPICAL UNDERUTILIZED
FRUITS IN INDIA
National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources
Pusa Campus, New Delhi 110 012, INDIAS.K. Malik
Rekha Chaudhury
O.P. Dhariwal
D.C. Bhandari
National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources Pusa Campus, New Delhi 110 012, INDIA
TROPICAL UNDERUTILIZED
FRUITS IN INDIA
S.K. Malik
Rekha Chaudhury
O.P. Dhariwal
D.C. Bhandari
management of plant genetic resources in India. NBPGR operates as per the mandate of the Government of India and actively contributes to global efforts in ensuring food and nutritional security. The institute also recognizes the need to integrate ex situ and in situ conservation approaches in a network mode with all its stakeholders. NBPGR's mission is to ensure the country's agricultural growth and development by ensuring unrestricted availability of germplasm and associated information for use in research and utilization as per the national and International legislations
Malik SK, Chaudhury R, Dhariwal OP and Bhandari DC. 2010. Genetic Resources of Tropical Underutilized Fruits in India. NBPGR, New Delhi, p.168.
The Director,
National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, New Delhi-110 012
© National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, New Delhi, 2010
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This publication is dedicated to Dr. Rajeshwar Kumar Arora, Former Officiating Director, National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR) and Coordinator South Asia, International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (rechristened as Bioversity International)- an excellent plant scientist who dedicated his life to the study of plants, especially in the area of plant genetic resources of underutilized native species
Indian agriculture, passing through various revaluations has achieved unprecedented development. Production and productivity of many crops have increased manifold. But the challenges of malnutrition, income to farmers and threat of climate change continue, which has to be addressed. In this context, underutilized crops appear to be the crop of future and need focused attention as it can meet nutritional needs and sustain the effect of climate change. The underutilized fruit crops of Indian origin like bael, chironji, jamun, karonda, ker, khirni, lasora, mahua, etc. are directly interwoven in the socio-economic fabric of rural masses and especially of tribes dwelling in remote hot, arid and fragile ecosystems. These potential crops of the future are awaiting their full utilization now. National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR), the nodal national organization responsible for plant genetic resources management in India, has been undertaking explorations and collections in consultation and collaboration with scientists of relevant horticultural institutes of ICAR and SAUs for a holistic approach for PGR collection and utilization. The aim is to ultimately facilitate the PGR utilization by the collaborators and other stakeholders. In this publication the authors have provided the details of explorations and collections conducted by them from various states of India and basic information on origin and distribution, general description of species, propagation methods, cultivars/selections, uses and genetic resource management undertaken at NBPGR and other centres. The information has been generated in the field and experiments conducted on seed physiology and developing conservation techniques in the laboratory are discussed along with information drawn from the available literature.
I am sure this publication would be a useful source of information to scientists, especially horticulturists, policy makers, teachers and students and would pave the way for their popularization and utilization. Information on genetic resources and on identified quality genotypes, wherever provided in the text need to be further utilized and germplasm to be established in the field and to be multiplied using vegetative propagation for commercial utilization.
I compliment the authors for bringing out this informative publication and to the NBPGR for always championing the cause of plant genetic resources.
have got due attention since time immemorial and became popularised due to their larger appeal and ethos. These fruit species have been grown as commercial crops in organized way in orchards and prospered continuously due to their economic, social and religious importance. Mango, citrus, banana and guava due to the presence of vast diversity and acceptable flavour and taste were supported and improved by local fruit growers and horticulturists for wide adoption. The less important, so-called underutilized fruits remained uncared for and remained confined mainly to natural wild, semi-wild and semi-domesticated conditions albeit with large ever increasing variability. Besides their importance as potential horticulture species these plants are incidentally store houses of genes for adaptation to hot and hardy climates, salt tolerance, diseases tolerance and several essential nutritional values. In the present publication, out of large number of underutilized tropical fruits, only 16 genera have been elaborated based on their diverse usages, potential in horticulture and importance as future fruit crops. The exploration and collections undertaken mainly in the states of Rajasthan, Haryana, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Jammu and Kashmir and some northeastern states have led to the assemblage of sizeable genetic diversity of 16 fruit species which has still remained untapped. The information originally generated at NBPGR during various surveys, explorations and collections and from interaction with local people, tribals, farmers and forest staff along with laboratory data on physico-chemical characterization and seed physiology, seed storage behaviour and cryopreservation has been presented. Efforts have been made to assemble the basic and relevant information scattered across various publications. Genetic resource management on these species being undertaken under AICRP on Arid Fruits and work being done at various horticultural institutes and state agricultural universities has been duly presented. Authors believe that this humble effort is only a beginning of gigantic task we have ahead to identify the desirable genotypes from this vast genetic wealth based on detailed characterization and evaluation. This would add required value to these resources to make them worthy for intensive utilization. Developing vegetative propagation methods, popularising these species to farmers with due market support for fruits and value added products would only ensure the commercial cultivation of these fruits and bring them in mainstream of Indian horticulture. The role of agricultural scientists and horticulturists is to make these species profitable for farming and provide suitable place in the changing farming patterns due to inevitable climate change which alone would save them from extinction. We gratefully acknowledge everybody who had assisted wholeheartedly in preparation of this publication. We profusely thank all the past Directors of NBPGR who encouraged and spurred us to undertake these studies. Authors welcome any valued suggestion from the readers for the improvement of presented information.
S.K. MALIK REKHA CHAUDHURY O.P. DHARIWAL
Authors sincerely acknowledge the Indian Council of Agricultural Research and National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources for providing the facilities and funding for undertaking the work on genetic resources of tropical underutilized fruits. We are thankful to Project Coordinator and partners of ICAR funded project on “National Network on Underutilized Fruits” under which some of the explorations and work has been undertaken. Our sincere thanks are due to Dr. O.P. Pareek, Ex-Director, NRCAF (now CIAH), Bikaner, Dr. V. Ramanatha Rao, Honorary Research Fellow, Bioversity International, Rome & Adjunct Senior Fellow, Bangalore and Dr. B.M.C. Reddy, Ex Director, CISH, Lucknow for encouragement to work on underutilized fruits. We sincerely acknowledge the help rendered by following persons for their valuable input:
1. Dr. Z. Abraham, Principal Scientist and Officer In-charge, NBPGR RS, Thrissur
2. Dr. Sanjay Singh, Principal Scientist, CHES (CIAH), Godhra 3. Dr. A.K. Singh, Principal Scientist, CISH, Lucknow
4. Dr. R.A. Kaushik, Head, Horticulture Division, MPUAT, Udaipur 5. Dr. Dhurendra Singh, Senior Scientist, CIAH, Bikaner
6. Dr. N.K. Dwivedi, Principal Scientist and Officer In-charge, NBPGR RS, Jodhpur
7. Dr. R.P.S. Deswal, Associate Professor, CCSHAU, Regional Research Station, Bawal
8. Dr. Rakesh Srivastava, Senior Scientist, NBPGR, New Delhi.
9. Dr. Rajwant K. Kalia, Senior Scientist, Centre for Plant Biotechnology, CCSHAU, Hisar
10. Dr. N.S. Panwar, Sr. Technical officer, NBPGR, New Delhi 11. Mr. Rakesh Singh, Sr. Technical officer, NBPGR, New Delhi 12. Mr. Ravish Choudhary, SRF, TCCU, NBPGR, New Delhi 13. Ms. Jyotsna Joshi, SRF, TCCU, NBPGR, New Delhi 14. Dr. Susheel Kumar, RA, TCCU, NBPGR, New Delhi 15. Mr. Digvender Pal, SRF, TCCU, NBPGR, New Delhi 16. Dr. Sushil Kumar, PPV & FRA, New Delhi
17. Mr. Devender Kr. Nerwal, TCCU, NBPGR, New Delhi 18. Mr. Anang Pal Singh, TCCU, NBPGR, New Delhi
ii. Preface
iii. Acknowledgements
1. Introduction 1
2. Genetic resource management 3
2.1 Exploration and collection 3
2.2 Characterization and evaluation 5
2.3 Conservation 7
2.3.1 Conservation strategies 7
2.3.2 In situ conservation 8
2.3.3 Ex situ conservation 9
2.3.3.1 Field genebanks 9
2.3.3.2 Genebank and cryogenebank conservation 9 2.4 Nutritional value, market demand and indigenous 11
technical knowledge
3. Description of fruit species 18
3.1 Aegle marmelos (Bael) 18
3.2 Buchanania lanzan (Chironji) 25
3.3 Capparis decidua (Ker) 38
3.4 Carissa species (Karonda) 47
3.5 Cordia species (Lasora) 54
3.6 Diospyros melanoxylon (Tendu) 64
3.7 Emblica officinalis (Aonla) 70
3.8 Garcinia species (Kokam, Malabar tamarind and 75 Mysore gamboge)
3.9 Grewia subinaequalis (Phalsa) 88
3.10 Madhuca indica (Mahua) 93
3.11 Manilkara hexandra (Khirni) 100
3.12 Pithecellobium dulce (Manila tamarind) 114
3.13 Salvadora species (Pilu and Miswak) 120
3.14 Syzygium cumini (Jamun) 132
3.15 Tamarindus indica (Tamarind) 139
3.16 Ziziphus species (Ber) 147
4. Future perspective 154
5. References 156
Annexure
1. Introduction
Southeast Asia is represented by more than 500 species of fruits (Arora and Rao, 1995), while the Hindustani region of diversity represents 344 species of fruits having vast potential for new crops (Arora, 1995). This area has been the center of origin of a number of tropical and temperate fruit species, most of which are still growing in wild or semi-wild state. Despite the vast genetic diversity of these fruits, only important fruits like mango, banana, citrus and guava have gained in the productivity and acceptability by the people. Many of the indigenous tropical and temperate fruits have still remained underexploited due to the lack of awareness of their potential, market demand and low and erratic bearing in many cases. These species have multipurpose uses as fruits, vegetables and also have therapeutic and medicinal properties. Genetic resources of such fruits are facing a great threat of extinction due to climate change, large-scale urbanization and developmental projects. To safeguard the existing diversity of underutilized fruits and to achieve sustainable development based on use of available genetic wealth, promotion and conservation of these species is of immense importance. Organized production and processing for value addition of products would enhance income of small and marginal farmers and also help in on-farm conservation of valuable germplasm. At NBPGR an extensive collection, characterization and conservation programme has been undertaken for identification of promising germplasm and to support the improvement programmes being undertaken in these fruit species.
Genetic resources of tropical underutilized fruits have not been given desired attention due to their comparatively less commercial importance and limited research on genetic improvement of cultivars. Opening of the world markets and development of new biotechnological methods of genetic modifications in high value commercial fruits would further keep the attention away from these traditional underutilized fruits leading to great loss in genetic diversity of these fruits. Several other factors such as change in climatic conditions, introduction of new irrigation methods and canals, large scale developmental activities taking place in developing economies like India is leading to alarming loss of genetic resources of these species. These genetic resources are well adapted to the stressed, arid and semi-arid ecosystems having high potential for mitigating inevitable climate change scenario, and hence need immediate attention. In view of the great importance of these underutilized fruit species and urgent need to strengthen the genetic resources and improvement work, Indian Council of Agricultural
introduce, characterize, evaluate, conserve and utilize the genetic resources of these species. CISH, Lucknow, CIAH, Bikaner, NBPGR, New Delhi, CHES, Chettalli and CARI, Andaman and Nicobar are the partners in this project. Under this project germplasm of khirni, karonda, bael, jamun, mahua, wood apple, tamarind, Garcinia, etc. have been collected and characterized and several promising genotypes have been identified. There is a need to further evaluate these identified genotypes and release the cultivars for respective areas.
In the present publication, sixteen important underutilized fruits namely Aegle
marmelos (Bael), Buchanania lanzan (Chironji), Capparis decidua (Ker), Carissa
species (Karonda), Cordia species (Lasora), Diospyros melanoxylon (Tendu),
Emblica officinalis (Aonla), Garcinia species (Kokam, Malabar tamarind and Mysore
gamboge), Grewia species (Phalsa), Madhuca indica (Mahua), Manilkara
hexandra (Khirni), Pithecellobium dulce (Manila tamarind), Salvadora species (Pilu
and Meswak), Syzygium cumini (Jamun), Tamarindus indica (Tamarind) and
Ziziphus species (Ber and Jharber) have been discussed. Besides these some other
indigenous species which are of substantial importance in Indian context are Feronia
limonia (Wood apple), Phoenix sylvestris (Wild date), Alangium salvifolium (Ban
jamun) and Ficus palmata (Wild fig). Genetic resource management and related issues in the 16 Indian tropical underutilized fruits and their related species have been discussed.
2. Genetic Resource Management
2.1 Exploration and collectionGermplasm collection of underutilized fruit crops has received less priority in comparison to the field crops. Germplasm of these fruits species have been collected at various horticultural organizations to identify promising genotypes for high yield and good fruits quality. Overall 2552 accessions of 16 underutilized fruits being discussed in this publication have been collected by various organizations in India and national identity (IC Numbers) have been obtained from the NBPGR since 1976. These include
Aegle marmelos (57), Buchanania lanzan (187), Capparis decidua (118), Carissa
species (50), Cordia species (134), Diospyros melanoxylon (24), Emblica officinalis (159), Garcinia species (541), Grewia species (36), Madhuca indica (153),
Manilkara hexandra (74), Pithecellobium dulce (24), Salvadora species (207), Syzygium cumini (198), Tamarindus indica (248) and Ziziphus species (342).
Besides this large number of collections of these fruit species are being maintained in the field genebanks at various national and state institutes and horticulture research organizations where national identity is still to be obtained. Therefore, reporting the exact number of collections and assessment of germplasm diversity in collected germplasm in these fruits species requires collective efforts of various stake holders. Besides the ICAR institutes (Central Institute of Arid Horticulture, Bikaner, Central Institute of Sub-tropical Horticulture, Lucknow) and some state universities, most of these fruit crops are being managed under the All India Coordinated Project on Arid Fruits for developing fruit growing technology to build a viable commercial cultivation in the arid regions and to improve the economic condition of the people, their nutrition and health standard at 13 centres of ICAR Institutes and State Agricultural Universities as detailed below (Table 1):
At NBPGR systematic exploration programmes to collect the germplasm of important underutilized fruits have been undertaken since last twelve years. Twenty specific exploration and collection missions have been executed in the north, west, central and south Indian states of Rajasthan, Haryana, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh (foot hills of Himalayas), Kerala, Karnataka and Maharashtra for the collection of several underutilized tropical and sub-tropical fruits. The targeted fruit species were collected from wild and semi-wild areas of forest,
marginal forest lands, homestead gardens, orchards and from farmers fields. Details of fruiting period, importance and uses of these fruits species has been provided under the description of individual fruits. During the explorations general field observations, status of natural populations, probable threats to species, breeding behavior and associated indigenous technical knowledge on use was gathered. For collection of germplasm, selective sampling strategy was used and an indigenous collection number (IC number) allotted to an individual accession. In most of these fruits species elite trees were identified based on phenotypic characters. Fruits from selected plants were collected and after initial characterization of fruits the data was shared with the horticulturists to facilitate the utilization of these genotypes. Vegetative cuttings or bud wood was also collected in some of the fruits for establishment in the field genebanks of respective institutes. Area of collection of these fruit species is depicted in the map (Fig. 1). Passport data of individual fruits and variability collected at NBPGR has been described under the individual descriptions of species.
Fruits
Center Name Crop
Abohar Date palm
Anantapur Ber, Custard apple, pomegranate, aonla, phalsa, tamarind Aruppukottai Ber, Custard apple, pomegranate, aonla, phalsa, tamarind Bangalore Pomegranate, custard apple, fig
Bawal Ber, pomegranate, date palm
Bikaner Date palm
Faizabad Aonla, ber, bael, jamun
Jobner Ber, aonla, pomegranate
Mundra Date palm
Rahuri Pomegranate, ber, custard apple, fig, aonla SK Nagar Ber, aonla, custard apple and pomegranate CIAH, Bikaner Aonla, Bael
CISH, Lucknow Bael
CHES, Godhra Aonla, Ber, palmyra palm, Tamarind NRC Pomegranate, Pomegranate
Solapur
2.2 Characterization and evaluation
Tropical fruit species are mostly heterozygous due to high degree of outcrossing and require systematic morphological characterization backed by the molecular characterization to study the extent of variability and utilization of existing germplasm. Systematic characterization of physico-chemical characters of available germplasm would provide the extent of genetic diversity in the fruits species and facilitate in identifying the superior genotypes with desired characters. Characterization and evaluation of fruits especially tropical underutilized fruits has not been undertaken in a
these fruits is lacking. Another reason for the limited information on these aspects is the less priority to these fruits in comparison to high value major fruit species. Characterization and evaluation work is also limited due to the availability of these fruits species only in the natural wild and semi-wild conditions. Recently, the efforts have been made to undertake the systematic collection, initial characterization and establishment of superior genotypes in the field genebanks for detailed evaluation. Due to the perennial nature and specific climatic and edaphic needs of these fruits it takes many years in flowering and fruiting in field genebanks causing delay in the characterization and evaluation. In some important underutilized fruit species vegetative propagation methods have been developed recently and field establishment of identified genotypes by using the scion from the original sources on local rootstocks have been undertaken. Recently the characterization and evaluation of some collected germplasm and identified cultivars or released varieties of important underutilized fruits namely aonla, ber, bael, jamun, phalsa, khirni, karonda, mahua and tamarind have been undertaken at various locations (Pathak and Pathak, 1993; Singh et al., 1999). Field performance and multi-location trials of indentified cultivars or selections of several arid fruits is extensively being undertaken at various centers of AICRP on Arid Fruits and performance is being reported regularly for recommendation of suitable cultivars for particular region or state (Pareek and Nath, 1996; ICAR website)
For physico-chemical characterization the fruits were carried to the laboratory, wherever possible. Due to highly perishable nature of fruits, some of the characterization data has been undertaken in the field during the collection and exploration. Some important phenotypic plant characters desirable in the specific fruit species were also recorded and specified in the passport data. Further the fruits were carried to the laboratory in sufficient numbers to characterize and extract the seeds to be used for various experiments and cryopreservation. During the present study efforts have been made to attempt preliminary characterization of fruits and seeds of the collected germplasm for important qualitative and quantitative characters. For morphological characterization, minimum descriptors developed by NBPGR (Mahajan et al, 2002) were used, wherever available. Information generated have been shared with the concerned horticulture scientists on the elite and promising collections for undertaking further characterization and evaluation of such genotypes for utilization and commercialization. Molecular characterization studies have also been lacking in the tropical underutilized fruits. However, the efforts have now been initiated at several crop based institutes and at NBPGR to characterize the available germplasm using molecular markers to analyze the existing genetic diversity for the efficient utilization of germplasm.
2.3 Conservation
2.3.1 Conservation strategies
Conservation of plant genetic resources is attempted using two basic approaches, the in situ and ex situ ensuring conservation in the natural habitat and in man made genebanks, respectively. Plant genetic resources, comprising a wide range of useful plant species, possess diverse mechanisms of reproduction and regeneration. Selection of suitable conservation strategy depends upon reproductive and breeding mechanism and physiology of seeds and plant propagules. These factors determine the sample size of the propagules to be stored, and the appropriate conservation technologies to be applied. Accordingly, different conservation strategies have been suggested and utilized by conservation biologists for achieving successful conservation of targeted species (Fig. 2).
Fig. 2: Conservation strategies for horticultural genetic resources (HGR)
Conservation of horticulture genetic resources (HGR) and specifically the underutilized fruit species which are still grown as natural wild and in semi-wild conditions would require adoption of complementary conservation strategies where, suitable in
situ and ex situ conservation methods are be employed to achieve the successful
conservation. Within this group of underutilized fruit crops specific conservation strategy is to be developed and adopted based on extent of genetic diversity available, mechanism of propagation, reproductive biology of species and present biological status of the species. Horticulture genetic resources of underutilized fruits comprise following candidates for conservation based on their biological status and propagation method (Fig. 3).
2.3.2 In situ conservation
In situ conservation involves promoting growth of plant species in their natural
habitats where evolutionary processes continue to operate, making it a dynamic system. Majority of the underutilized fruits grow in the diverse climatic and edaphic conditions and are adapted to arid and semi-arid conditions. In situ conservation is important for underutilized fruit species still occurring as natural wild or in the semi-domesticated conditions using following two approaches:
1) Conservation in the natural habitats like protected areas and national reserves: Specific area based on presence of natural diversity are to be identified for species found as only natural wild. Priority species in this category are Buchanania lanzan,
Capparis decidua, Diospyros melanoxylon, Manilkara hexandra, Salvadora oleoides, S. persica, Tamarindus indica and Pithecellobium dulce. For species
where both natural wild and cultivated genotypes are available wild populations are to be protected immediately. Such species are Aegle marmelos, Emblica officinalis,
Grewia species, Carissa species, Cordia species, Madhuca species and Ziziphus
species. Fruit species and possible protected area for in situ conservation are to be finalized based on diversity maps and biodiversity conservation policy of respective state government.
2) In situ on-farm conservation would be an ideal approach for conserving local natural selections, cultivars and farmer’s varieties. In some of underutilized fruits local selections or farmers varieties have been developed or identified since time immemorial. These local selections are being grown as isolated plants or in small numbers in the homestead gardens, farmers fields, backyards or in the common panchayat lands in villages. Such selections need urgent attention for further characterization, evaluation and on-farm conservation. Underutilized fruits where such selections are indentified and available are Syzygium cumini, Cordia myxa, Tamarindus indica, Aegle
marmelos, Emblica officinalis and Ziziphus species. 2.3.3 Ex situ conservation
2.3.3.1 Field genebanks
Ex situ conservation of underutilized fruits is important to safeguard the genetic
wealth and to use germplasm for the genetic improvement to develop desirable cultivars or varieties. Field genebanks have an important place in conservation and maintenance of clonally propagated species, tree species with long juvenile phase, species that do not produce true-to-type seed, or produce recalcitrant seeds whose laboratory conservation technology has not been standardized so far. Presently several field genebanks for diverse horticultural species are operational throughout the world. In India field genebanks of citrus, mango, mulberry, oil palm and several other fruit species have been established and are being maintained at state and ICAR horticultural institutions or state agricultural universities at different locations. As far as underutilized fruits are concerned field genebank conservation has been recently undertaken especially under the AICRP on Arid Fruits at various ICAR institutes and their regional stations, some important institutes are CIAH, Bikaner, CISH, Lucknow, CAZRI, Jodhpur, NBPGR Regional Station, Jodhpur, IIHR, Bangalore and at several state agricultural universities and their regional stations namely CCSHAU, Hisar and Regional Station, Bawal, Haryana; MPKV, Rahuri, Maharashtra; GAU, Sardar Krushinagar, Gujarat; RAU, Bikaner, Rajasthan; SKN College of Agriculture, RAU, Jobner, Rajasthan; MPUAT, Udaipur, Rajasthan; ANDUAT, Faizabad, Uttar Pradesh and state horticulture stations at Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and other states.
2.3.3.2 Genebank and cryogenebank conservation
Conservation of underutilized fruit species is being undertaken in the laboratory in genebank and cryogenebank at NBPGR, New Delhi. Conservation of plant germplasm in the form of seeds is the most convenient and reliable method being practiced in genebanks. Germplasm of tropical underutilized fruits species where the seeds are relatively larger and have high moisture content at the time of shedding pose problems
longevity and seed storage behaviour. Seed storage behaviour in its simplest form is measured in terms of survival and longevity of seed under various storage conditions. Information on this is available for only about 3% of the higher plant species (Hong and Ellis, 1996). Various research groups in different countries are undertaking research on this aspect mainly on their indigenous species. Seed storage behaviour in several cases is misinterpreted because of scanty data generated on survival and longevity of seed and lack of detailed information on physiological characteristics. Conservationist can recommend and adopt short-, medium- and long-term seed storage only after correct identification of seed storage behaviour. Seed storage behaviour has broadly been divided into three categories. Initially Roberts (1973) defined two categories namely orthodox and recalcitrant. Later another category of seed storage behaviour was designated by Ellis et al. (1990) and termed intermediate, where the behaviour is in between orthodox and recalcitrant. Orthodox seeds can be desiccated to desired moisture contents and can be conserved in the conventional genebanks comprising of cold storage modules maintained at –20oC. While non-orthodox (intermediate and recalcitrant) seeds are not amenable to conventional genebank regimes, being sensitive to desiccation and suffering chilling injury, and thus, require special conservation protocols. Many plant species especially of tropical origin, e.g. rubber, several Citrus species, Garcinia species, jackfruit, cocoa, Madhuca species produce such seeds. Several different methods based on cryopreservation have been developed for genebank conservation of such non-orthodox seeded species (Malik et al., 2004). Cryopreservation, storage of biological materials at ultralow temperatures (-196°C), is the only method available for the long-term conservation of non-orthodox seeds and several vegetative explants such as shoot apices, meristems, dormant buds and somatic embryos.
Conservation of germplasm in the form of seeds for underutilized fruits species which are predominantly cross pollinated, only ensures the genepool conservation of these species due to the heterozygous nature of seeds. As most of these species are found natural wild or semi-wild and propagated through seeds in nature, conservation of available genetic variability essentially required for the selection of desired genotypes therefore, needs to be protected safely and timely. In most of these fruit species farmers or local people are propagating progenies of these fruits using seeds as no commercial cultivars are available and even if few have been identified, clonally developed planting material is not available. Once the promising genotypes or cultivars are identified in these species, conservation of their vegetative tissues to achieve true-to-type conservation can be attempted using in vitro methods. It is to emphasize here that conservation of vegetative tissues in these tropical woody species would be an enormous
task as most of the species are known for their recalcitrance as far as in vitro establishment is concerned and equally difficult task would be to successfully cryopreserve the vegetative tissues excised from in vitro cultures. It is, therefore, recommended to conserve the available genetic diversity of such economically important species in the best possible ways to fulfill the objective of safe guarding these indigenous species from genetic erosion. For genetic improvement and genotype conservation, collected and characterized elite genotypes are presently being conserved in the field genebanks at various horticultural organizations. It is, therefore, emphasized that a complementary conservation strategy (Rao, 1998) involving the use of more than one relevant approach would be the best option for achieving safe conservation of these underutilized fruit species facing severe threat of extinction. In the present publication information generated since last 15 years at the cryolab of Tissue Culture and Cryopreservation Unit of NBPGR, New Delhi on seed germination, longevity, seed storage behavior, desiccation and freezing sensitivity and developing cryopreservation protocols of sixteen genera has been provided in tables 2, 3, 4 and 5.
2.4 Nutritional value, market demand and indigenous technical knowledge Human body cannot synthesize vitamin-C like other animals and depends on food sources to obtain it. Fruits and vegetables are the main source of various vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and soluble fibers. Humans since its evolution, depended heavily on the natural food and diversity of plants growing around them. Such plant species were, therefore, domesticated first. As far as fruits are concerned, these are the last domesticated plants and still several wild fruit species are under domestication once local people recognised them to be important for their use and commercial value (Burkill, 1951-52). People prefer to have fruits with good taste and having less unpleasant tannins and glycosides which are amply available in the wild fruits. Another preference is for the larger fleshy or edible part and no or less seediness in fruits.
Many of these fruits are highly perishable and difficult to store in the fresh form. Some of them are not easy to eat out of hand. A few are not acceptable as a fresh fruit, because of high acidity and/or strong astringent taste. However, all these fruits have unlimited potential in the world trade in their processed form. Presently various value added products such as jam, pickles, chutney, squashes, dried form of fruits, pulp etc. are being exported to targeted Indian populations living in other countries. For example Malabar tamarind is being exported to countries wherever Malayalees are settled in the World as this makes an important ingredient of their food preparations especially fish curries. Similarly, other products prepared and processed under small scale industry are exported to USA, Europe and to several other countries as per their demand and found important place in super markets along with other Indian products. Therefore,
and embryonic axes of different underutilized fruits.
Species name Explant CMC Germination Viability (%) at CMC
substrata/ BC AC
medium
Aegle marmelos Seed 4.4 TP, BP 70 65.5
Embryo 5.1 TP, in vitro 70.5 75 Buchanania lanzan Seed 6.3-12.4 BP, TP, moss grass 50 46.5 Capparis decidua Seed 6-8 BP, TP, moss grass 77 75 Carissa spp. Seed 6-8 BP, TP, moss grass 70-80 65-70
Cordia spp. Seed 6-8 BP, TP 100 95.5
Diospyros melanoxylon Seed 11.96 BP, moss grass 75 80
Emblica officinalis Seed 6.0 TP 70 72.5
Garcinia spp. Seed 34.0 Peat moss, 33.5 0
in vitro culture
Grewia spp. Seed 9.2 BP, TP (Pretreated 45 40
with 25% HCl for 8 min.)
Madhuca indica Seed 42.2 Moss grass 50 0
Embryonic 20.5 In vitro 35 12.5 axis
Manilkara hexandra Seed 6.5 BP, soilrite, 70-100 50 moss grass
Pithecellobium dulce Seed 6.0 TP, BP 85 82.2
Salvadora oleoides Seed 9.5 BP, TP, moss grass 40 10
Embryonic axis 8.2 In vitro culture 65 64.4
Syzygium cumini Seed 43.7 Peatmoss, 20.5 0
in vitro culture
Tamarindus indica Seed 7.5 BP, moss grass 85.0 83.5
Ziziphus nummularia Seed 3.2 TP 65.5 58.9
BP- Between paper; TP- Top of paper; BC- Before Cryo; AC- After Cryo; CMC- Critical Moisture Content
T
able 3. Desiccation and fr
eezing sensitivity in underutilized fruit species.
Species Initial moisture Initial viability Desiccated Viability (%) Viability (%) content (%) (% ) moisture at D M C after content (%) cryoexposure Aegle marmelos 20.36 (±5.39) 97.22 (±2.77) 5.6 (±0.51) 96.11 (±2.42) 84.44 (±2.77) Buchanania lanzan 7.45 (±0.65) 88.89 (±2.78) 6.02 (±0.08) 75.75 (±3.79) 68.78 (±2.02) Capparis decidua 29.52 (±2.14) 97.22 (±2.77) 7.68 (±0.62) 83.33 (±4.81) 78.98 (±2.41) Carissa carandas 18.45 (±1.48) 71.66 (±8.81) 9.26 (±1.24) 54.11(±2.40) 53.33 (±14.17) Cordia myxa 24.65 (±1.29) 93.89 (±3.09) 7.30 (±0.63) 87.89 (±8.30) 72.33 (±4.33) Diospyros melanoxylon 28.52 (±2.2) 90 (±0.5) 11.96 (±1.2) 83.3 (±1.1) 80 (±1.5) Emblica officinalis 11.82 (±2.85) 73.89 (±3.88) 5.64 (± 0.28) 58.33 (±4.40) 51.00 (±2.40) Garcinia spp. 45.5 (±1.48) 100 (±0.0) 31.4 (±2.40) 44.5 (±2.78) 0. 0 Grewia subinaequalis 16.22 (±0.63) 81.11(±3.09) 6.06 (±0.25) 52.78 (±7.34) 50.00 (±7.63) Madhuca spp. 51.55 (±0.53) 81.25 (±0.25) 22.4 (±1.24) 50.00 (±2.88) 18.30 (±2.40) Manilkara hexandra 37.35 (±1.09) 86.11 (±2.78) 10.55 (±0.79) 67.78 (±6.40) 52.22 (±9.24) Pithecellobium dulce 37.94 (±1.89) 96.67 (±3.33) 7.00 (±1.41) 85.00 (±2.88) 75.00 (±4.80) Salvadora oleoides 26.36 (±0.89) 89.42 (±6.82) 8.78 (±0.95) 71.70 (±4.16) 40.20 (±2.34) Syzygium cumini 50.43 (±4.33) 64.0 (±2.20) 35.37(±0.32) 40.00 (±3.44) 0. 0 T amarindus indica 34.98 (±3.64) 97.22 (±2.78) 6.73 (±0.99) 95.00 (±2.88) 93.89 (±3.09) Ziziphus nummularia 25.74 (±3.65) 91.66 (2.32) 5.30 (±1.12) 90.67 (±5.70) 86.11(±2.78)
parameter to ascertain seed storage behaviour in underutilized fruit species.
Species Storage % decline % decline Seed Accessions
period in viability in viability storage cryostored
at ambient after after LN behavior in the form
temperature desiccation exposure ascertained of seed/
(25-32ºC) to CMC by our embryo/
till 50% studies embryonic
viability axes
(in months)
Aegle marmelos 24 months 1.07 11.60 I* Seed & Embryo
Buchanania lanzan 5 months 11.68 5.85 I ** Seed
Capparis decidua 6 months 13.50 3.79 I*** Seed
Carissa carandas 3 months 12.57 0.42 I Seed
Cordia myxa 6 months 5.63 13.67 I Seed
Diospyros melanoxylon 10 months 15 5 I Seed
Emblica officinalis 10 months 11.49 4.27 O Seed
Garcinia spp. 20 days 80 100 R Nil
Grewia subinaequalis 4 months 22.97 1.46 I Seed
Madhuca indica 7 days 40 80 R Embryonic axis
Manilkara hexandra 45 days 15.78 10.54 I Seed &
Embryonic axis
Pithecellobium dulce 14 months 11.28 8.5 O Seed
Salvadora oleoides 15 days 15.84 30 R Seed &
Embryonic axis
Syzygium cumini 30 days 80 100 R Nil
Tamarindus indica 18 months 2.15 1.15 O Seed
Ziziphus nummularia 24 months 0.90 2.52 O**** Seed
CMC=Critical Moisture Content * also reported by Parihar et al, 2010
O=Orthodox ** also reported by Naithani, 2001
I=Intermediate *** also reported by Agroforesrty Tree database R=Recalcitrant **** also reported by Hong et al, 1996
Table 5. Seed longevity and number of accessions cryostored of underutilized fruit species
Species Shelf life i.e. longevity No. of accessions
at ambient temperature cryostored in the
(25-34ºC) Cryogenebank in the
form of seed/ embryo/ embryonic axes
Aegle marmelos 36 months 80
Buchanania lanzan 11 months 127
Capparis decidua 14 months 88
Carissa carandas 5-6 months 9
C. edulis 1
C.grandiflora 1
C. spinarum 3
Cordia myxa 3-4 months 24
C. crenata 3
C. obliqua 1
C. rothii 9
Diospyros melanoxylon 15 months 16
Emblica officinalis 19 months 31
Garcinia sp. 30-45 days 0
Grewia subinaequalis 6-7 months 13
G. rothii 1
G. tiliaefolia var. tiliaefolia 1
Madhuca indica 7 days 2
M. longifolia 12
Manilkara hexandra 4 months 46
Pithecellobium dulce 24 months 14
Salvadora oleoides 2-3 weeks 23
S. persica 12
Syzygium cumini 30 days 0
Tamarindus indica 20 months 10
Ziziphus nummularia 22 months 15
Z. oenoplia 3
Z. oxyphylla 1
Z. rotundifolia 15
Z. rugosa 5
consumers all over the world to enjoy these tropical fruits in the form of processed products. Apart from processing, market potential and strong campaigning is necessary to create awareness and consciousness among the producers and consumers of underutilized tropical fruits.
Most of the tropical underutilized fruits are often available only in the local markets and are rarely known in other parts of the country. These fruit species have the ability to grow under stressed and adverse conditions and are also known for their medicinal, therapeutic and nutritive values. Because of their curative and nutritional properties, these fruits have been used by local people for nutrition and curing several diseases. Many of these species have been used as traditional medicinal plants and some of them have found important place in the Indian Systems of Medicine and in Unani, since the time immemorial. Tribal populations particularly children and women of these localities are fulfilling their nutritional requirements by consuming these fruits available freely in their vicinity. In addition, some of these fruits have excellent flavour, juiciness and have very attractive appearance. There is always a good market demand all over the world for new food products especially which are highly nutritious and delicately flavoured. Urban consumers today are becoming increasingly conscious and aware of their health and nutritional aspects of their food due to prosperity and awareness. Demand for natural, herbal and non-synthetic food products is increasing among urban middle and upper middle class of developing and developed countries. There is an increased emphasis by government and non-government agencies to popularise the traditional and natural products. In India the Department of Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India has been effectively taking up the cause of protecting and popularising the Indian System of Medicines for the benefit of large population due to its being nature friendly and affordable. Several private organisations have established naturopathy and herbal clinics based on the natural products extracted from these underutilized fruits to increase immunity and also to cure various ailments. In view of all these recent developments in traditional health sector, underutilized fruit plants rich in vitamins, minerals, anti-oxidants and with other medicinal properties have bright market future. The underutilized tropical fruits discussed in this publication have an important role to play in satisfying the present day market demands. Nutritional status of fruits being discussed in this publication is given in the table 6.
T
able 6. Food value of some pr
omising underutilized fruits per
100 g edible portion Fruits Calories Protein (g) Fat (g) Carbo -Fibre (g) Calcium Phos-Iron (mg) V itamin Ascorbic (Kcal) hydrates (mg) phorus A (IU) acid (g ) (mg) (mg) Aegle marmelos 1 3 7 1.8-2.62 0.2-0.39 28.1-31.8 2 .9 85 50 0 .6 9 1 .6 1 .1 Buchanania lanzan 6 5 6 19.0-21.6 59.1 12.1 3.8 2 7 9 5 2 8 8.5 -5.0 Capparis decidua 1 0 0 5.9 1.23 20.87 -153.8 50.8 2.0 -1 3 3 Carissa carandas 42.59.4 0.39-1.1 2.57.4.63 0.51-2.9 0.62-1.81 21 28 -1619 9-11 Cordia myxa 65 1.8-2.0 1.0 12.2 0.3 40 60 -Emblica officinalis 65 0.07-0.5 0.1-0.2 15-21.8 1.9-3.4 12.5-20 26.0 0.48-0.5 17 500-625 Grewia subinaequalis 72.4 1.3-1.58 0.90-1.82 14.78 1.2-1.77 1 2 9 39 3.1 8 0 0 22 Madhuca indica -1.37 1.61 22.69 -45 22 1.1 5 1 2 40.5-42 Manilkara hexandra -0.48 2.42 27.74 -83 17 0.92 6 7 5 15.67 Pithecellobium dulce 78.8 2-3.3 0.4-0.5 18.2-19.6 1.1-1.2 13 42 0.5 25 1 3 8 Salvadora oleoides -6.0 2.0 76 2.0 6 3 0 1 6 7 8.0 -2.0 Syzygium cumini 62 0.7 0.15-0.3 14-16 0.3-0.9 8-15 15-16.2 1.2-1.62 80 5.7-18 T amarindus indica -2 -3 0.6 41.1-61.4 2.9 34-94 34-78 0.2-0.9 -44 Ziziphus nummularia -2.0 1.0 93 2.0 60 1 2 0 7.0 -88 Source: Pareek et al ., 1998
Botanical name: Aegle marmelos (L) Correa.
Common name: English - Bengal Quince; Hindi – Bael, bel, belli etc. Family: Rutaceae
Origin and distribution: It is native to India (Zeven and de Wet, 1982) and found throughout southeast Asia. In India this fruit is grown in indogangetic plains and sub-Himalayan tracts, north-east India and dry and deciduous forests of central and southern India. Besides occurring as natural wild, bael is commonly grown in the homestead gardens, backyards, religious places and in the farmer’s fields. Main growing states are Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttaranchal and Orissa.
General description: Bael is a medium sized tree attaining the height up to 20 ft. with deciduous and hardy nature (Fig. 4A, B). This is a thorny tree with dimorphic branches and trifoliate leaves and erenate leaflets. Flowers are whitish-green, scented and bisexual. Fruits are of small to very large size with varying shape from oblong to ovate, round, globose and elongated containing hard outer cover (skull) and soft creamy pink to reddish pulp full of hairy seeds. Seeds have hard and hairy seed coat, flat in shape and mucilaginous. Polyembryony is also reported in this species.
Propagation: Bael is mainly propagated by seeds due to which the vast genetic variability is present in the nature. Vegetative propagation using patch budding, shield budding, and chip budding have been successfully demonstrated. Whip grafting has also been successfully undertaken in bael (Maiti et al., 1999).
Cultivars/selections: Some important seedling selections have been made based on place of occurrence namely, Gonda selection, Mirzapuri, Kagzi, Sewan large etc. and NB selections made by ANDUAT, Faizabad and Pant cultivars by GBPUAT, Pantnagar. Some promising selections have also been identified from the germplasm collected from West Bengal (Mazumdar, 2004). Bael fruit is gaining lot of importance and due to the high market demand in the summer months for fresh fruits and squash, organized
3.1 Aegle marmelos (Bael)
orcharding of this fruit crop is picking up in the parts of eastern Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan and other parts of country. The demand for good planting material of suitable cultivar would also increase in future due to large scale commercial cultivation. Important uses: Bael tree is of historical importance in Indian culture and various uses have been described in the literature. Pulp of the fruit is consumed raw and also processed to make diverse value added products, most common are sharbat, squash, murabba, jam, etc. In the various states fresh juice of bael is sold in the market especially in the summers and taken as soft drink. Dried pulp is also used in several parts of country. Pulp has several medicinal properties and commonly used for the cure of diarrhoea, dysentery and other stomach ailments. Leaves, root and bark also have medicinal properties and used widely in the Indian System of Medicine. The crystalline substance known as ‘marmelosin’ extracted from fruits have therapeutic properties (Mazumdar, 2004). Trifoliate leaves are used in prayer /puja of Lord Shiva.
Genetic Resource Management
Collection: Germplasm of bael has been widely collected from several states especially from the parts of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal by ANDUAT, Faizabad, and CIAH, Bikaner, CISH, Lucknow, CCSHAU, Regional Research Station, Bawal, CAZRI, Jodhpur and NBPGR Regional Station, Jodhpur. Diversity of bael has been collected from east-central India (Jharkhand and Bihar) and 33 genotypes were collected (Nath et al., 2003). Several promising collections have been identified from the germplasm collected from Faizabad, Basti, Lucknow, Gonda, Mirzapur, Deoria, Varanasi and Agra districts of Uttar Pradesh and evaluated for physico-chemical characters and field performance. At NBPGR explorations for the collection of bael germplasm have been made from wild and semi-wild locations of Haryana, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. 15 accessions have been collected from various sites as indicated in the Fig. 5. Sizable variability in fruits size, shape, pulp, flavour, TSS, seeds size, shape and colour was recorded. Detailed passport data of germplasm collected by NBPGR is presented in the Table 7.
Characterization: Germplasm diversity of bael collected from various districts of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar have been characterized and evaluated at ANDUAT, Faizabad and Fruit Research Station, Basti. Several promising cultivars and selections have been made based on bearing, medium size of fruit, optimum skull thickness, less number of seeds, less mucilage and fiber content. Some important selections made are NB-4, NB-5 and NB-9, out of these NB-5 has been adjudged the best selection (Pareek and Nath, 1996). Several other selections made from the collected germplasm are
Gonda selection, Mirzapuri, Etawah Kagzi, Sewan large, Deoria, etc. Nath et al., (2003) identified five promising genotypes of bael on the basis of fruit characters and bearing behavior from the germplasm collected from Jharkhand and Bihar.
Bael collections made at NBPGR were characterized for various physico-chemical characters and details have been given in the Table 8. A total of 4 varied accessions were characterized for fruit and seed characters. Fruits were large with length varying from 6.28 to 8.14 cm and width from 6.33 to 8.64 cm. Fruit weight showed vast variation, lightest fruit being of 144 gm and heaviest of 378 gm. TSS value ranged from 34.21 to 45.6 ºB. Seeds were small and light weight with length verifying from 0.62 to 0.72 cm and diameter from 1.63 to 1.96 cm. Average seed weight was about 0.1 gm for all accessions. The heaviest fruits with highest TSS were recorded for IC546120 followed by those in IC546131.
Conservation: Conservation of genetic resources of bael is being undertaken at various field genebanks of ICAR institutes and state agricultural universities. Sizable collection is being maintained at CCSHAU, Regional Research Station, Bawal (10), ANDUAT, Faizabad (22), CIAH, Bikaner (16), CISH, Lucknow (44), GBPUAT, Pantnagar (10), CAZRI, Jodhpur (5) and also at NBPGR Regional Station, Jodhpur.
Fig. 5: Collection sites of bael from Rajasthan, Haryana and Madhya Pradesh Haryana
Rajasthan
Basic studies on seed germination, seed storage behavior and longevity have been undertaken at NBPGR. Freshly harvested seeds of diverse accessions showed germination from 60-100% with moisture content varying from 12-20% (Table 3 and 4). The seeds retained viability well upto 2 years of storage at ambient temperature. Intermediate seed storage behavior has been ascertained by our studies (Table 4). Desiccation of seeds to 5.6% moisture content before cryostorage resulted in high survival of about 95% (Table 3). However, exposure to LN resulted in 11% decline in viability indicating chilling sensitivity. Embryos and embryonic axes also survived Liquid nitrogen (LN) exposure with 75% survival (Table 2). A total of 80 diverse accessions including Kagzi, Mirzapuri, Gonda Selection and several wild types have been cryostored in the Cryogenebank at NBPGR. Our results are similar to that reported by Parihar et al. (2010) who observed that seeds had short viability and showed chilling sensitivity as majority of seeds lost viability after 12 months storage at -20OC.
T
able 7. Passport data of
Aegle marmelos
(Bael) germplasm collected fr
om various states S . Collector IC Crop Botanical V ernacular Biological District S tate Latitude Longitude N o. Number Number Name Name Name Name S tatus 1 MKD-101 524057 Bael Aegle marmelos Beal W il d Rewari H aryana 28.17 76.50 2 M D 8 2 7 552934 Bael Aegle marmelos Billa W il d Neemach Madhya Pradesh 24.41 74.87 3 M D 8 4 3 552950 Bael Aegle marmelos Billi Wi ld Neemach Madhya Pradesh 24.43 75.09 4 MD-332 437020 Bael Aegle marmelos B el W il d Chattarpur Madhya Pradesh 24.73 79.72 5 MD-333 437021 Bael Aegle marmelos B el W il d Chattarpur Madhya Pradesh 24.73 79.72 6 MD-06/20 546103 Bael Aegle marmelos Belpather W il d Chittorgarh Rajasthan 24.32 74.40 7 MD-06/22 546105 Bael Aegle marmelos Belpather W il d Chittorgarh Rajasthan 24.32 74.40 8 MD-06/32 546115 Bael Aegle marmelos B el W il d Udaipur Rajasthan 24.34 73.61 9 MD-06/37 546120 Bael Aegle marmelos B el W ild Sirohi Rajasthan 25.17 73.08 10 MD-06/47 546130 Bael Aegle marmelos B el W ild Sirohi Rajasthan 24.85 72.87 11 MD-10/1 584550 Bael Aegle marmelos Bille W il d Udaipur Rajasthan 24.34 73.42 12 MD-10/2 584551 Bael Aegle marmelos Bille W il d Udaipur Rajasthan 24.34 73.42 13 MD-10/4 584553 Bael Aegle marmelos Billi Wi ld Udaipur Rajasthan 24.10 73.41 14 MD-167 417234 Bael Aegle marmelos B el W il d Udaipur Rajasthan 24.16 73.75 15 MKD-90 524046 Bael Aegle marmelos Beal W il d Alwar Rajasthan 27.86 76.32
T
able 8. Characterization data of
Aegle marmelos
(Bael) germplasm based on fruits and seeds characters
S. No. Coll. No. IC N o . Fruit Seed Length Width W eight T S S Length Diameter W eight (cm) (cm) (gm) (cm) (cm) (gm) 1 MD-06/20 546103 7.70 6.51 178.66 42.70 0.72 1.96 0.13 2 MD-06/22 546105 6.28 6.61 144.46 34.21 0.65 1.67 0.06 3 MD-06/32 5461 15 7.54 6.33 168.31 43.15 0.64 1.68 0.07 4 MD-06/37 546120 8.14 8.64 378.08 45.60 0.62 1.63 0.08
Botanical name: Buchanania lanzan Sperg. syn. B. latifolia Roxb.
Common name: Chironji, Charoli, Chawar, Achar, Cuddapah almond, Piyal Family: Anacardiaceae
Origin and distribution: Chironji originated in the Indian sub-continent (Zeven and de Wet, 1982). The tree is found as natural wild in the tropical deciduous forests of north, western and central India mostly in the states of Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Maharashtra. General description: Buchanania lanzan is medium size tree, upto 40-50 ft. high with a straight trunk (Fig.6A). Trees have the alternate bearing nature as present in the mango. Tree shows deciduous nature for short time in summer and new leaves come in the late May. Leaves 6-10 inches, oblong, obtuse; flowers whitish green, sessile; fruit drupe, green when immature and dark black at ripened stage (Fig 6C, D). Fruits juicy with moderate sweet and acidic pulp. Flowering is in the month of January-February and fruits ripen in April-May. It is a very common tree species of forests of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Gujarat. Most of the tribals are collecting the fruits directly from the forest area. Fruits are generally collected at green stage to extract the kernels. Locally chironji is known as achar or charoli and nut is known as guthali. Chironji makes an important contribution to the tribal economy of these states alongwith two other species namely Madhuca indica (Mahua) and Diospyros
melanoxylon (Tendu). All these three species are available in the conjunction in the
forest and during summers fruits are collected. These trees play very important role in the socio-economic condition of tribal population of this area (Fig. 6E).
Propagation: Chironji is propagated through seeds. Vegetative propagation through soft wood grafting and chip budding is successful but rarely tried as there is no demand for planting material for commercial cultivation. Presently the trees are available only in the forest or marginal lands near the villages. It is a highly heterozygous, cross pollinated fruit crop and seedling selections are required to be identified with desirable characters.
minor fruit at present as no organized commercial cultivation is practiced. Work is in progress to identify and release some high yielding, dwarf and suitable selections of chironji at CHES (CIAH), Godhra and CISH, Lucknow. There is an urgent need to identify superior selections /cultivars in chironji for promotion of this highly potential indigenous horticultural fruit crop. Germplasm already collected and preliminary characterized may be used for the further detailed characterization and evaluation for field performance.
Important uses: Bark of tree is used for tanning. Fruit is eaten raw having pleasant, sweetish, sub-acid flavour and consumed by local people and also sold in the nearby village markets. Fruits are washed and nuts are dried (Fig. 6F) and stored for selling in the market. Seed is collected and kernel is extracted either at home or in the large quantity taken to the local market for mechanical extraction of kernel by breaking the nut using modified floor mills. Separated seed is an economically important part of the plant used as dry fruit in traditional sweet dishes. Kernel is of very high value and fetch Rs. 300-400.00 per Kg in market. Kernel is rich in protein content (20-30%) and have high oil content (40-50%), which is highly nutritious.
Genetic Resource Management
Collection: Genetic resources of chironji have not been given due attention till now, therefore, very limited collections have been made. Genetic diversity of chironji has been collected from Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar, Chhatisgarh and Rajasthan by CHES (CIAH), Godhra, CISH, Lucknow and NBPGR, New Delhi. CHES (CIAH), Godhra collected 30 variable accessions from Gujarat (Singh, 2007). At CISH, Lucknow 8 accessions of chironji have been identified and collected from Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh (CISH, Annual report, 2008). Recently, NBPGR, New Delhi have taken up specific exploration and collection missions in the diversity rich areas of Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan for the collection of chironji and 74 accessions have been collected. Details of area surveyed and passport data is given in Fig. 7 and Table 9.
Characterization: 30 accessions collected from Gujarat has been characterized for physico-chemical characters at CHES (CIAH), Godhra by Singh et al, (2006). 8 collections have been found promising for important horticultural traits and are being evaluated for field performance at CHES (CIAH), Godhra. Germplasm collected from the parts of Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar have been characterized for fruit weight, total soluble solids, acidity, protein content and earliness (Rai, 1982).
A large collection of 52 accessions were characterized for fruit and kernel character to analyze the existing variability in chironji (Table 10). The fruit length x width ranged from 0.4 cm x 0.8 cm to 1.18 cm x 1.52 cm exhibiting a large variation. The fruit weight also showed variation from 0.21 to 0.66 gm. Accordingly the kernel also had similar variation with length x width ranging from 0.36 cm x 0.54 cm to 1.1 cm x 1.3 cm and weighed from 0.03 to 0.65 gm.
Conservation: Chironji is facing severe genetic erosion as a result of activities related to afforestation in tribal inhabitated areas (Singh, 2007). No organized cultivation of chironji is practiced and fruits are directly collected from the natural wild trees occurring in the forest and marginal lands, therefore, the species is facing a great threat. Occasionally the trees are cut partly or completely by the tribals to collect the fruits. Many of the populations have been completely wiped off in the recent past due to developmental activities and want of agriculture land by farmers.
There are no standard cultivars available in chironji since little work has been done to exploit genetic resources. A number of seedling strains with a lot of variation provide scope for selection of better varieties (Singh, 2007). When propagated by seed for root stock preparation, 80-85% germination is achieved. Sulphuric acid treatment promoted the seed germination (Singh, 2007).
Fig. 7: Collection sites of Chironji in Rajasthan, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh Rajasthan
Madhya Pradesh Gujarat
Freshly shed seeds showed 7-8% moisture and about 90% germinability (Table 3). Seeds on desiccation to about 6% moisture showed a decline in viability by 11-13%. On exposure to LN, a 8% further decline in viability was apparent. The seeds at 6.02% moisture after cryostorage showed about 70% recovery. Lower recovery percentages were seen for seeds exposed to LN at suboptimal moisture levels. Naithani (2001, pers. comm.) recorded similar observations and reported that Buchanania
lanzan seeds stored at fresh moisture content of 16% showed decline in viability to
35-68% after 280 days of storage and those stored at 10 and 7% moisture showed decline in germinabilty (58-88%) on 280 days of storage. The critical moisture content was reported by Naithani (2001, pers. comm.) to be between 6.3 and 12.4%. Based on the desiccation sensitivity and tolerance to freezing, intermediate seed storage behaviour has been ascertained. Naithani (2001, pers. comm.), however, describe recalcitrant seed storage behaviour of chironji seeds. 127 accessions collected from different agroclimatic zones have been successfully cryopreserved at NBPGR (Table 5).
T
able 9.
Passport data of
Buchanania lanzan
(Chir
onji) germplasm collected fr
om various states S . Collector IC Crop B o ta n ic a l N a m e V erna- District S tate Lati- Longi-No. Number Number Name cular gical tude tude Name S tatus 1 M D 8 1 2 552919 Chironji Buchanania lanzan Chawar Wild V adodara Gujarat 22.26 74.13 2 M D 8 1 3 552920 Chironji Buchanania lanzan Chawar Wild V adodara Gujarat 22.20 74.09 3 M D 8 1 4 552921 Chironji Buchanania lanzan Chawar Wild V adodara Gujarat 22.25 74.19 4 M D 8 1 5 552922 Chironji Buchanania lanzan Chawar Wild V adodara Gujarat 21.41 73.68 5 M D 8 1 6 552923 Chironji Buchanania lanzan Chawar Wild V adodara Gujarat 21.41 73.68 6 M D 8 1 7 552924 Chironji Buchanania lanzan Chawar Wild V adodara Gujarat 21.41 73.68 7 M D 8 1 8 552925 Chironji Buchanania lanzan Chawar Wild V adodara Gujarat 21.41 73.68 8 M D 8 4 9 552956 Chironji Buchanania lanzan Chawar Wild Dahod Gujarat 22.63 74.10 9 MDS-10/16 584565 Chironji Buchanania lanzan Chawar Wild V adodara Gujarat 21.41 73.68 1 0 MDS-10/17 584566 Chironji Buchanania lanzan Chawar Wild V adodara Gujarat 21.41 73.68 1 1 MDS-10/18 584567 Chironji Buchanania lanzan Chawar Wild V adodara Gujarat 21.41 73.68 12 M D 8 2 5 552932 Chironji Buchanania lanzan Charoli Wild Dhar M a d h y a P ra d e sh 22.37 75.38 13 M D 8 2 6 552933 Chironji Buchanania lanzan Charoli Wild Dhar M a d h y a P ra d e sh 22.37 75.38
1 4 MD-302 436990 Chironji Buchanania lanzan Achar Wild Raisen M a d h y a P ra d e sh 23.33 77.80 1 5 MD-305 436993 Chironji Buchanania lanzan Achar Wild Raisen M a d h y a P ra d e sh 23.33 77.80 1 6 MD-306 436994 Chironji Buchanania lanzan Achar Wild Sehore M a d h y a P ra d e sh 23.20 77.08 1 7 MD-307 436995 Chironji Buchanania lanzan Achar Wild Raisen M a d h y a P ra d e sh 23.87 75.43 1 8 MD-309 436997 Chironji Buchanania lanzan Achar Wild Hoshangabad M a d h y a P ra d e sh 23.00 78.22 1 9 MD-311 436999 Chironji Buchanania lanzan Achar Wild Hoshangabad M a d h y a P ra d e sh 22.60 78.45 2 0 MD-312 437000 Chironji Buchanania lanzan Achar Wild Hoshangabad M a d h y a P ra d e sh 22.62 77.75 2 1 MD-313 437001 Chironji Buchanania lanzan Achar Wild Hoshangabad M a d h y a P ra d e sh 22.62 77.75 2 2 MD-314 437002 Chironji Buchanania lanzan Achar Wild Betul M a d h y a P ra d e sh 21.97 78.08 2 3 MD-315 437003 Chironji Buchanania lanzan Achar Wild Sagar M a d h y a P ra d e sh 23.62 78.49 2 4 MD-316 437004 Chironji Buchanania lanzan Achar Wild Sagar M a d h y a P ra d e sh 23.42 78.35 2 5 MD-320 437008 Chironji Buchanania lanzan Achar Wild Sagar M a d h y a P ra d e sh 23.56 78.11 2 6 MD-323 437011 Chironji Buchanania lanzan Achar Wild Panna M a d h y a P ra d e sh 24.34 79.81 2 7 MD-324 437012 Chironji Buchanania lanzan Achar Wild Panna M a d h y a P ra d e sh 24.18 80.56 2 8 MD-325 437013 Chironji Buchanania lanzan Achar Wild Panna M a d h y a P ra d e sh 24.31 80.19 2 9 MD-326 437014 Chironji Buchanania lanzan Achar Wild Chattarpur M a d h y a P ra d e sh 24.73 79.95
3 0 MD-327 437015 Chironji Buchanania lanzan Achar Wild Chattarpur M a d h y a P ra d e sh 24.53 79.46 3 1 MD-334 437022 Chironji Buchanania lanzan Achar Wild Chattarpur M a d h y a P ra d e sh 24.66 79.78 3 2 MD-335 437023 Chironji Buchanania lanzan Achar Wild Chattarpur M a d h y a P ra d e sh 24.91 79.63 3 3 MD-336 437024 Chironji Buchanania lanzan Achar Wild Chattarpur M a d h y a P ra d e sh 24.86 79.40 3 4 MD-337 437025 Chironji Buchanania lanzan Achar Wild Chattarpur M a d h y a P ra d e sh 24.58 79.70 3 5 MD-06/24 546107 Chironji Buchanania lanzan Chironji Wild Chittorgarh Rajasthan 24.32 74.40 3 6 MD-06/25 546108 Chironji Buchanania lanzan Chironji Wild Chittorgarh Rajasthan 24.32 74.40 3 7 MD-06/26 546109 Chironji Buchanania lanzan Chironji Wild Chittorgarh Rajasthan 24.32 74.40 38 RS/NSP-22 553215 Chironji Buchanania lanzan Achar/CharWild Chhindwara M a d h y a P ra d e sh 22.21 78.44 39 RS/NSP-23 553216 Chironji Buchanania lanzan Achar/Char Wild Chhindwara M a d h y a P ra d e sh 22.24 78.37 40 RS/NSP-25 553218 Chironji Buchanania lanzan Achar/Char Wild Chhindwara M a d h y a P ra d e sh 22.27 78.36 41 RS/NSP-26 553219 Chironji Buchanania lanzan Achar/Char Wild Hoshangabad M a d h y a P ra d e sh 22.30 78.27 42 RS/NSP-27 553220 Chironji Buchanania lanzan Achar/Char Wild Hoshangabad M a d h y a P ra d e sh 22.38 78.23 43 RS/NSP-28 553221 Chironji Buchanania lanzan Achar/Char Wild Hoshangabad M a d h y a P ra d e sh 22.38 78.23 44 RS/NSP-29 553222 Chironji Buchanania lanzan Achar/Char Wild Hoshangabad M a d h y a P ra d e sh 22.24 78.21 45 RS/NSP-30 553223 Chironji Buchanania lanzan Achar/Char Wild Hoshangabad M a d h y a P ra d e sh 22.46 78.16
46 RS/NSP-31 553224 Chironji Buchanania lanzan Achar/Char Wild Hoshangabad M a d h y a P ra d e sh 22.41 78.09 47 RS/NSP-32 553225 Chironji Buchanania lanzan Achar/Char Wild Hoshangabad M a d h y a P ra d e sh 22.42 77.55 48 RS/NSP-4 553197 Chironji Buchanania lanzan Achar/Char Wild Narsinghpur Madhya P radesh 22.51 79.19 49 RS/NSP-5 553198 Chironji Buchanania lanzan Achar/Char Wild Narsinghpur Madhya P radesh 22.50 79.21 50 RS/NSP-7 553200 Chironji Buchanania lanzan Achar/Char Wild Narsinghpur Madhya P radesh 20.50 79.23 51 RS/NSP-8 553201 Chironji Buchanania lanzan Achar/Char Wild Narsinghpur Madhya P radesh 20.47 79.24 52 RS/NSP-9 553202 Chironji Buchanania lanzan Achar/Char Wild Narsinghpur Madhya P radesh 20.47 79.24 53 RS/NSP-10 553203 Chironji Buchanania lanzan Achar/Char Wild Narsinghpur Madhya P radesh 20.47 79.24 54 RS/NSP-1 553194 Chironji Buchanania lanzan Achar/Char Wild Raisen M a d h y a P ra d e sh 23.06 77.54 55 RS/NSP-2 553195 Chironji Buchanania lanzan Achar/Char Wild Raisen M a d h y a P ra d e sh 23.04 77.55 56 RS/NSP-3 553196 Chironji Buchanania lanzan Achar/Char Wild Raisen M a d h y a P ra d e sh 23.07 77.55 57 RS/NSP-37 553230 Chironji Buchanania lanzan Achar/Char Wild Raisen M a d h y a P ra d e sh 23.28 77.34 58 RS/NSP-33 553226 Chironji Buchanania lanzan Achar/Char Wild Sehore M a d h y a P ra d e sh 22.48 77.40 59 RS/NSP-34 553227 Chironji Buchanania lanzan Achar/Char Wild Sehore M a d h y a P ra d e sh 22.52 77.43 60 RS/NSP-35 553228 Chironji Buchanania lanzan Achar/Char Wild Sehore M a d h y a P ra d e sh 22.52 77.43 61 RS/NSP-11 553204 Chironji Buchanania lanzan Achar/Char Wild Seoni M a d h y a P ra d e sh 22.32 79.35
62 RS/NSP-12 553205 Chironji Buchanania lanzan Achar/Char Wild Seoni M adhya Prade sh 22.19 79.32 63 RS/NSP-13 553206 Chironji Buchanania lanzan Achar/Char Wild Seoni M adhya Prade sh 22.17 79.34 64 RS/NSP-14 553207 Chironji Buchanania lanzan Achar/Char Wild Seoni M adhya Prade sh 22.00 79.30 65 RS/NSP-15 553208 Chironji Buchanania lanzan Achar/Char Wild Seoni M adhya Prade sh 22.00 79.29 66 RS/NSP-16 553209 Chironji Buchanania lanzan Achar/Char Wild Seoni M adhya Prade sh 21.54 79.31 67 RS/NSP-38 553231 Chironji Buchanania lanzan Achar/Char Wild V idisha M adhya Prade sh 23.65 78.15 68 RS/NSP-39 553232 Chironji Buchanania lanzan Achar/Char Wild V idisha M adhya Prade sh 23.40 78.07 69 RS/NSP-17 553210 Chironji Buchanania lanzan Achar/Char Wild Chhindwara Madhy a Prade sh 22.24 78.37 70 RS/NSP-18 553211 Chironji Buchanania lanzan Achar/Char Wild Chhindwara Madhy a Prade sh 22.24 78.37 71 RS/NSP-19 553212 Chironji Buchanania lanzan Achar/Char Wild Chhindwara Madhy a Prade sh 22.24 78.37 72 RS/NSP-20 553213 Chironji Buchanania lanzan Achar/Char Wild Chhindwara Madhy a Prade sh 22.24 78.37 73 RS/NSP-21 553214 Chironji Buchanania lanzan Achar/Char Wild Chhindwara Madhy a Prade sh 22.24 78.37 74 RS/NSP-36 553229 Chironji Buchanania lanzan Achar/Char Wild Bhopal Madhya Pra desh 23.24 77.32