Utilisation Potential and Conservation Issues of Plant Genetic Resources of Andaman & Nicobar Islands: An Outlook of Explorers
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Authors
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K. Pradheep
ICAR-National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, Regional Station, Thrissur, Kerala 680656
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K Joseph John
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I Jaisankar
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V A Muhammed Nissar
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B Augustine Jerard
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PK Singh
Keywords:
Biodiversity hotspots, Crop wild relatives, Ex situ conservation, Plant Exploration, Wild economic plantsAbstract
Andaman & Nicobar Islands form part of two out of 36 world's biodiversity hotspots - the Indo-Burma and Sundaland, respectively,
and assume greater significance for ex situ plant biodiversity conservation, as they hold unique flora of plant genetic resource
importance that are largely unavailable in the genebanks elsewhere. Considering this, five well-planned explorations (2017-20)
spanning over 70 field days were undertaken to broaden the genetic base of crops and promote crop diversification by introducing
new potential crops. Potential germplasm of value as plant genetic resources is briefly highlighted under convenient headings-traitspecific crop germplasm, crop wild relatives with potential traits, new potential crops (including wild edible plants), wild ornamentals, life-supporting species, plants for ecosystem restoration and other wild economic species. In view of natural and man-made disasters, complementary ex situ conservation strategies are strongly advocated to provide additional protection for germplasm and improve utilisation. A few basic and applied research studies have been suggested to unlock the potential of the identified genetic resources.
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References
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