Plant genetic resources in hot arid region

Abstract

The Indian hot arid region of Rajasthan is rich in plant genetic resources and is the primary centre of origin of many plant species like moth bean (Vigna aconitifolia), horse gram (Macrotyloma uniflorum), kundru (Coccinia indica), and guggul (Commiphora wightii). The indigenous grasses (Cenchrus ciliaris, C. setigerus, Lasiurus sindicus, Panicum antidotale, P. turgidum, Dichanthium annulatum), shrubs (Acacia jacquemontii, Calligonum polygonoides,Capparis decidua, Cordia gharaf, Haloxylon salicornicum, H. recurvum, Ziziphus nummularia),tree species (Acacia nilotica, A. senegal, Prosopis cineraria, Salvadora oleoides, S.persica, Tecomella undulata) and large number of medicinal and underutilized plant species are dominating the arid region. The land races and folk varieties of indigenous and peasant agriculture were the genetic reservoir for the plant breeders. The plant genetic diversity of hot arid region assumes great significance in view of its adaptability to harsh environmental conditions forming a storehouse of stress tolerance related genes. Genetic information of crop varieties is crucial for the development of heat, drought, salinity, pests and diseases-resistant, fast-growing, high-yielding new varieties; necessary to reduce food insecurity in the changing scenario. Further, biodiversity informatics is important for the documentation of plant genetic resources in hot arid region.