Genetic Resources of Fruit Crops: Achievements and Gaps Chadha K. L., Pareek O. P.* Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi. * Project Coordinator (Arid Zone Fruits), HAU, Hisar. Abstract The Indian sub-continent is the home of many fruits such as mango, Citrus, banana and jackfruit. In the past few centuries in particular, several fruits-custard apple, guava, papaya, pineapple, pomegranate, grape, sapota, apple, pear, peach, plum, almond and other nuts, got introduced in different agro-climatic regions. The paper deals with this diversity of introduced and native fruits now prevalent in tropical, sub-tropical, temperate areas and in stress prone climatic zones such as the arid regions. Gaps in diversity exist and need for collection from other areas of diversityare indicated. Through in situ conservation, the maintenance of fruit crops in 78 centres in the national context is highlighted. It is also stressed that less known native types and wild useful species i.e. ber, limes, jackfruit, aonla, bael, jamun, karonda, (Carissa congesta), phalsa (Grewia subinequalis) and others need to be collected, utilised and conserved. Top |