Plant Genetic Resources: Collection and Promising Introductions for arid and semi-arid regions Chopra D. P., Bhandari D. C. National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, Regional Station, Jodhpur. Abstract Both crop-specific and region-specific/multicrop explorations have been carried out by the Regional Station of NBPGR, Jodhpur since its inception in 1965. 7074 collections of diverse crop germplasm have been made from arid and semi-arid regions of Gujarat, Haryana and Rajasthan. Rich variability in germplasm collected comprises pearlmillet (593), chickpea (116), clusterbean (2969), cowpea (206), mothbean (555), mungbean (721), pigeonpea (76), sesame (499), chillies (123) and several other plants (1216) including vegetables, plants of economic importance, etc. Promising accessions have been identified in following agricultural crops: (i) cowpea (vegetable type: NS 24/8–2 (Pusa Aseem), P 460-1-1; grain type: EC 13060, PLC 7); (ii) guar (vegetable type branched: IC 11704 (Sharad Bahar), IC 11388; grain type branched: IC 9065, IC 9229/P3, IC 11521; grain type single stemmed: PLG 80, PLG 85), (iii) moth (FLMO 39, PLMO 55, IC 8851); (iv) mung (EC 35537, PLM 44); and (v) til (EC 43656, EC 43559, IC 14072) which have been recommended for cultivation in arid and semi-arid regions. Among horticultural plants, four varieties of ber, viz. Gola, Seb, Mundia-Marhera and Jogia have been identified which are best suited to this region. An indigenous collection of seedless pomegranate has shown excellent performance. Natal plum (Carissa grandiflora EC 37513) and C. edulis (EC 35952) introduced from USA have shown good performance. Out of a dozen collections of jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis), a liquid-wax yielding plant introduced from USA, one accession (EC 33198) has been found suitable. Among the forage resources, Acacia albida (EC 133772 ex., Senegal), Atriplex canescens (EC 129768), A. halimus (EC 129767), A. numularia (EC 129766), all from Tunisia, and Cassia sturtii (EC 129010 ex. Australia) have been identified which are better suited to this region. Two species of Agave viz. A. americana and A. sisalana were found promising. Top |