Agri-biodiversity Maintained On-farm by Ethnic Groups in Peninsular India: Legacy of Landrace Sustainability in Cereals and Millets

Abstract

The on-farm sustainability of landrace diversity of cereal and millet genetic resources covering 10 crop species was analyzed for Adilabad, Andhra Pradesh, India. It was assessed based on 14 special agri-biodiversity surveys undertaken during 2010-12 for collection and salvaging the current spectrum of genetic diversity from the district. A total of 447 accessions belonging to landrace populations of cereals (172), millets (195) and small millets (80) could be collected during the missions which formed the source of the inventory documentation. In all, 88 named landraces, maximum represented by sorghum (45) and rice (18) could be collected. It was interesting to note that a number of landrace populations collected from the district during early nineties, 81 in rice, 43 in sorghum and three in wheat could not be recollected as these traditional varieties are no longer under cultivation. However, 16 landraces in sorghum and 12 in rice are under continuous patronage of the farming communities for livelihood reasons. A total of 48 new landraces: six in rice, 29 in sorghum, 10 in maize and three in wheat which were not collected earlier could be augmented due to intensive surveying in remote tribal pockets. The data documented is useful for proper planning and adopting appropriate strategies for crop genetic resources management at micro-level in the region and also devising a rational conservation plan, both ex-situ and on-farm.