Fruit Crops and Their Varietal Wealth in the Northeastern Region of India: Current Status and Prospects

Abstract

The Northeast region comprises eight states: Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Nagaland, and Sikkim. This region spans approximately 25.608 million hectares, accounting for 7.79% of the total geographical area of the country. The area boasts a distinctive array of living organisms, habitats, and ecosystems, collectively contributing to its rich diversity of resources. The region’s varied climatic conditions support the cultivation of numerous tropical and temperate fruit crops that are highly nutritious. It serves as one of the most abundant sources of genetic variability and diversity among various horticultural crops, including a wide range of fruits, vegetables, spices, ornamental plants, as well as medicinal and aromatic plants. Here in this review paper, we have attempted to summarize the genetic and varietal wealth of important fruit crops that are being grown in these northeastern states of India. Also, the trend in the area and production of fruit crops in northeastern states in the last 10 years has been discussed. This document will help students, researchers, academicians and policy makers to formulate any future planning related to research and development of fruit crops in these areas.