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During survey, exploration and germplasm collection in parts of Eastern India and National Capital Region of Delhi, mainly Haryana state of India, the authors came to know that two species of Malva locally known as ‘‘lapha’’ being used as a green leafy vegetable in the surveyed areas. Published literature refers same local name and use of Malva parviflora. The critical morphological study of the taxa has delineated two taxa as Malva parviflora L and M. verticillata L, former is a weed of wastelands whereas the latter is grown as vegetable in some parts of Assam, Bihar and West Bengal. M. verticillata is preferred most by locals due to its easy-to-cultivate nature and having high nutritive/therapeutic value, which indicates it’s potential to cultivate during the lean period in those areas where few greens are grown. In the present paper, detailed study on botanical characters, range of distribution and method of utilization of both the taxa in the Indian region has been discussed. The current studies further demonstrated that allied species with similar use and taste are identified as a substitute.

In India, lack of revisionary work in the genus Trichosanthes L. (Cucurbitales: Cucurbitaceae) over the past 38 years had resulted in several taxonomic and nomenclatural issues, which had implications in determining actual distribution status of taxa. Based on field observations, collected specimens, data from various specimens in herbaria and critical study of all the resources available, here we confirm the extended distribution of T. anaimalaiensis Bedd. in the states of Manipur and Nagaland; T. cordata Roxb. in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar; T. cucumerina L. subsp. sublobata (Kundu) K. Pradheep, D.R. Pani & K.C. Bhatt in Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Odisha; T. dicaelosperma C.B. Clarke in Nagaland; T. kerrii Craib in Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur; T. majuscula (C.B. Clarke) Kundu in Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim and Assam; and T. truncata C.B. Clarke in Nagaland. Two taxa, namely, Trichosanthes dicaelosperma and T. majuscula, earlier subsumed with T. ovigera Blume or T. cucumeroides (Ser.) Maxim., and T. dunniana H. Lév., respectively, have been resurrected at the rank of species. Lectotypes were designated for the names of above two species. For the first time, female plants of T. majuscula have been described. This communication provides an updated distribution status of seven taxa of Trichosanthes in India along with field and taxonomic notes, and additional taxonomic characters.

An aquatic cash crop, ‘makhana’ (Euryale ferox Salisb.) was studied for predicted habitat suitability through ‘BioClim’ model for the year 1950–2000 and projected climate data for 2050 and 2070 for the Indian region based on primary data from survey and exploration for germplasm collection by ICAR-National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (ICAR-NBPGR), New Delhi, India. A total of 362 diverse ‘makhana’ or foxnut germplasm accessions were augmented mainly from different districts of Indian state of Bihar and conserved at the National Genebank (NGB) at ICAR-NBPGR, New Delhi. Predicted habitat suitability map of climate for the period 1950–2000 showed that the current locations of the highly suitable areas of cultivation of ‘makhana’ in Bihar were extended to other states namely- Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal in eastern India. Out of the total highly suitable estimated areas, maximum were located in Bihar (65.0 per cent) followed by Uttar Pradesh (12.3 per cent), Jharkhand (12.2 per cent) and West Bengal (10.5 per cent). Based on future predicted climate data for the year 2050 the habitat suitability map indicated that out of the total high suitable areas, Bihar had maximum area as compared to the other three states. Predicted climate data using ‘BioClim’ variables showed that high suitable areas shifted from major part in Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal and negligible areas bordering Katihar district of Bihar. While predicted climate data for the year 2050 and 2070 showed high suitable areas in West Bengal, especially Malda and Dakschin Dinajpur districts completely shrank due to temperature rise; while Uttar Dinajpur (Goal Pokhar-I, Goal Pokhar-II and Islampur districts) appeared as new areas. In Uttar Pradesh, new districts viz. Balrampur and Shravasti were identified as high suitable areas for ‘makhana’ cultivation. As ‘makhana’ is a popular cash crop of eastern part of the country, and has not been cultivated widely in other regions, hence the knowledge on its botany, distribution, cultivation practices and uses are provided.

The study on Himalayan allium spices was undertaken with specific reference to commercially important taxa belonging to the genus Allium viz. A. stracheyi Baker, A. wallichii Kunth, A. przewaliskianum Regel and an Allium ‘new type’. Based on eco-geographical and morphological studies, the ‘new type’ Allium was identified as ‘neodomesticate’ for the western Himalaya region, Uttarakhand, along with other potential less-known taxa viz. A. stracheyi, A. wallichii, and A. przewaliskianum that are yet to be cultivated on large scale in India. Data on morphological characters of all four species when was subjected to statistical analysis Allium ‘new type’ grouped closer to A. przewaliskianum as compared to remaining two taxa. The study is aimed to support use of morphological data in species identification besides enhancing knowledge on propagation, post-harvest methods, conservation status and species uses that would facilitate trade related practices for economic enhancement of the farming communities.

The present paper deals with the report on the potential of Vigna angularis var. nipponensis (Ohwi) Ohwi and H. Ohashi assembled from Northeastern hill region (NEH) of India. The total of four exploration missions were conducted in remote and highaltitude areas of Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram during 2011, 2016, 2017 and 2019 to confirm the occurrence, localities of new distribution and genetic resource study. Preliminary studies on seed germination and morpho-nutritional evaluation of seed of both cultivated and wild forms were also conducted. Conserving precious germplasm of this less represented wild relative of adzuki bean {Vigna angularis (Willd.) Ohwi and Ohashi} assumes great significance for its use in breeding and improvement of Vigna crop group.

Less-known melons belonging to the genus Cucumis melo L. were studied for the Indian region. A total of 39 accessions of distinct types in less-known melons, C. melo subsp. agrestis var. agrestis (local names-‘choti kachri’, ‘badi kachri’, ‘sukkangai’), C. melo subsp. agrestis var. momordica (‘phunt’, ‘vellari’; snap melon), C. melo subsp. agrestis var. conomon (‘sohthiar’; oriental pickling melon), C. melo subsp. melo var. flexuosus (‘kakdi’, ‘tar’; snake melon) and C. melo subsp. agrestis var. alwarensis (‘arya’) were studied for morphological characters of fruit to identify their genetic resource value. Out of 39 accessions, four taxa were selected for nutritional analysis and the floral diversity study on the basis of research gaps, status of diversity in wild and vulnerability in cultivation, and non-availability of comparative account in the context of diversity in the Indian region. Nutritional components of 12 accessions of four taxa-‘choti kachri’ and ‘badi kachri’, snap melon, snake melon and ‘arya’ were analyzed. Additionally, the floral diversity traits were studied to support marker characters and to classify the subspecies under the respective botanical varieties and cultivar delimitation. Morphologically ‘choti kachri’ and ‘badi kachri’ were identical except for the fruit size and weight; arya and snake melon grouped together with snap melon and other intermediate forms; oriental pickling melon was entirely distinct, more closer to the musk melon but had no fruit aroma. Based on floral diversity study, ‘choti kachri’ and ‘badi kachri’ were grouped together whereas snake melon and ‘arya’ were closer and snap melon showed intermediary position. The result of the nutritional analysis clearly demonstrated variability recorded among accessions for all proximate traits in ‘choti kachri (IC629817) which had the highest proteins (2.16–3.67%), ash content (3.059%), crude fat (0.482%), dietary fibre (4.12%), starch content (3.50%), Fe (4.06 mg/100 g), Zn (1.498 mg/100 g), total phenols (29.5%) and ascorbic acid (25.9 mg/100 g) among the studied melon accessions. On the other hand, ‘badi kachri’ (IC629828) had the least protein, crude fat, Cu, Fe, total phenol and ascorbic acid contents followed by snap melon, snake melon and ‘arya’ with moderate to low values of all nutritive traits. The study would facilitate identification of the distinct morphotypes in each category and grouping the intermediate type and unknown taxa. Fruit nutritional analysis will help in using them for desirable nutritional traits for pre-breeding programmes. Besides, the floral diversity can lead to identification of marker characters in crop improvement programme.

Mucuna Adans., commonly known as the velvet bean, has a great potential not only being a genus of medicinal importance in the Indian system of medicine as a source of L-dopa but also as food, livestock feed, cover crop and being tolerant to abiotic stresses. Exploration and germplasm collections were undertaken in different phyto-geographical zones and tribal dominated areas of Odisha in Eastern India to study the species diversity, extent of genetic variability and associated indigenous traditional wisdom. Forty-one germplasm accessions representing five taxa viz. Mucuna monosperma (2), Mucuna nigricans (2), Mucuna gigantea (1), Mucuna pruriens var. pruriens (34) and Mucuna pruriens var. utilis (2) were collected from the state which exhibits a wide range of inter- and intra-specific variability in pod and seed morphology and L-dopa content in seeds, and further conserved in the National Gene Bank, New Delhi. An identification key, significant botanical characters and the systematic treatment for each taxon was provided for easy identification. The promising genotypes having high L-dopa content and the significant agro-morphological traits pertaining to pod and seed were identified for large scale cultivation and they serve as potential source for crop improvement and breeding programmes. The information on indigenous traditional knowledge collected from major tribal communities of Odisha revealed the immense importance of Mucuna for food and healthcare needs, thus some significant ethno-medicinal uses including their mode of administration were presented.

A constituent of the Sundaland Biodiversity Hotspot, Great Nicobar in the Nicobar group of islands, India, is known for rich floristic diversity. As this geographically distinct and southernmost island of India has not been surveyed for plant genetic resources, three survey-cum-exploration trips were undertaken during 2017–2019 to make an inventory of the taxa of importance for food and agriculture, besides their collection for ex situ conservation. These surveys revealed the new distribution of 39 taxa (belonging to 37 genera, 24 families) in this island, including 14 new to the Nicobar group of islands and one to Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Among the 39 taxa, 16 have the importance of being wild relatives of 15 crop species. Fourteen species are classified as naturalized ones (including four globally recognized invasive species); some of them pose potential threat to the ecosystem of this fragile island. Detailed field studies in this remote island will help in better understanding of phytogeography in general and impact of alien species on native plant diversity in particular.

Plant genetic resource collection expedition across various parts of India and herbarium study of Amaranthus and Luffa genera at Botanical Survey of India (BSI), Kolkata and Coimbatore revealed the distribution of 18 plant taxa new to various Indian states/union territory, viz., Arunachal Pradesh (7), Andaman & Nicobar Islands (5), Jammu & Kashmir (3), Andhra Pradesh (2), Manipur (1), and Tamil Nadu (1). Out of these, 14 taxa have importance as wild relatives of 12 crop species. In addition, herbarium studies at the BSI, Kolkata revealed the natural distribution of a cucurbitaceous species – Siraitia siamensis in Myanmar, which remained unnoticed and unreported so far. Locality of herbarium/ germplasm collection, habitat and other field observations have been highlighted here.

Mainstreaming biodiversity in production landscapes ensures conservation and sustainable use of agricultural biodiversity, the key objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the projects supported by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) Global Environment Facility (GEF). Mainstreaming integrates biodiversity in existing or new programs and policies, both cross-sectoral and sector-specific. The conventional model of agricultural production with limited diversity in production systems and use of high chemical input has taught us a valuable lesson as it is adversely impacting the environment, the essential ecosystem services, the soil health and the long term sustainability of our food systems. Using a qualitative participant observation approach, our study investigated four distinct traditional Indian production landscapes to gage (i) the farming communities&rsquo, response to institutional policies, programs and agricultural biodiversity-related activities in traditional Indian production landscapes and (ii) opportunities and challenges for sustainable development in smallholder traditional Indian farming systems. Results indicate that the top-down decision-making regime is the least effective towards achieving sustainable development in traditional Indian farming landscapes and that farmers&rsquo, experiential knowledge on participatory biodiversity management, maintenance and use for sustainable development are of critical importance to India&rsquo, s agriculture and economy. Reclaiming agriculture&rsquo, s spiritual roots through organic farming and locally grown food emerged as key, including the need for designing and implementing a more sovereign food system. Revisiting traditional smallholder farming under the COVID-19 pandemic and lessons learned for repurposing India&rsquo, s agricultural policy are also highlighted.

A field survey across various parts of India coupled with an analysis of the literature and an examination of herbarium specimens revealed the presence of four species of crop wild relatives that have not been reported from India, viz., Dioscorea piscatorum Prain & Burkill (from Little & Great Nicobar), Fagopyrum gracilipes (Hemsl.) Dammer ex Diels (from Arunachal Pradesh), Rubus praecox Bertol. (from Jammu & Kashmir), and Ziziphus subquinquenervia Miq. (from Great Nicobar). While Rubus praecox is naturalised in the Kashmir Valley, Dioscorea piscatorum and Ziziphus subquinquenervia were found truly wild, and Fagopyrum gracilipes occurs as a weed in buckwheat fields and orchards. Ziziphus subquinquenervia has been resurrected from the allied Z. elegans Wall. of peninsular Malaysia and Singapore owing to the distinct diagnostic characters. Their description, phenology, habitat, and other field observations have been highlighted here.

The biodiverse, predominantly crop-livestock mixed-farming in India is key to ensuring resilience to climate change and sustainability of smallholder farming agroecologies. Farmers traditionally grow diverse crops as polyculture, and agriculture is mainly organic/biodynamic with spirituality in food systems deeply ingrained. Job-driven out-migration of rural youths, the family labor force, and globalization of contemporary food choices under corporate industrial agriculture both adversely affect sustainability of traditional farming landscapes and compromise the nutrition and health of rural farming communities. Besides documenting information on general agri-food system policy inputs, our paper presents the results of an exploratory study of four crucial community-level initiatives conducted in four distinct agroecological landscapes of India, aimed at bringing sustainability to traditional farming and food systems. The driving force for fundamental change in agri-food system, and in society, is the question of sustainability. The organic and local food movements are but specific phases of the larger, more fundamental sustainable agri-food movement. While it is very critical to increase farmer livelihood, it is even more important to increase overall rural economy. It was found that four important interventions viz. linking organic agriculture to community-supported agriculture (CSA) initiatives, linking small-holder farming to school meal (MDM) programmes, enhanced market access and value chain development for local agricultural produce, and creation of employment opportunities at community level for rural youths and reducing over-dependence of rural population on agriculture as source of income can make traditional farming more profitable and sustainable. The transition to more sustainable methods of farming by selling the farm produce &ldquo, locally&rdquo, helps both consumers and farmers alike and is considered a future strength of smallholder Indian agriculture.

Impact of climate change is of much concern across the globe in recent years and more specifically to the fragile ecosystems like cold-arid Himalayan region especially from a perspective on biodiversity and its conservation. Hence, collection and conservation of the biodiversity ex situ is a much better option to safeguard species at risk; especially for crop wild relatives with reference to agriculture. We have explored in 2014 and 2015 the cold-arid tracts of Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir states in India and collected 169 accessions of wheat wild relatives comprising 12 taxa, viz., Elymus L. (8/139 acc.), Hordeum L. (2/4) and Leymus Hochst. (2/26) belonging to the tribe Triticeae. New geographic occurrence of six species—Elymus himalayanus (Nevski) Tzvelev, E. repens (L.) Gould, E. schrenkianus (Fisch. et C.A.Mey) Tzvelev, Hordeum brevisubulatum (Trin.) Link subsp. turkestanicum (Nevski) Tzvelev, H. bogdanii Wilensky and Leymus duthiei (Stapf ex Hook.f.) C. Yen, J.L. Yang et B.R. Baum was reported. Broader variability at inter- and intra-specific level in Elymus nutans Griseb., E. dahuricus Turcz. and Leymus secalinus across the ecological amplitude was observed. E. dahuricus population was heterogeneous for waxiness and pigmentation characters. Collected germplasm would serve as a potential resource for introgression of biotic and abiotic stress tolerance genes towards developing resilient wheat cultivars.

During an exploration and germplasm collection trip to Arunachal Pradesh in 2016 besides collection of local crop diversity, traditional knowledge on the method of preparation of a traditional beverage ‘Jumin’ and its nutritional, therapeutic and cultural values were recorded from the Nocte tribe inhabiting in remote localities of Tirap district of Arunachal Pradesh. In present communication, plant diversity collected, ethnobotany and associated traditional knowledge on method of preparation of ‘Jumin’ and its therapeutic, cultural and religious values among the Nocte tribe have been discussed.

During survey and exploration undertaken for collection of germplasm of crop wild relatives from terai region (foothills) of Uttarakhand and parts of Uttar Pradesh, a wild species of okra [Abelmoschus manihot (L.) Medik. subsp. tetraphyllus (Roxb. ex Hornem.) Borss. Waalk.] locally called “Sukhlai” being used as organic clearant in small scale jaggery industry was reported for the first time under cultivation in farmers’ field. There is no specific documentation on its commercial cultivation for the above use. Variability study was undertaken for cultivated and wild types in areas of exploration to work out trends of domestication. Brief information on botany, distribution, genetic resource value and methodology of use of the species in jaggery industry has been discussed.

Kenkatha cattle, a draft purpose breed, which can survive in a harsh environment on low quality forage, was explored genetically exploiting FAO-suggested microsatellite markers. The microsatellite genotypes were derived by means of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by electrophoretic separation in agarose gels. The PCR amplicons were visualized by silver staining. The allelic as well as genotypic frequencies, heterozygosities and gene diversity were estimated using standard techniques. A total of 125 alleles was distinguished by the 21 microsatellite markers investigated. All the microsatellites were highly polymorphic with mean allelic number of 5.95±1.9 (ranging from 3-10 per locus). The observed heterozygosity in the population ranged between 0.250 and 0.826 with a mean of 0.540±0.171, signifying considerable genetic variation. Bottleneck was examined assuming all three mutation models which showed that the population has not experienced bottleneck in recent past. The population displayed a heterozygote deficit of 21.4%. The study suggests that the breed needs to be conserved by providing purebred animals in the breeding tract.

Genetic variation at 25 microsatellite loci, population structure, and genetic bottleneck hypothesis were examined for Ankleshwar poultry population found in Gujrat, India. The estimates of genetic variability such as effective number of alleles and gene diversities revealed substantial genetic variation frequently displayed by microsatellite markers. The average polymorphism across the studied loci and the expected gene diversity in the population were 6.44 and 0.670±0.144, respectively. The population was observed to be significantly differentiated into different groups, and showed fairly high level of inbreeding (f = 0.240±0.052) and global heterozygote deficit. The bottleneck analysis indicated the absence of genetic bottleneck in the past. The study revealed that the Ankleshwar poultry breed needs appropriate genetic management for its conservation and improvement. The information generated in this study may further be utilized for studying differentiation and relationships among different Indian poultry breeds. (Asian-Aust. J. Anim. Sci. 2005. Vol 18, No. 7 : 915-921)

Field surveys across various parts of the country coupled with an analysis of literature and examination of herbarium specimens revealed the natural distribution of six wild relatives of crop species in various states/union territories of India, viz., Cajanus scarabaeoides (from Lakshadweep), Cucumis javanicus (from Meghalaya), Hystrix duthiei (from Jammu & Kashmir), Luffa echinata (from Haryana) and Trichosanthes pilosa (from Andhra Pradesh), which have not been reported earlier from these states. Their descriptions, phenology, habitat and other field notes have been presented here.

Bovine lymphocyte antigen DRB 3.2 (BoLA-DRB3.2) gene encodes for the beta chain of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecule in cattle, which is a glycoprotein present on the surface of antigen-presenting cells. This locus shows extensive polymorphism in it. The objective of the present study was to genotype the BoLA-DRB3.2 locus in Kankrej cattle (n = 50) by PCR-RFLP. Bovine DNA was isolated from aliquots of whole blood. Primers specific for exon 2 of the bovine lymphocyte antigen (BoLA)-DRB3 gene were used to amplify the region. The 304-bp amplified product of the DRB3 gene was separately digested with restriction endonucleases RsaI, BstYI, and Hae III. Twenty-four BoLA-DRB 3.2 alleles were identified with frequencies ranging from 1 to 22.0%. Twenty-one alleles of the total 24 alleles were similar to those reported earlier; 3 alleles were new and had not been reported previously. The allele BoLA-DRB3.2*34 occurred at the highest frequency of 22% (approx.) in the Kankrej animals studied. Six alleles (BoLA-DRB3.2 *34, *15, *06, *20, *37, and *20) accounted for almost 71% of the total alleles observed to be present in the Kankrej animals. All the new alleles observed were present at frequencies of 1%. The results obtained in the present study demonstrated that the BoLA DRB3.2 locus is highly polymorphic in the Kankrej cattle.

Indiaisendowedwithsomemagnificentbreedsofhorsesthathave evolved and adapted to different geographical and eco-logical conditions. Special mention is made of horses of theZanskar region for their exceptional ability to survive andperform under the harsh climatic conditions of their high-altitude habitat (between 3000 and 5000 metres). Thesehorses, with small, strongly built and compact bodies, areknown for their ability to survive on scarce food in the win-ter snow-bound months and yet have incredible stamina andstrength. However, poor management of these animals hasled to dilution of their characteristic features to some ex-tent. The ever-increasing road network and mechanizationhave also led to steep decline in their population and imme-diate conservation measures are required (Bhat