EXPLORATION AND COLLECTION OF GERMPLASM FROM MIZORAM STATE OF NORTH EASTERN INDIA

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1 Indian J. Agric. Res.., 47 (4) : , 2013 AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATION CENTRE / indianjournals.com EXPLORATION AND COLLECTION OF GERMPLASM FROM MIZORAM STATE OF NORTH EASTERN INDIA R.S. Rathi*, S.K. Singh, A.K. Misra and O.P. Dahiya NBPGR Regional Station, Umroi Road, Umiam , India Received: Accepted: ABSTRACT Exploration for collection of multi-crop germplasm diversity was carried out in two different trips, in the state of Mizoram. Six districts, i.e. Kolasib, Aizawl, Serchhip, Lunglei, Lawngtlai and Saiha were surveyed for germplasm collection. The explored area lie in between altitudes 600 to 1900 m above msl. Individual and selective sampling methods for collection were adopted for horticultural crops, while population sampling was made randomly or in bulk for other agricultural crops. Mostly the local landraces and primitive crop cultivars were collected during these exploration trips. It was observed that the main agricultural practice followed by the inhabitants was Jhum (Shifting) cultivation. During these exploration trips, a total of 344 accessions of different agri-horticultural crop germplasm were collected, including cereals pseudo-cereals and millet (81), grain legumes (30), vegetables (85), fruits (19), oilseeds (22), spices (09), medicinal and aromatic plants (32), ornamental plants (58), and others (8). Local indigenous technical knowledge practiced by the farmers was also recorded. Extents of diversity with in the collected accessions have been summarized in this paper. Key words: Crop germplasm, ITKs, Jhum, Northeastern hill Region, Variability. * Corresponding author s ranbirsinghrathi@gmail.com INTRODUCTION Mizoram is one of the eight states of north eastern region of India which consists of eight districts i.e. Aizawl, Champhai, Mamit, Kolasib, Serchhip, Lunglei, Lawngtlai and Saiha. Mizoram (21 57' ' North latitude and 92 15' ' East longitude) located in the extreme southern part of northeastern India, has a geographical area of ha (0.6 % of India s geographical area) out of which 75.6 % area is under the forest (NEC 2002). The state of Mizoram is bordered by Myanmar in the east and south, Bangladesh to the west, while the states of Manipur, Assam, and Tripura bordered to the north. Mizoram is so named because it occupies one of the country s hilliest areas. The terrain is hilly and mostly undulating with the average altitude ranging from 500 to 800 m and the maximum reaching 2,157 m in the Blue Mountains, the highest peak in Saiha district, which is considered to be house of many rare medicinal and aromatic plants. The diverse topography and agro-ecological conditions has a large number of different agrohorticultural crops, which are well adapted to these situations. Livelihood of about 75 % population of Mizoram is dependent on agriculture. Both terraced and shifting cultivation (also known as slash-andburn agriculture) are common feature. The characteristic crops that are grown in the explored areas are rice, maize, sorghum, mustard (mainly leafy types), soybean, cowpea, french bean, jack bean, rice bean, Solanum spp., chilies, garlic, onion, pumpkin, bottle gourd, bitter gourd, cucumber, sesame and cotton. Horticultural crops cultivation in the state of Mizoram is unique, which is completely organic in nature. The fruits like orange, lemon, satkara, pineapple and banana grow well. Chowchow (Sechium edule) is the only vegetable that grows in plenty and exported from the state (Pal et al., 2004). A large number of medicinal plants are reported from the blue mountain area, which is also known as Phangpui National Park. The blue mountain area is rich in Rhododendron spp. population. The hilly slopes are covered with dense evergreen forest rich in valuable timber trees, reeds,

2 bamboo, wild banana, ornamentals plants and flowers including orchids, begonias and geraniums. MATERIALS AND METHODS Survey and collection of multi-crop germplasm diversity was carried out in two different trips, in the state of Mizoram. In these exploration tours six districts, i.e. Kolasib, Aizawl, Serchhip, Lunglei, Lawngtlai and Saiha were surveyed for germplasm collection (Fig. 1). The explored area lies between 600 to 1900 m altitudes above msl. Standard practice and procedure of collection of germplasm developed by NBPGR was followed (Pareek et al., 2000). Mostly the local landraces and primitive crop cultivars of germplasm were the targets of the collection. Selective and bulk method was followed as per the population/quantity of germplasm material available. The collection of germplasm was concentrated in the area where the possibilities of maximum diversities are available depending upon the local information based on state agriculture departments, village Headman and local farmers. The remote and unexplored localities were given priority for the collection. The desired genotypes were collected on various agricultural and horticultural crops and the variability was critically observed and recorded. The sampling was done both from household store and crop fields. This was collected in the form of seed, bulbs, corms, rhizomes, tubers, etc. according to the crop and their mode of propagation. Sampling was made in fruit form in case of Citrus spp., which is recalcitrant in nature. Passport data on each accession was recorded at the time of collection, following the standard procedure. The indigenous traditional knowledge (ITK) for conserving the seeds and other agricultural practice by Mizo people were also recorded. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION During the exploration and collection programmes a total of 344 samples of different agrihorticultural crops were collected (Fig 2). It was observed that Blue Mountains area is very rich for maize diversity and hot-spot for many other useful medicinal, aromatic and ornamental plants. Mixed cropping system is also very popular in Sangau area of Saiha district, and the farmers prefer minor millets such as Italian millet, foxtail millets with maize and upland/hilly rice. The diverse material collected from different agro-ecological zones is the result of Vol. 47, No. 4, traditional crop improvement. Based on the ITK of farmers and the data collected, it was observed that the altitude plays an important role in variation (Subba et al., 2001). Farmers of the hilly region are traditionally dependent on their skill and natural resources to grow the crops what they need (Rai, 1995) and continue to grow the local landraces due to its adaptability in their environment, availability of seed, low input requirements, quality, taste and tolerance/resistance to different biotic/abiotic stresses. 1. Cereals, pseudo-cereals and millets A total of 81 accessions of cereals and pseudo-cereals were collected. The rich variability was observed in rice and maize. It was observed that sticky rice is preferred in this area. There are more than 50 predominant local landraces are available of rice in the state (Sharma and Hore 1993; Hore, 2005). As per the State Biodiversity Board estimates, as many as 48 varieties/ landraces of upland paddy and 38 of lowland paddy are common in Mizoram (Anonymous 2010). Out of these, 35 landraces were collected along with related ITK. Major accessions of rice were collected such as Buhnmtui (IC374480, cold tolerant), Lianram (IC374481, sticky red), Faresen (IC374482, fine quali ty and easy cooking), Fangsintial Buh (IC374484, chapati making), Thadow (IC374487, sticky rice), Vuithup (IC374501, long seeded), Risaw (IC upland rice), Idaw (IC326302, long seeded tall variety), Fengsiri (IC374616, upland sticky rice), Thangbuang (IC326126, scented), Kung Umaig Mey (IC374474), Buhban (IC326137, fine quality), Soze (IC326309), Cheural (IC , bold seeded), Zotawn (IC326223, tall and bold seeded), Shian (IC326224, wide adaptability), Kyly saipa (IC326270, bold and awned) and Rawnghorh (IC326273, tall, late and scented). The landrace Faresen (IC374482) collected from Saiha district was popular in Mizo community for its fineness and good cooking quality. Landrace Thangbuang (IC and IC ), an aromatic rice was collected from Thangbuang and Pangkhua villages near Myanmar border, respectively. The collected rice landraces namely, Soze (IC326309), Kylysaipa (IC326270) and Cheural (IC326218) having bold seed and high yield. The landrace Shian (IC326224) collected from Tuipang area had wider adaptability and awned type. The Rawnghorh (IC326273) was tall (

3 298 INDIAN JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH Fig. 1: Area of Mizoram states explored during collection of germplasm. cm) and scented type was also collected from Tuipang lower area. In maize, a total of 38 germplasm were collected. A wide range of variability was observed in the collected material for grain colour, grain texture, cob size and shape. The accession number IC was collected from village Pangkhua, Sangau from highly steeped field. The plant bearing

4 Vol. 47, No. 4, FIG. 2: Share of different crop-groups in collected germplasm 5-10 tillers and fruiting was observed on top of the plant, the cob length was measured 5-7 cm with yellow small seed. Another distinct germplasm IC was collected from Sangau area with an altitude of 1250 msl, which bears 4-6 numbers of cobs per plant with purple seed. Popcorn type of maize (IC and IC374503) was collected from Sangau, the plant had 4-6 cobs and height of plant was recorded 1.5 m. Early type maize IC was also collected. Local cultivars namely, Engte (IC326219), Puckzo (IC326120), Lalchwangpui (IC326225), Thalthumai (IC326227), Pualogo (IC374503) and Mimban (IC374485) were collected. In addition, Sorghum bicolor L. (Moench) (03), Coix lacryma-jobi L. (02), Setaria italica L. (02) and Amaranthus viridis L. (01) were also collected. 2. Grain legumes A total of 30 accessions were collected in grain legumes such as cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), rice bean (Vigna umbelleta), soybean (Glycine max), French bean (Phaeseolus vulgaris), sem bean (Phaseolus lunatus), pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) and winged bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus). The local people preferred to grow the beans in kitchen garden and consumed in the form of vegetables as well as pulses. The perennial type pigeon pea (IC326206) was collected from Kolasib district, locally known as Behliang. The farmers are growing this crop only for the green pods and consumed as vegetable. 3. Vegetables Eighty five accessions of different kinds of vegetables were collected. These are brinjal (Solanum melongena), okra (Abelmoschus esculentus), cucumber (Cucumis sativus), bitter gourd (Momordica charantia), chillies (Capsicum annum), pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima), yam (Dioscorea alata), taro (Colocasia esculenta), snake gourd (Trichosanthes anguina), bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria), watermelon (Citrullus lanatus), cherry tomato (Lycopersicon pimpini folium), tree tomato (Cyphomandra betacea), chow-chow (Sechium edule), raddish (Raphanus sativus) and roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa). Mizo people have grown a wide range of vegetables in the kitchen garden. The local names of these vegetables are given in Table 1. The vegetable seeds were sown along the boundary of the field or in patches considered unsuitable for the cultivation of major crop i.e. paddy and maize. The sowing time of vegetables crop is March/April. The rich variability was observed in collected accessions of brinjal for morphological characters such as fruit size, fruit colour, fruit shape and number of fruits. Among the cucurbits (cucumber, bitter

5 300 INDIAN JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH TABLE 1: Collected crop diversity with their botanical, vernacular names and family. English Name Botanical Name (s) Family Vernacular Name Ash gourd Benincasa hispida (Thunb.) Cogn. Cucurbitaceae Maipawl Bitter brinjal Solanum gilo Raddi. Solanaceae Samtrawk Bitter gourd Momordica charantia L. Cucurbitaceae Changkhaw Bottle gourd Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) Standley. Cucurbitaceae Tuithawl Brinjal Solanum melongena L. Solanaceae Bawkbawn Chandramul Kaempferia galanga L. Zingiberaceae Aidu Chilies Capsicum frutescens L. Solanaceae Hmarchapui, Hmarrchate Chow-chow Sechium edule (Jacq.) Sw. Cucurbitaceae Um-ei Citrus Citrus medica L., C. sinensis Pers. Rutaceae Zamin, Serthur Clerodendron Clerodendron infortunatum L. Verbenaceae Phuinam Cowpea Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. Fabaceae Behlawi Cucumber Cucumis sativus L. Cucurbitaceae Fangma Devil s tree Alstonia scholaris L. Apocynaceae Thurniat Fish plant Spilanthes acmella L. Compositae Ankasa French bean Phaseolus vulgaris L. Fabaceae Berouh, Behlawi Gooseberry Emblica officinalis Gaertn. Euphorbiaceae Zawngtah Ginger Zingiber officinale Rosc. Zingiberaceae Thing Greater galangal Alpinia galanga (L.) Wilid. Zingiberaceae Aichal Helicia Helicia nilagrica Bedd. Proteaceae Sialhma, Salanu Job s tear Coix lacryma-jobi L. Poaceae Mumta Maize Zea mays L. Poaceae Vaimin Musk melon Cucumis melo L. Cucurbitaceae Hmazil Mustard Brassica juncea (L.) Czern. & Coss. Brassicaceae Antam Okra Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench. Malvaceae Bawrsaibae Okra (wild) Abelmoschus manihot (L.) Medik. Malvaceae Apahnia Orchid Vanda spp, Eria spp, Cymbidium spp Orchidaceae Nuban Paddy Oryza sativa L. Poaceae Buh Papaya Carica papaya L. Caricaceae Htingkhangma, Nuhun Perilla Perilla frutescens (L.) Britton Lamiaceae Chhawhchi Pigeon pea Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp. Fabaceae Behliang Pumpkin Cucurbita maxima Duch. Cucurbitaceae Mai Quail grass Celosia argentea L. Amaranthaceae Lengser Radish Raphanus sativus L. Brassicaceae Moola Red Sorrel Hibiscus subdariffa L. Malvaceae Anthur Rice bean Vigna umbelleta (Thunb.) Ohwi & Ohashi. Fabaceae Bete Sem bean Phaseolus lunatus L. Fabaceae Behlawi Sesame Sesamum indicum L. Pedaliaceae Chhawhchhi Snake gourd Trichosanthes anguina L. Cucurbitaceae Berul, Baukhawnrul Sorghum Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench. Poaceae Faisa Soybean Glycine max (L.) Merr. Fabaceae Bekang Sweet gourd Momordica cochinchinensis Spreng. Cucurbitaceae Changkha Taro Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott Araceae Bal Tomato Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. Solanaceae Sapbawkbawn Trevesia Trevesia moluccana Miq. Araliaceae Kawhtebe Water melon Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Mats & Nakai. Cucurbitaceae Dawnfawh Wild solanum Solanum indicum L. Solanaceae Berulte Winged bean Psophocarpus tetragonolobus (L.) DC. Fabaceae Bepuithlani Yam Dioscorea alata L. Dioscoreaceae Bahra Zanonia Zanonia indica L. Cucurbitaceae Maitamtok gourd, pumpkin), the variability in terms of their fruit size, fruits skin colour and luster were observed. It was observed that the Solanum gilo has been grown in every Jhum field for vegetable purpose and consumed on large scale. The local people used dried stem of taro for various types of vegetable preparation. The tribal people also used yam as pig feed. Cultivation of chillies is very popular in Mizoram. The vernacular name of chilies is Hmarchapui and Hmarrchate. The local people

6 consume chilies very much in different food preparations. Farmers of Serchhip district cultivating chilies in large scale and supplying to other states (Singh et al., 2007). The chilies were also found growing in each and every kitchen garden. 4. Fruits In fruits crops, a total of 19 germplasm were collected belong to Citrus spp., papaya (Carica papaya), mango (Mangifera indica), guava (Psidum guajava), passion fruit (Passiflora edulis), amla (Emblica officinalis) and fig (Ficus carica), etc. It was observed that the region is very rich particularly for Citrus species and grown in almost every household and kitchen gardens. Various species of Citrus collected from the state were C. medica L. (Citron), C. karna Raffin. (Karna khatta), C. reticulata Blanco (Mandarin orange), C. sinensis Pers. (Sweet orange) and C. grandis L. (Pummelo). This is in conformation of earlier report (Hore et al., 1997). The variability was observed in fruit size and shape. It was also noted that passion fruit (IC326282) were available in the forest area of district Saiha, and the same was collected from the area. 5. Oilseeds In oil yielding crops a total of 22 genotypes were collected. The brake-up of these crops are: Brassica juncea var. rugosa (09), Perilla spp (09), Sesamum indicum (03) and Jatropha curcas (01).The farmers are extracting the oil from Perilla seeds and consumed in their dai ly dietary preparations. The vernacular name of Perilla is Chhawhchi. Perilla is grown for oil purpose only. The triblal people of the state crushed the seeds of Perilla and used in the form of paste (Chutney). Local inhabitants also prepared one kind of dish by mixing Perilla seeds with bamboo shoots. Two species namely, P. crispa, bold and white seeded and P. frutescens, black seeded were collected. Mainly the leafy Brassica was available in this area and people are consumed this in the form of vegetable. In sesame there are two landraces namely, Chibung and Chhirit. 6. Spices A total of 09 spices namely, ginger (08) and garli c (01) were collected duri ng the exploration. Mizo people used to consume a number of spices in their daily food preparations. Ginger was the main commercial crop, grown in large scale in Jhum fields. The productivity of Vol. 47, No. 4, ginger is reported highest in Mizoram amongst the NEH states (Rahman et al., 2009). Mizoram is known for cultivating ginger with low fibre content. The local culi vars of gi nger reported are, Thingladium, Thingpuidum, Thingria, Jugijan and Sawhthing. 7. Medicinal and Aromatic plant Entire state is rich for medicinal and aromatic plants. Phangpui National Park situated at Blue Mountain Hills, is one of the major hotspot for most of the medicinal and horticultural plants. During the present exploration a total of 32 medicinal plants were collected. The medicinal plants like Alpinia galanga, Alstonia scholaris, Clerodendrum infortunatun, Garcinia cowa, Helicia erratica, Kaempferia galanga, Potentilla mooniana, Scindapsus officinalis, Tetramieles nudiflora, Trevesia palmata, Celosia cristata, Vetiveria zizanioides and Zanonia indica were collected. Ethnobotanical uses of medicinal plants were also collected. The mizo people are using the leaves of Garcinia cowa to cure jaundice problem and roots are used for malaria treatment. The leaves of Clerodendrum infortunatun used to cure hypertension. The leaves of Zanonia indica taken with milk and butter as antispasmodic and frui t j ui ce i s used as anti dote of the venomous bites of the Gecko, locally known as Shal-lalam. Fruit of Scindapsus officinalis used as stimulant, diaphoretic, carminative and authlmintic. Its decoction of green leaves used for cure of asthma and as vegetable. 8. Ornamental Plants A total of 58 accessions of ornamental plants were collected. This includes 40 species of orchids ( Vanda, Eri a, Dendrobi um and Cymbidium). The vernacular name for orchids is Nauban and it is used in many ways for ornamental and medicinal purpose also. Other ornamentals include Bryophyllum pinnatum, H edychium coronarium, H eliconia rostata and Sterlitzia reginae (bird of paradise). 9. Other Plants Other accessions collected were Coffea arabica (02), Crotalaria juncea (02) Gossypium arboretum (02), Camellia kissi (01) and Nicotiana tabacum (01).

7 302 INDIAN JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH 10. Conservation Status To facilitate effective utilization of the plant genetic resources, it is important that germplasm are evaluated for productivity, crop duration, resistance to biotic and abiotic stress and quality of produce (Rai et al., 2004). A to tal co llect ed accessi o ns, t he N BPGR Regional Station, Shillong has retained planting material of fruits (19), vegetables (04), spices (08) and medicinal plants (32) accessions for established in the field gene bank while the seed material were properly dried, cleaned and di spatched to the Nati o nal Gene Bank, NBPGR, New Delhi as voucher sample, for ultimate storing in long term module. 11. Traditional agriculture practice in Mizoram: General Observations Agriculture of the Mizos has always been centered on age old practice of Jhum or shifting cultivation. The sizes of the plots observed between 1.5 and 3 hectares per family. Generally Jhum sites selection done in November/December and felling of the vegetation is finished by mid February. Thereafter, the dried vegetation set on fire preferably before the early rains in mid March. After cleaning of unburned debris, the plot is ready for cultivation. The agro-climatic conditions of Mizoram are conduci ve to agricultural and horticultural crops. Mixed cropping is a common practice observed in the state. Paddy remains the principal crop whereas vegetables and pulses cultivated for household consumption. Now a days, cash crops such as ginger, turmeric, chilies, oilseeds (mainly brassicas), maize, sugarcane, etc. are found to be grown in some of the farmers fields. Citrus and pi neapples have been in cultivation since time immemorial and also reported in this exploration. It was also observed that certain new horticultural crops such as black pepper, cardamom, Jatropha curcas, vanilla etc. have also been taken by the farmers and state government is also shoeing keen interest to popularize these crops. It was also observed that the farmers have adopted the conservation practices on different crops through their local knowledge for e.g., every household having a place to keep their seeds over the fire place and seeds remain disease and pest free for next year sowing. CONCLUSIONS Substanti al plant di versi ty for agrihorti cultural crops exi sts in Mizoram. The diversity includes cereals pseudo-cereals and millet (81), grain legumes (30), vegetables (85), fruits (19), oilseeds (22), spices (09), medicinal and aromatic plants (32), ornamental plants (58), and o thers (8). Many cro ps ar e used f or medicinal purposes and income generation viz. Alpinia galanga, Clerodendrum infortunatun, and Kaempferia galangal. Selection of plants in the states is a social phenomenon, a relationship between the society and the available plants diversity is obvious and this social phenomenon depends on customs and rituals. Farmers have adopted certain innovative method of cultivation and storage of seeds (germplasm). The crop germplasm material, which is the main source of livelihood, needs to be improved in the benefit of local farmers and their households. The ethnobotani cal knowledge among the people of Mizoram is commendable. Continuous practice of shifting cultivation (Jhum) by the local tribal populati ons has been a maj or threat to sustainable diversity management particularly in the region. Other problems i n di versi ty conservation and development related to socieoeconomic composition in Mizoram. For effective plant genetic resources management t here i s ard ent need f or collaborative approach among the government and other local agencies. Diversity mapping should be done on pri ori ty for effecti ve management, conservation and use of crop species and their relatives. There is a need to develop/ identify new genotypes on major crops and cro ppi ng system. Ef fo rt s needed fo r strengthening of on-farm conservation in the state for safeguarding of traditional varieties/ germplasm. Underuti li zed and new plant germplasm resources need to be identified for the region. More research efforts need to be given on in situ conservation of endangered species, ex situ conservation in field gene banks and in vitro storage and cryopreservation of important germplasm. Germplasm screening for processing and diversified uses specially the wild relatives of economic plants need to be expedited.

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