COLLECTION OF GERMPLASM FROM WESTERN HIMALAYAS

Abstract

A germplasm collection mission- to the western Himalayas
was undertaken jointly by the International Crops Research
Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics(ICRISAT), PatancherJi and
the National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources(NBPGR), New
Delhi to collect mainly wild Pennisetum, sorghum, finger millet,
pulses including pigeonpea and other crops of local importance
during October 1991. The hill slopes showed preponderance of
primitive agriculture, followed with traditional varieties. Wild
Pennisetum were found growing at 500-3100 m. Two identical
species of Pennisetum viz., P. orientale L. C. Rich and P.
flaccidum Griseb and some more (yet to be identified) were
collected. Sorghum with long drooping panicle branches (broom
corn), pigeonpea, mostly early-maturing types and finger millet
were also collected. In all, a total of 133 samples consisting of
Pennisetum(33), sorghum(11), pigeonpea(7),