AGRI-HORTICULTURAL BIODIVERSTIY OF TEMPERATE AND COLD ARID REGIONS
Authored By Nazir Ahmed Zeerak, Shafiq A. Wani
Hardback
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The book describes the existing Plant Biodiversity of Agri-horticultural importance of temperate (Kashmir) and cold arid (Ladakh) Himalayan regions of India. The diversity presented is based on actual survey conducted by the authors across the regions over the last several yeaThe contents of the book include the available varietal wealth, both in wild as well cultivated forms, existing within all major economic plant groups of the regions viz Cereals, Pulses, Oilseeds, Spice and Condiments, Forages, Vegetables, Ornamentals, Fruits and Nuts and Underutilized Plants. Technical, English and Kashmiri/Ladakhi names of plants of economic importance are given along with brief notes on their status and utility. The work will be helpful to researchers and students working in the fields of Plant Biodiversity, Plant Breeding, Horticulture and Economic Botany. It can specifically serve as a ready reference book for researchers and planners working on management and conservation of plant genetic resources of Indian Himalayan regions.
Preface
Acknowledgements
Introduction
Chapter-1 : Cereals
1.1 Maize - Zea mays Linn
1.1.1 Traditional Farmers Varieties/Land races
1.1.2 State Released Varieties
1.2 Wheat - Triticum aestivum Linn
1.3 Barley - Hordeum vulgare Linn
1.4 Rice - Oryza sativa Linn
1.4.1 Land races/Farmer’s varieties
1.4.2 State Released Varieties
Chapter-2 : Pulses
2.1 Soybean-Glycine max (Linn) Merr
2.2 Peas-Pisum sativum Linn
2.3 Green Gram-Vigna radiata (Linn.) Wilczek syn
2.4 Rice Bean-Vigna umbellata (Thunb) Ohwi and Ohashi
2.5 Moth Bean-Vigna aconitifolia (Jacq). Marechal
2.6 Black Gram-Vigna mungo Linn
2.7 Cow Pea-Vigna unguiculata (Linn.)
2.8 Yard Long Bean-Vigna sesquipedalis
2.9 Broad Bean-Vicia faba
2.10 Common Vetch-Lathyrus sativa
2.11 Kidney Beans-Phaseolus vulgaris Linn
2.12 Lentils- Lense culinaris Medik
2.13 Pigeon Pea-Cajanus cajan Mill
2.14 Chick Pea-Cicer arietinum Linn
Chapter-3 : Oilseeds
3.1 Brown sarson-Brassica campestris Linn var. Brown sarson
3.2 Linseed/Linum usitatissumum Linn
Chapter-4 : Spices & Condiments
4.1 Chillies-Capsicum annuum Linn
4.2 Black Mustard-Brassica nigra (Linn) Koch
4.3 Fenugreek-Trigonella foenum-graecum Linn
4.4 Coriander-Coriandrum sativum Linn
4.5 Fennel-Feoniculum vulgare Mill
4.6 Shallots/Top Onion-Alium cepa var. viviparum (Metz)
4.7 Garlic-Allium sativum
4.8 Leek-Allium porum
4.9 Great Headed Garlic-Allium ampelloprasum
4.10 Chinese Chives-Allium tuberosum
4.11 Kala Zeera-Bunium persicum (Boiss) Fedts
4.12 Asafoetida-Ferula northex
4.13 Saffron-Crocus sativus Linn.RC
Chapter-5 : Fruits and Nuts
5.1 Apple-Malus pumila Syn. Malus sylvestris Borkh
5.1.1 Early Season Varieties
5.1.2 Mid Season Varieties
5.1.3 Late Season Varieties
5.1.4 Indigenous Early Season Varieties
5.1.5 Indigenous Late Season Varieties
5.1.6 Mid Summer Cider Varieties
5.1.7 Himalayan Crab Apples
5.1.8 State Released Apples Varieties
5.1.9 Apples varieties of Ladakh Region
5.2 Pear-Pyrus communis Linn var. sativa De
5.2.1 Commercial Cultivars
5.2.2 Indigenous Pear Varieties
5.3 Apricot-Prunus armeniaca Linn
5.4 Plums-Prunus domestica Linn
5.4.1 Japanese Group of Plums
5.4.2 European Group of Plums
5.4.3 Indigenous Varieties of Plum
5.5 Cherry
5.5.1 Sour Cherry (Prunus cerasus)
5.5.2 Sweet Cherry (Prunus avium L.)
5.6 Almonds-Prunus dulcis syn. P. amygdalis
5.6.1 Traditional Almond Varieties
5.6.2 State Released Almond Varieties
5.7 Peach-Prunus persica Stoches
5.8 Walnut-Juglans regia Linn
5.8.1 Indigenous Walnut types of Kashmir
5.8.2 State Released Walnut Varieties
5.9 Pomegranate-Punica granatum Linn
5.10 Grapes-Vitis vinifera Linn
Chapter-6 : Vegetables
6.1 Kales-Brassica.oleracea Linn. var acephala
6.2 Cauliflower-Brassica. oleracea. var botrytis linn. Subvar.cauliflora Dc
6.3 Cabbage-Brassica oleraceae. var capitata Linn.
6.4 Khol Rabi-Brassica. oleraceae var. gonglodes Linn.
6.5 Turnip-Brassica campestris Linn. sub sp. rapifera (Metzg) Sinsk
6.6 Radish-Raphanus sativa Linn.
6.7 Onion-Allium cepa
6.8 Tomato-Lycoprsicon esculentum Mill
6.9 Brinjal-Solanum melongena
6.10 Potato-Solanum tuberosum Linn
6.11 Cucumber-Cucumis sativus Linn
6.12 Summer Squash-Cucurbita pepo. LWC
6.13 Pumpkin-Cucurbita moschata Dushesne ex Poir
6.14 Ridge Gourd-Lufa acutangla (Linn) Roxb
6.15 Bottle Gourd-Lagenaria siceraria Standle
6.16 Spoge Gourd-Lufa cylindrica. Roem
6.17 Bitter Gourd-Memordica charentia L. RC ; Kash. Karael
6.18 Carrots-Daucus carota Linn var. sativa
6.19 Bell pepper-Capsicum annuum L.
6.20 Cultivated Pigweed-Chenopodium album L
6.21 Spinach-Spinacia oleracea L
6.22 Faba Beans-Vicia faba
6.23 Ladies Finger-Abelmoschus esculentus Moench
6.24 Lettuce-Lactuca sativa L
6.25 Green Peas-Pisum sativum
6.26 French Bean-Phaseolus vulgaris L
6.27 Lima Bean-Paseolus lunatus Linn
Chapter-7 : Forages
7.1 Cultivated Forages
7.2 Wild Forages
7.3 Natural Grasses
7.4 Tree Fodders
Chapter-8 : Medicinal Plants
Chapter-9 : Ornamental Plants
9.1 Woody Perennials
9.2 Annuals/Perennial Ornamental Herbs
Chapter-10 : Lesser Known and Underutilized Plants
10.1 Fruits
10.2 Herbal Vegetables
10.3 Psuedocereals
10.4 Narcotic Plants
10.5 Plants used for Fibre
10.6 Plants with Miscellaneous Uses
10.6.1 Worship/Religious ceremonies
10.6.2 Dyes and Tanins
10.6.3 Beverages
10.6.4 Hair Washes
10.6.5 Perfumery/Cosmetics
10.6.6 Soap and Alkali
Chapter-11 : Native Plant Bio-diversity of Indian Sub-Himalayan Regions – An Overview
11.1 How much Plant Bio-diversity is in the Regions?
11.2 Evaluation and Conservation of Native Plant Biodiversity
11.2.1 Conservation activities already carried out
11.2.2 Activity areas which need to be addressed
References
Index of English and Scientific Names
Index of Plant and Varietal Names
Preface Biological diversity is essential to life on earth. It contributes to the regulations of the climate and functioning of the biosphere. It also provides millions of human beings with their means of subsistence, secures their food supplies and provides many traditional medicines and remedies. However, the human greed, lack of knowledge, unplanned industrial and other human activities, social and economic factors have led to the imbalance in ecosystems causing catastrophic climatic changes world over. This has indirectly destroyed the habitats of millions of plant and animal species which till date has caused extinction of several species and sharp decline in the population sizes of others thus shrinking the biodiversity resources – the common heritage of mankind. Realizing the importance of biodiversity for human survival a great concern is being felt globally over the loss of biodiversity resources and accordingly an increased recognition has been imparted to the value of biodiversity and its essential role in promoting sustainable development and poverty alleviation. In this regard International aggrements like Convention on Biological Diversity stands passed by United Nations FAO during 1992 and ratified by member nations including India. The Convension focused on the importance of Biodiversity, reflected the world wide concern for preventing unfair exploitation of biological resources and reaffirmed the sovereign rights of member nations over their biological resources. It also recommended the nations to protect the traditional knowledge and customary practices related to the use of biological resources. In response a National Agricultural Technological Project was launched by Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and all diversity rich areas of the country including Sub-Himalayan zones, were brought under it for documentation of plant biodiversity and its sustainable management and use. The people residing in the North Western Himalayan temperate and cold arid regions of Kashmir & Ladakh have been dependent on native biodiversity for their livelihood food and shelter. Historical facts stand testimony that biodiversity has always remained intricately associated with the people of the regions for providing them with the resources essential for sustaining life. Plant genetic resource in particular have played an important role in development of the societies and cultures of the regions, and in providing the livelihood sources. However, during the last five to six decades, due to unprecedented population expansion, total change in landuse pattern, deforestation and uncontrolled tourism substantial losses to the biodiversity resources have occurred but neither the government agencies nor the general public are much aware about it. In order to halt the trend and safeguard the livelihood securities and cultural identities of the people of the region it is imperative to realize the importance of biodiversity and rise to the occasion for conserving existing diversity and its judicious use. The present publication is an attempt in this regard so as to highlight the rich plant biodiversity of the region, bring it to the knowledge of the researchers, planners and general public so that steps are taken for sustainably maintaining and managing it. Authors are confident that once people are better informed about what biodiversity loss actually means - economically, environmentally, ethically and emotionally – they will demand action for its restoration. Authors appeal to all nature lovers and conscience citizens of the regions to rise to the occasion and be a part of collective efforts for conservation of the plant genetic resources so that our common cultural heritage and social identities get preserved for posterity.
Keywords
plant biodiversity, himalayan regions, india, kashmir, ladakh, surveys, plant species, economic plant groups, varietal wealth, cereals, pulses, oilseeds, spice and condiments, forages, vegetables, ornamentals, fruits and nuts, underutilized plants, technical names, economic importance, status, utility, researchers, students, plant breeding, horticulture, economic botany, conservation, genetic resources