Biodiversity and Conservation of Tropical Fruits in India

The diverse soil and climatic conditions of India permit growing of a large variety of tropical, subtropical and temperate fruits and nuts in different regions. India is one amongst the twelve mega biodiversity hotspots, with two biodiversity hotspots serving as plant genetic resource repositories. India is currently ranked seventh in terms of agricultural biodiversity worldwide. India has around 117 cultivated species along with 175 wild relatives in the field of fruit and nut crops; however, only 25 of these species have been tamed and used. Due to the wide range of tropical, subtropical, and temperate fruit germplasm spanning multiple genera and species, the conservation of genetic resources for fruit trees is a complicated effort. As a result, effective conservation measures must include approaches that are both in situ and ex situ. India serves as the primary centre of diversity for a number of native fruits, including mangoes, citrus and jackfruit. Aside from these, India is home to a plethora of underutilized fruit types. However, the escalating pressure on land use threatens the wild variants that carry valuable beneficial traits, causing them to decline. Urgent action is needed to safeguard these genetic resources through both in situ and ex situ methods. This article delves into the genetic diversity and conservation strategies for tropical fruits.