Articles
PRESENT STATUS AND FUTURE PROSPECTIVE OF UNDERUTILIZED POME FRUITS IN INDIA
Article number
918_121
Pages
925 – 931
Language
English
Abstract
India is one of the most significant and unique countries in the world from the point of view of fruit genetic resources and fruit diversity.
Over 300 species of fruits, including temperate, subtropical and tropical, are growing in the country.
Among the pome fruits, in addition to cultivated fruits like apple and pear, a wide range of wild, temperate pome fruits occur in the Indian Himalayas.
These include several species of Malus, Pyrus, Sorbus, Cydonia, Cotoneaster, Crataegus, Pyracantha, Diospyrus and Docynia. Several of these species are being maintained in field genebanks or orchards.
However, with changing climatic conditions, especially in the Himalayas, some of the temperate field genebanks must shift to new locations with more favourable conditions for growth and reproduction.
In situ sites need to be monitored for loss and migration of germplasm.
A formal unit must be established in the institutes to monitor and analyze climate change impacts in this area especially to track the loss and movement of diversity.
With the growing purchasing power and curiosity of Indian consumers, there are emerging opportunities to strengthening the commercialization of underutilized pome fruits with high nutritional potential and taste appeal.
Poor production and postharvest handling procedures practiced in the region lead to heavy losses of traditional pome fruit products, while weak infrastructure handicaps marketing prospects.
Solutions to these problems lie in the establishment of organized systems of production and suitable postharvest handling procedures, including controlled atmosphere storage facilities, refrigerated transport system, good roads, etc.
Exploitation of underutilized pome fruit crops will not only benefit India, but also cater to the increasing demand for exotic products in the international market.
Over 300 species of fruits, including temperate, subtropical and tropical, are growing in the country.
Among the pome fruits, in addition to cultivated fruits like apple and pear, a wide range of wild, temperate pome fruits occur in the Indian Himalayas.
These include several species of Malus, Pyrus, Sorbus, Cydonia, Cotoneaster, Crataegus, Pyracantha, Diospyrus and Docynia. Several of these species are being maintained in field genebanks or orchards.
However, with changing climatic conditions, especially in the Himalayas, some of the temperate field genebanks must shift to new locations with more favourable conditions for growth and reproduction.
In situ sites need to be monitored for loss and migration of germplasm.
A formal unit must be established in the institutes to monitor and analyze climate change impacts in this area especially to track the loss and movement of diversity.
With the growing purchasing power and curiosity of Indian consumers, there are emerging opportunities to strengthening the commercialization of underutilized pome fruits with high nutritional potential and taste appeal.
Poor production and postharvest handling procedures practiced in the region lead to heavy losses of traditional pome fruit products, while weak infrastructure handicaps marketing prospects.
Solutions to these problems lie in the establishment of organized systems of production and suitable postharvest handling procedures, including controlled atmosphere storage facilities, refrigerated transport system, good roads, etc.
Exploitation of underutilized pome fruit crops will not only benefit India, but also cater to the increasing demand for exotic products in the international market.
Authors
S. Gupta
Keywords
Malus, Pyrus, wild relatives, genetic resources, climate change, postharvest
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