সেউজী ধৰণী seuji dharani
NEED OF CONSERVATION OF INDIGENOUS FRUITS OF ASSAM AND NORTH EAST INDIA
Compiled and edited by Dr. S. Hussain*
Due to diverse topography, climate and agro-ecological conditions, Assam as well as North- East India is considered as one of the richest biodiversity hotspot of the world. A number of plant species that includes fruits have their origin in this region, many of which are still grown in wild or semi-wild states. Despite the vast genetic diversity of these fruits, only a few have been grown as commercial crops for their economic, social and religious importance. On the other hand, less important fruits remained confined in semi-wild or semi-domesticated conditions and are rarely known in other parts of the country. However, these underutilized fruits have multipurpose uses and therefore play significant role, especially, for the wellbeing of rural people by providing nutrition, household income and employment. Many of these fruits have been used as traditional medicinal plants and some have found important place in the Indian system of Medicine and Unani since time immemorial. Moreover, these species are good tools for scientific investigations and therefore become important genetic resources of the country. In this brief note Some such fruits of Assam and NE region and their conservation strategies are discussed :
1. Bael (Aegle marmelos ): It is a medium size tree attaining a height up to 20 feet. Pulp of the fruit is consumed raw and also processed to make various value added products like sharbat, squash, jam etc. The squash is highly nutritious and provide relief from constipation. The unripe fruit is prescribed for diarrhea and dysentery. A crystalline substance ‘Marmelosin’ extracted from fruit has therapeutic properties. It is estimated that every 100 gms of pulp of bael contain 61.5 gms. of water, 1.08 gms. of protein, 0.39 gms. of fats, 1.70 gms. of minerals, 31.8 gms. of carbohydrates, 55 mg. of carotene, 0.13 gms. of thiamine, 1.19 gms. riboflavin, 1.1 mg. of niacin and 8 gms. of vitamin C. In addition to this, trifoliate leaves are used in puja and prayers of Lord Shiva.
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| Bael (Aegle marmelos ) tree |
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| Bael (Aegle marmelos ): |
2. Kordoi( Averrhoa carambola): It is a rich source of reducing sugar, ascorbic acid and minerals such as potassium, calcium, magnesium and phosphate as well as vitamin A (560 IU/100 gm.).The fruits are widely used for preparation of squash and pickles. The raw fruits are astringent to bowel, stop diarrhea and vomiting causes biliousness. The ripe fruits and juices as well as squashes are good for bleeding piles and believed to be a good remedy for jaundice.
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| Kordoi( Averrhoa carambola): |
3. Amlokhi (Phyllanthus emblica): The plant grows wild as well as cultivated crops in Assam. It is hardy prolific bearer and becoming highly remunerative. The fruit is highly nutritive and rich in vitamin C. The fruits are made into morabba, sauce, candy, dried chips, tablets, jellies, pickles etc. The Ascorbic Acid and other constituents are well retained in dried Amlokhi. It is valued as antiscorbatic, diuretic, alternative and antibiotic and is used in the treatment of chronic dysentery, diarrhea, jaundice, dyspepsia, diabetes and cough etc. It is also used in tanning and dyeing industries.
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| Amlokhi (Phyllanthus emblica) |
4. Amora (Spondius mangifera): It is very useful for treatment against bacillary dysentery, T.B. infection as they are blood purifier and also effective against scurvy, rickets, diseases. The fruit is a rich source of vitamins. Fruits can be eaten raw and can be used for preparation of pickles.
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| Amora (Spondius mangifera) |
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| Leteku (Baccurea sapida ) |
5. Leteku (Baccurea sapida ): It is a medium sized tree found wild in the State. Fruits are round in shape and creamy to yellow in colour, average weight being 11.9 gms.
6. Kathal (Artocarpus heterophyllus): It is largest amongst edible fruits. Tender fruits used as vegetables while the ripe fruits can be eaten raw. The fruits contain 1.9% proteins (on fresh weight basis). It contains 2.64 - 11.77 mg. of Ascorbic Acid & 250 - 1740 mg. of protein. It also contains Vitamin A, Thiamine, Ribothamin, Vitamin C & minerals like Ca, P, and Fe & K. The Seed can also be used as vegetable and the waste product such as skin and core of the fruit can be used commercially for pectin extraction.
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| Kathal (Artocarpus heterophyllus) |
7. Outenga (Dillenia indica ): The fruits are eaten cooked. Excellent jams can be prepared from this fruit. The juice of the fruit mixed with sugar and water is used as cooling beverage in fevers and taken as a cough mixture. It is also used as mild laxative. Fruits are rich in protein and Vitamin C.
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| Outenga (Dillenia indica ) |
8. Ponial (Flacourtia gangomos): It is a medium sized tree with hard spring branches. It is fairly common in Assam. The fruits are dark brown in colour when ripe, flesh is firm, brownish green and fairly juicy. Brushing between hands rendered the fruit less astringent and more palatable. It is rich source of protein (3.65%), Vitamin C (217.99 mg./100 gm.) and mineral such as Phosphorous (146.80 mg./100 gm.), Calcium (175.50 mg./100 gm., Potassium (158.10 mg./100 gm.) and Iron (118.30 mg./100 gm.). The iron content of Poniol is 280 times more than apples. It also contains several essential amino acids.
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| Ponial (Flacourtia gangomos) |
9. Silikha (Terminalia chebula):Itis a tall tree, grown wild in the State but admired by all over India for its high medicinal value. Fruits are small, oval and tapering towards both ends, green in colour when fresh and black & hard after drying. It has got a wide range of medicinal uses and it is major component of many Ayurvedic medicines. It helps to cure gastric trouble,indigestion and reported to be beneficial against Asthma, Piles, Worm, Colic Pain, Heart Diseases, Scabies, Lever Jaundice, Stone, Lie cups, Eye Diseases and Vomiting etc.
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| Silikha dry fruits : |
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| Silikha (Terminalia chebula) |
Similarly, there are a number of minor fruits in Assam which have medicinal, therapeutic and nutritional value. These are also known for their excellent flavour, juiciness and attractive appearance. Urban consumers today are becoming increasingly conscious and aware of their health and nutritional aspects. There is an increased emphasis by government and non-government agencies to popularized traditional and natural products. In view of all these recent developments in traditional health sectors, underutilized fruits have bright marketing prospect in coming years. However, these genetic resources of the state are facing a great threat of extinction due to climate change, urbanization and large scale developmental projects. Moreover, these fruits have been neglected for many years by researchers, policy makers and funding agencies and are currently many of these are threatened with extinction. So, to safeguard the existing minor fruits of the state and to achieve sustainable development based on use of these species is of immense importance. Organized production and processing for value addition of products would enhance income of small and marginal farmers and also help in on- farm conservation of these valuable fruits. So, now let us have some discuss on the conservation aspects of these minor fruits of Assam and NE region.
Conservation of Indigenous fruit Plants:
The first step in conservation effort should be a collection mission of the indigenous fruits. It is observed that most of these fruits are confined in some isolated areas either in wild or semi-wild conditions. Some of these are in the verge of extinction. On the other hand, semi-domesticated species need further improvement. Therefore, before starting a collection mission, one should set a clear objective for collection mission. This will greatly help in defining a strategy (or strategies) for collection as well as for conservation. So, by setting an objective we may categorized plant species as i) danger to genetic erosion ii) clear need for use in improvement iii) missing in the extant collections iv) need for biological studies etc and accordingly type of collection may be termed as Conservation –oriented mission, Targeted mission , Collecting to mitigate genetic erosion etc.
Once the objective of collection is set, strategy for conservation can be determine. However, it is generally agreed that conservation of horticultural crops, specially the underutilized fruit species which are still grown in wild and semi-wild conditions would require adoption of complementary conservation strategy where suitable in-situ and ex-situ conservation methods are to be employed. Of course, selection of suitable conservation strategy depends upon reproductive and breeding mechanism and physiology of the seeds and plant propagules.
In-situ conservation:
In this method wild or semi-wild species are conserved in their natural surroundings and, in the case of domesticated or cultivated species, in the surroundings where they have developed their distinctive properties. In-situ conservation can be achieved in four ways --- Gene sanctuary, Biosphere reserve, sacred grove and On-Farm conservation. Here landrace are protected in their natural habitat. Fruit species and possible protected area for in-situ conservation are to be finalized based on diversity map and biodiversity policy of the government. It may be mentioned here that some more than 10,000 ha of land in Garo hills of Meghalaya has been declared as protected sanctuary for Citrus crop. On the other hand, In-situ on farm conservation would be an ideal approach for local natural selections, cultivars and farmers varieties. In some minor fruits local selection or farmers varieties have been developed or identified since time immemorial. These local selections are being grown as isolated plant or in small numbers in homestead garden or farmers’ field. Such fruit plants need urgent attention for farther characterization, evaluation that can be achieved through on-farm conservation.
Ex-situ Conservation:
Ex situ conservation is the conservation of species outside their natural habitats, for example, in gene banks. In this method of conservation, target species can be maintained either in field or in laboratory. Under field condition, species are grown and maintain in the botanical garden, herbal garden, field gene banks etc. Field gene banks have an important place in conservation and maintenance of clonally propagated species, tree species with long juvenile phase, species that do not produce true to type seed or produce recalcitrant seed whose laboratory conservation technique has not been standardized so far. . On the other hand, in laboratory, seeds are stored in seed banks, cryogene banks, DNA banks etc. This method is important to safeguard genetic wealth for genetic improvement to develop desirable cultivar or variety.
Conservation of plant germplams in the form of seed is the most convenient and reliable method being practiced in gene bank. There are some fruit species which have relatively large seeds with high moisture content at the time of shedding pose problem in traditional conservation. Hence, there is need to study their basic seed physiology, longevity and steed storage behaviour. Based on the storage hahaviour, seeds have been divided into three categories---Orthodox, Recalcitrant and Intermediate of the two. Orthodox seed can be desiccated to the desired moisture content and hence can be conserving in conventional gene banks in cold temperature at around -20ºC. On the hand, non-orthodox seed such as Citrus, Jackfruits etc cannot be desiccated and suffer chilling injury at cold temperature hence required special conservation method. Cryopreservation is the only methods available at present for non orthodox seeds and several techniques have been developed for their long term conservation.
Gaps in Conservation activities:
The depletion of diversity and inadequacy in actions to conserve the diversity of Assam and NE region may be attributed to several factors. Some such factors are:-
1. Gap in knowledge and Information
2. Gap in vision
3. Gap in policies and legal structure
4. Gap in Institutional and human resources
5. Gap in diversity related research and development
Some suggestions:-
1. State government agencies should be involved in conservation of biodiversity that includes indigenous fruits also
2. Various research organizations including universities of the region should engage in research, inventory and conservation activities.
3. Non Government Organizations working for conservation of diversity should be encourage
4. The educational curriculum of colleges and schools should be frame out in such a way that it can mould young generation in favour of conservation of diversity.
5. General awareness campaign should be conducted at urban and rural areas mass media
Dy. Project Director (ATMA), Department of Agriculture, Tinsukia 786 125
Mobile::094351 35631: e- mail: sadik2crs@yahoo.co.in
