Distribution of Species, and Wild Relatives
By: SNEHA SINGH 17 Feb 2025 19:48:27
2. Distribution of Species and Wild Relatives
Wild relatives of crops play a crucial role in breeding programs for developing disease-resistant and climate-resilient varieties.
A. Cereals
| Crop | Center of Origin | Wild Relatives |
|---|---|---|
| Rice (Oryza sativa) | India, China | Oryza rufipogon, O. nivara |
| Wheat (Triticum spp.) | Near East | Aegilops species |
| Maize (Zea mays) | Mesoamerica | Zea mexicana (teosinte) |
| Barley (Hordeum vulgare) | Near East | Hordeum spontaneum |
| Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) | Africa | S. halepense |
B. Pulses
| Crop | Center of Origin | Wild Relatives |
|---|---|---|
| Chickpea (Cicer arietinum) | Near East | Cicer reticulatum |
| Pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) | India | Cajanus scarabaeoides |
| Lentil (Lens culinaris) | Near East | Lens orientalis |
| Mung bean (Vigna radiata) | India | Vigna sublobata |
C. Oilseeds
| Crop | Center of Origin | Wild Relatives |
|---|---|---|
| Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) | South America | Arachis monticola |
| Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) | North America | Helianthus species |
| Mustard (Brassica spp.) | Mediterranean | Brassica tournefortii |
| Soybean (Glycine max) | China | Glycine soja |
D. Fodder Crops
| Crop | Center of Origin | Wild Relatives |
|---|---|---|
| Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) | Near East | Medicago falcata |
| Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum) | Africa | Wild Pennisetum species |
| Berseem (Trifolium alexandrinum) | Mediterranean | Trifolium species |
E. Cash Crops
| Crop | Center of Origin | Wild Relatives |
|---|---|---|
| Cotton (Gossypium spp.) | India, South America | Gossypium herbaceum |
| Sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) | India, New Guinea | Saccharum spontaneum |
| Tea (Camellia sinensis) | China | Wild Camellia species |
| Coffee (Coffea arabica) | Ethiopia | Coffea canephora |
F. Vegetable and Horticultural Crops
| Crop | Center of Origin | Wild Relatives |
|---|---|---|
| Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) | South America | Solanum pimpinellifolium |
| Potato (Solanum tuberosum) | South America | Solanum demissum |
| Brinjal (Solanum melongena) | India | Solanum incanum |
| Onion (Allium cepa) | Central Asia | Allium vavilovii |
| Mango (Mangifera indica) | India | Mangifera sylvatica |
| Apple (Malus domestica) | Central Asia | Malus sieversii |
3. Importance of Wild Relatives
- Source of genetic diversity – Provide genes for disease resistance, drought tolerance, and higher yield.
- Used in crop improvement programs – Hybridization, gene transfer, and biotechnology.
- Conservation of wild relatives is crucial to ensure future food security.
