Crop wild relatives in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India

Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India is a geographically insulated biodiversity rich centre in tropical region. The islands are endowed with huge plant diversity comprising of 3219 species of 299 families and 1251 genera. The present study aimed to develop a systematic list of crop wild relatives (CWR) in the islands using information from available literature and also by ground survey. A total of 38 visits were made in all three districts of the islands and observed the crop wild relatives. In total, 153 wild species from 76 genera of 27 families were found to be related to crop plants. The list includes 34 endemic and 4 species of rare occurrence. These species are vital constituent of gene pool which can be explored for rare but novel traits of economic significance. Wild species were found to be abundant in Anacardiaceae, Musaceae, Fabaceae, Zingiberaceae, Myristicaceae, Orchidaceae and Cucurbitaceae. The listed CWRs have potential to create variability and diversify the genebanks. These CWRs grow well in tropical islands in spite of prevalent biotic and abiotic stresses. The information documented will be useful for germplasm exploration, pre-breeding and devising strategies for conservation.