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Abstract Detail

Economic Botany Section

Melhem , Theresa H [1], Zerega, Nyree J.C. [1], Setty, Siddappa [2], Gudasalamani, Ravikanth [2], Melekote Rajanna, Jagadish [2].

Diversity of Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus, Lam.) in the Western Ghats of South India.

The jackfruit tree (Artocarpus heterophyllus, Moraceae) is an important fruit and timber crop cultivated in India and other Southeast Asian countries. Internationally, efforts have been made to promote the jackfruit as an underutilized crop in agricultural nations such as India coping with food insecurity. Although little is known about its origins, domestication, and genetic diversity, the Western Ghats of South India are often cited as the center of origin. Here we establish a baseline measurement of jackfruit diversity across major land use types in the Western Ghats using both molecular (SSR) markers and morphological characteristics. These data are instrumental for future research to monitor changes in diversity over time and for comparing diversity levels between populations across Southeast Asia. These results will inform germplasm conservation initiatives and aid efforts to promote jackfruit as a sustainable crop for Southern India and other food insecure countries within its range.

1 - Northwestern University, Program In Biological Sciences, 2205 Tech Drive, 2-144 Hogan Hall, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
2 - Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE), Royal Enclave Srirampura, Jakkur Post, Bangalore , Karnataka, 560064 , India

Keywords:
Artocarpus
Jackfruit
Western Ghats
Food Insecurity
genetic diversity
SSR Markers
underutilized crops
Sustainable Agriculture
ex situ conservation
Southeast Asia.

Presentation Type: Oral Paper:Papers for Sections
Session: 5
Location: River Fork/Grove
Date: Monday, July 28th, 2014
Time: 11:15 AM
Number: 5011
Abstract ID:773
Candidate for Awards:Economic Botany Section best student paper