Collection of germplasm from Western Himalayas

A germplasm collection mission-to the western Himalayas was undertaken jointly by the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics(ICRISAT), Patancheru and the National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources(NBPGR), New Delhi to collect mainly wild Pennisetum, sorghum, finger millet, pulses including pigeonpea and other crops of local importance during October 1991. The hill slopes showed preponderance of primitive agriculture, followed with traditional varieties. Wild Pennisetum were found growing at 500–3100 m. Two identical species of Pennisetumviz., P. orientale L. C. Rich and P. flaccidum Griseb and some more (yet to be identified) were collected. Sorghum with long drooping panicle branches (broom corn), pigeonpea, mostly early-maturing types and finger millet were also collected. In all, a total of 133 samples consisting of Pennisetum(33), sorghum(11), pigeonpea(7), minor millet(30), amaranths(9); cowpea (5), blackgram(8), sesame(6), paddy(4), maize(4) and 16 of other crops were sampled. Good sources for cold tolerance and early maturity are expected to be available in the collected germplasm.