Diversity Distribution Pattern in Collected Germplasm of Rapeseed-Mustard using GIS in India

A total of 6,923 accessions of rapeseed-mustard germplasm were collected during 1976–2011 through crop-specific and multi-crop explorations in collaboration with Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) crop-based institutes and State Agricultural Universities (SAUs) from different diversity rich areas of the country. Out of 6,923 accessions, 5,358 were examined for the status of diversity distribution pattern, which showed representation of maximum accessions from Gangetic, north-western plains and western Himalayan regions of the country. The geo-referenced map of collected diversity also indicated that parts of north-western plains (mainly western Uttar Pradesh), Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand have been extensively surveyed for collections of Brassica germplasm. In addition, grid mapping technique (GIS based) was also used to know the diversity rich areas and occurrence of trait-specific germplasm of rapeseed-mustard in different parts of the country. The priority areas and diversity distributed in different agro-ecological regions identified for further collections have been discussed in the present communication.