International Journal of Innovative Horticulture

Horticulture in its broad sense comprise many diversified crops like fruits, vegetables, flowers, ornamental plants, spices, medicinal, aromatic and plantation crops. It has become a key driver of economic development in many states of India. Nutritional and food security is the current and burning issue of the nation. Horticulture is the best alternate for nutritional security. The awareness and demand of horticultural produces are increasing. Saurashtra is the historical and cultural region of Gujarat state. It has diverse soils, climates, geographical regions including long coastal belts with red lateritic soils; hence the region possesses rich horticultural diversity for various crops. There is immediate need for collection, conservation, documentation and utilization of genetic resources of various horticultural crops for production and popularization. Mango is the leading fruit crop of region possesses wide genetic diversity with indigenous varieties like Kesar, Rajapuri, Jamadar, Dudhpendo, Khodi and many others. Custard apple is another important fruit crop of Saurashtra with large germplasms and varieties and the crop is gaining importance due to its hardy nature and less cost of production. Jamun is used as an effective medicine against diabetes, heart and liver ailments. Because of its high value in terms of therapeutics and nutrition, its consumption rate is gradually increasing; however, not a single variety has been released for this region. Few accessions have been identified for further study. In guava, Dholaka, Reshamdi and Bhavanagr Lal are the important commercial indigenous cultivars reflecting the genetic diversity. Karonda and lasora are also very hardy plant, grown mostly in waste lands as well as boarder planting. Lasora can be used as a shelter belts or wind breaks to overcome negative effect of climate change. The long coastal belt of region is suitable for coconut plantations having popular D x T hybrids as well as many indigenous varieties. In case of flower crops, rose, chrysanthemum, jasmine, gaillardia, marigold, goldenrod, etc., are under cultivation, but very few varieties or genotypes have been identified. However, varieties of gerbera have been endorsed for protected cultivation. Similarly huge genetic diversity in different vegetable crops have been identified and used for crop improvement programme. Some indigenous genetic stocks like Gholar and Reshm patto chili; Pili patti and Mahuva safed onion; Greengota, Junagadh Bhatta, Ghed Bhadatha brinjal etc. which are used for the commercial cultivation, have became more favourable with traders, processors and consumers.