On-farm Dynamics of Wheat Genetic Resources in Nainital District of Uttarakhand

Current status of wheat genetic resources and their management was studied in eight blocks of Nainital district of Uttarakhand. A total of 13 wheat varieties comprising of six traditional types and seven improved high yielding types (HYVs) were found under cultivation. Over four decades, 66.43% of the area of traditional varieties has been replaced by HYVs. Rye (Secale cereale) locally known as Russi gehun is also under sporadic cultivation. The selection of varieties was varied depending upon the topography, agro-climatic niches and resources of the area. Two traditional varieties viz. Naulia and Daulatkhani were found to have rare distribution. Significant variability for some characteristics between and among the traditional varieties were observed. Assured grain yield, good straw quantity, drought tolerance, grain quality, taste and resistance to birds and animal damage were some of the farmers’ criteria for selection of the varieties.