Collecting Crop Genetic Resources from Mon, A Remote District of Nagaland

An exploration for agri-horticultural crops from Mon district of Nagaland has resulted in the collection of 138 accessions representing rich variability in major field crops such as rice, maize and foxtail millet, besides first time collection of local germplasm of chenopod and prosomillet in this state. Drastic reduction in cultivation of Job's tears, a native crop of North-eastern Hill region, was observed. Diversity in exotic vegetables–Abelmoschus caillei, Capsicum chinense and C. frutescens, Solanum aethiopicum and S. macrocarpon along with important crops viz. okra, chilli and brinjal was also noted. Brief information on the salient collections, cultivation practices, local type preferences, folk use and conservation strategies are also highlighted.