Indian Journal of Plant Genetic Resources

Vavilov while advancing his theory on the centres of origin of cultivated plants assigned 83 plants to his Near-Eastern centre of origin. Of these, 15 are vegetable crops and 24 fruit crops. They belong to 32 genera. An examination of their distribution and variability show certain patterns. Some genera like Lactuca, Pyrus, Prunus and Allium show much variability in both the regions, south-west Asia and south Asia, and also in the intervening area. A few genera, Ficus in particular, show greater variability and distribution in south (and south-east) Asia, but the only cultivated fruit of this genus, F. carica is thought to have been domesticated in Asia minor. Few others, and notably Punica do not show much interspecific variability, but considerable intraspecific variability. This paper elucidates such information which is useful in determining priorities and strategies for biological conservation of the species. It also gives insight into the mechanisms involved in speciation and evolution of different taxa.