Nagaland University researchers have conducted a comprehensive study on the genetic diversity of Musa sikkimensis, a wild banana species found in the Eastern Himalayas and Northeast India. This species, known as ‘Darjeeling banana’ or ‘Sikkim banana’, is crucial for climate resilience and food security, serving as a genetic reservoir for disease resistance and stress tolerance, which are vital for future banana improvement programs. The research indicates that local banana germplasm has strong adaptive potential across various environmental conditions, emphasizing the need for conservation amidst rising environmental pressures and deforestation that threaten these wild genotypes.
The study, titled ‘Exploring the Genetic Diversity of Musa sikkimensis Land Races in Nagaland, India’, highlights the urgent necessity to conserve endangered banana germplasm in a region rich in biodiversity. Findings were published in the peer-reviewed journal Flora and Fauna, co-authored by Nagaland University scholars K. R. Singh, Dr. S. Walling, and Dr. A. Sarkar. Prof. Jagadish K. Patnaik, Vice-Chancellor of Nagaland University, stressed the university’s commitment to preserving local genetic resources in the face of climate change, aiming to enhance resilience and nutritional security through scientific advancement.
The research focuses on the challenges of conserving local banana genotypes in the remote forests of Nagaland, identifying and documenting previously unclassified genotypes through collaboration with experts from the region. Dr. Animesh Sarkar noted challenges faced during field exploration due to difficult terrains and low awareness among farmers regarding the importance of germplasm conservation. The study also points to a growing trend among farmers towards hybrid and tissue-cultured varieties, which could jeopardize the genetic diversity of traditional wild banana types.
