ICAR-NBPGR RS, Shillong

Mandate

NBPGR Regional Station Shillong was established in 1978.  Currently situated at Umiam, Ri-Bhoi district of Meghalaya (lat 25º41'N long 91º55' E  altitude 100 m above MSL with annual rainfall over 2200 mm). The regional station is responsible for plant genetic resources related activities in north-eastern region.

Mandate Crops

• Field crops: paddy, maize and mustard.
• Horticulture crops: chilli, ginger, turmeric, citrus, banana, yam, taro and passion fruit
• Potential crops: perilla, buckwheat, coix and ricebean.

Activities

• Collection of local crop diversities from Northeastern states through explorations.
• Maintenance and characterization of germplasm of mandated crops.
• Collection, and conservation of minor fruits in field gene bank (FGB)
• Conservation of germplasm at regional level in seed gene bank (MTS) and in field gene bank (FGB)
• Need based supply of germplasm for research purpose.
• Introduction and utilization of exotic crop germplasm.

• Since its inception conducted more than 250 exploration trips collecting over 28,000 accessions
• A considerable number of medicinal and aromatic plants (M&APs) of regional importance have been conserved at FGB
• Various plant species (~6,500 accessions) were supplied to the researchers throughout the country
• Interactive meetings, seminars and training programmes have been conducted for generating awareness for protection of PGR among wide range of stakeholders.
• A total of 23,989 germplasm accessions belonging to crop plants, crop wild relatives, medicinal and aromatic plants (M&AP), ornamentals and other useful plant species have been collected from different North-eastern states viz. Assam (6,866), Arunachal Pradesh (6,079), Mizoram (2,876), Manipur (2,088), Meghalaya (2,084), Nagaland (1,907), Sikkim (1,387) and Tripura (702) during 1978 to 2010
• Agro-morphological characterization major filed crops: paddy, maize; under-utilized crops: rice bean, Job’s tear, Perilla, buck wheat; horticultural crops: chilli, ginger, turmeric, taro, Dioscorea, Citrus, banana, and some minor fruits were undertaken and promising germplasm accessions were identified
• Collected plant germplasm were conserved in National gene bank, regional gene bank (at Umiam, Meghalaya) and in field gene bank (FGB)
• A considerable number of medicinal and aromatic plants (M&APs) of regional importance have been conserved at FGB
• Various plant species (~6,500 accessions) were supplied to the researchers throughout the country
• Interactive meetings, seminars and training programmes have been conducted for generating awareness for protecting PGR among wide range of stakeholders.

Dr Somnath Roy, Scientist has received “Harbahjan Singh Memorial award” from Indian Society of Genetics and Plant Breeding in 2014 for achievements in the field of exploration, collection and identification of useful of economic importance during 2011-13.

1. Major activities of the Station:

• Exploration and collection of local crop diversity, including crop wild relatives from NEH region.
• Maintenance, characterization and evaluation of germplasm of mandated crops (Field crops: paddy, maize, mustard; Horticultural crops: chilli, ginger, turmetic, Citrus, banana, yam, taro and passion fruit; Under-utilized crops: Perilla, Coix, buck wheat, rice bean).
• Documenting information in the form of inventories and catalogues.
• Conservation of germplasm both at National gene bank (NGB) and at regional level in seed gene bank (under MTS) and in field gene bank (FGB).
• Introduction and utilization of exotic crop germplasm.
• Need based supply of crop germplasm and information for research purpose.
• Imparting training on PGR management and building linkages with regional crop-based institutes.

2. Major thrust areas:

• Exploring unexplored, inaccessible remote regions of NEH region
• Characterization and evaluation of germplasm for identification of specific traits, adaptability and biochemical characteristics
• Collection and maintenance of wild relatives of crops
• Collection and conservation of rare and endangered medicinal and economically important plants of the region
• Developing core sets for major crops of the region
• Developing herbarium and seed museum
• GIS based mapping of plant genetic diversity in NEH region