Conservation of minor fruit genetic resources at the Botanical Garden, Bangladesh Agricultural University

Abstract

Minor fruits (MFs), a good source of micronutrients, can contribute significantly to the nutritional requirement of the rural population and be an alternative source to combat hidden hunger caused by micronutrient deficiencies mainly vitamins and minerals. A detailed survey was conducted to update the checklist of the MF collections at Botanical Garden under the Department of Crop Botany, Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAUBG) and their conservation priority in national/international perspectives. A total of 108 MF species, belong to 67 genera and 38 families, were collected and conserved at the BAUBG. Moraceae and Myrtaceae were the most dominant families with 8 taxa each followed by Rutaceae with 7 taxa, Arecaceae, Phyllanthaceae and Sapotaceae with 6 taxa each. Among the genera, Syzygium is the largest genus having 7 species followed by Citrus, Ficus and Garcinia with 5 species in each. Trees make up the largest proportion of MFs followed by shrubs, herbs and climbers. Although MFs are major sources of micronutrients, 97 taxa were also used in the treatment of various diseases in ethnobotanical literature. This study also contributes to the conservation database of plant genetic resources of BAUBG and the country as well.