Mango (Mangifera indica L.) field gene bank (FGB) in Gurudas College, Kolkata-54

Many important varieties of field, horticultural and forestry species are conserved as Field Gene Banks (FGB). FGBs provide easy and ready access to conserved material for research as well as for use. Plant breeders are in need of a continuous supply of diverse and novel genetic diversity to produce new crop varieties able to cope with the impacts of changing cultivation conditions and climate change. FGB is one of the options of a complementary strategy for the conservation of germplasm of many plant species. Murshidabad and Malda, the once famous districts for Mango (Mangifera indica L.) diversity, districts of West Bengal are now facing tremendous genetic erosion of the mango germplasm. The Field gene bank will be an ex situ conservation approach. 25 (Twenty five) mango varieties were collected from Malda and Murshidabad districts and cuttings transferred to Gurudas College, Kolkata 700054 for conservation as Field Gene Bank. The mango germplasm accessions were collected with the assistance of the West Bengal Biodiversity Board (WBBB). Some of the valuable mango varieties viz. Bimli, Churmur, Dobani, Do Phala, Golap Bhog, Golap Khash, Molam Jam, collected from orchards of Malda and Murshidabad districts. As a field Gene Bank these varieties are readily accessible and useable for characterization and evaluation. These field gene banks will aid in documentation of the rich mango legacy of West Bengal and help in mango crop improvement.