BP Singh

Promising introductions and Prioritize Needs of Exotic Germplasm 113muskmelon also breeding line AC 70-54 has resistance to gummystem blight, powdery and downey mildew. In onion, Egyptianvarieties Giza 6 and Giza 20 have good potential with large darkred bulbs. Different Allium species have also been introduced forutilization in breeding programmes. Large cloves and colouredbulb types of garlic have been received from France and Sultanateof Oman. In cauliflower unusual green curded variety withtolerance to frost and good texture and flavour have been receivedfrom UK . In watermelon, efforts were made to introduce Fusariumwilt resistant varieties from USA.Future emphasisA brief oultline is given below in respect of some importantvegetable crops, about the requirements of germplasm and theirevaluation in relation to breeding investigations.Tomato: The collections in tomato should be augmented to meetthe requirement of producing varieties of various ecological zonesof wet tropics, drought prone areas, and high temperature zones,Production of good fruit set in hot weather with major resistanceto virus diseases, leaf blight, bacterial wilt, fruit borer andnematodes would have to be taken into consideration whilemaking introductions.Chillies : Hot pepper cultivars especially perennial varieties willhave to be collected, to screen for virus resistance. Sweet peppervarieties suitable for tropical conditions will have to be introducedfrom South America. Besides, new varieties with export potentialwill have to be evaluated under Indian condition.Watermelon: There is a gradual erosion of native germplasm dueto large scale cultivation of variety SugarBaby. Some of the nativevarieties with good storage potential under room temperatureconditions should be saved and also allied species of Citrullus willhave to be introduced from African countries.Muskmelon: Although diversity in muskmelon is being collected.Some native non dessert and cooking forms mistakingly identifiedas cucumber should be collected and also primitive cultivars fromnorth eastern India need to be collected. Resistance to virusdiseases and downy mildew and also, resistance to fruit fly, issought from exotic germplasm particularly from. central Asia,Middle East, and Africa.