Strategies for in situ Conservation and Cultivation of Buckwheat (Fagopyrum Spp.) -A Potential Pseudocereal of North Western Himalayas

Abstract

Buckwheat is very unusual and unique multipurpose crop of mountain regions above 1800 m elevation both for grains and greens. It is very hardy crop and yields greater on stony, unproductive soil under cool climatic conditions than most of other staple crops. Buckwheat owes its importance due to presence of excellent nutrition profile with a high protein content. Buckwheat does not contain gluten, so for the people with celiac disease or gluten intolerances, buckwheat serves as an excellent dietary alternative. Although it has a great relevance in agriculture still the resources available with this crop are very limited therefore it is also known as underutilized crop. It is used as a cereal though does not resemble the cereals in growth habit, seed quality or seed composition hence it is classified as a pseudocereal. It also has many desirable health components which make it a valuable part of the human diet. Buckwheat has a unique growth habit as compared to the cereals and thus fits into a much different area of crop production due to its rapid growth and flowering habit. Buckwheat as underutilized crop is very useful as it has short growing period, hence can be used for diversifying cropping systems and enhancing human nutrition value besides contributing to the rural economy. Buckwheat population in the Himalayan region is unique, so if the farmers discontinue cultivation, there may be huge loss of the peculiar genetic resources. Thus, on-farm conservation of buckwheat germplasm is an important strategic component of crop improvement and biodiversity conservation.