Genetic resource management of jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam.)

Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam.), a giant and unique tropical composite fruit, is widely distributed in equatorial countries.Jackfruit shows a significant range of genetic diversity, especially within South and South East Asia, which aids in the selection of superior desirable types.Genetic resource management includes exploration, collection, evolution, characterization, conservation and exchange.The importance of conservation of genetic resources is very much essential to avoid the genetic erosion.Jackfruit genotypes have been collected in tropics for conservation, study, and improvement, but limited collections exist in India, Indonesia, Thailand, Nepal, Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh.Mitra and Maity were initiated in 1990 for the collection and evaluation of over 1460 jackfruit trees in West Bengal.In situ conservation is crucial for the effective management and maintenance of agroecosystems, as farmers with deep crop knowledge are likely to understand their type and variation.Jackfruit germplasm is mainly stored in field gene banks or orchards, despite potential threats like disease, insect infestation, and natural disasters.Identification of the diverse germplasm for higher yield to develop improved cultivars suited for changing climate can help achieve nutritional and food security demands of the increasing global population.The present paper elaborated the status of different Artocarpus species, genetic diversity and in situ and ex situ conservation of species and, varieties for utilizing the gene pool for crop improvement.