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Aromatic pickle mango (locally called ‘Appemidi’) is a special type of mango (Mangifera indica L.) harvested and semi-domesticated from riverine habitats of the central Western Ghats, India. Recently, it has been provided with the geographical indication (GI) tag. These types are recognized by the local people based on their aroma and taste apart from fruit shape and size. In spite of its commercial importance, there are very few attempts to formally characterize these types for further use. Twelve farmers’ identified varieties collected from a fifteen year-old mango orchard were characterized adopting standard mango descriptors developed by the IPGRI. In the present study 12 varieties of aromatic pickle mango were characterized through a set of distinguishing traits and delineated adopting simple forking method to individual varieties unambiguously.

Diversity of tropical fruit tree (TFT) species, their occurrence and relationship with cultivated species in homegardens and their use by humans has rarely been studied systematically in Central Western Ghats. Among all the nine villages sampled in three bioclimatic zones, a total of 10,202 individuals belonging to 55 species were recorded. Mangifera indica was the predominantly (n=4,496) found TFT species in the home-gardens and farmlands of Uttara Kannada district. Richness was highest in up-ghat zone (10.92) and substantial lower in coastal zone (5.95) and lowest in eastern plains (4.04). Major factors contributing to low richness is the increasing replacement with exotic commercial crops (cashew) in coastal zone and the low rainfall and varied climatic conditions in eastern zone. Villages of the up-ghat zone, on an average, showed richness index of 10.92 while its value reduced nearly by half when villages of the coastal zone were considered (5.95). The lowest average richness index was found among the villages of the eastern plains (4.04). Overall, nearly one third of all TFT species (36.36 per cent) were non-native to the Western Ghats which was similar in all three zones. However, non-native trees were dominant in coastal zone (54.96%) and less prominent in up-ghat (31.58%) and eastern zone (13.42%). Average family income derived from TFT was Rs 9.595 in coastal zone, Rs 4.207 in up-ghat zone and Rs 10,591 in eastern zone. Contribution of native and non-native TFT species to total household income is low in all three zones, highest contribution was measured in eastern zone (8.18% of the total family income) and coastal zone (7.56%) and even lower in up-ghat zone (2.27%). Correlation analysis showed a positive relationship between diversity and total household income. Regression analysis showed that total family income postivily contributes to the level of TFT diversity found on farmlands, this contribtion was most significant in coastal and up-ghat zone.

Native communities of South and South East Asia, a centre of diversity of tropical fruit trees (TFT), share a common cultural heritage associated with tropical fruits. Unfortunately, there is a dramatic loss of traditional knowledge associated with TFTs. This comparative study was undertaken in 24 village communities spread across India, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand using structured questionnaires and multiple approaches to document use-value of TFTs. Considering only four focal genera of TFT species viz., Mangifera, Garcinia, Citrus and Nephelium, an amazing diversity of 56 species was reported to be utilized by the communities. Ranking of species based on the number of use-categories and based on the cultural importance value showed differences. Mangifera indica, Citrus aurantifolia and C. reticulata were the three extensively used TFTs as food and for processing. As revealed by Jaccards’ index, three South East Asian countries showed a higher similarity among themselves than India. M. indica, M. pajang, M. foetida, G. morella, G. atroviridis, G. mangostana, C. hystrix, C. aurantifolia and C. grandis were culturally the most significant TFTs and hence may be conserved with high priority.

As many as 18 diversity fairs were organised on Mangifera, Citrus and Garcinia species during the last five years in five sites selected in India with the objectives of creating public awareness about tropical fruit tree (TFT) diversity, using it as a participatory tool for locating trait specific indigenous varieties and to enable marketing the diversity. The research questions revolved around the methodology used for organizing the diversity fairs, display of rich diversity by the farmers and success/failure of diversity fair (DF) in locating the trait specific variety among the vast diversity. The diversity fairs also provided a platform for discussion on linking farmers to market, recognizing the custodians of diversity by honouring them and distribution of elite grafts and harvesting tools. Mango was prominent with more number of diversity fairs as well as identification of varieties in four of the five sites. In case of Citrus, Amravati and Pusa organized diversity fairs whereas Sirsi organized Garcinia diversity fair as three species of Garcinia were located in this site. The success of the diversity may be judged by the indicators such as number of varieties characterized and evaluated, number of varieties registered/sent for registration, number of varieties linked to market, value addition possibilities implemented based on the diversity fair besides meeting the primary objectives of creating awareness and locating the trait specific diversity.

The study was taken up in two representative villages each from upper-Ghat and coastal bioclimatic zones of Uttara Kannada district, Karnataka, India with an objective to document the total tropical fruit tree species diversity and the associated traditional knowledge. About 43 tropical fruit tree (TFT) species, were recorded. Seventy four traditional knowledge associated with TFTs were recorded from the study sites. It was noted that traditional knowledge related to culinary uses and processing of TFTs were practised even today. However, traditional knowledge related to medicinal uses showed a decreasing trend, where traditional medicines are being replaced with modern medicines. Cultural Importance (CI) value was calculated for all the 42 TFT genetic resources recorded. Mango showed highest value for CI when considered for each bioclimatic zone as well as when the data was pooled over all the village. Further, other two species that showed relatively higher values of CI were jack fruit and Garcinia indica. There was a positive association of the frequency of TFTs and their CI values. Documentation of such invaluable traditional knowledge would establish the rights of local communities over their traditional knowledge and its use. It is suggested that community biodiversity register (CBR) could be effectively adopted to empower local people.

Studies were carried out to investigate the reasons underlying farmers’ motivation to conserve mango diversity particularly of indigenous varieties. At four project sites, viz., Chittoor, Malihabad, Pusa and Sirsi, 48 custodian farmers were identified. The results of the analysis indicated that it is not only the economic factors (market value, 79%), but also other factors such as personal (63%), social (52%), cultural/religious (14%), natural (48%) factors and biological traits (52%) which motivate farmers to conserve specific varieties while maintaining mango diversity. Further, while all the custodians maintained the diversity, some others (34%) also promoted and adapted the diversity. For promotion of mango diversity conservation, value addition to diversity and linking mango diversity to markets through diversity fairs, stakeholders’ meeting, and roadside stalls will have to be given priority. National policy support in the form of establishing a network of custodian farmers and skill up gradation (grafting, management of genetic resources) and registration of farmers’ varieties will go a long way in ensuring conservation of mango diversity on sustainable basis.