GUWAHATI, March 3: Nagaland University researchers have conducted an extensive study on the genetic diversity of Musa sikkimensis, a wild banana species native to the Eastern Himalayas and Northeast India, highlighting its importance for climate resilience, food security and sustainable agricultural development.
Musa sikkimensis, commonly known as ‘Darjeeling banana’ or ‘Sikkim banana’, is a wild-seeded banana species that serves as a vital genetic reservoir for disease resistance, stress tolerance and climate adaptability traits essential for future banana improvement programmes.
Although not widely cultivated for edible fruit, the species plays a crucial role in strengthening crop resilience and ensuring sustainable production.
The research team found that local banana germplasm exhibits strong adaptive potential across diverse environmental conditions, reinforcing its importance for conservation and future breeding initiatives.
Nagaland, located within the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot, hosts a rich diversity of indigenous banana genotypes. However, increasing anthropogenic activities, environmental pressures and deforestation have placed many wild genotypes at risk of decline and possible extinction, making conservation research critical.
The research titled ‘Exploring the Genetic Diversity of Musa sikkimensis Land Races in Nagaland, India’ underscores the urgent need to conserve endangered banana germplasm in one of the world’s richest biodiversity regions.
The findings were published in Flora and Fauna a peer-reviewed scientific journal that publishes research on plant and animal biology, biodiversity, ecology and environmental conservation.
The paper was co-authored by Nagaland University research scholars K. R. Singh, S. Walling and Animesh Sarkar.
Highlighting the need for such research to conserve the rich biodiversity of the Northeast, Prof. Jagadish K. Patnaik, vice-chancellor of Nagaland University, said, “This pioneering initiative reflects our university’s deep sense of accountability and responsibility toward safeguarding the wild flora of the hilly terrains of Northeast India”.
The study builds on a series of postgraduate and doctoral research projects conducted under the supervision of Animesh Sarkar, associate professor, Department of Horticulture, Nagaland University, focusing on banana biodiversity, germplasm mapping, characterisation of wild species and evaluation of genetic resources in the state.
Highlighting the role of this research in addressing conservation challenges and safeguarding local germplasm, Sarkar said, “We aimed to address challenges in identifying and conserving local banana genotypes growing in remote forest regions of Nagaland. Through collaboration with banana experts from North East and South India, our research team successfully identified and documented several previously unclassified genotypes.”
