Centers of origin, distribution of species, wild relatives in different cereals; pulses; oilseeds; fibers
VAVILOVIAN CENTRES OF DIVERSITY:
N.I. Vavilov (1926,1951), a Russian genetics and plant breeder, was the pioneer man who
realized the significance of genetic diversity for crop Improvement. Based on his studies of
global exploration and collection. Vavilov proposed eight main centers and three
subsidiary centers of diversity.
The concept of centers of Origin was given by N.I. Vavilov in 1926. He identified eight
main centers and three sub-centers of diversity. He proposed or Law of Parallel
variation.
Law of Parallel variation:
The concept of Parallel variation or the law of Homologous
series of variation was developed by N.I. Vavilov. (1951) based on his study of crop
diversity and centers of origin. The law of Homologous series of variation states that a
particular variation observed in a crop species is also expected to be available in another
related species also Vavilov used the principle of homologous series of variation as a clue for
discovering similar characters in related species
The Eight Vavilovian Centers: Old World
I. Chinese Center
II. Indian Center: This area has two subcenters.
A. Main Center (Hindustan)
B. Indo-Malayan Center
III. Central Asiatic Center
IV. Near-Eastern Center
V. Mediterranean Center
VI. Abyssinian Center
VII. South Mexican and Central American Central
VIII. South American Center: (62 plants listed) Three subcenters are found.
A. Peruvian, Ecuadorean, Bolivian Center
B. Chiloe Center (Island near the coast of southern Chile)
C. Brazilian-Paraguayan Center
Micro Center: Small areas within the centers of diversity exhibit tremendous genetic
diversity of some crop plants. These areas are referred to as micro-centers. Micro centers are an important source of collecting valuable plant forms and also for the study of the evolution of
cultivated species.
The centers of origin, distribution of species, and wild relatives of different cereals, pulses, oilseeds, and fibers vary depending on the specific crop.
Cereals:
Wheat: Center of origin is the Fertile Crescent in Western Asia. It is now widely distributed throughout the world. Wild relatives include wild emmer and wild einkorn.
Rice: Center of origin is believed to be in the region of the Yangtze River in China. It is now grown in many parts of the world, particularly in Asia. Wild relatives include Oryza rufipogon and Oryza nivara.
Maize: Center of origin is believed to be in Mexico and Central America. It is now grown throughout the world. Wild relatives include teosinte.
Pulses:
Chickpeas: Center of origin is believed to be in the Middle East and the Mediterranean. Wild relatives include Cicer reticulatum and Cicer echinospermum.
Lentils: Center of origin is believed to be in the Near East. Wild relatives include Lens orientalis and Lens ervoides.
Oilseeds:
Soybeans: Center of origin is believed to be in China. Wild relatives include Glycine soja and Glycine gracilis.
Peanuts: Center of origin is believed to be in South America. Wild relatives include Arachis duranensis and Arachis ipaensis.
Fibers:
Cotton: Center of origin is believed to be in Mexico and Central America. Wild relatives include Gossypium hirsutum and Gossypium barbadense.
Flax: Center of origin is believed to be in the Mediterranean region. Wild relatives include Linum bienne and Linum usitatissimum.