Lecture: - 3

Domestication & Acclimatization

3.1 Domestication-It is the process of bringing wild species under human management.
This began ~ 10,000 years ago when man began agriculture.

➢ Domestication of wild species is still being done and is likely to continue for a long time in
the future. This is because, the human needs are likely to change with time. Consequently.
The wild species of little importance today may assume great significance tomorrow.

▪ Plant Domestication: - Domesticated plants differ from their wild progenitors in several

morpho-physiological traits, most of which are associated with seed retention and
germination, growth habit, size, coloration, and/or edibility of economically important organs.
▪ Domestication syndrome (DS)-Denotes differences between domesticated plants and their
wild progenitors

3.2 Adaptability:-It is ability of a genotype to produce a relatively narrow range of

phenotypes in different environments.
➢ It is the result of genetic homeostasis, which refers to the buffering capacity of a genotype to
environmental fluctuations.
➢ The performance of a genotype mainly depends on the environmental interaction

Adaptation:-It is the process by which organisms become more suited to survive and function
in a given environment. It also refers to the results of this process.

3.2 Acclimatization:-The process that leads to the adaptation of a variety to a new

environment is known as "Acclimatization”.
➢ Acclimatization or acclimatisation (also called acclimation or acclimatation) is the process in
which an individual organism adjusts to a change in its environment (such as a change in
altitude, temperature, humidity, photoperiod, or pH), allowing it to maintain performance
across a range of environmental conditions
➢ Acclimatization is brought about by a faster multiplication of those genotypes, that are better
adapted to the new environment. Thus acclimatization is essentially natural selection.
➢ The extent of acclimatization is determined by:-
• Mode of pollination
• Range of genetic variability present in the original population and
• Duration of life cycle of the crop.
As a result, cross-pollination is much more helpful in acclimatization than self-pollination.
 Plant Introduction
Definition and Types: - It consists of taking a genotype or a group of genotypes of plants
into new environments where they were not being grown before.
➢ Introduction may be classified into two categories:-
a) Primary Introduction:- When the introduced variety is well suited to the new environment.
It is released for commercial cultivation without any alteration in the original genotype, this
constitutes primary introduction.
• Example:- Introduction of semi-dwarf wheat varieties, Sonora 64, Lerma-roja
and of semi dwarf Rice varieties: Taichung native 1, IR 8, IR 28, IR 36, IR 64,.
IR 66, IR 72 are some examples of primary introduction in this country
b) Secondary Introduction:-The introduced variety may be subjected to selection to isolate a
superior variety.
➢ Alternatively, it may be hybridized with local varieties to transfer one or few characters
from this variety to the local ones these processes are known as secondary introduction.
➢ Secondary introduction is much more common than primary introduction.
• Examples of secondary introduction are Kalyan Sona and sonalika wheat
varieties selected from material introduced from CIMMYT, Mexico.
➢ Semi dwarf wheat and rice varieties developed through hybridization with introduced
varieties etc.,TKM 9, ADT 36, ADT 39, ADT 43, TRY 1, TRY (R) 2, ASD 18 rice varieties.

Purpose of Plant Introduction:-The main purpose of plant introduction is to improve

the plant wealth of the country. Main objective of plant introduction:-
• To obtain an entirely new crop plant e.g. Maize, potato, tomato
• To serve as new varieties. E.g. IRRI varieties.
• To be used in crop improvement
• To save the crop from diseases and pests. E.g. Coffee from leaf rust. Hevea Rubber
from leaf diseases.
• For scientific studies & Aesthetic value.
Procedure of Plant Introduction:-
1. Procurement: Any individual or institution can introduce germplasm in India. But all the
introductions must be routed through the NBPGR, New Delhi. There are two routes for plant
introduction. In first route the individual or the institution makes a direct request to an individual
or institution abroad, who has the desired germplasm, to send it through the NBPGR, New Delhi.
In second procedure the individual or institute submits his germplasm requirements to the NBPGR
with a request for their import.

2. Quarantine: Quarantine means to keep materials in isolation to prevent the spread of

diseases etc. All the introduced plant propagules are thoroughly inspected for contamination with
weeds, diseases and insect pests. Materials that are suspected to be contaminated are fumigated or
are given other treatments to get rid of the contamination. If necessary, the materials are grown in
isolation for observation of diseases, insect pests and weeds. The entire process is known as
quarantine and the rules prescribing them are known as quarantine rules.

3. Cataloguing: When an introduction is received, it is given an entry number. Further,

information regarding name of the species, variety, place of origin, adaptation and its various
characteristics are recorded. The plant materials are classified into three groups. 1. Exotic
collections are given the prefix ‘EC’ 2. Indigenous collections are designated as ‘IC’ and 3.
Indigenous wild collections are marked as ‘IW’

4. Evaluation: To assess the potential of new introductions, their performance is evaluated at

different substations of the Bureau. In case of those crops for which Central Research Institutes
are functioning, e.g., rice, sugarcane, potato, Tobacco etc., the introduced materials are evaluated
and maintained by these institutes. The resistance to diseases and pests is evaluated under
environments favoring heavy attacks by them.

5. Multiplication & Distribution: Promising introductions or selections from the

introductions may be increased and released as varieties after the necessary trials. most of the
introductions, however, are characterized for desirable traits and are maintained for future use.
Such materials are used in crossing programmes and are readily supplied by the bureau on
request.

Plant Introduction in India:-

▪ NBPGR-National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resource, New Delhi (Routed only through
NBPGR). The bureau is responsible for the introduction and maintenance of germplasm of
agricultural and horticultural plants.
▪ FRI-Forest Research Institute, Dehra Dun, It looks after the introduction, maintenance and
testing of germplasm of forest trees.
▪ BSI-Botanical Survey of India, Calcutta, it was responsible for the introduction, testing and
maintenance of plant materials of botanical and medicinal interest.
▪ Central Research Institute for various crops. e.g., tea, coffee, sugarcane, potato, Tobacco,
rice etc.

Merits of Plant Introduction:-

▪ It provides entirely new crop plants
▪ Provide superior varieties either directly, after selection or hybridization.
▪ Introduction and exploration are the only feasible means of collection germplasm and to
protect variability from genetic erosion.
▪ It is very quick and economical method of crop improvement, particularly when the
introduction are released as varieties either directly or after a simple selection.
▪ Plants may be introduced in new disease free areas to protect them from damage e.g. Coffee
and Rubber.

Demerits of Plant Introduction:-

➢ Plant introduction are associated with the introduction of weeds, diseases and pests.
• Weeds: Aregemone mexicana, Eichhornia crassipes ,Phylaris minor ; are the some of
the noxious weeds introduced in India.
• Diseases: Late blight of potato was introduced from Europe, flag smut of wheat was
introduced from Australia, Bunchy top and Coffee rust came from Ceylon of Banana.
• Insect pests: Potato tuber moth came from Italy in 1900 Wooly aphids of apple and
fluted scale of citrus were also introduced in India along with plant introductions.
➢ Ornamentals turned weeds:-Water hyacinth, Lantana camara were both
introduced as ornamental plants, but they are now noxious weeds.
➢ Threat to ecological balance:-Some introduced species may disturb the ecological
balance in their new home, and may cause serious damage to the ecosystem. e.g.
Eucalyptus sp. introduced from Australia cause a rapid depletion of the sub soil
water reserves.