Scientists making effort to collect info on extinct mango types

Panaji, Nov 2 (UNI) Farm scientists have embarked an exercise to collect information on mango varieties on the verge of extinction in Goa.

The scientists in collaboration with the Old Goa Research complex of the Indian Council for Agriculture Research (ICAR) have launched the drive to trace the mango varieties that had already been extinct and those facing extinction.

These varieties form part of Goan heritage and we are trying to restore them by creating their gene bank, says Dr S P Singh, senior scientist (horticulture).

There are certain varieties of mango, both in Mankurad and Guillario in Goa which are either extinct or facing extinction.

The scientisits urged the farming community to approach the scientists with the information on these mangoes.

The scientists believe Western Ghats was the second place of origin of mango, after north east India. Goa, forming part of western ghats had a rich variety of mangoes, reckoned as the ''largest and the most delicious in the world.'' The ICAR scientists had already collected gene pool of 70 varieties as against more than 100 varieties available in Goa.

They desired to collect information on all the varieties with the help of farmers.

UNI