ABELMOSCHUS PREFACE:

The word Abelmoschus probably originated from Arabian abul-l-mosk meaning "father of musk, source of musk" referring to the seeds of the genus. Genus Abelmoschus is well known because of its economically important cultivated species, viz. A.esculentus (okra) and A.carnet They are grown in many parts of the world, especially in tropical and subtropical countries. Due to wide morphological diversity of Abelmoschus in Indian continent, it has been considered centre of diversity of the genus. A number of wild and semi-wild Abelmoschus species are found in dense forests, open waste lands as well as homestead and backyard gardens. In India, species of Abelmoschus are widely distributed in different phytogeographical regions from Himalaya to Southern peninsular parts of India. Among the species, A.esculentus is economically very important and highly nutritious crop which is widely cultivated throughout world. Another cultivated species A.caillei has an occurrence limited to West and Central Africa.Abelmoschus moschatus is grown for aromatic seeds as well as an ornamental plant, although sometimes found as an escape in the wild habitats. The rest of species namely, A.angulosus , A.crinitus , A.enbeepeegearense, A.ficulneus, A.manihot, A.palianus, A.rhodopetalus, A.rugosus and A.tuberculatus are truly wild species. Due to high protein contents in A.esculentus seeds, this crop has been considered as an alternative to soybean and therefore could be used as a supplement to cereal based diets. Along with the seeds, leaf and fruit parts can be effectively used in the treatment of renal tubular-interstitial diseases, reduce proteinuria and also improve renal function. The wild relatives of Abelmoschus have been identified as potential source of desirable gene for agronomic traits such as biotic and abiotic stresses which can be useful in okra breeding programme. However, the prolonged controversies surrounding the release of GM crops make it difficult to develop new resistant varieties by advanced genetic engineering approaches. Therefore, a traditional breeding approach is the only way to transfer the desire gene from wild relatives to present cultivar. Hence, okra breeders have the prime need of taxonomical correct identity of wild relatives of okra and their characterization for the improvement of cultivated okra. This booklet is the outcome on the exploratory survey conducted in various eco-geographic regions of India and aims to provide a taxonomic key for the easy and undoubted identification of the species ofA belmoschus.