Vol. 12, Issue 5 (2023)

Author(s):
Anjan Borah

Abstract:
The lower Brahmaputra valley region of Assam is suitable for growing a large number of diversified plant species and considered one of the rich reservoirs of different minor fruits. These lesser-known fruit plants are traditionally been esteemed for their medicinal and nutritional values by various communities of this region from time immemorial, majority of them remained confined in semi-wild or semi-domesticated conditions and are rarely known in other parts of the country. It lays emphasis on exploiting the potential usefulness of such valuable resources as they play a significant role in combating the challenges of food and nutritional security of rural populace. In the present study, an attempt has been made to explore, identify and document potential minor fruit species and their usage among the indigenous people of lower Assam, which is home to a number of ethnic tribes of the Indo-Mongoloid races. This paper deals with 29 species of underutilised fruits belonging to 18 families and 21 genera and highlighted the succinct description of these valuable plant wealth