Collection, cultivation and characterization of buckwheat in Northeastern Region of India

A survey and collection of buckwheat was carried out in the North Eastern Hill (NEH) Region of India in the states of Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Nagaland and Meghalaya beginning in 1987. A total of 40 accessions belonging to two species, Fagopyrum esculentum and F. tataricum were collected during the period of 1987-2001. In the N.E. region, buckwheat is mainly grown on a large scale in high altitude areas but it is also cultivated in the mid and foot hills. Out of these two species, common buckwheat F. esculentum is grown at the lower altitudes, whereas Tartary buckwheat F. tataricum is grown in the high altitude areas due to its frost tolerance characteristic. Buckwheat grain is consumed by humans in a similar manner to cereals, as animal feed and fodder, as a leafy vegetable and also as a cover crop