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Concepts of de Candolle and Vavilov


1. Concept of de Candolle (1882)

Introduction

Alphonse de Candolle, a Swiss botanist, proposed one of the earliest scientific ideas about the geographical origin of cultivated plants in his book “Origin of Cultivated Plants” (1882).

Main Concept

Cultivated plants originated in regions where their wild ancestors were naturally found.
These regions are usually areas of ancient human civilization, where agriculture first developed.

Basis of de Candolle’s Concept
De Candolle used:(BAHL)

Botanical evidence – presence of wild relatives
Historical records – ancient literature and scriptures
Archaeological findings
Linguistic evidence – local names of crops
Geographical distribution

Key Features

Emphasized broad geographical regions rather than precise centers.
Believed domestication occurred over a long time.
Recognized multiple origins for some crops.

Examples
Wheat → Near East
Maize → Central America
Potato → South America
Rice → South-East Asia

Merits

First systematic scientific approach.
Used multidisciplinary evidence.
Laid the foundation for later theories.

Limitations
Regions were too broad and vague.
No genetic or cytological evidence.
Did not explain crop diversity within regions.

2. Concept of Vavilov (1926–1940)
Introduction
Nikolai Ivanovich Vavilov, a Russian scientist, proposed a more precise theory called the “Centres of Origin / Centres of Diversity”.

Main Concept

The maximum genetic diversity of a crop occurs at its centre of origin.
These centers are places where crops were first domesticated and evolved.

Basis of Vavilov’s Concept
Vavilov used:

Extensive world exploration (64 countries)
Collection of germplasm
Genetic variation studies
Cytological and evolutionary evidence
Centres of Origin (Primary Centres)

Vavilov initially proposed 8 centres, later expanded to 12.

Introduced primary and secondary centres.
Emphasized genetic diversity.
Linked evolution, domestication, and breeding.

Merits

Scientifically sound and precise.
Extremely useful in plant breeding and germplasm conservation.
Accepted worldwide.

Limitations

Some crops have multiple centres.
Human migration and trade complicate exact origins.

4. Importance of These Concepts
Help in crop improvement
Conservation of plant genetic resources
Understanding evolution and domestication
Guidance for germplasm collection
Conclusion
De Candolle laid the foundation for the study of crop origins, while Vavilov provided a scientific and genetic framework. Together, their concepts play a crucial role in modern agriculture, plant breeding, and biodiversity conservation.

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The study of where our food comes from is rooted in the work of two monumental figures: Alphonse de Candolle and Nikolai Vavilov. While De Candolle laid the historical and botanical foundation, Vavilov revolutionized the field with genetic principles.

​1. Alphonse de Candolle (1806–1893)

​Known as the "Father of Phytogeography," his 1883 book, Origin of Cultivated Plants, was the first systematic attempt to determine where crops originated.

​Key Concepts:

  • ​Multidisciplinary Evidence: He used four types of evidence to trace plant origins:
    1. ​Botanical: Finding where the plant grows wild today.
    2. ​Archaeological: Studying seeds or drawings in ancient ruins/tombs.
    3. ​Historical: Reviewing ancient writings (e.g., Theophrastus, Pliny).
    1. ​Philological (Linguistic): Analyzing common names for plants across different languages.

.

  • ​Restricted Origin: He proposed that crops originated in restricted areas rather than being globally distributed.

  • ​Single Center: He believed each crop had a single, specific region of origin.

  • ​Classification: He studied 247 species and categorized them into classes based on their uses (e.g., roots/bulbs, stems/leaves, fruits, seeds).

​2. Nikolai Vavilov (1887–1943)

​Vavilov, a Russian geneticist, built upon De Candolle’s work but added a critical genetic dimension.

​Key Concepts:

  • ​Centers of Diversity: Vavilov argued that the Center of Origin is the same as the Center of Diversity. If you find a region with the highest genetic variation of a crop, that is likely where it originated.

  • ​Primary vs. Secondary Centers:
    • ​Primary Center: The original home where the crop was first domesticated from wild ancestors. High frequency of dominant alleles.
    • ​Secondary Center: Regions where the crop developed immense diversity after being introduced from elsewhere (e.g., the diversity of potatoes in Europe).

    .

    • ​Law of Homologous Series: He noted that closely related species show similar patterns of variation.

    • ​Mountainous Origins: Vavilov observed that most centers were located in mountainous or hilly regions of tropical and subtropical belts (between 20° and 45° latitude).

Modern Critique:

​Today, we know that Vavilov's rule "Center of Diversity = Center of Origin" is not always true. For example, Maize and Tomato have higher genetic diversity in regions far from where they were originally domesticated.




MCQs on de Candolle & Vavilov

1. The book “Origin of Cultivated Plants” was written by:

A. Vavilov

B. Darwin

C. de Candolle

D. Linnaeus

Answer: C. de Candolle

2. de Candolle emphasized the origin of crops based mainly on:

A. Genetic diversity

B. Cytological evidence

C. Historical and botanical evidence

D. Mutation studies

Answer: C. Historical and botanical evidence

3. According to de Candolle, cultivated plants originated in:

A. Random regions

B. Areas of ancient civilization

C. Polar regions

D. Industrial regions

Answer: B. Areas of ancient civilization

4. The main basis of Vavilov’s concept of centres of origin is:

A. Fossil records

B. Maximum genetic diversity

C. Climatic similarity

D. Soil fertility

Answer: B. Maximum genetic diversity

5. Who proposed the concept of Centres of Origin / Centres of Diversity?

A. de Candolle

B. Mendel

C. Vavilov

D. Haeckel

Answer: C. Vavilov

6. The Indian (Indo-Burma) centre of origin is associated with:

A. Wheat and barley

B. Maize and cotton

C. Rice, sugarcane, banana

D. Potato and tomato

Answer: C. Rice, sugarcane, banana

7. Which centre is considered the origin of wheat and barley?

A. Mediterranean

B. Near Eastern

C. Chinese

D. Abyssinian

Answer: B. Near Eastern

8. Coffee originated from which centre according to Vavilov?

A. Indian

B. Central American

C. Mediterranean

D. Abyssinian (Ethiopian)

Answer: D. Abyssinian (Ethiopian)

9. Which crop is correctly matched with its centre of origin?

A. Potato – Indian centre

B. Maize – Central American centre

C. Rice – Mediterranean centre

D. Wheat – South American centre

Answer: B. Maize – Central American centre

10. Vavilov proposed the concept of:

A. Single origin of crops

B. Mutation breeding

C. Centres of diversity

D. Natural selection

Answer: C. Centres of diversity

11. Which is a limitation of de Candolle’s concept?

A. Too many centres

B. Use of genetic evidence

C. Broad and vague regions

D. Overemphasis on diversity

Answer: C. Broad and vague regions

12. Vavilov collected germplasm from approximately:

A. 10 countries

B. 25 countries

C. 64 countries

D. 100 countries

Answer: C. 64 countries

13. The Mediterranean centre is rich in diversity of:

A. Rice and soybean

B. Olive and cabbage

C. Potato and tomato

D. Coffee and sorghum

Answer: B. Olive and cabbage

14. The Chinese centre is known for:

A. Wheat and barley

B. Rice, soybean, tea

C. Maize and cotton

D. Potato and tobacco

Answer: B. Rice, soybean, tea

15. The concept of primary and secondary centres was introduced by:

A. de Candolle

B. Linnaeus

C. Darwin

D. Vavilov

Answer: D. Vavilov

16. Which of the following crops belongs to the South American centre?

A. Sorghum

B. Coffee

C. Potato

D. Rice

Answer: C. Potato

17. The concept of centres of origin is most useful for:

A. Plant taxonomy

B. Plant breeding and germplasm conservation

C. Climate classification

D. Soil management

Answer: B. Plant breeding and germplasm conservation

18. de Candolle’s work was published in:

A. 1753

B. 1826

C. 1882

D. 1926

Answer: C. 1882

19. Which centre shows maximum diversity of maize?

A. South American

B. Near Eastern

C. Central American

D. Mediterranean

Answer: C. Central American

20. Vavilov’s theory is considered superior because it is based on:

A. Ancient literature

B. Linguistic studies

C. Genetic variation

D. Religious texts

Answer: C. Genetic variation



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