Orphan legumes: harnessing their potential for food, nutritional and health security through genetic approaches

Chongtham, S. K.; Devi, E. Lamalakshmi; SamantaraYasin, Kajal Jeshima Khan; Wani, Shabir Hussain; Mukherjee, Soumya; Razzaq, Ali; Bhupenchandra, Ingudam; Jat, A. L.; Singh, Laishram Kanta; Kumar, Amit

doi:10.1007/s00425-022-03923-1

Cited by 12 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 228 publications

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“…Unfortunately, there is a lack of financial resources and unclear research objectives specifically dedicated to the marama bean. There is a pressing need for research on these native plants, along with the development of effective cultivation protocols (Chiurugwi et al, 2019;Chongtham et al, 2022). Innovative methods, including the use of molecular biology techniques, should be employed to expedite the selection of desirable traits in marama breeding.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Domestication of Marama Bean in Arid Namibia: Challenges and Opportunities in a Climate Changing Agroecology

Chimwamurombe,

Naomab

2024

AJCC

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Tylosema esculentum (Burch.) A. Schreib. (Marama bean), referred to as marama in sections of this article, is an obligate outcrossing native plant with a yield potential of 2 ton/hectare which grows naturally in the deep sandy soils of the Kalahari Desert. It has adapted to the low precipitation levels in that agro-ecosystem. Marama serves as a staple food for the San and Bantus in that area. In Namibia, in the past you could find wild stands of marama in the Khomas region, Omaheke region, and the Otjozondjupa region without must struggle. It is renowned for its brown seeds, which are rich in high-quality oils and proteins. The tuberous root contains a significant amount of starch. The objective of domesticating orphaned marama is to provide farmers in this climate change-prone region with a viable alternative for food and nutrition security. This program, initiated in 2008 with an open-minded mindset, required swift implementation using harsh and occasionally unconventional methods. To introduce indigenous tools for resource-poor farmers, the domestication program prioritized the utilization of farmer-participatory methodologies. It was crucial to integrate old and new approaches to ensure learning from past and present experiences, leading to innovative solutions. There is little research and development of native crops in Africa because most of the currently cultivates crops were brought for use from abroad. Only a few numbers of indeginous African crops can be named. The arid Kalahari region, susceptible to climate change, necessitates the revival of indigenous crops like marama, which are resilient and well-adapted to the region's conditions and have thrived for centuries. In many discussions regarding the health and nutrition of Africa, the recommendation to consume traditional foods to avoid exposure to modern foods, which may not be genetically compatible, is frequently emphasized. Regardless of their validity, these opinions How to cite this paper: Chimwamurombe,

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Domestication of Marama Bean in Arid Namibia: Challenges and Opportunities in a Climate Changing Agroecology

Chimwamurombe,

Naomab

2024

AJCC

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“…Green leafy vegetables contain health promoting phytochemicals, known to have an important role in alleviation and fighting against many deficiencies and diseases [76]. The consumption of vegetables has been associated with a decreased risk of developing various diseases including heart ailments and malignancies, pointing out the benefits of their increased intake [77].…”

Section: Indigenous Green Leafy Vegetablesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Causes and Conditions for Reduced Cultivation and Consumption of Underutilized Crops: Is There a Solution?

et al. 2023

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Underutilized crops are described as plant species that were once popular but have since been neglected by mainstream agriculture for several reasons. A widespread monoculture agricultural revolution and a tendency toward more high-yielding varieties were the main reasons for the underutilization of certain crops. Remarkably, underutilized crops have endured even without formal support, which indicates that besides their exceptional nutritional value and beneficial effects on human health they contain desirable traits that could be useful for building resilience and adaptation to climate-changing environments. As such, the re-establishment of these plants to the global food system is desired. To find solutions for overcoming the obstacles for the reintroduction of these crops and to bring the neglected species back to cultivation and utilization, a comprehensive understanding of the potential reasons for the reduced cultivation of these crops is necessary. In this article, potential reasons, causes, and conditions for the decreased cultivation and consumption of certain crops are discussed with a presentation of case studies of the following species: buckwheat, lentils, green leafy vegetables, sow thistle, grass pea, cucumber melon, and eggplant. Finally, potential solutions for overcoming the identified obstacles associated with both the cultivation and consumption of certain underutilized crops and neglected species are provided. Documented benefits of the production of various crops in agricultural production systems and the beneficial effects of increased consumption of these crops for human health should stimulate and encourage people from various disciplines, i.e., farmers, researchers, agronomists, nutritionists, and policymakers to join the efforts to bring neglected species back to cultivation and consumption.

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“…The emphasis was predominantly placed on improving the domestication process of these crops ( Kamenya, et al, 2021 ). For orphan legumes (pea, lupin) mutation breeding and interspecific introgression have been successful in generating genetic diversity leading to favorable traits like stress tolerance, high yield, etc., ( Chongtham et al, 2022 ). A robust repertoire of molecular markers serves as a crucial asset in the breeding endeavors of all crop species; however, it is often deficient in broad array of orphan crops.…”

Section: Empowering Food Security With Resilient Orphan Crops Through...mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Certain researchers have pinpointed specific genes or quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with adaptive traits in orphan legume species. These genetic elements possess the potential to be utilized in crop enhancement efforts to confer stress tolerance onto other cultivated crops ( Chongtham et al, 2022 ). Although research on speed breeding in orphan crops is still limited, there are a few examples where it has been explored.…”

Section: Empowering Food Security With Resilient Orphan Crops Through...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Green revolution to genome revolution: driving better resilient crops against environmental instability

Chawla,

Poonia,

Samantara

et al. 2023

Front. Genet.

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Crop improvement programmes began with traditional breeding practices since the inception of agriculture. Farmers and plant breeders continue to use these strategies for crop improvement due to their broad application in modifying crop genetic compositions. Nonetheless, conventional breeding has significant downsides in regard to effort and time. Crop productivity seems to be hitting a plateau as a consequence of environmental issues and the scarcity of agricultural land. Therefore, continuous pursuit of advancement in crop improvement is essential. Recent technical innovations have resulted in a revolutionary shift in the pattern of breeding methods, leaning further towards molecular approaches. Among the promising approaches, marker-assisted selection, QTL mapping, omics-assisted breeding, genome-wide association studies and genome editing have lately gained prominence. Several governments have progressively relaxed their restrictions relating to genome editing. The present review highlights the evolutionary and revolutionary approaches that have been utilized for crop improvement in a bid to produce climate-resilient crops observing the consequence of climate change. Additionally, it will contribute to the comprehension of plant breeding succession so far. Investing in advanced sequencing technologies and bioinformatics will deepen our understanding of genetic variations and their functional implications, contributing to breakthroughs in crop improvement and biodiversity conservation.

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Orphan legumes: harnessing their potential for food, nutritional and health security through genetic approaches

Cited by 12 publications

References 228 publications

Domestication of Marama Bean in Arid Namibia: Challenges and Opportunities in a Climate Changing Agroecology

Domestication of Marama Bean in Arid Namibia: Challenges and Opportunities in a Climate Changing Agroecology

Causes and Conditions for Reduced Cultivation and Consumption of Underutilized Crops: Is There a Solution?

Green revolution to genome revolution: driving better resilient crops against environmental instability

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