Perspective on the present state and future usefulness of marama bean (Tylosema esculentum)

Abstract

Recent focus on indigenous knowledge of plant species that have long been consumed by mankind, but not having a prominent place in organized agriculture, has raised the profile of what steps are needed to bring such potentially useful plant species into formal agriculture practice. Many of these orphan plants have been cultivated, albeit usually without much improvement. Tylosema esculentum (marama bean) is unusual; in that, it has not been grown as a crop but only collected from wild stands. The nutritious seeds have been consumed, and other potentially useful products from the marama seeds and tubers have been identified. The marama bean grows under inhospitable environments, particularly hot arid conditions, and, if domesticated, could be grown in environments where there are no high‐yielding alternatives. The perspective of this article is to view the current status of the marama bean domestication and the possible pathways to bring this plant into wider agricultural use. The scientific basis for an improved crop yield needs to be coupled with the identification of possible added value characteristics for growers. These include acceptability as a food, possible industrial use, the development and distribution of improved seed, and the recruitment of growers to plant marama as a crop. The authors' international collaboration has already made advances in some of these areas. We discuss the current ongoing developments and existing gaps in moving this plant into formal agriculture, along with a plan for the future developments necessary for marama to provide food security under climate change, particularly in Africa. Even as the process of domestication of marama bean is proceeding, its unusual and potentially useful characteristics will greatly benefit the improvement of other legume crops needed to provide adequate nutrition to about 35% of the world population living in semi‐arid to arid regions of the developing world.

Comparative analysis of 84 chloroplast genomes of Tylosema esculentum reveals two distinct cytotypes

“…Tylosema esculentum , also known as marama bean or gemsbok bean, is a perennial legume that naturally grows in the arid and semi-arid environments of Kalahari Desert, South Africa and surrounding areas ( National Research Council, 1979 ). Marama beans have developed some special morphological and physiological characteristics, such as the use of giant tubers that store water to help them survive in harsh environments with prolonged drought and heat, where traditional crops cannot grow ( Cullis et al., 2018 ; Lawlor, 2018 ; Cullis et al., 2022 ). Marama is used as a food source for local populations.…”

Reorienting research investments toward under‐researched crops for sustainable food systems

“…These crops are also adapted to climate change, for example, finger millet Luitel et al (2019) have high market potential, for example, cashew nuts Monteiro et al (2017) and contribution to soil conservation, for example, sweet potato and soya bean (Afzal et al, 2021;Karunakaran & Behera, 2015). Research investments considering geographic suitability could target cassava and peanuts in the West Africa region (Faye et al, 2018;Sanni et al, 2009), Marama bean in Southern Africa part (Cullis et al, 2023) as well as common bean (Katungi et al, 2010) and nightshade (Sangija et al, 2021) in East Africa. Considering under-researched crops research investments should target finger and pearl millet across the three institutions for the cereal cluster.…”

Comparative Analysis of Tylosema esculentum Mitochondrial DNA Revealed Two Distinct Genome Structures

“…Marama usually does not flower and produce seeds until two to four years after planting, making traditional breeding very inefficient (Cullis et al, 2019). Therefore, selecting improved marama individuals and exploring the underlying genetic diversity is considered of great significance for the improvement of the bean (Cullis et al, 2022).…”