GeneflowA P U B L I C A T IO N ABO U T A G R I CULTU RA L BIODIVERSI T Y

Historic seed treaty promotes food security

Call for global initiative on biodiversity and nutrition

Special Section: crop wild relatives

2Improving 0 lives through 0 biodiversity 6 research Geneflow ’06 A PUBLICATION ABOUT AGRICULTURAL BIODIVERSITY

Managing Editor Ruth D. Raymond Assistant Contents Managing Editor Cassandra Moore

Intern Geneflow News Rejuvenating the 17 Kelly Wagner Sahelian parklands Historic seed treaty 1 Eucalypts and 18 Design promotes food security Jan Banning/Panos Pictures climate change Patrizia Tazza Elena Stefan milks the family’s only cow. The erosion of farm animal Call for global 2 genetic diversity will badly affect the incomes of the poor. Layout initiative on biodiversity Special Section Ciohorani village, Romania. Frances Ferraiuolo and nutrition An introduction to 19 Cover Photo Kenyans flock back 3 crop wild relatives Saving Central Asia's 33 Eggplant: overcoming 48 Children in an Afghan to traditional leafy pistachio diversity an unjust reputation refugee camp sitting on vegetables The Crop Wild 20 Ask the old women 34 Policy initiative helps 49 adandoned military hardware. Relatives Project Nepal to protect crop Crop diversity can help Seed treaty confirms 4 Use crop wild 21 Tapping the potential 35 diversity countries like Afghanistan to essential role of Crop Trust relatives or lose them! of medicinal and rebuild agricultural systems aromatic plants in Farmer variety 50 destroyed by war. Arctic vault to 5 Wild foods are rich 22 northern Europe officially approved Martin Adler/Panos Pictures safeguard future food in micronutrients in Nepal Climate change 36 © Bioversity International Geographical 6 The benefits of foods 23 threatens wild relatives Tying the genome 51 2006 indication protection from the forests with extinction up in knots

ISBN-13: 978-92-9043-724-6 Green and yellow 7 The value of 24 Wild potato relative 37 Using endophytes to 52 ISBN-10: 92-9043-724-3 foods linked to wild relatives may blunt late blight combat banana pests healthier arteries Bringing crop 25 On the rocks 38 Climate change is a 53 Blue fruit and 9 relatives to the public women's issue novel tastes Spreading the word 39 Spicy wild relatives 26 about wild relatives Weed-resistant 54 Meeting a new threat 10 get some respect maize promises food to the world's favourite Wild relatives could 40 security for millions fruit The importance 27 help boost berry market of wild bananas in Economic change 55 Total makeover 11 Sri Lanka Groundnut relatives 41 could impact crop hit the spot diversity This publication was supported for crop diversity conservation in Peru Wild relatives offer 28 by the UNEP/GEF project "In new lease on life to Geneflow News Letting the weeds grow 56 situ conservation of crop wild Conservation 12 an ancient grain relatives through enhanced on a shoestring Cultivating peace 42 Lessons learned 57 information management and Global conference 29 through rice from implementing the field application." A global platform 13 maps out future for Global Plan of Action for agrobiodiversity wild relatives Mixed news on AIDS 43 research Participatory mapping 58 Regional catalogue 30 A revolution in rice: 44 helps community save A case of accidental 14 supports national Lao PDR wildlife-rich pastoral extinction strategies lands Climate change: 46 Ocean blues 15 Putting diversity 31 the tipping point? New network offers 60 back into wheat hope to chocoholics Underwater mountain 16 Divine tree helps 47 everywhere houses marine Protecting the wild 32 reduce vitamin A GEF treasures relatives of walnut deficiency Geneflow News

Historic seed treaty promotes food security

Meetings are as common- enables access to plant place as mosquitoes in genetic resources. With the tropics and few have more than one hundred the potential to change the countries having ratified the world for the better. But Treaty so far, the stage is set last June, Spain hosted an for hundreds of thousands The Treaty historic congress that may of germplasm exchanges creates a do just that. around the world each multilateral year in support of breeding

system that The Governing Body of the and research to improve E. McGaw/ICRISAT enables International Treaty on Plant agriculture. Rice is one of the crops listed in Annex 1 of the International Treaty access to Genetic Resources for Food on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. and Agriculture met for the Benefits from the system plant genetic first time in Madrid to agree will arise from royalties are covered by the terms voluntary if the products resources on how the Treaty will work. levied on commercial regulating the multilateral are available for further use. Expected by many to be products developed using system. The royalty payment The funds will be devoted to fractious and inconclusive, material of crops that have has been set at 1.1% of conservation efforts, mainly the meeting actually achieved been included in the system. sales. It is mandatory if in developing countries. consensus on several key Thirty-five of the world’s most the product is unavailable issues. As a result, farmers important food crops and for further breeding and By Jeremy Cherfas, and scientists should be a similar number of forages research. Payments are Bioversity International assured unimpeded access to the crop diversity they need to meet the world’s Why the Treaty is important future agricultural needs. The first meeting of the Governing Body of the International Treaty marks an historic moment for the future of food security. But why should anyone be interested in an extremely technical piece Among the most important of international law? Here are some of the reasons why the Treaty is important. outcomes was the adoption A treaty for agriculture. The Treaty is the first international law to deal specifically with the needs of the Standard Material of agriculture. It covers the rich diversity hidden within the genes of the thousands of varieties Transfer Agreement of crops that feed humanity. From the very first domestication of a wild species—possibly a (SMTA)—a standardized fig more than 12 000 years ago—agriculture has always depended on the exchange of genetic contract that will enable resources. The Treaty will make it easier for farmers and breeders to continue sharing those much easier access to crop resources so that they can meet new challenges in the future. Challenges to farmers and agriculture do not stand still. New pests and diseases and changing growing conditions can only diversity. The agreement is be addressed if farmers and scientists have access to as wide a range of resources as possible. simple to operate and will By guaranteeing that access, the Treaty guarantees the future of agriculture. encourage greater use of A multilateral system of access and benefit-sharing. By signing up to the Treaty, countries gain crop resources. The SMTA access to the genetic resources of all other signatories. This is much more effective than the sets out the terms that alternative, which would require countries to negotiate bilaterally for access, especially when govern access to genetic one considers that a new variety may count hundreds of varieties from scores of countries in its resources and the sharing of pedigree. Initially the multilateral system applies to 64 crops and forages that represent most of any benefits that arise from the crops that humanity depends on for its food supply. For further information about their use and will accompany Benefit-sharing. The ‘owners’ of a commercialized product that incorporates material obtained the Treaty, visit the Web site through the multilateral system will pay a royalty into a special fund. Money from this fund will of the Food and Agriculture all transfers of materials. be used to boost conservation efforts in developing countries. Cash, however, is perhaps the Organization of the United least significant of the benefits that will flow from the Treaty, which also envisages information Nations at http://www.fao.org/ The Treaty creates a exchange, access to technology and transfer of technology. ag/cgrfa/itpgr.htm multilateral system that Geneflow News 

Call for global initiative on biodiversity and nutrition

The Parties to the supplements or breeding “The global initiative on “We are Convention on Biological micronutrients into staple biodiversity and nutrition delighted by Diversity have called on foods. These are certainly will involve national and Bioversity International and important approaches to international partners from the positive the Food and Agriculture combating malnutrition. a wide range of sectors— response to the Organization of the United But promoting a greater nutrition, health, agriculture, proposal and Nations (FAO) to mount an use of traditional fruits and marketing and research,” we look forward initiative to address a major vegetables that are naturally said Frison. “Each of these to working with symptom and cause of rich in micronutrients is sectors has an important FAO to carry it poverty: malnutrition. The a strategy that demands role to play in ensuring that programme will promote attention. agricultural biodiversity is forward” the use of agricultural used to satisfy the hidden — Frison biodiversity to counter Despite their nutritional hunger of the poor for the the twin burdens of importance, traditional foods vitamins, minerals and other micronutrient deficiency have been neglected by micronutrients they need for and the epidemic of the both science and consumers a healthy life. An important A. Camacho/Bioversity International Traditional fruits and vegetables so-called diseases of in favour of less-nutritious and challenging task lies may hold the solution to many affluence—obesity, heart staples such as potatoes ahead. We can’t wait to get problems of nutrition and health. disease, diabetes and and rice. Because the started.” Sebastián Rojas enjoys a sapote cancer—associated with initiative will promote the fruit. These fruits are mainly the oversimplification of use of a broader range By Jeremy Cherfas, consumed fresh: the attractive, aromatic orange pulp is chewed diets. These diseases are of biodiversity, it will also Bioversity International from the seeds. Sapote is rich increasing at alarming rates contribute to biodiversity in pro-vitamin A (carotenoids), in developing countries. conservation, an important vitamin C and phosphorous. goal of the Convention. “The initiative grew out of a desire by the Parties to see A global stakeholders’ work in this area,” said Emile workshop, supported by Frison, Director General the Canadian Government of Bioversity International. and held at Bioversity “In 2004, they requested International last February, that IPGRI [now Bioversity developed priorities for International] and FAO action under the initiative. work with the Convention’s The priorities emphasize the Secretariat to draw up a need for more complete and proposal for a cross-cutting well-documented research programme of work on on the links between biodiversity and nutrition. We agricultural biodiversity, are delighted by the positive nutrition and health; for response to the proposal and the creation of policies we look forward to working to support the use of a with FAO to carry it forward.” broader range of agricultural S. Mann/Bioversity International biodiversity; and for greater Traditional fruits and vegetables may hold the solution to many For further information, problems of nutrition and health. Emmanuel Pascal Osea enjoys a contact Pablo Eyzaguirre, Too often, nutritional awareness about the plate of mitoo with his sister Lydia and older brother, Sebastian. Mitoo Bioversity International programmes rely on relationship between diverse is extremely nutritious, containing high levels of folic acid, iron, calcium [email protected] providing vitamin diets and better nutrition. and magnesium among other nutrients. Geneflow News

Kenyans flock back to traditional leafy vegetables

Sales of traditional shoppers with colourful recipe of kale or cabbage because African leafy vegetables leaflets and information about they have been on the at supermarkets in how traditional vegetables shelves too long. But I never Nairobi have rocketed an provide better nutrition than have to throw away the leafy

astonishing 1100% in the some of the crops that have vegetables, because nothing S. Mann/Bioversity International past two years. Informal replaced them. is left of the stock by the time Mary Wangari works at the Tusker market sales have increased we close in the evening.” supermarket in Nairobi, Kenya. too, as supermarket sales “Since Uchumi started Tusker is one of the supermarkets in Nairobi that stocks traditional have legitimized products selling traditional vegetables “We are seeing a ripple leafy vegetables. A major public long viewed as ‘backward’ the three other leading effect in other cities and awareness campaign supported by shoppers. supermarkets in Nairobi have the informal markets,” by Bioversity International helped joined in,” Maundu explained. said Maundu. “Shoppers to boost the popularity of leafy “We never dared “IPGRI [now Bioversity see these vegetables in vegetables in Nairobi. to dream it would International] launched “The sellers in this business the supermarkets and that this project to market and are minting money,” said makes them desirable.” be so successful” promote African leafy Mary King’ori, a sales Bioversity International and the nutritional value of their — Maundu vegetables in 2003,” assistant at one of those partners are working with traditional diets. And the explained Patrick Maundu, supermarkets, Tusker farmers to increase the benefits flow to everyone the project coordinator. “But Mattress in Buruburu quality of produce in the involved. It is time that we never dared to dream it neighbourhood. Customers street markets too. policy-makers started to would be so successful.” prefer the new products to take traditional vegetable the less nutritious cabbages “This just shows what can crops seriously as a source Growers around Nairobi they were consuming before. be achieved,” Maundu of good food, higher who took part in the project said. “Working together incomes and better health.” and were trained to produce Lucy Wanjiru, a 27-year old with farmers, nutritionists, high-quality food for the shopper at Tusker Mattress, marketers and others we By Jeremy Cherfas, supermarkets have seen their likes the fact that she can can help people rediscover Bioversity International incomes rise up to twenty- get traditional vegetables fold. “We have monitored there now. “They started 300 farming families,” said stocking traditional leafy Maundu. “The produce they vegetables only about a year deliver has increased from 31 ago,” she said. “Before that to 400 tonnes a month, and I used to buy my vegetables demand is still far from being in the outdoor market.” To find out more about the met.” Wanjiru accepts that she has African leafy vegetables project, to pay a bit more. “Prices see our booklet, ‘Back by Family Concern Inc, a are a few shillings more here, popular demand: the benefits of traditional vegetables’. The Kenyan non-governmental but I do not mind because I booklet is available to download organization (NGO), promoted am assured of quality.” on the Bioversity International traditional vegetables, which Web site: http://www. people had long since Mary Wangari, another

bioversityinternational.org S. Mann/Bioversity International abandoned because they Tusker sales assistant, were seen as backward has her own measure of The sons of Josephine Osea, Programme Assistant to Bioversity For hard copies of the booklet, International’s Regional Director, shop for traditional leafy vegetables contact Cassandra Moore, and difficult to prepare. The the newfound appeal of in a supermarket in Nairobi, Kenya. African leafy vegetables are Bioversity International NGO worked with Uchumi traditional leafy vegetables. very nutritious, containing high levels of folic acid, iron, calcium and [email protected] Supermarkets to provide “Often I throw away bunches magnesium among other nutrients. Geneflow News 

Seed treaty confirms essential role of Crop Trust

The Global Crop Diversity focused on the world’s climate change and energy donors to contribute to the Trust continues to make distinct and important crop constraints. If our major Trust. Germany responded significant strides towards resources for food and crops ever lose the ability by announcing a pledge of its goal of conserving agriculture. to evolve due to humanity’s €7.5 million (US$9.6 million). the world’s crop diversity squandering of genetic With this newest pledge, the forever. The recognition comes at resources, they will be on Trust has now raised almost a critical time. “Our major the road to extinction and US$70 million for crop “The Trust In June 2006 the Governing food crops appear to be we will be on the fast track diversity conservation. is picking Body of the International facing ever more daunting to ruin. I believe we can Treaty on Plant Genetic challenges,” said Cary avert such a fate.” “The Trust is picking up steam” Resources for Food and Fowler, Executive Secretary up steam,” said Fowler. — Fowler Agriculture met for the of the Trust. “They need Also at the Madrid meeting, “Recently, countries as first time in Madrid, Spain, to respond not only to a Ministerial Declaration, diverse as Germany and where it confirmed the close the familiar foes of pests approved by 65 countries, Ethiopia have provided relationship between the and diseases but also to called upon all possible financial support. But just Trust and the Treaty. The watch what we are going to final report of the meeting do this year with the help notes that the Trust received of our partners. It will make the unanimous support of history!” the Parties to the Treaty. At a signing ceremony before By Julian Laird, The Global representatives of more than Crop Diversity Trust 100 countries, Ambassador Fernando Gerbasi, Chair of the Trust’s interim Board, signed a formal relationship agreement with the Treaty’s Governing Body.

The agreement establishes the Trust as “an essential element of the funding strategy of the International Treaty in relation to the ex situ conservation and availability of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture.” And it confirms the Trust’s mandate to support the development of a rational, effective, efficient and sustainableex situ conservation system

For further information, visit Johnson FAO/5417/P. The Global Crop Diversity Trust The Trust’s goal is to ensure the conservation and availability of crop at http://www.croptrust.org diversity for food security worldwide. Geneflow News

Arctic vault to safeguard future food

As polar bears prowled the The Norwegian government cold winters on Svalbard, small island of Svalbard has established the seed ice floes and the presence near the North Pole, five repository of last resort as of Norwegian authorities. heads of state laid the a service to the world. It Facility planners also cite the cornerstone for a fail-safe will be carved into the side ubiquitous presence of polar seed vault that could prove of a mountain and could bears—not known for their to be a major hedge against eventually house seeds from hospitality toward humans— catastrophe—part of a every nation. as a security measure. global strategy to ensure the long-term survival of The Svalbard International The seeds placed in the The Norwegian the world’s food crops. The Seed Vault—often referred to facility will be duplicates of government groundbreaking ceremony as the ‘doomsday vault’— those already conserved took place on 19 June will have the capacity to hold in existing genebanks. The has established 2006 with the participation three million seed samples. Norwegian government is the seed of Prime Ministers from all Enveloped by permafrost providing the US$3 million repository of of the Nordic countries— and rock, the samples will needed to construct the last resort as a Denmark, Finland, Iceland, remain frozen even if the vault. The Trust plans to service to the Norway and Sweden. The electricity fails. Samples support ongoing operational world new seed bank, expected to held in ‘black boxes’ (similar costs of the facility and open its doors in September to safe deposit boxes at a will be available to assist 2007, will protect the bank) will be released in the developing countries to world’s food supply by event that all other seed cover the costs of preparing, conserving critical seed sources around the world packaging and transporting collections originating from have been exhausted or their seeds to the Arctic. the tropics to the highest destroyed. latitudes. By Julian Laird, The Global A metre of reinforced Crop Diversity Trust “This facility will provide a concrete will fortify the practical means to re- chamber walls. Despite the establish crop collections changes being wrought by obliterated by major global warming, experts disasters,” said Cary Fowler, believe that the deep the Executive Secretary of permafrost will be reliably the Global Crop Diversity cool for at least the next 100 Trust, a sponsor of the years and that Svalbard will initiative. “Over the last 10 remain colder than alternative years, we have seen crop sites. Even with a complete diversity put at risk by wars loss of refrigeration, vault in Somalia, Rwanda and temperatures would not rise Afghanistan, to name a above -3.5° Celsius or about few. But crop diversity is 27° Fahrenheit for many imperilled not just by war, years. but also by natural disasters,

For further information, visit accidents, mismanagement The facility’s remote location Diversity Trust The Global Crop The Global Crop Diversity Trust and short-sighted budget will further enhance its Its remote location and consistently cold climate have made Svalbard at http://www.croptrust.org cuts.” security, as will the incredibly the ideal location for housing the world’s first ever fail-safe seed vault. Geneflow News 

Geographical indication protection a strategy for neglected crops

Geographical National and international processors and distributors. a particular, geographically protection is available indications have markets are increasingly The expanding demand for a circumscribed product. to all producers meeting been very widely demanding novel food new agricultural commodity recognized standards. products in response typically leads to oversupply Also known as ‘appellation Moreover, geographical used in Europe to emerging consumer or boom-and-bust cycles, of origin’ and ‘denomination indications allow for the over the last 30 trends toward exotic to which the poor are of origin’, geographical protection of existing years, especially foods and healthful or especially vulnerable. Even indications have been very products and do not require for wine and food functional ingredients. when farmers manage widely used in Europe communities to innovate. products Shifting demands provide traditional high-value over the last 30 years, new opportunities for products, they often face especially for wine and food For geographical indications using some of the species competition from free-riders products. At times of crisis to fulfil their purpose, three considered neglected and who use traditional product and oversupply, the use of important conditions need to under-utilized less than a names for inferior products, geographical indications be met. decade ago. Small farmers eroding brand recognition has transformed bulk can benefit from such and confusing consumers. commodities into highly First, pursuing geographical opportunities, particularly Owing to these problems, differentiated and clearly indication protection only where they have privileged farmers tend to have little identifiable products that makes sense for a product access to indigenous negotiating power in value consumers recognize for that has a reputation for varieties and specific chains and lose out on their quality and for which quality (or the potential to agro-ecological production market share and income. they are prepared to pay acquire one) associated niches and as long as the a premium. Because of with a geographic locality production of such crops ‘Geographical indications’ their strong geographic or region. This implies that does not involve economies are increasingly recognized connotations, geographical- the environmental, genetic of scale that will make larger as a tool that farming indication-protected and management factors (and richer) farmers more communities can use to products have helped driving the product’s quality competitive. add value to agricultural revive old food traditions must be understood, which produce, improve brand and associated knowledge is of utmost importance for However, the poor have recognition and protect their and thus have lessened the quality management. often been unable to product against competitors. impact of industrial food reap the full commercial A geographical indication is standardization. Second, marketable volumes benefits from renewed a protected trade name for of consistent quality can market interest in traditional a product that corresponds While geographical only be achieved through foods because of a variety to a specific geographic indications are no panacea the coordinated action of of problems. At the farm location or origin; as such to the constraints faced by producers, in terms of quality level, undifferentiated bulk it certifies that a product developing country farmers management, self regulation Parmigiano Reggiano, a production predominates possesses certain qualities in accessing markets, they and collective administration traditional Italian cheese and leaves much of or enjoys a reputation due to have much potential for of the geographical protected by the geographical the value generation to its geographic peculiarities. protecting the local value indication. This requires a indications system. By granting a geographical of traditional crops. In high degree of organization indication the state does contrast to company-owned and determination to deal not bestow ownership trademarks, geographical collectively with buyers and rights over germplasm indications cannot be traded input suppliers. or production processes, and their use prevents the but it gives the holders relocation of production. As Third, there need to be monopoly rights to use the a state-guaranteed collective supportive legal and geographical indication for right, geographical indication institutional frameworks in Istock international Geneflow News

place at the national level cultural, economic and/or determine the product’s a range of uniquely distinct that spell out application environmental evidence unique quality. products of higher value. procedures, documentation needed to justify a particular Geographical indications requirements and competent geographic delimitation Developing countries will thus provide a demand- state entities. chosen for a geographical also need help in building driven incentive for the indication. They also awareness of the potential conservation of biodiversity On their own, poor farmers must demonstrate the of geographical indication to that contributes to that will be overwhelmed unique marketable quality support income generation product differentiation. At by the complexity of attributes of the product. as well as of the relevant the same time, promoting geographical indication Dossiers typically explain policies that will need to geographical indications applications, in terms of the policies chosen by be in place. Research is almost certainly entails evidence requirements a group of producers in required to determine best trade-offs between on-farm and procedures; there order to ensure consistent practices for establishing conservation objectives is much scope for quality management and the geographical indication at the local level and the development agencies to administrative traceability of protection. Countries product standardization that provide critical support. the product. Dossiers also will also need to develop is required to ensure quality In particular, farmers will provide research results inventories of promising but that tends to narrow the require assistance with on the genetic identity of biodiversity products from genetic base of local genetic the preparation of the materials from which a traditional crops. resources. For further information, product dossiers required particular product is derived, contact Michael Hermann, to support geographical and the extent to which Geographical indications can By Michael Hermann, Bioversity International indication applications. indigenous germplasm and support the differentiation of Bioversity International [email protected] Such dossiers present the associated local knowledge a traditional commodity into

Green and yellow foods According to a linked to healthier arteries study published in the July 2006 issue of A recent study shows blood flow and raising the Food Community of Pohnpei the Journal of the positive link between risks of heart attack and are spreading the word diets rich in green stroke. According to a about the important health Nutrition, a diet and yellow foods and study published in the July benefits of yellow-fleshed that includes reduced development of 2006 issue of the Journal carotenoid-rich local foods. 30% green atherosclerosis, a condition of Nutrition, a diet that In May 2006, they visited the and yellow where fatty substances, includes 30% green and islands of Ta and Satowan vegetables by such as cholesterol, and yellow vegetables by weight in the Mortlock Islands of weight reduced calcium collect along the reduced atherosclerosis by Chuuk in the Federated inner lining of the arteries. almost 40% in mice. States of Micronesia to atherosclerosis The material thickens, promote Mortlockese giant by almost 40% hardens and may eventually Lois Englberger and Amy swamp taro or pula, along in mice block the arteries, reducing Levendusky of the Island with other local foods. Geneflow News 

can protect against many host of diseases. Particular and to convince people serious diseases, such attention was drawn to grow and use more of as vitamin A deficiency, to apuch, a fruit rich in this wonderful food in their anaemia, diabetes, heart carotenoids that grows all diets,” Englberger said. disease and cancer.” over the islands. Recently, apuch fruit has fallen into By Kelly Wagner, To eat giant swamp taro, neglect as island inhabitants Bioversity International the underground stem have shifted their preference of the plant, or corm, is to imported foods such as peeled and cooked, either rice and canned meat. by boiling or baking. Giant swamp taro can also be The workshop, funded by ground and mixed with New Zealand, energized ripe mashed banana or the participants into starting extracted pulp of pandanus a campaign to revive fruit and coconut cream the production and to make a variety of sweet consumption of local dishes. foods in their communities. Englberger and Levendusky “The Mortlock islanders plan to continue their work helped us to identify 32 in the atoll islands as well different varieties of giant as on the main island of swamp taro,” Englberger Pohnpei. “Our objectives said. “They gave us planting are to work with community material from 21 varieties groups to find out more to be conserved in the about pula, to protect it taro genebank located at the Pilot Farm on Pohnpei L. Englberger Island.” The genebank, Giant swamp taro diversity. Note the differences in stem colour. which holds 43 varieties of giant swamp taro, is a joint “Giant swamp taro project of the Pohnpei Office flourishes on the atoll of Economic Affairs and the islands where very few Island Food Community of crops can grow,” explained Pohnpei. Englberger. “It is available all year round and can About 30 islanders from Visit the Island Food Community of Pohnpei at http:// withstand strong winds and Ta, Satowan and Moch www.islandfood.org/index.htm typhoons, which destroy attended a day-long tree crops and other plants workshop on taro and other To read an abstract of the like banana. Also, there are local foods. In addition to study on the link between diets many varieties of pula that sharing information about rich in green and yellow foods

and reduced development of are rich in beta-carotene local varieties of taro, L. Englberger atherosclerosis, visit http:// and other carotenoids, participants learned about About 30 participants from the islands of Ta, Satowan and Moch came jn.nutrition.org/cgi/content/ minerals and fibre. A diet the ability of local foods together to attend a day-long workshop on taro and other local foods abstract/136/7/1886 rich in these varieties to protect them against a organized by the Island Food Community of Pohnpei. Geneflow News

Blue fruit and novel tastes selling agroforestry delicacies in central Africa

It may be the most widely or dika nut, to name but easily mastered by the high-value trees into their consumed fruit in central a few? “Africans have not farmers. This has allowed farming systems.” Africa, but until now people been marketing their own farmers to produce planting in that region have kept the produce,” explained Tabuna. material that matures and The next step is to ensure secret of safou very much to “They have not recognized fruits in just a few years, that market structures are themselves. the enormous potential value rather than taking a decade in place to accommodate of their own products.” or two as is usually the case a new range of products. “It wouldn’t be “It’s a tasty, beautiful for indigenous trees in the According to Charly Facheux, an exaggeration blue fruit with enormous One of the reasons they region. Marcotting is another the World Agroforestry to say that regional and international have not done so, according technique used to shorten Centre’s marketing specialist, market potential,” said the to Zac Tchoundjeu, head the production cycle of the Centre, with support this project World Agroforestry Centre’s of the World Agroforestry trees. Marcotting consists from the Belgian Directorate has created a marketing specialist Honore Centre’s Cameroon-based of developing roots on a General for Development, is revolution” Tabuna. “There is so much programme, is that these branch of a mature tree and developing farmer enterprise — Tchoundjeu interest these days in novel products were not thought then cutting the branch and networks, teaching the tastes, healthy natural to have economic value. planting it in the ground. farmers how to negotiate produce and ethnic foods.” Also, market structures in The production cycle of the prices and arranging meetings central Africa are informal marcotted plant is shorter between farmers, wholesalers The safou fruit, from the and localized, and farmers because the rooted branch and retailers who must be Dacryodes edulis tree, should lacked the capacity to that is planted is already the made aware of the enormous appeal to anyone who likes cultivate trees in sufficient age of the mother tree. potential of these high-quality avocadoes since it is similar quantity to ensure regular indigenous tree crops. in texture and in protein and supplies of quality crops. The use of such techniques lipid content. When roasted empowers farmers to Now, marketing research or boiled, it is simultaneously For eight years, the World produce quality trees of will examine improved ways tangy and nutty. Agroforestry Centre has their choice in the desired to make these tree crops been working with farmers to quantity. By controlling available on the international According to Tabuna, improve the domestication production they also gain market. “A few years ago safou is just one of many of local tree species with some control over the nobody had heard of delicacies growing on trees economic, nutritional and prices they can demand for macadamia nuts,” Tchoundjeu indigenous to central Africa. medicinal uses. Supported their tree crops in local and said. “Now you find them all “We have njansang,” said by the International Fund for regional markets. over the world, even served Tabuna, referring to the small Agricultural Development, on airplanes. Why not the dika golden nut produced by the the programme involved “It wouldn’t be an nut, njansang or safou? We ICRAF Ricinodendron heudelotti extensive training of farmer exaggeration to say that want to make these products A roadside stall in Cameroon tree, which is used as a groups throughout the this project has created a as popular as macadamia selling roasted bananas and spice for fish and sauces. region. Farmers are now revolution,” said Tchoundjeu. nuts are today.” safou. Roasted safou has a tangy, nutty flavour and is “There is no reason why able to distribute good- “Thousands of farmers have considered a delicacy by many in we could not market our quality planting materials already integrated the first By Joan Baxter, World central Africa. njansang worldwide.” and to pass on the skills for generation of domesticated Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) selecting and propagating So why has the world not high-value trees to other yet discovered these African farmers in the region. For further information, contact delicacies—the blue safou Zac Tchoundjeu, ICRAF fruit, the nutty njansang, Propagation techniques [email protected] the savoury bush mango such as grafting have been

Safou on sale at a market stall in Cameroon. Researchers at the World Agroforestry Centre are finding ways to market locally important fruit species, such as safou, on an international scale. ICRAF 10Geneflow News 11

Meeting a new threat to the world’s favourite fruit

Do you remember bananas the fungus spread around the mutant that manages to resist to protect it from invading tasting better when you world, so Gros Michel was the disease and propagating disease agents. The project were a child? (This question replaced by the Cavendish new planting material from will also identify other soil- is addressed to the over- banana that today we find these survivors. Elsewhere, dwelling fungi that can act 50s.) Do your parents or in shops and supermarkets plantation owners pursue as competitors or biological grandparents reminisce everywhere. Offered a choice, a ‘scorched earth’ policy, control agents of fusarium that bananas tasted better most consumers agree that digging out each infected in the soil. Researchers and in their childhood? (This is the fruits of Cavendish are plant, destroying the residues farmers will work together addressed to the younger not as tasty as those of Gros and then burning half a tonne to test these options in generation.) Well, such fond Michel or of other locally or more of rice hulls on the Indonesia. They will also memories may be more than grown dessert bananas such spot to try to kill the remains evaluate composting and just nostalgia. as ‘Lakatan’, the preferred of the fungus in the soil. Often other strategies for organic choice of Filipinos, or ‘Prata’, growers give up the battle matter management that The dessert banana which is the favourite banana and abandon the field or help to maintain a healthy, export industry used to be in Brazil. But the logic of replant with other crops. biologically active soil— dominated by a single variety lower production costs is strategies that should help called Gros Michel—a big, powerful and, alas, the lesson The real tragedy, however, to keep even the aggressive R. Markham/Bioversity International strong plant that produced of vulnerability was not is that Tropical Race 4 Panama disease pathogen Smallholders currently have few rich yellow and very tasty learned. Now we have huge also affects most of the at bay. Finally, Bioversity options for responding to the ravages of Panama disease. fruit. However, in a classic areas of identical Cavendish traditional varieties on which will be working with the example of the vulnerability bananas planted around the small-scale farmers depend authorities in Papua New of ‘monocrops’—agriculture world…and Panama disease for their livelihoods. And Guinea to help them to try dominated by a single crop is back, with a vengeance. smallholders, in most cases, to exclude or contain the or crop variety—Gros Michel do not have the option of disease and so protect the was all but wiped out by an A new variant of the fusarium abandoning land and moving country’s unique diversity epidemic of Panama disease, fungus, dubbed Tropical Race on, nor the resources to fight of both traditional banana Now we have caused by a soil-dwelling 4, is able to attack Cavendish the disease on the spot. cultivars and wild banana huge areas fusarium fungus. Cultivated and it is on the move in relatives. of identical bananas do not produce Asia, so far affecting Taiwan, The solution will not be Cavendish seeds; they are propagated the southern provinces of easy to find but Bioversity Cavendish’s days of bananas planted in tissue culture or from China, the Northern Territory International is currently dominating the international around the shoots that form naturally of Australia, Malaysia and starting a project to do just banana market may be from the base of the plant, Indonesia. There is no ‘cure’ that, working with partners numbered, but a whole bunch world…and so every plant in a plantation for Panama disease. The in Indonesia and Papua of tastier alternatives should Panama disease is genetically identical. best strategy is to keep it New Guinea and funded survive in farmers’ fields. is back, with a Indeed, in this case, barring out in the first place but the by Australia. The project is vengeance a few minor variations from fungus spreads insidiously, based on the principle of By Richard Markham, mutations, every banana in irrigation water, on the better managing diversity in Bioversity International plant in the world was pretty tools and shoes of workers the production system. The much identical and the and perhaps on the hooves search for resistant varieties disease spread like wildfire. of livestock. Impressively will continue but in the well-organized growers in meantime researchers will For further information, contact The banana industry was Taiwan replant each year with look at the role of endophytic Richard Markham, Bioversity saved when a new variety of tens of thousands of tissue fungi and bacteria—micro- International banana, resistant to Panama culture plants, keeping an eye organisms that live within the [email protected] disease, was discovered. As open for the occasional minor banana plant and can help

A stallholder in Solok market in Sumatra, Indonesia, offers no less than seven kinds of banana for sale. Panama disease threatens Indonesia's unique banana diversity. R. Markham/Bioversity International 11Geneflow News

Total makeover for crop diversity conservation in Peru

A successful international were no longer able to serve office equipment. Repairs and characterization data collaboration has provided their intended purpose. were made to an existing entered for all accessions, Peru with the modern Some structures, such as water distillation plant, a including georeferenced genebank and research the propagation greenhouse, dehumidifier and other data, permitting the facilities it needs to protect were so deteriorated that they vital pieces of apparatus collections to be mapped, and use its rich heritage of were abandoned. Meanwhile, that were salvageable. To gaps to be identified and crop diversity. a small group of dedicated facilitate communication, duplications to be detected. SUBDIRGEB scientists was information exchange and The INIEA Peru lies at the heart of waging a losing battle to management, a broadband A comprehensive the Andean cradle of plant keep the nation’s precious internal communications restructuring of the national genebanks domestication. Many crops collections alive. network was installed. germplasm system resulted were organized of global significance, in the establishment of crop- into a virtual such as the white potato, As part of a United States SUBDIRGEB had long been based national collections operational tomato and common bean, Department of Agriculture suffering from an insufficient maintained in genebanks network originated there, along with (USDA) international and fluctuating electrical at nine INIEA experiment supported by a cornucopia of lesser- assistance programme, supply that was damaging stations across the country. known but locally important a two-year, US$1 million vital equipment such as This required moving an updated crops, including high-protein project was developed in computers, compressors a significant amount of germplasm pseudo-cereals such as collaboration with INIEA to and freezers. To remedy this germplasm between stations documentation quinoa and amaranth, high- help remedy this alarming situation, the high-tension so that the designated system altitude grain legumes like situation. Beginning in power supply, the main genebanks could maintain lupin, a colourful array of 2004, the project’s main transformer station and complete sets of their native potato species and objective was to provide the electrical distribution assigned crops, with a a spectacular assortment SUBDIRGEB with the grid for the entire INIEA security duplicate deposited of nutritious root, tuber, minimum infrastructure and headquarters compound at for long-term storage in vegetable and fruit crops. basic equipment necessary La Molina were completely the newly renovated seed These crops gave rise to to comply with the protocols replaced and upgraded. bank facilities at La Molina. a series of sophisticated and standards for ex situ The INIEA genebanks prehistoric civilizations, conservation established In addition to the were organized into a whose modern descendents by the Food and Agriculture extensive renovations virtual operational network have inherited a wealth of Organization of the United at INIEA headquarters, supported by an updated native agrobiodiversity and Nations and Bioversity other urgently needed germplasm documentation culinary traditions. International. capital improvements and system. This network equipment purchases were facilitates the coordination Peru’s National Institute At the main SUBDIRGEB also provided to the genetic of genebank activities, at of Agricultural Research installations at La Molina, resources facilities at nine both headquarters and and Extension (INIEA) has located just outside Lima, INIEA experiment stations the experiment stations, given the Sub-Directorate major structural renovation across the country. enabling them to function of Genetic Resources and and remodelling was carried more effectively as integral Biotechnology (SUBDIRGEB) out on the seed conservation An exhaustive inventory components of a truly the responsibility for laboratory and cold storage was conducted of the national genetic resources safeguarding, studying facility, the molecular biology existing collections held system. and managing Peru’s rich laboratory, the in vitro at La Molina and the patrimony of agrobiodiversity. conservation laboratory and regional INIEA experiment To promote the important Sadly, decades of political the propagation greenhouse, stations to determine the work being done by

INIEA-Peru neglect and underfunding as well as the offices, library conservation status and SUBDIRGEB to conserve, New equipment, such as this meant that by 2003 the and workstations of the documentation quality for document and use Peru’s microscope, has made the job SUBDIRGEB laboratories technical and administrative each accession. Based on unique agrobiodiversity, of lab technicians at the Sub- and genebanks were in an personnel. The facilities were analysis of the inventory a series of technical Directorate of Genetic Resources advanced state of disrepair, fully furnished with state- results, missing passport publications, catalogues and and Biotechnology (SUBDIRGEB) many to the extent that they of-the-art conservation and information was completed public awareness materials much easier. 12Geneflow News 13 INIEA-Peru

were produced and a Web Foreign Agricultural Service of 30 well-documented conferred by the Convention site was set up on INIEA’s maintained close contact germplasm collections, on Biological Diversity and server. Furthermore, the with INIEA administrators and wherein 16 287 accessions take better advantage of the project included specialized the SUBDIRGEB programme representing 225 species of opportunities offered by the training for 12 technical staff staff, providing technical crops and their wild relatives International Treaty on Plant The laboratories and genebanks members in various topics advice and participating in safely reside. INIEA is now in Genetic Resources for Food of the Sub-Directorate of Genetic relevant to their particular periodic planning meetings a better position than ever to and Agriculture, to which it Resources and Biotechnology duties. and technical workshops. manage Peru’s extraordinary is a signatory. (SUBDIRGEB) outside Lima, Peru, were provided with a whole crop genetic diversity. The set of new equipment. Throughout the course of Thanks to this international new network of genebanks By David E. Williams, the project’s implementation, collaboration, INIEA now and national collections USDA Foreign Agricultural For further information, contact genetic resources specialists manages a coordinated will allow Peru to comply Service, Washington, DC David E. Williams, USDA from USDA’s Agricultural network of national more effectively with the [email protected] Research Service and germplasm banks consisting conservation responsibilities

Conservation on a shoestring

“Farmers don’t If you were asked to picture a genebank (assuming you knew range of low-cost approaches, including granaries, community what that meant), you might conjure up an image of a high genebanks and seed storage in clay pots, gourds and cloth have cold rooms tech conservation facility, complete with robots, test tubes and bags. Materials such as cow dung and ashes are used to and freezers at vats of liquid nitrogen for low-temperature storage. But, as cover the seeds to prevent insect attack. their disposal, Bioversity International found in a recent study, conservation yet they are able doesn’t have to be high tech or expensive—a plus for poor Additional storage methods described by farmers include to effectively and countries struggling to safeguard their agricultural biodiversity. leaving the seeds in cobs and hanging them from the roof economically and storing them in airtight holes in the ground. Using such The need for low-cost conservation technologies is particularly technologies in national genebanks could significantly reduce conserve their pressing in Africa, where crop diversity is threatened by a the costs of ex situ conservation in poor countries. seeds” — Dulloo range of human and natural factors, including civil war, political instability and desertification. While a number of low-cost “Farmers don’t have cold rooms and freezers at their disposal, conservation methods are known, these have not always been yet they are able to effectively and economically conserve well documented or scientifically tested for their effectiveness their seeds,” said Ehsan Dulloo, Bioversity senior scientist. in maintaining viable seeds over the long term. “Despite the fact that some areas of the world now use expensive and elaborate conservation approaches, these Farmers in East and West Africa The Bioversity study looked at alternative long-term do not invalidate the conservation methods that have been often store seeds in clay pots, conservation methods used by farming communities and in practice for thousands of years. Bioversity is promoting gourds and cloth bags. Using such technologies in national national programmes. The most effective methods were traditional conservation methods and investigating their use in genebanks could significantly documented in order to provide guidelines for use in other genebanks by bridging the gap between scientists and local reduce the costs of ex situ countries. farmers, in order to ensure that endangered crop diversity can conservation in poor countries. be conserved and passed on to future generations.” Farmers in five East and West African countries—Kenya, Ethiopia, Benin, Ghana and Mali—were asked to describe how By Kelly Wagner, Bioversity International they commonly store seeds. The farmers revealed a whole

For further information, contact Ehsan Dulloo, Bioversity International [email protected] Y. Morimoto/Bioversity International Y. 13Geneflow News

A global platform for agrobiodiversity research

A new initiative is providing poor farmers depend on Hodgkin, principal scientist The Platform has a small a neutral space for exploring sustainable food production. at Bioversity International. secretariat—hosted by the often politicized Government organizations, Bioversity—whose work is issues associated with Today, more than 60% of the non-governmental overseen by an international agrobiodiversity. The initiative, world’s food energy comes organizations and the private steering committee. known as the Platform for from three crops—maize, rice sector, each concerned Supported by Bioversity, Agricultural Biodiversity and wheat. Only five types of with different aspects of the System-wide Genetic Research, provides an animal—cattle, goats, pigs, agrobiodiversity, can come Resources Programme of opportunity for co-operation poultry and sheep—account together, pool their existing the Consultative Group on and collaboration between for most of the animal knowledge and work together International Agricultural organizations from both the products consumed. This to develop new approaches Research and the Centre for formal and informal sectors, tendency to depend on a to sustainable production. International Cooperation many of which have widely rather narrow spectrum on Agricultural Research differing views. The Platform of available foods is The Platform will do three for Development (CIRAD), allows the exploration of exacerbated by the fact that things. It will encourage France, the Platform’s first new and innovative ways people are abandoning their of creating the knowledge traditional crop varieties and needed to maintain and livestock breeds in favour use the diversity present of more ‘modern’ imported in agricultural production types. The consequent systems. narrowing of agricultural systems has a disastrous “What is unique The term agrobiodiversity effect on biodiversity. Not encompasses all of the only does it spell doom about a platform plants, trees, animals, for traditional, usually is that it allows insects, microbes, pathogens more healthful, varieties us to look at and fungi in agricultural and breeds, it also has a agrobiodiversity systems. This includes their negative chain effect on other in new ways” management by farmers, elements of the ecosystem, — Hodgkin as well as the interactions from the insects that pollinate

of agro-ecosystems with plants to the soil organisms S. Mann/ Bioversity International natural ecosystems. The that help plants extract Integrating livestock into farming systems can help increase the loss of agrobiodiversity can nutrients from the soil. income of poor people. greatly diminish the ability of farmers both to adapt to In 2004, the Platform for environmental changes and Agricultural Biodiversity its members to engage in tasks are to extend its links to improve their production. Research was established research together. It will to other organizations, widen The ability to adapt to in recognition of the help to identify gaps in participation in its activities, changing circumstances is enormous need to arrest knowledge in order to set establish its Web site and particularly important given the erosion of diversity. The research priorities. And initiate discussions on key the growing challenges first stakeholder meeting it will raise awareness of issues. to agriculture associated took place in May in Rome, the dangers to agricultural For further information, contact with climate change. The Italy. “What is unique about biodiversity and of the By Kelly Wagner, Toby Hodgkin, Bioversity challenges are most acute in a platform is that it allows us distinct advantages in Bioversity International International developing countries, where to look at agrobiodiversity collaborating to overcome [email protected] the livelihoods of resource- in new ways,” said Toby those dangers. 14Geneflow News 15

A case of accidental extinction the importance of farm animal conservation

Farm animals Mangal Sunani, a farmer in crossbred calves had resources—such as occurred First Report on the State are crucial to eastern India, was thrilled to survived more than a few in India—will badly affect the of the World’s Animal learn that the government days. And a castration livelihoods of the poor. Genetic Resources and the the livelihoods would give him a special drive virtually eliminated the advancement of the Global of poor people cow as part of a dairy Khariar bull from the region; Recently, a workshop Strategy for the Management all over the development scheme to a decade later, many villages brought together livestock of Farm Animal Genetic world reduce poverty. He thought were left without a single experts from around the Resources, which is being that the cow, impregnated stud bull. Livestock, a critical globe to consider options developed by FAO under the with Jersey semen, would safety net for farmers such as and strategies for conserving guidance of the Commission soon provide him with Mangal Sunani, was driven animal diversity in poor on Genetic Resources for several bulls and high- nearly to extinction by a well- countries based on recent Food and Agriculture. yielding milk cows. This cow intentioned but wrongheaded advances in knowledge was part of a project called development project. The and technology. The And what of the ill-fated ‘Samanwita,’ which took disaster was enormous. workshop was convened by Khariar bulls? By 1995, a place in the late 1970s. People throughout the the System-wide Genetic few young Khariar studs had Kalahandi region traditionally Resources Programme of been found outside what kept a large number of cattle. the Consultative Group on is now known as the zone During lean years, farmers International Agricultural of disaster. People in the would compensate for Research, in association with villages where the bulls were agricultural losses by selling the Food and Agriculture found are taking good care cattle. The project stripped Organization of the United of their precious animals but them of their one safety net. Nations (FAO), the French time and money are needed scientific community and to restore cattle levels to Farm animals are crucial to a German international pre-crisis normality. By the livelihoods of poor people cooperation agency, ensuring the conservation all over the world. Beyond Deutsche Gesellschaft für of important animal providing food and clothing, Technische Zusammenarbeit. diversity, the Montpellier animals are important for The workshop was hosted strategy should ensure income generation, traction by Agropolis, an association that accidental extinctions, and nutrient cycling. The of French research such as occasioned by the FAO/5417/P. Johnson FAO/5417/P. diversity among farm animals organizations, in Montpellier, Samanwita project, do not A girl herding water buffalo, India. Farm animals are crucial to the allows them to adapt to France. bring entire communities to livelihoods of poor people all over The government agencies changing environmental and the brink of disaster. the world. involved in the project were human needs. The workshop identified a eager to promote the creation framework to guide decision- By Kelly Wagner, of a higher-yielding breed of But farm animal diversity is making on conservation Bioversity International cattle. But they worried about being eroded by changes strategies for farm animal what would happen if the in agricultural practices and genetic resources. In most The Samanwita story is cows mated with local bulls. economic, environmental cases, such strategies will taken from ‘Everybody To ensure the purity of the and other factors. The acute include an appropriate Loves a Good Drought: new breed, the local Khariar loss of indigenous breeds combination of in situ, ex Stories from India’s Poorest bulls were subjected to a in developing countries, situ, in vivo and in vitro Districts,’ by P. Sainath. massive castration drive. coupled with inadequate or conservation approaches. Penguin Books, 1996. For further information, contact inappropriate programmes The outputs of the workshop Jane Toll, Bioversity International Two years after the project for the use and management are expected to contribute [email protected] began, only eight of the of farm animal genetic to the preparation of the 15Geneflow News

Ocean blues urgent action needed to protect deep seas

Over-fishing, pollution and “We know now that the change is playing havoc Adapted from ‘Action urged climate change are causing environments and the with our oceans. The Gulf to protect deep seas,’ BBC irreversible damage to ecosystems in the deep Stream flow has declined Web site, 16 June 2006 the world’s marine areas. waters are very fragile. Fish by 30% in the last 50 years, (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/ This is the conclusion stocks are being reduced according to the IUCN sci/tech/5086506.stm). of a recent report by the at alarming rates, and these report, and glaciers are United Nations Environment ecosystems are simply melting at unprecedented Programme (UNEP) and the not designed to cope with rates, causing sea World Conservation Union the drastic impact caused levels to rise. Rising sea (IUCN). by human activity,” said temperatures are causing UNEP’s Stefan Hain, who entire coral reefs—havens Climate change The report, ‘Ecosystems contributed to the report. of sea biodiversity—to die. is playing havoc and Biodiversity in Deep The report argues for Waters and High Seas,’ protected marine areas “Governments must with our oceans calls on governments to be set up in areas of urgently develop guidelines, to create new protected the sea that are not under rules and actions” said reserves in the deep territorial jurisdiction or part Thiaw. “Otherwise we stand seas and open oceans. of the internal waters of a to irrevocably damage and According to Ibrahim state. even lose unique wildlife Thiaw, Acting Director and critical ecosystems, General of IUCN, over Over-fishing is one of the many of which moderate 50% of the marine world greatest threats facing the our very existence on the existing beyond national marine environment, with planet.” jurisdiction is vulnerable serious consequences for and increasingly at risk. The the world’s food supply. By Cassandra Moore, report was at the centre of Seafood provides almost Bioversity International talks at the UN on the law of 20% of the world’s animal the sea in June 2006. protein intake, according to the report. This figure is even higher for communities living in coastal areas. A fishy business Advances in fishing technologies mean that • In the last 42 years, the capture of wild marine fish people are able to fish in for human consumption more areas of the ocean has increased from 20 than ever before. The result million tonnes to 84.5 has been catastrophic, million tonnes with populations of high- • Large fishing vessels value fish such as tuna, dominate the global catch, cod, swordfish and marlin taking around 60% of all declining by as much as the fish caught globally 90% over the last century. • Over 75% of the world’s For further information, visit major fisheries are currently Naumann/Panos Pictures Fredrik http://www.iucn.org/themes/ fully exploited, over- The world’s waters help This coral reef died in 1998 due to a rise in water temperature, believed marine/pdf/unep_high_ exploited or depleted regulate the planet’s to be caused by global warming. When inspected a year later by seas130606_screen.pdf climate; now, climate marine biologists, no recovery was detected. 16Geneflow News 17

Underwater mountain houses marine treasures

Scientists have discovered “Many small fish live in the To stop the damage and an underwater mountain canals inside sponges, so protect the atoll, researchers harbouring some of the we take samples of sponges are trying to get the richest diversity of marine and search for the small Saba Bank designated life in the Caribbean. The fish that can be in there,” a Particularly Sensitive Saba Bank Atoll, located in explained Smith. “When we Sea Area (PSSA) by the the Netherlands Antilles, is did that we found quite an International Maritime the third largest atoll in the extraordinary goby.” Organization. Once an area world. Scientists explored is designated as a PSSA, the area during a two week The Saba Bank Atoll is also specific measures can be expedition in January 2006 home to vast and luxurious taken to control maritime

Diane Littler/Conservation International and were astounded by what seaweed beds, including at activities in those areas. For The sea-floor at Saba Bank Atoll, they found. “We discovered least 20 new species and example, measures could be Netherlands Antilles. three new species every numerous commercially taken to prevent ships from day we were there,” said valuable species. navigating in the area of Saba Michael Smith, Director of Bank. There are only eleven Conservation International’s The discoveries should PSSA sites around the world. Caribbean Biodiversity provide an incentive for Initiative. the government of the By Cassandra Moore, “We discovered Netherlands Antilles to Bioversity International three new protect the atoll and surrounding areas for Adapted from ‘Marine life species the benefit of local treasure trove found,’ by every day we communities. Several Rebecca Morelle, BBC News were there” of the new seaweed Web site, 14 February 2006 — Smith species have enormous (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/ economic potential and sci/tech/4709594.stm). the area has long been an important resource for local fisheries. Intervention by policy-makers and environmentalists cannot come too soon. In order to avoid mooring fees, big petroleum tankers

Diane Littler/Conservation International heading for the nearby The sea mount rises from the dark, abyssal depths; its crest in the island of St Eustatius have shallow water reached by light bears vast expanses of rich marine life. started to anchor on the Saba Bank Atoll, Netherlands Antilles. atoll, damaging the reef. Because of their size, the The expedition uncovered two large ships are also forcing new types of goby, a small local fishermen with smaller fish with fused pelvic fins on boats to move away from

For further information, visit the underside of its body that their traditional fishing Paul Hoetjes/Conservation International Conservation International at form a sucker and dozens of grounds around the Saba View of Saba Island, taken from the waters above the Saba Bank Atoll, http://www.conservation.org. new species of algae. Bank. Netherlands Antilles. 17Geneflow News

Rejuvenating the Sahelian parklands

Desertification, infertile to rejuvenate the Sahelian herds of cattle. In addition how is being combined soils and droughts that last parklands system. these ‘live fences’ can with farmer wisdom and for years are among the also produce marketable resourcefulness, building the challenges facing nearly Villagers in the Sahel have products such as fruits. expertise and momentum 50 million people living in always tried to protect the needed to revive the the Sahel region of West tree species that provide ICRAF plays a pivotal role Sahelian parklands. Africa. One of the secrets them with food security. In in the Sahel agroforestry to the people’s survival is collaboration with farmers, research network that By Joan Baxter and Walter an indigenous agroforestry the World Agroforestry supports the work of a van Opzeeland, World system, known as ‘the Centre has compiled a list host of non-governmental Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) parklands.’ Perennial trees of 50 priority tree species. organizations, which in scattered across cropland Through participatory tree turn work directly with provide essential fruits, domestication, researchers farmers. Scientific know- edible leaves rich in are selecting improved trees vitamins, oils, nuts, fodder, that mature faster, produce fuel wood and medicines. higher quality products “Agroforestry and improve the income of in the semi- But the parklands system is smallholders. arid Sahel zone under threat, said Amadou can accomplish Niang who leads the World The shea tree is a key species several things at Agroforestry Centre’s work in the Sahelian parklands. the same time” in the region. “The tree cover Shea butter—extracted is declining, and those still from the nut of the tree—is — Niang standing are mature. If the rapidly becoming a valuable parklands disappear, the commodity in the global desert will follow.” confectionary, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. “Agroforestry in the semi- The World Agroforestry arid Sahel zone can Centre and its partners have accomplish several things at launched a four-year project the same time,” said Niang. to develop the supply chain “It conserves biodiversity, for shea products in order reverses land degradation, to increase returns to rural capitalizes on local women producers. knowledge and improves the livelihood of local people by To ease the fodder shortage generating income from high- for livestock during the dry- value tree products. Neither season and to alleviate the agriculture or forestry can do pressure on the parklands, that alone, only agroforestry, farmers are working together which integrates livestock, with ICRAF researchers trees and annual crops.” to plant fodder banks of For further information, nutrient-rich tree species. visit http://www. The World Agroforestry Farmers surround the fodder worldagroforestrycentre.org/ Centre has embarked on a trees with hedges of living wadrylands/sahelian.html

number of research projects trees that keep out hungry Easdown/ICRAF W. Baobab trees growing in the Sahel, Mali. 18Geneflow News 19

Eucalypts and climate change diversity could suffer major impacts

Recent studies predict most vulnerable and how impacts that climatic and A biodiversity that climate change poses they can best be protected. atmospheric change will ‘hotspot’ for a major threat to many And there are many locations have on these trees, we can eucalypts—tree species to choose from. From an plan action to ensure that the eucalypts belonging to three closely estimated global plantation diversity of eucalypt species in Western related genera: Angophora, base of 0.7 million hectares is maintained along with their Australia could Corymbia and Eucalyptus. in 1955, eucalypt plantations potential to improve people’s be seriously In 1996, ecologist Lesley now occupy over 16 million livelihoods. affected over Hughes and colleagues hectares in 100 countries. the next 60 or so carried out a bioclimatic Today, eucalypts are the By Trevor Booth, Ensis analysis of the distributions preferred source of high- (an unincorporated joint years of 819 eucalypt species quality fibre for modern pulp venture between the throughout Australia. The and paper industries around Commonwealth Scientific results showed that about the globe and important and Industrial Research 200 species had very narrow sources of timber and fuel Organisation and Scion) and natural climatic ranges (<1˚C wood for the rural poor Stephen Midgley, Salwood mean annual temperature). throughout the tropics. Asia Pacific Pty Ltd. Now, a new mapping program is analyzing how The spectacular spread of these species are likely to be eucalypts around the world affected by climate change. indicates a strong potential for improving people’s According to the mapping livelihoods. By taking action program, a biodiversity now to determine the ‘hotspot’ for eucalypts in Western Australia could be seriously affected over the next 60 or so years due to predicted climate change. While the species now present will not necessarily die out, they will be at considerable risk because they will experience climatic conditions that are significantly different than at present.

Fortunately, a great deal can be learned about the climatic adaptability of eucalypts from trials around the world. Studying how the eucalypts have fared outside their natural distributions can help

determine which are the ATSC/CSIRO Eucalypt plantations have increased dramatically over the years, and are an important source of revenue for communities around the world. 19SpecialSpecial SectionSection

An introduction to crop wild relatives

Crop wild relatives include used to raise the nutritional crop ancestors as well as value of some crops, other species more or less including protein content closely related to crops. in durum wheat, calcium They are a critical source content in potatoes and of genes for resistance provitamin A in tomato. to diseases, pests and stresses such as drought Protecting crop wild and extreme temperatures. relatives helps to ensure that The use of wild relatives has adequate genetic diversity led to improved resistance exists in a particular crop’s to wheat curl mite, to late gene pool. The increasing blight in potato and to genetic uniformity of crop grassy stunt disease in varieties, combined with rice. They have been used the effects of climate to improve tolerance of change, makes crops more Crop wild drought in wheat and acid vulnerable to stress. The relatives are sulphate soils in rice. Wild devastating losses in the

valuable tools relatives have also been American maize crop caused A. Lane/Bioversity International by the Southern corn blight Passion fruit, Bolivia. Crop wild relatives are a valuable source outbreak in the USA in the of variation that can be used to help crops adapt to changing 1970s highlighted the real environmental conditions and human needs. risk of relying on a few high-yielding varieties. While involves partners from five Ug99, a black-stem rust first the USA produces about countries—Armenia, Bolivia, found in Ugandan wheat in half of the world’s maize, Madagascar, Sri Lanka and 1999. This pathogen has production is based on less Uzbekistan—with significant, been appearing in fields than 5% of the diversity important and threatened throughout East Africa ever available worldwide. crop wild relatives. For more since, where it is reducing information about the project, grain yields by up to 71%. If Crop wild relatives are see the story on p. 20. not conquered soon, Ug99 valuable tools that we can could become a global use to adapt to changing This special section of epidemic within the next 15 environmental conditions Geneflow is sponsored by years. The conservation and and human needs, but the Crop Wild Relatives use of crop wild relatives natural populations of wild Project as part of its could hold the key to relatives are increasingly at awareness-raising activities. meeting the challenge of risk, due to over-exploitation Ug99 and other threats to

A. Lane/Bioversity International and the loss of habitat. A As understanding and agriculture and food security. Walnuts are one of the target crops for the UNEP/GEF–Bioversity global project, launched knowledge of crop wild International project on crop wild relatives. in 2004, addresses these relatives increases, plant By Annie Lane, risks. The project, funded breeders will increasingly Bioversity International For further information, contact by the Global Environment look to them for solutions to Annie Lane, Bioversity Facility and implemented many of the world’s unsolved International by the United Nations plant disease problems. [email protected] Environment Programme, One such major threat is 20Special Section

The Crop Wild Relatives Project The project outcomes will provide the basis for strategies that could be Global Environment Facility ecology, conservation and implemented by the status, distribution, crop applied in other United Nations Environment production potential, uses, countries Programme, promotes existing conservation effective in situ conservation actions and existing of crop wild relatives to ensure information sources. their availability for improving and possess important global food security. Each • To build the capacity and endangered crop wild of the five project countries of national partners to relatives in their mountain has a remarkably rich and use this information to systems, will collectively unique diversity of crop wild develop and implement make a major contribution to relatives, many of which rational, cost-effective the conservation of crop wild have contributed vital genes approaches to conserving relatives globally. for crop improvement in crop wild relatives. developed and developing Bioversity International is countries. • To raise awareness of the executing agency for the potential of crop wild the project and five other

A. Lane/Bioversity International Although most of the partner relatives for improving international organizations Vegetables on display at a countries have identified agricultural production are partners in the initiative: bazaar in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Bringing together five the conservation of crop among policy-makers, the Food and Agriculture Uzbekistan is one of the five countries—Armenia, Bolivia, wild relatives as a strategic conservation managers, Organization of the United countries involved in the Crop Madagascar, Sri Lanka and national priority, they have plant breeders, educators Nations, Botanic Gardens Wild Relatives Project. Uzbekistan—the Crop Wild had limited resources to and local users. Conservation International, Relatives Project aims to invest in conservation the United Nations protect natural populations programmes in the past. The project outcomes Environment Programme of crop wild relatives while will provide the basis for World Conservation setting a precedent for The project has three broad strategies that could be Monitoring Centre, the conservation that the rest of goals: applied in other countries World Conservation Union, the world can follow. These with significant populations and the Information and countries contain some of the • To develop national and of crop wild relatives. In this Coordination Centre for world’s biodiversity hotspots, international information way, these five nations, with Biological Diversity (IBV). areas that are also at greatest systems on crop wild little in common beyond the risk from the loss of diversity. relatives that include fact that they are located By Annie Lane, Bioversity data on species biology, in centres of crop diversity International Crop wild relatives are essential for adapting crops to changing environmental Crops whose wild relatives have been given priority by conditions and human the countries participating in the project needs. Nevertheless, many Armenia Wheat, barley, rye, pulses, pear, beet natural populations of these Bolivia Potato, sweet potato, quinoa, cassava, bean, capsicum, pineapple, peanut, highly compatible species cacao, cashew, sugar apple, papaya, palm heart, tree tomato, palmito, blackberry are increasingly at risk due Madagascar Rice, banana, coffee, yam, vanilla For further information, contact to climate change, over- Annie Lane, Bioversity exploitation and loss of Sri Lanka Rice, cowpea, black pepper, banana, cinnamon International habitat. The five-year project, Uzbekistan Onion, almond, pistachio, walnut, apple, barley [email protected] which is funded by the 21Special Section

Use crop wild relatives or lose them!

Despite the immense crossed the hybrid offspring knowledge and research are and sequencing has helped to diversity of wild relatives may be sterile. Fortunately, often cited as other reasons identify genes responsible for and their potential to resist special tissue culture and why wild species are not desirable traits, dramatically challenges ranging from hybridization techniques can used more, but none of these increasing the precision disease to drought, wild now be used to overcome explanations hold water. of selection programmes. relatives are little used in these problems in order to Since the 1980s, the number However, while techniques crop improvement efforts. nurse the progenies of any of wild species accessions in for isolating desirable genes cross through the first critical public genebanks worldwide have increased greatly in Using crop relatives involves generations of crossing and has been increasing. Most number, the dramatic rate of crossing the crop with a backcrossing. major crops have hundreds, increase of crossbreeding wild relative that has the even thousands, of their wild that has sometimes been desired character, obtaining Yet biological barriers relatives stored in genebanks. predicted is not yet apparent. the hybrid offspring and still exist in many crops Likewise, knowledge and One important reason for this then backcrossing this over that block crossbreeding interest in wild species have could be the limited availability several generations with and cause hybrid sterility. increased substantially since of resources for this kind of the crop parent to obtain For instance, there are the 1970s due to the success breeding, which is nearly a type with the desired difficulties connected with of crop improvement efforts always carried out by publicly new character. However, in using wild relatives of maize where wild relatives have funded breeding programmes. order to achieve the desired caused by the number of been part of the formula. product, plant breeders plant generations required to By Kelly Wagner, often have to overcome reduce the hybrid genome New molecular genetic Bioversity International some major problems. via backcrossing to maize. techniques provide great potential for increasing the use Many wild Often the hybrids and Limited availability of of wild relatives in breeding. subsequent generations of germplasm and lack of Recent use of DNA markers relatives are offspring continue to possess difficult to cross undesirable traits derived with the crop from the wild relative. They may have poor production or quality characteristics and perform poorly in agricultural production. Efforts to remove these undesirable characteristics through further backcrossing can slow progress and delay the development of new varieties with the desired traits.

Another major factor that has limited the use of wild relatives has been poor interspecific crossability. Many wild relatives are difficult to cross with the

crop; even when they can be A. Lane/Bioversity International Wild onion, Italy. Crop wild relatives hold immense potential for helping agriculture meet future challenges. 22Special Section 23

Wild foods are rich in micronutrients

Most countries plagued with availability is shrinking as micronutrient deficiencies urbanization grows. rely on single-nutrient- based interventions, which The Maasai provide living are often expensive and proof of the impact wild unsustainable over the plants can have on health. long term. Wild foods from A group of cattle-herding the forests, many of which pastoralists living in Kenya boast substantial levels of and Tanzania, they have been necessary micronutrients, described as having possibly ranging from vitamin A the worst diet in the world. to iron to zinc, are an The Maasai get upwards alternative solution. of two-thirds of their daily calorie intake from animal The Maasai Policies governing forest fat, primarily consuming milk management and those products and meat. provide living dealing with food security S. Mann/ ILRI proof of the and poverty alleviation are Yet, surprisingly, the Maasai The Maasai consume a diet impact wild not often well coordinated. do not suffer from diet- plants from a variety of rich in animal fats and yet plants can have As a result, people may not related health problems vegetation sites, including they do not suffer from diet- on health be aware of the benefits of or diseases associated open and wooded grasslands related health problems or the forest foods available to with high fat consumption. and closed-canopy forests. diseases associated with high them and thus do not use Researchers attribute this fat consumption. Researchers attribute this to the fact that them to full advantage. And to their regular consumption The Maasai prepare healthful they regularly eat wild plants. because these resources are of wild plants. Studies have soups with plant extracts. not valued or protected, their shown that the Maasai use Roots, bark or parts of stems are added to improve Common nutritional deficiencies, the related health the taste and to prevent or problems and the potential role of wild foods treat diseases. The Maasai wild plants into their (adapted from the ‘Report of the International Expert Consultation on also use wild plants to brew diets is being eroded by Non-Wood Forest Products. Non-wood Forest Products,’ FAO 1995) tea, to chew as a sort of increasing urbanization gum and as an ingredient and the subsequent loss of Nutrient deficiency Related health problems Wild food sources to combat in traditional medicines. their knowledge about the deficiency The biochemicals present uses of wild foods. Studies Protein–energy Reduced growth, susceptibility Energy-rich food, such as nuts, in the wild plants effectively of the benefits of wild malnutrition to infections, changes in skin, seeds, oil-rich fruit and tubers and remove cholesterol from the foods used by the Maasai hair and mental ability wild animals such as snails body and reduce its impact and others are needed Vitamin A deficiency Impaired vision and immune Forest leaves and fruits, palm oil, by acting as an antioxidant. to provide the basis for function, blindness and death bee larvae and other animal foods promoting their use more in extreme cases Unfortunately, the Maasai’s generally. Only then will we Zinc deficiency Slowed growth and Animal-sourced foods, particularly tradition of incorporating realize the full benefits of a development, suppressed red meat, along with certain immunity, increased types of nuts, including pine nuts, diet enriched by foods from complications in pregnancy pecans and brazil nuts For further information, contact the forest. Iron deficiency Anaemia, weakness and Wild animals, including insects Pablo Eyzaguirre, increased susceptibility to such as the tree ant, mushrooms, Bioversity International By Kelly Wagner, disease forest leaves, baobab fruit pulp [email protected] Bioversity International Folate deficiency Anaemia, neural tube defects Leafy and other vegetables and many fruits Vitamin C deficiency Increased susceptibility to Forest fruits and leaves disease and impaired iron status 23 Special Section

The benefits of foods from the forests

A study of eating habits in and provides shelter for they become critical for phenomenon. Archaeological north-east Thailand reveals people and useful organisms. survival. Forest foods studies have found that that wild foods gathered from Even when local agricultural provide an alternative to forests were an integral part forests and field margins production is secure, forest domesticated crops during of the success of the Mayan make up half of the food foods can supplement staple seasonal stresses, creating civilization. The fruit of the intake of rural communities foods and provide essential a buffer during periods of Mayan breadnut tree served during the rainy season. The micronutrients often lacking poor crop yields. Food from as a dietary staple. Breadnut study, which took place in in the diets of rural people. forest ecosystems often seeds, which contain three communities, found commands a premium price protein, iron, vitamin A and that villagers collect 126 Forest resources are essential over equivalent domesticated other nutrients, could be kinds of forest foods from for local communities and, foods. boiled, mashed and eaten as trees, ponds and streams. during certain seasonal food a substitute for root crops. The foods include 49 species shortages or emergencies, The role of forests in of animals, 16 species of such as drought or war, people’s lives is not a new A better understanding of mushrooms, 6 species of the benefits of forest foods bamboo and 43 species of is needed to motivate the other vegetables. protection of the forests. Highly nutritious species Forest resources Communities in rural Thailand must be protected through know a great deal about sustainable use and are essential the benefits of forest foods. conservation practices in for local Unfortunately this knowledge these forest ecosystems and communities is often overlooked by the woodlands. With the current policy-makers and scientists trends towards deforestation whose help is needed to in many countries, we protect the forests, which, must ask ourselves what ironically, are being put will happen to entire at risk by the villagers’ communities, like those in dependence on them as well north-east Thailand, if we as by unsustainable logging don’t take better care of the practices and growing forests. urbanization. By Kelly Wagner, From tropical moist forests Bioversity International to mangroves and dry woodlands, forests provide many benefits to the neighbouring communities. The forests can prevent soil erosion and filter the flow of fresh water, reducing the spread of water-borne For further information, contact diseases by controlling Pablo Eyzaguirre, pests and contaminants. Bioversity International Forest cover also reduces [email protected] the impact of climate change L. Thomson/Bioversity International A villager in north-east Thailand returns from the forest with a harvest of wild tubers. 24Special Section 25

The value of wild relatives It is estimated that between 1976 and 1980 wild relatives contributed A wild tomato has allowed In the 1970s an outbreak contains 100 times more plant breeders to boost the of grassy stunt virus sulphoraphane. Wild approximately level of solids in commercial devastated the rice fields relatives have also helped US$340 million varieties by 2.4%, an of millions of farmers in increase the nutritional value per year in yield increase worth US$250 South and South-East Asia. of the cultivated tomato by and disease million annually to farmers The virus, transmitted by providing more vitamin C resistance to the in California (USA) alone. the brown plant hopper, and beta-carotene. farm economy of Meanwhile, three different prevents the rice plant from wild peanuts have been producing flowers and grain. Wheat is the staple food for the USA alone used to breed commercial approximately one in three varieties resistant to root Scientists from the of the world’s population. knot nematodes. This International Rice Research But diets based solely development is helping to Institute (IRRI) screened on cereals lack important maize, barley and millet, are save peanut growers around more than 17 000 samples nutrients such as iron, zinc threatened with extinction the world an estimated of cultivated and wild rices and vitamin A. A wild relative from deforestation, habitat US$100 million a year. for resistance to the disease. of wheat from the eastern loss and intensive agriculture. A wild relative of rice Mediterranean was used to Forests are rich in wild plants Crop wild relatives make a growing in Uttar Pradesh, increase the protein content that may be new sources huge contribution to plant India was found to have a of bread and durum wheat. of novel genetic traits for breeding. Wild relatives gene for resistance to the The International Maize and improved crops including have provided traits such grassy stunt virus. This gene Wheat Improvement Center coffee, mango and rubber. as disease resistance, is now routinely incorporated (CIMMYT) has shown that Yet during the 1990s, 94 tolerance of extreme in all new varieties of rice wild relatives of wheat have million hectares, or 2.4% of temperatures, tolerance of grown across more than up to 1.8 times more zinc total forest cover, was lost. salinity and resistance to 100 000 km² of Asian rice and 1.5 times more iron in drought. fields. their grains than ordinary Recent experience shows wheat and could be used that using crop wild relatives Breeders have also used to increase levels of these to improve production and wild relatives to boost the minerals in wheat varieties. the nutritional contents of nutritional value of foods. By crops can improve people’s crossing cultivated broccoli The growing recognition of livelihoods and their health. with a wild Sicilian relative, the value of wild relatives in Taking action now to rescue scientists are breeding a crop improvement comes at endangered crop wild variety that contains higher a time of increasing concern relatives is the only way to levels of the cancer-fighting over the loss of these genetic ensure that this value will chemical, sulphoraphane, resources. For example continue to be available to an antioxidant that more than one in 20 of the future generations. destroys compounds that species of Poaceae, the can damage DNA. The botanical family that includes By Ruth Raymond, new variety of broccoli cereal crops such as wheat, Bioversity International

A wild relative of rice provided resistance to grassy stunt virus, a disease that caused devastating losses to farmers across South

A.Lane/Bioversity International and South-East Asia in the 1970s. Sri Lanka. 25 Special Section Bringing crop relatives to the public

The Sri Lankan Department idea of giving the public the The relatives of pepper, bean, of Agriculture is taking opportunity to see the new okra, banana and rice have advantage of its beautiful agricultural technologies Department’s been established along setting to bring the story of used on the Department’s Agriculture the banks of the Mahaweli agriculture—including the research and farming fields. Information Park river. The Department is in role played by wild relatives— Today, the Department’s welcomes about the process of establishing directly to the public. Agriculture Information Park 30 000 people a second information park welcomes about 30 000 each year in southern Sri Lanka, people annually. which will also feature a section devoted to crop wild Visitors to the park relatives. are guided by trained display Sri Lanka’s own agricultural instructors crop diversity. The paddy The success of the park through its main attractions, cultivation section features has prompted plans by the which include fields of traditional rice varieties that Department of National vegetables, root and tuber are rarely cultivated today. Botanic Gardens to establish crops, fruit orchards, similar exhibits throughout a home garden, paddy The Department of the country. And the idea cultivation fields, traditional Agriculture, which is a has caught on beyond farming systems, the collaborator in a global the crop sector. Using a national genebank and project on crop wild similar concept, the Forest an agriculture museum. relatives, funded by the Department has established Along the way, colourful Global Environment Facility a Forest Education Park at A. Wijesekara The entrance to Sri Lanka’s Agriculture Information Park. signboards explain the and implemented by the Kande Ela, in the central hills exhibits to visitors. The United Nations Environment of Sri Lanka near Horton genebank tour guide Programme, is using the Plains, a popular national The Department of explains the importance of Agriculture Information Park park. Agriculture is the only crop diversity conservation, to increase public awareness government department while the home garden and about the potential role By Anura Wijesekara, whose headquarters the traditional agriculture of wild relatives in crop Horticulture Crops is located outside the and leafy vegetable exhibits improvement. So far, wild Development and Research capital city of Colombo. Institute, Sri Lanka The Department was first established at the Royal Botanic Gardens during the colonial era and it can still be found in an enchanting environment in the central hills of Sri Lanka along both banks of the Mahaweli, the longest river in the country.

For further information, contact Anura Wijesekara, Horticulture Inspired by its attractive Crops Development & location, Rohan Wijekoon Research Institute, Sri Lanka of the Department of [email protected]

Agriculture came up with the A. Wijesekara Visitors to Sri Lanka’s Department of Agriculture Information Park are given a tour through a variety of exhibits including fields of vegetables, home gardens, the national genebank and an agriculture museum. 26Special Section 27

Spicy wild relatives get some respect

Cinnamon is big business in Today, cinnamon is Sri Lanka, with the potential commercially cultivated in to get even bigger if efforts to many countries, including safeguard the wild relatives Brazil, Egypt, India, of the spice succeed. More Indonesia, Madagascar than 100 000 Sri Lankans and Vietnam, as well as on depend on cinnamon for their several Caribbean islands. livelihoods. An important However, the best cinnamon ingredient in many Sri Lankan still comes from Sri Lanka, dishes, cinnamon earns which accounts for about the nation US$60 million 75% of the world’s supply. annually. The spice is obtained from Although Sri Lanka’s most the cinnamon plant by drying important modern export is the central part of the bark, tea, cinnamon historically which is then sold in either A. Wijesekara held this place of honour. stick or powdered form. A cinnamon plantation in Sri Lanka.

Over-exploitation a bit like camphor mixed Wild Relatives Project’, p. 20) with cinnamon. While C. is striving to safeguard these by local herbal citriodorum is not commonly and the other wild relatives industries used, C. capparu-coronde of cinnamon to ensure that continues to is a popular medicine they will be available to threaten the for treating a wide range provide genes for future crop survival of of ailments, including development. The project these crop wild toothache, bronchitis and brings together growers, rheumatism. agronomists, researchers relatives and vendors in an effort to Despite legislation enacted strike an appropriate balance in 1993 to protect wild between conservation and fauna and flora such as use—an important strategy C. citriodorum and C. for protecting Sri Lanka’s capparu-coronde, habitat historical edge in the spice destruction and, in the case trade. A. Wijesekara of C. capparu-coronde, Bundles of cinnamon sticks ready to be sold at markets in Sri Lanka. Cinnamon earns the nation US$60 million annually. over-exploitation by local By Siril Wijesundara, herbal industries continue to National Botanic Gardens, threaten the survival of these Sri Lanka The Portuguese invaded the Interestingly, two of the seven crop wild relatives. island in the 16th century to wild relatives of cinnamon gain easy access to lucrative endemic to Sri Lanka lack Today, an international spices such as cinnamon the spice’s characteristic project funded by the For further information, contact Anura Wijesekara, Horticulture and the Dutch fought the smell. Cinnamomum Global Environment Facility Crops Development and Portuguese over Sri Lanka citriodorum has the aroma and implemented by the Research Institute, Sri Lanka in the 17th century for the of lemon grass, while C. United Nations Environment [email protected] same reason. capparu-coronde smells Programme (see ‘The Crop 27 Special Section The importance of wild bananas in Sri Lanka

Local demand for Banana has been a favourite However, the once widely banana is high, fruit in Sri Lanka from time distributed wild species and immemorial. The remains of native cultivars are beginning as is the potential a wild banana species, Musa to disappear from Sri Lanka, for export, balbisiana (locally known as due to habitat destruction making the crop ‘ati kehel’), have been found and a move away from a priority for at prehistoric cave sites. The traditional farming. Although development finding indicates that wild significant banana diversity bananas were enjoyed in Sri is being conserved at the Lanka over 12 000 years ago. Plant Genetic Resources Centre and at other research Many ancient documents, stations in Sri Lanka, no including the great Singhalese conscious effort has been chronicle, ‘Mahavanasa’, made so far to protect refer to bananas. Dating bananas in the wild. back to 341 CE, ‘Saratha Sangrahaya’, the oldest book By Gamini Samarasinghe, of medicine in Sri Lanka, Plant Genetic Resources describes the medicinal Centre, Sri Lanka properties of various parts of the banana plant.

Today, banana is the most important fruit crop in Sri Lanka. Local demand for D. Yakandawela banana is high, as is the Close-up of a banana flower, Sri Lanka. Banana is the most important potential for export, making fruit crop in Sri Lanka. the crop a priority for development. But wild types are fertile world, including Panama and produce viable seeds. disease, Black Sigatoka, Two wild species of banana, The wild accessions held banana bract mosaic Musa acuminata Colla and in Sri Lanka’s national disease, bunchy top, M. balbisiana Colla, grow genebank could thus be cucumber mosaic virus in Sri Lanka. The traits used in breeding. The and banana streak virus. exhibited by Sri Lankan development of new races of cultivated bananas varieties will also make show that most of them are use of somatic mutations: the result of hybridization mutations of body cells that between the two wild types. are not passed on in sexual reproduction. Present-day banana For further information, contact cultivars rarely produce A number of cultivars and Anura Wijesekara, Horticulture seeds because they have wild species show a variable Crops Development & little or no pollen and exhibit degree of resistance to Research Institute, Sri Lanka female sterility, making a range of diseases that [email protected] them very difficult to breed. threaten banana around the A.Wijesekara A market stall in Sri Lanka displays the country’s rich banana diversity. Banana is the most important fruit crop in Sri Lanka 28Special Section 29

Wild relatives offer new lease on life to an ancient grain

The Armenian highlands are wheat varieties. Some productive, affluent and home to a rich diversity of of the wild species are fertile. In other words, as crop wild relatives. Some drought-resistant, which an Armenian saying would are ancestors of cultivated is particularly important have it, “there will always be varieties; others cross freely in Armenia due to the dry bread on the table.” with their related cultigens climate and frequent water and can be used in breeding shortages. The wild species By Armen Danielian, or to study the relationship Triticum boeoticum Bois is Ministry of Nature between wild and cultivated resistant to fungal diseases Protection, Armenia plants. and has high variability, which makes it a valuable The use of Armenia is a centre of origin subject for research. Triticum wild relatives for cereals. Here, the use of araraticum Jakubz could be to improve wheat dates back more than used to breed protein-rich Armenian wheat two millennia. Archaeological wheat varieties. is an important excavations have revealed well-preserved granaries The use of wild relatives to strategy and clay vessels filled with improve Armenian wheat a grain identified asTriticum is an important strategy: urartu, a wheat species wheat is absolutely central named after the ancient to the country’s culture kingdom of Urartu whose and customs. Traditionally, inhabitants were skilled the mother of the groom agriculturists. It is believed puts lavash—a type of flat that the ancestors of T. bread—on the shoulders urartu played a role in the of the bride and the groom origin of wheat varieties when they are about to enter cultivated today. Another their new home for the first ancient type, known as time. It is believed that this korkot, is used in modern- will keep the new family day Armenian kitchens. Wheat grains discovered in the storehouses of the A. Danielian ancient Urartu fortress still Lavash, traditional Armenian bread. grow in the Ararat valley. Today, about 13 species and more than 360 varieties of cultivated and wild wheat can be found in Armenia. Three out of the four known wild wheat species can be found in Armenia.

For further information, contact The wild wheats of Armenia Armen Danielian have a high potential for A. Danielian [email protected] use in improving cultivated Women preparing lavash. 29 Special Section Global conference maps out future for wild relatives

Wild pea vine Birmingham (UK), IPGRI (now minor crops have also been The conference considered found in central Bioversity International) and developed and domesticated elements of a global strategy and southern the Istituto Sperimentale per from crop wild relatives in the on crop wild relatives. All Europe. la Frutticoltura (Italy), brought region, such as arnica (which agreed that the development together about 150 scientists, is used in homeopathic of supportive policies, in situ policy-makers, private- remedies), asparagus, lettuce conservation, sustainable sector participants and non- and sage. These and other use of wild relatives and governmental organizations findings are documented in raising public awareness from 45 countries. PGR Forum’s chief product, of their value were major the Crop Wild Relatives areas for action. Involving “Crop wild relatives are Catalogue for Europe and many different sectors, plant species that are the Mediterranean, which including farmers, in the closely related to cultivated provides easy access to further development and crops,” said Jozef Turok, information on wild relatives implementation of the Bioversity International’s in Europe. strategy will be critical, as Regional Director for Europe will be exploring the use and one of the organizers The conference highlighted of a variety of techniques, of the conference. “Their the threats to crop wild such as satellite imagery, closeness means that they relatives worldwide as a result to produce maps showing can contribute beneficial of changes in land use, such changes in vegetation L. Udvardy heritable traits for pest as the growth of housing patterns, land use and Although the wild relatives of or disease resistance or developments, large-scale individual species over time. crop plants have been used yield improvement to crop farming and tourism. Climate by farmers for millennia and varieties.” change is also an important It is no coincidence that by plant breeders for over a factor affecting the wild the first conference on wild century, remarkably, efforts In Europe and the relatives of crop plants. relatives happened in Sicily. to ensure the continued Mediterranean, a start has The island has 1741 species availability of these valuable already been made to better Participants described their of crop wild relatives, 11% resources are very recent. assess and document the experiences in studying of the total found in Europe. Addressing a problem—the status of wild relatives and managing wild relatives Thirty-five of these species disappearance of wild through the three-year around the world. They are found only in Sicily. relatives from nature due European Union-funded agreed on the need to mostly to human influence— project, PGR Forum, whose identify and locate wild The conference proceedings Conservationists that has been largely findings were presented species with socio-economic will be published by CAB need guidelines ignored over time brings at the conference (see value. Conservationists need International in 2007. for maintaining with it special challenges. ‘Regional catalogue supports guidelines for maintaining wild relatives The nature of these national strategies,’ p.30). wild relatives in their natural By Kelly Wagner, in their natural challenges set the context For example, two-thirds habitats. Bioversity International for the first-ever International of an estimated 30 000 habitats Conference on Crop Wild plant species in the region Relative Conservation and are considered useful to Use, held in September society. Major crop plants 2005 in Sicily, Italy. such as oats, sugar beet, apple, annual meadow grass For further information, visit The Conference, which was and white clover have wild http://www.pgrforum.org organized by the University of relatives in Europe. Many

The beautiful temples of the Valle dei Templi in Agrigento, Sicily, Italy, formed the backdrop for the first ever conference on crop wild relatives, which took place in September 2005. Parco Archeologico e Paesaggistico della Valle dei Templi dei Valle della Paesaggistico e Archeologico Parco 30Special Section 31

Regional catalogue supports national strategies

Researchers Recently, 21 European diversity of crops such as was the first comprehensive can use the countries worked together oats, sugar beet, carrot, Crop Wild Relatives to catalogue the full range of apple, asparagus, lettuce, Catalogue for Europe and catalogue to cultivated and wild plants of raspberries and blackberries, the Mediterranean. generate national socio-economic importance as well as many forage, inventories in the European and medicinal and aromatic Researchers can use the Mediterranean regions. species. catalogue to generate national inventories by Europe may not be the first A recent European Union- downloading a list of crops region to come to mind when funded project, PGR Forum, and crop wild relative thinking of crop diversity; brought together partners taxa for their countries. after all, most of the world’s from across Europe to Such inventories are most important plant genetic assess the taxonomic and important because they resources are to be found genetic diversity of European provide the baseline data in the developing world. crop wild relatives and to needed for setting priorities Nevertheless, Europe does make plans to conserve and developing long- have globally significant them. The central product term conservation and sustainable-use strategies. Ireland, Portugal and the UK have already used the Crop genus names Forestry genus names catalogue to create national Once individual country Mansfeld’s database Schultze-Motel, 1966 inventories; these will serve catalogues are established, the sites with the greatest diversity Matching Matching as the basis for making can be identified. Here the five decisions on conservation sites in the British Isles that Euro+Med Plantbase genus names strategies in the three contain the greatest overall countries. species diversity are shown Matching Matching with the number of priority crop wild relative species present at Medicinal & aromatic Data Mining Ornamental The catalogue references each site. genus names genus names MAPROW CPVO over 24 000 species—

Crop Wild Relative around 80% of the total Euro-Mediterranean PGR Forum Crop and flora. It is available at CWR Catalogue http://cwris.ecpgr.org, Information System (CWRIS) the Web site of the Crop Wild Relative Information System. This information Country Filter platform contains a wide range of data on both wild

National relatives in Europe and Crop and CWR Catalogue the Mediterranean and the cultivated species to which they are related. The Crop Wild Relatives Catalogue for Europe and the Mediterranean For further information and was created by matching the regional flora (held in the Euro+Med access to PGR Forum reports Plantbase: www.euromed.org.uk) with specialist socio-economic plant By Nigel Maxted, Shelagh and publications, visit http:// databases. Individual country catalogues can be extracted by filtering Kell and Brian Ford-Lloyd, www.pgrforum.org the regional database. University of Birmingham 31 Special Section Putting diversity back into wheat Wheat is the staple food for a third of the world Researchers are using wild They also brought those research programmes. relatives to create wheat characteristics to the first The breeding efforts of varieties containing valuable wheats planted by farmers. national programmes, the traits that were thought International Maize and Wild relatives may have to have been lost forever, Wheat today comes in two Wheat Improvement Center traits that have been lost in watered down by thousands broad categories. Durum (CIMMYT) and other centres the domesticated crop over of years of wheat breeding. wheat resulted from the continued to build on the thousands of years of farmer crossing of two wild grasses strength of those varieties selection and the last century When farmers started and today is best known as and the valuable traits they of more intense breeding. to domesticate wheat the wheat used for pasta, exhibited. In fact today thousands of years ago, couscous and semolina varieties based on CIMMYT- “In places where there’s a they were given a great head products. Bread wheat, a derived germplasm are grown good bit of rainfall, wheats start by nature. The original cross between durum and on more than 60% of wheat face diseases such as rust, primitive wheats were the another grass, is thought to fields of the developing world septoria, leaf and spot blotch, results of spontaneous have arisen about 10 000 and in much of the developed fusarium scab and powdery crossings of wild grasses, years ago, in the Caspian world as well. mildew,” said Mujeeb-Kazi. the wild relatives of wheat. area of Iran. “The wheats we’ve developed Those grasses had been One result of this selection show genetic resistance exposed to cold, drought, Wheat is the staple food for process by farmers and to six or seven diseases heat, waterlogging and a third of the world, providing breeders has been a decline at the same time, plus more calories and protein in the inherent diversity tolerance of such problems in people’s diets than any of wheat being grown in as salinity, waterlogging and other crop. Nine-tenths of the farmers’ fields. If wheat drought. This gives them world’s wheat is bread wheat. varieties are genetically a huge advantage in most The rise of wheat as an uniform, the vulnerability of environments where wheat is important food crop came at global wheat production to a grown.” a cost to its genetic diversity, devastating new disease or especially when landraces insect pest outbreak is high. CIMMYT began were replaced over large Increased genetic diversity incorporating materials areas by fewer varieties. provides a buffer against from wild relatives into its such risks and reduces wheat breeding 15 years The adoption of ‘Green vulnerabilities. ago. The first varieties are Revolution’ wheats now reaching farmers fields, starting in the 1960s had CIMMYT recognized this but until recently CIMMYT

CIMMYT spectacular results, bringing risk and designed novel could not say quantitatively Three synthetic wheats (right) self-sufficiency in wheat breeding strategies to whether there had been derived from crosses of durum to India, Pakistan, Turkey put diversity back into a true impact on genetic wheat (left) with wild grass and other countries. The the wheat germplasm it diversity in the seeds. species. new, semi-dwarf varieties provides to farmers. Wheat had higher yields and were cytogeneticist Abdul Mujeeb- By examining the DNA of all kinds of diseases and resistant to production- Kazi decided to recreate the the landraces of wheat pests. The grass species limiting diseases, in particular events that resulted in the grown by farmers before alive today resisted those rusts. Farmers grew the creation of the original bread modern breeding started For further information, contact scourges and carried best-performing varieties wheats. Mujeeb-Kazi crossed and comparing it with DNA David Mowbray, CIMMYT resistance in their seeds as selected by scientists one of wheat’s wild relatives from the most popular [email protected] part of their genetic heritage. from national agricultural with a modern durum wheat. modern varieties and 32Special Section 33

with the newest materials study confirms what we had more variation than has work by Mujeeb-Kazi, there from CIMMYT, a team led hoped would happen,” said ever been available to are a thousand new wheats by molecular geneticist Warburton. “It means that in farmers and breeders, created from crossing Marilyn Warburton was able the future, wheat will carry possibly since hexaploid (the different wild relatives with to confirm the decline in its historic heritage back into complex genetic structure modern wheats, far more diversity in popular current farmers’ fields.” of wheat that arose from than the original bread wheat wheats while at the same the accidental crossing of that might have originated time demonstrating that the “The successful wild relatives and grasses with just a few plants and a new wheats from CIMMYT incorporation and re-mixing in the distant past) wheat couple of wild crosses. had genetic diversity similar of genetic diversity from first appeared 10 000 years to that in the pre-Green wheat’s wild relatives has ago,” the study concluded. By David Mowbray, Revolution landraces. “The created wheats containing Today, as a result of the CIMMYT

Protecting the wild relatives of walnut

Close to 200 The Persian or common Apparently, this is not far the region are very real. To establishing a sustainable species of walnut (Juglans regia) is fetched. Walnuts are an protect walnut trees in their approach to enriching the native to Central Asia. excellent source of omega-3 native lands, the Crop Wild livelihoods of people in the Persian walnut This species has been fatty acids and have been Relatives Project, funded region. grow in Central widely cultivated for many shown to be helpful in by the Global Environment Asia thousands of years, but lowering cholesterol, both Facility and implemented By E.A. Butkov, its wild relatives have of which characteristics by the United Nations R.A. Sultanov, G.M. been sadly neglected, help guard against heart Environment Programme, Chernova and L.V. Nikolyai, putting them at risk of disease. In addition, walnuts is working with partners Republican Scientific disappearing. contain a host of other throughout the region to Production Center of important vitamins, minerals, set up modern walnut Decorative Horticulture The story has it that protein and antioxidants. plantations. If successful, the and Forestry, Uzbekistan Alexander of Macedonia Walnuts are cited as the project should reduce the ordered the importation second richest source of exploitation of natural stands of the Persian walnut to antioxidants, next to rose of walnut trees, allowing Greece, ascribing to it the hips, according to a study by diversity to flourish while power to protect his soldiers the University of Minnesota, against disease. Numerous USA, and the University of ancient historians, such Oslo, Norway. as Arrianos, Teofrast For further information, and others, claim that Close to 200 species of contact Sativaldi Djataev, Alexander’s army was saved Persian walnut grow in Institute of Genetics and Plant Experimental Biology, from certain death by the Central Asia. Long prized for Academy of Sciences, large numbers of walnuts its beautiful wood, as well Republic of Uzbekistan they ingested during his as for its fruit, the dangers [email protected] campaign in Turkistan. faced by walnut diversity in

Walnuts are a good source of omega-3 fatty acids and can help lower cholesterol. E. Butkov 33 Special Section Saving Central Asia’s pistachio diversity

Considered a delicacy since Asia covered approximately “Pistachio plays Amer Ibrahim Basha to the beginning of recorded 2 million hectares, compared a vital role in assess the amount and time, the pistachio has been with only 300 000 hectares distribution of wild and cultivated for centuries today. the nutrition, cultivated pistachio diversity throughout Central Asia, economy and in his native Syria and more where it originated. Pistachio The loss of wild pistachio culture of many widely in Central Asia using nuts are eaten fresh or diversity in Central Asia poor countries molecular techniques. This roasted and are also used in has major implications for in the region” information will help to ice cream and desserts such pistachio growers in the — Basha develop effective strategies as baklava. region and beyond. Most to conserve and make use of the pistachio gene pool of pistachio diversity in the While there is a huge is to be found here, where region. potential for expanding the it is needed to underpin by Bioversity International, commercial production of the continued availability is overseeing the planning “Pistachio plays a vital role pistachio in the region, it of the tasty nut. The wild of ecogeographic surveys in the nutrition, economy has not been well exploited. relatives of pistachio also and germplasm collecting and culture of many poor Today, of the countries in play an important role in missions in Central Asia countries in the region,” the region only Iran holds holding back the region’s to learn more about the said Ibrahim Basha. “This a large market share, at fragile soils. Their loss diversity, distribution and study, and complementary 38% of the world market. further threatens an already uses of pistachio and to work through the Crop Wild The USA has the second threatened environment. strengthen conservation Relatives Project, will help largest share of the market efforts. The project’s the countries make the most with 28%. As the global Two projects are currently activities in the region of their pistachio diversity for commercial production of addressing the challenges are being managed by the benefit of people in the pistachio amounts to 500 facing the pistachio in Bioversity's office in region.” million tonnes per year, Central Asia. The Crop Wild Tashkent, Uzbekistan. efforts to create markets for Relative Project, funded By Galina Chernova, pistachio varieties native to by the Global Environment A grant provided by the Republican Scientific other Central Asia countries Facility, implemented by the International Fund for Production Center of could bring major benefits to United Nations Environment Agricultural Research will Decorative Horticulture the region. Programme and coordinated enable pistachio expert and Forestry, Uzbekistan

An important first step is to shore up existing pistachio diversity in the L. Nikolyai region. For three millennia, pistachio trees were used in metallurgy and mining in Central Asia due to their accessibility and the highly For further information, calorific charcoal they contact Sativaldi Djataev, produce. The result was Institute of Genetics and Plant Experimental Biology, a major depopulation of Academy of Sciences, wild pistachio in the region. Pistachio plays an important Republic of Uzbekistan During the Stone Age, role in the culture and culinary [email protected] pistachio trees in Central traditions of Central Asia. 34Special Section 35

Ask the old women the search for hardy survivors

Scientists are on a hunt for known intuitively all along— genes in the land where that the traditional varieties farming began, searching were special. “We are for lost genetic resources going back that scientists say will be The scientists are led by through time, crucial for the world to keep a Syria-based Australian, backwards feeding itself as climate Ken Street, an agricultural change and deteriorating ecologist with the through agricultural landscapes International Center for human-induced begin to bite. Agricultural Research in the evolution” Dry Areas (ICARDA). The —Street High in the mountains of team comprises Russian and southern Armenia, the Armenian plant researchers, farmer’s tanned, furrowed as well as another Australian, face is thoughtful. “You Perth-based Clive Francis should ask the old women,” from the Centre for Legumes he said after a pause. in Mediterranean Agriculture From village to village, (CLIMA). Their work is partly others agree. “Ask the old funded by the Australian women.” They are helpful Centre for International

and nostalgic and, after an Agricultural Research © Brad Collis/Coretext obligatory vodka or two, (ACIAR), a development Clive Francis, CLIMA, collecting seed in Armenia, July 2005. melancholy. agency, and the Grains Research and Development It is the genes that allow “The world is losing The old women emerge from Corporation (GRDC). the old relatives of modern irreplaceable seeds. This lightless kitchens and farm crops to flourish in frozen or is frightening, because the buildings and the scientists The team scours the arid landscapes that need to genetic origins for a very explain their quest to find birthplace of agriculture, be found and reintroduced. large proportion of the places where ancestral the Caucasus—Armenia, “We are going back through world’s food crops do not plants might still grow on Azerbaijan, Georgia and time, backwards through exist anywhere else. So we high plains that have been parts of Russia—for remnant human-induced evolution,” are desperately trying to overgrazed or mined. The on-farm seed stocks and for explained Street. “We are collect, store, document and women hurry away and with the ancestral wild grasses looking for the grasses that manage as much diversity extraordinary generosity from which modern crops were used for bread-making from old varieties and wild re-emerge with tins, jars and like wheat and barley were thousands of years ago. relatives as we can before knotted cloth containing first bred some 5000 or We are searching for what they are gone forever. It’s a biological treasures—the so years ago. They are our far-distant ancestors survival issue,” Street said. seeds of bygone crops. focused on the two or three were using, because these degree increase in average plants have a wider genetic By Brad Collis, © Brad Collis/Coretext Grains of wheat, barley, temperatures that the globe base. A modern wheat plant Coretext Pty Ltd Ken Street looking for old crop varieties in the ruins of a long- beans and peas disappear is likely to face due to might have a few hundred abandoned village in Armenia. into small yellow envelopes. global warming. A fraction parents from a breeding Some of the old women of a degree change can be programme, but the ancient For further information, contact cry, because these enough to stop many food wild varieties had hundreds Ken Street, ICARDA visiting scientists seem to plants from flowering and of thousands, perhaps [email protected] understand what they have delivering grains and fruits. millions, of parents. 35 Special Section Tapping the potential of medicinal and aromatic plants in northern Europe

In northern Europe, A four-year project methods for commercial biodiversity programmes to identify potential production in order to are looking to wild species commercial uses of wild ensure against over- as a new source of plants in the Nordic and harvesting from the wild commercial products and, Balkan countries wound populations of vulnerable in so doing, are creating an up in 2005. The project, species. economic motive for their funded by the Nordic conservation. Gene Bank, investigated By Kelly Wagner, eight wild species with Bioversity International The inhabitants of Nordic market prospects. These and Baltic countries once included wild thyme, valued their ancestors’ shrubby St. John’s wort, expertise in using wild sweet flag root and wild plants. The knowledge oregano. The plants were arising from this expertise collected and deposited was passed down over many in national collections generations, allowing the for conservation and continued use of medicinal further study. In addition, plants in accordance with the project catalogued old traditions. However, over 130 wild plants with growing urbanization in medicinal and aromatic the region and the lack of uses, some of which are supportive policies and under threat in the region technical support has led to due to changing agricultural a dramatic decline in the use practices, habitat loss, traditional medicines, putting over-exploitation and other the wild plants at risk. factors. It would not be good business to let these One sure way to convince species disappear before decision-makers of the their market potential can importance of conserving be realized. wild plants is to demonstrate their economic potential. Follow-up to the project Creating a commercial value will involve additional for the plants is a great collecting and evaluation incentive to keep them of the promising plants, as safe. Norway and Finland well as the development of had already had some experience of this with the commercial production Creating a of roseroot, a wild plant commercial used to stimulate the nervous system, decreasing value for the For further information, contact plants is a great Åsmund Asdal, Norwegian depression, enhancing work Å. Asdal Crop Research Institute performance and eliminating incentive to Roseroot, a wild plant used to combat depression, has gone into [email protected] fatigue. keep them safe commercial production in Norway and Finland. 36Special Section 37

Climate change threatens wild relatives with extinction

As global temperatures International and the size of populations will Climate change continue to rise, crop wild International Rice Research diminish by as much as relatives are threatened with Institute (IRRI) estimated 75%, indicating greater is making major extinction at the very time the current and future fragmentation of populations new demands on they are needed the most. geographical distribution of and reduced viability for crop diversity the wild relatives of three survival. Moreover, habitat Climate change is making of the world’s important fragmentation will create major new demands on food crops—potato, peanut spatial barriers to species crop diversity as well as and cowpea—based on 19 migration, effectively creating new opportunities climate variables. The results isolating populations and often growing off the beaten for using diversity to mitigate show that within the next narrowing genetic diversity. track in already challenged its adverse impacts on 50 years climate change is environments. The selection likely to dramatically affect The findings demonstrate of in situ conservation all three crops. Strikingly, the that climate change will areas for crop wild relatives study predicts that by 2055, drive many wild relatives of and species-specific 18–25% of all potato, peanut important crops to extinction management strategies need and cowpea species could through habitat reduction to factor in climate change become extinct and that and fragmentation, without as a significant driver of most species could lose over even considering other species distribution and 50% of the land area that is continuing drivers of habitat conservation status. Climate currently suited to them. loss such as deforestation modellers, plant breeders and over-exploitation. The and conservationists also Wild peanuts are predicted wild relatives of peanut, need to work together to to be the hardest hit, with potato and cowpea have identify vulnerable areas as many as 31 of the 51 already proven to be and species, evaluate the wild species studied likely important sources of genes species that are important to become extinct and for improving agricultural to crop improvement and the distribution area of the production. For example, develop integrated climate- remainder to be reduced by wild relatives of the potato change conservation more than 90%. In addition, have provided resistance and breeding strategies. up to 13 of 107 wild species to late blight, Colorado Threatened species will of potato studied could potato beetle and various require targeted monitoring

A. Lane/Bioversity International become extinct by 2055, viruses, and wild relatives of and conservation measures A vegetable stall in Cochabamba, Bolivia, boasts a striking display of with the potential distribution cultivated peanut have been in order to ensure their potato diversity. A recent study by IRRI and Bioversity International area of the remaining species used to breed resistance to survival in the face of estimates that up to 13 of 107 wild species of potato being studied reduced by over 70%. Up to root-knot nematode. climate change. The more could become extinct by 2055. three of 48 species of cowpea threatened species will are likely to disappear, and Unfortunately, it is rare for require targeted ex situ agricultural systems. Crop the distribution area could crop wild relatives to be conservation interventions. wild relatives can help adapt be reduced by 65%, with 41 targeted for conservation cultivated crops to changing out of 48 species losing more actions. Equally rare is their By Annie Lane and climactic conditions, but than 50% of their current use in adapting modern Andy Jarvis, Bioversity For further information, contact their very survival has ranges. crops to the impacts of International, and Robert Annie Lane, been placed in jeopardy by climate change, although Hijmans, IRRI Bioversity International climate change. A study The study also estimates they are a promising source [email protected] conducted by Bioversity that the average patch of genes for hardiness, 37 Special Section Wild potato relative may blunt late blight

Late blight, the disease this disease, thanks to that laid waste to Ireland’s research by the United States potato fields in the 1840s, Department of Agriculture’s continues to cut a deadly Agricultural Research Service swath through agriculture (USDA–ARS). Scientists at over a century and a half USDA–ARS are developing later. But tomorrow’s tubers hardy, highly productive may have protection against potato plants that not only produce top-quality potatoes but also shrug off attack by the fungus-like microbe that causes late blight. The disease costs about US$400 million in losses each year in the USA alone.

The assault on the resilient L. Cooke/ Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute microbe started when a Leaves of a potato plant in Northern Ireland infested with blight, the USDA–ARS team at the deadly disease that laid waste to Ireland’s potato fields in the 1840s. Western Regional Research Center in Albany, California, identified and isolated domesticated potatoes to Late blight the gene in Solanum test the effectiveness of causes losses of bulbocastanum—a wild the gene in countering late relative of the potato blight. about US$400 originating in Mexico—that million each year could be introduced directly When grown out in plant in the USA alone into potatoes to work in pathologist Kenneth L. concert with other genes to Deahl’s greenhouse, the test fend off late blight. plants from Albany showed resistance to the disease. This discovery grew from Additional tests will reveal research over the past how well the potatoes decade by plant physiologist perform outdoors when John P. Helgeson, formerly exposed to the microbe. with USDA–ARS in Madison, These field experiments Wisconsin. He fused S. should bring scientists a bulbocastanum with the step closer to determining

V. Heywood V. familiar domesticated whether genes from a wild, Antonio Rivera Pena, researcher in Mexico, examines a wild potato. potato, creating unique south-of-the-border potato Researchers have identified and isolated a gene in a wild potato that hybrids. Then, scientists can protect its northern could confer resistance to late blight. from USDA–ARS worked cousins from being battered to isolate and clone the by late blight. resistance gene from the For further information, visit crop wild relative. They By Marcia Wood, www.nps.ars.usda.gov transferred the gene into USDA–ARS 38Special Section 39

On the rocks

While much attention is scattered and difficult to on cliffs well out of reach Under such circumstances given to the benefits to measure or study. except to goats or the most when there are only a few be obtained from the use intrepid plant collectors, who isolated plants on the cliffs, of crop wild relatives in The close relatives of the may have to seek recourse any attempt to undertake breeding, it is worth sparing widely cultivated vegetables to long-arm pruners (not the a proper sampling of the a thought for the problems such as cabbage, most convenient contraption population as recommended of collecting these plants cauliflower, kohlrabi and to carry with one in the field), in the manuals becomes from the wild. Brussels sprouts that are or even to throwing stones irrelevant. Some seed in the derived from Brassica at the plant in the hope of bag is better than none. Crop wild relatives occupy a oleracea L. are bushy wild dislodging some branches very wide range of habitats cabbages native to the with fruits. By Vernon Heywood, throughout the world, some Atlantic coast of Europe, the University of Reading of which pose serious Mediterranean basin and During a recent trip to Sicily, Professor Cesar Gómez- Campo from the Polytechnic University of Madrid, Spain, and Professor Vernon Heywood of the University of Reading, UK, sought out The plants seeds of Brassica villosa. that grow on To reach the vertical rock rock faces or faces where the plants were cliffs often growing, they had to climb have a highly up the side of the cliffs from shore level, passing through specialized the living room of a farm ecology and cottage (with the owner’s may even be permission!) on the way. niche-specific V. Heywood V. Cliffs in Trapani, western Sicily, Italy, home to various species of brassica wild relatives.

difficulties for the plant the Canary Islands. These collector. Some grow in form a group of wild taxa, inaccessible rocky habitats. including some that are The plants that grow on narrow endemics restricted rock faces or cliffs often to cliff habitats in several have a highly specialized Mediterranean islands, ecology and may even be including Corsica, Sardinia, niche-specific—they will Sicily, Crete and Cyprus. For further information, grow only on overhangs contact Vernon Heywood, or on vertical faces, for Sometimes the plants are Heywood V. University of Reading example. As a consequence, within reach (or nearly so) Professor Cesar Gomez Campo collecting seed of Brassica villosa [email protected] their populations are very but all too often they grow growing on rocks in Trapani. 39 Special Section Spreading the word about wild relatives

The extensive loss of It is not known how many seeds than their cultivated It was not until agrobiodiversity and wild relatives of crop counterparts. Only about the 1990s that the threat that it poses plants exist around the 5% of the crop diversity the in situ to human well-being is world, but in Europe and conserved in European a global problem that the Mediterranean region and CGIAR genebanks is conservation of requires a global solution. more than 20 000 out of an from crop wild relatives; the wild relatives Important initiatives have estimated 30 000 species rest is from domesticated began to be been launched to stem are considered crop wild crops. taken seriously the haemorrhage of crop relatives. Many of these are diversity, including action by related to major European the Convention on Biological crops such as oats, sugar Diversity, the Food and beet and apple. Numerous Agriculture Organization minor crops such as of the United Nations and asparagus, lettuce and sage the centres supported by have wild relatives in the the Consultative Group on region as well.

According to Ehsan Dulloo, Examples of wild relatives at risk senior scientist at Bioversity Crop Situation International and co-chair of the expert group, “They Tomato Across South America, populations of wild tomato are being severely reduced due to goat may look scruffy and herding in the highlands and habitat loss. worthless, but wild relatives are a goldmine of genes for Coffee A wild species of coffee that once grew in Côte d’Ivoire is known to be extinct. Ten others are helping farmers to combat either endangered or vulnerable in the wild. challenges such as pests and diseases, climate Pistachio Pistachio’s broad genetic base is being lost as change, water stress and a few high-yielding commercial types replace R. Khalil /Bioversity International salinity.” ancient varieties and human activity destroys Pistachio’s broad genetic base is being lost as a few high-yielding wild species. commercial types replace ancient varieties, and human activity Although agricultural destroys wild species. scientists identified International Agricultural crop wild relatives as a Research (CGIAR). But crop conservation target over One of the first actions of the Specialist Group will wild relatives, although they 30 years ago, it was not specialist group, currently in become the global authority have an important role to until the 1990s that the in its formative days, will be to on the conservation of wild play in crop improvement, situ conservation of wild establish a global database relatives,” he said. tend to fall between the relatives began to be taken on crop wild relatives. The cracks of such conservation seriously. group plans a major effort By Kelly Wagner, For further information, contact initiatives. Now, a group of to raise the profile of wild Bioversity International the co-chairs of the specialist specialists have banded Ex situ conservation of relatives and stimulate group: Ehsan Dulloo, together, with support from wild relatives, while a their conservation. Dulloo Bioversity International [email protected] the World Conservation desirable back-up to in situ believes that the future and Nigel Maxted, Union, to ensure that wild conservation, can be tricky of wild relatives is safe in University of Birmingham relatives get the respect they because the wild relatives the hands of the group. [email protected] deserve. tend to contain fewer “The Crop Wild Relatives 40Special Section 41

Wild relatives could help boost berry market

Wild relatives provide crops with their wild a valuable source of relatives due to crossability variation that can be used barriers between species. to improve the quality of Fortunately, pepino crosses many cultivated species. easily with two wild species In the past, wild relatives that are its accepted The introduction have been used to improve ancestors, S. caripense the flavour of tomatoes, and S. tabanoense. These of pepino as the disease resistance of species are harvested and a new fruit potatoes and the drought eaten by rural people in on European tolerance of chickpeas. Now, the Andean region and markets has studies are being conducted have high acidity and potential for to see if wild relatives can mass. Although the wild increasing the boost the marketability species have smaller of pepino (Solanum fruit, this undesirable trait incomes of poor muricatum). can be reduced in a few farmers in Latin backcrossing generations. America Golden yellow or purplish green and covered with The Institute for darker stripes, the pepino Conservation and is a juicy, mildly sweet and J. Prohens Improvement of aromatic berry that is also Researchers are looking to wild Agrobiodiversity of referred to as pepino melon relatives of pepino for ways to Valencia, Spain, has been increase the fruit’s sweetness. or melon pear. The fruit is doing research on pepino native to the temperate improvement. Recent Andean region that includes progress indicates that Chile, Colombia, Ecuador ripening reduces the sugar the two wild species are and Peru. Today, it is grown content, making the fruit promising sources of commercially in Chile, less sweet. On the other variation for improving New Zealand and Western hand, when the crop grows pepino fruit quality. If market Australia. The introduction in a cooler environment, the access can be assured, of pepino as a new fruit soluble solids concentration Europeans may soon grow on European markets has levels—sugar and organic accustomed to seeing potential for increasing the acid content in fruit— purple striped yellow berries incomes of poor farmers increase, although they alongside the familiar blue, in Latin America. However, still are normally too low to black and red ones at their existing pepino varieties are meet European consumer local fruit stands. not sweet enough and do demands. not have enough solid mass By Kelly Wagner, to be marketed in Europe in Now, research is underway Bioversity International their present state. to improve the sweetness of For further information, visit pepinos by crossbreeding the Web site of the Institute for Conservation and Improvement Environmental conditions them with their wild relatives. of Agrobiodiversity of Valencia, influence the fruit quality Spain, at http://www.comav. of pepino. For example, Difficulties often arise upv.es/index2.html high temperature during when breeding cultivated 41 Special Section Groundnut relatives hit the spot

For years, groundnut fields Clearly, coming to grips groundnuts with resistance progeny with resistance to have been laid waste by with leaf spot could have to the two dread diseases. late leaf spot. Thanks to its devastating fungal diseases. major implications for the Fortunately, many wild nutty relatives, it looks like Now, thanks to the wild livelihoods of poor countries. relatives of groundnut are groundnut is here to stay. relatives of the groundnut, good sources of resistance farmers around the world Early leaf spot is caused to both leaf spot diseases. By N. Mallikarjuna, can breathe easier. by the fungus Cercospora By crossing wild groundnut ICRISAT arachidicola. Reports with the cultivated type, A few spots on the leaves indicate that yield losses due ICRISAT scientists have of the groundnut plant to this pathogen can be as already managed to produce are enough to strike fear high as 50%. Late leaf spot resistant types. into the hearts of farmers is caused by Phaeoisariopsis around the world. Two fungal personata, which has Given the dynamic and diseases—early leaf spot caused economic losses ever-evolving character and late leaf spot—can totalling US$599 million in of diseases, ICRISAT seriously damage the plant the groundnut growing areas scientists are constantly on and have a major impact on of the world, including Asia the hunt for new sources crop yields. and Africa. of resistance to leaf spot. Recently, crosses of four Groundnut is the thirteenth Now, the International wild peanut varieties— most important food crop Crops Research Institute Arachis stenosperma, A. in the world, the fourth for the Semi-Arid Tropics kempff-mercadoi, A. diogoi most important source (ICRISAT) is developing and A. cardenasii—yielded of edible oil and the third most important source of vegetable protein. It is grown on 26.4 million hectares worldwide with a total production of 36.1 million tonnes. Developing countries account for 96% of the land planted to groundnut and for 92% of global production.

A few spots on the leaves of the groundnut plant are enough to strike fear into

For further information, contact the hearts of N. Mallikarjuna, ICRISAT farmers around [email protected] the world ICRISAT Arachis diogoi, a wild relative of groundnut. 42Geneflow News 43

Cultivating peace through rice

After many years, the hills of as seeds, crops and prepared than traditional a comprehensive plan for Rwanda are once again alive livestock were destroyed staples like sorghum and rebuilding the country’s with the sound of music: and farmers either fled the millet. In addition, the rice sector. As the conflicts farmers singing in the fields countryside or were killed byproducts of rice can be virtually destroyed the as they go about sowing and in the strife. With them, used as fodder and it has a country’s rice diversity, harvesting their crops. The knowledge about local crop shorter growth cycle than WARDA sent about 900 rice anguished cries of the 1994 varieties disappeared. other local staple crops. varieties from its genebank genocide, which resulted in Another compelling reason to ISAR to be tested in The genocide the deaths of nearly a million Since 2002, with support for giving rice priority is Rwanda’s major rice- aggravated the people, are slowly fading from donors such as that the crop grows well growing areas. Farmers have from memory as Rwandans the UK’s Department for in the flood-prone valleys already selected several of already fragile busy themselves building a International Development of Rwanda and can thus these varieties for yield (up agricultural new future for their country, (DFID) and the Belgian reduce pressure on land on to 10.5 tonnes per hectare situation based on peace and growth. government, the Africa the hillsides. per year over two seasons), Rice Center (WARDA) has stress resistance and grain been helping to reactivate The government’s strategy type. Rwanda’s rice research and is to make the country not development work in close only self-sufficient in rice Rwandan farmers have given partnership with the Institut production by 2010, but interesting local names to des Sciences Agronomiques also a rice exporter. To some of the rice varieties du Rwanda (ISAR). achieve these goals, WARDA they have selected, such researchers are doing an as Gakire (rich) and Intsinzi Rwanda’s leaders appraisal of the rice sector (victory). This is a hopeful recognized that poverty in Rwanda. A regional sign that rice has begun and the resulting struggle workshop will take place in to symbolize peace and over scarce resources was early 2007 to discuss the prosperity for the people of a root cause of the conflicts findings of the appraisal Rwanda. WARDA that led to the genocide. with various partners and Rwanda is the most densely Accordingly, the government stakeholders and to chart By Savitri Mohapatra, populated country in Africa, Rwanda, known as ‘The decided to focus on the way forward. WARDA with few natural resources Land of a Thousand Hills,’ is improving agriculture as besides arable land. the most densely populated an engine for the county’s So far, WARDA has helped country in Africa. It is growth. It identified the train national research staff landlocked, with few natural improvement of rice in rice breeding, testing and resources besides arable production as a cornerstone selection and is presently land and minimal industry. of Rwanda’s fight against engaged in recommending Nearly 90% of the Rwandan poverty and malnutrition. population depends on subsistence agriculture. Rice was selected because Despite its fertile terrain, it has the advantage of food production in Rwanda being both a food crop has only rarely been able to and a cash crop. There is keep pace with population also an increasing demand For further information, contact growth. The genocide for rice as a result of rapid Savitri Mohapatra, WARDA aggravated the already urbanization in Rwanda, [email protected] fragile agricultural situation since rice can be more easily

Around one-third of the 700 mountain gorillas left in the world live in Rwanda. The country is at the forefront of conservation efforts to protect this endangered species. H. Dacquin/ Wikipedia 43Geneflow News

Mixed news on AIDS

“People who are Despite evidence that the fields, leading to less food, Gillespie of the International According to UN–AIDS, 2005 extremely poor global AIDS epidemic has less income and poorer Food Policy Research was the most promising begun to slow in some nutrition. The Food and Institute, report that hunger year in the history of the or food insecure countries, the disease Agriculture Organization of and poverty can cause epidemic since it was are much more continues to have a the United Nations estimates people to engage in risky discovered 25 years ago. likely to be put devastating impact on that in the 25 African sexual behaviour to raise The reduction in new at risk of being agriculture around the world. countries worst affected by money for food. HIV/AIDS cases in a number exposed to the HIV/AIDS typically strikes HIV/AIDS more than seven of countries in Africa, Asia virus through during a person’s most million agricultural workers Gillespie explained, “Initially and the Caribbean could productive years, between have already died of the we felt the obvious direction have something to do with what they have the ages of 15 and 49, disease and 16 million more of the link between the amounts of money to do to find leaving only the very young could die before 2020. AIDS and food was that now being directed at the income or work” and the elderly to manage AIDS was precipitating scourge. In 2005, countries — Gillespie the farms. But very young Although most agricultural or exacerbating food spent US$8.3 billion on farmers lack the necessary research attention to insecurity at the household AIDS-related programmes, level. But, the more we look compared with US$1.5 into it we realize there’s billion in 2001. Elsewhere, another direction to that however, AIDS continues link, which is that people to rage unabated. And who are extremely poor or as agriculture grows less food insecure are much productive, and people get more likely to be put at risk hungrier and more willing of being exposed to the to engage in risky sexual virus through what they behaviour in exchange for have to do to find income money or food, any gains or work.” could very quickly be lost.

When people are hungry By Cassandra Moore, and they need to feed their Bioversity International families, they don’t much worry about how they get Adapted from a New York the money for food. Times article, ‘Report Shows AIDS Epidemic Slowdown

Rob Cousins/Panos Pictures Rob Cousins/Panos Pictures Gillespie also explained in 2005,’ by Lawrence K. Eighty-year-old Lozaj Nabitutilett looks after her six orphaned the importance of linking Altman (released 31 May grandchildren in Uganda. Her five daughters all died of AIDS. nutritional support to 2006) and a Voice of America drug treatment for AIDS. News article, ‘Malnutrition “We see a very direct, Worsens the HIV/AIDS knowledge to manage the date has focused on the very specific interaction Pandemic,’ by Joe De Capua fields. And the elderly simply link between HIV/AIDS between nutritional support (released 2 August 2006). do not have the physical and the loss of farming and the anti-retroviral strength or energy to cope. knowledge, scientists are drugs administered to Crop yields fall as healthy taking a growing interest AIDS patients. The drugs For further information on AIDS members of the family spend in the connection between will always work better and its link with malnutrition, more time looking after sick HIV/AIDS, food and nutrition. on a patient who is not see http://www.ifpri.org/renewal relatives and less time in the Experts, including Stuart malnourished.” 44Geneflow News 45

A revolution in rice: Lao PDR

Something of a revolution average Lao person with favourable agricultural The occurred among the rice around two-thirds of their policies,” explained Ty government’s fields of the Lao People’s calories. Something needed Phommasack, Lao PDR’s Democratic Republic (Lao to happen, and fast. vice-minister for agriculture strong support PDR) when policy-makers, and forestry. “At the same was a major farmers, donors and Something did happen that time, IRRI arrived with factor from the researchers joined forces to year, with the assistance technologies and know-how very start modernize rice production of the Swiss Agency and SDC came in with long- while protecting traditional for Development and term financial support. The varieties. Cooperation (SDC) and the government’s strong support International Rice Research was a major factor from the In 1990, the Lao PDR Institute (IRRI). The Lao–IRRI very start.” needed more food. The Rice Research and Training rice industry in particular Project was soon underway, “At the field level, one of disseminated to farmers— and agriculture in general with the aim of revitalizing the most obvious impacts the country saw a 79% were ready for change. It the country’s rice industry. has been the release of increase in rice production, had been a long time since The next 15 years would improved rice varieties,” yet the land area planted the country had produced see an enormous surge in said Schiller. “In 1990, only to rice increased by only enough rice to feed Lao PDR’s research and 5% of the lowland rice area 39%. Most of the increase everyone. Rice provides the training capacity as well as in the Mekong river valley in production was due to progress on the long, hard was sown to improved double cropping of rice, not journey from being a poor varieties. By 2004, many clearance of new land. The and hungry country needing provinces had up to 80% of capacity to produce more to spend precious capital their lowland area planted to rice per hectare reduces on rice imports to a country improved varieties.” the need to convert forests self-sufficient in rice. and natural wetlands to According to Sengpaseuth agricultural land, a boon for John Schiller, who led the Rasabandith, head of the the environment. project for IRRI from 1990 Food Crops Department at until 2001, recalled the the Lao National Agricultural Agricultural intensification situation when it began. “In Research Centre, “Without can be bad news for 1990,” he explained, “there the Lao–IRRI project, traditional crop varieties as was almost no research there would not have been farmers abandon their old aimed at developing modern varieties to release. faithful varieties in favour of technologies for improving The project has created modern, highly productive rice production, almost no a rice revolution in the types. That didn’t happen commercial fertilizer use country.” in Lao PDR. The project and limited rice research aimed for diversity in the expertise.” The impact of the modern rice fields: currently, around varieties has indeed been one-third of Lao PDR’s What happened next profound, increasing Lao rice rice-growing area is planted depended on a three- production from 1.5 million to Lao modern varieties, way partnership between tonnes in 1990 to 2.5 million one-third to modern varieties policy-makers, donors tonnes in 2004. From 1996 developed in other countries and researchers. “The to 2004—the period during and at IRRI and one-third to

P. Fredenburg/IRRI P. government introduced which rice technologies were traditional varieties. Younger generations will not miss out on Lao’s traditional rice varieties. The project deliberately aimed for diversity in the rice fields. 45Geneflow News

IRRI-managed to being who took over in July 2005, managed by the Lao anticipates that Lao PDR will National Agricultural and play a pivotal role in helping Forestry Research Institute meet regional agricultural (NAFRI)—will only be known challenges. “In just 15 years, years from now. But the Lao PDR has progressed impact so far has been from subsistence rice impressive, with much of the farming to more intensive country now self-sufficient production farming,” he said. in rice. Work remains to be “With sufficient support, done though, with areas the country will move to the of eastern Lao PDR still next level of development: suffering from a rice deficit. commercial farming and rice export.” But the building blocks are in place. According to By Adam Barclay and Monthathip Chanpengsay, Samjhana Shrestha, IRRI deputy director of research at NAFRI, the country now has a Adapted from Barclay A and confidence that simply didn’t Shrestha S. 2006. Genuinely exist 15 years ago and, with Lao. Rice Today 5 (2):22–27. P. Fredenburg/IRRI P. that, the ability to continue Farmers in Lao PDR tend their improving on its own. vegetable plots along the Nam Khan River near Luang Prabang. The project made a point capacity. “You can’t go Improved rice production has of working hand-in-hand anywhere in Lao PDR and The current manager of the allowed farmers to diversify with Lao farmers. “We not bump into somebody Lao–IRRI project, Gary Jahn, their crop production, improving worked very closely with who’s benefited from the their diets and increasing their the farmers,” explained Lao–IRRI project,” said incomes. Bruce Linquist, who led Linquist. “Hundreds of the project in 2004–2005. people have been trained “Involving them in all stages through the project.” of research, from analyzing their problems through to The project also supported finding new technologies, the conservation of rice has really been beneficial biodiversity in Lao PDR. It and has allowed us to helped the government’s get the technologies into National Rice Research farmers’ fields.” Programme to establish a collection of over 13 000 While the impact of samples of traditional rice improved rice production varieties and to establish in is unquestionable, Schiller situ conservation sites. S. Shrestha/IRRI and Linquist agree that the Lao farmer Mai Tamma of the village of Matahe tells farmers and For further information, contact most significant success The true success of the extension workers how growing hedgerows in his upland fields Adam Barclay, IRRI has been the growth of Lao Lao–IRRI project—which has helped him control erosion and provided his pigs with [email protected] PDR’s agricultural research is in transition from being high-protein feed. 46Geneflow News 47

Climate change: the tipping point?

The world's climate is now poles has already been targets to be achieved by complacency are no longer changing more rapidly than well documented but most 2010. It also advocated an option: if the warming at any other time in human plant species will be unable urgent in situ and ex situ continues, more than history. Temperatures are to keep pace with climate conservation, including a million species could increasing, ice caps are change. in botanic gardens, for disappear off the face of the shrinking and sea levels conserving biodiversity in Earth by 2050. are rising. According to Climate change is very the light of climate change. ‘The Last Generation’, a likely to create conditions By Annie Lane, new book by journalist where pest and disease It is easy to be cynical Bioversity International Fred Pearce (Eden Project outbreaks are more frequent, when recalling the various Books, UK), we are at a increasing both damage treaties, declarations and tipping point. From here on to crops and the costs conventions that have been in, the process of climate associated with intensive put into place to stop the change will not be gradual, pest management. This haemorrhage of species but sudden and brutal. We will create a vicious cycle, extinctions. But cynicism have already seen dramatic as greater application of and its close companion increases in the frequency pesticides will increase of extreme events such as emissions of greenhouse floods, storms, landslides gases, further contributing to and droughts over the past climate change. In addition, five years. The magnitude changes in the composition and pace of climate change of plant communities, will have disastrous impacts higher temperatures, longer on plants and animals in summers and less rainfall many regions of the world, could combine to increase which will in turn change the frequency and intensity humanity’s destiny forever. of fires in many areas.

In April 2006, a group of expert advisers to the Climate Convention on Biological

change is Diversity called for action C. Ynouye/CIP already altering by governments to increase The Gran Canaria Group has urged governments to increase ecosystems protection for the world’s protection for the world’s plants in light of the growing dangers of plants in light of the climate change. growing dangers of climate change. The so-called Gran Canaria Group—named Climate change is already after the location of its first altering ecosystems. Plants meeting—voiced its support respond to climate change for the Global Strategy for For further information on the in one of three ways: they Plant Conservation, adopted Gran Canaria Declaration on adapt to the changes, they by the Conference of the Climate Change and Plant migrate, or they become Parties to the Convention Conservation, visit http://www. extinct. Plant and animal in 2002, which sets 16 bgci.org/conservation/gcdccpc/ migration towards the concrete conservation 47Geneflow News

Divine tree helps reduce vitamin A deficiency

atoll island nation, a random the Marshallese diet. The Englberger of the Island survey of 919 children islanders already recognize Food Community of Pohnpei conducted in 2003 found the relationship between studied the various levels of that 59.5% were vitamin A local foods and good health. alpha- and beta-carotene deficient. In a recent survey, 91% of found in different Marshallese Marshallese respondents pandanus cultivars. The A UNICEF programme identified pandanus as study focused on varieties carried out in RMI from 1986 important to their way of life. that are already culturally to 2001 encouraged the The Marshallese refer to the acceptable as food. It production and consumption pandanus tree as the ‘divine showed that a normal of dark green leafy tree’ for its many non-food daily consumption of most vegetables, an excellent uses, including construction, varieties of pandanus would source of beta-carotene. The protection against soil meet the estimated daily initiative was unfortunately erosion, fuel and medicine. requirement for vitamin A. not a great success: the The study also confirmed L. Englberger Marshallese traditionally Although the tree is previous findings that the Pandanus tectorius is a use green leafy vegetables revered, the availability and darker yellow and orange- yellowish-orange fruit, which grows in bunches weighing Despite decades of research as animal feed or famine consumption of pandanus coloured pandanus fruits from 10 to 15 kg. on natural sources of beta- food and found it difficult fruit have been on the decline have higher carotenoid levels. carotene—the carotenoid to introduce them into their in recent years. The islanders that is converted in the body diets. have made major changes The scientists are to vitamin A—deficiency to their food and lifestyles, collaborating with in vitamin A continues to Enter pandanus, a yellowish- due to urbanization and Marshallese communities, be a scourge throughout orange fruit that grows in food relief programmes. with support from the the developing world. This bunches weighing from 10 Although people eat less Food and Agricultural dangerous condition can to 15 kg. Pandanus is one of pandanus than previously, Organization of the United cause a range of ailments, the few fruits that can grow its consumption remains Nations, to develop a from immune system in the sandy, salty and dry culturally acceptable. All told, poster on the different The islanders impairment to increased atoll environment. getting people to introduce varieties of pandanus have made susceptibility to disease and pandanus back into their and their properties. The major changes higher risk of blindness and The focus on pandanus diets holds out great promise poster will be used in RMI to their food and anaemia. The impact on as a source of vitamin A is for eliminating vitamin A schools and communities lifestyles, due children is particularly severe. promising: the fruit provides deficiency on the island. to raise awareness of the Vitamin-A-deficient children an excellent source of health values of pandanus. to urbanization face a 23% greater risk of provitamin A carotenoids Recently, a group of Newspaper advertisements and food relief dying from ailments such as currently lacking from scientists headed by Lois and awareness workshops programmes measles, diarrhoea or malaria. will help to spread the word that the Marshallese divine Today, the World Health tree bears a divine fruit. Organization estimates that 100 to 140 million children By Kelly Wagner, under the age of five may Bioversity International For further information, visit be living with dangerously the Island Food Community low vitamin A levels. In the of Pohnpei at http://www. Republic of the Marshall islandfood.org/index.htm Islands (RMI), a Micronesian

A pandanus tree in the Marshall islands. Because it is rich in vitamin A, nutritionists are looking to pandanus as a solution to the community’s

high rate of vitamin A deficiency. L. Englberger 48Geneflow News 49

Eggplant: overcoming an unjust reputation

Although eggplant has been The ancient ancestors of days. Now one of the most antioxidants. The flavonoid around for a long time, it has eggplant grew wild in India, important vegetable crops, nasunin, an antioxidant not always had a happy place but were first cultivated in eggplant grows on over 1.7 and free radical scavenger in food culture. Due to the China in the 5th century BCE. million hectares worldwide. present in eggplant, protects bitter taste of some varieties, The Moors transplanted the Small-scale farms in cell membranes from Europeans feared eggplant eggplant to Europe when they Bangladesh, China, India, damage. Eggplant is also had a bitter disposition as invaded Spain during the 8th Nepal and Sri Lanka account considered a very good well. This caused it to gain century. In the 15th century, for nearly 80% of world source of dietary fibre, which a reputation for triggering Spanish and Portuguese production. Eggplant sales lowers the risk of coronary insanity, leprosy and cancer explorers brought it to Central are an important source heart disease, as well as as well as giving it the and North America, where it of cash income in these of potassium, manganese, nickname ‘the mad apple’. readily flourished in the warm countries as it is one of the copper and vitamin B1. In 16th century Spain, the climates. When the Spanish few vegetables capable eggplant was believed by explorers began importing of high yields in hot, wet Researchers tested 35 some to cause insanity slaves to the Caribbean environments. eggplant varieties for their and by others to be an Islands from Africa, the ascorbic acid content and aphrodisiac. (One wonders heat-loving plants became In addition to being a source found a wide range of whether these beliefs might common additions to island of income, eggplant provides levels. Eggplant genotypes be in some way related.) gardens. a crucial source of nutrients. were found to be highly In addition to Due to its sinister reputation, This was a conclusion diverse both in the number being a source of although Europeans often Eggplant belongs to the reached by scientists from of phenolic compounds income, eggplant grew eggplant in their garden nightshade (Solanaceae) the World Vegetable Centre as well as the proportions for the aesthetic appeal it was family, which includes the and the Department of Food of phenolic compounds provides a not widely consumed until the innocuous tomato, pepper Science and the Centre for contained in individual crucial source of 18th century, when less bitter and potato as well as the Food Technology at Rutgers accessions. Further nutrients varieties were developed. poisonous Jimson weed and University, in the USA, who testing is required in order Belladonna, known as Deadly recently undertook a study to identify varieties with Nightshade. The eggplant comparing the nutrient even higher phenolic and when immature contains content of various eggplant ascorbic acid levels. This toxins that can cause illness. varieties. testing is important because Varying in size from a grape high antioxidant activity in to a large squash, eggplants Although eggplant is a eggplant could allow it to range in colour from purple to poor source of provitamin become a high-value crop of red, green or white, and in a A and vitamin E, it contains interest to health-conscious broad spectrum of intensities. a variety of other vitamins consumers, offering small- and minerals, as well as scale farmers opportunities Eggplant has come a long ascorbic acid and phenolics, to increase their incomes. way from its ‘mad apple’ both of which are powerful Finding the most nutrient-rich eggplants will benefit both farmers and consumers alike.

By Kelly Wagner, Bioversity International R. Yang/AVRDC Eggplants have not always been popular. In Europe, the eggplant was once thought to cause insanity, leprosy and cancer, earning it the unfortunate Eggplant on sale in a market nickname ‘the mad apple’. in Bangladesh. Eggplant is an economically important crop, grown on over 1.7 million hectares worldwide. P. Hanson/AVRDC P. 49Geneflow News

Policy initiative helps Nepal to protect crop diversity

Nepal depends on sources. Nepal’s rich crop Vietnam and Zambia) for Food and Agriculture agriculture: more than 80% diversity, developed over and two sub-regions are awaiting endorsement of the population relies on millennia through traditional (East Africa and West and by the Government of farming for their livelihoods. farming, is now at risk due Central Africa). The project Nepal. Research aimed Moreover, traditional farming to several factors, the chief anticipates expanding these at empowering farming systems predominate and one being a lack of national partnerships over time. communities is also currently farmers obtain over 90% policies on plant genetic underway throughout the of the seed for major food resources. The first phase of GRPI in country. This includes the crops through informal Nepal saw the establishment development of case studies Rapid changes in the of a national task force on landrace enhancement, international policy with representatives from participatory plant breeding, scenario around agricultural the public and private the establishment of biodiversity and the sectors, from the crop, community seed banks complexity of genetic animal and forestry and community biodiversity resources policy issues sectors, from disciplines registers to document made the development of ranging from biology to impacts and best practices. effective policies on plant social sciences and from This work will contribute genetic resources a major farming communities. to the development of challenge for Nepal. The The task force gathered legal instruments that government has tried to fulfil information from all over meet farmers’ needs. The some of its international the country on constraints project is also undertaking obligations, such as those to the establishment and research on food safety and under the Convention on implementation of enabling is assessing demand for Biological Diversity (CBD), genetic resources policies. traditional foods in Nepal by, for example, developing The group also analyzed as well as learning about conservation action plans how those constraints could market chains with the and legislation. However be overcome. The result: hopes of enhancing the such progress has been a seven-point plan with commercial opportunities for

B. Sthapit/Bioversity International slow, mostly because activities ranging from public local foods. A farmer poses in his rice field in Pokhara valley, Nepal. Work by the national capacity was not awareness to addressing GRPI taskforce in Nepal includes the development of case studies on in step with need. Luckily safety and quality in food By Kelly Wagner, landrace enhancement and participatory plant breeding to document for Nepalese biodiversity, production. Bioversity International impacts and best practices. the Genetic Resources Policy Initiative (GRPI) has a While this ambitious Nepal’s rich crop mandate to assist countries programme will take years diversity is at risk facing the sort of challenges to accomplish, the GRPI- due to a lack of Nepal is confronting. led process to gather and analyze data from all sectors national policies GRPI’s objective is to concerned with agricultural strengthen the capacity biodiversity has already For further information, contact of developing countries sparked some notable Robert Lettington, to design comprehensive results. For instance, both GRPI Coordinator [email protected] policy frameworks for the National Agrobiodiversity or Nyasha Chishakwe, genetic resources. Work is Policy of Nepal and the GRPI Legal Specialist taking place in six countries International Treaty on [email protected] (Egypt, Nepal, Peru, Uganda, Plant Genetic Resources 50Geneflow News 51

Farmer variety officially approved in Nepal

Studies have Farmers in Nepal’s Pokhara “The release of Pokhareli With the support of Canada’s from the development of valley have reason to Jethobudho is the result International Development the new variety, the project shown that celebrate. An improved of a great collaboration Research Centre, the set up a community-based Pokhareli version of a traditional rice involving farmers, non- farmers of Pokhara valley seed production system to Jethobudho variety, Jethobudho, has governmental organizations worked with researchers ensure a continuous supply of could be of just been approved by the (NGOs), national agricultural from Bioversity, LI-BIRD (a seed to farming communities interest to National Variety Approval, research systems, local NGO) and the Nepal throughout the Pokhara valley, markets in the Release and Registration extension workers and the Agricultural Research in close collaboration with Committee (VAARC) of private sector,” explained Council to improve the the government agricultural Middle East the National Seed Board Bioversity International’s Jethobudho landrace for extension office of Kaski of Nepal. The approval of Bhuwon Sthapit, one of the disease resistance, lodging district. The project is also the variety, which is based coordinators of the project. tolerance and post-harvest helping to link community on its field performance, “The new variety holds a lot quality traits. Over 300 seed producers to markets. allows extension agents of promise for improving the samples of locally grown to recommend it and to livelihoods of local farmers.” Jethobudho were collected The formal release and distribute the seed to from farmers’ fields and approval of a variety farmers. Vendors can now Deep in the Pokhara valley, selected over a couple of developed through begin to trade the seeds of farmers from Begnas, Pame seasons for desirable traits. participatory plant breeding the improved Jethobudho and surrounding villages in Out of these, six lines were raises the issue of farmers’ variety under the terms of the Kaski district have been chosen as top performers rights. The project is seeking Farmers in Nepal’s Pokhara valley national seed laws. Millers growing Jethobudho for and bulk seed of these to develop an appropriate have a lot to gain from the release of Pokhara Jethobudho, an and rice merchants are generations. “Jethobudho lines was handed over to legal framework to protect improved rice variety developed willing to pay 25% more for rice is favoured by consumers farmers for further evaluation. the new variety and the rights with the help of Bioversity the new type. because of its soft texture and Close to 300 farmers of farmers as its custodians. International and local NGOs. its unique aroma and flavour,” from the Pokhara valley “The release of Pokhareli said Sthapit. These qualities participated in evaluating Jethobudho has paved made it an ideal candidate for the improved selections of the way for establishing participatory plant breeding. Jethobudho against their intellectual property own Jethobudho varieties. rights for Nepal’s farming Participatory plant breeding The Pokhareli Jethobudho communities,” said Pratap draws on the genetic variety was greatly preferred Shrestha, Executive Director diversity found in traditional by farmers. of LI-BIRD. The project team farming systems and is investigating the possibility associated knowledge Studies have shown that of applying geographical to develop new varieties. Pokhareli Jethobudho could indications to the variety as is Farmers are closely involved be of interest to markets in often done with food products throughout the process. the Middle East. “The small such as wine and cheese grain, soft texture, volume (see related story, p. 6) or expansion and aroma during using another system to both

B. Sthapit/Bioversity International cooking make it well suited to protect Pokhareli Jethobudho a number of dishes enjoyed and other landraces and in that region,” explained LI- to reward the farmers who For further information, contact BIRD’s Sanjay Gyawali. developed them. Bhuwon Sthapit, Bioversity International In order to allow as many By Cassandra Moore, [email protected] farmers as possible to benefit Bioversity International

A little boy and his father pose with a bouquet of rice in a community seed production site in Pokhara valley, Nepal. B. Sthapit/Bioversity International 51Geneflow News

Tying the genome up in knots

A new use of an enigmatic varieties have been assessed Kipus are lengths of cord shows how much genetic Incan recording system is and included in the database that the Incans used to keep variation they contain in their not only helping to represent so far. The most important records. Kipucamayocs, chromosomes. the genetic diversity of native varieties will be published early Incan database potato species in Peru, but in a catalogue, with administrators, would tie Each knot on the kipu is also assisting local people photographs, nomenclature, other pieces of cord onto represents an allele found in better understanding and descriptions and other the original kipu and then with the specific SSR appreciating their traditional information in both Spanish tie special knots into these marker. The position of each varieties. and the local language, additional pieces in different knot represents the size of Quechua. “The catalogue will colours, styles, combinations the allele in numbers of pairs Genomic data Today, scientists at the be a unique document, a true and positions to record data. of bases; the higher up the and indigenous International Potato interface between centuries- Unfortunately, knowledge of string, the higher the number Center (CIP) are working old Andean know-how and how to decipher the kipus of base pairs. The SSR knowledge with the Federation of scientific expertise,” said died out with the Incas in the kipu represents a type of about the native Peasant Communities of CIP’s Stef de Han, who is late 1500s, although many fingerprint or unique genetic species are Huancavelica, eight farming working with the farmers on people are working hard to code for each potato variety being combined communities, several local the project. “It will combine translate them. combined with an estimation in a unique associations and 19 farming indigenous knowledge of its diversity. database families to collect information and molecular data for In its present iteration by CIP, about the many hundreds of the purpose of ensuring each cord represents specific The system can present native potato species that that the native species are simple sequence repeats complex information on can be found in the Peruvian understood and valued, (SSR), which are groups identity and diversity in a region of Huancavelica. and thus protected from of one to five nucleotides very compact package— harm. The published data found on the chromosomes. much like the original Genomic data and will be copyrighted in order Certain sequences indicate kipus probably did. CIP indigenous knowledge to protect the rights of the certain genes, thus acting plans to annotate its entire about the native species are local people, who own the as markers for the genetic germplasm collection being combined in a unique information.” structure of the organism. with the convenient kipu database. Almost 1500 Understanding the SSRs passport. The recognition of In looking for a convenient means that you don’t a traditional local technology way to graphically present have to analyse the whole related to the institute’s both the molecular diversity chromosome to find a mandate crop seems of the whole collection and particular gene; you just look particularly apt. the characteristics of each for the characteristic SSR. variety, Reinhard Simon, the And making a chart of the “This tool may seem head of CIP’s informatics SSRs provides a very simple culturally biased but it could unit, was inspired by an way to analyse the content be useful for genebanks ancient Incan tool, the kipu. of an organism’s genome. anywhere with similar Comparing the different DNA objectives,” noted Simon. fingerprints from a group For this purpose, CIP is of varieties, which on the making the programme outside may look the same, to generate the graphics available as free and open The traditional kipu and its modern day source software. equivalent. For further information, visit http://www.cipotato.org By Paul Stapleton, CIP R. Simon/CIP 52Geneflow News 53

Using endophytes The ways in which to combat banana pests endophytes protect plants are only All plants naturally contain planting material only if Uganda and South Africa, beginning to be endophytes—microscopic accompanied by significant IITA demonstrated that the organisms that live inside field maintenance. Yet the endophytic flora varies with understood plant tissues. The relationship extra work is well worth it. plant cultivar, host plant age is often mutually supportive: In East and central Africa, and ecological conditions. A endophytes can protect the where banana management rapid, easy and inexpensive host plant against pests and practices are often laboratory screening protocol The ways in which diseases and increase plant suboptimal and production is was devised to test as endophytes protect plants growth and vigour. Entering plagued by constraints such many endophytic strains are only beginning to be the plant through the soil, as weevils and plant-parasitic as possible against both understood. An exciting the endophyte occupies nematodes, the benefits of the banana weevil and the result of the project has been a niche with relatively low a sustainable tissue culture burrowing nematode. the discovery of induced competition from other banana system could be resistance, the activation micro-organisms, provided huge, especially if the IITA’s research on of defence mechanisms in it gets there first. The plantlets can be protected endophytes began in 1997, plants after contact with endophyte then becomes an against pests and diseases. with funding from the biotic initiators such as intrinsic component of the German Federal Ministry endophytes. The endophyte plant. Tissue-culture-derived for Economic Cooperation turns on pathways that planting material is not only and Development (BMZ). induce changes in the plant, The International Institute of free of pests and diseases, it Public–private partnerships which allow a susceptible Tropical Agriculture (IITA) is also is free of endophytes. By between IITA and Agro- variety to take on the same studying the production of exploring the wide diversity Genetic Technologies properties as a resistant endophyte-enhanced banana of naturally-occurring banana (Uganda) and Jomo Kenyatta cultivar. In other words, plants. The cooking banana, endophytes, IITA could University of Agriculture and endophytes act as vaccines a staple throughout East and select the best performing Technology (Kenya) have to immunize the plants. In the central Africa, has suffered endophytes and reintroduce allowed the project to make laboratories of an IITA partner, yield declines because of soil- them in clean planting great progress. At present, the University of Pretoria borne pests and diseases. material to restore the natural endophyte-enhanced banana (South Africa), scientists have Using disease-free planting equilibrium. Introducing tissue culture technology genetically modified the most material, such as plantlets endophytes into banana is being tested in farmers’ promising endophytic strains grown in tissue culture, is tissue can extend the benefits fields, in collaboration with with a gene that confers essential to halt the yield of clean planting material, NARO, Uganda’s national fluorescence. In this way, declines. However, the early bolstering the plant’s capacity programme. the scientists can trace the P. Paparu/IITA P. stages of plant growth can be to combat its enemies. Mycelia and spores of a banana endophyte. challenging because banana tissue culture plantlets need The most critical step in higher levels of care and the quest for endophytes attention than conventional is accurate isolation. Since planting material. the aim is to find strains that will target specific pests and Research found that in diseases, IITA’s approach is Uganda, where soils to isolate endophytes from For further information, contact Thomas Dubois, IITA are depleted and pests apparently healthy plants [email protected] and diseases abundant, growing under high levels of or Daniel Coyne, IITA cultured plantlets are the target pests or diseases. [email protected] superior to conventional Following isolations in Kenya, T. Dubois/IITA T. Technicians inoculate banana plantlets with endophytes, microscopic organisms that live inside plant tissues. 53Geneflow News

A growth room for banana plantlets.

endophytes in the banana need for farmers to apply another tool available to plant and investigate induced expensive pesticides. Costs combat pests and diseases: resistance further. and know-how associated banana plants bolstered with with formulation, distribution, endophytes. Tissue culture plantlets application and storage can be made available to of endophytes are being By Thomas Dubois and farmers already fortified with transferred to commercial Daniel Coyne, IITA endophytes and ready to laboratories. Hopefully,

T. Dubois/IITA T. plant. This eliminates the farmers will soon have

Climate change is a women’s issue

“Women are The scientific, technological and economic impacts of climate America. As crop yields and the availability of water and plant particularly change have received a great deal of attention from researchers diversity shrink due to changing climates, women’s work will and the media alike. Yet the disproportionate impact of climate become more time-consuming and difficult. And this means vulnerable change on women is not well understood. Now, several less time to tend to their families, to find jobs outside the home because they international women’s rights groups are working to change that or to attend school. represent the by raising awareness of the social costs of climate change and majority of natural disasters, giving special attention to gender. Women’s rights activists are pressing governments and the poor people” United Nations to involve women in planning and implementing — Leary “Women are particularly vulnerable because they represent climate change projects on all levels. This is not only a matter the majority of poor people. As a result, they more often lack of equity: women’s traditional knowledge and skills have helped access to clean water, adequate nutrition, health care and their local communities deal with the impacts of severe weather shelter,” said Neil Leary of the United Nations Environment in the past. For example, during a 1998 drought in Micronesia, Programme and the Global Change System for Analysis, local women, familiar with island hydrology, found new water Research and Training, a Washington-based environmental sources for their communities. Taking women’s perspectives research organization. Accordingly, the disasters caused by and expertise into account in global discussions on climate climate change tend to affect women more seriously than change could make interventions more effective. men. For example, initial reports on the tsunami that The UN Food and Agricultural Organization recently provided hit Sri Lanka in December funding to Genanet, a project based in Germany that 2004 found that the death promotes gender equality in environmental policies. In August rate was three times higher 2006, Genanet began to develop gender-sensitive proposals for women than for men. for reducing climate change and adapting to it while focusing on its social impacts. With support from women’s advocates Women’s daily duties often around the world, the social costs of climate change and the include tending livestock ensuing natural disasters—where women predominantly bear and home gardens, the burden—will no longer go unnoticed. cultivating subsistence crops and collecting water By Kelly Wagner, and firewood. Women are Bioversity International responsible for 70–85% of

Jim Holmes/Panos Pictures Jim Holmes/Panos Pictures household food production Based on ‘Women push for seats at climate policy table,’ by Woman collecting water from a tube well stranded by rising flood in sub-Saharan Africa, 65% Bojana Stoparic, Women’s eNews, 7 June 2006 (http://www. waters on Beel Dakatia, Bangladesh. in Asia and 45% in Latin womensenews.org/article.cfm/dyn/aid/2804/context/archive). 54Geneflow News 55

Weed-resistant maize promises food security for millions

Once the scourge of maize remain viable in the soil for farmers in sub-Saharan up to 20 years. The plant Africa, the parasitic weed attaches itself to the roots known as witchweed or of maize plants and drains striga is losing its power water and nutrients from the to destroy, thanks to host root while underground, the development of new emerging above soil resistant varieties. only after farmers have completed the last weeding. Maize is a critical crop for 100 million people in Help arrived in the form sub-Saharan Africa. In of striga-resistant maize many countries, it provides varieties developed

insurance against hunger at by scientists at the IITA the beginning of the rainy International Institute Striga-resistant maize (left) versus striga-susceptible maize (right). season. Maize is used in of Tropical Agriculture Striga-resistant maize can double a farmer’s yield. gruels and porridges, as (IITA). First introduced to weaning food for babies. farmers in 2001, the new Initially searching for African landraces and elite varieties can suppress striga-tolerant accessions, tropical germplasm. the development of striga IITA scientists shifted their and double maize yields emphasis to finding striga- With the development of the in farmers’ fields. After resistant maize instead. resistant maize varieties, the success of striga- Unlike merely tolerant plants, farmers are returning to the resistant maize varieties in resistant cultivars reduce land they once abandoned multilocation trials in Benin, the capacity of striga to to the deadly weeds and Burkina Faso, Cameroon, reproduce, thus limiting the embarking on maize Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Mali number of seeds in the soil. production once again. and Nigeria, farmers are The patience of the IITA showing more confidence scientists was rewarded The distribution and testing in maize farming, even when they were able to of maize varieties was increasing their farm discover excellent sources done through the West holdings. of resistance in wild species, and Central African Maize IITA Network, with national Striga-resistant maize is offering new hope to farmers in West and According to IITA maize programmes in the region. central Africa. breeder Abebe Menkir, With the Funding was provided by the development of striga- development the United States Agency for Striga causes annual resistant maize was not of the resistant International Development, losses on the continent of easy. “IITA screened a maize varieties, the United Nations about US$7 billion. The large collection of maize farmers are Development Programme growth of monocropping, germplasm from diverse returning to the and the International Fund reduced fallow periods and sources for striga tolerance,” for Agricultural Development. low soil fertility are major said Menkir. ”We artificially land they once For further information, contact abandoned to the Taye Babaleye, IITA contributors to the striga infested our fields with striga By Taye Babaleye and [email protected] infestation. Controlling striga in order to identify maize deadly weeds Abebe Menkir, IITA or Abebe Menkir, IITA is tricky since it can produce varieties that could tolerate [email protected] millions of tiny seeds that the parasitic weed.” 55Geneflow News

Economic change could impact crop diversity

Changes in transitional remained in private hands, market economies could where they served to grow pose a threat to biodiversity, food for the family. These

according to a joint report by so-called home gardens are L. Galhidy the International Food Policy micro agro-ecosystems, A traditional Hungarian home garden. Research Institute (IFPRI) farmed intensively by family and Bioversity International. members. According to the Researchers, funded by the study, a large variety of crop from remote areas. Farmers centuries of agriculture. This When farmers European Union, set out to species, livestock races and living in greater isolation heritage is potentially useful grow local investigate the relationship soil micro-organisms can be than their economically more in breeding by scientists and varieties, they between crop diversity and found in these home gardens, advantaged fellow citizens farmers to meet the needs conserve economic development. They some genetic stocks dating depend to a much greater of consumers as tastes and found that, in transitional back to the Bronze Age. degree on home gardens, the environment change,” diversity and economies, market incentives primarily for food. The report said Melinda Smale, one traditions that are critical for determining Hungarian home gardens notes, however, that home of the authors of the study. have developed whether farmers continue play a critical role in gardens provide a safety net “Ultimately, these natural over centuries of to maintain crop diversity conserving biodiversity for all Hungarians when faced resources benefit not only agriculture in their fields. Without such but they also safeguard with fluctuating food prices. those who manage them, but incentives and the enabling the cultural and culinary future generations as well.” policies to support them, traditions of the country. The study outlines the best farmers are likely to abandon About 20% of Hungarians approaches for assessing The research in Hungary was their traditional farming produce agricultural goods the value of biodiversity and carried out in collaboration practices and rich reservoirs for home consumption and for designing conservation with St Stephen’s University of crop and livestock to supplement their incomes programmes in countries in in Godollo and the diversity will be lost. in the face of unstable market economic transition. Ensuring Agrobotany Institute in Tapio. prices. Family members the continued health of the The IFPRI/Bioversity report used to learn their farming home gardens—and the By Cassandra Moore, is one of a series of field techniques from their valuable biodiversity they Bioversity International studies on valuing crop parents, but as the older contain—will require market biodiversity on farms in a generations die and the and other incentives, as well Based on an article entitled recent book, ‘Valuing Crop younger generations move to as supportive policy and ‘Hungary’s farming culture Diversity: on-farm genetic the cities, this knowledge and legal frameworks. and biodiversity at risk,’

E.Birol resources and economic the traditions associated with European Union Web site, 9 Hungarian farmers pose with a change’ (CABI Publishing, it are being lost. “When farmers grow local June 2006 (http://ec.europa. pumpkin from their home garden. Wallingford, UK). The varieties, they conserve eu/research/headlines/news/ book covers developing The study shows that diversity and traditions article_06_06_09_en.html). economies in Asia, Latin Hungarian farmers living in that have developed over America and Africa as well isolated areas were more as transitional and wealthier likely to conserve crop economies in Europe. diversity in their gardens than farmers living in more To order the book, ‘Valuing During the period of economically developed Crop Diversity: on-farm genetic resources and economic collectivized agriculture in areas of the country. This change’, go to http://www. Hungary, small plots of land is due to the relatively high ifpri.org/pubs/otherpubs/ ranging in size from a few transaction costs associated cropbiodiversity.asp square metres to 5 hectares with accessing markets Bean landraces. Home gardens are rich reservoirs of

crop diversity. E.Birol 56Geneflow News 57

Letting the weeds grow

Non-cultivated plants, Researchers, primarily from animals to graze freely in gardens where they are better known as weeds, Mexican universities and the fields prior to and after easily accessible for use as are generally assumed to organizations, found weeds the harvest. Others cut the food or medicines. be a farmer’s foe but this growing among lime, papaya, weeds to feed animals that is not always the case, as melon and milpa fields in are housed elsewhere. Either Not all weeds were seen as scientists discovered recently Santa Maria Tecomavaca, way, the weeds provide beneficial however. Weeds in the Tehuacán-Cuicatlán a rural community of a no-cost alternative to with thorns or sticky plant Biosphere Reserve in Mexico. around 1800 inhabitants in industrial animal feed. parts make field preparation A study of small-scale farms the south-east part of the more challenging. Others found that farmers in this Reserve. Milpa is a Mexican Farmers identified weeds compete fiercely with the semi-arid region strongly intercropping system with medicinal, edible and crops. Scientists noted that value the weeds growing involving maize, beans, lima ornamental uses. Others older farmers tended to know among their crops. beans and squash. Farmers serve as spices, provide more about the benefits and were questioned about each construction materials or uses of the different weeds. weed found in their fields. can be used as living fences. They were also less likely Of the 161 weed species Some of the weeds also to use herbicides than their Farmers classified, over 90% had one provide agro-ecological younger counterparts. or more uses to the farmers. benefits, such as improving identified weeds soil quality. The farmers Although weeds are unloved with medicinal, The most important use of even transplant some of in most parts of the world, edible and the weeds is as animal feed. their favourite weeds from their appreciation by farmers ornamental uses Some farmers allow their the fields to the family home in Santa Maria Tecomavaca should convince us to think twice before pulling them out of the ground.

By Kelly Wagner, Bioversity International

This story was based on an article that was published online in August 2006 by the journal Agriculture, Ecosystems, and Environment, ‘Non-crop resources and the role of indigenous knowledge in semi-arid production of Mexico,’ by Blanckaert, I. Swennen, R.L. Espinosa- Garcia, F.J. Piñero, D. and Lira-Saade, R. For further information, contact Isabelle Blanckaert,

Bioversity International I. Blanckaert [email protected] Milpa, a Mexican intercropping system in which maize, beans, lima beans and squash are grown together. 57Geneflow News

Lessons learned from implementing the Global Plan of Action

The Global Plan of Action an incomplete picture participation in information mechanism has been tested for the Conservation and because the process of gathering because of the has been very positive. Sustainable Utilization of collecting information more detailed data required. The process has benefited Plant Genetic Resources for within countries was not Stakeholders compile countries in ways beyond Food and Agriculture (GPA), fully participatory and information in a single data the obvious improvement adopted by 150 countries the tools used could only platform and analyze it to of data gathering on GPA at an International Technical yield a limited amount of assess the implementation implementation. The fact Conference in 1996, information. Subsequently, situation in their country. that information is provided provides a guide to the most FAO and its collaborators Information collected from by all main actors and is important activities needed developed a mechanism countries can be compared compiled in a standard way to ensure the conservation of to exchange and analyze or aggregated to assess allows country stakeholders The GPA follow- plant genetic resources for information at the country what is happening at the to assess the status of their up mechanism food and agriculture. Efforts level, based on a list of 153 regional or international plant genetic resources, to implement the GPA in indicators directly related levels. facilitating planning and has been all countries require the full to the 20 priority areas of setting priorities for action or successfully participation of stakeholders the GPA (see box). This new The GPA follow-up funding. tested in 37 as well as commitment and mechanism allows for a mechanism has been countries support at all levels. more thorough investigation successfully tested in 37 By Margarita Baena, of activities contributing countries to date. Feedback Bioversity International Monitoring the to the implementation of received from national focal implementation of the the GPA at the national points and stakeholders GPA is a responsibility of level and calls for a wider in countries where the the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and is carried The 20 activities of the Global Plan of Action out in collaboration with In situ conservation and development For further information, contact 1. Surveying and inventorying plant genetic resources for food and agriculture Stefano Diulgheroff, AGPS/FAO Bioversity International and [email protected] national focal points. Early 2. Supporting on-farm management and improvement of plant genetic resources for food and or Tito Franco, attempts, in 1998 and 2000, agriculture Bioversity International to monitor implementation 3. Assisting farmers in disaster situations to restore agricultural systems [email protected] using questionnaires gave 4. Promoting in situ conservation of wild crop relatives and wild plants for food production Ex situ conservation 5. Sustaining existing ex situ collections 6. Regenerating threatened ex situ accessions 7. Supporting planned and targeted collecting of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture 8. Expanding ex situ conservation activities Utilization of plant genetic resources 9. Expanding the characterization, evaluation and number of core collections to facilitate use 10. Increasing genetic enhancement and base-broadening efforts 11. Promoting sustainable agriculture through diversification of crop production and broader diversity in crops 12. Promoting development and commercialization of under-utilized crops and species 13. Supporting seed production and distribution 14. Developing new markets for local varieties and ‘diversity-rich’ products Institutions and capacity building This map shows all the countries where the GPA monitoring system is 15. Building strong national programmes being implemented. 16. Promoting networks for plant genetic resources for food and agriculture 17. Constructing comprehensive information systems for plant genetic resources for food and agriculture 18. Developing monitoring and early warning systems for loss of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture 19. Expanding and improving education and training 20. Promoting public awareness of the value of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture conservation and use 58Geneflow News 59

Participatory mapping helps community save wildlife-rich pastoral lands

Against the backdrop of way of life. As Nairobi’s communal grazing lands. “The number Nairobi’s urban sprawl lies population continues to This has had dramatic of migrating the heart of one of East expand, however, Kitengela impacts. “The number of Africa’s richest mammalian has come under increasing migrating wildebeest here wildebeest ecosystems: the Athi- development pressure, with has plummeted from 30 000 here has Kaputiei corridor in Kitengela landowners readily able to in the 1970s to about 4000 plummeted plain, south of Nairobi. sell their land at lucrative today,” said Nkedianye. from 30 000 Traditionally home to the prices. Rapid development in the 1970s Maasai, this land and its has brought better Soil erosion and land to about 4000 diverse wildlife have until infrastructure and services degradation have also recently existed in harmony to Kitengela, but it has become problems in today” with the Maasai’s pastoral also disrupted the delicate the corridor. The Maasai — Nkedianye equilibrium of the Maasai traditionally moved their lifestyle and led to land cattle to new pastures once fragmentation by fencing (for the grass in one area was cropping, stone quarrying finished. Now, with many and other purposes), which pastoralists building new in turn has led to loss of houses and more buildings not to fence, develop or sell grazing lands for livestock and fences being erected, their land. Subscribing to and wildlife alike. the Maasai herds of cattle, this land lease scheme is sheep and goats are entirely voluntary and the “Maasai lands are restricted to ever-shrinking programme now covers traditionally communal pieces of rangeland for some 3500 hectares, with lands,” explained David their daily grazing. These more than 7000 hectares Nkedianye, a Maasai over-used pieces of land are expected to be added soon. rural sociologist born and becoming degraded and soil raised in Kitengela and erosion is now rife. The success of the Kitengela working as a scientist at the lease programme has Nairobi-based International A project led by the Wildlife depended on two things: Livestock Research Institute Foundation, the Friends (1) support to improve (ILRI). “The historical lack of Nairobi National Park and sustain livestock of fences and barriers and the Kenya Wildlife production, which remains allowed animals to move Service has helped turn the most important source freely through the land.” this situation around. For of livelihood for most of the The Athi-Kaputiei plains the last five years, these population and (2) reliable have always been a major organizations have worked maps showing which pathway for migratory with the local Maasai pieces of land have been wildlife, particularly zebras community and other like- fenced and which are still and wildebeest, as well as minded groups to implement open. Scientists at ILRI serving as grazing lands a Wildlife Conservation are working with members for Maasai livestock. But Lease Programme. The of the Kitengela Ilparakuo the recent land fencing programme, managed by Landowners Association

S. Mann/ILRI is changing that, closing the Wildlife Foundation, (KILA) on both aspects. Maasai children attending school thanks to the money earned through off large parts of the a non-governmental Together, for example, ILRI the Land Lease Programme, Kenya. Many of these children are the annual migration routes organization, has been and KILA have developed first in their families ever to have attended school. and reducing access to paying pastoral landowners maps that build on local 59Geneflow News

knowledge and employ water catchments and other advanced technologies such natural resources at risk as geographic information and open wildlife corridors. systems and global The outcome is significant positioning systems. The for Kenya as this is the goal is to provide tools that country’s first-ever land-use will enable the community plan for pastoral areas. to better manage its unique land, livestock, wildlife and The project has also brought other natural resources. great benefits to the local community. Members of There is no doubt that the KILA now have more grazing project has achieved its land available for their goal. The maps are being livestock, thereby allowing

used by KILA, the local degraded areas to recover, S. Mann/ILRI county council, the Kenya and households involved Zebras and sheep share the Kitengela plains as they have done for Wildlife Service and Kenya’s in the lease programme thousands of years. Ministry of Lands to develop are earning much higher a land-use plan for the area. incomes. Since most of enrolment in the community, protect the land, livestock This master plan will regulate the money obtained from particularly among girls, has and wildlife from further the use of rangeland, protect leasing land goes towards risen significantly. harm. ILRI’s work is helping swamps, riverine vegetation, paying school fees, school to provide this community As Kitengela continues to with the information and grow, Maasai landowners expertise it needs to and environmental partners safeguard Kitengela’s future. will need to ensure that the land-use plans continue to By Susan MacMillan, ILRI

For further information, contact Susan MacMillan, ILRI [email protected]

A young herder brings livestock home to a modernized Maasai

S. Mann/ILRI homestead in Kitengela, Kenya. 60Geneflow News

New network offers hope to chocoholics everywhere

Cacao is critical The cacao tree produces Cacao grows in tropical Surprisingly, despite the cacao diversity. CacaoNet's to the economies large pods in which are climates and originated crop’s economic importance, activities will include embedded the beans used to in Latin America, where the conservation of cacao collecting, conservation, and lives of the make chocolate and cocoa. most diversity can still be genetic resources lacks information management local people in But despite the incredible found. Today, Côte d’Ivoire sufficient and stable and providing support for the countries popularity of its products—in is the world’s largest funding. This has made quarantine, and evaluation where it is 2005, world consumption cacao-producing nation, good management of and enhancement of produced of cocoa beans reached 3.3 providing nearly 45% of the cacao diversity impossible, germplasm. million tonnes—cacao is an world’s cacao, followed by allowing genetic erosion to ‘orphan’ crop, receiving little Ghana, Indonesia, Nigeria, continue largely unchecked. The consumption of research support. Brazil and Cameroon. The Cacao diversity is being lost chocolate varies widely both from the field—with around the world, with the destruction of the Switzerland topping the Amazonian rainforest largely list: Swiss chocoholics responsible—and from put away over 10 kg per genebanks. For instance, person each year. But it is 60% of a unique collection fairly safe to say that a large of Amazonian cacao held in percentage of the world’s Ecuador’s national collection population—producers as has been lost over the last well as consumers—would decade due to cutbacks. be devastated to have chocolate permanently The multilateral system removed from their lives. established by the That’s why CacaoNet is so International Treaty on Plant important. And, believe it Genetic Resources for Food or not, support for the new and Agriculture does not network could be good for cover commodity crops one’s health. Recent studies such as cacao (see ‘Historic show that eating chocolate F. Amores F. seed treaty promotes food in moderation may help Cacao plant suffering from witches broom, a serious fungal disease security,’ p. 1). This means control diabetes and keep that was responsible for huge losses in Brazil between 1990 and 1994. that funding sources available blood pressure down. So to support conservation go ahead and eat some Cacao’s botanical name, Netherlands is the world’s under the Treaty, such as chocolate—in moderation of Theobroma cacao, largest cocoa processing the Global Crop Diversity course. indicates both the value country. Trust, may not be available to and the history of the support cacao conservation. By Kelly Wagner, crop. Theobroma is Greek Cacao is critical to the Bioversity International for “food of the gods” economies and lives of the Now, the establishment and cacao is taken from local people in the countries of CacaoNet—a global the Olmec and Mayan where it is produced. For network of cacao curators, languages. Chocolate example, in Ghana cacao researchers, producers/ For further information, contact residue found in an ancient accounts for 40% of total farmers and consumers—is Jan Engels, Mayan pot suggests that export revenues and over 2 underway to promote Bioversity International Mayans were drinking million farmers are employed support for the long-term [email protected] chocolate 2600 years ago. in cacao production. conservation and use of

Glossary

Agrobiodiversity: The Genebank: A facility where Taxon: A group or category, elements of biodiversity— crop diversity is stored in at any level, in a system for including plants, animals the form of seeds, pollen, classifying plants, animals or and micro-organisms—that in vitro culture or DNA other organisms. benefit people. or in the case of a field genebank as plants growing GEF: A joint programme Biodiversity: The total in the field. Genebanks between the United variability within and can also be used to store Nations Development among species of all the genetic resources of Programme, the World Bank living organisms and their animals, microbes and other and the United Nations habitats. elements of agricultural Environment Programme, biodiversity. the Global Environment Climate change: A Facility was established in change in climate that can Genetic diversity: The 1991 to provide funds for be directly or indirectly genetic variation present in a environmental problems. attributed to human activity population or species. UNEP is the administrator of and that is in addition to grants relating to agricultural natural climate variability Genetic resources: Genetic biodiversity. over comparable time material of plants, animals periods. and other organisms that Wild relative: A non- is of value for present cultivated species that is Cultigen: Cultivated plant, and future generations of more or less closely related such as the banana, not people. to a crop species (usually in known to have a wild or the same genus). uncultivated counterpart. Genotype: 1. The genetic constitution of an organism. CGIAR: The Consultative 2. A group of organisms with Group on International similar genetic constitutions. Agricultural Research, a strategic alliance of Germplasm: A set of countries, international genotypes that can be and regional organizations conserved or used. and private foundations supporting 15 international In situ conservation: agricultural research Conservation of plants, centres. animals or other organisms in the areas where they Desertification: Land developed their distinctive degradation in arid, semi- properties, i.e. in the wild or arid and dry subhumid areas in farmer’s fields. resulting from various factors including climatic variability Landrace: Farmer- and human actions. developed variety of a crop plant or domesticated animal Ecosystem: An ecological that is adapted to local system formed by the environmental conditions. interaction of a community of organisms with its Micronutrient: A dietary physical environment. element, such as a vitamin or mineral, that is required Ex situ conservation: in minute amounts for Conservation of a plant the proper growth and outside of its original or metabolism of a living natural habitat. organism. Our organization has a new name: Bioversity International (Bioversity for short)

We didn’t change our name simply for the sake of change. Our organization has evolved over the years and the old name, the International Plant Genetic Resources Institute, respected as it was, no longer adequately re ected the work we do.

We are a research organization dedicated to conserving and using biodiversity, but the scope of our work extends far beyond plant genetic resources. We are working with our research collaborators to conserve all types of biodiversity, including animal, aquatic and even microbial genetic resources.

What’s more, our research is about much more than genetic resources and genetics. It’s about people. People are at the centre of everything we do.

We don’t measure our success by calculating the number of varieties and species conserved in genebanks. It is measured in the tangible benets our research brings to the people of the world, especially those living in poverty and hunger in developing countries. We are committed to working with an international network of partners to conserve and harness biodiversity to secure dignied and sustainable livelihoods for the poor, provide better nutrition to the undernourished and protect threatened ecosystems.

So to better re ect the scope and nature of our work we chose a new name, Bioversity International.

In fact, more than selecting a new name, we have coined a whole new word. We believe ‘Bioversity’ evokes a constellation of ideas that unites biodiversity with other concepts that are central to our work. The name suggests ‘universe’ and ‘universality’, which evoke the immensity of the natural world and our belief in the value of working together for common good of humanity. Also, our new name conjures up the idea of a university. Like a university, we are a ‘collegial’ organization, one that derives it strength from collaborative activities among many different types of groups with expertise in many different disciplines and with research as an important component.

Although you will often see the organization referred to simply as Bioversity, we have retained ‘International’ as part of our ofcial name. This is not simply because our research activities are carried out all over the world and our members, donors and research partners come from many countries, but because we are committed to ensuring that our research contributes to international efforts to establish effective policies and plans of action for the conservation and sustainable use of agricultural biodiversity.

We would like to welcome you to the world of Bioversity International.

Bioversity International Via dei Tre Denari 472/a 00057 Maccarese Rome, Italy Tel: +39 06 6118 1 Fax: +39 06 61979 Email: [email protected] Web: www.bioversityinternational.org

IPGRI and INIBAP operate under the name Bioversity International.

Supported by the CGIAR.