Diversity in Underutilized Plant Species – An Asia-Pacific Perspective R.K. Arora Former Coordinator, Bioversity International Sub-Regional Office for South Asia, New Delhi Bioversity International National Agriculture Science Centre (NASC), Dev Prakash Shastri Marg, Pusa Campus, New Delhi 110012, India [email protected] November, 2014 © Bioversity International ISBN No. : 978-92-9255-007-3 Author : R.K. Arora Reviewed, Enlarged, Consolidated and Edited by: E. Roshini Nayar, Anjula Pandey & Umesh Srivastava Citation : Arora, R.K. (2014). Diversity in Underutilized Plant Species – An Asia- Pacific Perspective. Bioversity International, New Delhi, India 203 p. Published by: Bioversity International National Agriculture Science Centre (NASC), Dev Prakash Shastri Marg, Pusa Campus, New Delhi 110012, India Email: [email protected] Website: www.bioversityinternational.org Contents Foreword v Preface ix Acronyms and Abbreviations xiii A Tribute to Dr. R.K. Arora xvii Obituaries & Reminiscences xix I. Introduction 1 Asia-Pacific region: Richness in plant diversity 1 Harnessing underutilized plant species diversity 4 Cultivated plant diversity vis-à-vis underutilized species 4 Concerns on underutilized species 6 Major thrust for R&D: Institutions involved 7 Criteria for identifying underutilized species/crops 8 Importance of underutilized species 9 – Synthesis/Information presented 10 II. Underutilized Species in the Asia-Pacific: Distribution, Diversity and Use 12 1. Pseudocereals and Millets 14 2. Grain Legumes/Pulses 18 3. Root and Tubers 21 4. Vegetables 28 5. Fruits 51 6. Nuts 91 iv | DIVERSITY IN UNDERUTILIZED PLANT SPECIES - AN ASIA-PACIFIC PERSPECTIVE 7. Miscellaneous 97 8. Industrial Crops 110 III. Priority Species for Research and Development 115 IV. Nutritional Aspects 122 – Pseudocereals and Millets 122 – Grain Legumes/Pulses 125 – Vegetables 125 – Fruits and Nuts 131 V. Emerging Concerns 134 1. Diversity distribution/assessment 134 2. Biotechnology applications 135 3. Documenting indigenous knowledge/Ethnobotanical information 136 4. Ecological security/habitat protection 137 5. Utilization and conservation aspects 138 6. Benefits and constraints 141 7. Networking and partnership 143 8. Further thrust 144 9. Crops for the future: New global initiative 145 VI. Epilogue 146 References 148 Selected Research Papers & Other Publications of Dr. R.K. Arora 155 Annexures 159 Index 179 Foreword The Asia-Pacific region is agriculturally diverse and very rich in plant genetic resources, including those of underutilized species and less known food plants. Several useful plants have been domesticated in this region and are important from economic development and food security point of view. This publication deals with 778 underutilized cultivated food plants, pseudocereals, millets, grain legumes, root/tuber crops, vegetables, fruits and nuts, and several other species used as condiments, and for agroforestry development and multipurpose uses. Besides, it also lists species of industrial use that need further focus for research and development. In addition to geographical and ecological coverage, the compilation presents information on utilization of these relatively less utilised species, providing an analysis of their nutrition/food values. It also deals with required prioritisation of species for intensive research. Also, emphasis is laid on the native as well as endemic species needing priority attention for both research and conservation. The chapter on ‘Emerging Concerns’, brings out useful synthesis of information concerning the use of genetic diversity through scientific assessment, use of biotechnology, ethnobotany, ecology, etc. and gives an account of policy implications. It also points out to the role of different organizations such as Bioversity International (formerly IPGRI), International Center for Underutilized Crops (ICUC), and regional fora such as Asia-Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institutions (APAARI) in networking and setting up new institutional arrangement, namely, ‘Crops for the Future’ by merging the Global Facilitation Unit GFU) under Bioversity International and the ICUC. In the wake of emerging realisation about the importance of underutilised species, the account presented in this book will be useful in filling the gaps in research needs, in sorting out species of relatively more importance in different regions such as : East Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia and Pacific/Oceania. Enormous diversity of underutilized crops exists in the region but their potential is not fully exploited. Studies on these genetic resources need to be intensified. The publication amply highlights such concerns. Overall, major emphasis has been laid on the effective and efficient utilization of these underutilized and less known cultivated species mainly grown by native communities, often in home vi | DIVERSITY IN UNDERUTILIZED PLANT SPECIES - AN ASIA-PACIFIC PERSPECTIVE gardens and marginal lands, towards food security, addressing malnutrition, poverty alleviation and income generation – thereby helping towards meeting the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Late Dr. R.K. Arora had earlier written a book on ‘Genetic Resources of Less Known Cultivated Food Plants’, presenting worldwide analysis, which was published by the National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR) with support from International Board on Plant Genetic Resources (IBPGR). This publication stems from that initiative. The work embraced in this book is confined exclusively to Asia-Pacific region, considering the importance of this region in the global context. I am sure, this well synthesized account will generate further interest on research and development of underutilized crops for widening our food basket in the region. I highly appreciate the dedicated efforts made by late Dr. Arora, just prior to his demise, in bringing out this very thought-provoking book on a subject which needs much greater attention of all concerned. The National Agricultural Research Systems (NARS) in Asia-Pacific region, regional fora like APAARI, members of national and international organizations, researchers, teachers and students will find this publication immensely useful and rewarding. I greatly appreciate the sincere efforts made by Drs. Roshini Nayar, Anjula Pandey and Umesh Srivastava in finalising the manuscript which Dr. Arora attempted but could not finish, by adding some useful information, where necessary and revising the same to enhance its utility. I also appreciate very much the funding support extended by Bioversity International, mainly through special efforts of Dr. P.N. Mathur, South Asia Coordinator for bringing out this publication. Help of Dr. Bhag Mal, Senior Consultant, APAARI in perusing the manuscript and advising the final layout is also acknowledged. Raj Paroda Executive Secretary APAARI Dr. R.K. Arora The book commemorates his passion and dedication to the field of underutilized crops and useful wild relatives of crop plants. Preface Nature has provided different sources of life forms on which human survived on planet Earth. Primitive man ate all types of fruits, leaves, roots and tubers of plants collecting from wild; before he learnt to grow plants. Many wild edible plants are nutritionally rich and supplement nutritional requirements of human and livestock, especially the vitamins and micronutrients. Underutilized plant species have great potential for contribution to food security, health (nutritional and/or medicinal), income generation and environmental services, but these have remained underexploited. One important reason for their underutilization is that they are neglected by mainstream research which did not provide solutions to agronomic and post-harvest constraints, nor did it develop attractive value added products for a broader market. In recent years, however, underutilized plant species have received increased attention by National Agricultural Research Systems (NARS), policy-makers and funding institutions, recognizing their importance for diversification of farming systems, and thus mitigating the impacts of environmental and economic disasters on the rural poor. These increased efforts need direction and focus to yield significant and visible impact. The International Centre for Underutilised Crops (ICUC), the Global Facilitation Unit for Underutilized Species (GFU) and the Bioversity International (earlier IPGRI) had a wide consultation process with the aim of developing a strategic framework to guide future work on underutilized species. The world is presently over-dependent on a few plant species. Diversification of production and consumption habits to include a broader range of plant species, in particular those currently identified as ‘underutilized’, can contribute significantly to improved health and nutrition, livelihoods, household food security and ecological sustainability. In particular, these plant species offer enormous potential for contributing to the achievement of the Millenium Development Goals (MDGs), particularly in combating hidden hunger and offering medicinal and income generation options. The Asia-Pacific region holds rich biodiversity in underutilized plant species. It is a centre of diversification and domestication of crop plants. Being culturally, ethnically and ecologically very diverse, several underutilized species are grown here and maintained by native farmers under subsistence agriculture. x | DIVERSITY IN UNDERUTILIZED PLANT SPECIES - AN ASIA-PACIFIC PERSPECTIVE