Diversity in underutilized plant species an Asia-Pacific perspective

234 Pages·2015·2.85 MB·English

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.