Plant Genetic Resources of Legumes in the Mediterranean

by Maxted, Nigel; Bennett, Sarita Jane

• ISBN13: 9780792367079
• ISBN10: 0792367073
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2001-06-01
• Publisher: Kluwer Academic Pub

Summary

Genetic erosion, that is, the loss of native plant and genetic diversity has been exponential from the Mediterranean Basin through the Twentieth century. This careless eradication of species and genetic diversity as a result of human activities from a 'hot-spot' of diversity threatens sustainable agriculture and food security for the temperate regions of the world. Since the early 1900s there has been a largely ad hoc movement to halt the loss of plant diversity and enhance its utilisation. The Convention on Biological Diversity and Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations International Undertaking on Plant Genetic Resources, both highlight the need to improve conservation methodologies and enhance utilisation techniques. It has been argued that the most important component of biodiversity is the genetic diversity of crop and forage species used to feed humans and livestock. These cultivated and related wild species provides the raw material for further selection and improvement. Leguminosae species are of major economic importance (peas, chickpeas, lentils and faba beans, as well as numerous forage species) and provide a particularly rich source of protein for human and animal foods. Their distribution is concentrated in the Mediterranean region and therefore the improvement of their conservation and use in the region is critical. This text is designed to help ensure an adequate breadth of legume diversity is conserved and to help maximise the use of that conserved diversity. The subjects of conservation and use of legume diversity, the Mediterranean ecosystem and taxonomy of legumes are introduced. Generic reviews of the taxonomy, centre of diversity, ecogeographic distribution, genetic diversity distribution, conservation status, conservation gaps and future research needs are provided, along with a discussion of the importance of rhizobia to the maintenance of legume diversity. Current ex situ and in situ conservation activities as well current legume uses are reviewed. In conclusion future priorities for ex situ and in situ plant genetic conservation and use of Mediterranean legumes are highlighted. All contributors look forward rather than simply reviewing past and current activities and therefore it is hoped that the identification of genetic erosion, location of taxonomic and genetic diversity and promotion of more efficient utilisation of conserved material will be enhanced.

Table of Contents

Preface	vii
List of Contributors	xi
Color Plates	xv
Section 1 Introduction
Conservation, Diversity and Use of Mediterranean Legumes	1	(32)
Nigel Maxted
Sarita Jane Bennett
Ecogeographic Environment of the Mediterranean	33	(18)
Sarita Jane Bennett
Nigel Maxted
Legume Diversity in the Mediterranean Region	51	(28)
Nigel Maxted
Sarita Jane Bennett
Section 2 Genetic Diversity of Legumes in the Mediterranean
Clovers (Trifolium L.)	79	(20)
Emma-Jane Lamout
Aziza Zoghlami
Ruaraidh Sackville Hamilton
Sarita Jane Bennett
Medics (Medicago L.)	99	(16)
Jean Marie Prosperi
Geoff Auricht
G. Genier
Richard Johnson
Chickpeas (Cicer L.)	115	(10)
Richard Hannan
Nevin Acikgoz
Larry D. Robertson
Lentils (Lens L.)	125	(9)
Morag Ferguson
William Erskine
Vetches (Vicia L.)	134	(25)
Mark van de Wouw
Dirk Enncking
Larry D. Robertson
Nigel Maxted
Grasspea and Chicklings (Lathyrus L.)	159	(22)
Ashutosh Sarker
Ali Abd El Moneim
Nigel Maxted
Peas (Pisum L.)	181	(10)
Nigel Maxted
Mike Ambrose
Lupins (Lupinus L.)	191	(16)
Wallace Cowling
Minor and under-utilised legumes	207	(24)
Sarita Jane Bennett
Clive Francis
Bob Reid
Root-nodule Bacteria	231	(14)
John G. Howieson
Section 3 Conservation of Legumes in the Mediterranean
Ex Situ Conservation of Grain Legumes	245	(18)
Larry D. Robertson
Nigel Maxted
Ex Situ Conservation of Forage Legumes	263	(29)
Ruaraidh Sackville Hamilton
Steve Hughes
Nigel Maxted
In Situ Conservation	292	(19)
Nigel Maxted
Ayfer Tan
Ahmed Amri
Jan Valkoun
Section 4 Utilisation of Legumes in the Mediterranean
Utilisation of Grain Legume Diversity	311	(16)
William Erskine
Kaddambot Siddique
Tanveer Khan
Wallace Cowling
Utilisation of Forage and Pasture Legume Diversity	327	(30)
Kenneth Street
Larry Robertson
Nigel Maxted
Section 5 Afterword
Future Conservation and Utilisation Priorities	357
Nigel Maxted
Sarita Jane Bennett