In recent years, so-called ‘lost crops’ have been appraised in a number of reviews, among them Lablab purpureus in the context of African vegetable species. This crop cannot truly be considered ‘lost’ because worldwide more than 150 common names are applied to it. Based on a comprehensive literature review, this paper aims to put forward four theses, (i) Lablab is one of the most diverse domesticated legume species and has multiple uses. Although its largest agro-morphological diversity occurs in South Asia, its origin appears to be Africa. (ii) Crop improvement in South Asia is based on limited genetic diversity. (iii) The restricted research and development performed in Africa focuses either on improving forage or soil properties mostly through one popular cultivar, Rongai, while the available diversity of lablab in Africa might be under threat of genetic erosion. (iv) Lablab is better adapted to drought than common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) or cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), both of which have been preferred to lablab in African agricultural production systems. Lablab might offer comparable opportunities for African agriculture in the view of global change. Its wide potential for adaptation throughout eastern and southern Africa is shown with a GIS (geographic information systems) approach.

Molecular markers have been used to study genetic diversity within a set of Lablab purpureus accessions collected from the southern states of India. Amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) molecular marker studies using a total of 78 L. purpureus accessions with nine primer combinations showed there was very little genetic diversity within the L. purpureus accessions from the southern Indian germplasm collection as compared to a set of 15 accessions from other international germplasm collections that included African accessions. The set of 15 were selected from a random amplified length polymorphism (RAPD) marker study and chosen on the basis of widest genetic distance. Further molecular analysis with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) markers from 97 expressed sequence tag (EST) and gene-specific primer pairs, designed from a range of legume sequences, concurred with the AFLP analyses. Both of these approaches provide a wealth of markers for diversity and mapping studies. The 97 sequence-specific primer pairs tested in L. purpureus resulted in 70% amplification success, with 44% of primer pairs amplifying single bands and 10% double bands. Markers generated from these EST and genomic sequences provide useful cross-reference to comparative legume genomics that will potentially have long-term benefit to legume plant breeding.

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Recombination breeding is limited in finger millet due to tiny florets and irregular anthesis. Induced mutagenesis using gamma irradiation was attempted to improve grain yield and related traits in three elite cultivars (GPU28, GPU 67 and MR 6). Mean performance and estimates of BLUP and BLUE of 61 mutants showed variability among the mutants for grain yield in comparison to parental genotypes. Grain yield being a complex trait and influenced by high G × E interaction recorded low heritability estimate sand therefore BLUP provided more reliable estimates for grain yield. Stability analysis was conducted using GGE biplot techniques and also by plotting the trait means with their respective coefficient of variation values(CVs). From mean performance and stability analysis, the mutants GPU28-2212, GPU28-2086, GPU28-2082 derived from GPU 28 variety, GPU67-3358, GPU67-3359, GPU67-2094 from GPU67 variety and MR6-3393 from MR6 variety were superior for grain yield and related traits. Combined association analysis revealed tillers per plant as highly correlated trait with grain yield indicating key trait for grain yield improvement in finger millet. Mutants with improved finger traits and blast resistance are also discussed.

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Jasmine being cultivated throughout India, its production/ largest area is concentrated in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka states. India stands next to Egypt and Morocco in Jasmine Concrete Production with >15 tons per annum. Modern Knowledge has accepted Jasmine as Persian origin, distribution pattern of 72 Jasminum spp. across India suggests, India may be the primary home which has its mention in the 500 BC Tamil literature and 7th to 3rd BCE Ramaynam mythological literature. In Karnataka, a number of Jasminum spp. are being cultivated throughout the state of which Mysuru Mallige, Udupi Mallige and Hadagali Mallige are being unique and are largely concentrated in the respective and adjoining districts. Government of India has registered these three jasmine cultivars with Geographical Indication tag under the Intellectual Property Rights. Though the demand for these GI crops is on increase, the area and production is declining slowly. Here is an attempt to compile the updated knowledge on genetic resources of Jasminum spp. with focus on the heritage crop of Mysuru- ‘Mysuru Mallige’.