Optimizing Traditional Cropping Systems Under Climate Change: A Case of Maize Landraces and Bambara Groundnut

Chimonyo, Vimbayi G. P.; Wimalasiri, Eranga M.; Kunz, Richard; Modi, Albert T.; Mabhaudhi, Tafadzwanashe

doi:10.3389/fsufs.2020.562568

Cited by 18 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 88 publications

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“…For northwest China, they suggest implementation of intercropping systems due to possibility of growing only one crop per year. In this regard, intercropping of maize and legumes such as Bambara groundnut could improve the water use efficiency and income of the local farmers (Alhassan & Egbe, 2014; Chimonyo et al, 2020). Intercropping is also suggested as a new strategy to cope with the high incidents of pest and diseases in southwest China.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The potential of Bambara groundnut: An analysis for the People’s Republic of China

Jahanshiri

Goh

Wimalasiri

et al. 2022

Food and Energy Security

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While China has transformed its economy over recent decades, challenges such as climate change and land degradation have continued to impact its agriculture. These effects along with changes in diets and growing food imports will force China to look for alternative cropping options. Despite the broad potential of Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea L. Verdc) as a resilient and nutritious underutilized crop, less is known about its potential in Asia. Here, we explore the potential of Bambara groundnut to become a mainstream crop in mainland China. A suitability analysis is presented for Bambara groundnut to examine the degree of seasonal adaptability of this crop against its climate and soil requirements across China. Results showed that the crop has yield potential in areas that can be too marginal for production of other mainstream crops such as soybean (Glycine max). If realized, the potential of Bambara groundnut could contribute to China's agriculture and reduce its reliance on vegetable protein imports. Using an average seasonal potential yield of 0.85 t/ha over a potential available area of between 55 and 112 million ha (based on 4 land availability scenarios) and modest price of 143 USD/t, yearly income between USD 6 and 13 billion can potentially be contributed by widespread cultivation of this crop. As well as food security, this drought‐resistant nitrogen‐fixing legume could also contribute to land rehabilitation, particularly in the areas where shift in planting dates and land degradation is noticeable. This study demonstrates the need for more investment and research into adoption of Bambara groundnut and other underutilized crops that have the potential to transform agriculture in populous Asian countries.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The potential of Bambara groundnut: An analysis for the People’s Republic of China

Jahanshiri

Goh

Wimalasiri

et al. 2022

Food and Energy Security

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“…In this regard, investment in the knowledge system [7] such as the one that is discussed in this article will help with the following: Despite technical advancements, food and nutritional security and sustainability have not been achieved throughout the world in an equitable manner [37]. Therefore, diversification of the farming system and food basket are ideal solutions to the problem [38]. UCs have been identified as alternative crops for food and nutritional security and sustainability in many parts of the world [5,38,39].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Therefore, diversification of the farming system and food basket are ideal solutions to the problem [38]. UCs have been identified as alternative crops for food and nutritional security and sustainability in many parts of the world [5,38,39]. Therefore, a priority was given to nutrition security in crop selection.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…One of the major drawbacks of selection of underutilised crops in different agroecological zones through the suitability assessment and yield prediction of underutilised crops is the lack of evaluation frameworks and models. However, with the growing concern in relation to neglected and underutilized crops, dedicated land evaluation frameworks and protocols [8,47,48] and crop models/modelling approaches [38,39,49,50] which show potential have been carried out in the recent past. Other than the method used here for crop selection, different approaches/frameworks as mentioned above can be tested to select the most suitable crops.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A Novel Crop Shortlisting Method for Sustainable Agricultural Diversification across Italy

et al. 2022

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Whilst current policies recognize the impacts that changes in climates and markets have imposed on the Italian food system, less attention is given to the development of systematic approaches to identify alternative cropping systems across Italy and the European continent. In this article, a novel evidence-based crop shortlisting method was developed to address crop diversification needs for Italy as an example for the whole of Europe. In order to shortlist possible options from a pool of 2700 crops, a crop–climate–soil matching exercise was performed across Italian territory, and crops with more than 70% suitability were chosen for further analysis. In the second phase, a multi-criteria ranking index was employed to assign ranks to chosen crops of four main types: (i) cereals and pseudocereals, (ii) legumes, (iii) starchy roots/tubers, and (iv) vegetables. To provide a comprehensive analysis, all of the abovementioned criteria were compared for both major crops that are grown in the region and potential underutilised crops (UCs). The results of evaluation of four major criteria (namely (a) calorie and nutrition demand, (b) functions and uses, (c) availability and accessibility to their genomic material, (d) possession of adaptive traits, and (e) physiological traits) revealed the potential for teff, faba bean, cowpea, green arrow arum, Jerusalem artichoke, Fig-leaved Gourd, and Watercress. We discuss the implication of utilising such systematic approaches to crop selection and developing transformative solutions for food security with the aim of providing a primer for mainstreaming UCs in policy and investment plans.

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“…Bambara groundnut is indigenous to Africa and described as well adapted to semi-arid conditions and resilient to drought (Mabhaudi et al, 2013). With some attention in terms of breeding and developing cultivars with these attributes as well as nematode (and other pest and diseases) resistance, a nutritious, versatile legume crop could potentially be promoted for use in sustainable cropping systems (Mayes et al, 2019;Chimonyo et al, 2020;Tan et al, 2020). In the current study, a single population of M. incognita originating from tomato was used.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Host status of Bambara groundnut accessions to Meloidogyne incognita using conventional screenhouse and novel seedling pouch methods

et al. 2022

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Summary Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea) is an underexploited legume indigenous to sub-Saharan Africa with high protein content. Production constraints of Bambara groundnut include the root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.), which causes substantial losses that present an additional burden that growers need to manage. In this study we: i) assessed genetic resistance against Meloidogyne incognita in Bambara groundnut; and ii) evaluated an improved, more efficient screening method for Bambara. Fifty accessions were evaluated in two screenhouse trials. Following this, the use of seedling pouches was assessed for a high throughput screening method, using two accessions identified from each of three host status categories (resistant, tolerant and susceptible). Variability in host response was observed between the trials but five accessions demonstrated good resistance to M. incognita. A general reduction in plant growth parameters was observed on inoculated plants, especially for chlorophyll content at 11 weeks after planting. The pouch screening system confirmed the screenhouse pot results but appears to be more sensitive. From a range of inocula no differences in gall index were observed over the 28 days of assessment in pouches but the number of egg masses proved a useful parameter and differed between inoculum levels, with 500 juveniles/eggs determined as the optimum inoculum level. The use of seedling pouches reduced time, space and cost to screen Bambara groundnuts for resistance against M. incognita. Consequently, it is recommended as an efficient, high throughput, rapid screening protocol for Bambara groundnut compared to conventional pot screening methods.

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Optimizing Traditional Cropping Systems Under Climate Change: A Case of Maize Landraces and Bambara Groundnut

Cited by 18 publications

References 88 publications

The potential of Bambara groundnut: An analysis for the People’s Republic of China

The potential of Bambara groundnut: An analysis for the People’s Republic of China

A Novel Crop Shortlisting Method for Sustainable Agricultural Diversification across Italy

Host status of Bambara groundnut accessions to Meloidogyne incognita using conventional screenhouse and novel seedling pouch methods

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