Search

Over the past 15 years, biofortification, the process of breeding nutrients into food crops, has gained ample recognition as a cost-effective, complementary, feasible means of delivering micronutrients to populations that may have limited access to diverse diets, supplements, or commercially fortified foods. In 2008, a panel of noted economists that included five Nobel Laureates ranked biofortification fifth among the most cost-effective solutions to address global challenges such as reducing hidden hunger. The 2016 World Food Prize was awarded to biofortification. Biofortification involves breeding staple food crops to increase their micronutrient content, targeting foods widely consumed by low-income families in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. The focus is on providing sufficient levels of vitamin A, iron, and/or zinc through these crops, based on existing consumption patterns. HarvestPlus is part of the CGIAR Research Program on Agriculture for Nutrition and Health (A4NH). HarvestPlus works in partnership with more than 200 scientific and implementation organizations around the world to improve nutrition and public health by developing and promoting biofortified food crops that are rich in vitamins and minerals, and providing global leadership on biofortification evidence and technology. Crops bred for higher levels of micronutrients using conventional breeding methods have been released in 26 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America, and are now being grown and eaten by millions of farmers and consumers. This paper reviews crop development progress and varietal release of primary (major) and secondary (regionally important) staple crops, with a focus on progress in Africa. Keywords: Biofortification, Micronutrients, Micronutrient Deficiency, Staple Crops, Breeding, Provitamin A, Iron, Zinc

HarvestPlus and its partners have successfully developed and delivered iron bean varieties to more than one million farming households in Rwanda, DRC, and Uganda to help combat the adverse health effects of iron deficiency widespread in these countries. Focusing primarily on Rwanda, this chapter summarizes the country, nutritional and consumer background, crop development, release, and delivery of iron bean varieties and synthesizes lessons learned and future challenges. Keywords: Biofortification, iron bean, iron deficiency, micronutrient deficiency, common bean

Biofortification is the process of increasing the density of vitamins and minerals in a crop through plant breeding—using either conventional methods or genetic engineering—or through agronomic practices. Over the past 15 years, conventional breeding efforts have resulted in the development of varieties of several staple food crops with significant levels of the three micronutrients most limiting in diets: zinc, iron, and vitamin A. More than 15 million people in developing countries now grow and consume biofortified crops. Evidence from nutrition research shows that biofortified varieties provide considerable amounts of bioavailable micronutrients, and consumption of these varieties can improve micronutrient deficiency status among target populations. Farmer adoption and consumer acceptance research shows that farmers and consumers like the various production and consumption characteristics of biofortified varieties, as much as (if not more than) popular conventional varieties, even in the absence of nutritional information. Further development and delivery of these micronutrient-rich varieties can potentially reduce hidden hunger, especially in rural populations whose diets rely on staple food crops. Future work includes strengthening the supply of and the demand for biofortified staple food crops and facilitating targeted investment to those crop–country combinations that have the highest potential nutritional impact.

Past research developed reliable equations to base selections for high β-carotene on near-infrared spectroscopy (NIR) predictions (100 genotypes d−1) rather than with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) (

Background and aims Biofortification breeding programs have the need for rapid and accurate screening methods to identify nutrient dense genotypes. This study explores the use of energy dispersive x-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) for the rapid screening of iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) concentration in three coarse-grain crops; common bean, maize and cowpea. Methods Bean, maize and cowpea seed was provided from biofortification breeding programs and analysed with Inductively Coupled Plasma - Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) to determine reference Fe and Zn concentrations. A subset of samples for each crop was used to calibrate for Zn and Fe and a separate set of samples used to validate the XRF method. Results Results indicate that when analysing bean, maize and cowpea flour samples, the EDXRF results were not significantly different to the reference ICP-MS analysis, with an average difference of ± 1 mg kg–1 for both Fe and Zn. Conclusion EDXRF analysis of common beans, cowpea and maize flour enables rapid and accurate analysis when screening for Fe and Zn in bean, maize and cowpea.

Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) is a preventable tragedy that affects millions of people, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. A large proportion of these people rely on diets based on cassava as a source of calories. During the last two decades, significant efforts have been made to identify sources of germplasm with high pro-vitamin A carotenoids (pVAC) and then use them to develop cultivars with a nutritional goal of 15 μg g−1 of β-carotene (fresh weight basis) and good agronomic performance. The protocols for sampling roots and quantifying carotenoids have been improved. Recently, NIR predictions began to be used. Retention of carotenoids after different root processing methods has been measured. Bioavailability studies suggest high conversion rates. Genetic modification has also been achieved with mixed results. Carotenogenesis genes have been characterized and their activity in roots measured.

Biofortification is the process of increasing the density of vitamins and minerals in a crop through plant breeding-using either conventional methods or genetic engineering-or through agronomic practices. Over the past 15 years, conventional breeding efforts have resulted in the development of varieties of several staple food crops with significant levels of the three micronutrients most limiting in diets: zinc, iron, and vitamin A. More than 15 million people in developing countries now grow and consume biofortified crops. Evidence from nutrition research shows that biofortified varieties provide considerable amounts of bioavailable micronutrients, and consumption of these varieties can improve micronutrient deficiency status among target populations. Farmer adoption and consumer acceptance research shows that farmers and consumers like the various production and consumption characteristics of biofortified varieties, as much as (if not more than) popular conventional varieties, even in the absence of nutritional information. Further development and delivery of these micronutrient-rich varieties can potentially reduce hidden hunger, especially in rural populations whose diets rely on staple food crops. Future work includes strengthening the supply of and the demand for biofortified staple food crops and facilitating targeted investment to those crop-country combinations that have the highest potential nutritional impact.

Conflicting demands for food and water, exacerbated by increasing population, increase the risks of food insecurity, poverty and environmental damage in major river systems. Agriculture remains the predominant water user, but the linkage between water, agriculture and livelihoods is more complex than “water scarcity increases poverty”. The response of both agricultural and non-agricultural systems to increased pressure will affect livelihoods. Development will be constrained in closed basins if increased demand for irrigation deprives other users or if existing agricultural use constrains non-agricultural activities and in open basins if agriculture cannot feed an expanding or changing population or if the river system loses capacity due to degradation or over-exploitation.

This study illustrates the use of spatial information with high spatial resolution digital images to monitor the growth and development of crops in research plots and under commercial management. A robust and cost-effective technology to generate information endogenously from low altitude aerial imagery is described, and examples of applications in common beans and bananas are presented. Images were acquired using a standard commercial digital or SLR camera lifted by a kite or balloon. The optimum camera settings varied with conditions. The feasibility of correcting for distortions in the images and calibration of the sensor was explored, but it was not possible to automatically correct images and standardize the radiometric parameters over a range of conditions. Nevertheless, a combination of automated and visual analysis of the images obtained provided a means of classifying and quantifying various aspects of crop growth and development. This information was shown to be related to various bean and banana growth characteristics and can be used to predict bean yields and to estimate plant growth related parameters in banana plantations. The information is readily understood and, due to the robustness of the technology at a budget price, the methodology is a potentially powerful way of generating and providing information to local managers of genetic and natural resources as well as to owners of commercial plantations.

Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers were used for assessing genetic diversity and its structure in a collection of the drought-tolerant, tropical multipurpose shrub legume Flemingia macrophylla (Willd.) Merrill. The species is especially suited to low-input smallholder production systems and is used as dry season forage supplement, live soil cover, mulch and living barrier, among others. Genetic groups identified by RAPD analysis related closely to four morphotypes revealed by multivariate analysis of morphological, agronomic and forage quality characteristics. Overall genetic diversity in the collection was moderate (H T = 0.241), with 79% differentiation among and high genetic similarity (GS) within groups (0.672–0.965). Results indicate a closer relationship of the semi-erect morphotypes M3 and M4 with F. stricta rather than with the erect morphotype M1. The latter was genetically the most depauperate, followed by morphotypes M2 and M4. New evidence is provided that non-Asian accessions collected in Africa and South America are derived from introduced Southeast Asian material. Furthermore, RAPD data suggest the presence of duplicates in the collection, especially in the overrepresented erect morphotype M1.

Flemingia macrophylla (Willd.) Kuntze ex Merr., a multi-purpose legume with potential as dry-season forage crop, mainly occurs in subhumid to humid environments of tropical and subtropical Asia. Despite increasing interest in conservation of germplasm suitable for low-input production systems information on the genetic diversity of F. macrophylla is extremely scarce. The creation of baseline data is supposed to contribute to more efficient conservation management and to identify collecting strategies of novel germplasm. Random amplified polymorphic (RAPD) markers were used to investigate the genetic variation among 37 F. macrophylla accessions. Germplasm analysed in this study originated from Bac Kan province, Northeast Vietnam. Eight primers generated a total of 47 amplified RAPD loci of which 38 were polymorphic. Jaccard’s similarity coefficients among accessions ranged from 0.069 to 1 with a mean of 0.67. The UPGMA dendrogram revealed three clusters along with three outliers. No correspondence between geographic and genetic distance was found (Mantel test: R = 0.21; P = 0.016). Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) revealed significant (P < 0.001) differentiation between accessions collected in lowland and upland regions. Results of UPGMA clustering were confirmed by the pattern of principle coordinates analysis (PCO) plotting. Future collecting strategies should target populations at large distances and along the altitudinal range. Ex situ conservation should encompass those accessions that showed genetic divergence. In situ conservation may consist of establishing a system of interconnected population fragments to guarantee continuing genetic exchange via corridors and of rehabilitating degraded habitats.

Flemingia macrophylla (Willd.) Merrill is a drought-tolerant, tropical multipurpose shrub legume especially suited to low-input smallholder production systems, as a dry season forage supplement, live soil cover, mulch and living barrier, among others. The diversity of the world collection of 70 accessions classified as F. macrophylla was assessed using 14 morphological and phenological traits, and in terms of agronomic and forage potential. One erect and three semi-erect morphotypes were identified based on differences in plant height, flower and seed colour, inflorescence and peduncle length, and stem pubescence. Large variability in dry matter (DM) production (5–586 and 2–272 g plant−1 in the maximum and minimum rainfall periods, respectively), in vitro DM digestibility (IVDMD, 307–543 g kg−1) and crude protein content (169–237 g kg−1) was measured. The accessions CIAT 18437, CIAT 21083 and CIAT 21090 were identified as promising in terms of productivity and digestibility. Their IVDMD ranged up to 541 g kg−1 in the maximum and up to 507 g kg−1 in the minimum rainfall period. DM yield and IVDMD in the three selected accessions were superior to the control CIAT 17403. An exploratory cafeteria grazing trial showed that F. macrophylla was palatable in the minimum but not consumed in the maximum rainfall period. Further morphological studies on inflorescence characteristics of herbarium specimens and molecular marker studies are warranted to clarify the taxonomic status (subspecies or varieties) of the four morphotypes identified. Further development, such as palatability studies with a selected set of accessions, can make Flemingia a valuable feed alternative.

Cratylia argentea (Desv.) O. Kuntze is a drought-tolerant tropical shrub legume that can help to ensure continuity of forage supply in smallholder systems either through direct grazing or as a cut-and-carry plant for fresh foliage or silage. A collection of 38 accessions was characterized agronomically and nutritionally. High diversity was detected between accessions. Time to flowering ranged from 217–329 days after transplanting seedlings to the field and from 129–202 days after cutting. Flowering is probably induced by reduction of day length. Seed production was high but variable. Dry matter production ranged from 190–382 g/plant in the rainy and from 124–262 g/plant in the dry season, content of in vitro digestible dry matter from 589–690 g/kg, crude protein content from 184–237 g/kg and fibre content from 403–528 g/kg (neutral detergent fibre, NDF), 240–335 g/kg (acid detergent fibre, ADF), and 9–13 g/kg (acid detergent fibre-bound nitrogen, N-ADF). Accessions CIAT 18674 and CIAT 22406 were identified as promising for further study. They were superior to the commercial cultivar in terms of dry matter (DM) production, particularly in the dry season. Further research is required to determine the prevailing reproduction strategy of C. argentea and to quantify outcrossing-rates. Multilocational trials with a selected set of accessions should be conducted under different environmental conditions.

A collection of 23 Flemingia macrophylla (Willd.) Merrill accessions of different growth habits and contrasting digestibility and one Flemingia stricta reference accession were assessed for forage quality with particular emphasis on digestibility, condensed tannin concentration and fiber content. Large differences in in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) (356 to 598 g kg−1), content of crude protein (CP) (121 to 254 g kg−1) and extractable condensed tannins (CT) (0 to 268 g kg−1), protein-binding capacity of extractable CT or astringency (1.7 to 7.9 protein-binding entities) (PBE) and monomer composition of extractable CT were detected. IVDMD and extractable CT were negatively correlated and extractable CT was positively correlated with protein-binding capacity. Prodelphinidin was positively and propelargonidin negatively correlated with protein-binding capacity of extractable CT. The accessions CIAT 18438, CIAT 21083, CIAT 21090 and CIAT 22082 were superior to the most widely used accession CIAT 17403 in terms of forage quality and could be an option in production systems with acid infertile soils. In future evaluations, particular attention needs to be paid to chemical and structural features related to the composition of extractable CT and their effect on nitrogen utilization by ruminants. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry

A first study on the biodiversity of non-vascular epiphytes in cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) plantations in western Ecuador yielded 112 species (51 bryophytes, 61 lichens). Epiphyte assemblages of cacao plantations resembled those of tropical rain forests but species richness was usually lower and individual species were found at lower heights on the trunks. The vast majority of the species are widespread neotropical or pantropical species; one species, Spruceanthus theobromae (Spruce) Gradst., is endemic to cacao plantations of western Ecuador. Differences in management intensity, by manual removal of epiphytes from tree trunks (‘limpia’), had a significant impact on epiphyte species diversity. Total species richness was significantly reduced in plantations with high management intensity, due mainly to the decreased diversity of lichens and liverworts; moss diversity was not affected by management regime. Total percentage cover of bryophytes was highest in plantations with low management intensity, while lichen cover was greatest in plantations with high management intensity. Crustose lichens and smooth mats growing closely appressed to the substrate were little affected by the limpia and their growth may have been promoted when larger-sized species were removed, by reducing competition. Cacao plantations with low and moderate management intensity serve as an important substitute habitat for ecological specialists (sun epiphytes, shade epiphytes) of the rain forest and are of considerable significance for their conservation.

Micronutrient malnutrition—also known as hidden hunger—is a growing public health concern that affects especially women and children in the developing world. Worldwide, at least 2 billion people suffer from vitamin A, iron, and zinc deficiencies. Here we review recent advances in the application of genomic approaches for biofortification of staple crops to enhance their nutritional quality and thus reduce ‘hidden hunger’. The application of genomic tools such as marker-assisted selection in conventional breeding or genetic modification offers sustainable and cost-effective ways to provide essential micronutrients (here provitamin A or iron) to people in developing countries. To maximize the benefits of genomic approaches for biofortification, we need to extend our understanding of the genetic control mechanisms and relative contribution from different rate-limiting steps for both provitamin A and iron accumulation in edible plant parts.

Crop biofortification is a sustainable and cost-effective strategy to address malnutrition in developing countries. This review synthesizes the progress toward developing seed micronutrient-dense cereals and legumes cultivars by exploiting natural genetic variation using conventional breeding and/or transgenic technology, and discusses the associated issues to strengthen crop biofortification research and development. Some major QTL for seed iron and zinc, seed phosphorus, and seed phytate in common bean, rice,J;md wheat have been mapped. An iron reductase QTL associated with seed-iron ~QTL is found in common bean where the genes coding for candidate enzymes involved in phytic acid synthesis have also been mapped. Candidate genes for Ipa co segregate with mutant phenotypes identified in rice and soybean. The Gpe-B1 locus in wild emmer wheat accelerates senescence and increases nutrient remobilization from leaves to developing seeds, and another gene named TtNAM-B1 affecting these traits has been cloned. Seed iron-dense common bean and rice in Latin America; seed iron-dense common bean in eastern and southern Africa;.....

The tropical multipurpose shrub legume Cratylia argentea is well adapted to acid soils of low to medium fertility and has excellent drought-tolerance. Due to its high nutritive value it is particularly suited as forage for dry-season supplementation. A collection of 47 C. argentea accessions in a collection, derived from seed replicating of original accessions with differing geographic origin and morphological and agronomic characteristics was investigated using molecular markers (RAPD (random amplified polymorphic DNA)). Genetic diversity (H T = 0.145) in the collection was low, with 30% of differentiation among groups and high genetic similarity among accessions (GS = 0.805). Within-accession variability was high. One taxonomic mismatch and five possible duplicate accessions were identified. Our results suggest that the genetic diversity in the C. argentea accessions studied is relatively homogeneously distributed, indicating the likelihood of extensive outcrossing. The genetic diversity of original accessions should be assessed to determine if outcrossing has occurred during or before ex situ storage. This might also support any decision on whether accessions should be bulked rather than maintaining them individually

Recent concern over food prices has triggered a renewed interest in agricultural production systems. While attention is focused mainly on cropping, a complete analysis of food production systems should recognise the importance of livestock as major consumers of resources – in particular water – and as providers of food and other products and services. We propose that there is a need to examine not just food systems in isolation, but combined food and water systems, both of which are described as in a critical condition. From this broader perspective, it appears even more important to understand livestock systems because first, a total evaluation of agricultural water productivity – the gain from water consumed by agriculture – cannot be made without understanding the complexities of livestock-containing systems and; second, because in most tropical river basins, livestock systems are the major consumers of water. To identify total water productivity of livestock-containing systems, we describe concepts of agricultural water productivity and review the complexities of tracking the flow of water through livestock-containing systems: from inputs as evapotranspiration (ET) of forage and crops to outputs of valued animal products or services. For the second part, we present preliminary results from water use accounts analysis for several major river basins, which reveal that for Africa at least, livestock systems appear to be the major water consumers. Yet, little is known about the fate of water as it passes through these systems. We propose that livestock-containing systems offer substantial scope for increasing total water productivity and that there is considerable merit in improving the capacity to analyse water consumption and water productivity through such systems. Without removing this major source of uncertainty, the potential for systemic improvement to meet the world food and water crisis remains undefined and hence under-acknowledged.

Cratylia argentea (Desv.) O. Kuntze and Flemingia macrophylla (Willd.) Merrill are promising tropical multipurpose shrub legumes. Both are drought-tolerant, well adapted to low-fertility, acid soils, and especially suited for low-input smallholder production systems in the sub-humid and humid tropics. They can be used e.g. as dry season forage supplementation, live soil cover or mulch, erosion barrier hedges, and shade-providing shrubs in young coffee and cocoa plantations. Germplasm collections were assembled from the wild-legume flora in Brazil (C. argentea) and Southeast Asia (F. macrophylla), but research and development are so far based on only a few accessions. Knowledge about the extent of genetic diversity within these collections is very limited. In addition, the potential utilization of F. macrophylla is so far limited by poor forage quality and acceptability of the few evaluated accessions. The objective of the present study, conducted in a research cooperation with the International Centre for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), Cali, Colombia, was to assess the diversity in the germplasm collections of C. argentea (38 accessions) and F. macrophylla (69 accessions) in terms of morphological and phenological traits, agronomic and forage quality traits, and molecular markers, and to identify superior genotyes. Based on these different characterization approaches, the objective was furthermore to establish core collections for F. macrophylla, and to compare and validate the different strategies, giving particular consideration to their practical implications (time and cost efficiency) for the application to small collections of perennial wild tropical legumes. Cratylia argentea High diversity in terms of phenological and agronomic as well as forage quality traits was detected in the collection, with scope for plant improvement in terms of higher dry season DM production. Accessions CIAT 18674 and 22406 were identified as promising for further evaluation since they were similar to the commercial cultivar ?Veraniega? in terms of forage quality, and superior in terms of DM production, particularly in the dry season. Molecular marker analysis with RAPDs showed that the genetic diversity in the collection was relatively low and fairly homogeneously distributed. Accessions CIAT 22373, 22378, 22380, 22381 and 22411 were identified as possible duplicates. Flemingia macrophylla High diversity in terms of morphological and agronomic as well as forage quality traits was detected among the 69 accessions. The identification of four morphotypes in the collection probably has taxonomic implications. Scope for plant improvement was identified with respect to forage quality ? one of the species? main limitations. Accessions CIAT 18437, 21083 and 21090 had similar DM production and higher digestibility than the control accession, and were virtually free of extractable condensed tannins. Problems with low palatability and low seed production of these promising accessions need to be further studied. Genetic diversity in F. macrophylla was higher than in C. argentea, and corresponded closely to the four morphotypes revealed by conventional characterization. Various duplicate accessions were identified, and evidence was provided that the non-Asian accessions are not native to their collection site regions, but rather introduced from Southeast Asia. The results have direct applications for plant improvement of these promising multipurpose legumes. The superior genotypes selected in this study will be used in work with farmers in CIAT-research sites in Central America and distributed to partners. It must be recognized, however, that the diversity assessed is influenced by the climatic and edaphic conditions at the site where the studies were conducted. Therefore, multilocational trials should be considered with a selected subset (including the promising accessions) of C. argentea and F. macrophylla i) to assess the extent of genotype x environment interaction, and ii) to identify genotypes with consistently high performance in a range of distinct environments. Research on the reproduction system of both species is urgently required to determine the potential extent and impact of outcrossing. Beyond the immediate application of these species for farmer utilization, the results of the use and comparison of different approaches to assess diversity and to establish core collections can help to improve germplasm management and characterization of wild tropical legume species in general. Random sampling has been identified as a valuable and resource-efficient strategy for the creation of core collections when no additional information about accessions is available, and in the absence of adequate funds. The validation of the findings of this study with a broader range of perennial tropical wild legumes is necessary to assess their applicability to other species. Die tropischen Mehrzweck-Buschleguminosen Cratylia argentea (Desv.) O. Kuntze und Flemingia macrophylla (Willd.) Merrill werden wegen ihrer Trockentoleranz und Anpassung an nährstoffarme, saure Böden als vielversprechend angesehen. Ihr Anbau ist besonders für Kleinbauern geeignet, und sie können z.B. zur Futterergänzung während ausgedehnter Trockenzeiten, als Bodendecker, Mulch und Lebendzäune, zum Erosionsschutz sowie als Schattenbäume eingesetzt werden. Umfassende Samenkollektionen sind verfügbar, mit Akzessionen von Wildpopulationen aus Brasilien (C. argentea) und Südostasien (F. macrophylla). Die Erforschung und Verbesserung beider Arten beschränkte sich bislang auf wenige Akzessionen, und das Ausmaß der genetischen Diversität innerhalb der Sammlungen ist praktisch unbekannt und das Potenzial der wenigen Akzessionen von F. macrophylla ist durch einen relativ niedrigen Futterwert limitiert. Das Ziel der vorliegenden Arbeit war im Rahmen einer Forschungskooperation mit dem Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT), Cali, Kolumbien, die verfügbare genetische Diversität von C. argentea (38 Akzessionen) und F. macrophylla (69 Akzessionen) anhand morphologischer Merkmale, agronomischer und Futterwert-Eigenschaften, sowie molekularer Marker zu erfassen und zu beschreiben, und vielversprechende Akzessionen zu identifizieren. Anhand von F. macrophylla sollten beispielhaft verschiedene Strategien zur Erstellung von core collections verglichen und validiert werden, und deren praktische Bedeutung (Kosten, Zeitaufwand) für die Erstellung von core collections mehrjähriger tropischer Wildleguminosen im allgemeinen untersucht werden. Cratylia argentea Es wurde eine grosse Diversität ermittelt, sowie Potenzial zur Sortenverbesserung bezüglich höherer Trockenmasseproduktion, besonders in der Trockenzeit. Die Akzessionen CIAT 18674 und 22406, die eine ähnlich hohe Futterqualität wie die Sorte ?Veraniega? aufwiesen, wurden wegen ihrer höheren Trockenmasseproduktion für weitere Evaluierungen ausgewählt. Die RAPD-Analyse zeigte, dass die genetische Diversität in C. argentea relativ gering war. Die Akzessionen CIAT 22373, 22378, 22380, 22381 und 22411 wurden als mögliche genetische Duplikate identifiziert. Flemingia macrophylla Es wurde eine große Diversität für mehrere Eigenschaften ermittelt. Die Beschreibung von vier Morphotypen hat wahrscheinlich taxonomische Bedeutung. Sortenverbesserung im Hinblick auf höhere Futterwerte scheint aussichtsreich zu sein. Die Akzessionen CIAT 18437, 21083 und 21090 wiesen eine ähnliche Trockenmasseproduktion wie die Kontrolle auf, aber höhere IVDMD sowie praktisch keine Tannin-Gehalte. Schmackhaftigkeitsprobleme und geringe Samenproduktion dieser Akzessionen erfordern weitere Aufmerksamkeit. Die genetische Diversität in F. macrophylla war größer als in C. argentea, und entsprach weitestgehend der Diversität von morphologischen Merkmalen. Es wurden mehrere genetische Duplikate identifiziert. Die Ergebnisse deuten darauf hin, dass die nicht-asiatischen F. macrophylla Akzessionen wahrscheinlich von aus Südostasien eingeführten Akzessionen abstammen. Die Ergebnisse der vorliegenden Arbeit werden insofern direkt angewandt, indem die als besonders geeignet identifizierten Akzessionen in on-farm Versuchen des CIAT und seiner Partner in Mittelamerika weiter getestet werden. Es muss jedoch berücksichtigt werden, dass die in der vorliegenden Arbeit ermittelte Diversität von den klimatischen und edaphischen Bedingungen am Evaluierungsstandort beeinflusst ist. Die Durchführung multi-lokationaler Versuche mit ausgewählten subsets (einschließlich der vielversprechendsten Akzessionen) von C. argentea and F. macrophylla ist deshalb erforderlich, um i) das Ausmaß der Genotyp x Umwelt Interaktion zu erfassen, sowie ii) Genotypen mit durchgängig guten Eigenschaften unter verschiedenen Umweltbedingungen zu identifizieren. Weiterhin wird die Notwendigkeit der Bestimmung der Reproduktionsstrategie beider Arten hervorgehoben, um das Ausmaß der Auskreuzungen zu ermitteln. Abgesehen von der unmittelbaren Anwendbarkeit dieser beiden Mehrzweck-Arten durch Kleinbauern können die Ergebnisse der Vergleiche der unterschiedlichen Ansätze zur Ermittlung der Diversität und zur Erstellung von core collections dazu beitragen, das Management und die Evaluierung von tropischen Wildleguminosen allgemein zu verbessern. Die Zufalls-Strategie wurde als zuverlässige und Ressourcen sparende Alternative zur core collection Erstellung identifiziert, wenn fehlende Informationen oder knappe Ressourcen limitierende Faktoren sind. Die Ergebnisse sollten anhand anderer tropischer Wildleguminosen auf ihre Übertragbarkeit auf weitere Arten überprüft werden.