Abstract
Although nodulated legumes have been used by indigenous peoples in Africa for centuries, their full potential has
never been realized. With modern technology there is scope for rapid improvement of both plant and microbial
germplasm. This review gives examples of some recent developments in the form of case studies; these range from
multipurpose human food crops, such as cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.), through to beverages (teas) that are
also income-generating such as rooibos (Aspalathus linearis (Burm. f.) R. Dahlgren, honeybush (Cyclopia Vent. spp.),
and the widely used food additive gum arabic (Acacia senegal (L.) Willd.). These and other potential crops are welladapted
to the many different soil and climatic conditions of Africa, in particular, drought and low nutrients. All can
nodulate and fix nitrogen, with varying degrees of effectiveness and using a range of bacterial symbionts. The
further development of these and other species is essential, not only for African use, but also to retain the
agricultural diversity that is essential for a changing world that is being increasingly dominated by a few crops such
as soybean.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:tut/oai:encore.tut.ac.za:d1001196 |
| Date | 10 March 2010 |
| Creators | Sprent, JI, Odee, DW, Dakora, FD |
| Publisher | Oxford University Press |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text |
| Format | |
| Rights | cThe Author |
| Relation | Journal of Experimental Botany |
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