Underutilised crops: trends, challenges and opportunities in the 21st Century

摘要: Plant biodiversity represents the primary source for food, feed, shelter, medicines and many other products means that make life on Earth possible enjoyable (WCMC, 1992; UNEP 1995). The number of plant species used by humans around world (Table 1) is only one third which generations diverse cultures have drawn upon to develop crops would meet specific needs. centres diversification most common cultivated are known today (Zeven de Wet, 1982), but local importance, knowledge distribution their genetic diversity use patterns still largely limited. Increased reliance major food has been accompanied a shrinking basket humankind relying (Prescott-Allen Prescott-Allen, 1990). This nutritional paradox (Ogle Grivetti, 1995) its roots in agricultural “simplification”, process favoured some instead others basis comparative advantages growing wider range habitats, simple cultivation requirements, easier processing storability, properties, taste, etc.