A harmonised dataset for modelling select underutilised crops Across EU.

Whilst simulating crop performance in different environments can help fill the knowledge gap and improve the adoption of crops that are currently neglected and underutilised in conventional agrifood systems, lack of experimental data remains a barrier to widespread modelling of these crops. To date, no attempt has been made to collate sub-species crop data that are specifically suited for modelling underutilised crops. This article describes the first attempt to develop a database for crop modelling data with a focus on European underutilised crops. Following a pilot study to identify crops with the potential across the EU, a structured dataset of detailed experimental data was developed by analysing more than 500 agronomic studies that were published across European agroclimatic zones from 1972 to 2022. The dataset contains minimum information for calibrating basic crop models for any location in the EU provided that enough experimental and environmental data are available. More specifically, the database includes crop phenology, yield, management practices, geographic and pedo-climatic details of select underutilised and neglected species. The information underwent a curation procedure to ensure its quality. The collated database will be used in CropBASE, the global knowledge base for underutilised crops.

Agro-climatic sensitivity analysis for sustainable crop diversification; the case of Proso millet (Panicum miliaceum L.).

Current agricultural production depends on very limited species grown as monocultures that are highly vulnerable to climate change, presenting a threat to the sustainability of agri-food systems. However, many hundreds of neglected crop species have the potential to cater to the challenges of climate change by means of resilience to adverse climate conditions. Proso millet (Panicum miliaceum L.), one of the underutilised minor millets grown as a rainfed subsistence crop, was selected in this study as an exemplary climate-resilient crop. Using a previously calibrated version of the Agricultural Production Systems Simulator (APSIM), the sensitivity of the crop to changes in temperature and precipitation was studied using the protocol of the Coordinated Climate Crop Modelling Project (C3MP). The future (2040-2069) production was simulated using bias-corrected climate data from 20 general circulation models of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5) under RCP4.5 and 8.5 scenarios. According to the C3MP analysis, we found a 1°C increment of temperature decreased the yield by 5-10% at zero rainfall change. However, Proso millet yields increased by 5% within a restricted climate change space of up to 2°C of warming with increased rainfall. Simulated future climate yields were lower than the simulated yields under the baseline climate of the 1980-2009 period (mean 1707 kg ha-1) under both RCP4.5 (-7.3%) and RCP8.5 (-16.6%) though these changes were not significantly (p > 0.05) different from the baseline yields. Proso millet is currently cultivated in limited areas of Sri Lanka, but our yield mapping shows the potential for expansion of the crop to new areas under both current and future climates. The results of the study, indicating minor impacts from projected climate change, reveal that Proso millet is an excellent candidate for low-input farming systems under changing climate. More generally, through this study, a framework that can be used to assess the climate sensitivity of underutilized crops was also developed.

Datasets for the development of hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) as a crop for the future in tropical environments (Malaysia).

An evidence base was developed to facilitate adoption of hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) in tropical environments (Wimalasiri et al. (2021)). Agro-ecological requirements data of hemp were acquired from international databases and was contrasted against local climate and soil conditions using an augmented species ecological niche modeling. The outputs were then used to map the suitability for all locations for 12 possible calendar-year seasons within peninsular Malaysia. The most probable seasonal map was then used to generate a land suitability map for agricultural areas across 5 standard land suitability categories. Having developed the general suitability maps of hemp in Malaysia, detailed crop growth data were collected from literature and was then used to simulate an ideotype crop model (for both seed and fiber) for selected locations across Malaysia, where detailed daily climate data and soil information were available. Following the development of a downscaled future climate dataset, a simulated dataset of yield for the future conditions were also developed. Next, the simulated seed and fiber yield data were used to create yield maps for hemp across peninsular Malaysia. An economic value and cost-benefit analyses were also carried out using data that were collected from literature and local sources to simulate the true cost and benefit of growing hemp both for now and future conditions. This data provides the first ever evidence base for an underutilized crop in Southeast Asia. All data that was generated using the proposed published framework for the adoption of hemp in the future are stored in their original format in an online repository and is described in this article. The data can be used to map the suitability at finer scales, analyze and re-calibrate a yield model using any climate scenario and evaluate the economics of production using the standard methodology described in the above-mentioned publication.

Crop model ideotyping for agricultural diversification.

Evidence based crop diversification requires modelling for crops that are currently neglected or underutilised. Crop model calibration is a lengthy and resource consuming effort that is typically done for a particular variety or a set of varieties of a crop. Whilst calibration data are widely available for major crops, such data are rarely available for underutilised crops due to limited funding for detailed field data collection and model calibration. Subsequently, the lack of evidence on their performance will lead to the lack of interest from the policy and regulatory communities to include these crops in the agricultural development plans. In order to motivate further research into the use of state of the art techniques in modelling for less known crops, we have developed and validated an ideotyping technique that approximates the crop modelling parameters based on already calibrated crops of different lineage. The method has been successfully tested for hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) based on a well-known crop model. In this paper we present the method and provide an impetus on the way forward to further develop such methods for modelling the performance of minor crops and their varieties.•The approach works based on modelling the performance of hemp using the knowledge from an existing model that was developed for sugar cane.•The customisation uses one of the most prominent models (AquaCrop) to approximate growth coefficients for hemp (Cannabis sativa L.).•A sequential procedure was used to approximate the phenological stages in the growth model that performs well in the calibration and validation steps.

Open Data to Support Agricultural Diversification (version October 2020).

Following the development of a database that was specifically designed to store value chain information, particularly for underutilised crops, this article describes the data that are currently stored in the database and accessible through its web portal. The data includes various datasets on utilisation status, agro-ecological requirements and season lengths, potential yield and nutritional composition of crops. The data are stored in the form of tables with fixed data elements (column attributes). This article outlines the standard procedures (SOPs) that were developed in-house for data collection, metadata creation and data curation. These processes were used to ensure the quality and reusability of the data that is made available publicly through the database interface. Various statistics and example visualisations are provided to demonstrate the significance of such data for developing solutions for sustainable agricultural diversification.

Bambara Groundnut: An Underutilized Leguminous Crop for Global Food Security and Nutrition.

Rapid population growth, climate change, intensive monoculture farming, and resource depletion are among the challenges that threaten the increasingly vulnerable global agri-food system. Heavy reliance on a few major crops is also linked to a monotonous diet, poor dietary habits, and micronutrient deficiencies, which are often associated with diet-related diseases. Diversification-of both agricultural production systems and diet-is a practical and sustainable approach to address these challenges and to improve global food and nutritional security. This strategy is aligned with the recommendations from the EAT-Lancet report, which highlighted the urgent need for increased consumption of plant-based foods to sustain population and planetary health. Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc.), an underutilized African legume, has the potential to contribute to improved food and nutrition security, while providing solutions for environmental sustainability and equity in food availability and affordability. This paper discusses the potential role of Bambara groundnut in diversifying agri-food systems and contributing to enhanced dietary and planetary sustainability, with emphasis on areas that span the value chain: from genetics, agroecology, nutrition, processing, and utilization, through to its socioeconomic potential. Bambara groundnut is a sustainable, low-cost source of complex carbohydrates, plant-based protein, unsaturated fatty acids, and essential minerals (magnesium, iron, zinc, and potassium), especially for those living in arid and semi-arid regions. As a legume, Bambara groundnut fixes atmospheric nitrogen to improve soil fertility. It is resilient to adverse environmental conditions and can yield on poor soil. Despite its impressive nutritional and agroecological profile, the potential of Bambara groundnut in improving the global food system is undermined by several factors, including resource limitation, knowledge gap, social stigma, and lack of policy incentives. Multiple research efforts to address these hurdles have led to a more promising outlook for Bambara groundnut; however, there is an urgent need to continue research to realize its full potential.

The first version of nation-wide open 3D soil database for Sri Lanka.

Soil data for Sri Lanka are available through semi-detailed series maps that were developed based on limited soil profile data combined with expert knowledge. This data plays a vital role in decisions at national and regional levels. However, the present format of this database does not allow for their wider use in crop simulation modelling and other related agricultural research that require finer scale data. This is due to the fact that cross-country profile data are not harmonised based on standard depths. Several attempts were made to produce digital soil data for Sri Lanka at different geographic scales, however, a completely harmonised data that covers variability across depths and properties is yet to be made available. In this article, we describe the first version of the open digital soil database that was developed using a database of 122 locations across the country. Soil properties were harmonised for standard depths using equal-area quadratic smoothing splines. Out of several interpolation methods that were evaluated for univariate interpolation, maps which were produced with the least overall error (RMSE) in the process of cross-validation were selected. The newly developed digital soil database contains 9 soil properties; pH, bulk density, cation exchange capacity, organic carbon, volumetric moisture content at 0.33 and 15 bars levels, sand silt and clay content. Moreover, the data are available for five standard depth layers as 0-5, 5-15, 15-30, 30-60 and 60-100 cm in raster format at 1 km spatial resolution. Both interpolated property maps and their error maps were stored in an open repository and made available for public use. The first version of all maps is also showcased online through open web mapping services. The repository will be gradually updated with higher resolution and more accurate maps as more samples become available and better interpolation method are used. This data could provide complementary information for insight generation at finer scales where limited local informaiton about soils hinders agricultural development.

Bambara groundnut: an exemplar underutilised legume for resilience under climate change.

MAIN CONCLUSION: Bambara groundnut has the potential to be used to contribute more the climate change ready agriculture. The requirement for nitrogen fixing, stress tolerant legumes is clear, particularly in low input agriculture. However, ensuring that existing negative traits are tackled and demand is stimulated through the development of markets and products still represents a challenge to making greater use of this legume. World agriculture is currently based on very limited numbers of crops, representing a significant risk to food supplies, particularly in the face of climate change which is expected to increase the frequency of extreme events. Minor and underutilised crops can help to develop a more resilient and nutritionally dense future agriculture. Bambara groundnut [Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc.[, as a drought resistant, nitrogen-fixing, legume has a role to play. However, as with most underutilised crops, there are significant gaps in knowledge and also negative traits such as 'hard-to-cook' and 'photoperiod sensitivity to pod filling' associated with the crop which future breeding programmes and processing methods need to tackle, to allow it to make a significant contribution to the well-being of future generations. The current review assesses these factors and also considers what are the next steps towards realising the potential of this crop.

Crops For the Future (CFF): an overview of research efforts in the adoption of underutilised species.

MAIN CONCLUSION: Crops For the Future (CFF), as an entity, has established a broad range of research activities to promote the improvement and adoption of currently underutilised crops. This paper summarises selected research activities at Crops For the Future (CFF) in pursuit of its mission 'to develop solutions for diversifying future agriculture using underutilised crops'. CFF is a research company focussed on the improvement of underutilised crops, so that they might be grown and consumed more widely with benefits to human food and nutritional security; its founding guarantors were the Government of Malaysia and the University of Nottingham. From its base in Malaysia, it engages in research around the world with a focus on species and system diversification. CFF has adopted a food system approach that adds value by delivering prototype food, feed and knowledge products. Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea) was adopted as an exemplar crop around which to develop CFF's food system approach with emphasis on the short-day photoperiod requirement for pod-filling and the hard-to-cook trait. Selective breeding has allowed the development of lines that are less susceptible to photoperiod but also provided a range of tools and approaches that are now being exploited in other crops such as winged bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus), amaranth (Amaranthus spp.), moringa (Moringa oleifera) and proso (Panicum miliaceum) and foxtail (Setaria italica) millets. CFF has developed and tested new food products and demonstrated that several crops can be used as feed for black soldier fly which can, in turn, be used to feed fish thereby reducing the need for fishmeal. Information about underutilised crops is widely dispersed; so, a major effort has been made to develop a knowledge base that can be interrogated and used to answer practical questions about potential exploitation of plant and nutritional characteristics. Future research will build on the success with Bambara groundnut and include topics such as urban agriculture, rural development and diversification, and the development of novel foods.

Quantifying relationships between rooting traits and water uptake under drought in Mediterranean barley and durum wheat.

In Mediterranean regions drought is the major factor limiting spring barley and durum wheat grain yields. This study aimed to compare spring barley and durum wheat root and shoot responses to drought and quantify relationships between root traits and water uptake under terminal drought. One spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L. cv. Rum) and two durum wheat Mediterranean cultivars (Triticum turgidum L. var durum cvs Hourani and Karim) were examined in soil-column experiments under well watered and drought conditions. Root system architecture traits, water uptake, and plant growth were measured. Barley aerial biomass and grain yields were higher than for durum wheat cultivars in well watered conditions. Drought decreased grain yield more for barley (47%) than durum wheat (30%, Hourani). Root-to-shoot dry matter ratio increased for durum wheat under drought but not for barley, and root weight increased for wheat in response to drought but decreased for barley. The critical root length density (RLD) and root volume density (RVD) for 90% available water capture for wheat were similar to (cv. Hourani) or lower than (cv. Karim) for barley depending on wheat cultivar. For both species, RVD accounted for a slightly higher proportion of phenotypic variation in water uptake under drought than RLD.

The manipulation of auxin in the abscission zone cells of Arabidopsis flowers reveals that indoleacetic acid signaling is a prerequisite for organ shedding.

A number of novel strategies were employed to examine the role of indoleacetic acid (IAA) in regulating floral organ abscission in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). Analysis of auxin influx facilitator expression in ß-glucuronidase reporter plants revealed that AUXIN RESISTANT1, LIKE AUX1, and LAX3 were specifically up-regulated at the site of floral organ shedding. Flowers from mutants where individual family members were down-regulated exhibited a reduction in the force necessary to bring about petal separation; however, the effect was not additive in double or quadruple mutants. Using the promoter of a polygalacturonase (At2g41850), active primarily in cells undergoing separation, to drive expression of the bacterial genes iaaL and iaaM, we have shown that it is possible to manipulate auxin activity specifically within the floral organ abscission zone (AZ). Analysis of petal breakstrength reveals that if IAA AZ levels are reduced, shedding takes place prematurely, while if they are enhanced, organ loss is delayed. The At2g41850 promoter was also used to transactivate the gain-of-function AXR3-1 gene in order to disrupt auxin signaling specifically within the floral organ AZ cells. Flowers from transactivated lines failed to shed their sepals, petals, and anthers during pod expansion and maturity, and these organs frequently remained attached to the plant even after silique desiccation and dehiscence had taken place. These observations support a key role for IAA in the regulation of abscission in planta and reveal, to our knowledge for the first time, a requirement for a functional IAA signaling pathway in AZ cells for organ shedding to take place.

Agricultural diversification: the potential for underutilised crops in Africa's changing climates.

Two of the greatest challenges currently facing humanity are the potential consequences of climate change and the actual consequences of reduced agricultural diversity. This paper considers the consequences of both climate change and reduced agricultural diversity on global food security and nutrition. The inextricable link between climate change and crop diversity is examined, particularly in the context of crop production in Africa where most agricultural diversity exists and where climate change will have most impact. The Green Revolution, often seen as a model for increasing global agricultural productivity, is reconsidered in terms of its failure to make a significant impact in hostile tropical environments such as those of much of Africa. An alternative or, at least, a complementary strategy, is advocated where we might better harness the huge repository of indigenous plant species cultivated and conserved by local communities for many generations across variable climates. An example is given of multidisciplinary research on bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea), an ancient grain legume grown, cooked, processed and traded mainly by subsistence women farmers in sub-Saharan Africa. The experience gained on bambara groundnut is considered as a basis for similar efforts on many other potentially useful underutilised food crops in the climates of the future.