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Prof. Festo Massawe
University of Nottingham in Malaysia, Jalan Broga, Semenyih, 43500 Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia

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Research Keywords & Expertise

0 Capacity Development
0 Food environments
0 Sustainable food system
0 Agricultural biodiversity for food and nutritional security
0 Climate change and crop adaptation

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Climate change and crop adaptation
Genetic analysis of crop traits and breeding
Sustainable food system
Agricultural biodiversity for food and nutritional security

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Book chapter
Published: 29 January 2021 in Food Security and Nutrition
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Achieving food and nutrition security for all through sustainable food systems is central to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Sustainable food systems link all the SDGs not only through the traditional framework of social inclusion, economic growth, and environmental protection but also through inclusivity, peace and partnership dimensions of sustainable food systems. To attain the SDGs, we must also work within planetary boundaries and ensure equity and fairness in food systems to achieve global peace and prosperity for all. Above all, we must work in partnerships to create synergies and alliances, not only across nonconventional sectors and disciplinary boundaries but also across communities, countries, and continents. The contribution of sustainable food systems toward achieving the SDGs through their contribution to the “5 Ps” (people, planet, peace, prosperity, and partnership) is thus discussed. We argue that for the world to achieve sustainable development, a shift to sustainable food systems is necessary to ensure food and nutrition security for all while operating within planetary boundaries to protect ecosystems and adapt to and mitigate climate change. To ensure inclusivity, peace and shared prosperity, some anecdotes of business organizations and individuals working with cooperative structures are provided to address the issues of equity and fairness, including gender equality in food systems. All these require special attention for development benefits to be fairly achieved and distributed transparently.

ACS Style

Maysoun A. Mustafa; Tafadzwanashe Mabhaudhi; Mohan V. Avvari; Festo Massawe. Transition toward sustainable food systems: a holistic pathway toward sustainable development. Food Security and Nutrition 2021, 33 -56.

AMA Style

Maysoun A. Mustafa, Tafadzwanashe Mabhaudhi, Mohan V. Avvari, Festo Massawe. Transition toward sustainable food systems: a holistic pathway toward sustainable development. Food Security and Nutrition. 2021; ():33-56.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Maysoun A. Mustafa; Tafadzwanashe Mabhaudhi; Mohan V. Avvari; Festo Massawe. 2021. "Transition toward sustainable food systems: a holistic pathway toward sustainable development." Food Security and Nutrition , no. : 33-56.

Book chapter
Published: 29 January 2021 in Food Security and Nutrition
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Drought is major abiotic stress that causes severe crop losses worldwide. Climate predictions indicate that the frequency of droughts will increase, impacting on global food supply. Currently, the agricultural sector is dominated by the three major crops (Zea mays), rice (Oryza spp.) and wheat (Triticum spp.), contributing to an increasingly uniform diet. The yields of these major crops are already affected by droughts, and the production stability is unpredictable due to uncertain weather. The promotion and development of new and highly nutritious crops and crop varieties with increased drought tolerance is one way to increase crop productivity in the face of climate change. Therefore there is an urgent need to explore alternative crops with the potential to fulfill the food requirements to complement these major crops. Amaranth (Amaranthus spp.) is an underutilized C4 vegetable and grain crop; a cheap source of protein, mineral, and vitamin; has a great amount of genetic diversity with high phenotypic plasticity; and possesses abiotic stress tolerance traits, including drought tolerance. Amaranthus spp. has been a source of nutritious food for many centuries in Africa, Asia, Central, and South America. Besides being highly nutritious, amaranth has a wide genetic pool and capacity to tolerate drought stress, making it a suitable crop for nutritional security in a rapidly changing world. This review presents information on the potential of leafy vegetable amaranth as a climate-resilient and nutrient-dense crop for food and nutrition security in a changing world.

ACS Style

Norain Jamalluddin; Rachael C. Symonds; Sean Mayes; Wai Kuan Ho; Festo Massawe. Diversifying crops for food and nutrition security: A case of vegetable amaranth, an ancient climate-smart crop. Food Security and Nutrition 2021, 125 -146.

AMA Style

Norain Jamalluddin, Rachael C. Symonds, Sean Mayes, Wai Kuan Ho, Festo Massawe. Diversifying crops for food and nutrition security: A case of vegetable amaranth, an ancient climate-smart crop. Food Security and Nutrition. 2021; ():125-146.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Norain Jamalluddin; Rachael C. Symonds; Sean Mayes; Wai Kuan Ho; Festo Massawe. 2021. "Diversifying crops for food and nutrition security: A case of vegetable amaranth, an ancient climate-smart crop." Food Security and Nutrition , no. : 125-146.

Review article
Published: 16 December 2020 in Global Food Security
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Current food production and consumption practices have had negative impacts on the environment and are central to global health concerns. Using a mixed-methods review, we examined the nutritional and environmental impacts of our global food systems and addressed the apparent decrease in food sources and crop diversity, and its implication on sustainable and healthy diets. Moreover, we explored the merits of weighing the use of natural capital and agricultural inputs against the output generated in terms of nutrient density. Transforming our food systems to safeguard planetary health will require a shift towards sufficient production of nutrient dense crops that are environmentally sustainable. Such a transformation largely depends on valuing crops for their natural nutrient density and matching them to suitable environments.

ACS Style

Maysoun A. Mustafa; Tafadzwanashe Mabhaudhi; Festo Massawe. Building a resilient and sustainable food system in a changing world – A case for climate-smart and nutrient dense crops. Global Food Security 2020, 28, 100477 .

AMA Style

Maysoun A. Mustafa, Tafadzwanashe Mabhaudhi, Festo Massawe. Building a resilient and sustainable food system in a changing world – A case for climate-smart and nutrient dense crops. Global Food Security. 2020; 28 ():100477.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Maysoun A. Mustafa; Tafadzwanashe Mabhaudhi; Festo Massawe. 2020. "Building a resilient and sustainable food system in a changing world – A case for climate-smart and nutrient dense crops." Global Food Security 28, no. : 100477.

Review
Published: 10 December 2020 in Frontiers in Nutrition
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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.

ACS Style

Xin Lin Tan; Susan Azam-Ali; Ee Von Goh; Maysoun Mustafa; Hui Hui Chai; Wai Kuan Ho; Sean Mayes; Tafadzwanashe Mabhaudhi; Sayed Azam-Ali; Festo Massawe. Bambara Groundnut: An Underutilized Leguminous Crop for Global Food Security and Nutrition. Frontiers in Nutrition 2020, 7, 1 .

AMA Style

Xin Lin Tan, Susan Azam-Ali, Ee Von Goh, Maysoun Mustafa, Hui Hui Chai, Wai Kuan Ho, Sean Mayes, Tafadzwanashe Mabhaudhi, Sayed Azam-Ali, Festo Massawe. Bambara Groundnut: An Underutilized Leguminous Crop for Global Food Security and Nutrition. Frontiers in Nutrition. 2020; 7 ():1.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Xin Lin Tan; Susan Azam-Ali; Ee Von Goh; Maysoun Mustafa; Hui Hui Chai; Wai Kuan Ho; Sean Mayes; Tafadzwanashe Mabhaudhi; Sayed Azam-Ali; Festo Massawe. 2020. "Bambara Groundnut: An Underutilized Leguminous Crop for Global Food Security and Nutrition." Frontiers in Nutrition 7, no. : 1.

Journal article
Published: 03 November 2020 in Plants
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Oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) is the most traded crop among the economically important palm species. Here, we report an extended version genome of E. guineensis that is 1.2 Gb in length, an improvement of the physical genome coverage to 79% from the previous 43%. The improvement was made by assigning an additional 1968 originally unplaced scaffolds that were available publicly into the physical genome. By integrating three ultra-dense linkage maps and using them to place genomic scaffolds, the 16 pseudomolecules were extended. As we show, the improved genome has enhanced the mapping resolution for genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and permitted further identification of candidate genes/protein-coding regions (CDSs) and any non-coding RNA that may be associated with them for further studies. We then employed the new physical map in a comparative genomics study against two other agriculturally and economically important palm species—date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) and coconut palm (Cocos nucifera L.)—confirming the high level of conserved synteny among these palm species. We also used the improved oil palm genome assembly version as a palm genome reference to extend the date palm physical map. The improved genome of oil palm will enable molecular breeding approaches to expedite crop improvement, especially in the largest subfamily of Arecoideae, which consists of 107 species belonging to Arecaceae.

ACS Style

Ai-Ling Ong; Chee-Keng Teh; Sean Mayes; Festo Massawe; David Appleton; Harikrishna Kulaveerasingam. An Improved Oil Palm Genome Assembly as a Valuable Resource for Crop Improvement and Comparative Genomics in the Arecoideae Subfamily. Plants 2020, 9, 1476 .

AMA Style

Ai-Ling Ong, Chee-Keng Teh, Sean Mayes, Festo Massawe, David Appleton, Harikrishna Kulaveerasingam. An Improved Oil Palm Genome Assembly as a Valuable Resource for Crop Improvement and Comparative Genomics in the Arecoideae Subfamily. Plants. 2020; 9 (11):1476.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Ai-Ling Ong; Chee-Keng Teh; Sean Mayes; Festo Massawe; David Appleton; Harikrishna Kulaveerasingam. 2020. "An Improved Oil Palm Genome Assembly as a Valuable Resource for Crop Improvement and Comparative Genomics in the Arecoideae Subfamily." Plants 9, no. 11: 1476.

Journal article
Published: 01 October 2020 in Scientific Reports
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Evaluation of transcriptome data in combination with QTL information has been applied in many crops to study the expression of genes responsible for specific phenotypes. In oil palm, the mesocarp oil extracted from E. oleifera × E. guineensis interspecific hybrids is known to have lower palmitic acid (C16:0) content compared to pure African palms. The present study demonstrates the effectiveness of transcriptome data in revealing the expression profiles of genes in the fatty acid (FA) and triacylglycerol (TAG) biosynthesis processes in interspecific hybrids. The transcriptome assembly yielded 43,920 putative genes of which a large proportion were homologous to known genes in the public databases. Most of the genes encoding key enzymes involved in the FA and TAG synthesis pathways were identified. Of these, 27, including two candidate genes located within the QTL associated with C16:0 content, showed differential expression between developmental stages, populations and/or palms with contrasting C16:0 content. Further evaluation using quantitative real-time PCR revealed that differentially expressed patterns are generally consistent with those observed in the transcriptome data. Our results also suggest that different isoforms are likely to be responsible for some of the variation observed in FA composition of interspecific hybrids.

ACS Style

Ngoot-Chin Ting; Katrina Sherbina; Jia-Shiun Khoo; Katialisa Kamaruddin; Pek-Lan Chan; Kuang-Lim Chan; Mohd Amin Ab Halim; Kandha Sritharan; Zulkifli Yaakub; Sean Mayes; Festo Massawe; Peter L. Chang; Sergey V. Nuzhdin; Ravigadevi Sambanthamurthi; Rajinder Singh. Expression of fatty acid and triacylglycerol synthesis genes in interspecific hybrids of oil palm. Scientific Reports 2020, 10, 1 -15.

AMA Style

Ngoot-Chin Ting, Katrina Sherbina, Jia-Shiun Khoo, Katialisa Kamaruddin, Pek-Lan Chan, Kuang-Lim Chan, Mohd Amin Ab Halim, Kandha Sritharan, Zulkifli Yaakub, Sean Mayes, Festo Massawe, Peter L. Chang, Sergey V. Nuzhdin, Ravigadevi Sambanthamurthi, Rajinder Singh. Expression of fatty acid and triacylglycerol synthesis genes in interspecific hybrids of oil palm. Scientific Reports. 2020; 10 (1):1-15.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Ngoot-Chin Ting; Katrina Sherbina; Jia-Shiun Khoo; Katialisa Kamaruddin; Pek-Lan Chan; Kuang-Lim Chan; Mohd Amin Ab Halim; Kandha Sritharan; Zulkifli Yaakub; Sean Mayes; Festo Massawe; Peter L. Chang; Sergey V. Nuzhdin; Ravigadevi Sambanthamurthi; Rajinder Singh. 2020. "Expression of fatty acid and triacylglycerol synthesis genes in interspecific hybrids of oil palm." Scientific Reports 10, no. 1: 1-15.

Journal article
Published: 23 September 2020 in Agronomy
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Underutilised species such as bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc.) have the potential to contribute significantly to meeting food and nutritional needs worldwide. We evaluated phenotypic traits in twelve bambara groundnut genotypes from East, West and Southern Africa and Southeast Asia and two F2 bi-parental segregating populations derived from IITA-686 ×Tiga Nicuru and S19-3 ×DodR to determine phenotypic trait variation and their potential contribution to the development of improved crop varieties. All phenotypic traits in twelve genotypes were significantly influenced (p < 0.01) by genotypes. Principal component analysis (PCA) showed that PC1 accounted for 97.33% variation and was associated with four genotypes collected from East and Southern Africa. PC2 accounted for 2.48% of the variation and was associated with five genotypes collected from East, West and Southern Africa. Transgressive segregation for a number of traits was observed in the two F2 bi-parental populations, as some individual lines in the segregating populations showed trait values greater or less than their parents. The variability between twelve genotypes and the two F2 bi-parental segregating populations and the negative relationship between plant architectural traits and yield related traits provide resources for development of structured populations and breeding lines for bambara groundnut breeding programme.

ACS Style

Xiuqing Gao; Aliyu Siise Abdullah Bamba; Aloyce Callist Kundy; Kumbirai Ivyne Mateva; Hui Hui Chai; Wai Kuan Ho; Mukhtar Musa; Sean Mayes; Festo Massawe. Variation of Phenotypic Traits in Twelve Bambara Groundnut (Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc.) Genotypes and Two F2 Bi-Parental Segregating Populations. Agronomy 2020, 10, 1451 .

AMA Style

Xiuqing Gao, Aliyu Siise Abdullah Bamba, Aloyce Callist Kundy, Kumbirai Ivyne Mateva, Hui Hui Chai, Wai Kuan Ho, Mukhtar Musa, Sean Mayes, Festo Massawe. Variation of Phenotypic Traits in Twelve Bambara Groundnut (Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc.) Genotypes and Two F2 Bi-Parental Segregating Populations. Agronomy. 2020; 10 (10):1451.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Xiuqing Gao; Aliyu Siise Abdullah Bamba; Aloyce Callist Kundy; Kumbirai Ivyne Mateva; Hui Hui Chai; Wai Kuan Ho; Mukhtar Musa; Sean Mayes; Festo Massawe. 2020. "Variation of Phenotypic Traits in Twelve Bambara Groundnut (Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc.) Genotypes and Two F2 Bi-Parental Segregating Populations." Agronomy 10, no. 10: 1451.

Original research
Published: 16 August 2020 in Food and Energy Security
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In Bambara groundnut [Vigna subterranea (L) Verdc], long photoperiods can cause a decline in pod and seed number. While negative photoperiod effects on pod yield have been reported, positive effects and the existence of genotypes less sensitive for photoperiod have not been reported. Ten geographically diverse genotypes were evaluated over 3 years under short and long photoperiod for yield‐related traits (pod number, pod weight, seed number, seed weight, and 100 seed weight), pod growth habit (geocarpic or ageocarpic pods), peduncle elongation and soil penetration, and pod set/abortion. Anatomical sections of gynophores and embryonic pod development of a highly photoperiod sensitive genotype “Ankpa‐4” from Nigeria were examined. A strong photoperiodic effect on yield component traits (pod number, pod weight, seed number, seed weight, and 100 seed weight) was observed and with considerable variation between genotypes. Three classes of photoperiod effect on pod yield were identified, (a) qualitative short‐day types; (b) quantitative short‐day types; and (c) quantitative long‐day types. In long photoperiods, above‐ground vegetative biomass and the length of lateral branches in some genotypes increased by at least twofold. Morphological and anatomical characterization of gynophores and developing pods of the most sensitive line shows continuous geocarpic growth, but with healthy embryonic pods failing to enlarge after soil penetration. Results from the yield patterns of the three phenotypic classes confirm that pods and seeds are high priority sinks, and long photoperiod alters the balance in assimilate distribution between competing yield forming processes and vegetative sinks. By exploiting the genetic variation characterized here for photoperiod requirement for pod filling, the geographical range of this crop could be extended beyond current growing regions. In the near future, we anticipate that Bambara groundnut will become a significant contributor to global food, nutritional, and environmental security once these photoperiod issues are resolved.

ACS Style

Presidor Kendabie; Søren T. Jørgensen; Festo Massawe; Jose Fernandez; Sayed Azam‐Ali; Sean Mayes. Photoperiod control of yield and sink capacity in Bambara groundnut ( Vigna subterranea ) genotypes. Food and Energy Security 2020, 9, 1 .

AMA Style

Presidor Kendabie, Søren T. Jørgensen, Festo Massawe, Jose Fernandez, Sayed Azam‐Ali, Sean Mayes. Photoperiod control of yield and sink capacity in Bambara groundnut ( Vigna subterranea ) genotypes. Food and Energy Security. 2020; 9 (4):1.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Presidor Kendabie; Søren T. Jørgensen; Festo Massawe; Jose Fernandez; Sayed Azam‐Ali; Sean Mayes. 2020. "Photoperiod control of yield and sink capacity in Bambara groundnut ( Vigna subterranea ) genotypes." Food and Energy Security 9, no. 4: 1.

Journal article
Published: 21 July 2020 in Genes
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Superior oil yield is always the top priority of the oil palm industry. Short trunk height (THT) and compactness traits have become increasingly important to improve harvesting efficiency since the industry started to suffer yield losses due to labor shortages. Breeding populations with low THT and short frond length (FL) are actually available, such as Dumpy AVROS pisifera (DAV) and Gunung Melayu dura (GM). However, multiple trait stacking still remains a challenge for oil palm breeding, which usually requires 12–20 years to complete a breeding cycle. In this study, yield and height increment in the GM × GM (GM-3341) and the GM × DAV (GM-DAV-3461) crossing programs were evaluated and palms with good yield and smaller height increment were identified. In the GM-3341 family, non-linear THT growth between THT_2008 (seven years old) and THT_2014 (13 years old) was revealed by a moderate correlation, suggesting that inter-palm competition becomes increasingly important. In total, 19 quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for THT_2008 (8), oil per palm (O/P) (7) and FL (4) were localized on the GM-3341 linkage map, with an average mapping interval of 2.01 cM. Three major QTLs for THT_2008, O/P and FL are co-located on chromosome 11 and reflect the correlation of THT_2008 with O/P and FL. Multiple trait selection for high O/P and low THT (based on the cumulative effects of positive alleles per trait) identified one palm from 100 palms, but with a large starting population of 1000–1500 seedling per cross, this low frequency could be easily compensated for during breeding selection.

ACS Style

Chee-Keng Teh; Ai-Ling Ong; Sean Mayes; Festo Massawe; David Ross Appleton. Major QTLs for Trunk Height and Correlated Agronomic Traits Provide Insights into Multiple Trait Integration in Oil Palm Breeding. Genes 2020, 11, 826 .

AMA Style

Chee-Keng Teh, Ai-Ling Ong, Sean Mayes, Festo Massawe, David Ross Appleton. Major QTLs for Trunk Height and Correlated Agronomic Traits Provide Insights into Multiple Trait Integration in Oil Palm Breeding. Genes. 2020; 11 (7):826.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Chee-Keng Teh; Ai-Ling Ong; Sean Mayes; Festo Massawe; David Ross Appleton. 2020. "Major QTLs for Trunk Height and Correlated Agronomic Traits Provide Insights into Multiple Trait Integration in Oil Palm Breeding." Genes 11, no. 7: 826.

Journal article
Published: 17 July 2020 in Biologia
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The present study searched for candidate genes in five linkage groups (LGs) - T2, T3, OT4, OT6 and T9 hosting the QTLs associated with iodine value (IV) and fatty acid composition (FAC) in an oil palm interspecific hybrid population. Each of the five LGs was successfully anchored to its corresponding chromosomal segment where, a wider repertoire of candidate genes was identified. This study further revealed a total of 19 candidate genes and four transcription factors involved in biosynthesis of fatty acids, lipids (including triacylglycerol) and acetyl-CoA, glycosylation and degradation of fatty acids. Their possible involvement in regulating the levels of saturation are discussed. In addition, 22 candidate genes located outside the QTL intervals were also identified across the interspecific hybrid genome. A total of 92 SSR markers were developed to tag the presence of these candidate genes and 50 were successfully mapped onto their respective positions on the genome. The data obtained here complements the previous studies, and collectively, these QTL-linked candidate gene markers could help breeders in more precisely selecting palms with the desired FAC.

ACS Style

Ngoot-Chin Ting; Sean Mayes; Festo Massawe; Ravigadevi Sambanthamurthi; Kuang-Lim Chan; Kandha Sritharan; Rajinder Singh. Candidate genes linked to QTL regions associated with fatty acid composition in oil palm. Biologia 2020, 76, 267 -279.

AMA Style

Ngoot-Chin Ting, Sean Mayes, Festo Massawe, Ravigadevi Sambanthamurthi, Kuang-Lim Chan, Kandha Sritharan, Rajinder Singh. Candidate genes linked to QTL regions associated with fatty acid composition in oil palm. Biologia. 2020; 76 (1):267-279.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Ngoot-Chin Ting; Sean Mayes; Festo Massawe; Ravigadevi Sambanthamurthi; Kuang-Lim Chan; Kandha Sritharan; Rajinder Singh. 2020. "Candidate genes linked to QTL regions associated with fatty acid composition in oil palm." Biologia 76, no. 1: 267-279.

Journal article
Published: 19 May 2020 in Plants
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Characterizing the morphological variability in root system architecture (RSA) during the sensitive pre-flowering growth stage is important for crop performance. To assess this variation, eight bambara groundnut single genotypes derived from landraces of contrasting geographic origin were selected for root system architecture and rooting distribution studies. Plants were grown in a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) column system under controlled water and nutrient availability in a rainout shelter. Days to 50% plant emergence was characterized during the first two weeks after sowing, while taproot length (TRL), root length (RL), root length density (RLD), branching number (BN), branching density (BD) and intensity (BI), surface area (SA), root volume (RV), root diameter (RDia), root dry weight (RDW), shoot dry weight (SDW), and shoot height (SH) were determined at the end of the experiment, i.e., 35 days after emergence. Genotypes S19-3 and DipC1 sourced from drier regions of sub-Saharan Africa generally had longer taproots and greater root length distribution in deeper (60 to 90 cm) soil depths. In contrast, bambara groundnut genotypes from wetter regions (i.e., Gresik, Lunt, and IITA-686) in Southeast Asia and West Africa exhibited relatively shallow and highly branched root growth closer to the soil surface. Genotypes at the pre-flowering growth stage showed differential root foraging patterns and branching habits with two extremes, i.e., deep-cheap rooting in the genotypes sourced from dry regions and a shallow-costly rooting system in genotypes adapted to higher rainfall areas with shallow soils. We propose specific bambara groundnut genotype as donors in root trait driven breeding programs to improve water capture and use efficiency.

ACS Style

Kumbirai Ivyne Mateva; Hui Hui Chai; Sean Mayes; Festo Massawe. Root Foraging Capacity in Bambara Groundnut (Vigna Subterranea (L.) Verdc.) Core Parental Lines Depends on the Root System Architecture during the Pre-Flowering Stage. Plants 2020, 9, 645 .

AMA Style

Kumbirai Ivyne Mateva, Hui Hui Chai, Sean Mayes, Festo Massawe. Root Foraging Capacity in Bambara Groundnut (Vigna Subterranea (L.) Verdc.) Core Parental Lines Depends on the Root System Architecture during the Pre-Flowering Stage. Plants. 2020; 9 (5):645.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Kumbirai Ivyne Mateva; Hui Hui Chai; Sean Mayes; Festo Massawe. 2020. "Root Foraging Capacity in Bambara Groundnut (Vigna Subterranea (L.) Verdc.) Core Parental Lines Depends on the Root System Architecture during the Pre-Flowering Stage." Plants 9, no. 5: 645.

Review
Published: 09 October 2019 in Food Security
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Protein is one of the essential nutrients required for almost every task of a human’s cellular life. Severe protein malnutrition, which can cause a fatal outcome, is the leading cause of death for infants and children in many African and Asian countries that have little to no access to complete proteins. Complete proteins, which contain all nine amino acids essential for human health, are usually found in animal-based foods such as meat and dairy products. The overconsumption of animal-based proteins, however, can potentially increase the risk of diet-related chronic diseases. Recent years have witnessed enhanced awareness about the health benefits of substituting animal-based proteins with plant-based proteins, especially in developed countries. Nitrogen-fixing grain legumes are considered important sources of protein in many developing countries because they are generally cheaper than meat or cereals. Extensive research has been conducted on several well-known legumes, notably soybean, which is the most economically important legume worldwide. Nevertheless, many lesser-known legumes with similar nutritional properties to soybean are still underdeveloped, including winged bean, lentil, lima bean, lablab, and bambara groundnut, which are commonly grown in the tropics. Only now are these species receiving more scientific attention. This review highlights the potential of these tropical legumes as future major sources of plant-based proteins, along with the critical research areas for their improvement. We provide insights into how these underutilized legumes could help resolve the global protein crisis and address food insecurity issues.

ACS Style

Acga Cheng; Murthazar Naim Raai; Nurul Amalina Mohd Zain; Festo Massawe; Ajit Singh; Wan Abd Al Qadr Imad Wan Mohtar. In search of alternative proteins: unlocking the potential of underutilized tropical legumes. Food Security 2019, 11, 1205 -1215.

AMA Style

Acga Cheng, Murthazar Naim Raai, Nurul Amalina Mohd Zain, Festo Massawe, Ajit Singh, Wan Abd Al Qadr Imad Wan Mohtar. In search of alternative proteins: unlocking the potential of underutilized tropical legumes. Food Security. 2019; 11 (6):1205-1215.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Acga Cheng; Murthazar Naim Raai; Nurul Amalina Mohd Zain; Festo Massawe; Ajit Singh; Wan Abd Al Qadr Imad Wan Mohtar. 2019. "In search of alternative proteins: unlocking the potential of underutilized tropical legumes." Food Security 11, no. 6: 1205-1215.

Review
Published: 02 July 2019 in Planta
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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.

ACS Style

Sean Mayes; Wai Kuan Ho; Hui Hui Chai; Xiuqing Gao; Aloyce C. Kundy; Kumbirai I. Mateva; Muhammad Zahrulakmal; Mohd Khairul Izwan Mohd Hahiree; Presidor Kendabie; Luis C. S. Licea; Festo Massawe; Tafadzwanashe Mabhaudhi; Albert T. Modi; Joseph N. Berchie; Stephen Amoah; Ben Faloye; Michael Abberton; Oyatomi Olaniyi; Sayed N. Azam-Ali. Bambara groundnut: an exemplar underutilised legume for resilience under climate change. Planta 2019, 250, 803 -820.

AMA Style

Sean Mayes, Wai Kuan Ho, Hui Hui Chai, Xiuqing Gao, Aloyce C. Kundy, Kumbirai I. Mateva, Muhammad Zahrulakmal, Mohd Khairul Izwan Mohd Hahiree, Presidor Kendabie, Luis C. S. Licea, Festo Massawe, Tafadzwanashe Mabhaudhi, Albert T. Modi, Joseph N. Berchie, Stephen Amoah, Ben Faloye, Michael Abberton, Oyatomi Olaniyi, Sayed N. Azam-Ali. Bambara groundnut: an exemplar underutilised legume for resilience under climate change. Planta. 2019; 250 (3):803-820.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Sean Mayes; Wai Kuan Ho; Hui Hui Chai; Xiuqing Gao; Aloyce C. Kundy; Kumbirai I. Mateva; Muhammad Zahrulakmal; Mohd Khairul Izwan Mohd Hahiree; Presidor Kendabie; Luis C. S. Licea; Festo Massawe; Tafadzwanashe Mabhaudhi; Albert T. Modi; Joseph N. Berchie; Stephen Amoah; Ben Faloye; Michael Abberton; Oyatomi Olaniyi; Sayed N. Azam-Ali. 2019. "Bambara groundnut: an exemplar underutilised legume for resilience under climate change." Planta 250, no. 3: 803-820.

Review
Published: 27 June 2019 in Planta
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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.

ACS Style

Peter J. Gregory; Sean Mayes; Chai Hui Hui; Ebrahim Jahanshiri; Advina Julkifle; Giva Kuppusamy; Ho Wai Kuan; Tan Xin Lin; Festo Massawe; T. A. S. T. M. Suhairi; Sayed N. Azam-Ali. Crops For the Future (CFF): an overview of research efforts in the adoption of underutilised species. Planta 2019, 250, 979 -988.

AMA Style

Peter J. Gregory, Sean Mayes, Chai Hui Hui, Ebrahim Jahanshiri, Advina Julkifle, Giva Kuppusamy, Ho Wai Kuan, Tan Xin Lin, Festo Massawe, T. A. S. T. M. Suhairi, Sayed N. Azam-Ali. Crops For the Future (CFF): an overview of research efforts in the adoption of underutilised species. Planta. 2019; 250 (3):979-988.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Peter J. Gregory; Sean Mayes; Chai Hui Hui; Ebrahim Jahanshiri; Advina Julkifle; Giva Kuppusamy; Ho Wai Kuan; Tan Xin Lin; Festo Massawe; T. A. S. T. M. Suhairi; Sayed N. Azam-Ali. 2019. "Crops For the Future (CFF): an overview of research efforts in the adoption of underutilised species." Planta 250, no. 3: 979-988.

Journal article
Published: 01 June 2019 in Acta Horticulturae
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Mukhtar Musa; F. Massawe; S. Mayes; I. Alshareef; F.D. Dakora; Y. Siddiqui; A. Singh. Growth performance of bambara groundnut as influenced by phosphorus application using rock phosphate in the sub-humid tropical regions of Malaysia. Acta Horticulturae 2019, 381 -388.

AMA Style

Mukhtar Musa, F. Massawe, S. Mayes, I. Alshareef, F.D. Dakora, Y. Siddiqui, A. Singh. Growth performance of bambara groundnut as influenced by phosphorus application using rock phosphate in the sub-humid tropical regions of Malaysia. Acta Horticulturae. 2019; (1241):381-388.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Mukhtar Musa; F. Massawe; S. Mayes; I. Alshareef; F.D. Dakora; Y. Siddiqui; A. Singh. 2019. "Growth performance of bambara groundnut as influenced by phosphorus application using rock phosphate in the sub-humid tropical regions of Malaysia." Acta Horticulturae , no. 1241: 381-388.

Journal article
Published: 01 June 2019 in Acta Horticulturae
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ISHS III International Symposium on Underutilized Plant Species Challenges facing genetically improving underutilised crops: progress in bambara groundnut

ACS Style

A.B. Feldman; S. Mayes; Presidor Kendabie; H.W. Kuan; R.A. Halimi; F. Massawe; S. Azam-Ali. Challenges facing genetically improving underutilised crops: progress in bambara groundnut. Acta Horticulturae 2019, 215 -220.

AMA Style

A.B. Feldman, S. Mayes, Presidor Kendabie, H.W. Kuan, R.A. Halimi, F. Massawe, S. Azam-Ali. Challenges facing genetically improving underutilised crops: progress in bambara groundnut. Acta Horticulturae. 2019; (1241):215-220.

Chicago/Turabian Style

A.B. Feldman; S. Mayes; Presidor Kendabie; H.W. Kuan; R.A. Halimi; F. Massawe; S. Azam-Ali. 2019. "Challenges facing genetically improving underutilised crops: progress in bambara groundnut." Acta Horticulturae , no. 1241: 215-220.

Chapter
Published: 29 May 2019 in Genomic Designing of Climate-Smart Pulse Crops
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Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea (L) Verdc.) is an underutilized legume native to sub-Saharan Africa, where it is grown at low levels by many farmers as a component of household food and nutritional security. It is generally regarded as drought tolerant and fills the same agroecological niche as peanut (Arachis hypogaea L). Molecular research in this crop really began only in the early 2000s but has gathered pace and the recent publication of the first genome draft as part of the AOCC drive to sequence 101 African crop species marks an important milestone towards the application of genome-enabled breeding. This crop has potential to contribute to the climate-smart agriculture of the future. The current article traces the progress made in recent years and highlights the challenges that still remain.

ACS Style

Sean Mayes; Wai Kuan Ho; Hui Hui Chai; Bo Song; Yue Chang; Festo Massawe. Bambara Groundnut (Vigna Subterranea (L) Verdc)—A Climate Smart Crop for Food and Nutrition Security. Genomic Designing of Climate-Smart Pulse Crops 2019, 397 -424.

AMA Style

Sean Mayes, Wai Kuan Ho, Hui Hui Chai, Bo Song, Yue Chang, Festo Massawe. Bambara Groundnut (Vigna Subterranea (L) Verdc)—A Climate Smart Crop for Food and Nutrition Security. Genomic Designing of Climate-Smart Pulse Crops. 2019; ():397-424.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Sean Mayes; Wai Kuan Ho; Hui Hui Chai; Bo Song; Yue Chang; Festo Massawe. 2019. "Bambara Groundnut (Vigna Subterranea (L) Verdc)—A Climate Smart Crop for Food and Nutrition Security." Genomic Designing of Climate-Smart Pulse Crops , no. : 397-424.

Journal article
Published: 29 April 2019 in Scientific Reports
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Meiotic crossovers in outbred species, such as oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq., 2n = 32) contribute to allelic re-assortment in the genome. Such genetic variation is usually exploited in breeding to combine positive alleles for trait superiority. A good quality reference genome is essential for identifying the genetic factors underlying traits of interest through linkage or association studies. At the moment, an AVROS pisifera genome is publicly available for oil palm. Distribution and frequency of crossovers throughout chromosomes in different origins of oil palm are still unclear. Hence, an ultrahigh-density genomic linkage map of a commercial Deli dura x AVROS pisifera family was constructed using the OP200K SNP array, to evaluate the genetic alignment with the genome assembly. A total of 27,890 linked SNP markers generated a total map length of 1,151.7 cM and an average mapping interval of 0.04 cM. Nineteen linkage groups represented 16 pseudo-chromosomes of oil palm, with 61.7% of the mapped SNPs present in the published genome. Meanwhile, the physical map was also successfully extended from 658 Mb to 969 Mb by assigning unplaced scaffolds to the pseudo-chromosomes. A genic linkage map with major representation of sugar and lipid biosynthesis pathways was subsequently built for future studies on oil related quantitative trait loci (QTL). This study improves the current physical genome of the commercial oil palm, and provides important insights into its recombination landscape, eventually unlocking the full potential genome sequence-enabled biology for oil palm.

ACS Style

Ai-Ling Ong; Chee-Keng Teh; Qi-Bin Kwong; Praveena Tangaya; David Ross Appleton; Festo Massawe; Sean Mayes. Linkage-based genome assembly improvement of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis). Scientific Reports 2019, 9, 1 -9.

AMA Style

Ai-Ling Ong, Chee-Keng Teh, Qi-Bin Kwong, Praveena Tangaya, David Ross Appleton, Festo Massawe, Sean Mayes. Linkage-based genome assembly improvement of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis). Scientific Reports. 2019; 9 (1):1-9.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Ai-Ling Ong; Chee-Keng Teh; Qi-Bin Kwong; Praveena Tangaya; David Ross Appleton; Festo Massawe; Sean Mayes. 2019. "Linkage-based genome assembly improvement of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis)." Scientific Reports 9, no. 1: 1-9.

Review
Published: 25 March 2019 in Planta
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Winged bean is popularly known as "One Species Supermarket" for its nutrient-dense green pods, immature seeds, tubers, leaves, and mature seeds. This underutilised crop has potential beneficial traits related to its biological nitrogen-fixation to support low-input farming. Drawing from past knowledge, and based on current technologies, we propose a roadmap for research and development of winged bean for sustainable food systems. Reliance on a handful of "major" crops has led to decreased diversity in crop species, agricultural systems and human diets. To reverse this trend, we need to encourage the greater use of minor, "orphan", underutilised species. These could contribute to an increase in crop diversity within agricultural systems, to improve human diets, and to support more sustainable and resilient food production systems. Among these underutilised species, winged bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus) has long been proposed as a crop for expanded use particularly in the humid tropics. It is an herbaceous perennial legume of equatorial environments and has been identified as a rich source of protein, with most parts of the plant being edible when appropriately prepared. However, to date, limited progress in structured improvement programmes has restricted the expansion of winged bean beyond its traditional confines. In this paper, we discuss the reasons for this and recommend approaches for better use of its genetic resources and related Psophocarpus species in developing improved varieties. We review studies on the growth, phenology, nodulation and nitrogen-fixation activity, breeding programmes, and molecular analyses. We then discuss prospects for the crop based on the greater understanding that these studies have provided and considering modern plant-breeding technologies and approaches. We propose a more targeted and structured research approach to fulfil the potential of winged bean to contribute to food security.

ACS Style

Alberto Stefano Tanzi; Graham Ewen Eagleton; Wai Kuan Ho; Quin Nee Wong; Sean Mayes; Festo Massawe. Winged bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus (L.) DC.) for food and nutritional security: synthesis of past research and future direction. Planta 2019, 250, 911 -931.

AMA Style

Alberto Stefano Tanzi, Graham Ewen Eagleton, Wai Kuan Ho, Quin Nee Wong, Sean Mayes, Festo Massawe. Winged bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus (L.) DC.) for food and nutritional security: synthesis of past research and future direction. Planta. 2019; 250 (3):911-931.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Alberto Stefano Tanzi; Graham Ewen Eagleton; Wai Kuan Ho; Quin Nee Wong; Sean Mayes; Festo Massawe. 2019. "Winged bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus (L.) DC.) for food and nutritional security: synthesis of past research and future direction." Planta 250, no. 3: 911-931.

Review
Published: 13 March 2019 in Planta
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Orphan crops can contribute to building resilience of marginal cropping systems as a climate chnage adaptation strategy. Orphan crops play an important role in global food and nutrition security, and may have potential to contribute to sustainable food systems under climate change. Owing to reports of their potential under water scarcity, there is an argument to promote them to sustainably address challenges such as increasing drought and water scarcity, food and nutrition insecurity, environmental degradation, and employment creation under climate change. We conducted a scoping review using online databases to identify the prospects of orphan crops to contribute to (1) sustainable and healthy food systems, (2) genetic resources for future crop improvement, and (3) improving agricultural sustainability under climate change. The review found that, as a product of generations of landrace agriculture, several orphan crops are nutritious, resilient, and adapted to niche marginal agricultural environments. Including such orphan crops in the existing monocultural cropping systems could support more sustainable, nutritious, and diverse food systems in marginalised agricultural environments. Orphan crops also represent a broad gene pool for future crop improvement. The reduction in arable land due to climate change offers opportunities to expand the area under their production. Their suitability to marginal niche and low-input environments offers opportunities for low greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from an agro-ecosystems, production, and processing perspective. This, together with their status as a sub-set of agro-biodiversity, offers opportunities to address socio-economic and environmental challenges under climate change. With research and development, and policy to support them, orphan crops could play an important role in climate-change adaptation, especially in the global south. Climate change is one of the global challenges facing mankind today as temperatures continue rising, triggering a host of extreme weather events such as heat waves, drought, and flooding (Feulner 2017). These climate-induced challenges are manifesting themselves rapidly, causing socio-economic insecurities and health challenges, particularly in marginalised communities (Schmidhuber and Tubiello 2007). There is increasing evidence of indirect associations between climate change and the rise in the rates of malnutrition, poor health, hunger and starvation, as well as food and water insecurity (Bain et al. 2013; Padulosi et al. 2013; Wheeler and von Braun 2013). In addition, climate-change impacts have put an additional pressure on already stressed natural resource base, reducing the resilience of agro-ecosystems that are, in part, providing food and nutritional security in rural communities (Naluwairo 2011). Tackling these challenges requires a paradigm shift from the current incremental adaptation strategies towards transformative alternatives that also place an equal emphasis on human nutrition and health, as well as environmental sustainability (Francis et al. 2017). In the context of marginalised farming communities, a transformative adaptation strategy is defined as one that causes a disruptive, but desirable and sustainable change to the social–ecological state of the system (Lonsdale et al. 2015). In the context of this paper, the inclusion of adaptable nutrient dense orphan crops into marginalised agricultural systems and dominant food systems is considered part of transformative adaptation (Mabhaudhi et al. 2019). Orphan crops are defined as crops that have either originated in a geographic location or those that have become ‘indigenized’ over many years (> 10 decades) of cultivation as well as natural and farmer selection (Dawson et al. 2007). The term ‘orphan’ has often been used to refer to crops that may have originated elsewhere, but have undergone extensive domestication locally, thus giving rise to local variations, i.e., ‘naturalized/indigenized crops’ (Mabhaudhi et al. 2017a). Indigenized crops are sometimes referred to as orphan crops (Mabhaudhi et al. 2017a). Underutilised indigenous and traditional crops are often characterized by the limited development relative to their potential. Consequently, they have poorly developed and understood value chains and these vary across geographic and socio-economic settings. Several research findings have advocated for their use as a part of sustainable agriculture techniques that speak to adaptation, mitigation, and sustainable intensification of production systems (Branca et al. 2011; Grainger-Jones 2011; Tilman et al. 2011). There is growing recognition that the use of locally available resources such as orphan crops can contribute to adapting to climate variability and change (Bvenura and Afolayan 2015; Dawson and Jaenicke 2006; Padulosi et al. 2002a) while supporting sustainable diets and food systems. Orphan crops may offer ‘new’ opportunities in the advent of climate change as they are uniquely suited to local harsh environments, provide nutritional diversity, and enhance agro-biodiversity within farmer fields and home gardens (Table 1), create niche markets in local economies, and serve to simultaneously harness and protect local knowledge (Massawe et al. 2015). Furthermore, they are a mainstay of rural food systems. However, these reported benefits are largely anecdotal with limited empirical evidence. When compared to major crops, research has also shown that most orphan crops are low yielding and have limited benchmarking resulting in low adoption in mainstream farming systems (Chivenge et al. 2015; Mabhaudhi 2009; Mayes et al. 2012). Despite the inherent low-yield potential exhibited by orphan crops, the fact that they have persevered with a little formal support suggests they may be resilient and possess certain desirable traits within communities who utilise them which may be useful for...

ACS Style

Tafadzwanashe Mabhaudhi; Vimbayi Chimonyo; Sithabile Hlahla; Festo Massawe; Sean Mayes; Luxon Nhamo; Albert Thembinkosi Modi. Prospects of orphan crops in climate change. Planta 2019, 250, 695 -708.

AMA Style

Tafadzwanashe Mabhaudhi, Vimbayi Chimonyo, Sithabile Hlahla, Festo Massawe, Sean Mayes, Luxon Nhamo, Albert Thembinkosi Modi. Prospects of orphan crops in climate change. Planta. 2019; 250 (3):695-708.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Tafadzwanashe Mabhaudhi; Vimbayi Chimonyo; Sithabile Hlahla; Festo Massawe; Sean Mayes; Luxon Nhamo; Albert Thembinkosi Modi. 2019. "Prospects of orphan crops in climate change." Planta 250, no. 3: 695-708.