Centre-periphery approaches based on geography, ecology and historical climate stability: what explains the variation in morphological traits of Bulnesia sarmientoi?

Current food systems are challenged by relying on a few input-intensive, staple crops. The prioritization of yield and the loss of diversity during the recent history of domestication has created contemporary crops and cropping systems that are ecologically unsustainable, vulnerable to climate change, nutrient poor, and socially inequitable. For decades, scientists have proposed diversity as a solution to address these challenges to global food security. Here, we outline the possibilities for a new era of crop domestication, focused on broadening the palette of crop diversity, that engages and benefits the three elements of domestication: crops, ecosystems, and humans. We explore how the suite of tools and technologies at hand can be applied to renew diversity in existing crops, improve underutilized crops, and domesticate new crops to bolster genetic, agroecosystem, and food system diversity. Implementing the new era of domestication requires that researchers, funders, and policymakers boldly invest in basic and translational research. Humans need more diverse food systems in the Anthropocene—the process of domestication can help build them.

The next era of crop domestication starts now

This chapter gathers six species that have been extensively used from the natural forest, but that are not included in any domestication programme yet. These species from the Chaco region belong to genera Acacia, Prosopis and Gonopterodendron. Main characteristics of the different species such as botanical, ecological and usage features (timber and non-timber forest products) are described. Natural range of each species is also depicted. The state of knowledge of the molecular genetic diversity and reproductive biology is shown together with the available information about the mating system. Landscape genetic structure analyses among populations of different Acacia species revealed high levels of differentiation. Experiences of germination and plantation, although scarce, give promising results. Special sampling methods for conservation, management and deployment are discussed together with particular genetic considerations for their use in restoration programmes. We call attention to the relevance of these species for their future inclusion in domestication efforts.

Species Without Current Breeding Relevance But High Economic Value: Acacia caven , Acacia aroma , Acacia visco , Prosopis affinis , Prosopis caldenia and Gonopterodendron sarmientoi

Gregorio Gavier

Papers

Species Without Current Breeding Relevance But High Economic Value: Acacia caven , Acacia aroma , Acacia visco , Prosopis affinis , Prosopis caldenia and Gonopterodendron sarmientoi