Plant Genetic Resources of Legumes in the Mediterranean

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xxi

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2. Introduction

   1. Front Matter

      Pages N1-N1

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   2. Conservation, Diversity and Use of Mediterranean Legumes

      • Nigel Maxted, Sarita Jane Bennett

      Pages 1-32

   3. Ecogeographic Environment of the Mediterranean

      • Sarita Jane Bennett, Nigel Maxted

      Pages 33-50

   4. Legume Diversity in the Mediterranean Region

      • Nigel Maxted, Sarita Jane Bennett

      Pages 51-75

3. Genetic Diversity of Legumes in the Mediterranean

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 77-77

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   2. Clovers (Trifolium L.)

      • Emma-Jane Lamont, Aziza Zoghlami, Ruaraidh Sackville Hamilton, Sarita Jane Bennett

      Pages 79-98

   3. Medics (Medicago L.)

      • Jean-Marie Prosperi, Geoff Auricht, G. Génier, Richard Johnson

      Pages 99-114

   4. Chickpeas (Cicer L.)

      • Richard Hannan, Nevin Açikgöz, Larry D. Robertson

      Pages 115-124

   5. Lentils (Lens L.)

      • Morag Ferguson, William Erskine

      Pages 125-133

   6. Vetches (Vicia L.)

      • Mark van de Wouw, Dirk Enneking, Larry D. Robertson, Nigel Maxted

      Pages 134-158

   7. Grasspea and Chicklings (Lathyrus L.)

      • Ashutosh Sarker, Ali Abd El Moneim, Nigel Maxted

      Pages 159-180

   8. Peas (Pisum L.)

      • Nigel Maxted, Mike Ambrose

      Pages 181-190

   9. Lupins (Lupinus L.)

      • Wallace Cowling

      Pages 191-206

   10. Minor and Under-utilised Legumes

       • Sarita Bennett, Clive Francis, Bob Reid

       Pages 207-230

   11. Root-nodule Bacteria

       • John G. Howieson

       Pages 231-242

4. Conservation of Legume Species in the Mediterranean

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 243-243

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   2. Ex Situ Conservation of Grain Legumes

      • Larry D. Robertson, Nigel Maxted

      Pages 245-262

   3. Ex Situ Conservation of Forage Legumes

      • Ruaraidh Sackville Hamilton, Steve Hughes, Nigel Maxted

      Pages 263-291

   4. In Situ Conservation

      • Nigel Maxted, Ayfer Tan, Ahmed Amri, Jan Valkoun

      Pages 292-308

Genetic erosion, that is, the loss of native plant and genetic diversity has been exponential from the Mediterranean Basin through the Twentieth century. This careless eradication of species and genetic diversity as a result of human activities from a 'hot-spot' of diversity threatens sustainable agriculture and food security for the temperate regions of the world. Since the early 1900s there has been a largely ad hoc movement to halt the loss of plant diversity and enhance its utilisation. The Convention on Biological Diversity and Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations International Undertaking on Plant Genetic Resources, both highlight the need to improve conservation methodologies and enhance utilisation techniques. It has been argued that the most important component of biodiversity is the genetic diversity of crop and forage species used to feed humans and livestock. These cultivated and related wild species provides the raw material for further selection and improvement.
Leguminosae species are of major economic importance (peas, chickpeas, lentils and faba beans, as well as numerous forage species) and provide a particularly rich source of protein for human and animal foods. Their distribution is concentrated in the Mediterranean region and therefore the improvement of their conservation and use in the region is critical.
This text is designed to help ensure an adequate breadth of legume diversity is conserved and to help maximise the use of that conserved diversity. The subjects of conservation and use of legume diversity, the Mediterranean ecosystem and taxonomy of legumes are introduced. Generic reviews of the taxonomy, centre of diversity, ecogeographic distribution, genetic diversity distribution, conservation status, conservation gaps and future research needs are provided, along with a discussion of the importance of rhizobia to the maintenance of legume diversity. Current ex situ and in situ conservation activities as well current legume uses are reviewed. In conclusion future priorities for ex situ and in situ plant genetic conservation and use of Mediterranean legumes are highlighted. All contributors look forward rather than simply reviewing past and current activities and therefore it is hoped that the identification of genetic erosion, location of taxonomic and genetic diversity and promotion of more efficient utilisation of conserved material will be enhanced.

• agriculture
• biodiversity
• ecosystem
• erosion
• food security
• plant
• protein
• taxonomy
• Tree Biology
• Systematic Botany

• University of Birmingham, USA

  Nigel Maxted

• Centre for Legumes in Mediterranean Agriculture (CLIMA), Australia

  Sarita Jane Bennett

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