Underexploited tropical plants with promising economic value.

Abstract

The long sub-title of this book is: "Report of an Ad Hoc Panel of the Advisory Committee on Technology Innovation Board on Science and Technology for International Development Commission on International Relations". Some 400 plants were nominated by plant scientists around the world for inclusion and, of these, 36 plants or products were retained. They are presented in chapters as follows: cereals and pseudocereals, roots and tubers, vegetables, fruits, oilseeds, forage crops and other uses. It is emphasized that they should be seen as complements to conventional tropical crops and not as substitutes for them.Each plant is described and information is presented on its limitations, special requirements and research needs. Monochrome photographs are used to illustrate the plants, and short bibliographies are provided together with addresses for research contacts and germ plasm supply. The many horticultural crops listed include established and locally appreciated plants such as durian, mangosteen, pummelo and soursop, crops of rising importance such as jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis), a luxury crop, heart of palm (or palm cabbage), obtained from several palm species and capable of further development to meet an expanding market, and more obscure plants such as the aquatic Calathea lutea and Cnidoscolus spp., shrubs used as vegetables. Most of the plants come from the Americas, followed by South-East Asia and Australia.The most unusual crops described are probably the spirulinas (Spirulina spp.), blue-green algae cultivated in regions as far apart as Lake Chad (S. platensis) and Mexico (S. maxima). They thrive in highly saline and alkaline water but cannot grow in seawater because of its magnesium content. The possibilities offered by magnesium-tolerant mutants could be far-reaching.But these and other possibilities are what this book is all about. It makes stimulating reading. Wisely used and preserved, world plant resources could solve the problems posed by rising populations and dwindling non-renewable resources. Even the 400 plants originally suggested for inclusion in this book represent only the tip of the iceberg.D.O'D. BOURKE<new para>ADDITIONAL ABSTRACT:<new para>This is a well-illustrated report by a panel of 22 experts set up by the Board on Science and Technology for International Development of the National Academy of Sciences, USA. The 36 species of potential economic value which are considered are divided into 7 groups and include the following: cereals (Echinochloa turneriana, Amaranthus spp., Chenopodium quinoa); roots and tubers (Arracacia xanthorrhiza, cocoyam, tania); vegetables (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus); forage crops (Acacia albida, Brosimum alicastrum, Cassia sturtii, Atriplex spp., Prosopis tamarugo); other uses (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba, Paspalum vaginatum). For each species, there is a description, limitations and special requirements, research needs, selected bibliography and a list of addresses of research contacts and germplasm supply.<new para>ADDITIONAL ABSTRACT:<new para>Illustrated descriptions are given of 36 plants of potential economic value in underdeveloped tropical countries, classified by use. The plants are either wild or cultivated on a fairly local scale. Accounts of limitations and special requirements and lists of references, research contacts and sources of germ plasm are included for each species. The following tree and shrub species are included: Cnidoscolus aconitifolius, C. chayamansa and hearts of several edible palm species including Euterpe edulis (vegetables); Durio spp., Garcinia mangostana, Solanum quitoense, Bactris gasipaes, Citrus grandis, Annona muricata and Pourouma cecropiaefolia (fruits); Orbignya martiana, Caryocar spp., Jessenia polycarpa and Simmondsia chinensis (oil seeds); Acacia albida, Brosimum alicastrum, Cassia sturtii, Atriplex spp. and Prosopis tamarugo (forage [browse]); Mauritia flexuosa (fruit, wood etc.); Euphorbia antisyphilitica (wax); and Parthenium argentatum (rubber).