Disappearance of Kersting�s groundnut (Macrotyloma geocarpum (Harms) Marechal and Baudet) in south-western Nigeria: an indicator of genetic erosion

• Autores: B.J. Amujoyegbe, I.O. Obisesan, A.O. Ajayi, F.A. Aderanti
• Localización: Plant Genetic Resources Newsletter = Bulletin de Ressources Phytogénétiques = Noticiario de Recursos Fitogenéticos, ISSN 1020-3362, Nº. 152, 2007, págs. 45-50
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • An investigation into the availability, utilization and the cause(s) of rapid disappearance of Kersting�s groundnuts (Macrotyloma geocarpum (Harms) Marechal and Baudet) was carried out during the early and late seasons of 2002 and 2003 in the traditional cropping system of farmers in south-western Nigeria. Western Nigeria falls within the rain forest and guinea savannah agro-ecological zones. The assessment involved a pre-survey of the farmers in the region to identify those with pre-knowledge of the crop and its production, followed by structured interviews administered randomly to the farmers selected. The data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics. Kersting�s groundnut was once cultivated in two states (Ondo and Ekiti) of the five states in south-western Nigeria, while farmers older than 50 years of age had knowledge of its production. Though Kersting�s groundnut was used as a major source of protein among the poor, small-scale farmers, it was also cultivated for soil improvement as a relay and intercrop in cereal-based cropping systems, especially on overutilized land. Disappearance of the crop from the traditional cropping system is highly significant as only the older farmers are aware of the crop and it is no longer cropped by the local peoples. Among the factors causing disappearance of Kersting�s groundnuts are high labour requirement in production, low yield, change in taste resulting from non-acceptance due to civilization, and lack of research to improve the crop, thus allowing it to fall into obscurity, despite its nutritional importance. Total extinction of Kerstingia bean is predicted unless comprehensive conservation action is put in place to serve as a basis for scientific research on genetic improvement for agricultural development and sustainability.