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Current Status and Issues in Underutilized Crops Research
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Current Status and Issues in Underutilized Crops Research

A special issue of Plants (ISSN 2223-7747). This special issue belongs to the section "Crop Physiology and Crop Production".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 October 2021) | Viewed by 28917

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Kazuo N. Watanabe

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba 305-8577, Japan
Interests: plant cytogenetics; plant genetics and breeding; genetic resources; biodiversity; biotechnology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Jorge Cadena-Iñiguez

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Botany, Colegio de Postgraduados, Montecillo 56230, Mexico
Interests: botany; phytochemistry; genetic resourses
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Akiko Hashiguchi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba 305-8575, Japan
Interests: omics; plant-environment interactions; medicinal plants; health-promoting activity
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Dietary, culinary, and cultural diversity are found in indigenous communities with a long history using underutilized and minor crops that can be grown in harsh environmental conditions. As climate change leads to an unpredictable occurrence and intensity of drought, heat, chilling, and/or salinity stresses, underutilized crops used in rustic growing conditions are generating more research interest as sources of stress tolerance traits for direct production and for application in breeding programs. Considering both food security and health promotion, there are attempts to promote the use of the underutilized crops such as pseudo-cereals like Quinopodium spp., minor pulses, which can be grown in dry lands, and root/tuber crops. Meanwhile, it is essential to maintain biodiversity in traditional agricultural systems for the sustainability of ecosystem services, including soil formation, soil microbiota balance, nutrient cycling, water management, and overall landscape architecture. Innovation in the use of underutilized crops would enhance human resilience to climate change with the inputs of science and technology.

This Special Issue aims to address the (i) current information status of underutilized crop research and (ii) key issues in altering the utilization of underutilized crops. We welcome all scientific works (original research papers, perspectives, hypotheses, opinions, reviews, modeling approaches, and methods).

Topics include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Genetics, cytogenetics, biodiversity, and reproductive biology of underutilized crops
  • Molecular and physiological mechanisms of stress tolerance of underutilized crops
  • Metabolic profiling and nutraceutical evaluation of underutilized crops
  • Perspectives for a wider use of underutilized crops based on cutting-edge knowledge
  • Future research directions aimed at the creation of economic value for underutilized crops.

Prof. Dr. Kazuo N. Watanabe
Prof. Dr. Jorge Cadena-Iñiguez
Dr. Akiko Hashiguchi
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Plants is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • underutilized crops
  • genetics
  • cytogenetics
  • biodiversity
  • reproduction
  • environmental stress
  • tolerance
  • metabolism
  • health-promoting effect
  • added value

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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16 pages, 3816 KiB  
Article
Multi-Criteria Analysis for the Prioritization of Areas for the In Situ Conservation of Crataegus L., an Underutilized Fruit Tree in Mexico
by Karina Sandibel Vera-Sánchez, Mauricio Parra-Quijano, Raúl Nieto-Ángel and Alejandro F. Barrientos-Priego
Plants 2021, 10(12), 2561; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10122561 - 23 Nov 2021
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2275
Abstract
Complementary ex situ and in situ conservation, including the on-farm alternative, is a highly desired and dynamic strategy that allows the natural evolution of the conserved germplasm. Due to the high costs involved, in addition to the limitations of both economic and human [...] Read more.
Complementary ex situ and in situ conservation, including the on-farm alternative, is a highly desired and dynamic strategy that allows the natural evolution of the conserved germplasm. Due to the high costs involved, in addition to the limitations of both economic and human resources, in situ conservation must focus on areas where the greatest benefits are obtained, and the efforts made result in better impacts. Therefore, using spatial multi-criteria analysis and expert knowledge, 22 and 23 criteria were obtained as important for the conservation of wild and cultivated hawthorn, respectively. Criteria weights were calculated by the analytic hierarchy process and expert knowledge. The results showed species richness, phenotypic and ecogeographic diversity, and areas not covered by the official protected areas network were the most important criteria for in situ conservation of wild hawthorn. Prioritized areas were particularly focused in Chiapas, State of Mexico and Morelos. The prioritized areas for the in situ conservation of cultivated hawthorn were mostly defined by criteria such as number of cultivated varieties, number of uses, phenotypic diversity, ecogeographical diversity, and areas with rainfed agriculture. These areas were located mainly in Puebla. From this study, we propose a list of priority areas for the in situ conservation of both cultivated and wild hawthorn. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Current Status and Issues in Underutilized Crops Research)
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14 pages, 3875 KiB  
Article
Morphological Variation in Scarlet Plume (Euphorbia fulgens Karw ex Klotzsch, Euphorbiaceae), an Underutilized Ornamental Resource of Mexico with Global Importance
by Mónica Pérez-Nicolás, Teresa Colinas-León, Iran Alia-Tejacal, Gisela Peña-Ortega, Fernando González-Andrés and Leonardo Beltrán-Rodríguez
Plants 2021, 10(10), 2020; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10102020 - 26 Sep 2021
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 5796
Abstract
Morphological variation is useful in conservation and genetic improvement programs. Euphorbia fulgens, a range-restricted local endemic species of Mexico, is used locally during the altars in the festivities of different saints and is also cultivated as an ornamental plant mainly in Europe. Thus, [...] Read more.
Morphological variation is useful in conservation and genetic improvement programs. Euphorbia fulgens, a range-restricted local endemic species of Mexico, is used locally during the altars in the festivities of different saints and is also cultivated as an ornamental plant mainly in Europe. Thus, in the present study, morphological variation was evaluated in wild populations and cultivated populations. Characterization of 90 individuals from three wild populations (the only ones recorded to date) was done by measuring 30 morphological traits both vegetative and reproductive. Thereafter, seeds were collected, and established under greenhouse conditions, and 39 morphometric variables were evaluated in adult plants. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) was done for wild and cultivated groups independently, and when significant differences were found, Tukey’s comparison of means was applied (p < 0.05). To identify the traits responsible for the differences between wild and cultivated groups, a linear discriminant analysis (LDA) was conducted. Morphological variation was found among wild populations, and this variation decreased in cultivated populations, mainly in reproductive structures. The LDA separated the wild populations from the cultivated groups, according to inflorescence length, petiole length/blade length ratio, and leaf roundness. The variables that determined the separation of individuals between wild and cultivated populations were cyme number, foliar Feret diameter, and inflorescence length, variables that can be important for breeding strategies and artificial selection. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Current Status and Issues in Underutilized Crops Research)
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Review

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22 pages, 449 KiB  
Review
Current Situation and Perspectives of Fruit Annonaceae in Mexico: Biological and Agronomic Importance and Bioactive Properties
by Luis M. Hernández Fuentes, Efigenia Montalvo González, Maria de Lourdes García Magaña, Luis M. Anaya Esparza, Yolanda Nolasco González, Zuamí Villagrán, Sughey González Torres, José Joaquín Velázquez Monreal and David Antonio Morelos Flores
Plants 2022, 11(1), 7; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11010007 - 21 Dec 2021
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 4288
Abstract
The Annonaceae family is one of the oldest angiosperms. The genus Annona is the one with the most species and, together with Asimina, the only ones that contain edible fruits. In the last 10 years, interest in these fruit species has increased, mainly [...] Read more.
The Annonaceae family is one of the oldest angiosperms. The genus Annona is the one with the most species and, together with Asimina, the only ones that contain edible fruits. In the last 10 years, interest in these fruit species has increased, mainly due to their nutritional properties and their application in the treatment of human diseases. Mexico is the center of origin for most of them. However, at present much of the basic agronomic information, postharvest handling of the fruits, and their potential as new crops for areas with poor soils in organic matter or semi-dry climates is unknown. It is considered that these custard apple species may be an option to change towards instead of crops that have lost profitability and sustainability. A review of the current state of knowledge in different areas of the species A. muricata, A. macroprophyllata, A. reticulata, A. squamosa, and A. cherimola was carried out and to focus research efforts on the topics of greatest interest and on those where is required to achieve a sustainable production and use of these resources in Mexico. However, knowledge about the cultivation and potential uses of these species is needed to increase their commercialization; the integration of interdisciplinary and interinstitutional groups is required. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Current Status and Issues in Underutilized Crops Research)
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Graphical abstract

17 pages, 2959 KiB  
Review
Spanish Spelt Wheat: From an Endangered Genetic Resource to a Trendy Crop
by Juan B. Alvarez
Plants 2021, 10(12), 2748; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10122748 - 13 Dec 2021
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 5042
Abstract
Spelt wheat (Triticum aestivum L. ssp. spelta Thell.) is an ancient wheat that was widely cultivated in the past. This species derived from a cross between emmer wheat (T. turgidum spp. dicoccum Schrank em. Thell.) and Aegilops tauschii Coss. Its main [...] Read more.
Spelt wheat (Triticum aestivum L. ssp. spelta Thell.) is an ancient wheat that was widely cultivated in the past. This species derived from a cross between emmer wheat (T. turgidum spp. dicoccum Schrank em. Thell.) and Aegilops tauschii Coss. Its main origin was in the Fertile Crescent (Near East), with a secondary center of origin in Europe due to a second hybridization event between emmer and hexaploid wheat. This species has been neglected in most of Europe; however, the desire for more natural foods has driven a revival in interest. Iberian spelt is classified as a geographical group differing to the rest of European spelt. In this review, the particularities, genetic diversity and current situation of Spanish spelt, mainly for quality traits, are discussed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Current Status and Issues in Underutilized Crops Research)
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21 pages, 475 KiB  
Review
Genetic Diversity and Utilization of Cultivated Eggplant Germplasm in Varietal Improvement
by Yusuff Oladosu, Mohd Y. Rafii, Fatai Arolu, Samuel Chibuike Chukwu, Monsuru Adekunle Salisu, Bolanle Amudalat Olaniyan, Ifeoluwa Kayode Fagbohun and Taoheed Kolawole Muftaudeen
Plants 2021, 10(8), 1714; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10081714 - 20 Aug 2021
Cited by 19 | Viewed by 7374
Abstract
Eggplant is the fifth economically most important vegetable in the Solanaceae family after tomato, potato, chili, and tobacco. Apart from the well-cultivated brinjal or aubergine eggplant (Solanum melongena L.), two other underutilized eggplant species, the African eggplant (S. macrocarpon L.) and [...] Read more.
Eggplant is the fifth economically most important vegetable in the Solanaceae family after tomato, potato, chili, and tobacco. Apart from the well-cultivated brinjal or aubergine eggplant (Solanum melongena L.), two other underutilized eggplant species, the African eggplant (S. macrocarpon L.) and the scarlet eggplant (S. aethiopicum L.), were also cultivated with local importance where the leaves and fruits are used for food and medicinal purposes. The major objectives of the eggplant breeding program are to improve fruit quality, increase yield performance through heterosis breeding, and introduce pest and disease resistances from wild relatives. Europe and Asia hold a wide collection of germplasm resources with significant potential for genetic improvement. While cultivated eggplant is susceptible to several fungi and bacteria, many wild relatives offer potential resistance to these pathogens. In this paper, we review the genetic resources and diversity of cultivated eggplant and its wild relatives. As a point of departure, we examine the economic importance, domestication, taxonomy characterization, and relationships of the crop and its wild relatives. The importance of evaluating and safeguarding wild relatives is highlighted, as crop wild relatives are highly underrepresented. A key section in this study is an overview dedicated to genetic resources, resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses, pre-breeding, and breeding for sustainable eggplant production. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Current Status and Issues in Underutilized Crops Research)
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Other

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10 pages, 1219 KiB  
Technical Note
Waste from Persea schiedeana Fruits as Potential Alternative for Biodiesel Production
by Anallely López-Yerena, Diana Guerra-Ramírez, Benito Reyes-Trejo, Irma Salgado-Escobar and Juan Guillermo Cruz-Castillo
Plants 2022, 11(3), 252; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11030252 - 19 Jan 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2046
Abstract
Biodiesel is a mixture of monoalkyl esters of fatty acids derived from vegetable oils or animal fats. Agricultural residues are a potential source of raw materials for generating biofuels. The aim of this research was to determine the usefulness of Persea schiedeana Nees [...] Read more.
Biodiesel is a mixture of monoalkyl esters of fatty acids derived from vegetable oils or animal fats. Agricultural residues are a potential source of raw materials for generating biofuels. The aim of this research was to determine the usefulness of Persea schiedeana Nees fruit as a potential source to be transformed into biodiesel by alkaline transesterification. In this sense, biodiesel was obtained using oil isolated from overripe fruits of P. schiedeana, damaged by the Heilipus lauri pest. The fruits were collected in the municipality of Huatusco, Veracruz, Mexico. The maceration of the fruits with hexane resulted in an oil with a high percentage of free fatty acids (8.36 ± 1.35%). The main components of the biodiesel were methyl oleate (53.12%) and methyl palmitate (25.74%). The dynamic viscosity of the biodiesel complies with ASTM D6751 and EN 14214 and the biodiesel blends with commercial diesel comply with ASTM D675, the calorific value showed an increase with increasing biodiesel concentration in the blends. This study demonstrates that the oil obtained from the overripe and surplus fruits of P. schiedeana is a viable feedstock for the production of a fuel to replace diesel. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Current Status and Issues in Underutilized Crops Research)
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