Breeding of indigenous plants for Southern Africa: Domestication of Marama bean

Percy CHIMWAMUROMBEDEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES Faculty of Science UNIVERSITY OF NAMIBIApchimwa@unam.na

*UNAMFaculty of Science

Outline of PresentationIntroduction to Marama bean.Marama bean domestication/breeding program.Setting up a domestication/breeding programSummary of past and ongoing actions.

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Tylosema esculentum

Marama bean (2n=44) :

Family Fabaceae, subfamily CaesalpinoidaeCreeping perennial non nodulating legume (25-36m)Edible seeds (3g) and large roots (25kg-100kg)Grows in the Kalahari sands regions (Namibia, RSA & Botswana)Grows well in low rainfall ( 50-500mm)Drought avoiding plantHigh protein, fatty acids and starch

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*Marama bean life cycle

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Edible Marama bean seeds- 3g per seed*

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Marama young roots (bulged) *

Marama large root, rich in edible and industrial starch*

Domestication: is the outcome of a selection process that leads to increased adaptation of plants and animals to cultivation or rearing and utilization by humans considering the positive or negative role of microorganisms*microbesmicrobesmicrobes

The Performance Gap in AgriculturepgA*

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*Modern Crop Domestication and Breeding: Southern Africa Context

Summary of the Projected impacts of climate change in Africa

By 2020, between 75 and 250 million people in Africa are projected to be exposed to increased water stress due to climate change.By 2020, in some countries, yields from rain-fed agriculture could be reduced by up to 50%. Agricultural production, including access to food, in many African countries is projected to be severely compromised. This would further adversely affect food security and exacerbate malnutrition.Towards the end of the 21st century, projected sea level rise will affect low-lying coastal areas with large populations.By 2080, an increase of 5 to 8% of arid and semi-arid land in Africa is projected under a range of climate scenarios.The cost of adaptation could amount to at least 5 to 10% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP).*Source: Report. Summary for Policy Makers, IPCC, 2007

50 yr Climate Change projections*Tylosema genus distribution

African Child Wellness StatisticsIt has been estimated that every minute eight under-five children die in sub-Saharan Africa. Two thirds of the under-five deaths in the African Region are due to preventable causes. The chief causes of death are complicated by malnutrition that accounts for one third of all deaths in children under five years. Food insecurity in Africa threatens the lives of millions of vulnerable people.Under nutrition is directly or indirectly responsible for 3.5 million child death every year.Sub-Saharan Africa has one of the highest prevalence of low birth weight ranging from 7-42%.Although the degree to which indirect determinants of death are expressed varies between countries, malnutrition is a critical risk factor in most countries, and nutrition and food security remains a fundamental challenge to child survival.

*Source: Report. WHO Regional Office for Africa, 2012

What are the Southern African regional common issues?Food production-Climate change effectsHealth issuesNutritional issues (child protein deficiencies)Jobs (and jobs creation)*

Modern Crop Domestication An open-minded approach is required, even hearing brutal non conventional ideas.Prioritize participatory approaches until better empowerment tools come.Mixing past practices and new styles in domestication- learning from the current and past experiences invoking new ways.Consider the current, past nutritional trends (e.g. most people nowadays remove chicken skins, running away from fats, this is a new trend. It was not like this 30 years ago). Now is a there is need to breed for lean chicken!Consider climate change effects.New mindset: develop indigenous crops (just looks at what Africa eats today, and ask how much of that is native to Africa, only 3-4 crops only, there rest of them are invasives, for lack of better word).This is time to develop local crops that resilient and adapted to local environments for millennia, may be we can combat climate change effects.In many fora where health issues of Africa are discussed one always hear that people should start eating traditional foods to avoid exposure to modern/western/eastern foods which their physiology is not genetically adapted to. Whether true or false, real of perception, these voices need to be listened and something must be done, lest the future generations will not have kind words to us.

NOTETime is limited.So be fast, move away from BUSINESS AS-USUAL (BAU) domestication approaches.*

vCentral Goal: Domestication of Marama bean

vCentral goal: domestication of Marama bean1.Basic Plant Biology

vCentral goal: domestication of Marama bean1.Basic Plant Biology2. Crop breeding

vCentral goal: domestication of Marama bean1.Basic Plant Biology2. Crop breeding3. Crop protection

vCentral goal: domestication of Marama bean1.Basic Plant Biology2. Crop breeding3. Crop protection4. Product development

vCentral goal: domestication of Marama bean1.Basic Plant Biology2. Crop breeding3. Crop protection4. Product development5. Agronomy

vCentral goal: domestication of Marama bean1.Basic Plant Biology2. Crop breeding3. Crop protection4. Product development5. Agronomy6. Product piloting

vCentral goal: domestication of Marama bean1.Basic Plant Biology2. Crop breeding3. Crop protection4. Product development5. Agronomy6. Product piloting7. Microbiology& Entomology

vCentral goal: domestication of Marama bean1.Basic Plant Biology2. Crop breeding3. Crop protection4. Product development5. Agronomy6. Product piloting7. Microbiology& Entomology8. Conservation Genetics

vCentral goal: domestication of Marama bean1.Basic Plant Biology2. Crop breeding3. Crop protection4. Product development5. Agronomy6. Product piloting7. Microbiology& Entomology8. Conservation Genetics9. Omics and gene discovery

vParticipatory production Central goal: domestication of Marama bean1.Basic Plant Biology2. Crop breeding3. Crop protection4. Product development5. Agronomy6. Product piloting7. Microbiology& Entomology8. Conservation Genetics9. Omics and gene discovery

vParticipatory production Central goal: domestication of Marama bean1.Basic Plant Biology2. Crop breeding3. Crop protection4. Product development5. Agronomy6. Product piloting7. Microbiology& Entomology8. Conservation Genetics9. Omics and gene discovery11. Participatory product piloting

vParticipatory production Central goal: domestication of Marama bean1.Basic Plant Biology2. Crop breeding3. Crop protection4. Product development5. Agronomy6. Product piloting7. Microbiology& Entomology8. Conservation Genetics9. Omics and gene discovery11. Participatory product piloting12. Bio-fertlisers

vParticipatory production Central goal: domestication of Marama bean1.Basic Plant Biology2. Crop breeding3. Crop protection4. Product development5. Agronomy6. Product piloting7. Microbiology& Entomology8. Conservation Genetics9. Omics and gene discovery11. Participatory product piloting12. Bio-fertlisers13.More gene discovery

vParticipatory production Central goal: domestication of Marama bean1.Basic Plant Biology2. Crop breeding3. Crop protection4. Product development5. Agronomy6. Product piloting7. Microbiology& Entomology8. Conservation Genetics9. Omics and gene discovery11. Participatory product piloting12. Bio-fertlisers13.More gene discovery14. Commercial scales of production

vParticipatory production Central goal: domestication of Marama bean1.Basic Plant Biology2. Crop breeding3. Crop protection4. Product development5. Agronomy6. Product piloting7. Microbiology& Entomology8. Conservation Genetics9. Omics and gene discovery11. Participatory product piloting12. Bio-fertlisers13.More gene discovery14. Commercial scales of production15. Commercial scales for byproducts

vParticipatory production Central goal: domestication of Marama bean1.Basic Plant Biology2. Crop breeding3. Crop protection4. Product development5. Agronomy6. Product piloting7. Microbiology& Entomology8. Conservation Genetics9. Omics and gene discovery11. Participatory product piloting12. Bio-fertlisers13.More gene discovery14. Commercial scales of production15. Commercial scales for byproducts16. Future perspectives

*Building capacity on crop diversification in light of climate change: A broad skills training vehicle.

Initial Research QuestionsIs there variability between- and in marama populations?Are there any superior genotypes in the environment? Can molecular genetic tools be used to identify and selected such?Can phenotypic tools be used for selection? Is it possible to increase the yield of marama?Do bacteria play a role in enhancing marama nutrient acquisition? Is it possible to prescribe best growing areas and cultural practices?Does marama have other uses besides food and feed: ITK uses?Is marama bean acceptable and viable as a commercial crop- locally, regionally and internationally?*

MaramaDistribution Map

Using SSRs, We have found low inter-population genetic diversity and high intra-population variability in marama subpopulation

The similarities for each cluster were between 75-92%, which is high, indicating low genetic variability.*Genotype variations

The case for domestication in sAMost of the Kalahari concept is in sA, semi desert to desertHigh value nutrition (Protein, FAs, Starch)Low seed production (1-2) seeds/pod) remains a challenge that can be dealt with plant breedingDisappearing accessions is another concernMalnutrition high in Southern African can be addressed by supplemented the protein with local maramaSelection of superior accessions important and is on going Can be grown on land considered to be waste land*

Rainfall Map of Namibia*

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Value addition: development of Marama prototype products

Namibia, South Africa, BotswanaRoasted marama bean nutsGreen maramaFull fat and defatted marama bean flours with various confectionery usesMarama-sorghum composite meals to be used for preparation of porridgeMarama milkMarama oil

CosmeticsPharmeuticsStarch *

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Marama amylose (35.74%)Cassava amylose (18 -28%,) Sweet potato amylose (28%), Isolation and characterization of the starch of marama bean young roots in terms of its physical & chemical and pasting properties.

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Isolation and molecular characterization of marama starch biosynthetic genes (SSSI, AGPase & SBEs).Physicochemical and functional properties of native marama starch finalized. Better properties than most root starchesIsolation of serine protease inhibitor gene for marama

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Comparison of total seed protein content*

Legume% Protein content

Soybean ( some varieties)38Marama32Lupine31Lens24Pea23Broad bean23Phaseolus22

Germplasm Conservation*450 accessions have been collected

Community centred in-situ germplasm conservationPhenotypic selection of desirable characteristics

Pollination by bumbble bee*Marama bean is an obligate outcrosser

Germination characteristics*

Inter-nodal lengths*

Gamma irradiation increase germination rates*

On-Farm Cultivation Trials in NamibiaOne farm in Okakarara4 farms in Epukiro2 farms in Vaasdraai 90kg-200kg/ha (1.2-2 tonnes/ha potential)Planned 12 farms in Omaheke region with NEPAD/SANBIO support *

Marama farm preparation *

Shortening the Reproductive Life cycleOne of the priorities is to shorten the life cycle. We hypothesize that marama appears to grow slowly because in its natural environment moisture and fertility is restrictive.*

Pending & Current ActivitiesMolecular BreedingGenotype identification- molecular makersCrossesGenetic mapsSelectionsMutation breedingField trialsCultivar trialsPlant-water relationshipsYields evaluationsSeed quality evaluations (populations and individuals)Molecular StudiesLibrariesGene discoveriesPlant-Microbe interactionsQTLs and Drought avoidanceHeat Stress tolerance*

Bacteria in the rhizosphere of Tylosema esculentum (Marama bean): Possible role in nitrogen fixation and growth enhancement

Does marama, in its developmental stages, harbour tissue specific advantegous endophytic microorganism communities? What are the identities of the active endophytic diazotrophs associated with marama with respect to tissue and developmental stages?

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So farBacteria isolations from germinated gnotobiotically grown seedlings have started.*

* 34 culturable bacterial species from16 genera including Bacillus, Rhizobia, Curtobacterium, Pantonea, Microbacterium, Enterobacter, and Burkoholderia were isolated. 2. 16 isolates with

We observed IAA production activity, ACC deaminase activity, siderophore forming activity, phosphate solubilizing activity, endoglucanase production and AHL production activity and nitrogen fixing activity and more.*Marama plant growth promoting bacteria and mycorrhiza

Concluding RemarksMarama farming is possible, conservation and high production.New biological details on marama are being unravelled. Microbial-interactions key to its nutrient provision.The enigma still persist, many unknowns, however we are closing the gaps: from the known knowns, known unknowns to the unknown knowns.Marama bean domestication is WIP.

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AcknowledgmentsMarama Research Group at UNAMKirkhouse TrustSwedish Development Agency (SIDA) CPP initiative on Integrated Sustainable Land ManagementNRF, South AfricaMAWF (IPTT)UNAM, NamibiaUniversity of BotswanaSwedish University of Agricultural SciencesUniversity of PretoriaUniversity of BremenMcGregor Foundation in USATFO (BMBF)Alexander von Humboldt Foundation*

Thank you*pchimwa@unam.na

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