Coffee Break Seminar: Rehabilitation of forgotten beans for resilient food systems: challenges and potential biotech solution

Short presentation followed by Q&A with Dr Nadia Mohd-Radzman (Sainsbury Lab, University of Cambridge) on Rehabilitation of forgotten beans for resilient food system: challenges and potential biotech solution.

Abstract:

Legumes can serve as sustainable protein source due to their nitrogen-fixing root nodules hence making them less dependent to synthetic nitrogen fertilisers. Recent survey by Kews on edible plants showed that the legume family has the highest number of edible species compared to other plant families. However, most of these legumes are considered as forgotten or neglected crops. One such forgotten legume is the African Yam Bean (Sphenostylis stenocarpa) that once was grown across the African continent. Through my work to rehabilitate AYB in Nigeria, I have identified several traits for improving AYB. However, due to the lack of research on this species, the genetic improvement is considerably behind compared to other crops. Therefore, I aim to address these challenges through biotechnological solutions that would allow faster and more efficient way to improve neglected legume crops as sustainable protein source.

Speaker:

Dr Nadia Radzman | Sainsbury Laboratory (cam.ac.uk)