UK: New bean genome unveils potential to boost food security in drought-prone regions
Hyacinth Bean
United Kingdom
Published Apr 29, 2023
Tridge summary
An international team of researchers has fully sequenced the genome of a climate resilient bean that could bolster food security in drought-prone regions.
Original content
The sequencing of the hyacinth bean or 'lablab bean' [Lablab purpureus] paves the way for wider cultivation of the crop, bringing nutritional and economic benefits, as well as much needed diversity to the global food system. The plant is native to Africa and is cultivated throughout the tropics producing highly nutritious beans, which are used for food and livestock feed. It's extremely drought-resilient and thrives in a range of environments and conditions, contributing to food and economic security, and improving soil fertility by fixing nitrogen. Lablab is also used medicinally in some areas and contains bioactive compounds with pharmacological potential. The plant's adaptability suggests high genetic diversity, which means it's possible to select different adaptive genotypes for different environments and climatic challenges. But lablab's potential for genetic improvement to boost its productivity and facilitate wider cultivation—especially in drought-prone areas—has yet to be ...
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