The project will incorporate knowledge and preferences of farmers and end-users through to molecular, agronomic, eco-physiological, nutritional and social sciences in three continents

The first genetic linkage maps of bambara groundnut will be developed through a combination of AFLP’s, SSR and DArT marker technologies
Candidate genes and QTL’s for drought, heat and cold tolerance, photoperiodic control of pod filling and nutritional composition will be sought and evaluated across a wide range of field and controlled-environments, generating one of the most extensive linked QTL analyses to date in an underdeveloped crops. This will give a fundamental understanding of the genetic control of these traits

The project will dissect the genotype x environment interactions of some key traits needed for crops to provide consistent and reliable yield under water stress. This key understanding of how water use efficiency is affected by environment will provide critical insights into breeding other species for such environments

The project will use molecular markers to develop the concept of a core collection of bambara groundnut accessions which will allow efficient exploitation of this resource in any subsequent research or breeding programme.

The project will link key government departments, NGOs and private companies in Africa and India to explore ways of improving the commercial potential and uses of bambara groundnut with particular emphasis on exploring niche markets for export

Through project activities, human and physical resources will be improved in African and Indian partner countries, leading to sustained capacity for future work

The basis for improved varieties of bambara groundnut in Africa and India will represent a major contribution to household food security and diversification of the food base by farmers and rural communities in these regions

The project will establish important and unusual pathways of south-south linkage between African and Indian growers, end-users and scientists.

1. Division of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
2. University of Nottingham, UK
3. Department Crop Science and Production, Botswana College of Agriculture, Gaborone, Botswana
4. Dept. Agricultural Sciences, Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Copenhagen, Denmark
5. Chair for Agronomy and Plant Breeding, Technical University of Munich, Germany
6. Crops Research Institute, Kumasi, Ghana
7. National Research Centre for Groundnut, Gujarat, India
8. Department of Crop Physiology, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, India
9. Department of Chemistry, University of Namibia, Windhoek, Namibia
10. Central Arid Zone Research Institute, Rajasthan, India
11. National Plant Genetic Resources Centre, Arusha, Tanzania

• EU
• Brussels
• Belgium