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Crop wild relative diversity and conservation planning in two isolated oceanic islands of a biodiversity hotspot (Mauritius and Rodrigues)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 January 2019

P. Bissessur*
Affiliation:
Tropical Island Biodiversity, Ecology and Conservation Pole of Research, Department of Biosciences and Ocean Studies, Faculty of Science, University of Mauritius, Réduit 80837, Mauritius Faculty of Agriculture, University of Mauritius, Réduit 80837, Mauritius
C. Baider
Affiliation:
The Mauritius Herbarium, RE Vaughan Building, Agricultural Services, Ministry of Agro-Industry and Food Security, Réduit 80835, Mauritius
N. Boodia
Affiliation:
Faculty of Agriculture, University of Mauritius, Réduit 80837, Mauritius
M.G.H. Badaloo
Affiliation:
Plant Breeding Department, Mauritius Sugarcane Industry Research Institute, Mauritius Cane Industry Authority, Réduit 80835, Mauritius
J.A. Bégué
Affiliation:
Mauritian Wildlife Foundation, Forest Quarters, Solitude R5128, Rodrigues
Z. Jhumka
Affiliation:
Forestry Service, Ministry of Agro-Industry and Food Security, Botanical Garden Street, Curepipe 74213, Mauritius
A. Meunier
Affiliation:
François Leguat Giant Tortoise and Cave Reserve, Anse Quitor R152, Rodrigues
Y. Mungroo
Affiliation:
Agronomy Division, Agricultural Services, Ministry of Agro-Industry and Food Security, Réduit 80835, Mauritius
V. Gopal
Affiliation:
National Parks and Conservation Service, Ministry of Agro-Industry and Food Security, Réduit 80835, Mauritius
S.P. Kell
Affiliation:
School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
J. Magos Brehm
Affiliation:
School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
I. Thormann
Affiliation:
Bioversity International, Via dei Tre Denari 472A, 00057 Maccarese, Italy
Y. Jaufeerally-Fakim
Affiliation:
Faculty of Agriculture, University of Mauritius, Réduit 80837, Mauritius
*
*Corresponding author. E-mail: prishnee2902@gmail.com

Abstract

The rising need for crop diversification to mitigate the impacts of climate change on food security urges the exploration of crop wild relatives (CWR) as potential genetic resources for crop improvement. This study aimed at assessing the diversity of CWR of the Indian Ocean islands of Mauritius and Rodrigues and proposing cost-effective conservation measures for their sustainable use. A comprehensive list of the native species was collated from The Mauritius Herbarium and published literature. Each species was assessed for the economic value of its related crop, utilization potential for crop improvement, relative distribution, occurrence status and Red List conservation status, using a standard scoring method for prioritization. The occurrence data of the priority species were collected, verified, geo-referenced and mapped. A total of 43 crop-related species were identified for both islands and 21 species were prioritized for active conservation. The CWR diversity hotspots in Mauritius included Mondrain, followed by Florin and Le Pouce Mountain. Although a wide diversity of CWR has been recorded on both islands, most do not relate to major economic crops in use, therefore only a few species may be gene donors to economic crops at the regional and global level. For example, coffee, a major global beverage crop, has three wild relatives on Mauritius, which could potentially be of interest for future predictive characterization.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © NIAB 2019 

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Footnotes

Current address: Federal Office for Agriculture and Food, 53179 Bonn, Germany.

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