Bambara Groundnut (Vigna Subterranea (L) Verdc)—A Climate Smart Crop for Food and Nutrition Security

Abstract

Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea (L) Verdc.) is an underutilized legume native to sub-Saharan Africa, where it is grown at low levels by many farmers as a component of household food and nutritional security. It is generally regarded as drought tolerant and fills the same agroecological niche as peanut (Arachis hypogaea L). Molecular research in this crop really began only in the early 2000s but has gathered pace and the recent publication of the first genome draft as part of the AOCC drive to sequence 101 African crop species marks an important milestone towards the application of genome-enabled breeding. This crop has potential to contribute to the climate-smart agriculture of the future. The current article traces the progress made in recent years and highlights the challenges that still remain.