- Consistent global dataset on biodiversity intactness footprint of agricultural production from 2000 to 2020. Spatial dataset shows how global consumption drives ecological degradation.
- Rapid monitoring of global land change. Spatial dataset shows how in 2023 direct human action and fires caused land use conversion globally over an area the size of California.
- Remote monitoring of plant drought stress with the apparent heat capacity. Spatial dataset can provide early warning of drought. Early warning system for genetic erosion, anyone?
- CropSuite v1.0 – a comprehensive open-source crop suitability model considering climate variability for climate impact assessment. Spatial dataset shows where 48 crops will have the best yields.
- Climate change increases the interannual variance of summer crop yields globally through changes in temperature and water supply. Spatial dataset shows that climate change impacts not just yields but variation in yield from year to year for maize, soybean and sorghum.
- Reassessing data management in increasingly complex phenotypic datasets. Datasets need to be properly managed to be widely used.
Those who cannot remember the history of NUS…
The European Commission has waded into the whole opportunity crops thing with its “Neglected and Underutilised Species (NUS): Potential for Food and Nutrition Security – a Knowledge Review.”
Only, as you can see, it’s not calling them opportunity crops, but rather opting to go retro with NUS, though there is a nice round-up of the diversity of the terminology:
There are different names in the literature related to neglected and underutilised species (NUS). Although they have a slightly different focus, they are often used interchangeably: indigenous and traditional food crops, orphan crops, forgotten foods/crops, minor crops, under-used/under-exploited crops, under-developed crops, promising crops, lost crops, alternative crops/food, traditional food crops, niche crops, future smart food, opportunity crops. In the humanitarian context, especially regarding the formulation of Ready to use therapeutic or supplement food (RUTF/RUSF), the term NUS is rarely used, while literature mainly refers to local crops.
There are also useful discussions of the drivers of neglect and underuse, and of the different benefits of NUS cultivation and consumption. The list of international initiatives is not comprehensive, but a good start. And genebanks get a name check…
To conserve and valorise genetic resources it is essential that NUS seeds are conserved in-situ (community seed banks) and ex-situ (gene banks). Additionally, genetic conservation measures should be designed, that also address the risk of over-exploitation when using wild plants. This requires a multifaceted approach, including local taxonomic research to better understand the species in question and a deeper insights on the genomes of ALV1. Further, detailed characterizations and assessments of NUS related to their benefits for resilience to climate change, cultural richness and sustainable livelihoods is needed.
Furthermore, it is important to intensify breeding programmes, develop adequate seed systems and measures for continuous quality seed production and distribution; and strengthen and upgrade smallholder seed systems. To promote sustainable use, it is recommended to engage farmers and grassroots movements in all domestication efforts. Furthermore, research should also focus on resilience to pests and diseases, modernising production methods, and addressing post-harvest inefficiencies.
…so what’s not to like?
Well, what I missed was some sort of indication that this is not exactly the first time we’ve been through this. Everything is thoroughly backed up with references (I’ve removed the citations from the excerpts above for clarity, but they’re there in the PDF). However, none of the publications listed is older than 2019. I hope we don’t repeat history. We had an International Centre for Underutilized Crops there for a while, after all. You all remember that, right?
LATER: There’s a webinar on the knowledge review on 15 October. Assuming they get the sign-up page working…
Brainfood: Breeding edition
- Unlocking the potential of wild rice to bring missing nutrition to elite grains. A solution for better nutrition.
- Characterization of Oryza glaberrima derived genetic resources for stagnant flooding tolerance in interspecific rice pre-breeding populations. A solution for too much water.
- Strengthening Global Rice Germplasm Sharing: Insights from the INGER Platform. A solution for getting the above solutions out to those who need them.
- Comprehensive nutritional and antinutritional characterization of pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan): Insights into genotypic diversity and protein quality. A solution for better protein.
- Exploring the agro-morphological performance of mini core collection of finger millet [Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn] germplasm under sodic condition. A solution for high sodium in soils.
- A Public Private Partnership in Plant Breeding — The Case of Irish Malting Barley. A solution for Irish malt.
- The business case for grasspea in Ethiopia: An action plan to provide Ethiopian farmers with a safe, nutritious and climate-smart protein source. A solution for ODAP. Which will still need to be sold, though.
- Harnessing historical genebank data to accelerate pea breeding. A solution for cold, and more.
- Genetic basis of phenotypic diversity in C. stenophylla: a stepping stone for climate-adapted coffee cultivar development. A solution for heat.
- A phylogenetic approach to prioritising crop wild relatives in Brassiceae (Brassicaceae) for breeding applications. A solution for finding solutions.
‘Cima di cola’ reaches a milestone, apparently
So it seems the first vegetable variety from Puglia has been added to Italy’s Registro nazionale delle varietà da conservazione, or National Register of Conservation Varieties.
The ‘Cima di cola’, a cauliflower variety historically linked to the agricultural tradition of Bari, received official recognition by Ministerial Decree of 9 September 2025, published in the Official Gazette No. 216 of 17 September 2025, which will allow its conservation and promotion also at the commercial level.
I know this because of a post on Facebook from an outfit called Biodiversità delle specie orticole della Puglia (BiodiverSO), translated above. Which unfortunately doesn’t include a link, but does provide this screenshot of Italy’s Official Gazette to prove its point.
Here’s more from the BiodiverSO post.
The inclusion of the ‘Cima di cola’ among conservation varieties is not only an institutional achievement, but also an act of recognition toward those who have preserved its seeds and traditions over the years; a milestone that opens new opportunities for scientific, educational, and gastronomic promotion, which we look forward to sharing with you.
Doubtless.
Which is why I was pretty disappointed to find that the Registro nazionale delle varietà di specie agrarie ed ortive is not actually up to date, so doesn’t yet include ‘Cima di cola’.
Quite apart from not being exactly easy to find. And there was also nothing in the relevant news section, which is actually on a different website, but nevermind.
Anyway, there are 135 “Varietà da Conservazione” registered therein. It’s unclear how to obtain seeds.
LATER: Thanks to Filippo Guzzon for advising me that ‘Cima di cola’ is indeed on the list. I was looking for it under the wrong crop name :(
A concerted effort to conserve edible plants kicks off
Do you remember a Nibble from a few days back on how wild food ingredients are making their way into school meals in India? You may have wondered at the time if there was some kind of global initiative to conserve such wild edible plants. Because they can fall between the two stools2 of crop genebanks on one side and botanical gardens on the other.
Well, there wasn’t then, but there is now. Say hello the Global Conservation Consortium for Food Plants. Just launched, with the NY Botanical Garden hosting the secretariat.