Legacy genetics of <i>Arachis cardenasii</i> in the peanut crop shows the profound benefits of international seed exchange
David J. Bertioli, Josh Clevenger, Ignácio José de Godoy, H. T. Stalker, Shona H. Wood, João Francisco dos Santos, Carolina Ballén‐Taborda, Brian Abernathy, Vânia Azevedo, Jacqueline Campbell, Carolina Chavarro, Ye Chu, Andrew Farmer, Daniel Foncéka, Dongying Gao, Jane Grimwood, Neil V. Halpin, Walid Korani, Marcos Doniseti Michelotto, Peggy Ozias‐Akins, Justin N. Vaughn, Ramey C. Youngblood, Márcio de Carvalho Moretzsohn, Graeme C. Wright, Scott A. Jackson, Steven B. Cannon, Brian E. Scheffler, Soraya C. M. Leal‐Bertioli
Abstract
-enhanced, disease-resistant cultivars in Africa, Asia, Oceania, and the Americas. These cultivars provide widespread improved food security and environmental and economic benefits. This study emphasizes the importance of wild species and collaborative networks of international expertise for crop improvement. However, it also highlights the consequences of the implementation of a patchwork of restrictive national laws and sea changes in attitudes regarding germplasm that followed in the wake of the Convention on Biological Diversity. Today, the botanical collections and multiple seed exchanges which enable benefits such as those revealed by this study are drastically reduced. The research reported here underscores the vital importance of ready access to germplasm in ensuring long-term world food security.