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jenny
29-12-06, 07:29 PM
Aussie scientists develop super food

December 29, 2006 02:46pm
Article from: AAP
GOLD COAST BULLETIN

QUEENSLAND scientists have made a breakthrough they believe will help feed millions of starving people.

A hybrid, using species of the common Australian wild pigeon pea and commercial cultivated plants or cultivars, has been developed by Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPIF) staff at Biloela in central Queensland.

Pigeon pea is a major food source eaten as a porridge and as a green vegetable in south-east Asia, the Caribbean, Africa and India but most varieties of the crop are very susceptible to pests and diseases, state Primary Industries and Fisheries Minister Tim Mulherin said.

?The hybrid varieties emerging from the research could hold the key to developing cultivars that are resistant to pests and diseases,? Mr Mulherin said.

DPIF scientist Sally Dillon said the pigeon pea F1 hybrids held the key to developing better cultivars.

?We have identified 13 native pigeon pea species endemic to Queensland, Northern Territory and Western Australia that thrive in the wild and are extremely tolerant in terms of limited soil moisture and soil nutrients,? she said.

Dr Dillon said Australian species of the crop were drought tolerant, high yielding and palatable, as well as being disease and pest resistant.

Pigeon pea also provides livestock fodder, is a source of fuel and its woody stems are used as a building material.

Pigeon pea is a grain legume crop that contains amino acids and has an average 24 per cent protein content.