Desert Legume Program Celebrates 30-Year Anniversary

BY MATTHEW B. JOHNSON | PROGRAM MANAGER & CURATOR

The Desert Legume Program (DELEP) marks its 30th anniversary this June. DELEP was created in 1988, by Dr. R. Phillip Upchurch as a joint project of Boyce Thompson Arboretum and The University of Arizona College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. DELEP contributes to the research component of BTA’s mission and fills many other roles as well.

The mission of DELEP is:

1. To acquire and preserve in perpetuity seed of legumes native to the arid and semiarid lands of the world,

2. To learn more about the nature and utility of these unique species,

3. To share this germplasm with professionals and laypeople having a legitimate interest, and

4. To aid in the preservation and conservation of desert legume biodiversity through both in situ and ex situ means.

DELEP is unique in focusing on wild species of legumes (Fabaceae) from dry regions. This group of plants was selected for several reasons: 1.) The Fabaceae is the third largest plant family worldwide, with nearly 20,000 species, and is well-represented in the floras of dry regions. 2.) Wild legumes are understudied in terms of their economic potential. 3.)As a group, legumes are second only to the cereal grains in terms of their importance to humanity. 4.) Legumes are utilized in many ways including food crops, forage crops, green manure, forestry, sources of medicines, industrial compounds, erosion control, shade and shelter, and as landscape and amenity plants. Many species of legumes have the ability to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a form usable by the plant through symbiosis with bacteria on their roots.

DELEP has developed an extensive collection of Fabaceae from the southwestern U.S. and around the world. Most programmatic activities are tied into this seed bank. The seed bank has a total of 4,108 accessions representing 1,409 species in 224 genera that have originated in 67 countries on six continents, making this truly a global collection. The USDA-ARS National Center for Genetic Resources Preservation maintains a portion of the seed collection as part of the development of the ecogeographic in secure, backup storage at their facilities in Fort at the UA Campus Agricultural Center, in Tucson. Collins, Colorado. The USDA’s Genetic Resources Information Network coordinates with DELEP to process seed requests for this germplasm.

In 2011, DELEP became the third organization from the U.S. to have seeds placed in long-term storage in the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, in the Norwegian Arctic. DELEP is a member of Botanic Gardens Conservation International, and receives seed requests through that organization. DELEP also has an Index Seminum on its website which includes instructions on requesting seeds. Since 1989, the seed bank has processed over 1,100 requests for seeds to recipients DELEP serves citizens, businesses, academia, and government agencies in Arizona and around the world by providing seeds, plant material, and information as a public service. DELEP works with students and researchers at the University of Arizona and participates extensively with collections development at the Boyce Thompson Arboretum. DELEP and BTA staff have undertaken expeditions in Arizona, Texas, and several international destinations to document the plant composition and appearance of wild plant communities regions displayed at the Arboretum; legumes feature prominently in many of these regions. The program has collaborated on projects with private industry, researchers at other academic institutions, USDAARS botanists, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Arizona State Land Department, and the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. DELEP staff participate in numerous public presentations and events at BTA and elsewhere in Arizona.

In addition to a small paid staff, DELEP has had an active volunteer program since 1989. Volunteers help process seeds at monthly meetings at DELEP’s headquarters across the globe for a diverse range of uses.

Volunteers also participate on seed collecting trips around the Southwest, assist with plant maintenance in the nursery, and work in the BTA herbarium which is currently located at DELEP’s Tucson facilities and managed by DELEP personnel. Volunteers are invaluable in supporting the work of the staff. In 1994, the Desert Legume Advisory Board was established to provide guidance for program activities and to assist in seeking funding sources.

DELEP has achieved remarkable progress over the past three decades with a small staff assisted by a dedicated group of volunteers, and with limited funding and physical resources. The program has achieved an international reputation for excellence and will continue to serve as a resource to Boyce Thompson Arboretum, the University of Arizona, and the global community.