Taxonomy and evolution of the genus Vigna

Taxonomy and evolution of the genus Vigna

Shanhua, Tainan AVRDC Taiwan

1988

p.2-12

SB205.M8A5 1987

A brief historical account of the genus Vigna from its first denomination in 1824 by Savi to the major study made by Marechal and his coworkers in 1978 is presented. The latter`s classification is based on a large sample of materials and supported by numerous observations on organographical, cytological, palynological and seedling characters. Vigna is divided into seven subgenera which are closely connected between themselves in sequences showing evolutionary treands. Emphasis is placed on the very homogeneous and specialized subgenus Ceratotropis of Asiatic origin. This group shows all the typical Vigna characters, contains five cultigens, most with wild relatives, and other wild species, insufficiently known. It is hoped that further studies in the field of biotaxonomy, chorology, chemistry and hybridization will lead to a better comprehension of the diversity and evolution of Vigna. Such investigations also require a better knowledge of the present distribution of the wild ancestors and, therefore, the necessity to carry on collecting missions in centers of diversity. [AS]

Mungbean; Proceedings of

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