Qld: Queensland scientists develop new super food

AAP General News (Australia)
12-29-2006
Qld: Queensland scientists develop new super food

BRISBANE, Dec 29 AAP - 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, Queensland DPIF spokesman 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.

AAP rl/lc/jm/de

KEYWORD: PIGEONPEA

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