Underutilized and Underexploited Horticultural Crops

The issue of diminishing nutritional security is a global concern, as agricultural land is becoming increasingly scarce, water for irrigation is becoming increasingly expensive and difficult to obtain, and the availability of labor is decreasing. This has led to increased attention on the need for future crops and alternative sources of nutrition. To address this issue, an all-inclusive international organization for future crops has been established under the CGIAR umbrella. Horticultural crops, including vegetables, fruits, ornamentals, medicinal plants, and aromatic plants, are particularly noteworthy due to the large number of plants with potential edible uses and significant nutritive value. Many of these plants are considered wild weeds in certain parts of the world, but are consumed as food in other parts of the world. Additionally, some of these plants are used for phytosanitation and phytoremediation, but are now being recognized as raw materials for biofuel production. The depletion of natural resources, including energy and water, due to climate change and the resulting global warming and ozone depletion, is also a pressing concern.