Characterization of regenerated butterfly pea (Clitoria ternatea L.) accessions for morphological, phenology, reproductive and potential nutraceutical, pharmaceutical trait utilization.

Authors: Morris, John - Brad

Submitted to: Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/4/2008
Publication Date: 10/27/2008
Citation: Morris, J.B. 2008. Characterization of regenerated butterfly pea (Clitoria ternatea L.) accessions for morphological, phenology, reproductive and potential nutraceutical, pharmaceutical trait utilization.. Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution. 56:421-427

Interpretive Summary: Butterfly pea seeds contain many useful chemicals for use as nutraceutical, pharmaceutical products, and food. Twenty-eight accessions of butterfly pea are stored at the Plant Genetic Resources Conservation Unit, Griffin, GA. Little information for growing butterfly pea in Georgia is known. Butterfly peas produced quality plants and up to 3,404 seed at Griffin, GA. Literature shows that butterfly pea contains chemicals with many health uses. The literature indicated that chemicals found in butterfly pea have been shown to fight cancer as well as reduce blood pressure in humans. Quality production and healthy chemicals exists in butterfly pea for use in the southern U.S.A.

Technical Abstract: Butterfly pea, Clitoria ternatea, has been used in Africa as a companion crop and in the United States as an ornamental. The USDA, ARS, PGRCU curates 28 butterfly pea accessions. Butterfly pea accessions were transplanted from about 30-day-old seedlings to the field in Griffin, GA, around 01 June 1999, 2003, 2006-2007, or directly seeded 2001. At 50% maturity, 19 accessions were characterized for morphology, phenology, and evaluated for regeneration. High quality plants regenerated from all accessions produced 6 to more than 3,400 total seeds. Butterfly pea can be successfully grown and regenerated in Griffin, GA. Coefficients of variation and principal component analysis revealed considerable variability among accessions for morphological and reproductive traits. Butterfly pea has potential to be used as a nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, or food. The flavonoid, quercetin has been shown to reduce upper respiratory infections in humans while delphinidin and malvidin identified in butterfly pea flowers may inhibit various forms of cancer.