So, getting the moringa collection duplicated in as complete a form as possible is a major priority, but where? The problem is that much of the material in the collection is bound by understandings with the countries of origin regarding how the material can be used. Often the agreements prohibit commercial use of the material or require that it be used in the context of a scientific collaboration. Many botanical gardens were interested in the moringas but couldn’t guarantee abiding by the terms of the agreements. Moreover, some of the rarer moringa species aren’t easy to grow and require experienced horticulturists.
India is the logical place for a global moringa germplasm repository. As the center of domestication of Moringa oleifera, the most important species, India has to be the focus of moringa research. Moreover, India’s National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources is famously by-the-book, and in every position to enforce the terms of agreements. Plus they have vast experience in collecting and maintaining moringa germplasm.
So I was very excited finally to meet Parimalan Rangan, the NBPGR’s new moringa man, during my visit in Delhi this July. Pari is deeply committed to the use of plant germplasm for meeting the needs of society. He is also an excellent scientist, and his work has included the shocking discovery that wheat seeds can have very different photosynthetic metabolic pathways from adjacent organs (C4 in the seed, C3 in the rest of the plant), a remarkable discovery.