Environmental consequences and economic costs of alien species - Invasive Plants: Ecological and Agricultural Aspects - page 242

Table 1. Major crops that provide approximately 90% of the US and world's dietary energy supply
(DES) [Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 1961-1999] and their origins

Crop % DES Source Origin

S.W. Asia (Syria, Jordon, Turkey) a

Wheat 23 FAO

China (Middle Yangtze Basin) b Rice 26 FAO

Mexico c

Maize 7 FAO

South America (Andean Mountains) d Potatoes 2 FAO

South America (Peru, Equador) e Sweet potatoes 2 FAO

China, Abyssinia; Abyssinia f

Millet and sorghum 2 FAO

Central America g Beans 2 Est.

S.E. Asia, Western Pacific h

Banana/plantain 2 Est.

South America (Brazil, Peru) i Cassava 2 Est.

India f Pigeon pea 2 Est.

Near East j

Lentils 2 Est.

India, Abyssinia f Cowpea 2 Est.

West Africa, Asia e

Yam 2 Est.

Eastern or Central Asia j Proso millet 2 Est.

South America (Brazil) k Peanut (groundnut) 2 Est.

a Gibson L, Benson G (January 2002) Origin, History and Uses of Oat ( Avena sativa ) and Wheat
( Triticum aestivum ). Iowa State University, Dept. of Agronomy.
b Zhao Z (1998) New Evidence on Rice Origin. Agricultural Archaeology (1): 394
c Advanced Maize. Monsanto in India. www.monsantoindia.com/asp/facts/maize/advmaizeorigin.asp
(6/12/03)
d Potato Info and FAQ. Sun Spiced. www.sunspiced.com/phistory.html (6/11/03)
e Schultheis J, Wilson LG (Revised 1993) What is the Difference Between a Sweet potato and a
Yam? North Carolina State University. www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/hil/hil-23-a.html (6/11/03)
f World Centers of Origin of Cultivated Plants.
http://ucdnema.ucdavis.edu/imagemap/nemmap/ENT135/expl.htm (6/11/03)
g Seeds of Change Garden. http://www.mnh.si.edu/garden/history/ (6/11/03)
h ARC-Institute for Tropical and Subtropical Crops (ARC-ITSC)
http://www.arc.agric.za/institutes/itsc/main/banana/origin.htm (6/12/03)
i Olsen KM, Schaal BA (1999) Evidence on the origin of cassava. Proc Nat Acad Sci USA 96:
5586-5591
j Muehlbauer FJ, Tullu Abebe (1997) Lens culinaris. Medik: NewCROP FactSHEET. Center for
New Crops and Plant Products, Purdue University
k Hassall A. Peanuts. http://mckenna.cses.vt.edu/cses3444/3444lec18.html (6/13/03)

stock are vulnerable, especially since in each case we depend upon a narrow
band of species.
In the recent past, the rate and risk associated with alien species introductions
have increased enormously because the human population and human activities
altering the environment have escalated rapidly [1]. Currently there are nearly
6.5 billion humans on earth and approximately a quarter of a million people are
added to the world population every 24 h [4]. Large numbers of humans are
traveling faster and farther while more goods and materials are being traded
among nations (globalization) [3, 5]. These human activities are increasing the
spread of alien species of plants, animals, and microbes worldwide.