About DELP

Mission Statement

1. To acquire and preserve in perpetuity seed of legumes native to the arid and semiarid lands of the world;
2. To learn more about the nature and utility of these unique species;
3. To share this germplasm with professionals and laypersons having a legitimate interest; and
4. To aid in the preservation and conservation of desert legume biodiversity through both in situ and ex situ means.

History
            The Desert Legume Program (DELEP) was established in 1988 as a joint project of the University of Arizona College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, and the Boyce Thompson Southwestern Arboretum. DELEP plays an important role in conserving legume biodiversity. Maintaining biological diversity is a growing concern worldwide as human populations increase and more natural areas are diverted for human use. As development of natural lands continues, it is inevitable that many species may be lost without conservation efforts. Collecting and maintaining seed germplasm is one of the most basic and most important means of preserving species in the face of habitat loss.
            Legumes are the most important group of plants in human nutrition after the cereal grains. Many species of legumes have the ability to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form, a process termed nitrogen fixation. Legumes are utilized in many ways including food crops, forage crops, forestry, source of medicines and as landscape plants.

Collection
            DELEP has developed a valuable collection of wild legume species from the southwestern United States and around the world. In January 2005 this collection included 1344 species totaling 3390 individual collections originating from 57 countries. DELEP’s effort to collect and maintain seeds of wild legume species is unique. The USDA-ARS National Plant Germplasm System (NPGS) acknowledges this and maintains a back-up collection of DELEP’s seeds at their seed storage facility in Fort Collins, Colorado. DELEP serves citizens, businesses and government agencies in Arizona and around the world by providing seeds, plants and information. DELEP supports researchers at the University of Arizona, participates in collections development at the Boyce Thompson Southwestern Arboretum, and has collaborated with the Arizona State Land Department and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Facilities
            DELEP maintains three field evaluation sites at the UA Campus Agricultural Center in Tucson and an additional site at the Yuma Mesa Agricultural Center. Since the first plantings in 1989, over 600 species have been evaluated in these fields. Plants are evaluated for adaptability to local climate conditions and individual characteristics are noted. These fields enable DELEP personnel to evaluate the growth of legumes over a long period of time. Through DELEP, over a dozen landscape plants have been introduced into the landscape nursery trade in Arizona. These fields provide a source of additional seeds for the seed bank as well as seed and plant material for research.

Aridus
DELEP produces a newsletter, Aridus, which is distributed three times a year to over 1000 recipients in the U.S. and 135 internationally. The newsletter is available on request. Beginning April 2005, Aridus is also available here online.

Volunteer Program
            DELEP has an active volunteer program with over 40 individuals from many walks of life, including several retired UA professors, who participate in various program activities on a regular basis.

Contributions
            To Contribute to DELEP send a check, payable to U of A Foundation/DELEP, or call the DELEP office concerning a pledge, a restricted gift, or estate planning.
            Name               _____________________________________________
            Address           _____________________________________________
            City/State/Zip _____________________________________________

Send to:

Desert Legume Program
2120 E. Allen Road
Tucson, AZ 85719

Contact Information

Ken Coppola (520) 627-2460
Matthew Johnson (520) 647-2503
FAX: (520) 647-2638

updated August 2009