Sedges on the edge: new agronomic and research opportunities?

BackgroundThe paper by Tan and co-authors in this issue of Plant and Soil explores feedback mechanisms between functional traits and soil nutrient responses in tiger nut (Cyperus esculentus L.), with emphasis on their growth in marginal agricultural lands.ScopeMany of the world's top food species belong to the order Poales, specifically the family Poaceae. Cyperaceae, also Poales, are recognised for their ecological importance, yet currently provide only minor contributions to global food security.ConclusionsWide ecological tolerance and naturally weedy tendencies may provide a unique niche for a significant increase in the production of tiger nuts as a global food resource. Further research on the ecology and agronomic potential of Cyperaceae is advocated.

Automated summary

The paper investigates the feedback mechanisms between functional traits and soil nutrient responses in tiger nut (Cyperus esculentus L.) in marginal agricultural lands. It suggests that tiger nuts have the potential to significantly contribute to global food security due to their wide ecological tolerance and weedy tendencies.