Unlocking the secrets of zombi pea: a pantropical orphan for a sustainable future

Zombi pea is a treasure trove for hunting genes to deliver climate-smart cultivars. The integrated power of genetic and genomic approaches could be fruitful in deciphering the genetic basis of climate resilience, domestication syndrome, and the utility of orphan crops for a sustainable future. The plant genetics, biology and physiology are significantly influenced by climate change in numerous ways, which ultimately threatens food and nutritional security. There is a need to diversify the food systems with climate-smart orphan crops and leveraging neoteric molecular, genetic, and genomic approaches to unlock the breeding potential of these orphans. Among the orphan legumes, Zombi pea is a genetic treasure trove for hunting genes to tackle the ghastly future. It is a potential future crop for food, nutrition, and sustainable agriculture. Recently, the progress on strengthening genomic resources of orphan legumes has gained momentum. Here, we provide an overview of current progress made in deciphering the domestication syndrome and identification of QTLs controlling biotic and abiotic stress resistance in zombi pea. The knowledge obtained so far about the genetic potential of zombi pea is likely the tip of the iceberg. Harnessing the biotechnological advancements in underpinning the potential of such orphan legumes is the key to developing a future roadmap for sustainable agriculture. This article emphasizes the need for integrating genetic and genomics approaches to unlock the true genetic potential of orphan legumes like zombi pea in addressing the challenges of climate change and achieving the United Nations' sustainable development goal of 'zero hunger'.