Clitoria ternatea: the little blue jewel of fodder crops

Among the green leaves and the sun that rises on the research campus of the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT in Colombia, there’s a tropical forage (livestock feed) that has traveled from Asia to stay. It is called Clitoria ternatea, also known as the ‘blue tea flower’ or Butterfly Pea. It is a perennial species of the legume family, which generates pods and improves soil fertility while offering long-term sustainable benefits.

Michael Gomez Selvaraj – leader of the Alliance’s phenomics platform – has devoted years of research to Clitoria ternatea, widely recognized in its place of origin, India. His work has not only focused on the cultivation of this species, but also on the development of a deep admiration for it, motivated by the multiple uses it offers, from livestock fodder to applications in agricultural improvement.

Selvaraj has explored genetic variations in this plant and experimented with hybridization, a process in which two genetically distinct plants are crossed to combine the most desirable traits of both. In the case of Clitoria ternatea, hybridization has the potential to develop varieties with improved traits, such as higher biomass production, more nutritious seeds and pods, or superior adaptability to diverse climates.
Clitoria has attracted increasing attention in various research projects aimed at harnessing the legume’s potential not only as a food source but also as a tool for advancing sustainable agricultural practices. Current research focuses on the following areas:

Enhancing food security: Evaluating the nutritional value of young pods for human consumption, with an emphasis on protein and iron content
Fodder development: Promoting its use as a high-protein feed for livestock
Improving soil health: Leveraging its nitrogen-fixing capabilities to enrich soil fertility and reduce dependency on chemical fertilizers
Boosting climate resilience: Investigating its drought and shade tolerance to support sustainable agriculture in tropical and semi-arid regions
Integrating into cropping systems: Exploring its role in intercropping systems to optimize productivity and resource efficiency