Articles
CHARACTERIZATION AND EVALUATION OF FRUIT GERMPLASM FOR A SUSTAINABLE USE
Article number
598_22
Pages
153 – 160
Language
English
Abstract
The existing ex situ collections of fruit tree germplasm may valuably provide either a source of genes potentially useful as raw material in plant breeding, or plants directly valid for a sustainable production.
With respect to the latter item, we refer to those local varieties that, having evolved for a very long period in a location, and having developed adaptative traits well integrated with the environmental, agronomic, cultural and traditional features of the site and more or less recently have been replaced with new cultivars.
The requirements of modern agriculture, such as sustainability call for the cultivation of a wider range of diverse material that could better respond to the different aspects involved.
Specifically, if it is necessary to obtain new varieties with a broader genetic base, capable of producing under diverse conditions and to respond to different stresses i.e. pests, drought, low fertility of the soil etc. , on the other hand, in some cases, the re-introduction of old local varieties and the safeguard of traditional farming systems and landscapes, can be very profitable from an economic and socio-economic point of views.
In general, the lack of information about plant genetic resources conserved have the effect of limiting the use that can be made of large existing collections, restricting the value and the usefulness of a collection even within the owning institute and among other potential users (Frankel, 1977). Hence, assessing the traits of the germplasm conserved in a collection is an essential prerequisite to a proper and wide utilization of the plant material conserved and it is the first step toward a further definition of the roles that the accessions can play in sustainable production, through the direct use or in breeding programmes.
The activity undertaken by the Istituto Sperimentale per la Frutticoltura on fruit tree germplasm characterization and evaluation is reported.
The activity is carried on within a national project on Plant Genetic Resources, and concerning fruit trees germplasm it involves 21 institutes belonging to Mi.P.A.F., Universities, the National Research Council and regional research centres.
The fruit species involved are 27 for a total of 13,027 accessions.
An overview of the main descriptors used is also provided.
With respect to the latter item, we refer to those local varieties that, having evolved for a very long period in a location, and having developed adaptative traits well integrated with the environmental, agronomic, cultural and traditional features of the site and more or less recently have been replaced with new cultivars.
The requirements of modern agriculture, such as sustainability call for the cultivation of a wider range of diverse material that could better respond to the different aspects involved.
Specifically, if it is necessary to obtain new varieties with a broader genetic base, capable of producing under diverse conditions and to respond to different stresses i.e. pests, drought, low fertility of the soil etc. , on the other hand, in some cases, the re-introduction of old local varieties and the safeguard of traditional farming systems and landscapes, can be very profitable from an economic and socio-economic point of views.
In general, the lack of information about plant genetic resources conserved have the effect of limiting the use that can be made of large existing collections, restricting the value and the usefulness of a collection even within the owning institute and among other potential users (Frankel, 1977). Hence, assessing the traits of the germplasm conserved in a collection is an essential prerequisite to a proper and wide utilization of the plant material conserved and it is the first step toward a further definition of the roles that the accessions can play in sustainable production, through the direct use or in breeding programmes.
The activity undertaken by the Istituto Sperimentale per la Frutticoltura on fruit tree germplasm characterization and evaluation is reported.
The activity is carried on within a national project on Plant Genetic Resources, and concerning fruit trees germplasm it involves 21 institutes belonging to Mi.P.A.F., Universities, the National Research Council and regional research centres.
The fruit species involved are 27 for a total of 13,027 accessions.
An overview of the main descriptors used is also provided.
Authors
C. Fideghelli, F. Vitellozzi, F. Grassi, A. Sartori
Keywords
Sustainable development, genetic resources, characterization, evaluation, fruit tree, Italy.
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