In situ landraces: best practice evidence-based database
A tool for promoting landrace conservation

The ‘Almagro’ eggplant is marketed canned in different sizes and has an important local market. However, it is also frequent to find it in many supermarkets in several parts of the country, including the center of Spain and some parts of the rest of Spain where a large immigration from the Center of Spain took place in the 1960s to 1980s, such as Barcelona or Valencia. The pickled ‘Almagro’ eggplant is mostly used as starter or for eating informally as tapas. More recently, some farmers are also exploring the possibility of marketing the fruits for the fresh fruit market, as they have a distinctive fruit morphology.

Obtaining the PGI status in 1994 (http://www.cerespain.com/berenjena-de-almagro-reglamento.html) certainly added a considerable value to the ‘Almagro’ landrace, as costumers have a guarantee of quality and a protection against fakes (Hurtado et al., 2014). Up to now, the ‘Almagro’ eggplant is the only eggplant in Europe having a PGI or PDO status. The fact that ‘Almagro’ is, among the eggplant varieties, one with the highest content in phenolics has also contribute to adding value to this variety, as the high content in these antioxidants is used in advertisements.

In southern England a tradition of thatching with wheat straw has survived, creating a demand for wheat thatch straw (Veteläinen et al., 2009). Aquila is commonly grown to supply thatchers. There are some thatchers who grow their own supply and store seed for sowing the next year’s crop. There is a demand for the seed amongst growers and is sometimes sold at the cost of feed due to it being an unregistered variety.

Some recommend against aquila for thatching, citing a shorter straw length, but others prefer this material. It gives a hollow straw which is preferred by some thatchers as it minimises the risk of the straw soaking up water while on the roof, thus adversely affecting the lifespan of the thatch.

Aquila does not appear to be of much interest apart from to those who prefer its qualities for thatching. It is not endorsed by the Thatch Advice Centre (Thatch Advice Centre (b), 2019).

The Agronomy Institute at Orkney College UHI has been working since 2002 with Orkney growers and potential market collaborators to conserve this particular landrace. The department is led by Dr Peter Martin, whose efforts have established a local supply chain that feeds into a few breweries, distilleries, and bakeries, thus stimulating the production of 60 tons or more a year of bere (Uhi.ac.uk, 2019; Martin and Chang, 2007). This has been achieved by identifying relevant market outlets and capitalizing on interest in ‘traditional’ food products.

Barony mill, a 19^th century water mill, has also contributed to the preservation of bere and bere cultivation practices as it ensures the growing of around 50 acres to provide grain for milling processes, and then sells the meal to bakeries and meal products to tourists.

Bere barley is registered as a conservation variety in the European Common Catalogue of Conservation Varieties and is also of interest in the Slow Food movement (Food Safety - European Commission, 2019; Slow Food in the UK, 2019). In order to encourage the cultivation and promote bere on the local market, Peter Martin of the Agronomy Institute at Orkney College UHI have been working with growers and market collaborators since 2002 to stimulate interest and have successfully seen a rise in numbers of products created and sold with bere as a component. In addition to this, Barony Mill contracts out the growing of around 50 acres and mills the grain produced, selling the meal to bakeries and meal products to tourists visiting the mill.

Oat has been a traditional animal feed for centuries, and while it is still predominantly grown for animal feeds the health benefits associated with this grain have seen an increase in demand for oat products over the few decades (Wrigley, Batey and Miskelly, 2017). Despite this interest in oat products, Avena strigosa Schreb. is still grown on the Outer Hebrides exclusively as animal feed and as part of a traditional Machair maintenance method. Similarly, on Shetland, there are a few maintainers who grow oats for fodder, stray, hay and/ or silage. On Orkney there is at least one grower maintaining this landrace to use for production of traditional oat back chairs which are then sold.

There is also interest in oat flour products, such as bread, from those who suffer from a wheat allergy. It is not necessary for those with this allergy to avoid oats, so they may consume products made with oat flour in place of those made with wheat flour and avoid symptoms associated with their allergy (Pietzak, 2012).

Oats have attracted attention over the past few years because of compounds such as β-glucan and sterols, which along with other compounds contained in oat grains, have been linked to a number of health benefits (Martínez-Villaluenga and Peñas, 2017). β-glucan in particular can lower LDL cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease (Theuwissen and Mensink, 2008). It should be noted that much of the research surrounding oats and health benefits associated with them is not specific to Avena strigosa Schreb., instead focusing on commercial oat crop species. Increased research into the particular benefits associated with Avena strigosa Schreb. may lead to increased market interest in this landrace, thus increasing land area used.

There is a growing market for ancient cereals, and Bözöd einkorn as a traditional variety is among the most successful ones.

There are some efforts done to register Bözöd einkorn as a landrace, which was not successful until now.

Traditional markets and rural tourism.

Research, evaluation and valorisation of new types of bread is required.

The rye breads are sold in traditional markets and in rural tourism accommodation.

It is necessary to develop research on the evaluation and valorisation of old and new types of bread.

It has a rich, local and national market due to its unique taste, texture, nutritional value and boiling quality. Although production is low, the demand is high. The distribution of Englouvi's lentils takes place after its harvest each July to August. Usually all the production is sold immediately as it has been already sold out due to huge demand before finishing the harvest. The lentils are sold only in bulk with the kilogram and in a high price. The consumers can buy ‘Faki Eglouvis’ directly from the producers at the village of Eglouvi or they can order on-line from the farmer's websites or by sending an e-mail.

Every year on the 6th of August, the lentils festival takes place. The inhabitants and the farmers celebrate their local production, and ‘Faki Eglouvis’ is cooked and served to the visitors of the plateau.

In 2006 ‘Faki Eglouvis was registered into the catalogue of extensive crops threatened by genetic erosion and funded under Measure 3.8 of Axis 3 ‘Agro-environment measures’ of the Agricultural Development Programme 2000-2006 following the implementation of the Common Ministerial Desicion 620/135644/06-07-2005 (Ministerial Desicion 218151/23-06-2006, Governmental Gazette 823/4-7-2006).

Isolation of the island and the special plateau microclimate may have contributed to the development of a distinct genetic background of the landrace that merits further study. ‘Faki Eglouvis’ is a landrace cultivated for a long time in an isolated area, with no purposeful admixture of the planting material with other varieties, which enjoys high market value and appreciation by consumers, but is frequently adulterated and downgraded in the market. The unique characteristics such as the great taste and high nutritional value of ‘Faki Eglouvis’ increased the consumers’ interest that in combination with the low crop yield formed a high market price. (Tsanakas et al. 2018).

Local income from this LR can be estimated around 250,000 €. Nowadays, the ‘Monteleone di Spoleto’ emmer has undergone a successful marketing strengthening thanks to some farmers’ initiatives. In October 2002 seven local farmers constituted themselves into the ‘Association of Monteleone di Spoleto Emmer’.

The landrace is included into the Regional Register of Landraces, implementing the Umbria Region Law concerning the protection of local genetic resources (n. 25, 2001).

The ‘Monteleone di Spoleto’ emmer also holds the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) label and represents a good example of successful use of territorial labels for the promotion of a product obtained from a landrace.

Today, the cultivation of pepper to produce ‘Mpachovou’’ pepper (spice) is scattered in many villages of Almopia Municipality. However, the increased demand for local quality products creates the conditions for growing the crop acreage and developing the marketing of the product. Few farmers, also, grow organically and allocate products to the organic niche markets.

Every year, in the village of Garefi, there is an annual festival and local gastronomy events, while in regional exhibitions the product is reappearing.

In 2006 ‘Mpachovou or Karatzovas’ pepper was registered into the catalogue of extensive crops threatened by genetic erosion and funded under Measure 3.8 of Axis 3 ‘Agro-environment measures’ of the Agricultural Development Programme 2000-2006 following the implementation of the Common Ministerial Desicion 620/135644/06-07-2005 (Ministerial Desicion 218151/23-06-2006, Governmental Gazette 823/4-7-2006).

In 2018, an application was made to the Variety Research Institute of the Cultivated Plants of the Ministry of Rural Development and Food for the registration of ‘Glikokafteri Mpachovou’ in the Catalogue of Conservation Varieties according to the EC Recommendation 2008/62/EU of the 20^th June 2008 (L 162)’.

Due to the marginal cultivation area only some kilos of yield have been sold so far. However, since 2018 an artisan bakery has tested to bake a speciality rye bread to buy from their bakery cafe. (Hermanni farmer interview 2018).

‘Hermanni’ is registered in Finland as a conservation variety in the European Common Catalogue of Conservation Varieties (EU Plant variety database 2019) in 2016 (Finnish Plant Variety Journal 2019). The modified DUS-test is done during the registration process.

Main yield is used for seed and home consumption, small amount of grain is sold for consumers who bake traditional rye bread. A few farmers have cultivated it some years but have quitted because of low yields. Forays with a local bakery have dwindled to low profitability. (Joppe farmer interview 2018).

‘Joppe’ is registered in Finland as a conservation variety in the European Common Catalogue of Conservation Varieties (EU Plant variety database 2019; Finnish Plant Variety Journal 2019). The modified DUS-test is done during the registration process.

Four Bavarian and seven Austrian bakeries currently process ‘Laufener Landweizen’ in their enterprises and produce bread and other pastries which in average have a 15-20 % higher price than other organic bread from the region. The Austrian bakeries united under ‘BioBrot Salzburg’ and exchange their knowledge in product development.

In fields of ‘Laufener Landweizen’ a slightly higher biodiversity and frequency of herbs could be found in comparison to other organically produced wheats, related to the reduced sowing density and the higher plants.

In recent years the market of ‘Mascina di Montepulciano’ grown quickly both locally and nationally. The fresh fruits are characterised by a very short shelf-life that does not allow their distribution and commercialisation. Thus, fruit of this landrace are mainly processed to produce jams.

‘Mascina di Montepulciano’ has been recognized as ‘Prodotto Agroalimentare Tipico’ (PAT, litteraly Typical Food Product) by the Italian Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry through the technical support of Regione Toscana. The PAT recognition is based on evidences that demonstrate the use of a landrace (or a processed foodstuff) in a certain area for at least 25 years.

If there is any market for this landrace, at the moment is very small, it’s mainly grown for own consumption, by hobby gardeners. The landrace is best used for fresh consumption, the storability and processing experiments were giving poor results, therefore there are evidences that this landrace is mainly suitable for home production and for local farmers’ markets.

‘Mátrafüred’ is registered as conservation variety in the European Common Catalogue of Conservation Varieties following the Commission Directive 2008/62/CE of 20 June 2008.

This landrace has potential for new uses.

‘The bread–Broa dos Arcos–is included in the Slow Food Catalogue; the local and dynamic tourism activities, a fast-growing segment, allows a sustainable market.

Currently, DSA3_UNIPG sells Mix48 seed under the frame of COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING DECISION of 18 March 2014 (see details under ‘Access to Resource’). Seed request mostly come from organic farmers seeking for ‘diverse’ materials that can suit their low input, often variable cultivation environments. It is difficult to foresee which will be its future market, initial data are encouraging.

Farmers mostly cultivate Mix48 for feed use, some are experimenting the population for other purposes (beer).

Several experimental activities were carried out by DSA3_UNIPG to assess potential performances of Mix 48 and to consequently promote its use.

Multi-environmental trials carried out in low input and organic systems for four successive years with controls by DSA3_UNIPG, showed that Mix48 population often out-yielded lines recently developed for ‘conventional’ management and showed higher stability. As such Mix48 was recommended for use in Central Italy under organic and low-input management systems.

Presently DSA3_UNIPG is also evaluating the suitability of Mix 48 in the production of beer (chemical characteristics, malting ability and taste of the beer obtained from it.

Currently, no local or national market exists as the production of ‘Pera cocomerina’ is carried out by few farmers/gardners, conserving from 1 to 6 individuals each. Currently, the production is used to produce jam and a typical pear liquor that are sold during the annual event ‘Sagra della Pera Cocomerina’.

In 2011, ‘Pera cocomerina’ (det. n° 16102 del 12/12/2011) was included into the regional register of landraces (Emilia Romagna Region, Italy) implementing the regional Law concerning the protection of local genetic resources (n. 1, January the 29^th, 2008).

The cultural association ‘Pro Loco Ville’ (http://www.peracocomerina.it/beta/2587-2/) is a local association of the district of Ville di Montecoronaro (Verghereto, Cesena, Italy) whose main aims is conservation and use of ‘Pera Cocomerina’. The association has been involved for decades in the valorisation, preservation and promotion of this landrace. Throughout the past decvades, Pro Loco Ville favoured conservation of the landrace and created an annual event named ‘Sagra della Pera Cocomerina’ (http://www.peracocomerina.it/beta/le-sagre/) to promote the product and its derivates.

The landrace also caught the interest of the Slow Food movement which included it among its ‘presidia’.

‘Piparjuuri Vehmaa’ is commercially cultivated by two farmers who sell root crop to wholesale business to be sold as fresh in retail shops in Finland. ‘Piparjuuri Vehmaa’ covers over half of horseradish production in Finland (Finnish Food Authorities 2018). One farmer has developed a special seasonal product of horseradish sauce for local markets. The limited time and marketing resources restricts a large-scale product development. (Farmer interview 2019) The stronger taste (higher content of glucosinalites) has proved to be a competitive edge over imported horseradish.

Its morphological (Suojala-Ahlfors 2014) and genetic (finger printing) characterisations have been carried out (Wedelsbäck Bladh et al 2014) and glucosinolates content has been evaluated (Wedelsbäck Bladh et al 2013) and compared to other Nordic horseradish clones.

Marketed under the trademark Green heritage®. Grey pea ‘Rättvik’ is being sold to consumers through the company Nordisk råvara nationally.

Chefs have indicated a pronounced interest in grey pea ‘Rättvik’ due to its historical and gastronomic qualities. Rättvik’ was registered 20 April 2010 on the Swedish official list of varieties as conservation variety. Registration is effective until 31 December 2020. It is marketed under the under the trademark Green heritage®.

‘Rheintaler Ribelmais’ has been experiencing a renaissance over the last few years. Overall production in 2005 in the Reinthal region was 30 tonnes, part of which went to local restaurants, bakeries and breweries, while the other part was sold through retail businesses, both locally and nationally.

The designation ‘Rheintaler Ribelmais’, which represents an independent variety, has been protected since 2000 with the designation of origin ‘Rheintaler Ribelmais AOP’ (Appellation d’Origine Protégée) as the first cereal product of Switzerland. Numerous regional products are produced from the ‘Rheintaler Ribelmais AOP’. For example, the corn beer of the regional brewery Sonnenbräu marketed under the protected brand name Ribelgold. The ‘Rheintaler RIbelmais’ has been recognised as part of the ‘Culinary heritage of Switzerland’ (https://www.patrimoineculinaire.ch/Produkte?text=ribelmais&canton=&categorie=#285).

It has a local niche market due to its special quality and it is promoted for its products (bread, bakery products). On Sunday, March 19 2017, AEGILOPS and the local seed saving network SFONTILI, as an action of promotion of the products of ‘Saritsam’ and of public awareness organized a seed exchange event at the central high schools of Mytilene during which the participants had the opportunity to taste bread from ‘Saritsam.

AEGILOPS (Network for Biodiversity and Ecology in Agriculture) in order to preserve the landrace ‘Saritsam’ suggested to the Ministry of Rural Development and Food to be included in the list of varieties under genetic erosion of the Agri-environmental Measure 9. In 2018, an application was made to the Variety Research Institute of the Cultivated Plants of the Ministry of Rural Development and Food for the registration of the landrace in the Catalogue of Conservation Varieties according to the EC Recommendation 2008/62/EU of the 20^th June 2008 (L 162)’. The above actions aim the protection of ‘Saritsam’ from genetic erosion and its utilization to the pedoclimatic or low input conditions of North Aegean Islands.

Today, ‘Saritsam’ has been recognized for its good cultivation behavior and adaptability to the soil and climate conditions of the region, but also for its special qualities.

Timothy hay is a historic hay variety, used for horses and smaller domestic pets such as rabbits and guinea pigs. It also fetches top prices from livestock keepers (Nicolson, 2016)

Many people are allergic to timothy pollen, and there had been some success in trials using the pollen to create a treatment (Nelson et al., 2011). Thus, there may be some market for growing Scots timothy for this area of research, though this is undoubtedly rather limited.

Scots timothy is registered on the European Union Plant Variety Database, which lists only one maintainer in Stirling (Ec.europa.eu, 2019). It is not currently covered by SASA’s Scottish Landrace Protection Scheme (Sasa.gov.uk, 2019).

Seduša is a delicate vine variety characterized by medium-sized, thin skinned berries. It can accumulate high levels of sugar in good years. It matures between the third and fourth epoch. The variety is quite yielding; however, the key to achieve high quality limits the yield; usally 50-60% of the clusters are rmoved during green pruning.

The resulting wine is characterised by a light ruby colour, with a lot of earthy and mineral tones, while, at the same time, fruity with clear aromas of currants and cherry plum. The resulting wine is quite high in alcohol content that does not interfere with the balanced aromas.

Currently, for Seduša wine there is a much higher demand than production. As it is a limited production, about 3000 litres per year, Seduša wine is mainly marketed in the Province of Vojvodina, in the Srem region.

By the latest government measures, there is enough capacity's for the increase surface under this variety.

In 2019. year, 5 clones of Seduša were registered in National catalogue of agricultural varieties. The standard samples are maintained in Institute for winegrowing, which is held at the Agriculture college in Novi Sad. http://www.sorte.minpolj.gov.rs/sites/default/files/rsprilogom_3.pdf.

The crop is industrial and therefore the market is based on agreement with the producer, the Dryer Kratonohy company, depending on market demand. The landrace Slezská is nearly monopole cultivar source of the coffee substitute reaching up to 80 %. The coffee product is of chicory only or as a mixture of different coffee substitute such as rye. The leading role of ´Slezská´ landrace is a result of good properties and yield in a regular rain-fed agriculture. The resulting chicory coffee is marketed within the whole Czech Republic and Slovakia with occasional export. By maintaining the old Silesian variety ´Slezská´, we hope that we will be able to increase the cultivated area in the event of future demand increases. The complexity of cultivation and the impossibility of using pesticides make this crop a family silver that awaits its opportunity.

One of the most prosperous early factories for coffee substitutes from chickory was ‘Továrna na cikorii, Josef Balounek’ founded in Humburky nr. Nový Bydžov in 1880. The factory purchased chicory landrace from farmers in the region. Their product Balounek´s Chicory was advertized as local and Czech product. 

Currently the only end-producer Kávoviny, stockholder co., Pardubice offers a diversity of products based on the chicory landrace ´Slezská´. Some products were awarded by a stamp Klasa (high quality, Czech made), some are stamped as gluten-free. These products are sold in Czech and Slovak markets.

‘Solina’ soft wheat has a limited niche market. Thanks to the Slow Food initiative, it is common to find products also outside the Region Abruzzo. Flour of organic ‘Solina’ is currently sold for about 3.5 €/kg.

‘Solina’ has been recognized as ‘Prodotto Agroalimentare Tipico’ (PAT, litteraly Typical Food Product) by the Italian Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry through the technical support of Regione Abruzzo. The PAT recognition is based on evidences that demonstrate the use of a landrace (or a processed foodstuff) in a certain area for at least 25 years.

‘Solina’ also caught the interest of the Slow Food movement which included it among its ‘presidia’, and, within a few years, the derived products became a must in many top restaurants, even outside the Abruzzo Region.

If there is any market for this landrace, at the moment is very small, it’s mainly grown for own consumption, by hobby gardeners. The landrace is best used for fresh consumption, the storability and processing experiments were giving poor results, therefore there are evidences that this landrace is mainly suitable for home production and for local farmers’ markets.

‘Tolna’ is registered as conservation variety in the European Common Catalogue of Conservation Varieties following the Commission Directive 2008/62/CE of 20 June 2008.

Undoubtedly, the small-size, anhydrous ‘Tomataki’ plays an important role in the gastronomic identity of the island. It can be consumed as fresh fruit or as processed product, such as tomato paste, juice, sauce, dip, sun-dried tomatoes and spread. The tomato paste, rich in lycopene and antioxidants is very famous for the bright red colour, the velvety texture and the natural sweet taste. The establishments and the modern equipment of the tomato process factory of the Union of Santorini Cooperatives give the facility of processing all the above products and place them on the local and national market. The last years, steps are made to increase the production and the promotion of the product to other European and non-European markets and the market for ‘Tomataki’ was expanded, while people from all over the world can by on-line all the products of the Union of Santorini Cooperatives e-shop (https://santowines.gr/en/). Most of the farmers sell the tomato production to the Union as a labelled PDO product but some times during the summer they sell it directly at local taverns as fresh fruit.

In 2013 ‘Tomataki Santorinis’ was registered into the European List of Protected Designation of Origin products (EC No: EL-PDO-0005-0888-26.08.2011) following the COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 510/2006 on the protection of geographical indications and designations of origin for agricultural products and foodstuffs (https://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:C:2013:167:0022:0026:EN:PDF). The small yield per hectare on Santorini's dry soils (average yield around 5 tonnes and only in exceptional cases they reach 10 tonnes maximum per hectare compared with around 100 tonnes per hectare for outdoor tomatoes grown inland) means that ‘Tomataki Santorinis’ fetches a substantially higher price, which is a major incentive to fraud. The PDO label will protect the outstanding reputation of the product marketed.

The principal advantages of ‘Tomataki’ grown on Santorini are their higher sugar content and their higher level of total soluble solids. This specific quality characteristic is the result of the combined influence of the genetic material of the local variety, the traditional cultivation method used by the farmers, naturally, Santorini's and the surrounding islands’ soil and climate conditions and the adaptation of the plant to the environment of Santorini. The unique ecosystem that was created by the volcanic explosions on Santorini island, the volcanic ash, the barren, sandy soil, and the resilience of the plant to poor drainage lands, humidity created by the sea, drought, heavy winds and its adaptability to the volcanic soil of the island make ‘Tomataki’ a resource with an important agronomic and commercial value too. ‘Tomataki Santorinis’ is a striking example of a highly-priced local product of excellent quality whose production involves the sustainable use of unique natural resources.

The great majority of grapes from ‘Verdelho’ variety produced in the Madeira and Azores Islands are respectively used in wine making of typical wines of Madeira and wines of Azores, due to its importance in wine making into fortified wine, responsible for the fresh notes of tropical and citrus fruits, along with an excellent minerality, weak tangy flavour and semi-dry style.

Vine growers often sell the wine directly to consumer or through local distributors.

Recently, the ‘Verdelho’ variety was considered, to have a great potential to produce monovarietal quality white wines either for young consumption or with potential aging aptitude. This effort will be used to safeguard and promote the cultivation of this genetic resource in other regions from Portugal.

Local and, possibly, regional. Marketed under the trademark Green heritage®.

Chefs have indicated a pronounced interest in swede ‘Vintjärn’ due to its storage and gastronomic qualities.

Oat has been a traditional animal feed for centuries, and while it is still predominantly grown for Spelt flour is a popular alternative to common wheat flour which has a different taste, and good nutritional value (Bojňanská and Frančáková, 2011). It has a more delicate gluten structure than common wheat making it more easily digestible and more easily tolerated by some people with gluten sensitivities.

Spelt is important as a wheat variety with possible future applications as a source of genetic material. All landraces are important in this respect as they hold a high degree of genetic diversity, but wheat relatives in particular will be key as wheat is expected to feed a large portion of the global population as number increase rapidly (Hoisington et al., 1999). It is entirely possible to select for high bioactive components in wheat for increased health value (Shewry, 2009).

There is already a good market demand for spelt products. In order to encourage this market emphasis is placed in the tradition of the grain when advertising products.

There is currently no protection scheme for spelt, and it does not appear on the European Plant Variety Database (v.3.2) (ec.europa.eu, 2019).