CHARACTERISTICS AND SEED PRODUCTION OF SICILIAN LANDRACES OF VIOLET CAULIFLOWER

Abstract

Several traditional landraces of cauliflower are largely utilized by local communities in different regions of Italy, by several types propagated by growers differing mainly for colour, grain size, shape of the curd. These landraces are endangered by introduction of new F1 hybrids which risk to contaminate traditional gene pool with a serious genetic drift. In this frame DISPA, since twenty years has collected, characterized, evaluated and conserved Sicilian landraces of violet cauliflower identifying genotypes; it has established synthetic lines and F1 hybrids, by DH lines, interesting for their nutraceutical traits. These activities deal with the improvement of propagation materials both to satisfy local market and GDOs demand and to support new functional foods chains. In this context Sicilian landraces of violet cauliflower, characterized by high plant rusticity and adaptability to Mediterranean climatic condition, could allow friendly environmental crops by containing the use of pesticides and fertilizers.