Abstract
Lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) landrace of Zaer had been on-farm conserved thanks to ingenious farmers' practices. Farmers had selected, produced and maintained their landrace to satisfy their food security, ecological and economical needs. However, the increase of drought incidence had encouraged farmers to gradual abandonment of their landrace for L56 improved variety to increase productivity and incomes. The landrace is therefore threatened for genetic drift by climatic change, varieties innovation and economic development. The main objective of this study is to strengthen the on farm conservation of lentil landrace of Zaer through its promotion under a distinctive sign of origin and quality in accordance with national agricultural policy. Thus, the investigation is focused on analyzing (i) farmers' knowledge through field survey of 41 farmers randomly chosen across Zaer region, (ii) genetic structure of landrace as meta-population and by four geographical locations using biochemical markers (SDS-PAGE), and (iii) genetic relationship between the landrace and L56 improved variety cultivated in Zaer. Data analysis had provide us with valuable information's on seed management according to climate and farmers' category, genetic structure of landrace as meta-population which was shaped by both natural pressures and human practices, and on seeds flow between landrace and L56 variety that might be linked to seed acquisition, spatial organization of production field or to post-harvest seed management.
Highlights
Legumes crop provide many ecosystem services towards a sustainable farming system thanks to their ability to fix symbiotic nitrogen and to improve soil health and functionality through improving soil texture
Zaer lentil geographical area is delimited by lentil agronomic skills including four rural communities: Ain Sbit (ASb), Aghbal (Agh), Brachoua (Bch) and Jamâat Moulblad (JMB) [19]
The results showed a seed flow between the landrace and L56 variety according to genetic parameters (Table 5)
Summary
Legumes crop provide many ecosystem services towards a sustainable farming system thanks to their ability to fix symbiotic nitrogen and to improve soil health and functionality through improving soil texture. Grain legumes are an important source of dietary protein and essential minerals They may contribute to food security thanks to their highly nutritious seed products. Lentil (Lens culinaris Medik) is one of the main food legumes produced widely in the world for its agro-ecological and nutritional interest [1]. It is usually grown in rainfall and semi-arid areas receiving an annual average of 300-400 mm [2]. Many studies suggested that landraces are composed of a large amount of allelic variation [5,6] They are composed of several genotypes able to yield in varying biotic and environmental constraints. Landraces satisfy farmer’s food and socio-economical needs, and they are appreciated for their tasty quality and cooking ability
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