Ancient Varieties Research Articles

Complex trauma, somatoform dissociations & energetics therapy

IntroductionMental health professionals find it very challenging to provide counselling and therapy when confronted with disclosures of ritual, satanic and extreme abuse. Psychometric and muscle testing can facilitate diagnosis and healing in this context. Psychiatrists of renown such as David Hawkins and Colin Ross have embraced and written about energetic medicine in their practice.ObjectivesThe presentation explains how somatoform dissociations are tell-tale indications of abuse and neglect of early childhood trauma and how ‘Energetics’ therapy facilitates healing.AimsDelegates will learn to recognise somatoform dissociation symptoms, understand advances and limitations of psychometric assessment tools, appreciate energetics approaches as an adjunct to other intervention methods and gain an insight into the origins of complex trauma.MethodsTwo case studies are used to illustrate causes, impact, diagnosis and healing of complex trauma.ResultsA set of psychometric assessments helped to unravel a chilling revictimisation crime series. ‘Twice Exceptional’ characteristics were very high IQ coupled with Dyslexia, very weak auditory memory and psychic capabilities. In another case that stemmed from extreme abuse of ancient, commercial and high-tech varieties muscle testing and energetics therapy lead to a remarkable recovery.ConclusionsPsychometric and muscle testing can inform diagnosis, therapy and healing. Energetics can be used to bring about profound healing for those who have repressed severe trauma. This method has many advantages in that parts of it are easily learned, it is non-invasive, has no side effects, gives patients control over their reactions, eliminates triggers and offers healing.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Can Ancient Grains find their way in modern agriculture?

Can Ancient Grains find their way in modern agriculture?

Role of nitrogen-responsive plant-type phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase in the accumulation of seed storage protein in ancient wheat (spelt and kamut)

ABSTRACTAncient wheat such as Triticum spelta L. and T. turanicum is a possible genetic material for improving wheat seed quality due to its grain characteristics, which differ from those of common wheat. Ancient wheat grains accumulate proteins with fewer allergens and higher levels of essential amino acids, antioxidants, minerals and vitamins. The identification of a genetic factor that controls seed protein content would be useful for breeding wheat varieties in accordance with various purposes. Previous studies implied that phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) is involved in nitrogen accumulation in crop seeds. However, multiple types of PEPC genes are present in plant genomes, and it has still not been clarified yet which type of PEPC is relevant to seed nitrogen metabolism. In this study, to determine which PEPC is involved in seed protein accumulation in ancient wheat, we examined the effects of different levels of nitrogen application at the flowering stage on PEPC activity on developing seeds and on the protein content in mature seeds of three ancient wheat varieties. The responses of the PEPC activity and seed protein content were observed, but their patterns differed among the varieties. Among the experimental plots, PEPC activity and seed protein content showed a high correlation (r = 0.757, p value = 1.09E−3). Immunoblot analysis revealed that plant-type PEPC seemed to underlie the response of PEPC activity to nitrogen application, while no bacterial-type PEPC was detected by a peptide-antigen antibody. These results indicate that plant-type PEPC plays an important role in storage protein accumulation in ancient wheat seeds under nitrogen application at the flowering stage.Abbreviations: PEPC, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase; 2-ME, 2-mercapto ethanol; EDTA, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid; DAF, days after flowering; SDS-PAGE, sodium dodecylsulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.

Evaluación de la diversidad genética de la Monastrell, una variedad antigua en la provincia de Alicante (España) mediante Genotipado por Secuenciación (GBS)

Monastrell variety, also known as Mourvedre, is cultivated mainly in the southeast of Spain in more than 45,000 ha. It is an ancient variety, whose origins are not known with certainty, highly adapted to the dry and warm climate of the southeast Spanish. The existence of a great clonal diversity is well known but, although some clonal selection programs have been carried out (Murcia, Bandol, etc.), the genetic diversity has not been evaluated to date. The measure of this diversity is urgent, since very old vines have been plucked in recent years. We have initiated a project to estimate the genetic diversity of the conserved clones of this variety through GBS (Genotyping by Sequencing). To carry out this analysis, a survey was carried out covering the whole area of Monastrell cultivation in the Alicante Denomination of Origin (D.O.). We selected 46 vines from 46 different vineyards, always prioritizing the oldest vines at each sampling site. The GBS has allowed us to obtain between 0.54 and 1.17 million of reads per sample, of which between 73 and 78% have been mapped to the reference genome developed by the French-Italian consortium (vvinifera.IGGP 12x) with a mapping quality above threshold. More than 100,000 SNPs have been identified, ranging from 14,000 to 43,000 per sample, with a coverage greater than 10X. A high percentage of these variants are polymorphic among Monastrell clones, confirming the existence of significant levels of genetic diversity. In addition, this analysis provides a high number of high quality SNPs well distributed across the genome, suitable for clone genotyping, which will allow the design of strategies to optimize its conservation and use.

La misura del colore come discriminante nel controllo qualità di vini rossi bulgari

Colour is one of the main organoleptic characteristics of wine having a significant impact on consumers' choices, as such it is considered an important factor in assessing the quality of red wines. Wine colour depends on complex extraction and polymerization reactions'; therefore it could evolve over time. This study is based on few samples of Pinot Noir wines, that achieve both good quality levels and a strong market performance, Mavrud, an ancient variety from Thrace, and Rubin, a Syrah and Nebbiolo crossbreed. The selected wines differ for their anthocyanic profile and polyphenolic content. Furthermore, the quality of the selected national varieties is comparable to the most famous international ones. A comparison was made based on chemical and organoleptic characteristics as well as their performance on the market. The chromatic indices, intensity and hue, the anthocyanic profile and their evolution in time, were determined via the polymerization indices. To allow for an objective assessment, the colour of wines was defined using CIELab colour space, which permits an objective identification of any colour perceivable by the human eye. Finally, analytical results were compared to the organoleptic characteristic of the selected wines.

1H NMR and PCA-based analysis revealed variety dependent changes in phenolic contents of apple fruit after drying.

Dry and fresh apples have been studied monitoring their polyphenolic profiles through 1H NMR, antioxidant capacity and total polyphenol content. Six ancient and underutilized apple varieties (Mantovana, Mora, Nesta, Cipolla, Ruggina, Sassola) and a commercial one (Golden Delicious) were dried with an air-drying system at 45°C for 19h. Although some of their polyphenol constituents were lost during drying, the antioxidant capacity of some apple varieties remained higher compared to Golden Delicious. This result is very important for ancient and underutilized varieties that are not consumed on large scale as fresh product since they have low attractiveness, due to their ugly appearance. Combining quantitative NMR spectroscopy with principal component analysis we have identified and quantified several polyphenols (such as catechin, epicathechin, and chlorogenic acid) that are important to establish the nutraceutical value of the different investigated apple varieties.

Comparison of physicochemical traits of red-fleshed, commercial and ancient apple cultivars

Cultivation of apples is currently based on a limited number of commercial cultivars; as a consequence, ancient and local varieties have almost completely disappeared. Red-fleshed, ancient and commercial cultivars were analysed for flesh firmness, soluble solid content, pH, titratable acidity, total phenolics and anthocyanin contents, total antioxidant capacity, sugars and organic acids composition, to evaluate their nutraceutical value. The ancient cultivars, in particular cv. Magnana, were generally higher in organic acids, sugars content and total phenolics content in the flesh than the commercial cultivars considered. The red-fleshed cultivar was distinct from the ancient and commercial apples and resulted in an excellent source of antioxidants, with values of anthocyanins content and antioxidant capacity five times higher than the other cultivars; these values were comparable to those of berry species. In addition, the red-fleshed apple was rich in malic acid, citric acid, fructose and glucose. The breeding of red flesh apples is still in progress and should consider the use of ancient cultivars for their positive physicochemical characteristics to improve flavour and storage aptitude.

Ancient wheat and health: a legend or the reality? A review on KAMUT khorasan wheat

After WWII, the industrialized agriculture selected modern varieties of Triticum turgidum spp. durum and spp. aestivum (durum wheat and common wheat) based on higher yields and technological characteristics. Nowadays, the use of whole ancient grains and pseudo cereals is considered nutritionally important. How ancient grains have positive effects is not entirely known, the fragmentation of the scientific knowledge being also related to the fact that ancient grains are not a homogeneous category. The KAMUT® trademark indicates a specific and ancient variety of grain (Triticum turgidum ssp. turanicum, commonly khorasan wheat), and guarantees certain attributes making studies sufficiently comparable. In this work, studies on KAMUT® khorasan wheat have been systematically reviewed, evidencing different aspects supporting its benefits. Although it is not possible to establish whether all ancient grains share these positive characteristics, in total or in part, this review provides further evidences supporting the consumption of ancient grains.

The molecular characterization by SSRs reveals a new South Italian kinship and the origin of the cultivar Uva di Troia.

Vitis vinifera L. varieties were spread through cuttings following historic migrations of people, trades, or after biological crises due to pests outbreaks. Some today’s varieties could be more than a 1000 years old and, although over the centuries these varieties generated most of the remaining cultivars, their origin could be impossible to track back. The Italian grapevine biodiversity is one of most important, most likely due to its strategic position in the middle of the Mediterranean sea. Unravelling of its structure is challenging because of its complexity and the lack of historical documentation. In this paper molecular data are compared with historical documentations. Simple Sequence Repeats fingerprinting are molecular markers best suited to investigate genetic relationships and identify pedigrees. South-Italian germplasm was studied with 54 nuclear microsatellites. A family was identified, consisting of two parents and three siblings and further genetically characterized with six nuclear and five chloroplast microsatellites and described with ampelographic and phylometric analysis. Although these latter were not informative for the kinship identification. The common Bombino bianco was the female parent and the previously unknown Uva rosa antica was the male parent. Bombino nero, Impigno and the popular Uva di Troia, all typical of the south-east Italy, were the offspring. Further research showed that the Uva rosa antica was a synonym of Quagliano and Bouteillan noir, both minor varieties. Quagliano was considered to be autochthonous of some alpine valleys in the north-west of Italy and Bouteillan noir is a neglected variety of Vancluse in France. This finding uncovers the intricate nature of Italian grape cultivars, considered peculiar of an area, but possibly being the remains of ancient latin founding varieties. Consequently, intriguing new hypotheses are discussed and some conclusions are drawn, based on the peculiar geographical origin of the parents, on the distribution of the offspring, on the chance of a single, and perhaps intentional, crossing event.

Situational Analyses of the Current State of Plant Genetic Resources Important for Food and Agriculture in Georgia (Caucasus Ecoregion)

Conservation of the genetic resources of ancient crops in Georgia are current landraces and primitive forms occurring in Georgia and to publish lists of indigenous landraces and CWRs of cereals, legumes, vegetables, vine and fruits representing direct ancestors, and endemic, rare or endangered species. National policies and comprehensive measures are urgently needed to address the problem of conserving the genetic resources of ancient crops in Georgia. It is necessary to establish a general overview of the types of crops that are current landraces and primitive forms occurring in Georgia. However, the introduction of new parasites has revealed that endemic forms of Georgian crop plants contain valuable selective disease-resistant material for genetic engineering. Establishment and maintenance of ex situ collections and databases should be considered just as a first step in the conservation process of ancient crop varieties. Storage of the ex situ collections should be improved through upgrading the present storage of the field crop genebank facilities.

Nutritional characteristics of ancient Tuscan varieties of Triticum aestivum L.

Bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is an important cereal in human consumption. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in ancient wheat varieties. The latter represent an important source of germplasm, characterised by a broader genetic base and, therefore, a potential source of biodiversity. The objective of the study was to ascertain the optimal balance between the presence of secondary metabolites having beneficial effects on health and technological features that ensure successful baking quality. The experimental trial was performed in 2011-2012 on three organic farms located in three different areas within the province of Siena (Tuscany). In each location, an overall evaluation of the commercial, rheological and functional properties of five ancient Tuscan bread wheat varieties (Andriolo, Frassineto, Gentil rosso, Inallettabile 96, Verna) as compared with a commercial modern variety (Palesio) was carried out. The ancient varieties were compared both singularly (pure) and in combination (mixtures) of two varieties in equal proportion, respectively. Biometric and productive parameters were detected for each plot (32 plots in each farm). Macro- and trace elements, polyphenols, flavonoids and antioxidant activity (antiradical power, ARP) were similarly determined on representative whole grain samples. Rheological analysis was carried out on flour samples. The multivariate statistical analysis using principal components analysis was performed on all variables analysed. The results showed a significant environment effect on the different parameters measured and did not reveal significant improvements in the variables measured when varieties were cultivated in mixtures. However, the study did reveal various interesting trends that are warranting of further investigation. The most interesting effect from a nutritional and functional point of view is the relationship between ARP, rheological properties, protein content and gluten content. These connections permit the potential towards the improvement of ancient varieties.

Cardiovascular benefits from ancient grain bread consumption: findings from a double-blinded randomized crossover intervention trial

Ancient grain varieties have been shown to have some beneficial effects on health. Forty-five clinically healthy subjects were included in a randomized, double-blinded crossover trial aimed at evaluating the effect of a replacement diet with bread derived from ancient grain varieties versus modern grain variety on cardiovascular risk profile. After 8 weeks of intervention, consumption of bread obtained by the ancient varieties showed a significant amelioration of various cardiovascular parameters. Indeed, the ancient varieties were shown to result in a significant reduction of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol and blood glucose, whereas no significant differences during the phase with the modern variety were reported. Moreover, a significant increase in circulating endothelial progenitor cells were reported after the consumption of products made from the ancient “Verna” variety. The present results suggest that a dietary consumption of bread obtained from ancient grain varieties was effective in reducing cardiovascular risk factors.

Characterization and Discrimination of Ancient Grains: A Metabolomics Approach.

Hulled, or ancient, wheats were the earliest domesticated wheats by mankind and the ancestors of current wheats. Their cultivation drastically decreased during the 1960s; however, the increasing demand for a healthy and equilibrated diet led to rediscovering these grains. Our aim was to use a non-targeted metabolomic approach to discriminate and characterize similarities and differences between ancient Triticum varieties. For this purpose, 77 hulled wheat samples from three different varieties were collected: Garfagnana T. turgidum var. dicoccum L. (emmer), ID331 T. monococcum L. (einkorn) and Rouquin T. spelta L. (spelt). The ultra high performance liquid chromatography coupled to high resolution tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QTOF) metabolomics approach highlighted a pronounced sample clustering according to the wheat variety, with an excellent predictability (Q2), for all the models built. Fifteen metabolites were tentatively identified based on accurate masses, isotopic pattern, and product ion spectra. Among these, alkylresorcinols (ARs) were found to be significantly higher in spelt and emmer, showing different homologue composition. Furthermore, phosphatidylcholines (PC) and lysophosphatidylcholines (lysoPC) levels were higher in einkorn variety. The results obtained in this study confirmed the importance of ARs as markers to distinguish between Triticum species and revealed their values as cultivar markers, being not affected by the environmental influences.

Characterization of virgin olive oils produced with autochthonous Galician varieties

The interest of Galician oil producers (NW Spain) in recovering the ancient autochthonous olive varieties Brava and Mansa has increased substantially in recent years. Virgin olive oils produced by co-crushing both varieties in two different proportions, reflecting the usual and most common practice adopted in this region, have gradually emerged for the production of virgin olive oils. Herein, the sensory and chemical characteristics of such oils were characterized by quality and genuineness-related parameters. The results of chemical analysis are discussed in terms of their effective contribution to the sensory profile, which suggests useful recommendations for olive oil producers to improve the quality of oils. Antioxidant compounds, together with aromas and coloured pigments were determined, and their contribution in determining the functional value and the sensory properties of oils was investigated. In general, given the high levels of phenolic compounds (ranging between 254 and 375mg/kg oil), tocopherols (about 165mg/kg oil) and carotenoids (10–12mg/kg oil); these are oils with long stability, especially under dark storage conditions, because stability is reinforced with the contribution of chlorophylls (15–22mg/kg oil). A major content of phenolic compounds, as well as a predominance of trans-2-hexen-1-al within odor-active compounds (from 897 to 1645μg/kg oil), responsible for bitter sensory notes. This characterization allows to developing new antioxidant-rich and flavour-rich VOOs, when co-crushing with a higher proportion of Brava olives, satisfying the consumers’ demand in having access to more healthy dishes and peculiar sensory attributes.

Some like it organic, some like it purple and some like it ancient: Consumer preferences and WTP for value-added attributes in whole grain bread

The German bread market is considered one of the most developed and diverse bread markets worldwide. However, until so far no empirical evidence exists with respect to consumers liking and willingness to pay for different value-added attributes in whole grain bread. Thus, our study is the first one providing empirical evidence on how German consumers perceive different value-added attributes in whole grain bread, how much they are willing to pay for these attributes and to which extent liking scores and willingness to pay (WTP) estimates are influenced by extrinsic information. Our analysis is based on a combination of hedonic evaluations with experimental auctions under three different information scenarios. The attributes considered in our study are: (i) organic, (ii) functional, and (iii) ancient grain variety. The collected data are analyzed via cluster analysis and random effects Tobit models. The results indicate the following. First, significant heterogeneity exists across consumer clusters with respect to the responsiveness to extrinsic information. Second, results differ depending on the hedonic measure chosen, i.e. whether a taste or an overall liking score is employed. Third, the chosen functional bread, purple wheat bread would be accepted as long as taste expectations are met. Put differently, consumers would not comprise on taste for health. However, at the same time our results highlight that expecting that a bread has “natural” health-enhancing properties significantly increases the sensory evaluation and thus product liking. Consequently, bread with functional properties will be only successful on the market if consumers are satisfied with the taste experience, whereas extrinsic information might increase the perceived taste experience.

The Use of Polyphenol Oxidase Activity to Identify a Potential Raisin Variety

ABSTRACTThe biochemical characterization of polyphenol oxidase (PPO) in the white grape Bianchetta Trevigiana is addressed in this research to fulfil the requirement for raisin varieties with high concentrations of phenolic compounds and low PPO activity not only to avoid enzymatic browning but also for maintaining the nutritional value of raisins. Spectrophotometric assays and electrophoresis were used to study this ancient variety exhibiting low PPO activity (only cathecolase activity) which reached at the low pH value of grape berry and was about 15% of the maximum enzymatic activity measured. In addition, the visualization of the active isoforms of grape PPO after 2-DE separation of proteins was a key step for further studies using MALDI-TOF-MS and bioinformatic tools. Based on the thermal inactivation profiles, heating treatment at 70°C may be considered a way to inhibit Bianchetta Trevigiana PPO activity by preserving also its high phenolic content. Therefore PPO characterization may be proposed as a marker for identifying potential high value raisin varieties.

Cocomerina pear: an old and rare fruit with red pulp. Analysis of phenolic content and antioxidant/anti-inflammatory capacity

ABSTRACTThe study evaluated the phenolic content, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, DPPH, and 5ʹ-lipoxygenase assay, respectively), and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC), in Cocomerina pear, an old and rare variety of Pyrus communis. There are two cultivars of this pear that ripen in August and October, both of which are nowadays cultivated only in a small area of central Italy. Significant differences in polyphenolic content were observed between these cultivars, with a 30–40% increase in the late ripening cultivar relative to the early ripening one. Anthocyanin concentration was also strongly affected by the period and stage of maturation. In particular, it was 126-fold higher in fruits that ripen in October as compared to those that ripen in August. Ripe fruits of the late cultivar also exhibited higher antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. These findings suggest that this ancient pear variety should be recovered and considered in the framework of biodiversity conservation.

ИЗУЧЕНИЕ ГЕНЕТИЧЕСКОГО СХОДСТВА ДОНСКИХ АБОРИГЕННЫХ СОРТОВ ВИНОГРАДА С ПРИМЕНЕНИЕМ SSR-АНАЛИЗА И ПО ОСНОВНЫМ АМПЕЛОГРАФИЧЕСКИМ ПРИЗНАКАМ ЛИСТА

Native, ancient grape varieties of different cultivation regions are important part of grapevine genetic resources. Many native Don grape varieties represent a significant value for cultivation and use in breeding. The close varieties and more distant groups are distinguished on the main characteristics among the varieties of Don. The main features of the leaves of grape varieties are the key ampelographical characteristics. Currently, the study at the DNA level is considered the most informative method of plant genotyping analysis. Microsatellite markers are widely used for genotyping of grapevine varieties and rootstocks, and successfully applied in the study of the origin of varieties and the analysis of their pedigrees. We evaluated the relationship among the number of Don varieties by microsatellite genotyping. The aim was to study the genetic similarity of native Don varieties based on DNA analysis and compare the results with earlier made conclusions about relationship of varieties, and with data of the analysis of the main features of the leaves. The research was carried out on 16 varieties from the collection of the All-Russian Scientific Research Institute of Viticulture and Winemaking (Novocherkassk) and the Russian ampelographic collection (Anapa). Studied Don grapevine varieties were described ampelographically, and the main method we used in the work was the PCR. Six SSR-markers basicly recommended for V. vinifera fingerprinting were used. DNA was extracted from young leaves of the apical shoots of 4-5 typical bushes. Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon were used as the reference cultivars. Genetic distance matrix was constructed using the coefficients (indices) similarity of M. Nei and W. Li. Based on the data of SSR-genotyping, estimation of the genetic similarity of studied varieties was performed using cluster analysis (UPGMA), and dendrograms were graphically constructed. Data on the morphological characteristics of leaves and SSR-genotyping results were analyzed by means of principal coordinates (PCA). DNA profiles of 16 local Don grapevine varieties were obtained using microsatellite loci VVMD5, VVMD7, VVMD27, VVS2, VrZAG62 and VrZAG79 with an automated genetic analyzer ABI Prism3130 («Applied Biosystems», USA). In the studied Don varieties genotypes, six (for VVS2, VVMD5, VMD7, VrZAG62) and seven (for VVMD27, VrZAG79) alleles per locus were determined. Cluster analysis allowed to divide the varieties into two main groups: one included Sibir’kovyi, Puhlyakovskii belyi, Sivolistnyi, Puhlyakovskii chernyi, Kosorotovskii and Kukanovskii cultivar, being a group of natural seedlings of Puhlyakovskii belyi, the other contained Bezymyannyi Donskoi, Plechistik oboepolyi, Staryi Goryun, Tsimlyanskii belyi, Tsimlyanskii chernyi, Tsimladar, Plechistik, Sypun chernyi, Mahrovatchik and Bessergenevskii № 7 cultivars. Interestingly, the second cluster had three subgroups. One includes varieties Bezymyannyi Donskoi, Plechistik oboepolyi, Tsimlyanskii belyi, Tsimlyanskii chernyi, Tsimladar, Plechistik, Sypun chernyi of the Tsimlyanskii group. The other contained Bessergenevskii № 7 cultivar being presumably a seedling of Puhlyakovskii belyi, and Stary Goryun of the Tsimlyanskii group. Variety Mahrovatchik (considered to be a seedling of Kokur white variety) was grouped separately. Analysis of the main features of leaves showed no differentiation according to the presumed origin of the studied varieties. As the result of SSR-analysis, most of varieties were distributed in accordance with the earlier made conclusions about their origin. Thus, the study of collections, old varieties, breeding material and introduced samples based on the complex of ampelographic traits and SSR-markers can be considered as the most informative one.

Symbiotic fixation of atmospheric nitrogen in legumes as a genetic and selection trait

The results of long-term studies on the symbiogenetics and selection of leguminous cultures on the example of the Pisum sativum L. pea were summarized. Using the method of chemical and radiation mutagenesis, a collection of symbiotic mutants was created and genetically studied on different pea varieties. Two types of superand hypernodulating mutants were isolated from a large group of symbiotic mutants for selection purposes. Supernodulating mutants are recessive, while hypernodulating mutants are dominant. Hypernodulating mutants were isolated among the studied pea varieties (mainly among ancient varieties). However, the varieties differed sharply from each other by the degree of hypernodulation. The forms marked by recessive supernodulation genes (nod4) and dominant hypernodulation genes (Nod5) were selected for the development of the methods of selection for increasing nitrogen fixation. The recurrent method of using symbiotic mutants in the pea selection for increasing nitrogen fixation was developed. The best results were obtained when combining two sym-genes (the Nod5 dominant hypernodulation genes and the nod4 recessive supernodulation gene) in the same pea genotype. A series of recurrent lines simultaneously marked by these two genes were created. At present, these lines are used in selection as donors for increasing the nitrogen fixation at a good productivity. In addition, these are good precursors for subsequent cultures. A large number of root and bacterial biomass with increased nitrogen content is accumulated in the soil after harvesting such forms. This nitrogen is prolonged for several years, while mineral nitrogen is rapidly washed out by rain and snow. The endemic pea forms originating from different regions can be successfully used as the initial material in the selection for increasing the nitrogen fixation. The best results were obtained in the experiments with forms from Egypt and Syria. Estimation by nodulation and the activity of nitrogen fixation was carried out for seven varieties of three promising pea lines selected at the Siberian Research Institute of Plant Growing and Selection.

Conservation of Landrace: The Key Role of the Value for Agrobiodiversity Conservation. An Application on Ancient Tomatoes Varieties

Abstract Agricultural biological diversity (agrobiodiversity), is a small component of biodiversity, and presents two levels: genetic resources for food and agriculture and ecological services. All the components contribute to sustain the key functions of agro-ecosystems. It is commonly acknowledged that biodiversity is jeopardized by erosion, whereas there is less awareness about agrobiodiversity loss, although this has very negative short and long-term consequences for producers and consumers. In particular, important for conserving agrobiodiversity is the protection of landraces (LRs). The disappearance of LRs, also called by the farmers local or primitive varieties, means both genetic and cultural erosion. For this reason, in-situ LRs conservation is essential, as well as the ex situ one. The main objective of the present work is the evaluation of agrobiodiversity and of its role for the local community, by means of the Contingent Valuation. The attention is focused on the tomatoes landrace “Pomodoro di Mercatello”, a variety once widely cultivated in some areas within the province of Perugia and now kept alive by a farmer who still grows and sells it.