Heirloom Varieties Research Articles

Variation of mineral nutrient contents of modern and heirloom cultivars of cabbage in different regimes of soil fertility

ABSTRACTAn improvement in the mineral nutrient contents of fruits and vegetables is needed to offset reported declines in concentrations of these elements in fruits and vegetables. The declines have been associated with the high productivity of modern cultivars and to depleted soil fertility. This research addressed differences in mineral nutrient concentrations between modern F1 hybrids and heirloom cultivars of cabbage (Brassica oleraceae var. capitata L.)and among fertilization practices with conventional chemical or organic fertilizers and compost. Crop production was greater with the chemical or organic fertilizers than with the compost. Mineral nutrient composition did not vary between modern or heirloom cultivars or among fertilization regimes but varied among cultivars, suggesting that cultivar selection could lead to production of nutrient-rich cabbage. Neither mass of heads nor days to maturation of crops affected nutrient composition.

These four foods are ripe for CRISPR gene editing

A better-tasting tomato “Deterioration in flavor quality of the modern commercial tomato relative to heirloom varieties is a major cause of consumer complaint,” an international team of geneticists dryly note in a recent paper. The head of the team, Harry J. Klee of the Plant Innovation Center at the University of Florida, and coauthors examined 398 modern, heirloom, and wild tomatoes to identify missing flavor components. They found that 13 important flavor volatiles, including guaiacol and methyl salicylate, were significantly reduced in modern varieties and identified the locations of genes responsible for making the chemicals. In addition, they found that efforts to breed larger fruit had resulted in lower sugar content. The team says the research points to genes that can improve flavor quality in tomatoes and other fruit crops (Science 2017, DOI: 10.1126/science.aal1556). While other groups have shown that CRISPR can be used to edit genes in tomatoes, it

Protection of Kyo-yasai (heirloom vegetables in Kyoto) from extinction: a case of Sabaka-daikon (Japan's heirloom white radish, Raphanus sativus) in Maizuru, Japan

As a general background, Sabaka-daikon, one of the heirloom vegetables in Kyoto, ceased its commercial cultivation in the late 1960s at north Kyoto, leading to an extinction crisis. We review the activities of the local residents to revive the commercial cultivation of Sabaka-daikon from 2010. We also discuss the significance of the information on the health benefits of local foods in motivating local residents to protect local foods from extinction. For methodology, through field interviews of administrative members, venders, and farmers in Maizuru city, we explore reasons for the success in reviving a local heirloom vegetable, Sabaka-daikon. We also apply chemical analysis to determine individual differences in the anticarcinogenic (cancer preventive) compound, 4-methylthio-3-butenyl isothiocyanate, in Sabaka-daikon to guarantee its added health benefits. As a result, the primary factors for the revival of Sabaka-daikon in Maizuru city include the passion of farmers, measures undertaken by the local administration, and the marketing strategies of venders. The secondary factor is the fact that one primary factor (passion of farmers) coincides on a time axis with the other two factors (administrative measures and marketing strategies of venders). Wide individual differences in the anticarcinogenic compound, 4-methylthio-3-butenyl isothiocyanate, were observed, likely due to the variable genome of Sabaka-daikon. In conclusion, the results imply that the information on the health benefits of daikon contribute to motivating the local residents (i.e., passion of farmers) in protecting Sabaka-daikon from extinction. Revival of this heirloom vegetable would contribute to the diversification of local foods, and to the preservation of those foods and the cooking knowledge for future generations. As Sabaka-daikon variety has some races in variation of 4-methylthio-3-butenyl isothiocyanate production, a race with a fixed amount of 4-methylthio-3-butenyl isothiocyanate should be established to guarantee added health benefits of Sabaka-daikon.

“The Heirloom Tomato is ‘In’. Does It Matter How It Tastes?”

A resurgence of interest in more traditional, authentic and distinctive foods is reflected in the popularity of farmers’ markets, with the premise that locally grown produce is superior in flavor and other sensory and culturally valued characteristics to similar fare from the global marketplace. In this arena, heirloom tomatoes (heirlooms) are increasingly popular with their diverse appearances and tastes. But heirlooms are also idiosyncratic, with splits, cracks, irregular shapes and sizes, and uneven flavors and textures that create production obstacles for growers and selection challenges for shoppers. Through online surveys and telephone and in-person interviews with Massachusetts farmers’ market consumers and vendors, we explored the relative importance of organoleptic properties, particularly flavors and mouthfeel, that influence consumer selection and farmers’ production priorities for heirlooms. Results, reported as attribute rankings and related preference indicators, suggest that shoppers generally lacked familiarity with the names and flavor profiles of different heirloom varieties. Findings suggest that, despite premium product prices and shoppers’ declared importance of taste, they were often inclined to overlook flavor and textural qualities in deference to visual appeal and greater varietal selection, and the authors question how much taste really matters to their popularity and to the overall viability of these heirlooms.

Everything but the Taste: Kyoto’s Shishigatani Squash as Culinary Heritage

The Shishigatani kabocha, an heirloom squash variety cultivated in Japan’s Kyoto Prefecture, epitomizes the celebrated un-delicious. Farmers, retailers, local officials, and consumers describe this heirloom variety as difficult to prepare and “not delicious.” Yet the squash is valued: Kyoto City restaurants display it outside with other local produce to attract customers, and upscale department stores all over Japan feature it prominently in produce sections dedicated to heirloom vegetables. Kyoto’s Anraku Temple even holds a yearly Shishigatani kabocha “mass” that attracts hundreds of visitors. This paper examines the reasons for the Shishigatani kabocha’s appeal and argues that cultural embeddedness and distinct attributes including an unusual shape can compensate for a less delicious flavor profile. In this paper, data obtained from interviews with farmers, local officials, retailers, and consumers are used, as well as participant observation at events including the annual “mass” at Anraku Temple. Comparing the Shishigatani kabocha with other heirloom vegetable varieties that have had less success reveals lessons about taste, agrobiodiversity, and the market potential of less palatable heirloom varieties.

Pigmented Heirloom Beans: Nutritional and Cooking Quality Characteristics

Dry beans are considered an important source of macro‐ and micronutrients and an economical source of protein and fiber. Although many varieties exist, production is limited to a relatively small set of commodity varieties, whereas little is known about heirloom varieties. To facilitate their adoption into everyday use, this study aimed to characterize the chemical composition, antioxidant capacity, pasting properties, texture, and in vitro starch digestibility of four heirloom varieties (Hutterite Soup, Jacob's Cattle, Koronis Purple, and Tiger's Eye) that are characterized by unique pigmentation. Pinto bean was used as the control. The content in protein, total fiber, and soluble fiber was generally higher in heirlooms compared with Pinto, with Koronis Purple showing the best nutritional characteristics. Moreover, all the heirlooms except Hutterite Soup showed higher in vitro antioxidant capacity than the control. Starch in heirloom varieties was characterized by lower pasting temperature and higher viscosity during heating and cooling, resulting in a paste with greater retrogradation tendency than Pinto. Heirloom in vitro starch digestibility was lower and resistant starch content higher than the control. With regard to cooking quality, Hutterite Soup and Jacob's Cattle showed lower firmness than Koronis Purple and Tiger's Eye, whose texture was similar to Pinto.

A flavor face-lift for supermarket tomatoes

Folks who are familiar with the delicious flavor and texture of a freshly picked, vine-ripened tomato often feel betrayed by the hard, bland, red orbs sold in many supermarket produce aisles. But a tomato flavor revival may be in store thanks to a group of researchers led by the University of Florida’s Harry Klee. The scientists sequenced the genome of 398 wild, heirloom, and supermarket tomato varieties. With the help of human taste panelists, they then identified the 28 most pleasurable tomato flavor and odor chemicals, including leafy geranylacetone, floral β-ionone, and citrusy 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one. Most supermarket tomatoes have much lower levels of 13 of these appealing molecules than heirloom varieties have, Klee says (Science 2017, DOI: 10.1126/science.aal1556). To figure out which regions of the tomato genome are responsible for the biosynthesis of these desirable compounds, the team turned to tomato varieties that make them at high levels. The work provides

PLANT SCIENCE: A chemical genetic roadmap to improved tomato flavor

Modern commercial tomato varieties are substantially less flavorful than heirloom varieties. To understand and ultimately correct this deficiency, we quantified flavorassociated chemicals in 398 modern, heirloom, and wild accessions. A subset of these accessions was evaluated in consumer panels, ide

A chemical genetic roadmap to improved tomato flavor.

Modern commercial tomato varieties are substantially less flavorful than heirloom varieties. To understand and ultimately correct this deficiency, we quantified flavor-associated chemicals in 398 modern, heirloom, and wild accessions. A subset of these accessions was evaluated in consumer panels, identifying the chemicals that made the most important contributions to flavor and consumer liking. We found that modern commercial varieties contain significantly lower amounts of many of these important flavor chemicals than older varieties. Whole-genome sequencing and a genome-wide association study permitted identification of genetic loci that affect most of the target flavor chemicals, including sugars, acids, and volatiles. Together, these results provide an understanding of the flavor deficiencies in modern commercial varieties and the information necessary for the recovery of good flavor through molecular breeding.

Tomato variety trials for productivity and quality in organic hoop house versus open field management

AbstractTomatoes are a profitable direct-market crop for diversified Midwestern farmers. Unfortunately, many tomatoes with the flavor and quality characteristics consumers desire (such as heirloom varieties) lack agronomic traits important to organic farmers. Hoop-house production offers potentially higher yields and quality than field-grown tomatoes, and has become a popular option for organic farmers. This study compares 19 varieties of tomatoes in both organic hoop house and field conditions, to identify high-performing varieties for future plant breeding, and to characterize the effect of hoop houses on productivity and quality traits. We found that tomatoes grown in a hoop house had significantly higher yield, lower disease severity and higher °Brix (soluble sugars) than those grown in an adjacent field; and that management (hoop house versus field) had significantly more influence over those traits than other variables (variety, market class or year). This lack of varietal differences between management systems will simplify breeding efforts aimed at introducing varieties for hoop house production.

The Role of Region-Based Enterprises in Place-Specific Marketing Using Regionally Embedded Resources: The Case of Heritage Variety Apple in Iizuna Town, Nagano

The Role of Region-Based Enterprises in Place-Specific Marketing Using Regionally Embedded Resources: The Case of Heritage Variety Apple in Iizuna Town, Nagano

A resistance locus in the American heirloom rice variety Carolina Gold Select is triggered by TAL effectors with diverse predicted targets and is effective against African strains of Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzicola.

The rice pathogens Xanthomonas oryzae pathovar (pv.) oryzae and pv. oryzicola produce numerous transcription activator-like (TAL) effectors that increase bacterial virulence by activating expression of host susceptibility genes. Rice resistance mechanisms against TAL effectors include polymorphisms that prevent effector binding to susceptibility gene promoters, or that allow effector activation of resistance genes. This study identifies, in the heirloom variety Carolina Gold Select, a third mechanism of rice resistance involving TAL effectors. This resistance manifests through strong suppression of disease development in response to diverse TAL effectors from both X.oryzae pathovars. The resistance can be triggered by an effector with only 3.5 central repeats, is independent of the composition of the repeat variable di-residues that determine TAL effector binding specificity, and is independent of the transcriptional activation domain. We determined that the resistance is conferred by a single dominant locus, designated Xo1, that maps to a 1.09Mbp fragment on chromosome 4. The Xo1 interval also confers complete resistance to the strains in the African clade of X.oryzae pv. oryzicola, representing the first dominant resistance locus against bacterial leaf streak in rice. The strong phenotypic similarity between the TAL effector-triggered resistance conferred by Xo1 and that conferred by the tomato resistance gene Bs4 suggests that monocots and dicots share an ancient or convergently evolved mechanism to recognize analogous TAL effector epitopes.

Assessment of organic and conventional soil fertility practices and cultivar selection on mineral nutrient accumulation in field-grown lettuce

ABSTRACTDepleted soil fertility and high-yielding cultivars have been associated with low mineral nutrient contents in vegetables. This study explored if mineral nutrient concentrations of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) can be increased though selection of cultivars and management of soil fertility. Cultivars including butterhead, romaine, and loose-leaf phenotypes of heritage and modern origins were studied. Conventional, compost, and organic regimes were assessed. Elements in whole heads were determined. Heritage cultivars had about 7% higher magnesium, sulfur, copper, and iron (Mg, S, Cu, and Fe) concentrations than modern cultivars with no differences occurring for phosphorus, potassium, calcium, sodium, zinc, manganese and boron (P, K, Ca, Na, Zn, Mn, and B). Differences for each element occurred among phenotypes and fertilization but with no consistent trends. Head weight had only minor effects on nutrient concentrations, but total accumulation increased with head size. Some cultivars had nearly twice the accumulation of nutrients as others. This work suggests that cultivars can be selected for production of nutrient-rich lettuce.

VOT merger in Heritage Korean in Toronto

AbstractKorean has a typologically unusual three-way laryngeal contrast in voiceless stops among aspirated, lenis, and fortis stops. Seoul Korean is undergoing a female-led sound change in which aspirated stops and lenis stops are merging in voice onset time (VOT) and are better distinguished by the F0 (fundamental frequency) of the following vowel than by their VOT, in younger speakers' speech. This paper compares the VOT pattern of Homeland (Seoul) and Heritage (Toronto) Korean speakers and finds that the same change is in progress in both. However, in the heritage variety, younger speakers do not advance the change, unlike their Seoul counterparts. Rather they have leveled off or are perhaps reversing the change, and there is very little sex difference among the younger heritage speakers' patterns. We consider possible accounts of the differences between the Seoul and Toronto patterns, building our understanding of how language-internal variation operates in bilingual speakers, a topic that has received relatively less attention in the variationist literature.

Disembedding grain: Golden Rice, the Green Revolution, and heirloom seeds in the Philippines

“Golden Rice” has played a key role in arguments over genetically modified (GM) crops for many years. It is routinely depicted as a generic GM vitamin tablet in a generic plant bound for the global South. But the release of Golden Rice is on the horizon only in the Philippines, a country with a storied history and complicated present, and contested future for rice production and consumption. The present paper corrects this blinkered view of Golden Rice through an analysis of three distinctive “rice worlds” of the Philippines: Green Revolution rice developed at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in the 1960s, Golden Rice currently being bred at IRRI, and a scheme to promote and export traditional “heirloom” landrace rice. More than mere seed types, these rices are at the centers of separate “rice worlds” with distinctive concepts of what the crop should be and how it should be produced. In contrast to the common productivist framework for comparing types of rice, this paper compares the rice worlds on the basis of geographical embeddedness, or the extent to which local agroecological context is valorized or nullified in the crop’s construction. The Green Revolution spread generic, disembedded high-input seeds to replace locally adapted landraces as well as peasant attitudes and practices associated with them. The disembeddedness of Golden Rice that boosts its value as a public relations vehicle has also been the main impediment in it reaching farmers’ fields, as it has proved difficult to breed into varieties that grow well specifically in the Philippines. Finally, and somewhat ironically, IRRI has recently undertaken research and promotion of heirloom seeds in collaboration with the export scheme.

Zinc accumulation in lettuce cultivars grown with organic or chemical based nutritional regimes

ABSTRACTThis study determined the potential to increase Zn density of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) through cultivar selection and nutrient management. Organic fertilizer and Hoagland and Arnon no.1 solution factored with three zinc (Zn) levels provided as zinc sulfate (ZnSO4) were the fertilizer regimes in a greenhouse experiment. Modern cultivars had a 32% higher fresh head weight than heritage cultivars, but each accumulated the same Zn concentration (65 mg kg−1 dry wt). Butterhead phenotypes had a 38% lower yield than loose-leaf and had the highest Zn concentration (78 mg kg−1 dry wt) followed by romaine (66 mg kg−1 dry wt) and loose-leaf (53 mg kg−1 dry wt). Concentration of Zn did not differ between fertility regimes, being about 66 mg kg−1 dry wt with each regime. Differences in Zn concentrations were significant among individual cultivars with ranges from 42 mg g−1 dry wt to 91 mg kg−1 dry wt. ‘Tom Thumb’, ‘Adriana’, ‘Claremont’, and ‘Focea’ were the top in cultivar ranking, with mean Zn concentration of 63 mg kg−1 dry wt. The results signify that selection of cultivars may be utilized to increase Zn accumulation in lettuce but that nutritional regimes had little effect on accumulation.

Assessment of mineral nutrient concentrations of lettuce in response to cultivar selection and fertilization in greenhouse production

ABSTRACTMineral nutrient contents in vegetable-based foods are a concern in human diets, and depleted soil fertility and high-yielding cultivars are associated with low nutrient contents. This study explored if mineral nutrient concentrations of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) can be increased though selection of cultivars and nutritional regimes in greenhouse production. Cultivars including butterhead, romaine, and loose-leaf phenotypes of heritage and modern origins were studied. Hoagland solution, a commercial inorganic fertilizer, and a commercial organic fertilizer were the nutrient regimes. Heritage cultivars had about 10% higher phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and zinc (P, K, Ca, Mg, and Zn) concentrations than modern cultivars. Differences in elemental concentrations occurred among phenotypes and nutritional regimes but with no consistent trend among elements for phenotypes or regimes. Some cultivars had twice the concentrations of nutrients of other cultivars. This work suggests that cultivars can be selected for production of mineral nutrient-rich lettuce.

Yield Stability of Heirloom Dry Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Cultivars in Midwest Organic Production

Heirloom dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cultivars are distinct in their seed characteristics, although little information regarding their performance at the field scale in the Midwest is currently available. Demand for organic heirloom dry beans from direct-to-consumer markets in Minnesota motivated our examination of the crop’s suitability for local production. Heirloom cultivars were evaluated on the basis of yield and yield stability at four small-scale organic vegetable productions in southeast Minnesota. Yield data from 2013 and 2014 were subject to static and dynamic stability biplot analyses. The mean yield of heirloom cultivars was ≈44% lower than commercial market class checks included in the trial; heirloom yields ranged from 825 to 2127 kg·ha−1, with a mean of 1362 kg·ha−1. Stability analyses and economic incentives suggest that the production of heirloom cultivars, especially ‘Jacob’s Cattle Gold’, ‘Lina Sisco’s Bird Egg’, ‘Peregion’, and ‘Tiger’s Eye’, could provide growers with the opportunity to diversify their production, differentiate themselves in local markets, and maintain economic return.

Inheritance of Fruit Traits in Capsicum annuum: Heirloom Cultivars as Sources of Quality Parameters Relating to Pericarp Shape, Color, Thickness, and Total Soluble Solids

Inheritance of fruit-related traits was studied in a population generated by crossing two heirloom pepper (Capsicum annuum) cultivars, Round of Hungary and Bulgarian carrot. Inheritance of corrugated pericarp phenotype of ‘Round of Hungary’ behaved as a recessive trait controlled by two genes while round fruit shape behaved as a single gene. Pungent cultivar Bulgarian carrot had significantly higher total soluble solids, titratable acidity, antioxidant activities, and significantly thinner pericarp than fruit of Round of Hungary. Pericarp thickness was related to differences in both cell number and cell size. Analyses of F2 fruit indicated that fruit weight was positively correlated (P < 0.01) to fruit width and pericarp thickness. Fruit width was negatively correlated (P < 0.01) to fruit length and total soluble solids and positively correlated (P < 0.01) to pericarp thickness. Yellow color was negatively correlated (P < 0.05) to total soluble solids. Fruit length showed high inbreeding depression and transgressive segregation. Color measurements showed that yellow was correlated to lightness, and the relationships between red and yellow color spaces and carotenoid composition were complex.

Performance of Northwest Washington Heirloom Dry Bean Varieties in Organic Production

This two-year study compared nine northwest Washington dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) heirloom (H) varieties with 11 standard (S) commercial varieties in matching market classes using organic, non-irrigated production practices. Heirloom and standard varieties differed in days to harvest (DTH) (110 DTH and 113 DTH, respectively), while both days to harvest (113 DTH and 110 DTH) and yield (2268 kg∙ha−1 and 1625 kg∙ha−1) were greater in 2013 than in 2014. Varieties with the shortest DTH both years were “Bale” (H), “Coco” (H), “Decker” (H), “Ireland Creek Annie” (H and S), “Kring” (H) and “Rockwell” (H). Varieties that had the highest yield both years were “Eclipse” (S), “Lariat” (S) and “Youngquist Brown” (H). Only “Eclipse” (S) had the shortest cooking time both years, while “Rockwell” (H), “Silver Cloud” (S) and “Soldier” (S) had short cooking times in 2013, and “Orca” (S) and “Youngquist Brown” (H) had short cooking time in 2014. Varieties with the highest protein content both years were “Calypso” (S), “Coco” (S) and “Silver Cloud” (S). Further research should investigate yield of early maturing standard varieties, with a focus on color-patterned beans that are attractive for local markets.