Seeds Of Landraces Research Articles

Saving, sharing and shaping landrace seeds in commons: unravelling seed commoning norms for furthering agrobiodiversity

Saving, sharing and shaping landrace seeds in commons: unravelling seed commoning norms for furthering agrobiodiversity

Comparative studies of four cumin landraces grown in Egypt

One of the significant aromatic plants applied in food and pharma is cumin. Despite its massive trading in Egypt, there are no comprehensive reports on cumin landraces profile screening. This study aimed to investigate the variation in seeds’ physical and biochemical profiles and genetic diversity as well as assess the efficiency of seeds’ germination under salinity stress. Consequently, during the 2020/2021 growing season, four common cumin seed landraces were gathered from various agro-climatic regions: El Gharbia, El Menia, Assiut, and Qena. Results showed a significant variation in physical profile among the four seeds of landraces. In addition, Assiut had the highest percentage of essential oil at 8.04%, whilst Qena had the largest amount of cumin aldehyde, the primary essential oil component, at 25.19%. Lauric acid was found to be the predominant fatty acid (54.78 to 62.73%). According to ISSR amplification, El Menia presented a negative unique band, whereas other landraces offered a positive band. Additionally, the cumin genotypes were separated into two clusters by the dendrogram, with El Gharbia being located in an entirely separate cluster. There were two sub-clusters within the other cluster: El Menia in one and Assiut and Qena in the other. Moreover, the germination sensitivity to the diverse salinity concentrations (control, 4, 8, 12, and 16 dS/m) findings showed that landraces exhibited varying responses to increased salinity when El Gharbia and El Menia showed a moderate response at four dS/m. Whilst, Qena landraces showed supreme values among other landraces under 12 and 16 dS/m. The majority of the examined features had strong positive associations over a range of salinity levels, according to phenotypic correlation coefficient analysis. To accomplish the aims of sustainable agriculture in Egypt, it would be imperative that the potential breeding program for cumin landraces consider this screening study.

Morphoagronomic descriptors of rice landraces varieties (Oryza sativa L.) from the state of Maranhão

Rice landrace varieties are adapted to the most diverse environmental conditions, which is clearly important in periods of great climatic and sanitary uncertainties. However, there is a gap in their description in the literature. Maranhão, Brazil, has wide diversity in landrace seeds, with rice varieties that can significantly contribute to the genetic breeding of the species. Based on this information, the objective of the present study was to characterize the landraces rice varieties, through the description of the morphological and agronomic profile. The study analyzed 23 qualitative heredity descriptors and three quantitative descriptors in 21 rice landrace varieties from different locations in the state of Maranhão, according to the methodological procedures recommended by the National Cultivar Protection Service. A randomized block e experimental design was used (DBC), with 21 treatments and four replications. Considering complementing To complement the study, a multicategorical analysis was carried out between the 21 accessions, based on qualitative data obtained from the 22 morphological descriptors, which generated a dendrogram. The results showed that there are differences between the qualitative descriptors. Quantitative descriptors are highly significant, with regard to the number of tillers, with emphasis on the Edinho variety. The Quechi variety was responsible for one of the factors that most influences the rice yield, with the highest number of grains per panicle. The varieties Codozinho, Edinho, Palha Murcha and Pé Roxo, are more productive in number of panicles. The dendrogram formed three clusters with evidence of dissimilarities between the varieties. The results show that the landrace varieties differ in their morphoagronomic characteristics and can be valuable materials in the construction of a new, more sustainable agriculture.

Germinative performance of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) landrace seeds for organic production

Currently, it is observed a gap in the supply of seeds from organic farming production systems to meet the demand for seeds of vegetables. In this sense, landrace seeds may stand as an alternative to commercial seeds, reconciling organic farming practices with the genetic diversity of landrace seeds and family farming. This work aimed to evaluate the germinative performance of landrace lettuce seeds obtained directly from the farmer and produced with an organic system as an alternative seed source for use in organic farming. A batch of commercial seeds and two batches of landrace seeds from different places were evaluated. The following tests were carried out: germination, first germination count, germination speed index, accelerated aging test, resistance to stress induced by cold, and tetrazolium test. The obtained results underwent ANOVA and Tukey’s multiple range test at 5 % error probability. The results showed that both the conventional and the landrace seeds had germination percentages above 90 %. The vigor of the seeds produced with the conventional system was greater in the tetrazolium test. The three batches had a similar performance in the tests of resistance to stress induced by cold at 5 °C.

Effect of natural coating and cryopreservation on the quality of creole corn seeds

Creole maize races have economic and socio-cultural importance in the Mexican population. However, due to climate change, the presence of pests and the urbanization of the land, make it difficult to conserve this plant germplasm. The objective of this study was to evaluate the physiological quality of landrace seeds treated and not treated with a biofilm and frozen for 30 days under in vitro conditions. The variables evaluated were: imbibition rate, standard germination, germination speed index and the percentage of humidity and the statistical significance was analyzed by means of a Tukey test. The results of the imbibition rate, in the seeds treated and frozen at -85°C presented higher absorption percentages with respect to the other treatments, with no statistical difference. A tendency was found in the reduction in the germination of the native corn grains treated and frozen at temperatures of -20°C and -84°C. No increase in quality was found in the seeds treated with the cactus-based biofilm.

Maize Landraces and Drought: Seed Systems in San Miguel del Valle, Oaxaca, Mexico

Maize diversity in southern Mexico is threatened as climate change and sociopolitical factors limit the ability of small-scale farmers to continue agricultural production. Between 2017 and 2019, I conducted ten months of ethnographic research on maize agriculture in San Miguel del Valle (San Miguel), a Zapotec community in the Central Valleys of Oaxaca. In San Miguel, agricultural production is declining due to seasonal droughts that have increased in frequency and intensity in recent generations. Farmers who continue to plant maize use exclusively their own or locally acquired seeds of native landraces. Worsening seasonal droughts play a significant role in determining what seeds farmers plant and whether farmers choose to continue planting. Farmers plant locally sourced seeds partly because they believe these to be the only available seeds that will produce a harvest in their fields. This points to important interactions between environmental conditions, seed choice, and farmers' livelihoods. I contribute to existing literature on maize diversity and in situ conservation by using an ethnographic approach to describe seed saving practices and networks in San Miguel.

Silicon alleviates PEG-induced osmotic stress in finger millet by regulating membrane damage, osmolytes, and antioxidant defense

Drought restricts plant growth and productivity. Silicon has beneficial effects on imparting drought tolerance in plants. Present work was intended to evaluate the effect of Si on polyethylene glycol-6000 (PEG) induced osmotic stress in local landraces of finger millet. The seeds of stress-tolerant and stress-sensitive landraces of finger millet were treated with distilled water, 15% PEG, and PEG+Si (5-25 ppm). The ameliorative effect of Si was evaluated in terms of percentage seed germination, seedling growth, accumulation of osmolyte and activity of antioxidative enzymes. PEG-induced osmotic stress reduced seed germination, seedling growth, and augmented osmolyte accumulation. It also elevated the levels of antioxidant enzymes. The exogenous supplementation of silicon significantly improved seed germination as well as early seeding growth. Positive effects of Si were reflected in decline in malondialdehyde (MDA) content and improved glycine betaine content and antioxidant enzymes in PEG-induced stress tolerant as well as susceptible landraces. The Si-induced ameliorated effects on all the parameters studied were more pronounced in the stress-tolerant landrace (FM/ST/01) than the stress-sensitive landrace (FM/RT/01). These results clearly indicate advantageous effects of Si in relieving PEG-induced stress during seed germination and early seeding growth and suggest a possibility of better stand establishment by application of silicon containing fertilizer during seed sowing.

Morphological Depiction of Seeds of Landraces of Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

The landraces of rice play an important role as donor in breeding of varieties for desirable traits. One hundred twenty-one Farmers’ Varieties (FVs) of rice collected from West Bengal, Assam and Manipur had used to characterize the physical parameters of seeds. Based on the kernel length and L/B ratio, most of the FVs were found to be long bold (31 FVs) and short bold (47 FVs). Out of the remaining 43 FVs, 27 were long slender, 03 were short slender and 11 were medium slender. Rice seeds were also classified based on test weight. Most of the FVs were medium-heavy (50 FVs) and heavy (27 FVs). The yield of the FVs varied from 0.91 t/ha to 5.19 t/ha. Jadudhan (5.19 t/ha) was found to be the maximum seed-yielding genotype followed by Jaldhyapa-1 (4.92 t/ha), Jagratikartik (4.69 t/ha), Jamainaru (4.68 t/ha), Kerala Sundari (4.58 t/ha), Satiya (4.44 t/ha), Dubari Komal (4.32 t/ha), Jugal (4.08 t/ha), Boichi (4.06 t/ha), Patanai (4.06 t/ha), UBL-4 (4.05 t/ha) and Khayamdhan (4.01 t/ha). From this collection, donors may be selected for breeding long-grained rice as well as rice with high test weight.

Integrated Metabolomics and Transcriptomics Analyses Reveal the Metabolic Differences and Molecular Basis of Nutritional Quality in Landraces and Cultivated Rice.

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is one of the most globally important crops, nutritionally and economically. Therefore, analyzing the genetic basis of its nutritional quality is a paramount prerequisite for cultivating new varieties with increased nutritional health. To systematically compare the nutritional quality differences between landraces and cultivated rice, and to mine key genes that determine the specific nutritional traits of landraces, a seed metabolome database of 985 nutritional metabolites covering amino acids, flavonoids, anthocyanins, and vitamins by a widely targeted metabolomic approach with 114 rice varieties (35 landraces and 79 cultivars) was established. To further reveal the molecular mechanism of the metabolic differences in landrace and cultivated rice seeds, four cultivars and six landrace seeds were selected for transcriptome and metabolome analysis during germination, respectively. The integrated analysis compared the metabolic profiles and transcriptomes of different types of rice, identifying 358 differentially accumulated metabolites (DAMs) and 1982 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), establishing a metabolite–gene correlation network. A PCA revealed anthocyanins, flavonoids, and lipids as the central differential nutritional metabolites between landraces and cultivated rice. The metabolite–gene correlation network was used to screen out 20 candidate genes postulated to be involved in the structural modification of anthocyanins. Five glycosyltransferases were verified to catalyze the glycosylation of anthocyanins by in vitro enzyme activity experiments. At the same time, the different mechanisms of the anthocyanin synthesis pathway and structural diversity in landrace and cultivated rice were systematically analyzed, providing new insights for the improvement and utilization of the nutritional quality of rice landrace varieties.

Genetic parameters for resin production of Pinus merkusii progeny test collected from three landraces in Banyumas Barat Forest District, Indonesia

Abstract. Nugrahanto G, Na’iem M, Indrioko S, Faridah F, Widiyatno, Abdillah E. 2022. Genetic parameters for resin production of Pinus merkusii progeny test collected from three landraces in Banyumas Barat Forest District, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 23: 2010-2016. Pinus merkusii Jungh. et de Vriese is a native pine species in Indonesia that is used in the production of essential and economically valued products, such as wood and resin. The resin productivity can be increased significantly via breeding programs. The objective of this study is to analyze the genetic parameters of resin productivity based on the progeny performance in three landrace seeds sources, namely, Sumedang seedling seed orchards (SSOs), Jember SSO, and East Java seed source. The drilling method was used for tapping trees, and then resin production was measured individually. Additional data on height, diameter, and branch-free height were also collected. Based on family variance component analysis data of resin production, it was noted that Sumedang SSO, Jember SSO, and East Java seed sources have relatively high genetic variations of 4.48%, 15.77%, and 3.80%, respectively. These values were then followed by a moderate family heritability value for all of them (0.451-0.551). A high value of individual heritability estimates was obtained for Jember SSO (0.658), and moderate values were found for Sumedang SSO (0.182) and East Java seed sources (0.158), respectively. The estimated genetic gains were calculated for resin production using selection intensity levels at 10%, 25%, and 50%. The result indicated that the Jember SSO landrace obtained the highest genetic gains at 17.55%, 12.73%, and 7.99%, for the above-mentioned intensity levels, respectively. In contrast, the lowest one was found in the Sumedang SSO landrace.

Assessment of genetic diversity of Turkish maize landraces for phytic acid and total phenolic contents

Assessment of genetic diversity of Turkish maize landraces for phytic acid and total phenolic contents

Território do milho crioulo: as possibilidades do reconhecimento da propriedade intelectual coletiva no melhoramento genético realizado por agricultores

O objetivo deste estudo é demonstrar que os agricultores, a partir da territorialização de saberes e de práticas tradicionais melhoram, a cada safra, as sementes crioulas, agregando aos acúmulos das gerações passadas, algumas contribuições próprias. Portanto, esses agricultores são pesquisadores, que utilizam como laboratório as suas próprias lavouras, realizando seus experimentos. A presente pesquisa, trata dos saberes e práticas tradicionais territorializadas e das visões intergeracionais e sua territorialização, que proporcionam a melhoria das sementes crioulas. Os materiais e métodos utilizados neste trabalho, consistem em pesquisa de campo realizada por meio de entrevistas gravadas junto a um grupo de 12 agricultores, distribuídos nos territórios do milho crioulo dos municípios de: Anchieta, Ermo, Guaraciaba, Jacinto Machado, Modelo, Palma Sola, Palmitos, Romelândia, Saltinho e São Lourenço do Oeste, onde são realizadas melhorias nestas sementes. Também, foram entrevistados, através de questionários semiestruturados, 7 técnicos, com ligação ao tema. A pesquisa ocorreu no Estado de Santa Catarina. Após a análise das entrevistas, é possível apontar que o resultado indica para a necessidade de o Brasil ter uma legislação específica que reconheça o direito dos agricultores que melhoram sementes do milho crioulo, sem criar obstáculos para que o processo continue, nos moldes da prática utilizada nas gerações passadas. Foram apresentadas alternativas para esse modelo de proteção, sendo uma a patente aplicada ao software livre, que permite o acesso a todas as informações necessárias para continuar a agregação de modificações genéticas, por meio de seleção.

Seed characterization and early nitrogen metabolism performance of seedlings from Altiplano and coastal ecotypes of Quinoa

BackgroundEarly seed germination and a functional root system development during establishment are crucial attributes contributing to nutrient competence under marginal nutrient soil conditions. Chenopodium quinoa Willd (Chenopodiaceae) is a rustic crop, able to grow in marginal areas. Altiplano and Coastal/Lowlands are two representative zones of quinoa cultivation in South America with contrasting soil fertility and edaphoclimatic conditions.In the present work, we hypothesize that the ecotypes of Quinoa from Altiplano (landrace Socaire) and from Coastal/Lowland (landrace Faro) have developed differential adaptive responses in order to survive under conditions of low availability of N in their respective climatic zones of Altiplano and Lowlands. In order to understand intrinsic differences for N competence between landraces, seed metabolite profile and germinative capacity were studied. Additionally, in order to elucidate the mechanisms of N uptake and assimilation at limiting N conditions during establishment, germinated seeds of both landraces were grown at either sufficient nitrate (HN) or low nitrate (LN) supply. We studied the photosynthetic performance, protein storage, root morphometrical parameters, activity and expression of N-assimilating enzymes, and the expression of nitrate transporters of roots in plants submitted to the different treatments.ResultsSeeds from Socaire landrace presented higher content of free N-related metabolites and faster seed germination rate compared to Faro landrace. Seedlings of both ecotypes presented similar physiological performance at HN supply, but at LN supply their differences were exalted. At LN, Socaire plants showed an increased root biomass (including a higher number and total length of lateral roots), a differential regulation of a nitrate transporter (a NPF6.3-like homologue) belonging to the Low Affinity Transport System (LATS), and an upregulation of a nitrate transporter (a NRT2.1-like homologue) belonging to the High Affinity nitrate Transport System (HATS) compared to Faro. These responses as a whole could be linked to a higher amount of stored proteins in leaves, associated to an enhanced photochemical performance in Altiplano plants, in comparison to Lowland quinoa plants.ConclusionsThese differential characteristics of Socaire over Faro plants could involve an adaptation to enhanced nitrate uptake under the brutal unfavorable climate conditions of Altiplano.

Seed Structural Variability and Germination Capacity in Passiflora edulis Sims f. edulis.

Purple passion fruit, Passiflora edulis Sims f. edulis, is an important semi-perennial, fruit bearing vine originating in South America that produces a commercial tropical juice pulp for international and national consumption. Within the round purple passion fruit are a large number of membranous seed sacs each containing individual seeds. Little is known about the seed anatomy of the commercial passion fruit, differences between wild collected and commercial types, and its effect on seedling germination. Therefore, our main objective for this study was to analyze the seed anatomy variability of different germplasm as well as the effect on viability and germination of the seeds of this species. Germplasm was evaluated from three sources: (1) commercial cultivars grown in current production areas, (2) genebank accession from the national seed bank, and (3) landraces collected across different high and mid-elevation sites of the Andean region. A total of 12 morphometric descriptors related to seed anatomy were evaluated on the 56 genotypes, of which three were most informative: Angle to the vertex which is related to the shape of the seed, the thickness of the tegument and the horizontal length; separating the seed according to its source of origin. Germination was found to be positively correlated with the number (r = 0.789) and depth (r = 0.854) of seed pitting. Seeds of the commercial cultivars had more seed pits and higher germination compared to seeds of landraces or genebank accessions showing a possible effect of domestication on the crop. Interestingly, passion fruits often germinate during the rainy season as escaped or wild seedlings especially in the disturbed landscapes of coffee plantations, so some dormancy is needed but faster germination is needed for intensive cultivation. Harnessing passion fruit diversity would be useful as the semi-domesticated landraces have valuable adaptation characteristics to combine with rapid germination selected in the commercial cultivars. The variability of seed pitting with cultivars more pitted than landraces possibly resulting in faster germination may indicate that purple passion fruit is still undergoing a process of selection and domestication for this trait.

Organic Seed Production in the Republic of Serbia

Summary Over the past few years, organic agricultural production has increased globally. This type of production is regulated by numerous laws and concomitant regulations, whereas the basic principles of organic production development are prescribed by the IFOAM standards and the European Union. Seed production is of immense importance to organic agricultural systems as the use of certified seed is crucial in preserving organic production. Prior to 2009, certified organic seed had not been produced in the Republic of Serbia, and producers had used either landrace seeds or chemically untreated conventional seeds. Of the total area devoted to organic farming in the Republic of Serbia (14,357.96 ha), seed production accounts for only 8.4 ha, with uneven distribution over regions. The highest organic seed production (5.2 ha) has been recorded in the region of Vojvodina. However, there is still a lack of certified organic seed in the country, emphasizing the need for organic seed breeding and production in the future.

Seed quality of common bean accessions under organic and conventional farming systems1

ABSTRACT Agrobiodiversity is essential for a sustainable food production, and the knowledge of the potential characteristics of landrace seeds may prompt farmers to adopt the habit of seed conservation for this species. This study aimed at categorizing landrace and commercial common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) accessions, according to the physiological quality (viability and vigor) of seeds produced in the field, during two growing seasons, under organic and conventional farming systems. Germination percentage, field emergence, electrical conductivity, accelerated aging, cold test and seedling length were assessed. The landrace bean accessions exhibit diversity in the physiological seed quality, in terms of their viability and vigor. No differences were observed between the farming systems, in relation to the physiological quality of the seeds produced. The categorization of landrace common bean accessions allows to identify those with superior physiological seed quality.

Antioxidant activity of indigenous watermelon (Citrullus lanatus (Thunb) Matsum. and Nakai) landrace seeds from Sekhukhune and Capricorn districts in the Limpopo Province

Antioxidant activity of indigenous watermelon (Citrullus lanatus (Thunb) Matsum. and Nakai) landrace seeds from Sekhukhune and Capricorn districts in the Limpopo Province

Chemical Compositions, Somatic Embryogenesis, and Somaclonal Variation in Cumin.

This is the first report evaluating the relationship between the chemical compositions of cumin seeds (based on the analysis of the content of catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, proline, protein, terpenic compounds, alcohol/phenols, aldehydes, and epoxides) and the induction efficiency of somatic embryogenesis in two Iranian superior cumin landraces (Golestan and North Khorasan). Cotyledons isolated from Golestan landrace seeds cultivated on MS medium supplemented with 0.1 mg/L kinetin proved to be the best primary explant for the induction of somatic embryogenesis as well as the regeneration of the whole plantlet. Results indicated that different developmental stages of somatic embryos were simultaneously observed on a callus with embryogenic potential. The high content of catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, proline, and terpenic hydrocarbons and low content of alcoholic and phenolic compositions had a stimulatory effect on somatic embryogenesis. Band patterns of RAPD markers in regenerated plants were different from those of the mother plants. This may be related to somaclonal variations or pollination system of cumin. Generally, measurement of chemical compositions can be used as a marker for evaluating the occurrence of somatic embryogenesis in cumin. Also, somaclonal variations of regenerated plants can be applied by the plant breeders in breeding programs.

Sistemas tradicionais de manejo de sementes crioulas e o cenário brasileiro de proteção de variedades e certificação de orgânicos: estudo de caso da Rede Agroecológica Metropolitana de Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul

Os sistemas tradicionais de manejo das sementes crioulas vêm sofrendo transformações em face do atual cenário brasileiro de proteção de cultivares e certificações de orgânicos. Nesse contexto, objetivou-se discutir a vulnerabilidade desses sistemas diante dos marcos legais que legitimam e empoderam o sistema formal de sementes e que impõem exigências para os processos de certificação de produtos orgânicos, a partir do estudo de caso do Organismo Participativo de Avaliação da Conformidade Orgânica, vinculado à Associação dos Produtores da Rede Agroecológica Metropolitana (Opac-Rama) de Porto Alegre, no Rio Grande do Sul. Percebe-se que, apesar da forte pressão que a legislação de proteção de cultivares exerce sobre os processos de autonomia dos agricultores, buscando mantê-los dentro de um sistema hegemônico de produção convencional, a atual legislação de orgânicos está incentivando a retomada do manejo de sementes crioulas. Portanto, os direitos dos agricultores aos seus conhecimentos e práticas de manejo de suas sementes crioulas estão resistindo e buscando se viabilizar, fortalecendo, assim, os processos agroecológicos.

Viruses affecting lentil ( Lens culinaris Medik.) in Greece; incidence and genetic variability of Bean leafroll virus and Pea enation mosaic virus

In Greece, lentil ( Lens culinaris Medik.) crops are mainly established with non-certified seeds of local landraces, implying high risks for seed transmitted diseases. During April and May of the 2007–2012 growing seasons, surveys were conducted in eight regions of Greece (Attiki, Evros, Fthiotida, Korinthos, Kozani, Larissa, Lefkada and Viotia) to monitor virus incidence in lentil fields. A total of 1216 lentil samples, from plants exhibiting symptoms suggestive of virus infection, were analyzed from 2007 to 2009, using tissue-blot immunoassays (TBIA). Pea seed-borne mosaic virus (PSbMV) overall incidence was 4.9%, followed by Alfalfa mosaic virus (AMV) (2.4%) and Bean yellow mosaic virus (BYMV) (1.0%). When 274 of the samples were tested for the presence of luteoviruses, 38.8% were infected with Bean leafroll virus (BLRV). Since BLRV was not identified in the majority of the samples collected from 2007 to 2009, representative symptomatic plants (360 samples) were collected in further surveys performed from 2010 to 2012 and tested by ELISA. Two viruses prevailed in those samples: BLRV (36.1%) was associated with stunting, yellowing, and reddening symptoms and Pea enation mosaic virus-1 (PEMV-1) (35.0%) was associated with mosaic and mottling symptoms. PSbMV (2.2%), AMV (2.2%), BYMV (3.9%) and CMV (2.8%) were also detected. When the molecular variability was analyzed for representative isolates, collected from the main Greek lentil production areas, five BLRV isolates showed 95% identity for the coat protein (CP) gene and 99% for the 3’ end region. Three Greek PEMV isolates co-clustered with an isolate from Germany when their CP sequence was compared with isolates with no mutation in the aphid transmission gene. Overall, limited genetic variability was detected among Greek isolates of BLRV and PEMV.