La conservazione on farm: importanza della caratterizzazione e valutazione degli agro-ecotipi di fagiolo

On-farm conservation is one of the effective strategies applied to the safeguard of crop genetic resources. It can be defined as the continued cultivation and management of landraces by farmers in the agro-ecosystem where they are evolved. Knowledge about the current level of diversity within each landrace is fundamental in order to plane the more appropriate strategies for it survival over the time. Different landraces of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) are still maintained on-farm in Italy. About one hundred of them have been object of our studies during the last ten years. The aim of this review is to discuss the most interesting case-studies identified during these researches. Results and discussion. At Gradoli and Acquapendente (Viterbo province, central Italy) is cultivated since XVIII century a white, small-seeded common bean named Fagiolo del Purgatorio. The screening of 23 populations belonging to this agro-ecotype showed that two distinct nuclei constituted its genetic structure. An appreciable genetic differentiation was detected among populations of Poverello bianco, a landrace sampled in the Pollino Park (Basilicata and Calabria regions, southern Italy) by using molecular markers though morphological and biochemical traits suggested a substantial homogeneity of collected material. The landraces named Cioncone and Fagiolo pane aquilano cultivated in two close valleys located in central Italy (Valle Aniene and Valle Peligna, respectively) represent an example of different names used by local farmers to designate the same genetic material. The consequence of the introduction of one agro-ecotype in a new environment is discussed in relation to experimental data collected for common bean from Lamon and Billò (Veneto and Piedmont regions, respectively). Finally, how the attribution of PGI, one of the marks introduced by EU, to a group of agroecotypes cultivated in the same area can affect their survival is discussed for the common bean from Sarconi (Basilicata region, southern Italy). Conclusions. Consequently, strategies aimed to on-farm conservation management may take in account the necessity to carry out a detailed characterisation and evaluation of the seed material involved in the safeguard initiatives. This goal can be reached throughout a synergy of different institutions such as local administrations, research institutes, rural communities and seed traders.