In situ landraces: best practice evidence-based database
A tool for promoting landrace conservation

In recent years, the market of ‘Aglione della Val di Chiana’ has been quickly growing both locally and nationally. The landrace is commercialised as row product (i.e. bulbs and cloves) or also as processed products such as ready-to-use sauces, creams, and jams.

Many local restaurants use ‘Aglione della Val di Chiana’ for the preparation of a typical main course: the so-called ‘Pici all’Aglione’.

The interest on the landrace also caught the attention of the other European and non-European markets. The product has been recently exported in USA and Japan.

This landrace has been recognized as ‘Prodotto Agroalimentare Tipico’ (PAT, litteraly Typical Food Product) by the Italian Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry through the technical support of Regione Toscana. The PAT recognition is based on evidence that demonstrate the use of a landrace (or a processed foodstuff) in a certain area for at least 25 years.

In recent years, ‘Aglione della Val di Chiana’ also caught the interest of the ‘Slow Food’ foundation that included it into a group of products called ‘the Ark of Taste’; this initiative aims at drawing attention on products at risk of extinction by inviting people to take action in order to protect them.

Currently, ‘Regione Toscana’, within the EU’s Rural Development Plan 2014-2020, funded an historical research and morpho-phenological and genetic characterisation of the landrace in order to include it on the ‘Registro regionale delle varietà locali’ (Regional register of landraces) of Toscana Region. This activity is foreseen in the implementation of the Tuscany Region Law (n. 64, 1997) which is aimed at safeguarding and promoting the cultivation of local genetic resources).

The Agronomy Institute at Orkney College UHI has been working since 2002 with Orkney growers and potential market collaborators to conserve this particular landrace. The department is led by Dr Peter Martin, whose efforts have established a local supply chain that feeds into a few breweries, distilleries, and bakeries, thus stimulating the production of 60 tons or more a year of bere (Uhi.ac.uk, 2019; Martin and Chang, 2007). This has been achieved by identifying relevant market outlets and capitalizing on interest in ‘traditional’ food products.

Barony mill, a 19^th century water mill, has also contributed to the preservation of bere and bere cultivation practices as it ensures the growing of around 50 acres to provide grain for milling processes, and then sells the meal to bakeries and meal products to tourists.

Bere barley is registered as a conservation variety in the European Common Catalogue of Conservation Varieties and is also of interest in the Slow Food movement (Food Safety - European Commission, 2019; Slow Food in the UK, 2019). In order to encourage the cultivation and promote bere on the local market, Peter Martin of the Agronomy Institute at Orkney College UHI have been working with growers and market collaborators since 2002 to stimulate interest and have successfully seen a rise in numbers of products created and sold with bere as a component. In addition to this, Barony Mill contracts out the growing of around 50 acres and mills the grain produced, selling the meal to bakeries and meal products to tourists visiting the mill.

Mainly grown as a garden crop by private individuals all over Switzerland, however some farmers of Bosco Gurin still cultivate this variety at small scale for the local market. ‘Bosco Gurin’ is an important ingredient in a traditional vegetable soup made from local vegetables called ‘Måtzufåmm. The soup and the ‘Bosco Gurin’ variety are celebrated at the yearly village festival taking place in September.

The turnip ‘Bosco Gurin’ is said to be only growing well and to its excellent taste in the village of Bosco Gurin. The turnip landrace makes for an important part of the village’s heritage.

‘Broccolo fiolaro di Creazzo’ has a rich local market. However, no official data is available on the market price and the overall turnover.

This landrace has been also recognized as ‘Prodotto Agroalimentare Tipico’ (PAT, literally Typical Food Product) by the Italian Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry through technical support of Region Veneto. The PAT recognition is based on evidences that demonstrate the use of a landrace (or a processed foodstuff) in a certain area for at least 25 years.

In recent years, ‘Broccolo Fiolaro’ also caught the interest of the ‘Slow Food’ foundation that included it into a group of products called ‘the Ark of Taste’; this initiative aims at drawing attention on products at risk of extinction by inviting people to take action in order to protect them.

The cultivation methods and phases, that were part of the local oral tradition, were formalised into written guidelines that farmers need to endorse in order to be part of the agricultural society. The above-mentioned agronomical practices are analogous to the ones used under organic farming systems and thus constitutes an additional value for the final product.

Finally, FIOI Società Agricola Produttori del Broccolo Fiolaro di Creazzo recently implemented a website in which an important section reports useful information on the landrace (http://www.broccolofiolaro-fioi.it/).

The centennial fair of the onions of Penafiel (fair of St. Bartholomeu), singular in the country, demonstrates the importance of the product in the region.

This traditional variety is included in the National Catalog of Varieties of 2019, published by ‘Direção-Geral de Alimentação e Veterinária’ (DGAV), as a conservation variety.

If there is any market for this landrace, at the moment is very small, it’s mainly grown for own consumption, by hobby gardeners. The landrace is best used for fresh consumption, the storability and processing experiments were giving poor results, therefore we suppose it’s mainly suitable for home production and for local farmers’ markets.

‘Cegléd’ is registered as conservation variety in the European Common Catalogue of Conservation Varieties following the Commission Directive 2008/62/CE of 20 June 2008.

Traditional markets and rural tourism.

Research, evaluation and valorisation of new types of bread is required.

Traditionally this variety is grown in the region of Geneva. In 2011 only seven farmers cultivated ‘Epineux argenté de Plainpalais’ in this region, harvesting between 100 and 130 tonnes per year. The harvest is mostly sold in the local market. Outside of Geneva this speciality is hardly known.

‘Epineux argenté de Plainpalais’ has been awarded and protected in 2003 with the designation of origin ‘Cardon épineux genevois AOP’ (Appellation d’Origine Protégéé). It is the only vegetable in Switzerland with the AOP label. Since its certification, the popularity of “Epineux argenté de Plainpalais” has increased not only within the Geneva region but throughout Switzerland. This cardoon variety has also been recognised as part of the ‘Culinary heritage of Switzerland’ (https://www.patrimoineculinaire.ch/Produkt/Cardon-de-Geneve-Cardon-epineux-genevois-AOP/110).

If there is any market for this landrace, at the moment is very small; it’s mainly grown for own consumption, by hobby gardeners. The landrace is best used for fresh consumption, the storability and processing experiments were giving poor results, therefore there are evidences that this landraceis mainly suitable for home production and for local farmers ‘markets.

‘Fadd’ is registered as conservation variety in the European Common Catalogue of Conservation Varieties following the Commission Directive 2008/62/CE of 20 June 2008.

The initial promotion of research and of farmer awareness triggered a virtuous process of conservation. The area under cowpea cultivation increased which in turn significantly increased the income of the farmers who cultivated the crop. The market price for the landrace increased (in the main regional province, Perugia) from 6 euro/kg in 1994 to the present 20-22 euro/kg.

The landrace is included into the Regional Register of Landraces, implementing the Umbria Region Law concerning the protection of local genetic resources (n. 25, 2001).

In order to encourage the cultivation of ‘Fagiolina del Lago Trasimeno’, a request for the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) label has been promoted. ‘Fagiolina del Lago Trasimeno’ also caught the interest of the Slow Food movement which included it among its ‘presidia’, and, within a few years, it became a must in many top restaurants, even outside the region Umbria.

It has a rich, local niche market due to its smooth, doughy taste and very limited production. Most of the farmers sell the products directly or by using local distributors. While the market for ‘Fagiolo a Pisello’ could be expanded, no territorial or quality brand has been adopted until now.

In 2005 ‘Fagiolo a Pisello’ was included into the Regional Register of Genetic Resources of Lazio Region (Italy) following the implementation of the Lazio Region Law (n. 15, 1^st March 2000 (http://www.arsial.it/arsial/wp-content/uploads/page/n.1-legge-regionale.pdf) which is aimed at safeguarding and promoting the cultivation of local genetic resources.

Currently, the cultivation of ‘Fagiolo di Camerata’ is carried out by locals who produce limited amounts, only for their home consumption. Initiatives are needed to promote the landrace on local and national markets.

In recent years, in order to valorise the product, the local association named ‘Verdetodi’ has been promoting the use ‘Fagiolo di Camerata’ during their annual event ‘Todi Fiorita’, that takes place in the historical centre of Todi (Perugia) every year in mid-May. The valorisation is carried out by favouring local market and by providing people information on the traditional cultivation; indeed, the main scope of ‘Verdetodi’ is to valorise green culture in all its aspect by promoting sustainable environmental and agricultural practices.

In 2018 ‘Fagiolo di Camerata’ was included into the Regional Register of Landraces (Umbria Region, Italy), implementing the Umbria Region Law concerning the protection of local genetic resources (n. 25, 2001).

From 1978, through the annual event ‘Sagra del Fagiolo’, the association ‘Pro Loco Cave’ increased year by year the local market potential and the general interest on the landrace. In fact, for this event beans are processed according to traditional recipes that valorise the peculiar culinary features of the bean

The landrace is included into the Regional Register of Landraces, implementing the Umbria Region Law concerning the protection of local genetic resources (n. 25, 2001). This landrace has been also recognized as ‘Prodotto Agroalimentare Tipico’ (PAT, literally Typical Food Product) by the Italian Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry through the technical support of Regione Umbria. The PAT recognition is based on evidence that demonstrate the use of a landrace (or a processed foodstuff) in a certain area for at least 25 years. The PAT recognises both ‘Fagiolo verdino di Cave’ and ‘Fagiolo giallo di Cave’.

‘Pro loco Cave’ (http://prolococave.it/, Perugia, Italy) is a local association of the district of Cave (Foligno, Perugia, Italy) whose main aims are: i) cultural enhancement, ii) valorisation of territory and landscape, iii) heritage preservation and iv) development of good territorial practices. The association has been involved for decades in the valorisation, preservation and promotion ‘Fagiolo di Cave’. Throughout the past 25 years, Pro-Loco Cave favoured the traditional cultivation of the landrace and created an annual event (http://prolococave.it/sagra/) to promote the product. Currently, the association holds the brand ‘Fagiolo di Cave’ and carries out coordination activities favouring the networking among the producers.

In order to favour conservation and to valorise diversity, the collective brand ‘Fagiolo di Cave’ was registered for two types of Cave’s beans: the light green and the yellow one.

The cultivation methods and procedures, that were part of the local oral tradition, were formalised into written guidelines that farmers need to endorse in order to use the brand. The above-mentioned agronomical practices are analogous to the ones used under organic farming systems and thus constitutes an additional value for the final product.

Finally, Pro-Loco Cave recently implemented a website in which an important section reports useful information on the product and the annual event (http://prolococave.it/sagra/).

It has a rich, local and national market due to its unique taste, texture, nutritional value and boiling quality. Although production is low, the demand is high. The distribution of Englouvi's lentils takes place after its harvest each July to August. Usually all the production is sold immediately as it has been already sold out due to huge demand before finishing the harvest. The lentils are sold only in bulk with the kilogram and in a high price. The consumers can buy ‘Faki Eglouvis’ directly from the producers at the village of Eglouvi or they can order on-line from the farmer's websites or by sending an e-mail.

Every year on the 6th of August, the lentils festival takes place. The inhabitants and the farmers celebrate their local production, and ‘Faki Eglouvis’ is cooked and served to the visitors of the plateau.

In 2006 ‘Faki Eglouvis was registered into the catalogue of extensive crops threatened by genetic erosion and funded under Measure 3.8 of Axis 3 ‘Agro-environment measures’ of the Agricultural Development Programme 2000-2006 following the implementation of the Common Ministerial Desicion 620/135644/06-07-2005 (Ministerial Desicion 218151/23-06-2006, Governmental Gazette 823/4-7-2006).

Isolation of the island and the special plateau microclimate may have contributed to the development of a distinct genetic background of the landrace that merits further study. ‘Faki Eglouvis’ is a landrace cultivated for a long time in an isolated area, with no purposeful admixture of the planting material with other varieties, which enjoys high market value and appreciation by consumers, but is frequently adulterated and downgraded in the market. The unique characteristics such as the great taste and high nutritional value of ‘Faki Eglouvis’ increased the consumers’ interest that in combination with the low crop yield formed a high market price. (Tsanakas et al. 2018).

Local income from this LR can be estimated around 250,000 €. Nowadays, the ‘Monteleone di Spoleto’ emmer has undergone a successful marketing strengthening thanks to some farmers’ initiatives. In October 2002 seven local farmers constituted themselves into the ‘Association of Monteleone di Spoleto Emmer’.

The landrace is included into the Regional Register of Landraces, implementing the Umbria Region Law concerning the protection of local genetic resources (n. 25, 2001).

The ‘Monteleone di Spoleto’ emmer also holds the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) label and represents a good example of successful use of territorial labels for the promotion of a product obtained from a landrace.

Today, the cultivation of pepper to produce ‘Mpachovou’’ pepper (spice) is scattered in many villages of Almopia Municipality. However, the increased demand for local quality products creates the conditions for growing the crop acreage and developing the marketing of the product. Few farmers, also, grow organically and allocate products to the organic niche markets.

Every year, in the village of Garefi, there is an annual festival and local gastronomy events, while in regional exhibitions the product is reappearing.

In 2006 ‘Mpachovou or Karatzovas’ pepper was registered into the catalogue of extensive crops threatened by genetic erosion and funded under Measure 3.8 of Axis 3 ‘Agro-environment measures’ of the Agricultural Development Programme 2000-2006 following the implementation of the Common Ministerial Desicion 620/135644/06-07-2005 (Ministerial Desicion 218151/23-06-2006, Governmental Gazette 823/4-7-2006).

In 2018, an application was made to the Variety Research Institute of the Cultivated Plants of the Ministry of Rural Development and Food for the registration of ‘Glikokafteri Mpachovou’ in the Catalogue of Conservation Varieties according to the EC Recommendation 2008/62/EU of the 20^th June 2008 (L 162)’.

‘Gniff’ is still very much appreciated on the local market in the Malcantone region. Thanks to the cooperation between Coop and ProSpecieRara, ‘Gniff’ is in discussion for sales in bigger Coop Supermarktes throughout Switzerland. Furthermore, it can be found on farmers’ markets all over Switzerland.

During the European project DIVERSIFOOD, the Gniff carrot and deriving breeding lines were tested for their taste characteristics in collaboration with chefs. A rather rustic taste of low sweetness, with spicy, herbal, earthy flavors was attested to the line of the original Gniff. Due to the genetics from modern varieties, the newly developed breeding lines were rather sweet, but otherwise a bit shallow. Chefs therefore preferred the taste properties of the original Gniff. As such, taste breeding goals of the new lines were defined rather close to the original landrace.

‘Grütt’ is marketed locally in the Seeland region of the Canton Bern mainly by organic farmers which obtained the tubers directly from the ‘Grütt’ farm. Additionally, some farmers even deliver tubers of the landrace to supermarket chains. However, the landrace’s name is probably never communicated with the produce, as the crop in general is not well known to consumers, and therefore the variety’s name is not very important to marketing.

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If there is any market for this landrace, at the moment is very small, it’s mainly grown for own consumption, by hobby gardeners. The landrace is best used for fresh consumption, drying and juice making. The productivity is reasonably low, therefore there are evidences that this landrace is mainly suitable for home production and for local farmers’ markets.

‘Gyöngyös’ is registered as conservation variety in the European Common Catalogue of Conservation Varieties following the Commission Directive 2008/62/CE of 20 June 2008.

Due to the marginal cultivation area only some kilos of yield have been sold so far. However, since 2018 an artisan bakery has tested to bake a speciality rye bread to buy from their bakery cafe. (Hermanni farmer interview 2018).

‘Hermanni’ is registered in Finland as a conservation variety in the European Common Catalogue of Conservation Varieties (EU Plant variety database 2019) in 2016 (Finnish Plant Variety Journal 2019). The modified DUS-test is done during the registration process.

Among the rye conservation varieties in Finland ‘Iivo’ has the largest cultivation area. In North Carelia region it is considerably comparative compared to modern rye varieties.

Its seed is produced under the certified seed lot standards in Finland. Seed testing of conservation varieties is preceded as same manner as for normal certified seed lots including field inspection and laboratory analysis. Also the prices of inspections and analyses are the same as for normal seed lots. If the seed lot meets the standards set for conservation varieties it can approved for marketing in Finland. Seed bags need to labelled. In 2018 it has permission for seed production in 12 ha area. (Finnish Food Authorities 2019).

‘Iivo’ is registered in Finland as a conservation variety in the European Common Catalogue of Conservation Varieties (EU Plant variety database 2019; Finnish Plant Variety Journal 2019). The modified DUS-test is done during the registration process. The official variety trials for three years have been done (Kangas et al 2002).

Main yield is used for seed and home consumption, small amount of grain is sold for consumers who bake traditional rye bread. A few farmers have cultivated it some years but have quitted because of low yields. Forays with a local bakery have dwindled to low profitability. (Joppe farmer interview 2018).

‘Joppe’ is registered in Finland as a conservation variety in the European Common Catalogue of Conservation Varieties (EU Plant variety database 2019; Finnish Plant Variety Journal 2019). The modified DUS-test is done during the registration process.

It has an on growing, local organic niche market due to its special taste, rich dietary properties and limited production. Most of the farmers sell the products directly at organic folk or farmers' markets or by using local distributors. Dehulling and processing is a quite costly task which raises cost production and final prices to end users. Some of the farmers use self-invented dehulling equipment and mill the grain at local traditional water mills of the area of Aridaia of Municipality of Almopia. While the market for ‘Kaploutzas’ could be expanded, no territorial or quality brand has been adopted until now.

In 2006 ‘Kaploutzas’ was registered into the catalogue of extensive crops threatened by genetic erosion and funded under Measure 3.8 of Axis 3 ‘Agro-environment measures’ of the Agricultural Development Programme 2000-2006 following the implementation of the Common Ministerial Desicion 620/135644/06-07-2005 (Ministerial Desicion 218151/23-06-2006, Governmental Gazette 823/4-7-2006).

In 2018, an application was made to the Variety Research Institute of the Cultivated Plants of the Ministry of Rural Development and Food for the registration of the landrace in the Catalogue of Conservation Varieties according to the EC Recommendation 2008/62/EU of the 20^th June 2008 (L 162)’. The above actions aim to the protection of ‘Kaploutzas’ from genetic erosion and its utilization to less fertile, severe pedoclimatic or low input conditions.

White clover is mostly used as a forage crop, as it is very nutritious and high in protein. It fixes nitrogen in surrounding soils and adds protein to any grass species it is grown with (Wilman and Hollington, 1985). It also has an important role in phytomanagement of metal polluted sites. The root system of the plant takes up metals such as zinc, lead and cadmium (Bidar et al., 2007).

Alongside traditional uses for clover, there are several alternative benefits from cultivating it. It can be grown and left on fields as green manure, with all of the accumulated nitrogen in the plant being returned to the soil (Ten Holteand Van Keulen, 1989). This could be achieved by cutting the clover crop periodically throughout the growing season and leaving cuttings as mulch. The benefits from the mulch would be in addition to nitrogen fixing, soil quality improvement, and the prevention of soil erosion that is normally associated with this crop.

There is also a small market for food products derived from clover landraces such as Kent Wild White Clover. Clover flowers are very important for honeybees and honey production (Parente and Frame, 1993).

This landrace does not appear on any common plant variety registers, having been deleted from the European Union plant variety database in 2013 (Ec.europa.eu, 2019). It is considered to be of Least Concern on the ICUN Red List, but this assessment was last reviewed in 2010 (IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, 2019).

Local and, possibly, regional. Marketed under the trademark Green heritage®.

Chefs have indicated a pronounced interest in swede ‘Klint karin’ due to its storage and gastronomic qualities.

‘Klint karin’ was registered 28 November 2018 on the Swedish official list of varieties as a conservation variety.

The market of ‘Kremmydi Thespion’ is mostly local and national. The landrace is commercialised as row product (i.e. sets, bulbs and onions). They use it for the preparation of typical greek dishes, such as ‘Stifado’. The main concern of the farmers now is to find ways to increase the attention of the other European and non-European markets. Most of the farmers sell the products using distributors (personal communication with Panagiotis Dritsas, representative of the Agricultural Cooperative of Thespies and farmer).

Each summer, the ‘Onion Festival’ is the most important cultural event. All actors are involved and the participation of people is wide. The traditional onion-based dishes (‘stifatho’, pies, etc.) are served to everyone’.

In 2016, an application was made from the Agricultural Cooperative of Thespies to the Variety Research Institute of the Cultivated Plants of the Ministry of Rural Development and Food for the registration of the onion in the Catalogue of Conservation Varieties according to the EC Recommendation 2008/62/EU of the 20^th June 2008 (L 162)’. Recently it was accepted and it resulted as the first Greek registered landrace in the Catalogue.

Until the 1980s the ‘Küttiger Rüebli’ was mainly marketed locally in Küttigen and surroundings. With the beginning of commercialisation of seeds by Sativa Rheinau after 1999, the interest has grown at a national level, nowadays it can even be found in bigger Supermarkets throughout Switzerland. The landrace is primarily marketed as a raw product although it can sometimes be found pickled or dried the traditional way on farmers’ markets or in local shops. Local restaurants serve the pickled ‘Küttiger Rüebli’ together with a white sauce, black pudding and liver sausages or with apple slices.

In order to promote and maintain the ‘Küttiger Rüebli’ and other local carrot varieties on the local market and as traditional varieties, a commission established the ‘Aarauer Rüeblimärt’ (Aarauer carrot market) where the ‘Küttiger Rüebli’ still is sold by the Countrywomen’s Association Küttigen (Landfrauenverein Küttigen). The event takes place in Aarau every year on the first Wednesday of November. The ‘Küttiger Rüebli’ has been recognised as part of the ‘Culinary heritage of Switzerland’.

Local and, possibly, regional. Marketed under the trademark Green heritage®.

Chefs have indicated a pronounced interest in potato onion ‘Leksand’ due to its storage and gastronomic qualities.

‘Leksand’ was registered on December 2017 on the Swedish official list of varieties as an amateur variety. Registration is effective until December the 31^st 2027.

If there is any market for this landrace, at the moment is very small, it’s mainly grown for own consumption.

‘Máriapócs’ is registered as conservation variety in the European Common Catalogue of Conservation Varieties following the Commission Directive 2008/62/CE of 20 June 2008.

If there is any market for this landrace, at the moment is very small, it’s mainly grown for own consumption, by hobby gardeners. The landrace is best used for fresh consumption, the storability and processing experiments were giving poor results, therefore there are evidences that this landrace is mainly suitable for home production and for local farmers’ markets.

‘Mátrafüred’ is registered as conservation variety in the European Common Catalogue of Conservation Varieties following the Commission Directive 2008/62/CE of 20 June 2008.

Currently, no local or national market exists as the production of ‘Mela a Sonagli’ is carried out by few farmers/gardners, conserving 1-2 individuals, for their family consumption.

In 2014 ‘Mela a Sonagli’ was included into the regional register of landraces (Umbria Region, Italy) implementing the Umbria Region Law concerning the protection of local genetic resources (n. 25, 2001).

Currently, no local or national market exists as the production of ‘Mela Conventina’ is carried out by few farmers/gardeners, conserving few individuals. By the way, in the next few years the market of ‘Mela Conventina’ will have the possibility to grow as a local apple producer recently planted an orchard using this landrace.

In 2013 ‘Mela Conventina’ was included into the Regional Register of Landraces (Umbria Region, Italy), implementing the Umbria Region Law concerning the protection of local genetic resources (n. 25, 2001). Fruits of Mela Conventina are characterised by good storability.

Currently, DSA3_UNIPG sells Mix48 seed under the frame of COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING DECISION of 18 March 2014 (see details under ‘Access to Resource’). Seed request mostly come from organic farmers seeking for ‘diverse’ materials that can suit their low input, often variable cultivation environments. It is difficult to foresee which will be its future market, initial data are encouraging.

Farmers mostly cultivate Mix48 for feed use, some are experimenting the population for other purposes (beer).

Several experimental activities were carried out by DSA3_UNIPG to assess potential performances of Mix 48 and to consequently promote its use.

Multi-environmental trials carried out in low input and organic systems for four successive years with controls by DSA3_UNIPG, showed that Mix48 population often out-yielded lines recently developed for ‘conventional’ management and showed higher stability. As such Mix48 was recommended for use in Central Italy under organic and low-input management systems.

Presently DSA3_UNIPG is also evaluating the suitability of Mix 48 in the production of beer (chemical characteristics, malting ability and taste of the beer obtained from it.

Successful cooperation allowed the market of ‘Nostrano di Storo’ to grow exponentially. In particular, the establishment of the Agri 90 cooperative allowed the farmers to have the facility of processing the products and place them on the local and national market. ‘Nostrano si Storo’ is commercialised directly as flour or as ready-to-cook cornmeal mush. The market value is estimated around 2 million euros.

‘Nostrano di Storo’ is registered as conservation variety in the European Common Catalogue of Conservation Varieties following the Commission Directive 2008/62/CE of 20 June 2008.

Although Parli is considered and appreciated as a delicacy due to its chestnut-like flavour, the market is small as prices are high. Due to its rather low yields, small tuber size and difficulty in obtaining potato seeds only few farmers in Switzerland cultivate ‘Parli’ thus creating a limited supply to the market.

Efforts initiated by ProSpecieRara are underway to promote Parli among other potatoes as a speciality for marketing through selected grocery stores and in the top gastronomy. Due to its very rich flavour profile, these potatoes are used as an exclusivity and not only as a staple food.

In the last years Angelica fruits demand is increasing a lot for some reasons: pear varieties in the market are very few and conumers need something different.  Fruit Quality of is very high level and that is appreciate a lot. Demand of local varieties is increasing and not only on farm direct sale but also is supermarkets trends.

Pera Angelica has been included into the regional register of local genetic resources of Emilia Romagna.

Currently, no local or national market exists as the production of ‘Pera cocomerina’ is carried out by few farmers/gardners, conserving from 1 to 6 individuals each. Currently, the production is used to produce jam and a typical pear liquor that are sold during the annual event ‘Sagra della Pera Cocomerina’.

In 2011, ‘Pera cocomerina’ (det. n° 16102 del 12/12/2011) was included into the regional register of landraces (Emilia Romagna Region, Italy) implementing the regional Law concerning the protection of local genetic resources (n. 1, January the 29^th, 2008).

The cultural association ‘Pro Loco Ville’ (http://www.peracocomerina.it/beta/2587-2/) is a local association of the district of Ville di Montecoronaro (Verghereto, Cesena, Italy) whose main aims is conservation and use of ‘Pera Cocomerina’. The association has been involved for decades in the valorisation, preservation and promotion of this landrace. Throughout the past decvades, Pro Loco Ville favoured conservation of the landrace and created an annual event named ‘Sagra della Pera Cocomerina’ (http://www.peracocomerina.it/beta/le-sagre/) to promote the product and its derivates.

The landrace also caught the interest of the Slow Food movement which included it among its ‘presidia’.

One farmer produces ‘Perttuli’ seeds and its yearly seed sale is around 1,500 kilos. The seed production offers significant income to the farm.

It is cultivated for fodder throughout Finland, according to farmer’s estimation in the area of about 500 ha. (Farmer interview 2018; no official statistics of cultivation area). The accepted area of ‘Perttuli’ seed production was 12 ha in year 2018. In 2017 the maximum seed sale amount for the red clover conservation varieties was 2,190 kilos. (Finnish Food Authorities 2019c).

Perttuli’ is registered in Finland as a conservation variety in the European Common Catalogue of Conservation Varieties (EU Plant variety database 2019) in 2002 (Finnish Food Authority 2019c). The modified DUS-test is done during the registration process.

Pollinators are essential for seed production. The farmer co-operates with local honeybee farmers who have 22-26 beehives nearby.  (Farmer interview 2019). According to the Finnish beekeepers union 30% of seed yield in general is due to bee pollinating services.

Until year 2002 the farm had dairy cattle fed only with ‘Perttuli’. The farmer observed some positive effects in cattle health and milk quality compared to the earlier time when cattle was fed with timothy: cattle remained healthier and less problems occurred in gestation; better storage life of milk in the farm milk tank, higher fat content and better fat composition in milk. (Farmer interview 2019).

Currently, the landrace has no local market as the farmer only cultivate it according to his domestic needs.

In 2015 ‘Pomodoro di Mercatello’ was included into the Regional Register of Landraces (Umbria Region, Italy), implementing the Umbria Region Law concerning the protection of local genetic resources (n. 25, 2001).

The PDO designation has drawn attention to this local potato strain from the north and allowed it to become a popular landrace product in homes and professional kitchens in Finland.

Main crop is sold to wholesale business to be sold as fresh in retail shops and restaurants under the brand name ‘Lapin Puikula’ in Finland. In 2010s some special products from ‘Puikula’ have been developed: ‘Lapin Puikula Chips’, ‘Puikulapommes’ and pre-cooked Puikulas for grill and oven. Some efforts for export have been made (e.g. Germany).

Since 1994 ‘Puikula’ has been accepted to the National List of Plant Varieties in Finland amongst bred cultivars (Finnish Food Authorities 2019).

‘Puikula‘ grown in the Lapland region of Finland was registered as Lapin Puikula (Lapland’s Puikula in English) in the European Union under the terms of Protected Designation of Origin (PDO)  in 1997 (European Commission 2019). As the PDO product, it is production take place in ther region to which its name refers.

The landrace is very appreciated on the local market (Lazio Region), also due to the several initiatives carried out by local authorities to save the landrace by promoting its cultivation and market.

In order to encourage the cultivation and promote ‘Rapa Catalogna di Roccasecca’ on the local market, the association named ‘Le Vie’ established a festival during which the product is directly used to prepare traditional curses. The event takes place in Roccasecca (Frosinone) every year, in December.

In 2011 ‘Rapa Catalogna di Roccasecca’ was included into the Regional Register of Genetic Resources of Lazio Region (Italy) following the implementation of the Lazio Region Law (n. 15, 1st March 2000 (http://www.arsial.it/arsial/wp-content/uploads/page/n.1-legge-regionale.pdf) which is aimed at safeguarding and promoting the cultivation of local genetic resources).

Marketed under the trademark Green heritage®. Grey pea ‘Rättvik’ is being sold to consumers through the company Nordisk råvara nationally.

Chefs have indicated a pronounced interest in grey pea ‘Rättvik’ due to its historical and gastronomic qualities. Rättvik’ was registered 20 April 2010 on the Swedish official list of varieties as conservation variety. Registration is effective until 31 December 2020. It is marketed under the under the trademark Green heritage®.

‘Rheintaler Ribelmais’ has been experiencing a renaissance over the last few years. Overall production in 2005 in the Reinthal region was 30 tonnes, part of which went to local restaurants, bakeries and breweries, while the other part was sold through retail businesses, both locally and nationally.

The designation ‘Rheintaler Ribelmais’, which represents an independent variety, has been protected since 2000 with the designation of origin ‘Rheintaler Ribelmais AOP’ (Appellation d’Origine Protégée) as the first cereal product of Switzerland. Numerous regional products are produced from the ‘Rheintaler Ribelmais AOP’. For example, the corn beer of the regional brewery Sonnenbräu marketed under the protected brand name Ribelgold. The ‘Rheintaler RIbelmais’ has been recognised as part of the ‘Culinary heritage of Switzerland’ (https://www.patrimoineculinaire.ch/Produkte?text=ribelmais&canton=&categorie=#285).

This apple is still appreciated by local consumers for its particular taste that remembers apples of the past. Nowadays the potential of the market is increasing because of a renewed general interest on old varieties and landraces. Very high level of antioxidants is another element that brings new attention to Rosa Romana from consumers.

In 2015 Rosa Romana was included into the regional register of local genetic resources of Emilia Romagna. In 2018, Rosa Romana was also included into the list of ‘regional typical products.

It has a local niche market due to its special quality and it is promoted for its products (bread, bakery products). On Sunday, March 19 2017, AEGILOPS and the local seed saving network SFONTILI, as an action of promotion of the products of ‘Saritsam’ and of public awareness organized a seed exchange event at the central high schools of Mytilene during which the participants had the opportunity to taste bread from ‘Saritsam.

AEGILOPS (Network for Biodiversity and Ecology in Agriculture) in order to preserve the landrace ‘Saritsam’ suggested to the Ministry of Rural Development and Food to be included in the list of varieties under genetic erosion of the Agri-environmental Measure 9. In 2018, an application was made to the Variety Research Institute of the Cultivated Plants of the Ministry of Rural Development and Food for the registration of the landrace in the Catalogue of Conservation Varieties according to the EC Recommendation 2008/62/EU of the 20^th June 2008 (L 162)’. The above actions aim the protection of ‘Saritsam’ from genetic erosion and its utilization to the pedoclimatic or low input conditions of North Aegean Islands.

Today, ‘Saritsam’ has been recognized for its good cultivation behavior and adaptability to the soil and climate conditions of the region, but also for its special qualities.

Timothy hay is a historic hay variety, used for horses and smaller domestic pets such as rabbits and guinea pigs. It also fetches top prices from livestock keepers (Nicolson, 2016)

Many people are allergic to timothy pollen, and there had been some success in trials using the pollen to create a treatment (Nelson et al., 2011). Thus, there may be some market for growing Scots timothy for this area of research, though this is undoubtedly rather limited.

Scots timothy is registered on the European Union Plant Variety Database, which lists only one maintainer in Stirling (Ec.europa.eu, 2019). It is not currently covered by SASA’s Scottish Landrace Protection Scheme (Sasa.gov.uk, 2019).

The landrace is very appreciated on the local market (Umbria Region), also due to the several initiatives carried out by local authorities to save the landrace by promoting its cultivation and market (see below ‘Added value’ and ‘External support’).

In order to encourage the cultivation and promote ‘Sedano Nero di Trevi’ on the local market, the association named ‘Pro Trevi’ established a festival during which the product is directly sold by the farmers and a prize is assigned to the best farmer. The event takes place in Trevi (Perugia) every year, in October.

‘Sedano Nero di Trevi’ also caught the interest of the Slow Food movement which included it among its ‘presidia’ in 2008, and, within a few years, it became a must in many top restaurants, even outside the Umbria Region.

This landrace has been also recognized as ‘Prodotto Agroalimentare Tipico’ (PAT, litteraly Typical Food Product) by the Italian Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry through technical support of Region Umbria. The PAT recognition is based on evidences that demonstrate the use of a landrace (or a processed foodstuff) in a certain area for at least 25 years.

In 2014 ‘Sedano Nero di Trevi’ was included into the ‘Registro Regionale delle Varietà Locali’ (‘Regional Register of Landraces’) of Umbria Region, in the implementation of the Umbria Region Law (n. 25, 2001) on genetic resources.

Regional and, possibly, national. Marketed under the trademark Green heritage®. In 2013, 600 kg of the bean was delivered to one retailer in Sweden with the understanding that it should be sold to consumers. Still, in 2019, the bean has regrettably not reached the market.

Chefs have indicated a pronounced interest in French or Kidney bean Signe due to its cooking and gastronomic qualities which have been demonstrated in comparative tests.

Signe was registered March the 4^th 2011 on the Swedish official list of varieties as a conservation variety. Registration is effective until 31 December 2021.

‘Solina’ soft wheat has a limited niche market. Thanks to the Slow Food initiative, it is common to find products also outside the Region Abruzzo. Flour of organic ‘Solina’ is currently sold for about 3.5 €/kg.

‘Solina’ has been recognized as ‘Prodotto Agroalimentare Tipico’ (PAT, litteraly Typical Food Product) by the Italian Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry through the technical support of Regione Abruzzo. The PAT recognition is based on evidences that demonstrate the use of a landrace (or a processed foodstuff) in a certain area for at least 25 years.

‘Solina’ also caught the interest of the Slow Food movement which included it among its ‘presidia’, and, within a few years, the derived products became a must in many top restaurants, even outside the Abruzzo Region.

If there is any market for this landrace, at the moment is very small, it’s mainly grown for own consumption, by hobby gardeners. The landrace is best used for fresh consumption, the storability and processing experiments were giving poor results, therefore there are evidences that this landrace is mainly suitable for home production and for local farmers’ markets.

‘Tolna’ is registered as conservation variety in the European Common Catalogue of Conservation Varieties following the Commission Directive 2008/62/CE of 20 June 2008.

Local and, possibly, regional. Marketed under the trademark Green heritage®.

Chefs have indicated a pronounced interest in swede ‘Vintjärn’ due to its storage and gastronomic qualities.

‘Frieda Welten’ is primarily grown in private gardens and only few farmers cultivate and market this variety locally. Although this variety can be harvested earlier than standard early varieties it is and probably will remain a variety for small niche markets.

‘Frieda Welten’ is one of only few remaining ‘winter crops’ of vegetables. Such crops are very precious in order to promote an all year use of gardens, and as such to provide to sustainability goals.

Oat has been a traditional animal feed for centuries, and while it is still predominantly grown for Spelt flour is a popular alternative to common wheat flour which has a different taste, and good nutritional value (Bojňanská and Frančáková, 2011). It has a more delicate gluten structure than common wheat making it more easily digestible and more easily tolerated by some people with gluten sensitivities.

Spelt is important as a wheat variety with possible future applications as a source of genetic material. All landraces are important in this respect as they hold a high degree of genetic diversity, but wheat relatives in particular will be key as wheat is expected to feed a large portion of the global population as number increase rapidly (Hoisington et al., 1999). It is entirely possible to select for high bioactive components in wheat for increased health value (Shewry, 2009).

There is already a good market demand for spelt products. In order to encourage this market emphasis is placed in the tradition of the grain when advertising products.

There is currently no protection scheme for spelt, and it does not appear on the European Plant Variety Database (v.3.2) (ec.europa.eu, 2019).

As ‘Roveja di Civita di Cascia’ is included among the so-called ‘Slow Food presidia’, both local and national markets are growing even if the production is still limited.

In 2015 ‘Roveja di Civita di Cascia’ was included into the Regional Register of Landraces (Umbria Region, Italy), implementing the Umbria Region Law concerning the protection of local genetic resources (n. 25, 2001). 

The landrace also caught the interest of the Slow Food movement which included it among its ‘presidia’.