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

Market - existing and novel:

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.

Others (e.g. commercial/geographical brands or special traits):

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.

Easy cultivation Precocity or lateness Suitable for organic agriculture Processing value National market External support Listed in a register

Market - existing and novel:

Oat has been a traditional animal feed for centuries, and while it is still predominantly grown for animal feeds the health benefits associated with this grain have seen an increase in demand for oat products over the few decades (Wrigley, Batey and Miskelly, 2017). Despite this interest in oat products, Avena strigosa Schreb. is still grown on the Outer Hebrides exclusively as animal feed and as part of a traditional Machair maintenance method. Similarly, on Shetland, there are a few maintainers who grow oats for fodder, stray, hay and/ or silage. On Orkney there is at least one grower maintaining this landrace to use for production of traditional oat back chairs which are then sold.

There is also interest in oat flour products, such as bread, from those who suffer from a wheat allergy. It is not necessary for those with this allergy to avoid oats, so they may consume products made with oat flour in place of those made with wheat flour and avoid symptoms associated with their allergy (Pietzak, 2012).

Others (e.g. commercial/geographical brands or special traits):

Oats have attracted attention over the past few years because of compounds such as β-glucan and sterols, which along with other compounds contained in oat grains, have been linked to a number of health benefits (Martínez-Villaluenga and Peñas, 2017). β-glucan in particular can lower LDL cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease (Theuwissen and Mensink, 2008). It should be noted that much of the research surrounding oats and health benefits associated with them is not specific to Avena strigosa Schreb., instead focusing on commercial oat crop species. Increased research into the particular benefits associated with Avena strigosa Schreb. may lead to increased market interest in this landrace, thus increasing land area used.

Easy cultivation Suitable for organic agriculture Processing value Nutritional value

Market - existing and novel:

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.

Others (e.g. commercial/geographical brands or special traits):

‘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.

Easy cultivation Special taste External support Listed in a register

Market - existing and novel:

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).

Others (e.g. commercial/geographical brands or special traits):

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.

Easy cultivation High yield Stable yield Suitable for organic agriculture Processing value Local market External support Listed in a register

Market - existing and novel:

The ‘Morada de Morella’ lettuce is marketed in fresh by growers in local markets. In this sense it can be difficult to find it in large supermarkets. Old growers often grown this variety for self-consumption. Recently, different research groups have carried out collection expeditions of this varietal type, as well as its characterization to determine the properties that can contribute to an enhancement of their crop and therefore its conservation 'on farm' (Figás et al., 2017)

Others (e.g. commercial/geographical brands or special traits):

The Universitat Politècnica de València has been extensively working during the last five years on the collection of traditional lettuce varieties and, more specifically, on the 'Morada de Morella' type. These works have been done in collaboration with the team of the Experimental Agrària de Carcaixent Station of the Generalitat Valenciana, led by D. Josep Roselló Oltra. Likewise, work is being done on the chemical characterization of this variety in order to determine which qualities can contribute to valorize this varietal type and therefore to enhance its conservation and cultivation.

Easy cultivation Abiotic stress tolerance Special taste Special colour Nutritional value Local market External support

Market - existing and novel:

Despite the pride and popular support that this vegetable has in the area, fewer and fewer people keep it in their family gardens and it is in regression. Currently there are few Morcín farmers who maintain this landrace. However, its cultivation is being introduced in other circuits. Small professional organic farmers from outside the council and new inhabitants of the Asturian rural world are betting on keep this variety in their gardens, which is having a great acceptance by consumers who buy it from new farmers.

Others (e.g. commercial/geographical brands or special traits):

This turnip has a tender texture flesh and thin skin. Its flavor is very pleasant and slightly sweet. Its aroma is also very soft and light. This landrace is very popular and valued in the area, since it is the main ingredient of the stewpot of turnips, emblematic dish of Morcín, forming part of its cultural heritage.

Easy cultivation Suitable for organic agriculture Abiotic stress tolerance Special food preparation Special taste Local market External support

Market - existing and novel:

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’.

Others (e.g. commercial/geographical brands or special traits):

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’.

Easy cultivation Stable yield Local fairs or festivals Historical interest Special taste Special colour Processing value Listed in a register