Genetics Resources of Wheat – Way Back or Promising Future in Sustainable Development of Organic Farming

Approximately seven thousand plant species have been cultivated and one hundred and twenty of them have retained their importance in national economic systems. The selection of varieties has been crucial in the breeding of... [ view full abstract ]

Approximately seven thousand plant species have been cultivated and one hundred and twenty of them have retained their importance in national economic systems. The selection of varieties has been crucial in the breeding of cultured forms from wild ones - the varieties have adapted to environmental conditions (Evans, 1981). Therefore, the previous landraces were very varied and stable. The modern forms have been bred over a short period and they have made important progress; nevertheless, they have not respected local environmental conditions. The varieties are usually adapted to farming technologies and they are not able to respond to unfavourable environmental conditions (drought, weed and disease pressure, etc.) (Lammerts van Bueren, 2002). In case of genetic resources of cereals is important to be adapt to changing environmental conditions. Therefore, the most valuable varieties should be conserve by the on-farm method which assures a dynamic process (Laliberté et al., 2000). Such a method of conservation of genetic resources is carried out in nature-friendly farming systems and it may bring interesting market opportunities.

Our results are composed from more studies made in organic farming system from 2006 till now. We have been working with more than ten neglected wheat species. Evaluation of landraces was oriented to analysis of morphological, biological and economic characteristics. The most important part was oriented to evalution of technological and nutritional quality of grain.

Our results show potential of some landraces of neglected wheat species to be grown in organic farming system. In many case was main advantage high resistance to common wheat diseases (eq. Triticum monococcum L., Triticum Timopheevi L. or Triticum diccocum Schrank). On the other hand – resistence was crutial problem of some species (eq. Triticum sphaerococcum L.). A lot of landraces had a higher competition ability against weed plant in case of non chemical weed management.  Interesting findings also came from evaluation of yield. Generally – landraces had lower yield potential than modern varieties of Triticum aestivum L. Different situation was on less quality soils or very low nutrition of field. In this example could be in some landraces yield higher than modern varieties (eq. Triticum spelta L.). But the main advantage of landraces was quality of grain. There was very high protein content (einkorn or emmer we found accesions with more than 20% of protein). However, the diploid and tetraploid landraces may be difficult to use for common baking (low Gluten index and sedimentation value). Advantage was also high share of nutritionally valuable Albumins+Globulins and Unsoluble rest protein fractions in comparrison with modern control varieties of bread wheat. We found more unique quality parameters in grain of different wheat species. Landraces have potential to be grown in organic farming and used for the preparation of local high quality products. In this case there will be combination of two important aspects – unique value of genetics resources and added value of organic growing methods.