![]() ![]() In line with this reasoning, numerous international institutions and individual countries have developed a conservation-oriented strategy that involves the recognition, identification and conservation of traditional endangered varieties 8, 9. Traditional cultivars, however, have been reported to have a reduced, if any, market value and relegated to a marginal role it could be argued, instead, that their absolute value is much higher than the sole monetary one 4. Several authors 3, 4 have emphasized on traditional cultivars being one of the main sources of biodiversity, therefore the access to germplasm should be one of the pillars for sustainable agricultural development 1, 5, 6, 7. The so-called “local varieties” are, therefore, a significant component of agro-biodiversity 1, 2. The territories, where this selection was practiced, were generally confined and characterized by geomorphological and environmental features that guaranteed context specificity and characteristics so that a specific cultivar can be defined typical or autochthonous. Over the centuries, farmers have deliberately selected and preferentially cultivated certain cultivars due to their fruit qualities (genes/phenotypes) and their adaptation to specific habitats. In conclusion, we propose a novel methodological approach based on molecular, geo-pedological and cultural parameters with the aim to recognize biocultural refugia and preserve endangered or valuable cultivars.Īgro-biodiversity is characterized by the interplay of “natural resources” with the micro-environment, management and agricultural practices. When we overlaid the cultivation traditions and cultural heritage, we found they have a dominant role on these premises, we generated new territorial maps. We correlated these environmental parameters, typical of the identified areas, with the three genetic pools and found a statistically significant association for each cluster. Survey of the cultivars’ geographical distribution by quartic kernel function identified four preferred districts further characterized for soil origin, pedologic, agronomic features and urbanization impact. By structure analysis we identified three distinct genetic clusters, each characterized by common and distinct alleles. We genotyped the sweet cherry cultivars of Campania region in southern Italy by using simple sequence repeats and further investigated them by cluster analysis, disclosing a homogeneous genetic constitution, different from that of commercial accessions. To this end, we set up a multidisciplinary approach based on the genetic analysis of selected cultivars and recognition of the environmental parameters. Several strategies have been designed and programmed to reduce biodiversity erosion due to anthropic and non-anthropic causes. *An earlier version of this article mistakenly stated that Biden’s ad is the first climate-themed ad in presidential campaign history.Conservation of agrobiodiversity is a major concern worldwide. Will Biden’s new emphasis on the intersection of climate and agriculture pay off? We’ll find out in less than a month. The Biden campaign has been homing in on the state ahead of the general election, with Joe and Jill Biden, vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris, and Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders (stumping on Biden’s behalf) all visiting Michigan in recent weeks. Trump flipped Michigan red by a margin of 10,704 votes in 2016. Sixty-three percent of Michigan voters said they think climate change is affecting local agriculture. ![]() A 2019 poll showed a majority of registered voters in five major agricultural states consider extreme weather to be a significant threat to farmers and their communities. Farmers’ advocacy groups like the National Farmers Union are pushing for climate-friendly agricultural policies. In June, Republican Senators Mike Braun of Indiana and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina joined two Democrats in sponsoring a rare piece of bipartisan legislation called the Growing Climate Solutions Act, which is intended to help cut emissions from farms. ![]() The relationship between climate and farming, however, is an area that’s ripe for compromise. Climate change in general is still a partisan issue (though some Republicans, especially younger ones, have been coming around recently). It makes sense that the Biden campaign chose to focus on agriculture in its first climate ad. To support our nonprofit environmental journalism, please consider disabling your ad-blocker to allow ads on Grist. ![]()
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