Gaetano Laghetti

Variation of seed storage proteins in landraces of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) from Basilicata, Southern Italy

SummaryTwenty landraces of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) from Sarconi and Rotonda two locations of Basilicata, a Southern Italy region, were screened for variation in seed storage proteins (phaseolin and phytohemagglutinin) by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS/PAGE and IEF-SDS/PAGE). No variation of the main seed protein fractions was observed within each landrace. Phaseolin patterns type C and T were exhibited from the landraces; the type C resulted predominant with a frequency of 70%. Only the C type was observed for the landraces of Rotonda, T and C for those from Sarconi. Two variants were observed for the phytohemagglutinin by SDS-PAGE, one was common to eighteen landraces. However, these variants submitted to IEF-SDS/PAGE resulted similar to the type TG2described by Brown. The importance to safeguard these landraces is stressed by the observation that the more spread commercial cultivars of common bean growing in Southern-Italy had a T phaseolin pattern. A reduction of C type diffusion could produce the loss a typical trait of common bean in Mediterranean regions.

Genetic Erosion – Examples from Italy1,2

Italy has been used as a country for estimating genetic erosion in crops. It was possible to compare early surveys (from the 1920s to the 1950s), especially on wheats, with results of later missions in the 1980s and 1990s. In the early years, a relatively high genetic erosion was observed (13.2% p.a.). From the 1950s until the 1980s erosion rates between 0.48 and 4% p.a. were estimated. In the little island of Favignana there was an erosion rate of 12.2% p.a. leading to the extinction of the last wheat landraces of this island. There have been no significant differences in erosion rates between field- and garden-crops though there has been the impression that garden crops are better preserved over the long run. Interestingly extinction rates of wild plants (0.13% in the Mediterranean) come close to the average erosion rates of crop plants in the area.

The Corsican citron melon ( Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. et Nakai subsp. lanatus var. citroides (Bailey) Mansf. ex Greb.) a traditional and neglected crop

During a collecting mission in Corsica (France) three landraces of citron melon (Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. et Nakai subsp. lanatus var. citroides (Bailey) Mansf. ex Greb.) were collected in the northern areas. Today in Corsica this old and neglected crop is in decline and risks extinction. A strategy for its characterization and safeguarding is in progress at the genebank of IGV of Bari (Italy).

The common bean landraces from Basilicata (Southern Italy): an example of integrated approach applied to genetic resources management

Ex situ conservation of genetic resources has contributed to the improvement of several food crops through utilisation of preserved germplasm, but it is not the only approach to safeguard genetic resources. Presently, in situ methods are being examined as effective complementary strategies to preserve diversity along with the dynamic environment. Examples of de facto on farm conservation, a form of in situ, have been described. However, their future is unpredictable without the relief of formal scientific projects or appropriate regulations. Recent European Community regulations have introduced the possibility to attribute marks of origin and quality to local typical products. These marks can be an important support to on farm maintenance of élite landraces of principal crops. In the frame of a collaboration between the Italian gene bank and a farm (of the agricultural research service of Basilicata region), an integrated approach, involving ex situ and on farm conservation, was adopted to safeguard common bean landraces from Basilicata. The main result of this project was the attribution of IGP (indication of geographic provenance), an European Community mark, to some tested landraces.

Yield and oil quality in selected lines of Crambe abyssinica Hochst. ex R.E. Fries and C. hispanica L. grown in Italy

Abstract Crambe is an innovative source of raw materials for several products usually derived from petroleum. In 1991–1992, two lines of Crambe abyssinica and C. hispanica previously selected from a germplasm collection, were tested at two different Italian locations. Four sowing times, three sowing densities, four inter-row spacings, two weeding techniques, three doses each for nitrogenous, phosphatic and potassic fertilisers, and three herbicides were investigated. Eleven biological traits were recorded and the influence of different agrotechniques on yield and seed chemical composition was evaluated. The best results were obtained with: autumn sowing time, a sowing density of 50 seeds/m 2 , Butisan herbicide, and 60, 60, 80 kg/ha of P 2 O 5 , K 2 O and N, respectively. Erucic acid content was about 54% in both species at both locations and was little affected by the different investigated techniques. Growing this crop in some zones of central and southern Italy could be agronomically profitable, also as a possible alternative to cereals.

Notes about the uses of plants by one of the last healers in the Basilicata Region (South Italy)

BackgroundThe paper refers to the knowledge and uses of plants and to the linked ritual practices as referred by Matteo (It.‘Zì Matteo’, En. ‘Uncle Matthew’), one of the last elder healers in the Basilicata Region (South Italy). Particular attention is also paid to the uses of ‘Vruca’ (Tamarix gallica L.) as a medicinal and magical plant used to heal common warts on various parts of the body.MethodsAfter obtaining prior informed consent, we collected data through an open interview about the uses of the plants and on the associated ritual practices. For each species, data were collected that included the vernacular names, preparation, plant parts utilized and their method of use.ResultsThe uses of 52 taxa are described. Among these, 43 are or were employed medicinally, eight as culinary foodstuffs, and 4 for domestic, handicraft or ethnoveterinary uses.Among the major findings: the ritual and magical use of Tamarix gallica L. to heal warts is described in detail; so far, no records of similar use were found in any Italian ethnobotanical studies conducted in southern Italy.ConclusionPhytotherapy in the Basilicata region is practiced by elderly people who resort to medicinal plants for mild illnesses; we interviewed one of those traditional healers who is very experienced in the field, and possesses rich ethno-pharmacological knowledge.

A checklist of the cultivated plants of Ustica (Italy)

The small island of Ustica north of Sicily has been investigated for its plant genetic resources in 1997. A checklist of the agri- and horticultural crop plants comprises more than 110 species. Some of the species show still a large infraspecific variation but genetic erosion could be also found. Rare material has been collected for the conservation in genebanks.The considerable agrobiodiversity and the ongoing evolution as evidenced by introgression from wild relatives to several cultivated species and vice versa suggest the development of an on-farm conservation for the island. Nature protection and traditional farm management should develop an integrated approach.

Characterization of Italian lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) germplasm by agronomic traits, biochemical and molecular markers

Genetic relationships, agronomic, nutritional and technological traits of ten Italian landraces, two improved lines and two cultivars of lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) were investigated using a multi-disciplinary approach. Seed storage proteins, used as biochemical markers, were able to detect polymorphisms with variability mainly related to the polypeptide abundance. Microsatellite (SSR) molecular markers provided very useful information on genetic variation and relationships among landraces, with polymorphic fragments able to discriminate all the accessions. Lentil landraces were grouped in different clusters and sub-clusters principally on the basis of their geographical origin. The highest levels of genetic diversity were observed for lentils from ‘Castelluccio di Norcia’, ‘Colliano’ and ‘Villalba’. Field trials, performed in two locations of Southern Italy, revealed a high influence of location on yield. Comparing performances at both tested locations, the best landraces were ‘Linosa’ and ‘Valle di Nevola’ suggesting that these have the highest adaptability. Technological and nutritional data together with the agronomic ones evidenced that ‘Linosa’ lentil is the best landrace, however also ‘San Gerardo’ deserves some attention.

Proposal to make the island of Linosa/Italy as a centre for on-farm conservation of plant genetic resources

In view of the remarkable interest of the flora, vegetation and landscape of Linosa island, a natural reserve should be suggested including protection of the traditional agriculture. Especially for the last aim completely new ways have to be elaborated. An integrated approach of nature protection and on-farm conservation could be the ideal conclusion.

Collection of plant genetic resources in South Italy, 1988

SummaryExploration and collection of plant genetic resources were continued in South Italy in 1988. Parts of the regions Campania, Basilicata and Apulia were covered in September jointly by staff members of the Istituto del Germoplasma, Bari, and the Zentralinstitut für Genetik und Kulturpflanzenforschung, Gatersleben. 164 samples, mainly of vegetables and grain legumes, have been collected. Worth mentioning are land-races of tomatoes,Brassica spp. andVigna unguiculata. As a part of the collecting area has been explored for the second time after eight years, the effects of genetic erosion could be observed. A map summarizes the itineraries of the ten joint collecting missions in South Italy.ZusammenfassungDie Exploration und Sammlung pflanzlicher genetischer Ressourcen wurden 1988 in Süditalien fortgesetzt. Im September wurden Teile der Regionen Campania, Basilicata und Apulia gemeinsam von Mitarbeitern des Istituto del Germoplasma, Bari, und des Zentralinstituts für Genetik und Kulturpflanzenforschung, Gatersleben, erfaßt. 164 Proben, besonders von Gemüsen und Körnerleguminosen, wurden gesammelt. Erwähnenswert sind Landsorten von Tomaten, Kohlarten undVigna unguiculata. Da ein Teil des Sammelgebietes im Abstand von acht Jahren ein zweites Mal in die Exploration einbezogen wurde, konnte das Wirken der Generosion verfolgt werden.Die Reiserouten der zehn gemeinsamen Sammelreisen in Süditalien werden zusammenfassend in einer Karte dargestellt.Краткое содержаниеВ 1988г. были иродолжены исследования и сбор растительных генетнческих ресурсов в Южной Италии. Материал собирался в сентябре месяце в некоторых частях регионов Камнания. Базиликата и Аиулия совместно сотрудниками Института зародышевой илазмы (Бари) и Центрального инетнтута генетнки и исследования культурных растений (Гатерслебен). Было собрано 164 образца. в основном овощиых и зернобобовых культур. Иримечательны местные сорта номидоров, капустных культур и Vigna unguiculata. Новторное исследование частн района сбора носле иервично проведенного 8 лет назад нозволнло наблюдать действие эрозии генов. Маршруты десяти собместных экенеднций в Южную Италию представлены на карте.