International
Journal of Ecosystems and Ecology Sciences (IJEES)
Vol. 4 (1): 57-60 (2014)
COLLECTING MAIZE LANDRACES IN ALBANIA FetahEleze*,
Alban Ibraliu',
Belul Gixhar!'
iCenter for Genetic Resources, Agricultural University of Tirana, Tirana - Albania for Plant Production, Agricultural University of Tirana, Tirana - Albania
2Department
Email: elezi
[email protected]
Received September, 2013; Accepted November, 2013
ABSTRACT
Conservation of plant genetic resources is very important for protection of biodiversity. Maize is very often cultivatecl on small plots in backyards and home gardens. The population which had been cultivated for years, usually without irrigation, was reported to have very good drought resistance. Collecting of maize landraces is emergent duty because they are threatened by genetic erosion. Collecting missions in Albania were conducted under the regional project collecting local germplasm during 2009 and 2010. The main goal was preservation of local landraces of maize. Over 69 localities were inventoried in the predicted regions. The extent of the inventoried territory of the entire region: at tIJe. northern at the village of Lepushe (Kelmend) to at the southern at the village of Starje (Kolonje). The result of the collecting was 34 maize accessions collected (29 acc.on 2011 and 5 acc. on 2010). Regarding the status of the samples, they are mainly landraces, which are still grown by some farmers and used as a source of high quality animal and human food. Even more important is the specific use of its flour which is considered the best in cooking of traditional dishes. The next and very important steps will be to multiply, characterize and evaluate the collected samples. This material will be available for breeding programmer and for the sustainable use. Keywords:
Maize, local landraces,
collecting
missions.
INTRODUCTION
The beginning of work with plant genetic resources (PGR) on an international level is very important agreements and conventions stress the importance of information exchange the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD, 1992). The genetic diversity of local maize landraces is thought to be the economically valuable part of global biodiversity and is considered of paramount importance for future world production (Wood and Lcnne, 19~7). They have for a long time played an important role due to a high genetic variability, making them a potentialsource 'of valuable genes coding for economically significant characteristics of importance for agricultural crops, such "as disease resistance, drought resistance, quality traits etc. (Camacho Villa et a1., 2006). They might alsobe used in small scale farming especially in mountainous districts, due to their adaptability to the specific environmental conditions where they have evolved (Frankel et al., 1998). During a preparatory survey were the presences of maize local landraces in rural locations, as the high genetic erosion (Salillari et al., 2005). This was confirmed aile,' several
57 This paper is presented in International Conference of Ecosystems (ICE) Tirana, Albania, June 1-6, 2012 and published to Proceeding Book lCE_201.~, volume IIl, ISBN: 978-9928-4068-2-8
Fetah Elezil
*, Alban
IbraIiu\
Belul Gixhari'
i.,
expeditions during the last years, organized by national project. A lower number of maize populations have been grown on farm because they as well as landraces stiII exist on higher elevation under less suitable growth condition. Variability and genetic erosion of white landrace of maize is in high danger (Fetahu et aI., 2005). In Albania, local maize landraces still represent important genetic resource used directly by farmers in a small scale. The Gene Bank should establish the standards that the collection can be representative and available for the plant selectors (Hoisington D et al,.1999). Inventorying oflocallandraces of maize was initiated by Albanian team of experts. A regional network SEEDNet (South East European Development Network on Plant Genetic Resources), established in 2004 from all above mentioned countries provided a platform for facilitating project collaboration.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
Maize belongs to the Mandate species list of the group. Thtdetermination of the coIIecting sites is based on longterm experience of collecting missions during which locations with rich agro-biodiversity had been identified. Mountains in Albania, maize landraces had been collected during previous missions (1974-1975). Some maize landraces were with very short vegetative period. Within the framework of SEEDNet, collecting missions were thereafter conducted in twelve targeted countries under the regional project: "Collecting local landraces of maize and cereals (wheat, barley, rye, oat, millet and buckwheat) in South Eastern Europe (2009-2010)". In addition to known facts, the expedition team took into account information about the presence of specific landraces gathered from local people in different locations. This was helpful in determination of the sites of collecting. Activities were carried out according to the following plan: . Planning of the expeditions (detailed terrain plans - itinerary, documentation and information on geographical, soil, climatic and agro-socio-economic data); preparing informative materials for the local population. Collecting expeditions in targeted areas. Compiling the passport data of the collected samples: immediately after coIIecting,.EURISCO Passport Descriptor was used to compile passport data ofthe coIIected samples (Faberova I., 2010) . Conservation of the collected accessions. The seeds of the ,collected accessions of maize local landraces were prepared for conservation according to international standards at the active and base collections were established. Documentation, analyzing and comparing obtained data.
RESULTS
Inventoried localities during the collecting missions in 2009 and 2010 were 69 villages (45 in 2009 and 24 in 2010). The result of the collecting expeditions during both years of the project was a total number of 34 accessions of maize (29 accessions in 2009 and 5 in 2010).A detailed result is presented in table 1. Table I. Collecting local land races of maize in Albania 2009-2010 N r 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Accesion number AGB2749 AGB2750 AGB2751 AGB2752 AGB2753 AGB2754 AGB2755 AGB2799 AGB2800 AGB2801 AGB2802
Longitude 020.1613E 020.1359E 020.1295E 020.1253E 019.4657E 019.4657E 020.2126E 019.5329E 019.5734E 019.3604E 020.1146E
Latitude 40.4768N 40.5100N 40.3931N 40.4212N 42.2311N 42.2311N 41.4051N 41.5346N 41.4355N 42.0353N 41.4707N
Altitude 418 506 1104 648 723 723 468 471 266 7 1858
58
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Collecting place Mashan Bulcar Gjerbes Cernice Theth Theth Zdoian Kacinar Perlat Rragam Lure
Collecting date 20090917 20090917 20090924 20090924 20091016 20091016 20091024 20091029 20091029 20091029 20091029
International
Journal of Ecosystems and Ecology Sciences (IJEES)
Vol. 4 (1): 57-60 (2014)
.12
AGB2803
020.0652E
44.5l38N
l336
Nenshejt
20091029
l3
AGB2804
019.5440E
41.4822N
354
Geziq
20091029
14
AGB2805
020.1049E
41.5004N
1011
Krei Lure
20091029
15
AGB2807
020.4123E
40.3635N
966
Voskop
20091105
16
AGB2808
020.4524E
40.3933N
886
Bulgarec
20091105
17
AGB2809
020.2523E
41.3234N
537
Shupenze
20091120
18 19
AGB2810 AGB2811
020.2442E
41.3337N
547
Giuras
527 502
20091120 20091120
AGB2812
41.3309N 41.3600N
Homesh
20
020.2459E 020.2633E
Topojan
20091120
21
AGB28 1)
020.2643E
41.3l39N
548
Gjoric
20091120
22
AGB2814
020.2628E
41.3219N
555
20091120
23
AGB2815 AGB2816
41.4617N 41.4152N
1115 1067
20091120
24
020.1810E 020.0509E
Strikcan Sine e Eperme Deie
20091120
25
AGB2817
020.0509E
41.4152N
1067
20091120
26
AGB2818
27 28
AGB2819 AGB2820
020.1810E 020.2606E
41.4617N 40.4001N
1 (15 798
Deje Sine e Eperme
572 821
20091120 20091120
AGB2821 AGB2879
41.3741N 41.3834N
Dohoshisht Zenisht
29 30
020.0522E 020.2616E 020.0936E
42.2348N
393
20091120 20101016
31
AGB2880
020.0936E
42.2404N
393
Grazhdan Sopot Tropoje
32
AGB2881
020.0349E
42.l921N
243
Velisht
20101016
33
AGB2882
019.4619E
40.2404N
242
Sevaster
20101022
34
AGB2883
019.4348E
42.3330N
1262
Budac
20101105
20091120
20101016 I
'"
For almost all collecting sites, longitude, latitude and altitude were recorded with GPS and registered in passport data files. The analysis of these data shows the extent of the inventoried territory of the entire region: at the northern at the village of Lepushe (KeIrn end) latitude of 4812797N an altitude of 1 603 m to at the southern at the village of Starje (Kolonje), atthe southern latitude of 402118N. The value of these species comes from the fact that it is rather difficult to find them and collect them. The maize landraces is very often cultivated on small plots in backyards and as a complement to the larger field plots. They maintain their own seeds which very often have been grown for generations. A maize landrace with quite short ears collected in the different site of Albania. The population which had been cultivated for years, usually without irrigation, was reported to have very good drought resistance. Another important factor for maintaining maize landraces is the source of high quality human and animal food. Another interesting example is a collected maize landrace from the western part of Albania named "Reci" which means "speedy" and refers to short vegetation period. Even more important is the specific use of its flour which is considered the best in cooking of traditional dishes compared to other populations and hybrids in the region. This is the favorite's meal of the local population and also very appreciated in ethno-tourism.,
59 This paper is presented in International Conference of Ecosystems (ICE) Tirana, Albania, June 1-6, 2012 and published to Proceeding Book ICE_20l2, volume III, ISBN: 978-9928-4068-2-8
Fetah Elezil
*, Alban
Ibraliu", Belul Gixhari'
For 34 accessions, the collectors provided information about collecting source and recorded it in 'files together with passport data. All accessions maize landraces were collected from farm stores and fields. All collected material was put under conservation and is now maintained in the Albanian Gene Bank under mid-term or long term conditions, according to available conservation capacities.
CONCLUSIONS
During 2009 and 2010, were collected 34 accessions of maize landraces. This fact showed that Albania is very riches by maize local landraces. There is however an impending danger of extinction, caused by many factors such as intensive agricultural practices and use of modern cultivars and hybrids, migration of the population from villages to the cities, aging of the population in rural areas that traditionally cultivated local populations. Therefore it is found necessary to support cultivation on farm. The result of collection mission had positive impact not only in the field of plant genetic resources, but also in the field of plant breeding and entire crop production. They also represent an interesting material for scientific and breeding purposes, production under condition of organic farming and possible use for quality improvement of functional food and special products. In the future very important steps will be to characterize and evaluate the collected material. The collected material represents richness of biodiversity that is prevented from being lost and will soon be available for breeding and research as well as the entire scientific community. Acknowledgements. Agency (SIDA).
The authors of this paper are expressing their gratitude Swedish International Development
REFERENCES Camacho Villa T. c., N. Maxted*, M. Scholten, B. Ford-Lloyd, 2006. Defining and identifying crop landraces. Plant Genetic Resources 3(3); 373-384. Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), 1992. Available athttp://www.cbd.intlconventionlconvention. Shtml. EURlSCO Descriptors, 2002. Available at http://www.ecpgr.cgiar.org/epgris /Tech papers/ EURlSCO_ Descriptors.Pdf. Faberova 1. Standard Descriptors and EURISCO Development. Czech J. Genet. Plant Breed., 46, 2010 (Special Issue): S106-S109 Fetahu, Sh, Aliu S, Kaciu S. Variability and genetic erosion of white landrace of Maize (Zea mays L. ) in Kosova. Eucarpia, Proceedings of the XVII Eucarpia Genetic Resources Section Meeting. Plant Genetics Resources of Geographical and "other" Island. (Conservation, evaluation and use for plant breeding, 2005. 265-269. Frankel O. H., A. H. D. Brown, 1. J. Burdon, 1998. The Conservation of Plant Biodiversity, 2nd edn. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, pp. 56-78. Hoisington D, Khairallah M, Reeves T, Ribaut JM, et al. Plant genetic resources: what can they contribute toward increased crop productivity. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 1999.96: 5937-5943. IBPGR,(International Board for Plant Genetic Resources). Descriptors for Maize. CIMMYT, Mexico/ IBPGR, 1991. Rome. Salillari A, Hyso M, Faslia N, Rusinovci 1. Resurset Gjenetike. ESHFF, 2007. Tirane. 269-276. Wood, D and Lenne, J.M. (1997). The conservation of agro biodiversity on-farm: Questioning the emerging paradigm. Biodiversity and Conservation.6:109-129.
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International Journal of Ecosystems and Ecology Science (IJEES) Volume 4/1, 2014 Table of contents: Sukru Dursuri':", Fatma Kunr', Huseyin Toros', Hysen Mankolli4, CLIMATE CHANGE AND THE CHANGES IN REGIONAL PRECIPITATION, page 1-4; Vesna Vujacic", THE ROLE AND IMPORTANCE SYSTEM SAFETY OF FOOD IN THE TOURISM OF MONTENEGRO, page 5-10; Slavoljub MijovicI, Goran Sekulic", WEAKNESSES ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT, page 11-14;
IN SKADARlSHKODRA
LAKE
WATERSHED
A. Alinj", B. Seiti', K. Xhanari', E. Andoni', Z. Gace', A. Lame', R. Vesele, A. Zekaj\ EVALUATION OF THE PROTECTION EFFICIENCY OF I-DECYL-3-METHYLIMIDAZOLIUM CHLORIDE IN THE CORROSION OF 36CrMo STEEL IN ACID SOLUTION (HCI), page 15-24; Nikoleta Kallajxhiu', Gezhn Kapidani", ALLERGENIC PLANTS, page 25-30;
Blerina
Pupuleku',
Peci NaqeIl~rjl,
POLLEN
GRAINS OF
Donica Ala, STUDY ON SOME AREAS OF RARE PLANTS SPECIES FROM THE MIDDLE SECTOR OF NISTRU RIVER BASIN (THE REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA), page 31-36; Sukru Aslan= ', Ayben Polat\ PATHWAY, page 37-42;
Mustafa
Ozturk', BIOLOGICAL AMMONIUM REMOVAL VIA NITRITE
Sukru Aslan*, Ugur Savas Topcu, Hasan Bayrak, Ramazan Aydm, EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE AND DISSOLVED OXYGEN CONCENTRATIONS ON THE NITRITATION IN A SUBMERGED BIOFILTER, page 43-50; Halluni Enkleva', Haxhimihali Dhimiter", REDUCTION OF ENERGY AND WATER CONSUMPTION IN SOFT DRINKS PRODUCTION, AS A RESULT OF IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CLEANER PRODUCTION PRINCIPLES, page 51-56; Fetah Elezi1*, Alban Ibrallu', 60;
Belul Gixhari',
COLLECTING MAIZE LANDRACES IN ALBANIA, page 57-
I1irjana Zymberaj', Shabani, V., Elshani, M.\ Jashari, B/, THE QUALITY OF THE SHARRI CHEESE IN THE MICROBIOLOGICAL AND PHYSICO-CHEMICAL ASPECT, page 61-66; Fatma Nur Elmal, Ozdemir Alaoglu', OVICIDAL AND ANTI-OVIPOSITIONAL ACTIVITIES OF SOME PLANT EXTRACTS ON THE EURYGASTER MAURA L (HETEROPTERA: SCUTELLARIDAE), page 67-72; Kadri Kycyku', Nikoll BardhiZ, THE TOBACCO IS ESPECIALLY USED TO DETECT AND MEASURE ATMOSPHERIC OXIDATION POLLUTION BY OZON (0-3), page 73-80; Maritza R. Guall,", Manuel Perdomo", Jesus Salomon", Jorge Wellesley3, Amaury Lora", ASeC SOFTWARE APPLICATION BASED ON FMEAE IN A MECHANICAL SAMPLES POSITIONING SYSTEM ON A VII
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ISSN
2224-4980
9 772224
498000
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