Project objectives

The objectives of the project are:

• The conservation of durum wheat germplasm (Triticum turgidum subsp durum L.) and other species of the genus Triticum such as polonicum, turanicum, dicoccum, from germplasm banks in the region of Sicily, and from collections of old varieties required by both national and international germplasm banks;
• The identification of lines and accessions through the evaluation of germplasm in different locations (Tuscany, Sicily, Marche) that are suitable for organic cultivation in the areas tested;
• The establishment of a gene pool to be allocated to evolutionary breeding through the union of possible F1 individuals (from generations of crosses) obtained by diallellic crosses between the lines identified in the germplasm considered;
• The attainment of improved gene pools, suitable for cultivation in the considered areas, and the production of new varieties which are selected by involving farmers (participatory breeding);
• The project aims to create and a maintain a composite cross population through evolutionary genetic improvement to create agro-systems that are more resistant to climate change. To achieve this there will be an active participation of all members in the process;
• The identification of a low input agronomic system, through crop rotation, to optimize evolutionary change within the gene pool, in order to stabilize production over time and to ensure soil fertility to benefit the environment;
• To assist farmers in selecting and maintaining the gene pool of their seed to ensure yield, whilst at the same time conserving biodiversity, that is then capable of evolving and adapting to changes to both the type of cultivation and to climate change;
• The attainment, through selection, of food products with improved quality, technological and nutraceutical characteristics;
• The protection of the cultivation environment through the attainment of recombinant genotypes adapted to the locality, thereby reducing farming practices that would usually modify the environment to suit the variety.