Landrace

A landrace is a domesticated, locally adapted variety of a species of animal or plant that has evolved over time through adaptation to its natural and cultural environment. Unlike cultivars and standardized breeds, landraces are often associated with traditional agricultural systems and have developed due to isolation from other populations of the species.

Characteristics and Significance of Landraces

• Landraces are locally adapted varieties of plants or animals.
• They develop through adaptation to natural and cultural environments.
• Landraces contribute to agricultural biodiversity.
• They are distinct from cultivars and standard breeds.
• Farmers grow landrace crops worldwide.
• Landraces help in better adaptation to local environments.
• They have lower fertilizer requirements and better disease resistance.
• Cultural and market preferences contribute to their value.
• Landraces maintain genetic diversity in domesticated plant species.
• Academic research on landraces mainly focuses on botany in agriculture.

Conservation and Preservation of Landraces

• Landraces are at risk of extinction due to industrialized agriculture favoring cultivars.
• Efforts to conserve landraces have been limited despite international discussions.
• Challenges include intellectual property rights and regulatory support.
• Agricultural biodiversity erosion threatens food security.
• The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture aims to protect biodiversity.
• Conservation methods include in situ and ex situ approaches.
• Cataloging diversity within ex situ genebanks may need improvement.
• Participatory plant breeding involves local communities.
• Specific conservation efforts exist for preserving cereal landraces.
• Preservation efforts are crucial in preventing extinction of landraces.

Development and Adaptation of Plant Landraces

• Landraces include genetically heterogeneous regional cultigens.
• New landraces are developed through selective breeding.
• They can adapt to various environments or thrive in specific conditions.
• Modern cultivars can evolve from landraces through selective breeding.
• Landraces have been moved over different distances and can adapt through various mechanisms.
• Farmers manage diversity within landraces based on common characteristics.
• Landraces can adapt to different environments and conditions.
• Modern cultivars evolve from landraces over time.
• Landrace varieties selected for uniformity can be developed into cultivars.
• Traits from landraces are valuable for incorporation into elite lines.

Examples and Diversity of Plant Landraces

• Examples include Caparrona bean, Carosello, Barattiere, Berrettina di Lungavilla squash, and landrace wheat.
• Landraces provide valuable genetic diversity for crop improvement and adaptation.
• Different vegetable landraces like beans, rice, and squash exist.
• Tomatillo landraces like Acorazado and Reina de Malinalco offer genetic diversity.
• Landraces are used for various purposes beyond farming.

Animal Landraces Diversity

• Animal landraces include cats, cattle, dogs, horses, pigs, geese, and rabbits.
• Examples of distinct animal landraces like Arabian Mau, Icelandic cattle, Collie breeds, and Gotland rabbit.
• Genetic distinctiveness and adaptation in various animal landraces.
• Landraces differ from standardized breeds in terms of genetic diversity and adaptation.
• Conservation efforts for animal landraces to preserve genetic diversity and unique characteristics.

Landrace Data Sources