Plant genetic resources of Lemnos (Greece), an isolated island in the Northern Aegean Sea, with emphasis on landraces

Lemnos Island is located in the Northern Aegean Sea and presents a rich biodiversity in plant genetic resources including wild species and crop landraces. Landraces have been cultivated under traditional agricultural systems and many have survived genetic erosion. They are mainly conserved in home gardens or in small fields, usually by elderly people, and are limited to local consumption. Two collecting expeditions were organized in Lemnos, a minor one in 2009 and a larger one in 2010. The results of the two current expeditions are discussed and compared with previous expeditions in the island. An overview is given on the crops cultivated, the landraces collected and those considered as lost, alongside with some information about their traditional uses. Finally, the importance of landraces in modern agriculture and preservation policies in Lemnos are discussed.     

Dynamics of perennial ryegrass and white clover in sown swards in NW Greece

Seasonal dynamics of white clover and perennial ryegrass were examined in sown perennial ryegrass/white clover swards subject to a 2 × 2 factorial treatment combination of defoliation (rotational grazing by sheep and cutting) and nitrogen fertilizer application (0 and 40 kg N ha^–1 year^–1) in NW Greece. Sward surface height and percentage cover were measured before and after five defoliation periods in 1996 within permanent microplots (30 × 30 cm, divided into nine cells) in which white clover was either initially present or absent. Both white clover and perennial ryegrass achieved maximum height and cover in April–May. Defoliation treatment and whether white clover was present initially significantly affected height and cover of both species. Total plant cover was similar prior to all defoliation periods except in July, a time of drought. Cover of perennial ryegrass was greater where white clover was initially absent, but total plant cover was greater in microplots containing white clover and the extent of the differences varied during the year. In contrast, N fertilizer application had little effect on species cover, other than small reductions in white clover cover. When white clover was present in April, it was found in virtually every microplot cell until July, but if it was absent in April there was little colonization of the microplot.     

Impact of variety and farming practices on growth,yield, weed flora and symbiotic nitrogen fixation in faba bean cultivated for fresh seed production

The main objective of this study was to investigate the performance of faba bean landraces originating from different regions of Greece under both organic and conventional farming systems focusing mainly on yield, biological nitrogen fixation (BNF), and competitiveness to weeds. Faba bean exhibited a high ability to fix nitrogen from the atmosphere, as indicated by the percentage of N₂ derived from the atmosphere which exceeded 75% in all evaluated varieties, and the total amount of biologically fixed N up to full anthesis, which fluctuated from 118.5 to 193.9?kg?ha^?1 in the various cropping systems and cultivars. The weed density was appreciably higher in the organic plots, without significant differences among the faba bean cultivars, while wild mustard and corn poppy were the most competitive weeds. The application of inorganic starter fertiliser in the conventionally-treated plots had no negative effect on biologically-fixed nitrogen by faba bean plants, while the herbicide pendimethalin had no negative impact on the nodulation process. Protein concentrations in faba bean cultivars fluctuated from 27.3% to 31.4%. The evaluated landraces could be utilised in breeding programmes due to their earliness, and their high performance in terms of protein content, BNF ability, and productivity.     

Plant genetic resources in a touristic island: the case of Lefkada (Ionian Islands, Greece)

Lefkada is one of the islands of the Ionian Sea and disposes interesting biodiversity both in crop landraces and in wild relatives. It is also one of the most famous touristic attractions in the Eastern Mediterranean basin, thus traditional agriculture is under great pressure from tourism. Nevertheless, Lefkada’s mountainous relief has apparently preserved some diversity of landraces in upland villages. A collecting expedition was organized in September 2010 and a second (minor) in 2012 in order to assess the current status of landraces in a touristic island such as Lefkada. The results are discussed and compared with previous expeditions in the island. Landraces still cultivated, others that are considered lost, and information about their traditional uses are presented. Finally, the potential for the exploitation of landraces in Lefkada’s touristic environment is discussed.