About this Research Topic
A global decrease of crop plant nutritional values are experienced worldwide, partly due to the breeding preferences of the last decades, which focused mainly on yields and tolerance to plant pests and diseases. These parameters are crucial when food security is concerned, however, tasteless raw produces can raise consumer ignorance and the feedback has an impact on agricultural production systems as well. In comparison with old traditional cultivars, new modern plant varieties perform worse in terms of organoleptic features, especially of volatile components content. Both open-field and protected plant cultivation are influenced by the recent phenomena of climate change; adaptability is the key for future crop production. This can be achieved by technological developments and by preparing the plant materials to harsh environmental conditions through breeding efforts.
Heterogeneity is of substantial importance when food security is concerned. Decreasing number of cultivated crop species and varieties means higher exposure to the threats of changing environmental conditions. Diverse plant populations have higher resilience and adapting ability to unfavorable biotic and abiotic conditions. Traditional plant cultivars are valuable genetic sources in terms of higher nutritional properties as well as of yield security due to their high adaptability to regional conditions. The utilization of these cultivars as breeding materials could enhance both poor nutritional properties and adaptability of commercial varieties. Efforts are required when traditional cultivars are to be integrated into modern agricultural systems due to their limitations in terms of yield quantity and of storage life. However, their added value are complex consisting of traditional aspects, regional culinary importance, environmental adaptability, and nutritional richness, therefore both in-situ conservation and ex-situ utilization should be considered.
The Scope of this Research Topic includes, but is not limited to, any type of papers dealing with the above mentioned topics are welcome. Topics that are expected are dealing with traditional cultivars/landraces:
- Utilization in modern agricultural systems for culinary purposes, for processing, or for preserving
- Nutritional assessments
- Antioxidant status
- Comparison with novel commercial varieties/hybrids in terms of nutritional properties
- Assessment of adaptability to harsh/changing environmental conditions
- Stress tolerance
- Sensory evaluation in comparison with commercial varieties
Heterogeneity is of substantial importance when food security is concerned. Decreasing number of cultivated crop species and varieties means higher exposure to the threats of changing environmental conditions. Diverse plant populations have higher resilience and adapting ability to unfavorable biotic and abiotic conditions. Traditional plant cultivars are valuable genetic sources in terms of higher nutritional properties as well as of yield security due to their high adaptability to regional conditions. The utilization of these cultivars as breeding materials could enhance both poor nutritional properties and adaptability of commercial varieties. Efforts are required when traditional cultivars are to be integrated into modern agricultural systems due to their limitations in terms of yield quantity and of storage life. However, their added value are complex consisting of traditional aspects, regional culinary importance, environmental adaptability, and nutritional richness, therefore both in-situ conservation and ex-situ utilization should be considered.
The Scope of this Research Topic includes, but is not limited to, any type of papers dealing with the above mentioned topics are welcome. Topics that are expected are dealing with traditional cultivars/landraces:
- Utilization in modern agricultural systems for culinary purposes, for processing, or for preserving
- Nutritional assessments
- Antioxidant status
- Comparison with novel commercial varieties/hybrids in terms of nutritional properties
- Assessment of adaptability to harsh/changing environmental conditions
- Stress tolerance
- Sensory evaluation in comparison with commercial varieties
Keywords: landraces, resilience, stress tolerance, antioxidants, phytochemicals, environmental stress, heterogeneous plant materials, greenhouse and open-field experiments, sustainable diversity
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
