Diversity of agricultural plants on Lesvos Island (Northeast Aegean, Greece) with emphasis on fruit trees

Scientia Horticulturae 210 (2016) 65–84

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Diversity of agricultural plants on Lesvos Island (Northeast Aegean, Greece) with emphasis on fruit trees Caterina Douma a , Kostas Koutis b , Ricos Thanopoulos c , Rallou Tsigou d , Alexandros Galanidis a , Penelope J. Bebeli e,∗ a

Department of Environment, University of the Aegean, Xenia Building, University Hill, 81100 Lesvos, Greece AEGILOPS (NGO), Network for Biodiversity and Ecology in Agriculture, Ano Lehonia, 37300 Volos, Greece c Farm Unit, Agricultural University of Athens, Iera Odos 75, 118 55 Athens, Greece d North Aegean Rural Affairs Directorate of Aegean Decentralized Administration, Kountourioti 79, 81100 Lesvos, Greece e Laboratory of Plant Breeding and Biometry, Department of Crop Science, Agricultural University of Athens, Iera Odos 75, 118 55 Athens, Greece b

a r t i c l e

i n f o

Article history: Received 24 December 2015 Received in revised form 5 July 2016 Accepted 8 July 2016 Keywords: Agrobiodiversity Genetic erosion Landraces Conservation Lesvos Island Greece

a b s t r a c t Historical evidence concerning the island of Lesvos has revealed the cultivation of cereals, olive trees, vines, figs and vegetables. Although the island’s agricultural economy has been based almost exclusively on olive tree cultivation since the 18th century (ce.), wide diversity of other crops has significantly contributed to the growth of the local economy. Two consecutive inventories and collection expeditions of crop landraces on the island of Lesvos were conducted in 2011 and 2012. The first expedition focused mainly on annual species, while the second one focused exclusively on fruit trees and grapevine landraces. Both expeditions included visits to nearly 50 villages and contacts with amateur and professional farmers, directly related to landraces. During the first expedition a total of 63 donors contributed 309 accessions of 37 annual crop species and genera, mainly vegetables followed by pulses and cereals. A large variation of fruit trees and grapevine landraces has been recorded during both expeditions, including 143 landraces’ names of 13 different species, with the greatest variability observed in pears, figs, apples and cherries as well as in grapevine. Results of the study revealed the substantial plant genetic wealth of cultivated species on the island of Lesvos. The urgent need to collect, conserve and promote this biodiversity is highlighted, since it constitutes invaluable plant material both for scientific purposes as well as for the economic sustainable development of the island. © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

And golden spreads of dwarf peas grew round the banks of rivers Sappfo (628–568 BCE) (Translated by Greek poetess Olympia Karayiorga) 1. Introduction In 300 BCE Theophrastus, a Greek native of Eressos on the island of Lesvos, wrote in his Botanical work ‘Enquiry into Plants’ about the Lesvos’ diversity of wheat which differ in colour, size, form and many characteristics related to their productivity and nutritional value (Hort, 1916). The agricultural diversity noticed in the island is the result of hundreds and even thousands of years of landraces’

∗ Corresponding author. E-mail address: [email protected] (P.J. Bebeli). http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2016.07.009 0304-4238/© 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

introduction and evolution under two forces: the farmers’ selections and the adaptation on a continuously changing environment. This genetic diversity of landraces or local populations is considered as the most economically valuable part of global biodiversity and is of paramount importance for future world crop production (Wood and Lenne, 1997). In the Mediterranean Basin landraces of crop trees, such as olive (Olea europaea L.) and grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.), constitute an inexhaustible source of unique traits, important natural compounds, derivatives and bioactive molecules such as anticancer agents (e.g. squalene and terpenoids) and valuable antioxidants, all extremely important in enhancing the quality of food (Banilas et al., 2009). Moreover, landraces have a high socioeconomic, cultural and heritage value (Caillon and Degeorges, 2007) and are strongly linked to regional cultural heritage (local rites, celebrations and local knowledge) (Negri, 2003). Since 1983, the Commission on Plant Genetic Resources of the FAO have declared landraces as ‘Public Domain Good’ and ‘Common Heritage of Mankind’ that should be freely accessible for the benefit of

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global agriculture (Stavropoulos et al., 2006). They still play a significant role in marginal and poor areas, since local farmers have been propagating material that shows high degree of adaptation to local pedo-climatic conditions and suited to the local farming traditions (Chessa and Nieddu, 2005; Camacho-Villa et al., 2005; Jackson et al., 2007). Furthermore, they constitute a vital gene pool for plant breeders, for continuously selecting and adapting crops to changing environmental conditions or to the needs of a growing human population (Camacho-Villa et al., 2005; Terzopoulos et al., 2009; Galluzzi et al., 2010). Additionally, landraces are associated with production diversification in intense growing areas and with products for niche markets (Terzopoulos et al., 2009). As they demand low external inputs, they contribute to environmental protection and could support alternative farming systems, such as organic and low input agriculture (Negri et al., 2000; Chessa and Nieddu, 2005; Jackson et al., 2007). The deterioration of natural ecosystems, the replacement of traditional farming systems by modern agricultural practices, the commercialisation of agriculture, the specialization of production systems restricted to a few varieties, the changes in consuming patterns, various legislations and policies, market forces, social inequality and population growth pose threats to landraces’ conservation (Negri et al., 2000; Upreti and Upreti, 2002). Today, agriculture is based on a narrow genetic base of most major crops (Di Falco and Perrings, 2003), as the majority of the annual species’ landraces as well as many of perennial species ones have been replaced by few high-yielding improved varieties, resulting in the stagnation of cultivated germplasm. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) estimates that about 75% of the agricultural biodiversity has been eroded during the last century (FAO, 1999) and this trend seems likely to become even more severe in the near future (Maxted et al., 2002; Pinheiro de Carvalho et al., 2013). It is generally agreed that the on-going erosion of agro-biodiversity impedes food security, the functionality of agro-ecosystems, social equity, economic growth and potential innovations in agriculture (Negri et al., 2000; Tilman, 2000; Gurr et al., 2003; Frei and Becker, 2004; Manzelli et al., 2005; Jackson et al., 2007). However, due to the geographical patterns in Greece (isolation of islands, hilly and/or mountainous areas), the social conditions and the presence of small-size farms (average size: 6.8 ha; Eurostat, 2013), landraces can still be found under cultivation, especially in marginal regions and islands (Terzopoulos et al., 2003; Terzopoulos and Bebeli, 2008, 2010; Katsiotis et al., 2009; Thomas et al., 2012, 2013; Kyriakopoulou et al., 2014). Particularly, most of the Greek islands of the Aegean Sea are characterized by valuable genetic resources, thanks to their location in the Eastern Mediterranean (Shackle et al., 2001). Due to their isolation and resources scarcity, islanders have strived to conserve their own economy and traditions, as well as the wealth of their genetic resources (Giourga et al., 2008). Thus, islands constitute the most important source of landraces and comprise hotspots of agricultural biodiversity (Hammer et al., 1997; Duelli and Obrist, 2003; Chessa and Nieddu, 2005; Stavropoulos et al., 2006). Inventories aiming to study agrobiodiversity are very important taking in consideration the accelerated genetic erosion (Pinheiro de Carvalho et al., 2016). Full agricultural species inventories are quite rare, especially those where special attention has been devoted to perennial species (Laghetti et al., 2004; Figliuolo and Cerbino, 2014), unless they are thematic expeditions on specific fruit species (Paprˇstein et al., 2003; Routson, 2007). The main objective of the present study is the survey of landraces and their spatial distribution on the island of Lesvos, with the scope to provide comprehensive agronomical and historical information about the composition and current conservation state of both annual and perennial landraces. Furthermore, its methodology could be used as an integrated approach of agricultural genetic

resources monitoring. Our results, apart from the enrichment of Greek Gene Bank in genetic material and its future use in plant breeding, will promote the conservation of numerous landraces of Lesvos from genetic erosion, as well as the enhancement of the local economy. 1.1. Natural features of Lesvos Island Lesvos is the third largest Greek island and is situated in Northeastern Aegean Sea, covering an area of 1636 km2 with 371 km of coastline (Fig. 1). At the beginning of the Pleistocene epoch, before the Mediterranean basin was flooded, Lesvos constituted a part of an ancient land-bridge between Greece and Western Asia Minor (Shackle et al., 2001). The island has Mediterranean climate, with great variations in climatic conditions due to the regional effect of mountains and atmospheric circulation patterns (Kosmas et al., 2000a). The climate is strongly seasonal with long hot summers and mild winters, and spatial variations in rainfall (Bakker et al., 2005). The average annual rainfall is ranging from 677 mm (eastern part) to 415 mm (western part) (Kosmas et al., 2000a) and the mean annual air temperature is 17.7 ◦ C (Kosmas et al., 2000b). The olive orchards occupy 28% of the total area of the island; the rest of the crops and fallow areas cover 9%, pastures 38%, forests 19% and other areas (towns, villages, roads etc.) 6% (National Statistical Service of Greece, 2009). Olive orchards are located on terraces on the slopes of the hills and mountains, becoming the special feature of the island’s landscape. Therefore Lesvos’ informal name is ‘Olive Island’ (Loumou et al., 2000; Loumou and Giourga, 2003). The island, although dominated by olive trees and pastures, retains a rich flora comprised of 1279 species and 237 subspecies, 14 of which are endemic in Greece, with three of them to be found exclusively on the island (Bazos, 2005). 1.2. Agricultural history Lesvos was initially fully covered by dense pine and oak forests, as its earliest name ‘Lasia’, meaning a place covered by dense forests, reveal (Stefanou, 1994; Tzimis et al., 1996). Expansion of agriculture first took place at around 1850 BCE when olive trees, cereals and vineyards widely spread in cultivated land (Alkaios, 1997). Schaus and Spencer (1994) claimed that during the 4th ce. BC the terraces of Eressos city were cultivated with grapevines, producing a variety of wines held in the highest regard, as many ancient texts evidenced. Marathianou et al. (2000), using as a source the study of Kontis (1978), estimated that later on, during the 3rd ce. BC, cereals and orchards covered 18% of the total island area, whereas vineyards and olive orchards 2% each. During the Byzantine period the island became self-sufficient in agricultural products (Marathianou et al., 2000) and olive groves, vineyards, cereal and pasture land spread out replacing forest areas. During the first century of Ottoman occupation (15th ce.), olive groves increased significantly in the eastern and southern part of the island, since inhabitants used to engraft wild olive trees found in pine forests and gradually the olive zone of the island expanded (Marathianou et al., 2000). The Ottoman administration favoured olive trees to cover the needs of Istanbul market for olive oil and soap (Anagnostou, 2011). In 1548, sixteen different products were taxed: two cereals (wheat and barley), three pulses (cowpeas, chickpeas and faba beans), three industrial plants (sesame, flax and cotton), three fruit and nut trees (figs, mulberries and almonds) and three animal products (honey, pork meat and silk) together with olives, olive oil, must and wine (Karidis and Kiel, 2000). Bakalopoulos (1974) claims that during the 16th ce. Lesvos produced the best wine of the Aegean islands, as well as cereals and fruits.

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Fig. 1. Spatial distribution of the number of crop, including fruit, species recorded per surveyed village in Lesvos Island (Greece). Map created with QGIS 2.6.1 ‘Brighton’.

From 16th to 19th ce., North-eastern Aegean islands became a welcomed, though necessary, stopover for travellers along the sea routes to and from Istanbul (Papadellis, 1977; Sifneou, 2007). In the 16th ce. Coronelli, an Italian traveller in the Aegean, mentioned figs and wheat crops, and about 100 years later Van Egmond, a Dutch diplomat, affirmed the cultivation of cotton, grape, olive, lemon, orange, nut and melon. Many other travellers described the cultivation of cereals, olive trees, vegetables, watermelons and figs, the export of salt and resin, as well as the collection of acorns for leather treatment (Sifneou, 1996). However, since 18th ce., island’s agricultural economy has been almost exclusively based on olive tree cultivation (Yiangou, 2003) as olive oil became a product of higher demand in nearby markets (Sifneou, 2007). On the other hand, as more granaries were built in Macedonia and Asia Minor, Lesvian cereals lost their exportable value and ended up primarily for local consumption (Sifneou, 2007). An increase of agricultural production and exports occurred in 1867 and the main exported products were olive oil, soap, acorns, cotton, silk, wool, fruits, wine and ‘ouzo’ (a traditional spirit), while the main imported ones were cereals, sugar, coffee and rice (Sifneou, 2007). Grapes were cultivated mainly in Kalloni and Plomari, but due to the decimation of the crop by phylloxera blight (Dactylosphaera vitifoliae Fitch), a pest of grapevine that was particularly severe by 1927–1928 (Sofianopoulos, 1913), cultivated acreage dropped by 25% and vine production by 75%. According to Syrakis (1913), during the first decade of 20th ce., agricultural production was characterized by the dominance of olive cultivation, producing 3840 t olive oil per year, for human consumption as well as for soap production. An industrial crop that was collected from the wild was an acorn, yielding up to 3000 t. Sultana raisins, figs, oranges, pears, apples, pomegranates, quinces, oranges, peaches, apricots, cherries, chestnuts, almonds, walnuts and vegetables were also cultivated and the highest percentage of the production was exported (Taxis, 1909). Still, Lesvos was defi-

cient in cereals as the total production could meet its population needs only for two to three months (Syrakis, 1913; Gavriilidis, 1937; Sifneou, 1996). Tobacco was cultivated in the centre of the island and its production was increased after 1922 with the arrival of refugees, from tobacco producing areas in Asia Minor (Gavriilidis, 1937). In 1950, cultivated area was recorded as follows: fertile arable land 30,000 ha, olive orchards 45,000 ha and vineyards 850 ha (Mantzouranis, 1976). International migration and urbanization were the main demographic characteristics in the last 50 years that directly affected the percentage of population engaged in full-time farming agriculture. Tourism has also changed resident priorities, especially in coastal areas, where agricultural land uses were abandoned in favour of tourism-led construction activities (Kizos and Koulouri, 2005). Moreover, many mountainous villages have been abandoned or are inhabited mainly by a few elderly people. As a result, crop distribution changed, with the expansion of olive plantations (41.2% of total land area) and the abandonment of orchards and vines (0.1% each) (Marathianou et al., 2000). At the same time, nearly half of the cereal area of 1886 ha had been converted gradually to grazing land and in 1996 cereal area accounted for 13% (or 245 ha) of the above area (Bakker et al., 2005).

1.3. The agricultural production of the island today Nowadays, agricultural production of the island includes mainly olive oil and to a lesser extent fruits, grain, fodder and vegetables. The crop production in 2006 was 20,748 tons of oil, 1267 t of citrus fruit (oranges and lemons), 6589 t of tomatoes, 5292 t of potatoes, 7 t of wheat etc. Olive oil remains a significant export product (Anonymous, 2007). Vines were significantly reduced and almost disappeared, occupying just 0.7% of the total land. Tobacco and fibre plants (cotton and flax) have disappeared, while anise that supported the production of the traditional spirit ‘ouzo’ can be rarely

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found today and is mainly imported. The abandoned cultivation areas became grazing lands to support the increasing livestock that has been more than doubled in the last 80 years (Papadimitriou, 2006). Generally, a decline in rural population is noticeable and in 2001 primary sector employed 26.3% of the total working population, while in 1981 the percentage was almost double (48.5%) (Papadimitriou, 2006). 2. Materials and methods Within the context of the project ‘1G-MED08-12 AGRISLES’, two expeditions for landraces on the island of Lesvos were conducted in 2011 and 2012. Information about germplasm collected on Lesvos has been gathered through personal communication with inhabitants and amateur or professional farmers, by studying the available literature concerning agricultural history and the existing landraces of the area, and by reviewing written reports of all previous surveys carried out by Greek Gene Bank or other institutions (Zamanis et al., 1994; Mattheou et al., 1995; Stavropoulos et al., 2006; Katsiotis et al., 2009). After that phase, two expeditions carried by two working groups were organised, primarily in villages not visited before by previous collection expeditions. Villages near Mytilene, the largest town of the island of Lesvos, and in coastal areas, where housing and tourist usages compete for agricultural land, were not the main target of the expeditions considering that remote areas host more agrobiodiversity. 2.1. First expedition The first group consisted of K. Koutis and temporarily by R. Tsigou, P. J. Bebeli and R. Thanopoulos. The first expedition lasted one month (February 2011). The survey aimed to record information regarding existed and lost landraces and varieties of all agricultural species and if possible to collect seed samples. 2.2. Second expedition The second group consisted of C. Douma and A. Galanidis and worked exclusively on fruit trees and grapevine varieties, from February to March 2012. Varieties information concerning their specific traits as well as farmers’ social characteristics was gathered by using a structured questionnaire completed by interviewing farmers. Additionally, the exact location of the majority of trees varieties has been recorded, using GPS. 3. Results and discussion Aiming to cover a substantial portion of island’s area, 44 villages and 7 settlements out of 73 villages on the island were visited (Fig. 1) in both expeditions. Contacts were made in coffee shops, open squares, fields, gardens and houses, with approximately 350 people that were directly related to landraces as amateur or professional growers. It must be noted that results were based on information that interviewed farmers gave. Factors of randomness related with the chance of finding the right person, farmers’ credibility and their willingness to participate in the study may have influenced the outcome. However, results of this article enable a comprehensive understanding of the current state of conservation of agricultural biodiversity on the island. The actual number of landraces could not be immediately estimated or measured. The recorded number of landraces hosted on the island may be lower due to synonymy, i.e. usage of different names for the same landrace in different areas, or could be also higher, as many cases genetically distinct landraces with different morphological characteristics have the same name. Moreover, for

certain landraces discrimination became more dubious, taking into consideration micro-environmental factors of each area that could modify their characteristics. Additionally, 29 villages that could add more information and material were not visited. As a criterion to classify an accession as landrace the definition of Camacho-Villa et al., 2005 was used: ‘Landraces are dynamic populations of cultivated plants with historical origins, distinct identities and lack formal crop improvement. They are often genetically diverse, locally adapted and associated with traditional farming systems’. 3.1. Annual and biennial crop species A total of 63 donors offered 309 accessions, belonging to 36 annual and biennial crop species and botanical varieties (Table 1). The majority of the recorded accessions were vegetables, followed by pulses and cereals. As regards the spatial distribution of local genetic material, a greater percentage of annual crop landraces has been recorded in the plain area of Lisvori, in livestockraising regions of Antissa and Agra and in the mountainous area of Agiassos. All these areas are located far from the coast, are not characterized by significant touristic development, and the majority of the inhabitants devote themselves to agriculture. Nevertheless, even in touristic villages, landraces can be found cultivated in home gardens by amateur farmers. In recent years, landrace cultivation attracted the interest of amateur growers who cultivate them in home gardens around the capital Mytilene. In many cases these growers are young and educated. There is a general agreement that home gardens, whether found in rural or urban areas, play a crucial role in landraces conservation, since they are characterized by multifunctionality and hold an exceptional wealth of diversity, much of which has been cultivated and seed saved for generations (Negri, 2003; Sunwar et al., 2006; Galluzzi et al., 2010). 3.1.1. Cereals Wheat (Triticum aestivum L. and T. durum Desf.) and barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) are traditional crops with a long and rich history on the island that goes back to the ancient times till post Second World War decades, as evidenced by literature (Taxis, 1909; Papadakis, 1929; Kokolios, 1948; Papadellis, 1977; Sifneou, 2007) and also by numerous abandoned mills all across Lesvos. Barley was used by Lesvians in the 5th ce. BC, in order to prepare a kind of bread by ‘rounding the dough in a circle and pounding’ (by hand) prior to baking, known as ‘Krimnitas’ or ‘Chondrinos’ (Newman and Newman, 2008). Gastronomer Archestratos (4th ce. BC) praised the rich barley flour cultivated in Eressos by saying that ‘. . .The best that one may get and the finest in the world. It is whiter than snow from the sky. If it be so that the gods eat barley-meal, Hermes must go and buy it for them there. . .’ (Schaus and Spencer, 1994). According to Kokolios (1948, 1959), on the islands of Lesvos and Lemnos (the latter just north of the former belonging to the same administrative unit) the cultivation of wheat landraces dropped rapidly from 70% of the total area in 1946, to 25% in 1958 (Table 2). This dramatic change is characteristic of the intraspecific genetic erosion. Table 2 also presents the different wheat landraces cultivated in the area, probably due to their different agronomic characteristics and their adaptability to various environments. For instance, Kokolios (1948) underlines the drought resistance of ‘Kokkinostaro’ (red wheat) and Kontellis (1985) mentions a large sized wheat seed landrace called ‘Ilats’ that was cultivated in Mesotopos area. The latter was regarded as the best wheat in the island but it is not found in the island today. Another interesting issue is that each landrace consisted of three to four varietal forms (Table 3). It must be noted that a cereal landrace can be highly heterogeneous and consist of many varietal forms (Papadakis 1929; Pinheiro de Carvalho et al., 2013). For example,

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Table 1 Collected accessions per species in Lesvos Island. Genera/species

Common name

No of Accessions

Collection Sites (villages or settlements)

Cereals Avena sativa L. Hordeum vulgare L. Triticum aestivum L. Triticum durum Desf. Zea mays L.

Oat Barley Bread wheat Durum wheat Maize

3 2 1 2 1

Ag. Paraskevi, Agiassos, Lisvori Antissa, Lisvori Ag. Paraskevi Antissa, Lisvori Ag. Paraskevi

Pulses and fodder legumes Cicer arietinum L. Lathyrus ochrus (L.) DC Phaseolus vulgaris L.

Chickpea Cyprus vetch Bean

1 1 27

Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.

Cowpea

14

Vicia faba L.

Faba bean

5

Lisvori Antissa Ag. Paraskevi, Agiassos, Anaxos, Antissa, Ippios, Kapi, Keramia, Lisvori, Napi, Vrissa Agiassos, Agra, Chidira, Mesotopos, Parakila, Pelopi, Pterounta, Skoutaros, Stipsi, Tzithra, Vafios Ag. Paraskevi, Agra, Antissa, Lisvori

Vegetables Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench

Okra

18

Allium cepa L. Allium ampeloprasum L. Allium sativum L. Anethum graveolens L. Apium graveolens L.

Onion Leek Garlic Dill Celery

3 4 2 2 8

Beta vulgaris L. Brassica oleracea L.

Vegetable Beet Cabbage

2 7

Brassica oleracea var. italica Plenck Capsicum annuum L.

Broccoli

1

Pepper

14

Ag. Paraskevi, Agra, Akrasi, Anaxos, Antissa, Filia, Ippios, Parakila, Mesotopos, Therma, Vatera Parakila, Vafios Antissa, Kalloni, Lisvori Napi, Parakila Ag. Marina, Lisvori Ag. Marina, Agiassos, Akrasi, Kalloni, Lisvori, Tzithra, Vrissa Ag. Marina, Lisvori Ag. Marina, Agiassos, Agra, Lisvori, Tzithra Ag. Marina

Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. & Nakai Cichorium intybus L. Cucumis melo L.

Watermelon

10

Chicory Melon

1 24

Cucumis sativus L.

Cucumber

14

Cucurbita maxima Duch.

Pumpkin, squash

14

Cucurbita moschata Duch.

Winter squash

10

Cucurbita pepo L.

Vegetable marrow, pumpkin

27

Cynara scolymus L. Eruca sativa Mill. Lactuca sativa L. Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) Standl. Petroselinum crispum (Mill.) Fuss Raphanus sativus L. Solanum lycopersicum L.

Artichoke Rocket Lettuce Bottle gourd (calabash)

1 5 3 3

Akrasi, Ampeliko, Antissa, Ippios, Kapi, Lisvori, Napi, Vatera Antissa, Ippios, Lisvori, Mesotopos, Parakila, Therma, Vasilika Antissa Agra, Agiassos, Antissa, Parakila, Ippios, Kalloni, Lisvori, Therma, Tzithra, Vafios, Vasilika, Vrissa Agiassos, Agra, Akrasi, Anaxos, Antissa, Lisvori, Mesotopos, Pterounta, Stipsi, Therma, Vatera Agiassos, Ag. Paraskevi, Akrasi, Anaxos, Antissa, Filia, Kalloni, Mesotopos, Mistegna, Napi, Therma, Tzithra, Antissa, Agra, Kalloni, Lampou Miloi, Vatera, Therma, Thermi Ag. Paraskevi, Agiassos, Agra, Akrasi, Antissa, Filia, Ippios, Kalloni, Kapi, Karini, Lisvori, Parakila, Pelopi, Pterounta, Therma, Tzithra, Lisvori Lisvori, Mesotopos, Vrissa Akrasi, Vafios Mesotopos, Karini

Parsley

3

Akrasi, Antissa, Lisvori

Radish Tomato

3 48

Solanum melongena L.

Aubergine

23

Ag. Marina, Kapi, Lisvori Ag. Paraskevi, Agra, Akrasi, Antissa, Agiassos, Chidira, Filia, Ippios, Kalloni, Kapi, Lisvori, Mesotopos, Moni Mirsiniotisas, Napi, Parakila, Pelopi, Pterounta, Stipsi, Tavari, Therma, Vatera, Vatousa, Vrissa Ag. Marina, Agiassos, Agra, Akrasi, Antissa, Filia, Ippios, Kalloni, Lisvori, Mesotopos, Mistegna, Parakila, Stipsi, Therma,Tzithra, Vatera

Other crops Sesamum indicum L.

Sesame

2

Total

309

Lisvori

70

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Table 2 Wheat crop in Lesvos and Lemnos islands (Adapted from Kokolios 1948, 1959). Landrace

Area (Ha) 1946

Agritisa , b Asprostaroa Gymnostaro Diminitisa Kampia Kokkinostaroa Kolovo Mavragania Sparos Various Total landraces Total cultivars a b

% of area 1958

1946

160 406 260 10 25 190 113 380 190

900 300 600 1500 900 4200 1800

1958 2 6 4 0.1 0.4 3 2 5 3

15 5 10 25 15 70 30

1734 5269

25 75

Referred by Papadakis (1929) and Kokolios (1948) at Lesvos. Agritis is the same as Mavragani (black awnned) of Skalochori village (Papadakis 1929).

Table 3 Lesvos’ wheat landraces varietal forms composition based on Percival (1921)a (adapted from Kokolios 1948). Landrace

English translation

Composition (%) Durum affine

Mavragani (I) Mavragani (II) Asprostaro Kokkinostaro Diminitis a

Black awned Black awned White wheat Red wheat Two months wheat

5

hordeiforme 4 3

leucomelan

3

Vulgare

leucurum

melanopus

16

78

murcience

reichenbachii

alborubrum

87

4

erythroleucon

graecum 6

94 84

99

6

10 1

Percival, J., 1921. The Wheat Plant. Duckworth & Co, London. 463 pp.

landraces under the name ‘Mavragani’ (means black awn) was in fact a series of different compositions of varietal forms (Kokolios 1948), probably due to farmers’ consciously or subconsciously efforts to combine different traits in order to surpass the unstable environmental conditions. Also Papadakis (1929) refers to Lesvos’ landraces ‘Asprostaro’ (white wheat), ‘Ak Sisam’ [a Turkish name synonym to ‘Asprostachis’ (white spike)], ‘Kokkinostaro’, ‘Mavragani’, ‘Agritis’ (synonym to ‘Mavragani’ of Skalohori village), each of them being comprised of different varietal forms. Nowadays, cereals cultivation is limited to the plains of Kalloni Gulf (Kalloni, Agia Paraskevi, and Lisvori) where the last farmers of wheat, barley and oat (Avena sativa L.) exist. The expedition in 2011 resulted in nine different cereal accessions (Table 1), of which 1/3 was wheat. Barley and oat landraces are still used for cultivation, whereas sorghum (Sorgum bicolor (L.) Moench) and rye (Secale sereale L.) have vanished. Only one sample of maize (Zea mays L.) was collected, an indication of an alarming situation. Considering the extent of erosion recorded in cereals landraces, the existence of grain samples should be considered significant. Local farmers mentioned many different wheat names that were cultivated in the past, such as ‘Deventesi’, ‘Gymnostaro’, ‘Canberra’, ‘Kolovo’, ‘Montana’, ‘Spanostaro’ but only three landraces still survive today: ‘Asprostaro’, ‘Saritsam’ and ‘Sparos’. All the above are landraces except of ‘Canberra’ and ‘Montana’, which are among the first foreign cultivars introduced for production improvement in Greece (Papadakis, 1929). Interestingly, some of these names, which farmers remember, like ‘Gymnostaro’, ‘Kolovo’ and ‘Sparos’, appear in Table 2, which data is based on 1957 information (Kokolios, 1959). Two local durum wheat landraces populations were studied by Agorastos and Goulas (2005), namely ‘Mytilini-1’ and ‘Mytilini-2’, names that were apparently given by the authors but indicating different populations. These two populations are superior in regard to grain and protein yield, compared with the commercial cultivar ‘Mexicalli’, a claim that triggers an interest to examine the pure line

selection to test them as candidate cultivars for further exploitation (Agorastos and Goulas, 2005). The ease under which landraces have been replaced is unjustifiable despite any market disadvantages they have. Cereal landraces may have been abandoned in part due to lack of appropriate machinery to harvest seed crops to be used for next year’s sowing. Besides, young people more or less know little about the benefits and intrinsic value of landraces and they often face great difficulty to find and test them. Both the existing wheat and barley landraces could have a production potential under organic farming because they are adapted in low inputs and organic agriculture. The re-operation of smallscale mills could enhance the production of the quality branded cereal products (bread, rusks and the traditional twice-baked barley bread called ‘paximadia’) as agricultural products certified for their origin of landraces used. In this direction, the last flour mills, of small capacity, that is still in operation in the island could play a significant role. Moreover, since Lesvos is deficient in livestock feed and is obliged to massive imports, some of these crops could cover a great part of the significant needs of the local animal keepers (sheep and goats) and could contribute to the production of local renowned quality husbandry products. 3.1.2. Pulses and forage legumes Lesvos seems to have a rich diversity of pulses and in total, 48 accessions were collected. Twenty seven accessions belonging to common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) [local names: ‘Barbounia’ (namely red mullet = butter beans), ‘Fragkofasoula’ (Frank beans) or ‘Chires’ (Widows), ‘Lopia’, ‘Phasoli of Kapi’ (beans of Kapi village), ‘Pritsikelia’, ‘Tsaoulia’, ‘Zarganes’, ‘Asprofasoula’ (white beans)], and 14 to cowpea or blackeyed bean (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) [local names: ‘Aspromytika’ (with white nose), ‘Mavromytika’ (with black nose), ‘Picheos’ (cubit sized)] were collected (Table 1). Panos (1961) refers to a common bean landrace from village Dafia, a dwarf type

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with 4–6 chestnut-coloured seeds per pod that was not recorded in the present expeditions. A small sized seed faba bean landrace, with 3–5 seeds per pod that had been cultivated in Lisvori area till 2000 (Douma, 2007), cannot be found today, since local farmers in the area prefer a modern, improved Spanish cultivar of faba bean, with medium sized seeds. This fact indicates the undoubtedly high threat of pulses’ landraces extinction and rapid genetic erosion in the area. Small-sized ‘Revithi’ (chickpea) landrace (Cicer arientinum L.) of the village Lisvori is perhaps the only legume species still cultivated on a relative large scale on the island, due to the recognition of its premium quality by the consumers, as a result of the profile of this landrace and the special environmental conditions of the area. Marketing of this landrace has been negatively affected by the competition of large sized chickpea varieties being imported at a low price, mainly from Turkey. “Chickpea of Lisvori” as well as the common bean of village Kapi have lost their advantage since they are not differentiated in the market; they are not packed but instead they are sold in bulk. However, both products attract consumers’ interest in the local market, showing high marketing possibilities. According to a local merchant on the island, peas and beans are currently imported in the island from Canada and chickpeas from Mexico and Argentina, while the minimum quantity that could be purchased from local production (to be sold in local grocery stores and restaurants) is at least 1000–1500 kg. This fact reveals the potential of the specific landraces for the local market. Bitter vetch (Vicia ervilia (L.) Willd.) collected in a previous expedition by the Greek Genebank (P. Ralli, pers. comm., 2010) that was almost exclusively used for livestock, is not cultivated anymore. On the other hand an interesting finding is an accession of Cyprus vetch (Lathyrus ochrus (L.) DC) that is produced in very small quantities, probably for family consumption. At nearby Lemnos Island a Cyprus vetch landrace called ‘Afkos’ is still traditionally cultivated and used for puree production (Thomas et al., 2012). It is worthwhile mentioning that some of the above pulses landraces, like beans and cowpeas, are consumed also as vegetables.

3.1.3. Vegetables Vegetable landraces are still found in most parts of the island, despite the diffusion of cultivars, and have particular interest and value. Nevertheless, sometimes old introduced cultivars adapted to Lesvos environmental conditions in the past are confused with landraces. However, these obsolete cultivars retain their genetic value and should also be preserved. Vegetable landraces have been preserved to a greater extent in comparison with other crops, due to their necessity for family consumption and the small area of land that is needed for their cultivation. They are still grown in backyards and home gardens, mainly by elderly people. Farming system in Lesvos is still characterized by traditional farming practices, multicropping systems, small scale farms and home gardens that host high vegetables’ diversity and they could be regarded as ‘living storehouses’ for agricultural diversity. Our research findings include 25 vegetables species with surprisingly numerous accessions of some, like tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.), pumkins (Cucurbita pepo L. and C. maxima), cucumber (Cucumis melo L.), aubergine (Solanum melongena L.) and okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench) (Table 1). On the other hand, few accessions of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.), cabbage (Brassica oleracea L.), celery (Apium graveolens L.), onion (Allium cepa L.), and lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) have been collected. The recorded landraces demonstrate well differentiated phenotypes and several of them show comparative advantages and adaptability in areas where they have been collected. For example, a very large sized tomato landrace under the name ‘Krasoulia’ originated from Agiassos village flourish only under the pedo-climatic condition of the

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particular area and it is less productive when cultivated in other parts of the island, as local people commented. According to some professional growers, only a small number of landraces are cultivated for market purposes (tomato, melon, cabbage, aubergine), due to their lower yields in comparison with commercial ones. Apart from lower yields, other disadvantages could be their short postharvest shelf life and low marketability due to various characteristics, such as bitterness (cucumber), very large size (cabbage) or irregular shape (tomato), traits that are not acceptable by consumers. Moreover, the lack of seed or propagating material is another crucial factor for the limited landrace cultivation. Many amateur or professional farmers reported that, despite their willingness to grow landraces, they experience great difficulty finding propagating material. Many of them have supported the need for the establishment of local or Aegean community seed bank as well as a local seed exchange network. There is common agreement on the concept that farmers’ attitudes and social networking are critical for the improvement and preservation of biodiversity in agricultural landscapes (La Mantia et al., 2011). However, the initial step should be the description of landraces characteristics, following by their registration in the National Register. In this way, legitimate proliferation and distribution of propagating material will be greatly facilitated, in order to protect them from phenomena such as biopiracy (Isaac and Kerr, 2003; Arenson, 2011). Also propagating material will be checked for pathogens and seed borne diseases. According to others, because landraces and populations are heterogenous materials and in most cases cannot fulfil registration criteria (Newton et al., 2010), certification or registration should not be mandatory. 3.1.4. Other crops In the plain area of Lisvori two accessions of a rare sesame landrace (Sesamum indicum L.) were collected. Anise (Pimpinella anisum L.) is cultivated in the same area covering almost 10 ha but no accession was able to be collected. Nowadays, anise is mainly imported from Turkey or North Africa. Lisvori also used to host the cultivation of cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) but today this crop has almost disappeared. 3.2. Perennial species 3.2.1. Olives Olive trees landraces (Olea europea L.) predominate, covering the largest part of cultivated land of Lesvos. Olives take pride of place among all crops and are the most important species in terms of Lesvians’ income. The island may be considered as an example, where traditionally its residents are better known as olive oil producers and traders rather than seamen (sailors and fishermen). Landraces with the largest spatial distribution are ‘Kolovi’ (tailless), ‘Adramytini’ or ‘Aivaliotiki’ (from Aivali, a city of Asia Minor, called today in Turkish Ayvalık), ‘Karolia’, ‘Ladolia’ (oil olive) and ‘Dafnolia’. Kostelenos (2011) also reports on non Lesvian landraces on the island, such as ‘Chalkidikis’ (from Chalikidiki area), ‘Kalamon’ (from Kalamata area), ‘Karydolia’ (walnut olive), ‘Konservolia’, ‘Koroneiki’ (from Koroni area), ‘Kothreiki’ and ‘Megaritiki’ (from Megara area), although these are sparse trees in home gardens. According to Nikoloudakis et al. (2003), ‘Kolovi’ and ‘Adramytini’ or ‘Aivaliotiki’ constitute two ancient Greek cultivars that are cultivated on the island of Lesvos. ‘Kolovi’, synonymous to ‘Valana’, ‘Valanolia’ and ‘Mytilinia’ (denomination that refers to Mytilene, capital of Lesvos island) (Banilas et al., 2009), is more widespread on the island. It has medium sized fruit, yields at high level and produces olive oil of exceptional quality, with light golden colour, pleasant aroma and distinctive delicate taste. ‘Adramytini’ is also called ‘Fragolia’ and ‘Aivaliotiki’ (Banilas et al., 2009; Kostelenos, 2011) and is characterized by medium sized fruit, average fruit and

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oil yield and exquisite table olives quality. Historical data reveal that after the extreme frost of 1850, ‘Kolovi’ and ‘Adramytini’ varieties have been extensively replanted, in most areas of the island. For ‘Adramytini’ there is a reference that it is a variety that withstands successfully low temperatures (Mantzouranis, 1976). Nikoloudakis et al. (2003) using RAPD markers, demonstrated that ‘Adramytini’ and ‘Kolovi’ showed high degree of genetic similarity and were clustered together with ‘Vasilikada’, a variety that originates from a completely opposite geographic part of Greece (Corfu Island, in Ionian Sea). Regarding ‘Karolia’ a medium sized fruit variety, used both as table olive and oil landrace, even though it originates from Lesvos, it showed lower genetic similarity to ‘Adramytini’ and ‘Kolovi’ (Nikoloudakis et al., 2003). On the contrary, studies using microsatellite loci (Roubos et al., 2010) and AFLP and RAPD markers (Hagidimitriou et al., 2005) classified the aforementioned Lesvian varieties in different clusters, indicating the absence of geographical clustering according to their principal area of cultivation. Regarding ‘Ladolia’, there are many homonyms under the same denomination that in Greek means an olive tree that is cultivated for oil production. 3.2.2. Vineyards Although land under grapevine production has declined dramatically, many grapevine varieties still persist (Table 4). Expeditions of 2011 and 2012 recorded 36 and 22 names of vine varieties, in 19 and 14 villages respectively. In total, from 29 villages (only 4 were visited in both expeditions) numerous names of vine varieties were indicated by local inhabitants (Table 4). The actual number of vine varieties is expected to be lower because one variety could have many synonyms in different villages, a fact that is common in Greece. For example, as Stavrakakis (2010) remarks, ‘Moschato aspro’ (moschato means nice smelling) and ‘Moschato Samou’ could be different names for the same variety. Moreover, ‘Samiotiko’ (originated from Samos Island) could be identical with ‘Moschato Samou’. On the other hand, the name ‘Moschato mavro’ (mavro is black) is used for ‘Muscat of Hambourgh’ but under the same name there is also a distinct variety. Even in Table 4 synonyms can been seen, indicating possible confusion between different names of the same variety. The situation is even more difficult because names are in Greek and Turkish language. Thus, it is possible that the same variety could have different names. ‘Fokiano’ (from Fokaia of Asia Minor) in Greek, is called ‘Erikara’ and ‘Mperit’or ‘Nteli karas’ in Turkish. Many vine varieties’ names were well known since 1940s when were described by Krimbas (1943, 1944, 1949) and presented in Table 4. However, if someone does not examine the ampelographic descriptors of each variety referred by locals, one cannot be sure if these varieties’ names are identical with those described by Krimbas. Additionally, the use of molecular markers can clarify further the vine varietal status of Lesvos. Nevertheless, three trends in terms of vine varieties spatial dispersal (very rare, rare, and abundant) can be observed, concerning the presence of varietal names in the villages. The first group (very rare dispersal) of 19 varietal names is present in only one or two villages, the second one (rare dispersal) with 9 names is present in 3–5 villages and the third one (abundant dispersal) with 11 varietal names is present in 6–13 villages (Table 4). It is expected that the varieties’ names found in one village to be distinct varieties since peasants would not have used two different names for the same variety. Thus it is impressive that twelve varietal names were reported in Antissa village, indicating the wealth of vine varieties in the area. Thus, it is obvious that the island of Lesvos hosts a rich diversity in vine varieties, despite the small cultivated land and the expected synonyms. Historically, Lesvos was famous as wine producer. Archestratos (4th ce. BC), in a distinctive way praised the lesvian vine saying that ‘Lesbian [sic] will seem to you to possess the glory of ambrosia rather

than wine’ (Athenaeus, Deipnosophistae 1.29c). In an early 20th century Kalloni’s wine was famous (Taxis, 1909). Today vineyards have declined to short scale cultivation, mainly by amateurs in various parts of the island, where old varieties are still being planted. In recent years new plantings are made with other Greek and/or foreign varieties. Thus, overall vine cultivated surface is about 140 and 70 ha of wine and tables varieties respectively (E. Koumpareli, pers. comm., 2011). Among the old varieties the following stand out for their quality: ‘Fokiano’, ‘Hyderiotiko’ or ‘Kalloniatiko’ (from Kalloni area), ‘K’ntoura’, ‘Fileri’, ‘Fraoula’ (like strawberry), ‘Moschata’, ‘Mpegleri’, ‘Nychaki’ (like fingernail), ‘Sultanina’ (Sultana or Thompson Seedless) and ‘Tenedio’ (from Tenedos Island). Recently, organic viticulture has been developed significantly in Chidira and ‘Hyderiotiko’ (‘Kalloniatiko’) variety is used exclusively. The introduction and cultivation of foreign, mainly French, varieties could not replace the unique and distinguishable wine character of each area and moreover the produced wine cannot be competitive in the market, especially abroad. Furthermore, market trends demand mainly traditional varieties with well documented quality and historical presence (Riaz et al., 2007). According to Fakorelis (2011), sheer Greek wine varieties could provide original, unique wine, substantiating the Greek wine myth and creating an element of reference and distinction for consumers. 3.2.3. Fruit trees Our results reveal a wide variability in fruit trees, both at species and variety level [the term variety here contains both landraces and improved varieties (cultivars)], since more than 140 varieties names including mostly landraces and some introduced varieties, were recorded in both expeditions (Table 5). Most of the fruit tree crops have been traditionally cultivated on the island, some since ancient times, such as figs, while others were lately introduced by local traders or by people who invaded the island or visited it for trading purposes. Being farmers, sheep farmers and fishermen, local people had trade relationships with other Mediterranean areas and especially with different areas of Asia Minor. So the transportation of genetic material was a common phenomenon, since whenever people travelled, traded and migrated, they always moved their crops with them (Prance, 2005). The vast majority of interviewed farmers is around 60 years old and preserves landraces of fruit trees mainly for personal use. Most of them are farm pensioners and amateur farmers and only around 30% are full time farmers. Farmers and gardeners seem to play a crucial role in maintaining fruit trees landraces, since they both promote the evolution of genetic material in local abiotic and biotic conditions under which they are grown. Locals claim they are intensely engaged with the cultivation of landraces due to emotional and traditional reasons, as well as due to landraces’ special characteristics, such as their adaptability to local environmental conditions and their special quality related to taste, flavour, organoleptic peculiarities, long postharvest shelf life in many cases, disease resistance and yield stability under severe climatic conditions. In total, fruit tree varieties of 13 diverse species were detected in 34 villages. On the whole, 143 varieties names were recorded in both expeditions (Table 5) taking in consideration synonyms or imported foreign cultivars. Possibly, decades ago foreign fruit tree varieties were imported but nowadays they missed their original names. For example, in Mt. Pilion area (east central Greek mainland) from the 28 apple varieties only five should be considered as autochthonous landraces established at the area and the rest imported (some of the introduced have local names, e.g. ‘Reinette grisse’ is called ‘Arapomilo’), whereas in pear varieties six out of 13 were autochthonous ones (Oikonomidis, 1930). In the present study, seventy-eight varieties’ names were recorded in both expeditions, while 32 varieties’ names reported exclusively in the first

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Table 4 Vine varietala names (in parenthesis synonyms recorded during the interviews), the number and name of sites (villages) where names referred during 2011 and 2012 expeditions and varietal names found in literature. Varietal name

No of Sites visitedb 2011

Very rare dispersal ‘Agerato’ ‘Akariani’ ‘Chaouch’ (‘Tsaousi’) ‘Fileri’

‘Gremris’ ‘Kantiles’ ‘Kantina’ ‘Kantinmparmak’ ‘Karidato’ (‘Andriani’) ‘Kokkineli’ ‘Kotsinogerato’ (‘Kotsinagera’, ‘Kokkinogerato’) ‘Monemvasia’ ‘Moschato aspro’c

2 1 1 1

1 1 1 1 1 1 2

Site

2012

2 1

Palaiokipos, Skopelos Filia Sigri Antissa

Argenos Vatousa Antissa Klio Palaiokipos, Skopelos, Trygonas Filia Antissa, Vatousa

2 2

Anaxos, Filia Agra, Antissa

‘Moschostafilo’ ‘Ntelesmanis’ ‘Petroroga’ ‘Plataniko’ ‘Samiotiko’ ‘Vasilakia’

1 1 1 1 1 1

Eressos Akrasi Akrasi Parakila Klio Sigri

Rare dispersal ‘Agoumastos’ ‘Aspro’c (‘Aspoudes’, (‘Aspoules’) ‘Chiotiko’ ‘Eftakilo’ ‘Kipriotiko’ (‘Kipriotes’) ‘Moschato’ ‘Mpegleri’ (‘Mpigleri’)

3 2 4 2 1 3 5

3 1

‘Tenedio’ (‘Ntenedia’) ‘Vapsa’

3 2

2 1

7

1

7

5

10

3

‘K’ntoura’ (‘Mandilaria’)

6

4

‘Hyderiotiko’ (‘Kalloniatiko’, ‘Krassostafila’)

10

3

‘Moschato mavro’f (‘Mavro myrodato’, ‘Mirodato’)

2

‘Nihaki’

9

3

‘Rozaki’ ‘Sideritis’

4 2

2 3

‘Soultanina’ (‘Soultani’, ‘Stafida’, ‘Kirntiksiska’)

11

2

‘Vodomato’ (‘Voudomata’)

3

4

Abundant dispersal ‘Ag(k)outharmos’ (‘Agrothermo’, ‘Argothamnos’) ‘Fokiano’ (Erikara’, ‘Mperit’, ‘Nteli karas’, ‘Rikaras’) ‘Fraoula proimi’d and ‘Fraoula opsimi’e

1 3 1

Agiassos, Agra, Antissa, Chidira, Ippios Agra, Akrasi, Skopelos Agra, Klio, Lisvori, Pelopi Agra, Antissa, Parakila Agra, Eressos, Polichnitos Ag. Paraskevi, Antissa, Skoutaros, Trygonas Ag. Paraskevi, Agiassos, Akrasi, Pelopi, Skoutaros Agra, Antissa, Chidira, Eressos Akrasi, Skopelos, Trygonas Agiassos, Anaxos, Argenos, Filia, Kapi, Pelopi, Skoutaros, Vafios Agra, Akrasi, Antissa, Chidira, Eressos, Lisvori, Parakila, Polichnitos, Sigri, Trygonas Anaxos, Ampeliko, Anemotia, Antissa, Eressos, Filia, Kapi, Parakila, Sigri, Skoutaros, Trygonas, Vatousa, Vrissa Agiassos, Agra, Akrasi, Ampeliko, Antissa, Filia, Lisvori, Skopelos, Trygonas, Vrissa Agra, Ag. Paraskevi, Anaxos, Antissa, Arisvi, Chidira, Eressos, Filia, Parakila, Sigri, Skoutaros, Vatousa, Vafios Agra, Akrasi, Ampeliko, Anaxos, Antisa, Eressos, Filia, Kapi, Klio, Vafios

Agiassos, Akrasi, Ampeliko, Anaxos, Filia, Ippios, Kapi, Neochori, Parakila, Pelopi, Skoutaros, Trygonas Agra, Antisa, Eressos, Filia, Polichnitos, Sigri Akrasi, Ampeliko, Chidira, Neochori, Pelopi, Sigri Ag. Paraskevi, Agra, Anaxos, Filia, Eressos, Lisvori, Parakila, Sigri, Skoutaros, Trygonas, Vafios, Vrissa, Agiassos, Akrasi, Ampeliko, Ippios, Palaiokipos, Skopelos, Trygonas

Referred as variety name by Krimbas (1943, 1944, 1949)

Stavrakakis (2010)

v

‘Fileri’ (Moschofilero group)

v

v v

v as ‘Samos Moschato’ v

v

v as ‘Kipreiko’ v v

v

v

v

v

v

v

v

v

as ‘Moschato mavro’ or ‘Muscat of Hambourgh’

As ‘Nihato’

v

v v

v

v

v

a International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV) use the term variety for vine that includes also indigenous ones, which are vine landraces. Here OIV terminology is kept (http://www.oiv.int/oiv/info/enlistecepage). b Some villages were visited in both expeditions. c White. d Early ripen. e Late ripen. f Black.

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Table 5 Number of different fruit tree varietial names per species recorded in each expedition. Species

Citrus limon (L.) Burm. f. Citrus reticulata Blanco Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck Cydonia oblonga Mill. Ficus carica L. Malus domestica Borkh. Prunus armeniaca L. Prunus avium (L.) L. Prunus cerasus L. Prunus domestica L. Prunus persica (L.) Batsch Punica granatum L. Pyrus communis L. Total

No of Sites found

1 1 1 9 20 11 8 3 4 13 4 14 29

Number of fruit tree varietal names Recorded only in 2011

Recorded only in 2012

Recorded in both expeditions

Total number

– – – 3 6 4 2 1 1 3 1 2 9 32

1 1 – 4 6 4 – 2 1 4 – 2 8 33

– – 1 2 13 11 1 3 – 4 1 5 37 78

1 1 1 9 25 19 3 6 2 11 2 9 54 143

and 33 exclusively in the second one (Table 5). These results indicate that one expedition is never sufficient enough to collect the genetic wealth information of a place because factors of randomness play a crucial role. Thus, further collecting missions are needed, in conjunction with a better description and characterization of the heterogeneity between and within varieties, using descriptors and molecular markers as an important precondition for landrace identification and planning conservation strategies. In any case, the survival of old fruit trees, even of introduced varieties, in orchards, is very important itself for rescuing genetic material (I. Hatziharissis pers. comm. 2014). Pears showed the highest percentage of landraces (37.8% of total accession number) and the broader spatial distribution, followed by figs and apples (Table 5). The mountainous area of Agiassos, at the centre of the island, hosts the majority of local fruit varieties, with 60 names of 7 different species (Table 6). Moreover, a significant diversity of varieties was observed in villages around Gera Gulf (Palaiokipos, Skopelos), where 32 of the recorded varieties were identified (Table 6). It is worth mentioning the linguistic wealth of fruit varieties, an important cultural element. The name of each variety usually represents fruit characteristics, such as shape, ‘Avgosyka’ (egg-figs), colour ‘Kokkinapida’ (red-pears), weight ‘Chondrapida’ (fat-pears), taste ‘Xinapida’ (sour-pears), flavour ‘Voutirapida’ (butter-pears) or phenological parameters, such as ‘Magiatica’ (ripening in May). In several cases of cultivated fruit trees, the geographical epithet denotes the provenance of a landrace or the main area of cultivation, such as ‘Agiassotika’ (from Agiassos), ‘Ankyras’ (from Ankara, Turkey), ‘Italica’ (from Italy), ‘Europis’ (from Europe), ‘Aidini’ (from Aydin, Turkey), ‘Politika’ (originated from Istanbul, called Constantinople during Byzantine era or Poli), ‘Kifisias’ (from Kifisia, a suburb of Athens). Sometimes, funny names are used and fruit are related to animals or vegetables. For example, names such as ‘Agelades’ (cows), ‘Kifalades’ (big-heads) and ‘Kolokithapida’ (squash-pears) are used for large-sized pear varieties, ‘Mirmigkapida’ (ant-pears) and ‘Masourapida’ (reel-pears) are used for small-sized pear landraces, while ‘Skilapida’ (dogpears) are looking like dogs. Sometimes a variety takes the name of the person who has cultivated it or of the one who has introduced it in the area of Lesvos, e.g. ‘Chasogianni’, ‘Kountourelia’, ‘Makrelli’ and ‘Tzani’. 3.2.3.1. Pears. Wide variability was observed in pears (Pyrus communis L.) and in total, 54 varieties’ names were recorded in 29 different villages (Table 7), most of them considered as landraces. Agiassos area hosts a rich gene pool of pear trees where someone can find 35 pear varieties, with different qualities of pulp texture, flesh colour, fruit shape and size, aroma, disease resistance,

ripening time, postharvest shelf life and productivity. Inhabitants of Agiassos mentioned that pear trees adapt well and they do not need special treatment except pruning. The majority of farmers do not apply any fertilizers or pesticides, because most landraces show high adaptability to soil and climatic conditions and relatively high resistance to pests. Ripening time, another interesting trait, evidenced a great variation among landraces (Table 7). As far as trade is concerned, about 58% of interviewed farmers use to sell part of their harvest directly to consumers around their villages, as costermongers. They do not usually have facilities for product conservation and storage, except from one in the area of Agiassos. Even though 42% of farmers own a large number of trees, they don’t trade their production and in many cases they leave the pears unharvested for sheep and goats that graze in the area. Table 7 shows some information on possible landraces of pears detected in both expeditions. In Lesvos, pear trees can be found from coastal to areas more than 500 m above sea level, regardless of soil type. The most important landraces’ names, concerning tree number and the trade possibilities, are ‘Achtses’, ‘Kountourelia’, ‘Kakavia’, ‘Miskapida’ and ‘Moutzourites’. Pear landrace ‘Achtses’ or ‘Zacharapida’ was cultivated in many areas of Greece during ‘40s-’60 s and was known as ‘Achtses from Mytilene’ (capital of the Island) (I. Hatziharissis pers. comm., 2014). ‘Achtses’ is an early ripening landrace (ripening time: June) and has attracted special attention by domestic consumers due to its taste and aroma. Notably, its name implies its taste (‘Zacharapida’ means sugarpears). Many farmers distinguish ‘Kakavia’, a late ripening pear landrace (late September), due to its high disease resistance, its medium postharvest shelf life and its exquisite taste. Pear landrace ‘Kountourelia’, with an outstanding big size fruit according to locals, might have been introduced to Lesvos from the opposite coast of Asia Minor in Turkey (E. Kazantzis, pers. comm., 2012), by somebody probably called ‘Kountourelis’. It is argued whether this landrace still exists in Turkey or not, while in the area of Agiassos it is estimated that about 6000 trees of this landrace are still grown. It is a high yielding landrace, with late ripening time (October) and long postharvest shelf life (until March). ‘Miskapida’ or ‘Moschapida’ and ‘Voutirapida’ are also cultivated in many areas of Greece, known with the similar names ‘Moschata’ and ‘Voutirata’, respectively (I. Hatziharissis, pers. comm., 2014). ‘Moutzourites’ and ‘Miskapida’ (means pears with nice aroma) are small sized fruit landraces, with especially high productivity. Lately, these pears have attracted the interest of local women’s cooperatives for the production of traditional sweets. Even though an excessive diversity of pear trees with high adaptability to local environmental conditions has been detected, they seem to be under great threat

Table 6 Spatial distribution of fruit tree varietial names recorded in both expeditions. Site

Species Citrus limon Citrus reticulata

Cydonia oblonga

Ficus carica Malus domestica

Prunus armeniaca

Prunus avium

Prunus cerasus

Prunus domestica

Punica granatum

Prunus persica

4 1 1

1

13 6 4 5 5 8

7

1

1

1

1

2

2 2

1 1

2

6

1

1 2

1

Pyrus communis

Total species in the village

Total varietal names in the village

1 9 35 5 4 1 7 9 1

1 2 7 6 1 2 8 2 4 3 1 3 7 3 1 2 1 2 2 2 6 1 6 6 6 5 2 5 6 7 3 2 2 2

1 13 60 16 4 5 20 14 16 4 4 10 22 8 1 2 10 11 11 16 17 4 14 14 20 12 4 19 18 11 29 9 13 7

1 4

1 1 2

6 5 4

3

1

2

3 1 2

9

1 1

1 2

7 5 4

1

4 3 6 3

1

1

3

3 1

2 2

1 1

1

3 1

1 3

1 2 1

5 1 1

1

1 1

2 2 1 1

7 4 1 5 2 6 3

1 1 13

1

10 9 4 11 5 4 6 6 7 4 2 4 9 5 11 7 7 4

C. Douma et al. / Scientia Horticulturae 210 (2016) 65–84

Achladeri Ag. Paraskevi Agiassos Agra Akrasi Ampeliko Anaxos Antissa Argenos Asomatos Chidira Eressos Filia Ippios Ipsilometopo Kato Tritos Klio Lepetimnos Lisvori Megalochori Mesotopos Neochori Palaiokipos Parakila Pelopi Polichnitos Pterounta Skopelos Skoutaros Stipsi Trygonas Tzithra Vafios Vatousa

Citrus sinensis

75

76

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Table 7 Names and information about possible landraces of pear tree (Pyrus communis L.) detected in both expeditions. Landrace’s name

Expedition

Site

Ripening time

Description

Postharvest shelf life

1

Achtses (Zacharapida)

2011, 2012

June

Small sized fruit, sweet, tasteful with nice flavour. High adaptability in variable environments and very productive in high elevations. The most common pears’ variety on the island

Short

2

Agelades

2011, 2012

Achladeri, Agiassos, Agra, Akrasi, Anaxos, Antissa, Filia, Lisvori, Megalochori, Palaiokipos, Parakila, Pelopi, Skopelos, Skoutaros, Trygonas, Tzithra, Vatousa Agiassos, Megalochori, Trygonas

Long

3 4

Agrardes Agiassotika (Kampanes)

2011 2011, 2012

5

2012

6 7 8

Aksapida (Akstiatiko) Ankyras Antounelia Apdaris

Vafios Agia Paraskevi, Agiassos, Anaxos, Argenos, Filia, Klio, Lepetimnos, Skoutaros, Stipsi, Vafios Chidira, Stipsi

Large sized fruit, with green-red colour. Adapted to elevations more than 500 m No other information provided Red, large sized fruit, with nice July flavour

2011, 2012 2012 2011, 2012

Agiassos Agiassos Agiassos, Megalochori

9

Asprapida

2011, 2012

10

Athelia

2011, 2012

Agia Paraskevi, Agra, Antissa, Chidira, Klio, Mesotopos, Pelopi, Polichnitos, Pterounta, Trygonas, Tzithra Agiassos, Megalochori

11 12

Avgades Avgoustapida (Avgoustiana, Kechrapida) Bei-armout (Tselepiarmout)

2012 2011, 2012

Antissa Agra, Antissa, Parakila

2011, 2012

Middle of August

Small sized fruit, with yellow-green colour, sweet, juicy and with nice flavour

Short

14

Biktesia

2011, 2012

Agiassos, Anaxos, Filia, Klio, Mesotopos, Parakila, Pelopi, Skoutaros, Trygonas, Vafios Klio, Lepetimnos

August

Long

15

Birlapida

2012

Lepetimnos

July

16

Bouzagania (Gaidourapida)

2011, 2012

Antissa, Mesotopos, Vatousa

August

17

Chasogianni

2012

Agiassos, Ampeliko

Middle of August

18

Chimonapida (Chimoniatiko)

2011, 2012

July

19

Chondrapida

2011, 2012

August

Large sized fruit

Medium

20

Doukeses

2011, 2012

Antissa, Klio, Megalochori, Trygonas, Tzithra Klio, Lepetimnos, Skoutaros Agiassos, Filia

Small sized fruit, with gradual ripening Juicy and sweet. Adapted to high elevations Large sized, round shape fruit, juicy, with lemon taste. High yielding tree Fruit with red-green colour and long stem. Adapted to various elevations Small sized fruit, sensitive to pests

Late July

Medium

21

Drousapida

2011, 2012

Late September

22

Kakavia

2011, 2012

Agia Paraskevi, Agiassos, Anaxos, Filia, Klio, Palaiokipos, Skoutaros Agiassos

Medium sized fruit, with nice aroma and high moisture’s needs Big sized fruit, juicy and tasteful. Adapted to cool areas

Medium

23

Kidonapida

2011

Agiassos

September

24

Kifalades

2011, 2012

Agiassos, Megalochori

Late August

25

Kliotika

2012

Agiassos, Klio

End of August

26

Kokkinapida

2011, 2012

Lepetimnos, Pelopi, Skoutaros

September

Large sized fruit, tasteful. High resistance to pests and adapted to acid soils Yellow, medium sized fruit, with round shape Large sized fruit, with gradual ripening Large sized fruit, with sour taste High resistance to pests

13

October

October September October SeptemberOctober June-July

Fruit with yellow colour and nice aroma Large sized fruit Small sized fruit, very sweet Large sized fruit, adapted to elevations more than 500 m Light colour fruit, with no special taste

Beginning of Small sized fruit, sweet and June juicy. Medium yielding No other information provided Middle of Large sized fruit, with no August special taste

Late September

Short

Long Short Short Long Medium

Medium

Medium

Medium Short

Short

Long

Medium

Short Medium Medium Medium

C. Douma et al. / Scientia Horticulturae 210 (2016) 65–84

77

Table 7 (Continued) Landrace’s name

Expedition

Site

Ripening time

Description

Postharvest shelf life

27

Kolokithapida

2011, 2012

Late August

Large sized fruit, with no special taste. Adapted to elevations higher than 400 m

Medium

28

Kolostapides (Gournapida)

2011, 2012

Agia Paraskevi, Agiassos, Anaxos, Chidira, Lisvori, Megalochori, Mesotopos, Palaiokipos, Parakila, Skopelos, Stipsi, Tzithra, Vatousa Filia, Klio, Lisvori, Pelopi, Polichnitos, Trygonas, Tzithra

Beginning of September

Short

29

Kountourelia

2011, 2012

Agiassos, Palaiokipos

Late September

30

Kremastapida

2011

Late November

31

Lemonapida

2011, 2012

32 33

Linapida Mavrapida (Gelapida)

2011 2011, 2012

34

Milapida

2011, 2012

35 36

Mirachlades Mirmigkapida

2011, 2012 2011, 2012

37

Miskapida (Moschapida)

2011, 2012

Agiassos, Agia Paraskevi, Pelopi Agiassos, Akrasi, Antissa, Filia, Megalochori, Neochori, Palaiokipos, Parakila, Stipsi, Trygonas Trygonas Agia Paraskevi, Lepetimnos, Pelopi, Skoutaros, Vafios Agiassos, Anaxos, Lepetimnos, Neochori, Polichnitos, Skoutaros, Vafios Agiassos Agia Paraskevi, Agiassos, Antissa, Tzithra, Vatousa Agiassos, Skopelos

Large sized fruit, with light colour and with no special taste. It was used for alcohol production Large sized fruit, with gradual ripening. Adapted to cold environments and pests resistant. Very productive Yellow, round shape, tough fruit Yellow, large sized fruit, very tasteful, with gradual ripening

38

Moustafades

2011, 2012

Agiassos, Megalochori

Late July

39

Moutzourites (Moutzourelia, Koum)

2011, 2012

July-August

40

Nifes

2011

Agiassos, Agra, Akrasi, Chidira, Megalochori, Mesotopos, Neochori, Parakila, Pterounta, Trygonas Agiassos

41

Panagiapida

2012

Lepetimnos

42

Panapida

2012

Lepetimnos

Middle of August July

43

Peponapida (Poupounapida) Petrapida (Bougatsa)

2011

Agiassos

October

2011, 2012

Agiassos

Late November

45

Prasinapida

2011

Agiassos

October

46 47

Skilapida Tourkapida

2011 2011

Agiassos Agia Paraskevi, Vafios

Late November August

48

Tsilouparmata (Beides)

2011, 2012

Late June

49

Tzani

2011, 2012

Agiassos, Akrasi, Megalochori, Neochori, Palaiokipos, Trygonas Agiassos

50

Vasilikapida

2011, 2012

44

Antissa, Anaxos, Filia, Skoutaros, Tzithra

Late July

No other information provided Medium sized fruit, dark September colour, with gradual ripening. Consumed fresh or dried Small sized fruit, round shape, June smooth with sour taste. Sensitive to cold

Long

Long Long

Long

Short

October Late July

Small sized fruit, very tasteful Small sized fruit, with sour taste

Short Medium

Middle of July

Yellow, small sized fruit, very sweet, with nice flavour and with gradual ripening. Very productive Small sized fruit, with gradual ripening Too small sized fruit, sweet, very tasteful, with gradual ripening. High pests’ resistance. Very productive

Short

Middle of July

Late August

July

Medium sized fruit, with red and green colour and high adaptability in variable elevations. Consumed immature Large sized fruit Medium sized fruit, tough, with dark colour Large sized fruit, with round shape and sour taste Large sized fruit, red-green colour, very tough, with high resistance to pests attacks Green, small sized fruit, very sweet ‘Ugly’ looking fruit Red, round shaped and very heavy fruit Large sized fruit, smooth, tasteful, sensitive to sunburns Medium sized fruit, ‘ugly’ looking but with sweet taste and gradual ripening Red, small sized fruit, with special flavour and taste

Short Short

Medium

Medium Medium Short

Long

Medium Medium Medium Short

Medium

Medium

78

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Table 7 (Continued) Landrace’s name

Expedition

Site

Ripening time

Description

Postharvest shelf life

51

Voutirapida

2011, 2012 2011, 2012

Medium sized fruit, smooth and sensitive to pests attacks Small sized fruit with sour taste

53

Xinapida (XinapideliaMasourapida) Xisoulo

Middle of September October

Short

52

2011, 2012

Agiassos, Klio, Lisvori, Polichnitos Agia Paraskevi, Agiassos, Agra, Filia, Stipsi, Vafios Skopelos, Trygonas

August

54

Zacharapida

2011, 2012

Agiassos

Late September

Medium sized fruit, with sour taste and gradual ripening. High yielding and high adaptability to pests attacks Medium sized fruit, round shaped, sweet. Adapted to high elevations

of genetic erosion and extinction, as a sharp decline in terms of surviving tree numbers is prominent. 3.2.3.2. Apples. Apples (Malus domestica Borkh.) of Lesvos are spread in mountainous areas at high elevations, mainly in Agiassos (475 m), in the area north of Megalochori (640 m), as well as in the north part of the island in the area of Lepetimnos (460 m). In total, 19 diverse names of varieties/landraces have been recorded. Some of them are retaining their initial name indicating non local origin, like Belfort, which is a cultivar (Agathos, 1975; Zubini et al., 2007), Delisca (possibly a variety of Delicious or a name alteration), and Renetes. Renetes, according to Hatziharissis (2007) is a clone of the French originated variety Reine de Reinettes. These examples of introduced varieties show how careful one should be on estimating the origin of genetic material. Farmers in Lepetimnos used to trade significant quantities of apples to Northern Greece in the past decades, while today only few trees are detected, indicating the severe rate of genetic erosion in the area. Some names of landraces, such as ‘Europis’ (from Europe) and ‘Italica’ (from Italy) that refer to region of origin, suggest that they might have come to Lesvos a long time ago and nowadays they display an extraordinary adaptability to local conditions. Table 8 shows some details about possible landraces of apples detected in both expeditions. The most important apples, concerning their growth area and trade use, are ‘Europis’, ‘Italica’ and ‘Firikia’. ‘Europis’ is favoured by elevations higher than 600 m, has high productivity, long postharvest shelf life and is the most resistant to diseases, in comparison with improved apple varieties that are cultivated in the area. Its advantages are the low sugar content and the sour taste, which make it popular among elderly and diabetic people. ‘Italica’ are early ripening, medium yielding, juicy and aromatic. ‘Firikia’ landrace yields fruit of small size, very sweet, with long postharvest shelf life. Great variability of ‘Firikia’ landrace exists in Greece, since it is reproduced also by seeds (I. Hatziharissis, pers. comm., 2014). Landrace ‘Skioupia’ used to be cultivated in many areas of Greece with the same name and refers to an old variety (Oikonomidis, 1930). Generally, apple landraces have extraordinary long postharvest shelf life and in many cases fruits can be preserved until early spring without refrigeration, in a cool and dark place. 3.2.3.3. Figs. Figs (Ficus carica L.) are widely spread all over the island as isolated trees and in arid zones as systematically cultivated in orchards. Organized groves of fig trees are located in the western part of the island in the area of Eressos, which is characterized by marginal and shallow soils composed of volcanic deposits. This environment is suitable for fig cultivation and many locals claim that landraces such as ‘Aydini’ (from Aydin area of Turkey) can flourish only in the area of Eressos. All of the farmers surveyed do not use any form of chemical fertilizers or phytosanitary products, as the species show high adaptability to local conditions. Severe

Medium to Long Medium

Long

pruning was a commonly applied practice but today it is rarely used. Renovation pruning and rejuvenation in old trees are more usual. Figs are consumed fresh or dried and preserved until May and are used as concentrated source of energy. Lately, the area occupied by figs has shrunk significantly and fig cultivation has been replaced by other more intensive and high water consuming crops, such as alfalfa, while the area is characterized by limited water reserves. Moreover, groves of fig trees on hill slopes have been already abandoned and are used as pasture lands. The majority of fig farmers own small agricultural land, with an average area around 1 ha. Around 1910, 650 tons of figs were produced and half of them were exported (Syrakis, 1913). Until 1970s, three different cooperatives had been operating in the area, with a total production of more than 200 t dried figs that were exported to North Africa, France and USA (A. Alexandris, pers. comm., 2012), while today farmers sell the produced figs to the local market of Lesvos as dried fruits. Table 9 shows some details about possible landraces of figs detected in both expeditions. In total, 25 diverse landraces’ names that show well differentiated phenotypes have been detected. The Institute for Olive Tree and Vegetable Crops in Kalamata (Peloponnese) preserves six varieties of them, namely ‘Aydini’, ‘Perkoulia’, ‘Politika’ and ‘Prasinosyka’ (green figs) as well as the so called ‘Lesvou with long pedicle’ and ‘Smyrnaiki’ (from Smyrni, nowdays Izmir) which had not been recorded in the present expeditions. Triarchis (1938) mentioned that Lesvian fig landraces, such as ‘Aydini’ and ‘Politika’ outmatch other Greek fig landraces, regarding sugar and lipid concentration. Fig is one of the species in Lesvos that has been studied and characterized through the use of RAPD (Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA) markers in order to determine the genetic relationship of genotypes with diverse geographic origin (Papadopoulou et al., 2002). The authors suggest that accessions from Lesvos, such as ‘Aidini’, ‘Prasinosyka’ and ‘Politika’ are clustered together and they are characterized by similar morphological characteristics (Papadopoulou et al., 2002). Some names of fig landraces are indicating their geographic origin. ‘Aydini’ has been transferred by the coastal area of Aydin, around 1920, where they are known as ‘Smyrna figs’ because Smyrne (Izmir today) is the main area of their trade. The specific landrace has large sized fruit, with optimum adaptability to local soil and climatic conditions in the area and high tolerance to low temperatures. It is popular in local market, gains a relatively high price, showing big trade possibilities, though no special effort for its promotion has been made. ‘Politika’ is a landrace that has been cultivated in Lesvos since the beginning of the previous century. However, it is very similar to the variety of ‘Kymis’ which is common in the island of Evia, sharing indistinguishable morphophysiological traits. Most probably both accessions are clones of the same cultivar indicating that cultivars of distant geographic origin exhibit high genetic similarities (Papadopoulou et al., 2002). ‘Politika’ is characterized as high yielding landrace, with early ripening

C. Douma et al. / Scientia Horticulturae 210 (2016) 65–84

79

Table 8 Names and details of apple tree (Malus domestica Borkh.) landraces/varieties recorded in both expeditions. Landrace/variety’s name

Expedition

Site

Ripening time

Description

1

Arvanitelia

2011

Agiassos

October

2

Belfort (Kokkina)

2011, 2012

Agiassos

October

3 4

Babakomila Bananomilo

2011 2012

Agiassos Argenos, Megalochori

September

5 6

Chimoniatica Delisca

2011, 2012 2012

Argenos Argenos

October October

7

Drevisia

2011, 2012

Agiassos

September

8 9

Gaidouromila Europis

2011 2011, 2012

Filia, Skoutaros Agiassos, Megalochori, Pelopi

Middle of September

10

Firikia

2011, 2012

Late September

11

Italica (Xinomila)

2011, 2012

12 13

Kefalades Kidonomila

2011, 2012 2011

Agiassos, Argenos, Megalochori, Parakila, Pelopi, Pterounta, Skoutaros, Stipsi Agiassos, Anaxos, Filia, Kato Tritos, Megalochori, Parakila, Pterounta, Skoutaros Agiassos, Megalochori Agiassos

Red, small sized fruit, very sweet, with long postharvest shelf life Red coloured, hard, middle sized fruit, very juicy, very long postharvest shelf life Wild variety, used as a rootstock Red, medium sized fruit, very tasteful, with medium postharvest shelf life With long postharvest shelf life Green coloured fruit, with long postharvest shelf life Red, small sized fruit, with long postharvest shelf life and high resistance to pests No special taste Red with green stripes, large sized fruit, needs high elevations, low sugar content, high yielding, with medium postharvest shelf life Yellow-red, small sized fruit, with long postharvest shelf life

14

Magiatica

2011, 2012

Argenos, Filia, Skoutaros

Middle of May

15

Prasinomila

2012

Argenos

September

16

Renetes

2011, 2012

Agiassos

October

17 18

Skioupia Voliana

2011, 2012 2012

Agiassos Agiassos

October Late October

19

Xinomilies

2011, 2012

Agiassos

September

time and flourishing even in non fertile soils. ‘Vasilika’ (meaning royal, referring to very good quality), a rare landrace which is located in the northern part of the island, is regarded as a very old landrace, since it has also been reported by the ancient philosopher Theophrastus (Papadopoulou et al., 2002). 3.2.3.4. Oranges. In the area of Parakila, in the centre of the island, one landrace of orange trees (Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck) was encountered. It is reported that their cultivation is dated back to 1600 AD and supported local economy until 1980s, when the yearly production of roughly 1000 tons was exported in Turkey or traded in markets of Northern Greece. Characteristically, locals mentioned that oranges were the ‘gold’ of the area. Today, there are around 2000 orange trees. The name of this specific landrace is ‘Koina’ (Protopapadakis, 2004) which means ‘common ones’. Its comparative advantage is the late ripening time (March or April), as well as the long postharvest shelf life (until June, even out of refrigerator). Moreover, it is distinguished by its high juice percentage, its aroma and its very sweet taste. A total of 82% of surveyed farmers do not use chemical fertilizers and they claim that this practice results in better fruit quality. Additionally, the majority of the interviewed farmers (90%) do not apply insecticides since the trees show high resistance to insect pests, especially to Mediterranean fruit fly (Ceratis capitata (Wiedemann)) indicating the high adaptability of this landrace.

August

August September-October

Green-yellow coloured, big sized fruit, with sour taste, high yielding, flourishing in low and high elevations Very tasteful Middle sized fruit, like quince in form, with long postharvest shelf life, used as a rootstock Fruit with red colour, with short postharvest shelf life Large sized fruit, green coloured, with long postharvest shelf life and high resistance to pests Yellow, medium sized fruit, sour taste, aroma, with long postharvest shelf life Short postharvest shelf life Small sized, yellow and red coloured, with long postharvest shelf life and high resistance to pests Sour taste, used as a rootstock, with long postharvest shelf life

3.2.3.5. Other fruits. Landraces’ names of cherries (Prunus avium (L.) L.), sour cherries (P. cerasus L.), round plums or egg plums (P. domestica L.), peaches (P. persica (L.) Batsch), apricots (P. armeniaca L.), quinces (Cydonia oblonga Mill.) and pomegranates (Punica granatum L.) have also been recorded, showing high adaptability to climatic and soil conditions as well as high resistance to pests, with limited need for external use of fertilizers or phytosanitary products. They are rarely found in organised groves and they are usually being grown scattered on the island. As fruit is plentiful all year in Lesvian countryside, women in cooperatives use them to make juices, jams and the famous ‘glika tou koutaliou’ (spoon sweets), using and retaining local traditional recipes. However, no indication of the local landrace used for the final products was detected on their label, although such labelling could provide additional economic benefits to them. Hatziharissis (2007) described two cherry landraces from Agiassos, one with red and another with bluish coloured fruits. Moreover the genetic wealth of pomegranates that could be utilized for juice production remains neglected. 3.2.3.6. Nuts. An important example of exploiting the existing variability of nuts on the island is the cultivation (rather rare for Greek standards regarding islands) of a population of chestnut trees (Castanea sativa Mill.), which is managed as an orchard that produces the locally renowned chestnuts, named ’Kastana Agiassou’. The chestnut grove is located in Olympus Mountain region of Lesvos, above Agiassos village, on elevations ranging between 600 and

80

C. Douma et al. / Scientia Horticulturae 210 (2016) 65–84

Table 9 Names and information about possible landraces of fig tree (Ficus carica L.) detected in both expeditions. Landrace’s name

Expedition

Site

Ripening time

Description

1 2 3

Aginia (Agikiniotika) Agriosyka Aydini (Aidini)

2011 2011, 2012 2011, 2012

August August Late August

Dark coloured fruit skin, with long stalk Light coloured fruit skin Very large sized fruit, very sweet, adapted to poor soils

4

Alvanosyka

2011, 2012

Antissa, Pelopi Antissa Agra, Eressos, Lisvori, Mesotopos, Polichnitos, Skopelos Lisvori, Polichnitos

August

5

Asprosyka

2011, 2012

August

6

Avgosyka

2011, 2012

7 8

Kokkinosyka Kontostapidika

2011, 2012 2012

Ampeliko, Agra, Ippios, Lisvori, Mesotopos, Palaiokipos, Skopelos Ampeliko, Agia Paraskevi, Agra, Anaxos, Filia, Lisvori, Pelopi, Polichnitos, Skopelos, Vafios Parakila, Skopelos, Trygonas Lisvori

Medium sized fruit, with thin skin and dark colour, very sweet Medium sized fruit, with thin skin and light green-yellow colour, very tasteful

9 10

Lemonosyka Mariska

2011 2012

Vafios Ippios, Skopelos

11

Marosyka

2011, 2012

12 13

Marskies Mavrosyka (Livanosyka)

2012 2011, 2012

14

Nazeledes

2011, 2012

Agia Paraskevi, Eressos, Palaiokipos, Skopelos Eressos Ampeliko, Agia Paraskevi, Agra, Anaxos, Antissa, Filia, Lisvori, Mesotopos, Palaiokipos, Pelopi, Skopelos, Trygonas, Tzithra, Vafios, Vatousa Argenos, Vafios

15 16

Perdikelia Perkoulia

2012 2011, 2012

Anaxos Argenos, Eressos, Trygonas

August Late July

17 18 19

Pirkelia Pitsosyka Plapitses

2011 2011 2012

Filia Filia Argenos

Middle of August

20 21

Platosyka Politika

2011 2011, 2012

22

Prasinosyka

2011, 2012

23 24

Tzorbageiko Tragana (Trygana)

2011 2011, 2012

Vatousa Ampeliko, Agra, Anaxos, Antissa, Argenos, Eressos, Filia, Ippios, Lisvori, Mesotopos, Palaiokipos, Parakila, Pelopi, Trygonas, Tzithra, Vafios, Vatousa Agia Paraskevi, Agra, Anaxos, Antissa, Argenos, Eressos, Ippios, Parakila, Pelopi, Vafios Argenos, Trygonas Argenos, Pelopi

August August

25

Vasilika

2012

Argenos

Beginning of August

850 m. For several years, the natural chestnut coppice of Agiassos has been extensively used for its timber, while the grafted orchard population has been used for chestnut production. Even though there are a few conflicting theories regarding the origin of the chestnut forest in Agiassos, the dominating concept is that the natural population coexisted with a chestnut orchard population managed by humans (Drouzas and Aravanopoulos, 2002; Kyriakopoulos, 2004). Moreover, there are also scattered several landraces and populations (hard or soft shelled) mainly of walnut, almond, pistachio and hazelnuts that remain underutilised or abandoned. These crops (especially almond) could thrive also in more arid environments of the island and provide a source of income for residents, as well as raw material for many secondary products, especially sweets.

Late July

Large sized fruit, with thick skin and no special taste

Beginning of August Middle August

No other information provided Medium sized fruit, with thin skin and short stalk No other information provided Medium sized fruit, with thin skin and dark colour Medium sized fruit, with light green colour of skin Small sized fruit, with tough skin Medium sized fruit, with thin skin, dark colour of skin and very sweet

August August August July

August

Beginning of August

August

Light yellow coloured fruit skin, with long stalk No other information provided Very small sized fruit, green coloured skin, very sweet, adapted to poor environments No other information provided Fruit with tough skin Large sized fruit, thin skin, with dark colour No other information provided Medium sized fruit, with oblate shape, white-green colour, long stalk, ease of peeling, very sweet, adapted to diverse environments

Large sized fruit, with thin skin, light green colour, very sweet and with high resistance to pests No other information provided Small sized fruit, round shaped with tough skin Medium sized fruit, with green coloured skin, globous shape, ease of peeling

3.3. A comparison of collecting expeditions All the accessions from Lesvos either collected with the support of national programmes or in cooperation with international institutes, are stored in the Greek Gene Bank. Greek Gene Bank researchers visited Lesvos twice to collect genetic material. The first time was in 1983, when a few cereals were collected (in total 6 landraces) from three villages. During the second expedition in 2006, an extensive survey in 24 villages of the island was made and 193 landraces of annual crop species had been collected (Kotali et al., 2006). The general trends identified by the two collections (2006’s and present) are compatible (broad representation of vegetables, lower for grains and pulses). Another collecting expedition was organised by the Centre for Legume in Mediterranean Agriculture in 1998. This expedition focused exclusively on pasture and fodder legumes and occasionally on pulses, such as pea, collecting overall 452 accessions from Lesvos (Snowball 1998). Regarding trees

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and vines our expedition offers an integrated approach on agricultural biodiversity by enriching the investigation beyond annual crop species. Hatziharissis et al. (1986) collected six samples of almonds (Prunus amygdalus Stokes), four samples of peach (P. persica (L.) Batsch), three of apricot (P. armeniaca L.), five of wild cherry (P. avium (L.) L.), one of sour cherry (P. cerasus L.), two of plums (P. domestica L.) and one of cherry plums (P. cerasifera Ehrh.). Experiences from previous collecting expeditions in Lesvos indicate that there is great potential for enrichment of samples and recording of perennial species. Nevertheless, one expedition by itself could not have easily resulted in overall view of genetic wealth. It can be generally claimed that Lesvos preserves a substantial genetic potential and that genetic erosion is not accelerated in all crops’ groups (Douma and Galanidis, 2013; Koutis et al., 2012). It is noticeable, however, the low number of cereal samples collected and the disappearance of bitter vetch (Vicia ervilia (L.) Willd.), which must be regarded as a permanent loss. 3.4. Proposals for effective conservation of landraces In recent decades, on the island of Lesvos, as well as in other agricultural regions elsewhere in Greece or even globally, both the number of cultivated species and the number of varieties within crop species has been reduced dramatically (Thrupp, 2000; Maxted et al., 2002; Banilas et al., 2009; Thomas et al., 2013; Pinheiro de Carvalho et al., 2013). In many cases, various constrains, like inadequate legislation (e.g. European Union Directives for landraces COMMISSION DIRECTIVES 2008/62/EC and 2009/145/EC) and policies, discourage farmers from cultivating landraces, as it prohibits them the right to subsidies. Thus, the risk of the sharp reduction of the local and global genetic wealth is more apparent than ever and this creates the need for developing strategies, for collection, conservation and proper use of agricultural genetic diversity, main part of which are landraces. This paper constitutes a first attempt to provide a comprehensive picture of the structure and current state of conservation of agricultural genetic resources of Lesvos Island. The results of the two collecting expeditions, as well as the past ones, denote that it’s really difficult to track down the genetic material of a place by a limited number of expeditions. There is still fertile ground for further collecting missions on the island for the enrichment of the recorded species’ database. The main active agents who utilize and conserve landraces, as well as maintain valuable traditional knowledge about this material, are individual farmers, mainly elderly, making the need of further exploration, description and evaluation more urgent. Moreover, in this direction, the use of both phenological and morphological descriptors and molecular markers can assist conservation strategies, permitting the evaluation of the extent of the existing genetic diversity, the identification of landraces’ origin, the description of landraces and the estimation of inter- and intraspecific polymorphism (Banilas et al., 2009; Papadopoulou et al., 2002). Participatory plant breeding methods with organic principles could exploit this invaluable plant material, developing new cultivars, particularly for marginal environments (Camacho-Villa et al., 2005; Koutsika-Sotiriou et al., 2010; Newton et al., 2010), enhancing in this way the sustainability of agricultural systems. An effective strategy should combine in situ and ex situ conservation activities. The Greek Gene Bank in Thessaloniki hosts about 14,800 accessions (Ralli et al., 2010) of wild and cultivated plant material, ensuring the extensive viability of propagating material and at the same time securing their perpetuation. However, landraces in gene banks collections are sometimes virtually converted to museum exhibits since their evolutionary process is not continued (Negri et al., 2009). The effective implementation of in situ conservation policies and programmes via agri-environmental

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incentive schemes can ensure economic prospects for local farmers. Besides, it would contribute to vital maintenance and natural evolution of threatened genetic resources, since a field functions as an evolutionary laboratory for agricultural science. Incentives should be recognized as basic prerequisite to safeguard the precious richness of agricultural biodiversity and to secure the stability of agro-ecosystems. Furthermore, the extraordinary genetic wealth especially of fruit trees that Lesvos harbours, is the evidence that the island could be characterized as a living plant museum (I. Hatziharissis, pers. comm., 2014). Thus, ‘agricultural gardens’ with living collection of landraces, including perennial ones, under scientific supervision as well as the direct involvement of the community (farmers and consumers) could warrant the long term conservation of local biodiversity (Kamal and Grodzinska-Jurczak, 2014) and the hindering of genetic erosion. Community seed depositories, landrace/organic food festivals and seed exchange events, always within a local area of the island, could contribute also to this extent. Moreover, this attempt could have multiple purposes that may assist the conservation strategy (research activities in cooperation with the local University of the Aegean or other universities, environmental and educational projects), enhancing at the same time the economic development of the island (supply of health propagation material, or even activities to promote tourism on the island). 3.5. Potential uses of Lesvos’ landraces The results of the present study illustrate that Lesvos Island hosts a vast wealth of genetic diversity of cultivated species that is not yet fully explored. Even though modern farming systems have been developed in several areas and touristic development has restricted agricultural activities, there are still parts of the island where traditional and multicropping systems have been maintained. As regards the detected landraces of annual crop species, the most highly threatened crops have been cereals and pulses while an intermediate level of landraces’ loss has been recorded for vegetables. Wide variability was observed in perennial crops; however they have undergone a very sharp shrinking in terms of cultivated area. On the contrary, olive landraces showed a higher degree of persistence because socioeconomic conditions favour their expansion. Even though Lesvian olive oil originates from landraces and is promoted by organised networks, its varietal composition that could differentiate it in the market is not highlighted. Labelling, origin certification and proper promotion could be implemented in several products of perennial species, such as figs, chestnuts, pears and apples, or in different annual species such as cereals, bean of ‘Kapi’, ‘Lisvori chickpea’, anise or sesame. As the trend toward a wider variety of products and food quality arises, the emergence of landraces’ identity (including their special characteristics, history, cultural value, information for their uses and local recipes’ as well as new culinary alternatives) offer a potential for a renewed economic growth for the island especially of remote communities. Synergies of different stakeholders involved in the use of plant genetic material could facilitate the promotion of products coming from local landraces. Touristic strategies, such as the integration of landraces in ‘Greek breakfast’ (offered in hotels promoted by Hotel Chamber of Greece) also in meals, either in local hotels or restaurants and taverns could be particularly beneficial. Moreover, the organization of local festivals for landraces (e.g. pear and apple festival in Agiassos), or of threshing days (e.g. in Lisvori area), and the development of ‘road paths of flavours’ on the island (as it happens with ‘olive road paths’ and old mills) could include several local products (also livestock ones) contributing to their promotion. Under modern perspectives of sustainable agriculture, the invaluable genetic material of landraces could play a crucial role in marginal areas, such as that of the island of Lesvos, supporting

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organic and low input agriculture. As interviewed farmers noted, local genetic material requires null or low amounts of external input of pesticides and fertilizers, as they perform exceptionally well to low input agriculture and organic farming practices, a fact that highlights their special quality and could differentiate them in the market. It is difficult for agricultural products from landraces grown in marginal environments to compete, in terms of quantity, with commercial varieties grown under intensive farming conditions in mainland plains. Landraces cultivated with organic methods could function as a source of quality and innovation, giving a realistic prospect of strengthening local economy. This could happen through the development of differentiated quality and widely recognized products that retain their competitiveness in the market or are predestined for niche markets. Even though data presented in this article do not illustrate the overall state of plant genetic resources of the island, they denote that Lesvos has maintained a high level of plant genetic resources, both of annual and perennial species. The variable environmental conditions, the fragmented habitats as well as the traditional agricultural methods, including multicropping systems, and the passionate engagement of elderly farmers with landraces, seem to be crucial factors that significantly contribute to the maintenance of this invaluable agricultural wealth and heritage. Nevertheless, if no effective conservation strategies are applied and if not all stakeholders related with local crop germplasm take action, landraces face the severe risk of disappearance. Plant agrobiodiversity is withering away hand in hand with the people that are preserving it; immediate action needs to be taken towards conserving landraces, before they turn into a relic of the past. Acknowledgements Authors would like to thank P. Ralli for the valuable information from the Greek Gene Bank, and Emer. Prof. M. Stavrakakis (A.U.A.), Ass. Prof. K. Biniari (Viticulture Lab. of A.U.A.), Researcher I. Hatziharissis (Pomology Institute of Naoussa) and Prof. M. Marangoudakis (Department of Sociology, U.A.) for critical comments on the manuscript. We are grateful to all local people of Lesvos for their contribution to the survey. Thanks to V. Gallos, I. Goudis, E. Koumpareli and G. Verberis for providing information on vine varieties, and to E. Kazantzis and A. Alexandris for pear and fig varieties respectively. Finally, we want to thank the Practical Agricultural School of Simantiri’s Endowment for hosting during the first expedition in 2011. K. Koutis was supported by the North Aegean Region, Greece programme (1G-MED08-12)AGRISLES: Creation of a transnational network of innovation and experimentation pools for agriculture in the Mediterranean islands. We would also like to thank the two anonymous reviewers and the editor for their valuable suggestions and comments. References Agathos, N., 1975. Modern General and Specialized Arboriculture. Spirou Agricultural Publishing House, Athens (in Greek). Agorastos, A.G., Goulas, C.K., 2005. Line selection for exploiting durum wheat (T. turgidum L. var. durum) local landraces in modern variety development program. Euphytica 146, 117–124, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10681-0058495-3. Alkaios, 1997. Alkaios-Apanta, Daidalos (Zacharopoulos I), Athens (in Greek). Anagnostou, S., 2011. Local History: References for the New and Modern History of Lesvos. Endelechia, Mytilene (in Greek). Anonymous, 2007. Report on Business at the District of North Aegean. Publication of KETA North Aegean (in Greek). Arenson, P., 2011. Enemies of Life in the Name of Life: Seed Patents, GM Crops, and the Global South. Anthropol. Dep. Honor., Pap. 3, Available at: http:// digitalcommons.conncoll.edu/anthrohp/3 (Accessed 4.07.16). Athenaeus, 1927. Deipnosophistae. Translated by C. B. Gulick. 7 vols. Cambridge, Harvard University Press. Bakalopoulos, A., et al., 1974. Economic and trade centres. In: Theodorakopoulos, C. (Ed.), History of the Greek Nation, vol. 10. Ekdotiki Athinon, Athens (in Greek).

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