S02 - Session O6 - Biotechnology tools for the characterization and preservation of valuable agri-food germplasm: case studies from the CULTIVAR Project in Portugal

Authors: Sandra Correia *, Ana Pedrosa, Tércia Lopes, Elsa Baltazar, Alberto Cardoso, Sandra Caeiro, Jorge Canhoto

The Central Region in Portugal is particularly rich in agro-biodiversity. It combines the cultivation of local varieties with modern horticulture and fruticulture practices. Unfortunately, the genetic diversity of cultivated crops in this region faces high risks of erosion due to several factors, such as abandonment of rural areas and ageing of the farming population. Also, several cultivations face significant constraints due to extreme climatic events and the emergency of new diseases. The characterization and preservation of agro-biodiversity represent a crucial point to assure the adaptability and resilience of food production systems. This work summarizes several ongoing projects in the framework of the Integrated Program CULTIVAR (https://icultivar.pt), which aims to respond to the challenges faced by the sectors of the Agri-food sector in the Central Region by characterizing, conserving and valorising endogenous regional genetic resources. As part of CULTIVAR, several endogenous resources with agri-food and conservation relevance have been identified and selected, including several fruit crops ( e.g. Prunus spp., Cydonia oblonga, Citrus spp . ) and legumes (e.g. Vigna unguiculata ). For several of these resources, phenotypic characterization has been conducted by assessing morphometric and productivity parameters correlated with the genetic variation using molecular markers (ISSRs). In parallel, plant tissue culture approaches have been optimized for in vitro establishment and multiplication and the cryopreservation of selected germplasm. Developing such biotechnological tools for the ex-situ conservation of traditional varieties and landraces is critical for their preservation. Also, the maintenance of such germplasm in controlled laboratory and/or nursery conditions allows the evaluation of stress resilience, enabling the selection of valuable germplasm for local producers and the development of breeding programs with a strong impact in the region.