The common bean landraces from Basilicata (Southern Italy): an example of integrated approach applied to genetic resources management

Ex situ conservation of genetic resources has contributed to the improvemen t of several food crops through utilisation of preserved germplasm, but it is not the only approach to safeguard genetic resources. Presently, in situ methods are being examined as effective complementary strategies to preser ve diversity along with the dynamic environment. Examples of de facto on fa rm conservation, a form of ill situ, have been described. However, their fu ture is unpredictable without the relief of formal scientific projects or a ppropriate regulations. Recent European Community regulations have introduc ed the possibility to attribute marks of origin and quality to local typica l products. These marks can be an important support to on farm maintenance of elite landraces of principal crops. In the frame of a collaboration betw een the Italian gene bank and a farm (of the agricultural research service of Basilicata region), an integrated approach, involving ex situ and on far m conservation, was adopted to safeguard common bean landraces from Basilic ata. The main result of this project was the attribution of IGP (indication of geographic provenance), an European Community mark, to some tested land races.