On-farm conservation of Zaer lentil genetic resources

Abstract

Zaer lentil has been on-farm conserved thanks to farmers’ knowledges and practices add to its genetic diversity. Its notoriety is related to its specific adaptation and organoleptic traits. The main objective of this study is to identify farmers’ practices that have allowed a dynamic adaptation potential and an add value on quality product. It was based on (1) farmers’ survey on seed management system, (2) Zaer lentil genetic diversity analysis using agro-morphological traits and (3) technological and nutritional analysis. The results show that the on-farm conservation of Zaer lentil is linked to its specific adaptation related to seed production and seed exchange system, to its genetic diversity (21.7% <P<91.8%) which depend on farmers’ category and growing season climate, and to its typical organoleptic characteristics. The adding-value of Zaer lentil under a distinctive sign of origin and quality (IG) since 2015 might strengthen its on-farm conservation.

Keywords

• Zaer lentil
• On-farm conservation
• genetic diversity
• specific adaptation
• typicality
• Morocco