Plant genetic resources in Pantelleria and Pélagie archipelago, Italy: collecting and conservation of local crop germplasm

摘要

Within the framework of an agreement started in 1980 between the Germplasm Institute of Italy and the Academy of Sciences of Germany, a joint collecting mission in Pantelleria and the Pélagie archipelago, south of Sicily, was carried out in 1994. A detailed presentation of many historical facts, flora, agricultural origins and local crops of these small Italian islands is reported. Pantelleria was formerly famous for its rich agricultural production, but now only a relic cultivation of traditional crops can be found. Agriculture was never important on Lampedusa, nowadays characterized by an arid and monotonous territory. Of all the islands visited, Linosa is still the most traditional with respect to plant genetic resources. A special study has tobe devoted to this island to consider not only the crops and wild plant species but also the socioeconomic environment.