Conservation of vegetable genetic diversity in Transylvania-Romania.

The conservation of plant and animal genetic heritage is not a purpose in itself, but it represents the sine qua non condition for practicing a sustainable agriculture and to ensure nutrition and food security on long-term. Our research focused on identifying the areas with the richest genetic diversity of vegetables in Transylvania, Romania, as well as the main vulnerabilities related to seed production for the local vegetables. Our trips included 210 locations where 338 small seed producers were surveyed. The questionnaire method with fixed questions and undisguised multiple-choices was used. A number of 316 out of 565 cultivars taken into study have been proven to be authentic and valuable landraces, meaning 55.9%. In Transylvania, the richest genetic diversity of vegetables is found in the counties of Maramures, Bistrita-Nasaud and Hunedoara-where the cooperativization was lower before the year 1989. The most important risk in losing vegetable landraces is the old age of small growers (68.4%). However, it is encouraging that many NGOs interested in identifying, conserving and promoting local varieties have emerged in the last decade. Therefore, so-called "seed houses" have been set up to facilitate the exchange of seeds, and on the other hand, the expansion of organic farming requires local varieties that are better adapted to harsh environmental conditions.