Italian Common Bean Landraces: History, Genetic Diversity and Seed Quality

Abstract

The long tradition of common bean cultivation in Italy has allowed the evolution of many landraces adapted to restricted areas. Nowadays, in response to market demands, old landraces are gradually being replaced by improved cultivars. However, landraces still survive in marginal areas of several Italian regions. Most of them appear severely endangered with risk of extinction due to the advanced age of the farmers and the socio-cultural context where they are cultivated. The present contribution is an overview of the state of the art about the knowledge of Italian common bean germplasm, describing the most important and recent progresses made in its characterization, including genetic diversity and nutritional aspects

SSR markers distinguish traditional Italian bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) landraces from Lamon

“…In Italy beans represent an important crop and in several areas growers still cultivate autochthonous landraces (Piergiovanni & Lioi 2010). These are locally adapted and represent regional specialties.…”

Comparative evaluation of phosphorus accumulation and partitioning in seeds of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

“…In spite of the regressive pattern of production, farmers, food industries, and consumers are increasingly demanding autochthonous common beans. Italian consumers often prefer their own landraces, being the major component of many traditional dishes and an integral part of their culture and traditions (Piergiovanni and Lioi, 2010;Montesano et al, 2012). Efforts to promote the on farm maintenance of the autochthonous landraces superior for seed composition and technological quality are in progress in Italy.…”

Nutritional values and metabolic profile with and without boiled treatment of 'Gallo Matese' beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), a landrace from Southern Italy

“…After its importation, the common bean spread over the European continent through specific agronomic characteristics such as: 1) cultivation in the warm season that does not tolerate long cold periods; 2) moderate rainfall, particular essential during and immediately after the flowering stage; 3) not sensitive to soil type, as long as it is reasonably fertile (Katungi et al, 2009). On the other hand, the consumption of common beans, along with maize, potato, pumpkin and pears from the Americas, was one of the causes of the demographic increase registered in Europe between the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries (Lee, 1982).The seeds of P. vulgaris were probably introduced to Italian territory from Spain and over time spread in an extensive manner (Piergiovanni and Lioi, 2010). The peculiar pedoclimatic characteristics of Italian territory, such as soil type, climatic condition or geographical isolation produced a myriad of landraces (Comes, 1910).…”

“…The peculiar pedoclimatic characteristics of Italian territory, such as soil type, climatic condition or geographical isolation produced a myriad of landraces (Comes, 1910). This process, made easier because of selective pressure exerted by Italian farmers motivated by aesthetic and organoleptic preferences, led to the emergence of about five hundred species in Italy (Piergiovanni and Lioi, 2010). Nowadays, the nutritional and health benefits of common bean consumption in Italian and Mediterranean countries have made this legume one of the key foods in the Mediterranean diet (Widmer et al, 2015).…”

“…On the other hand, since the statistical analysis did not produce significant differences, the average values were compared with those of 'Cannellini' and 'Borlotti' beans, the most known Italian landraces (Piergiovanni and Lioi, 2010), whose values are reported by the "Centro di Ricerca per gli Alimenti e la Nutrizione" (CREA, 2009).…”