Monitoring Genetic Erosion of Aromatic and Medicinal Plant Species in Alentejo (South Portugal)

Abstract

The main goal of this work was to study the genetic erosion risk of plants with aromatic, medicinal and gastronomic applications in Portugal, particularly in the Alentejo region. The target species were coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.), hart’s pennyroyal (Mentha cervina L.) and pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium L.). The methodology involved direct observations and surveys (2002/2003 and 2011). The GE formula applied in Hammer’s studies was used to estimate genetic erosion. The main factors causing genetic erosion were the primary drivers of biodiversity loss: habitat loss, invasive species, and overexploitation influenced by human intervention such as the clearing of watercourses, vegetation control, grazing and desertification. The results indicate a reduction in individuals per species in Alentejo, with a net erosion loss of 11% for M. pulegium, 32% for M. cervina and 33% for C. sativum. The overall loss of accessions (genetic erosion risk) was higher in cultivated accessions (33%) than in wild accessions (11%), with an annual genetic erosion rate of 3.7% and 1.2%, respectively. The annual risk of genetic erosion for M. pulegium accessions collected in a natural habitat was 0.6%, which is much lower than the 3.7% for M. cervina. These results consolidate the importance of collecting and conserving genetic resources.

Chemical Variability of the Essential Oils from Two Portuguese Apiaceae: Coriandrum sativum L. and Foeniculum vulgare Mill.

“…To achieve this, two Portuguese Apiaceae species, Coriandrum sativum L. and Foeniculum vulgare Mill., were assessed. Coriander samples were obtained from landraces collected by the Escola Superior Agrária de Elvas/Instituto Politécnico de Portalegre (ESAE/IPP) during 2002–2011 and from two commercial varieties (Santo and Roma) [ 40 ]. The fennel accessions descend from wild plant seeds from collected natural resources by Banco Português de Germoplasma Vegetal (BPGV) [ 41 ].…”

Coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) from Alentejo (South Portugal)—Ethnobotany and Potential Industrial Use

“…During 2002 and 2003, 28 semi-structured interviews were carried out throughout the Alentejo region ( Figure 1 ), with the goal of collecting coriander regional landraces and data on its ethnobotanical uses [ 29 , 30 , 31 ]. The survey questionnaire, included in Supplementary Materials Table S1 , was carried out within project Agro 34 [ 32 ].…”

“…The number of sold MAP species by producer varied from 3 to 6 (Figure 4). These surveys were also valuable for assessing the genetic erosion of the species [29] and the collection of germplasm to continue the ESAE/IPP coriander plant breeding program [30].…”

“…Spices were consumed in small amounts, of which the most representative were Coriandrum sativum L. (coriander), Allium sativum L. (garlic), Vitis vinifera L. (vine, vinegar) and Mentha pulegium L. (pennyroyal) (Figure3). These surveys were also valuable for assessing the genetic erosion of the species[29] and the collection of germplasm to continue the ESAE/IPP coriander plant breeding program[30].The survey's results obtained in 2013 were like those from 2002-2003 regarding the main families and species used in traditional coriander recipes, supporting the key findings from Póvoa et al[27,31]. Açorda (with Triticum aestivum bread) appears as the most cited recipe, both in 2002/2003 surveys and 2013 surveys.…”