Lentil (Lens culinaris) represents a legume species with significant untapped potential. This diploid (2n = 14), self-pollinating, and annual crop holds a central position in Italian and Mediterranean food culture. Its domestication dates back to 11,000 BC , and over the centuries, continuous cultivation has led to the evolution of numerous landraces well-suited to local agroecosystems. In Italy, several of these landraces have persisted due to their strong adaptation to specific microclimates in various regions Italy was a prominent lentil producer in the Mediterranean basin until the mid-20th century ; however, since then, lentil cultivation has steadily declined. Currently, only 2% of the national consumption is met through domestic production. The cultivation of traditional landraces is diminishing, contributing to genetic erosion within the local lentil gene pool. These landraces, characterized by minimal breeding, possess high genetic variability and adaptability to local pedoclimatic conditions, making them a valuable resource for future breeding endeavors. The geeneral objective was examine the range of genotypic and phenotypic diversity in a collection of lentil landraces and understand how these traits relate to the landraces' origins. We aimed to link specific lentil phenotypes with allelic diversity, identifying potential avenues for breeding. This study primarily concentrated on the diversity of Italian landraces, leveraging their well-established local adaptations as a case study to highlight the utilization of traditional germplasm.
Less...