Title : Solina: An grown organically ancient grain for the environment protection and the farm workers safety
Abstract:
In Italy, wheat breeding started in the early 1900s, had a significant impact on the productivity and quality of cereals in response to the demands of the processing industry and consumers. This selection process, however, caused a reduction in genetic variability and confined the cultivation of "ancient native varieties" to niche areas, entrusting their conservation to custodian farmers/cultivators and subsequently also to public research institutes. Furthermore, in recent years, the need to follow a healthier diet has stimulated interest in organic products, grown with environmentally friendly agricultural practices and with the recovery of crop varieties, often ancient and native, which do not require irrigation, use of pesticides and synthetic fertilizers, according to EU strategies. In Italy the abundance of ancient varieties has allowed the recovery of several native varieties, in particular of wheat, recently rediscovered and cultivated.
One of these is Solina, an ancient common wheat grown in Abruzzo at least since the beginning of the 16th century. It is a variety of wheat still cultivated in the mountainous and marginal areas of the L'Aquila side of the Gran Sasso where, despite the harsh climatic conditions due to the high altitudes, interesting qualitative characteristics were obtained. The Solina production specification outlines the main characteristics of this cultivation, inspired by the dictates of organic cultivation, supporting the natural aptitudes for survival of this grain. The presence of these varieties is particularly marked in areas that have been able to conserve particular productive ecosystems thanks to the presence of natural parks, whose conservation policies have allowed the maintenance of ancient crops characterized by sustainable production practices. The Solina, could play an important role since they can be grown in marginal environments and, being more resistant to stress and pathogens, they do not require pesticides and synthetic fertilizers compared to modern cultivar. This ancient grain therefore has all the characteristics to be used in sustainable agriculture to protect the environment and safeguard the safety of consumers and farm workers.
Audience Take Away Notes:
This work aims to raise awareness among farmers and the scientific world on the choice to cultivate ancient varieties to:
- To protect the environment
- To improve farmers' health
- Cope with climate change; tackling climate change
- To protect farmers' economic investments
