Genetika 2012 Volume 44, Issue 2, Pages: 217-226
https://doi.org/10.2298/GENSR1202217P
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Genetic erosion of diversity in cereals
Petrović Sofija (Poljoprivredni fakultet, Departman za ratarstvo i povrtarstvo, Novi Sad)
Dimitrijević Miodrag (Poljoprivredni fakultet, Departman za ratarstvo i povrtarstvo, Novi Sad)
Cereals play an important role in human nutrition. Consequently, one of the
main goals in breeding is to obtain varieties with high genetic potential for
yield. Modern agricultural production includes the expansion of intensive
varieties over large areas that lead to narrow selection criteria in breeding
programs. The consequence is a drastic reduction in the number of species and
genotypes (genetic erosion), or harming biological diversity of local
populations, and spontaneous relatives (biodiversity) in cereals. Based on
detailed inventories of the territory of Montenegro and to some extent in
Eastern Serbia, a endangerment of gene pool in cereals could be denoted. The
reason for this is a transition to another type of agricultural production,
changing land purposes, the presence of nursing homes, and use of intensive
varieties. Old varieties and local populations represent the original genetic
variability that could be used in breeding programs and organic production.
It is therefore essential to take measures to preserve the genetic resources
of cereals.
Keywords: biodiversity, cereals, genetic erosion, landraces