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Re-Introduction of Ancient Wheat Cultivars into Organic Agriculture—Emmer and Einkorn Cultivation Experiences under Marginal Conditions

Author

Listed:
  • Szilvia Bencze

    (ÖMKi, Research Institute of Organic Agriculture, 1033 Budapest, Hungary)

  • Marianna Makádi

    (IAREF Research Institute of Nyíregyháza, University of Debrecen, 4400 Nyíregyháza, Hungary)

  • Tibor J. Aranyos

    (IAREF Research Institute of Nyíregyháza, University of Debrecen, 4400 Nyíregyháza, Hungary)

  • Mihály Földi

    (ÖMKi, Research Institute of Organic Agriculture, 1033 Budapest, Hungary)

  • Péter Hertelendy

    (ÖMKi, Research Institute of Organic Agriculture, 1033 Budapest, Hungary)

  • Péter Mikó

    (Agricultural Institute, Centre for Agricultural Research, 2462 Martonvásár, Hungary)

  • Sara Bosi

    (Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, 40127 Bologna, Italy)

  • Lorenzo Negri

    (Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, 40127 Bologna, Italy)

  • Dóra Drexler

    (ÖMKi, Research Institute of Organic Agriculture, 1033 Budapest, Hungary)

Abstract

Modern agriculture depends on the production of very few crop species, which provide lower nutritive value for consumers. The present work summarizes the results of a three-year experiment on hulled wheat varieties as potential candidates for food system diversification. The organic field cultivation tests with 10 emmer and five einkorn landraces and varieties were conducted on ~10m 2 plots on sandy soil, and from 2017, under on-farm conditions in eastern Hungary. Most accessions adapted well to the marginal conditions, with some landraces even yielding higher than registered varieties—over 3 t per ha on average over three years. Compared to emmer, einkorn had higher maximum grain yields, but its yield performance varied more than that of emmer. Grain protein and the total phenolic content were high in both species. Compared to emmer, einkorn seeds exhibited a 3.8 times higher content of bound flavonoids and had 3.4 times higher antioxidant activity. Four einkorn accessions were resistant to leaf spot, as well as yellow and leaf rusts. Fusarium infected both species similarly. Our findings indicate that not only registered varieties of ancient wheat species but also their landraces can provide sustainable alternatives both for organic farmers and also for the diversification of agriculture.

Suggested Citation

  • Szilvia Bencze & Marianna Makádi & Tibor J. Aranyos & Mihály Földi & Péter Hertelendy & Péter Mikó & Sara Bosi & Lorenzo Negri & Dóra Drexler, 2020. "Re-Introduction of Ancient Wheat Cultivars into Organic Agriculture—Emmer and Einkorn Cultivation Experiences under Marginal Conditions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(4), pages 1-15, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:4:p:1584-:d:322902
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Leclère, Margot & Gorissen, Lenn & Cuijpers, Yvonne & Colombo, Luca & Schoonhoven-Speijer, Mirjam & Rossing, Walter A.H., 2024. "Fostering action perspectives to support crop diversification: Lessons from 25 change-oriented case studies across Europe," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 218(C).
    2. Elżbieta Suchowilska & Teresa Bieńkowska & Kinga Stuper-Szablewska & Marian Wiwart, 2020. "Concentrations of Phenolic Acids, Flavonoids and Carotenoids and the Antioxidant Activity of the Grain, Flour and Bran of Triticum polonicum as Compared with Three Cultivated Wheat Species," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 10(12), pages 1-19, November.
    3. Xiaohong Zhou & Donghong Ding, 2022. "Factors Influencing Farmers’ Willingness and Behaviors in Organic Agriculture Development: An Empirical Analysis Based on Survey Data of Farmers in Anhui Province," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(22), pages 1-21, November.
    4. Edina Csákvári & Melinda Halassy & Attila Enyedi & Ferenc Gyulai & József Berke, 2021. "Is Einkorn Wheat ( Triticum monococcum L.) a Better Choice than Winter Wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.)? Wheat Quality Estimation for Sustainable Agriculture Using Vision-Based Digital Image Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(21), pages 1-16, October.

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