- Development of SSR Markers and Their Use in Studying Genetic Diversity and Population of Finger Millet (Eleusine coracana L. Gaertn.). “This study may form the basis for a finger millet breeding and improvement program.” My emphasis.
- Analysis of the genetic diversity and structure of the Spanish apple genetic resources suggests the existence of an Iberian genepool. Iberian material different to international and commercial stuff.
- Sustainability Performance of Food Chains: Linking Biodiversity and Nutritional Value in Italian Wheat-to-Bread Chains. We have indicators!
In the highlands of Mexico there are scraggly apple, peach and pear trees. There is also an area that is famous for quince paste (membrillo). Most are not grafted, and seem to be seedling propagated. I’ve wondered about the genetic diversity of these materials, as they may have been introduced from the Iberian peninsula several hundred years ago.
Thomas – the genetic diversity is liable to be high – but anyone who propagates these fruit trees and most others by seed is asking for trouble. Farmers have been trying for thousands of years to go for quality over diversity: clonal propagation of fruits and tubers (and, very important, hops), and selfing of cereals. Coffee might be an exception. The skill is in finding the rare products of seed propagation and picking through them to get a new star.