Agrobiodiversity of traditional fruit Malus sp., Pyrus sp., Prunus sp. varieties in Serbia

Abstract

A long tradition of fruit farming in Serbia is a significant part of a nation’s heritage, it’s traditions and customs. The gene pool of the numerous traditional varieties of apples (Malus sulvestris L.), pears (Pyrus communis L.) and plums (Prunus domestica L.), is under a threat of irreversible disappearance, due to introduction of new commercial varieties. Ethnobotanical research was carried out in central, east and southwest Serbia. There are great diversity of apple varieties in central and southeast Serbia: Kolačara, Đula, Šumatovka, Senabija, Tetovka, Timočanka, Zelenika. Over 40 pear varieties still remained in central and southwest Serbia: Vidovača, Ječmenjača, Lubeničarka, Medunak, Takiša, Karamanka, Lončara, Jeribasma. The plum varieties have also great diversity in central Serbia: Bardaklija, Moravka, Piskavac, Crnošljiva, Belošljiva, Ranka. The fruits are used predominantly as a food, consumed as fresh, or processed into traditional products (juice, jam, brandy, slatko, as dried fruit). They are also used in ethnomedicine, as a remedy against some diseases (hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, constipation, body mass reduction). It is of the greatest importance to protect the gene pool of traditional varieties by conservation methods in situ and ex situ, as well as by raising awareness among local populations, and by employing government aid.