Book Abstract
This volume offers a holistic synthesis of plant and animal landraces as dynamic, context-dependent genetic resources. Bridging biodiversity science, breeding innovation, and conservation policy, Landraces: Traditional Variety & Natural Breed is essential for researchers, ecologists, breeders, and development professionals focused on sustainable agricultural futures and heritage preservation.
Landraces are locally adapted, genetically diverse populations with a historical legacy and distinct identity, maintained through traditional on-farm systems rather than formal breeding programs. They often offer stable yields across adverse environments, though not the highest productivity compared to modern cultivars.
Chapters document valuable genetic variation in maize, wheat, coffee, and vegetable landraces. These serve as reservoirs of tolerance to stresses and sources of genes for future breeding. Similarly, traditional livestock breeds are examined for their phenotypic stability, reproductive performance, and roles in indigenous systems.
