landraces

Definition

Locally adapted, traditional varieties of domesticated plant or animal species that have developed over time through natural and human selection in a specific geographic area.

Etymology

The word is a combination of the Old English 'land' and the Old Norse 'reisi', meaning a race or breed of animals, appearing in the early 20th century to describe distinctive local varieties of livestock and crops.

In the news

In the article, researchers are screening diverse plant varieties, including landraces, to identify genetic traits that could help modern crops survive climate change-induced heat and drought.

UK: University developing drought-resilient crops to meet climate change challenges

Hortidaily

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