OPVs (open pollinated
varieties) of cross pollinated crops are genetically heterogeneous and
therefore likely to evolve over generations, under natural and human selection,
which gives them a strong potential for organic and low input farming. OPVs of
maize were cultivated and selected by different farmers in France and Italy for
2 generations. The third year, they were phenotypically evaluated for
evolution, adaptation and level of diversity (estimated with Nei index) across
evolution in a combined on farm and on station experimentation. The results
showed that the varieties evolved and even adapted over 2 generations only
(especially on maturity traits) but conserved their identity (no evolution of
ear morphological traits). They all conserved their diversity, which
demonstrated the pertinence of farmers¡¯ selection (it is not a bottleneck).
These results suggested that the genetically heterogeneous nature of OPVs is an
asset for farmers because they can adapt these varieties to specific local
conditions and production objectives. Therefore, farmer OPVs should receive
more support through social and regulatory recognition, as well as further
interest from research.