ADAPTATION OF INDIGENOUS GENETIC RESOURCES OF FRUIT TREES AND GRAPEVINES TO CHANGING CLIMATIC CONDITIONS AIMING FOR SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION
ADAPTATION OF INDIGENOUS GENETIC RESOURCES OF FRUIT TREES AND GRAPEVINES TO CHANGING CLIMATIC CONDITIONS AIMING FOR SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION
The impact of global warming and climate change in the territory of the Republic of Serbia has resulted in an increase in the average annual air temperature by 1.2°C and up to 1.8°C during the summer season since the mid-20th century, accompanied by a change in the annual distribution of rainfall and a shift in the maximum precipitation from June to May (Vuković et al., 2018). The influence of such changes in climate conditions is also reflected in the more frequent occurrence of extreme weather events, such as droughts, heatwaves, and heavy rainfall events accompanied by hailstorms (Ministry of Agriculture and Environmental Protection, 2017). Future climate projections for Serbia indicate that this trend of changes will continue and intensify in the case of global greenhouse gas emissions without the implementation of global mitigation measures (IPCC, 2013; Ministry of Agriculture and Environmental Protection, 2017; Vuković et al., 2018).
Observed and projected consequences of climate change on the cultivation of fruit trees and grapevines include increased vulnerability to late spring frost, increased risks of diseases and pests, reduced fruit quality due to disturbances in physiological development caused by extremely hot periods and droughts, mechanical damage from hailstorms, as well as increased risks of soil productivity reduction due to erosion caused by extreme weather events (Ministry of Agriculture and Environmental Protection, 2017).
The vulnerability of agricultural production necessitates the importance and urgency of implementing adaptation measures. The project focuses on preserving the heritage and uniqueness of fruit and grapevine production, as reflected in the rich indigenous genetic resources of varieties and adaptation to climate conditions in accordance with natural resources and environmental preservation.
Due to favorable climatic and geological characteristics, the territory of the Republic of Serbia is abundant in indigenous genetic resources of fruit trees and grapevines.
Interest in the cultivation of indigenous varieties of fruit trees and grapevines is further pronounced due to their tolerance to various stress factors, as well as the nutritional value of their fruits. Indigenous varieties can be useful for crossbreeding, especially with commercial varieties that possess certain positive production traits. Indigenous varieties are also adapted to local environmental conditions.
According to the public call of the Ministry of Environmental Protection for the allocation of funds to support civil society projects in the field of environmental protection in 2019.
Details
General project objective
An overview of the indigenous genetic resources of fruit trees and grapevines with an analysis of vulnerability to changing climatic conditions, prioritization of adaptation measures, and promotion for the implementation of proposed measures in order to achieve sustainable production, increase resilience to climate change, and preserve the specific production area of the Republic of Serbia.
The project will enable:
- Overview of the indigenous genetic resources of fruit trees and grapevines and their representation in fruit tree and grapevine production in the Nišava and Toplica districts.
- Analysis of vulnerability under changing climate conditions, as well as analysis of microclimatic conditions in relation to identified macro-climatic changes.
- Risk analysis in the cultivation of indigenous varieties under changing climate conditions and proposing adaptation measures to achieve sustainable production.
Expected project outcomes
- Publication of the “Thematic Atlas – Collection of Knowledge about Indigenous Genetic Resources of Fruit Trees and Grapevines in the Nišava and Toplica Districts.”
- List of adaptation measures for indigenous genetic resources to changing climatic conditions and their implementation methods in practice, in accordance with recommendations for the preservation of natural resources and the environment.
Project results
Documents:
Opinions and views expressed in these publications are the sole responsibility of the authors and their collaborators and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Ministry of Environmental Protection
- Atlas of indigenous varieties in the Nišava and Toplica districts
- Measures for the adaptation of indigenous genetic resources of fruit trees and grapevines
Analysis of microclimatic conditions
Indigenous genetic resources of fruit trees in the Nišava and Toplica districts – villages in the municipalities of Prokuplje, Niš, Kuršumlija, and Aleksinac
Identification of indigenous plum varieties – villages in the municipalities of Alksinac and Prokuplje
Screening of orchards with Oblačinska cherry – villages in the municipality of Prokuplje
Identification of indigenous grapevine varieties – villages in the municipalities of Blace, Prokuplje, Niš, Svrljig, and Kuršumlija
Working meeting, Niš
Thematic lecture – Prokuplje
Meeting of experts from Ecosoil d.o.o. with representatives of producer associations, Matejevac
