Almond germplasm in Bostanlyk area (Uzbekistan): Preservation and exploitation

Abstract

Almond germplasm has been studied throughout the world with high diversity identified in the Mediterranean Basin. Each production region is based on specific types of cultivars, frequently without a real commercial strategy. For this reason we still have a wide range of particularly interesting almond germplasm, especially for genetic improvement. In some parts of the world, local germplasm is still interesting for a restricted almond industry, usually related to a local or internal consumption. In this paper we provide details about the almond industry in the traditional area of Bostanlyk, Uzbekistan. Since 2007 a specific approach to evaluate the local germplasm has been applied; the most important aspects describing the growing areas and the local history. The pomological traits are reported in a project carried out by the Slow Food International Foundation for Biodiversity.