Surveying and collecting Poaceae and Fabaceae crop wild relatives diversity in Lebanon

Abstract

Crop Wild Relatives (CWR) are wild plants that are genetically related to cultivated crops. Conserving the genetic diversity of CWR is essential for maintaining the sustainability of agriculture and food production in the face of various anthropogenic and environmental pressures. In this study we aim to contribute to the conservation planning of CWR taxa in Lebanon, in particular, to document ecogeographic survey and collection missions, carried out in 2022 and 2023, to assess the presence and conservation status of CWR taxa populations belonging to Poaceae and Fabaceae families and eventually propose sites for in situ conservation based on collected data. Ecogeographic and botanical surveys were carried out using the transect method and targeting priority CWR taxa. Agrobiodiversity trends, based on distribution data available in public databases, were compared with the current occurrence of the priority CWR taxa. Preliminary observations of disturbances (e.g. grazing, urbanization) were also documented to serve as a baseline for future monitoring of agrobiodiversity. Additional survey and collection missions were specifically targeted on wild Triticum populations. Forty-seven sites were surveyed, in which 500 new records for target CWR taxa (Aegilops L., Triticum L., Avena L., Hordeum L., Cicer L., Lens Mill. and Pisum L. genera) were documented. A total of 17 new collections were performed and the material stored in ICARDA genebank. Two sites (Yanta/Kfarqouq and Ham) were recommended for the in situ conservation of wild Triticum as well as two other sites for conservation of wild Lens culinaris Medik. Several concerns were raised, mainly the declining distribution of Triticum boeoticum and Triticum urartu over the last 30 years, as well the absence of Cicer taxa in the two years of surveys. The collection of 500 CWR occurrence data points for the target taxa provides a solid ground for future analyses, including ecogeographic and predictive characterization approaches, to identify the best areas for establishing genetic reserves for active in situ protection of these crucial taxa in Lebanon, which is urgently needed.