Collection, multiplication and maintenance of creole germplasm in the state of Rio de Janeiro

Abstract

The experiment carried out by CEPAO-PESAGRO-Rio seeks to explore the quality of creole
seeds from the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. All tasks performed follow organic farming practices
from field production and seed processing to laboratory techniques that promote their
asepsis. Field trips were carried out in the highlands, Northern, Northeastern and “Fluminense”
regions of Rio de Janeiro state, where we visited family farmers who were questioned about
the origin of the genetic material that they use in their organic or conventional plantations.
From the identification of these farmers, samples of the materials and the data referring to their
location were collected. The collected accesses were multiplied, evaluated and stored under
specific conditions aiming their conservation. We collected a total of 124 varieties contemplating
31 species.