15-09-2004, 10:24 AM
Quote:Originally posted by dudette
Are you taking about specifically gardening-related heritage societies? Because I belong to the National Trust, but that's it. I've considered joining the Royal Horticultural Society from time to time, but never got my butt into gear for it...
Keeping old varieties going is good for biodiversity, but how practical would it be?
Best way to answer your second question is to share what happened with the world wheat crop in the late 70's. The wheat crop was attacked by a severe bacterial (I think) disease to which the popular cultivated strains had no resistance. Chemical intervention was only moderately effective. It was noted through research that a strain of wild wheat was immune to the bacteria and commercial strains were crossed with this wild strain in order to pass that immunity into cultivated crops, thereby ensuring the future success of wheat production.
Similarly, most commercial farmers use a very limited range of cultivars for any given crop, their main requirements being that they mature uniformly and travel well - chemicals help with both and also take care of diseases and pests. Problem is, these plants have lowered immunity to infections as they rely almost exlusively on chemicals to protect them. By maintaining heritage cultivars we provide a genetic back up for commercial crops and also as a rule produce crops that taste better (this being the primary consideration for growing rather than a thick skin and keeping abilities) and are better adapted to local conditions than the commercial stuff.
I think the National Trust would apply as they do protect a lot of period properties, and are particular as a rule about growing period plants on said properties.
A good place to become a member of is the HDRA - Henry Doubleday Research Association. They save seed for both garden and vegetable varieties that are no longer common.