The garlic landrace of Resia (eastern Italian Alps). The delicate managing of a plant genetic resource in a Slavic enclave.

Abstract

The alpine valley of Resia in Friuli Venezia Giulia region stretches 21 km W-E and is closed towards the Slovenian border by the Canin massif (2850 m). A small ethnic group with proto-slavic roots settled in the valley in the 7th Century. A high level of genetic isolation for Resia people has been recently assessed. The garlic landrace is a hardneck (bolting) garlic, tentatively assigned to the Ophioscorodon group. Through reproductive stages, it develops a long and curling scape; as maturity approaches, the scape uncoils and the lumpy shape of the maturing umbel capsule is evident. A white spathe includes sterile flowers and topsets. Pink colored tunics wrap each of the 7-9 cloves per bulb, placed in a single whorl. Bulbs are medium-sized, very aromatic and moderately storable. The Resians assign a special significance to the crop and are definitely reluctant about possibile extension of the cultivation outside Resia

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