AVNI BEHLULI 1, AGIM CANKO 2, SHUKRI FETAHU 1, DUKAGJIN ZEKA 1 AND SALI ALIU
University of Prishtina, Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary, Department of Plant Production, Prishtina, Kosovo
Agricultural University of Tirana, Department of Plant Production, Tirana, Albania
Abstract
Plant genetic resources represent the national wealth and heritage. They are base of food security and play a key role in the development of new varieties and improving of the existing ones. In Kosovo common bean cultivation history is long ago, although there is no evidence of when cultivation begun for the first time. The purpose of this research was presentation of the results regarding the collection, inventorying, regeneration and evaluation of common bean landraces in Kosovo. As working methods used for this research were collection missions during 2009-2015, meetings with farmers and experts of agriculture, inside and outside of the Kosovo’s territory, with the aim of identifying and collection of common bean landraces with high genetic value. While their regeneration and evaluation for specific traits, was carried out in the experimental field of the Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary, based on the descriptors proposed by IBPGR. All collected and evaluated accessions then are placed in long-term storage in the Gene Bank of Kosovo for Plant Resources. Now the fund of Gene Bank includes about 70 accessions of common bean landraces, originating from all over the territory of Kosovo and beyond.
Key words: Phaseolus vulgaris, landraces, collection, evaluation, characterization
