VARIETIES OF FARRO
OUR SELECTION
We chose to build varieties of farro following programs of genealogical selection that, compared to other genetic improvement programs, “exploit” the variability that we find in local varieties and allow not to “upset” the typical characteristics of the plant.
From this selection program, we have obtained 3 varieties of emmer wheat enrolled in the National Register of Varieties; in addition, one of these, Zefiro, was the first of this species to be enrolled in the Register.
These varieties are reproduced and certified and the certified seeds are used by farmers who adhere to our production chain.
More recently, new research has been started also on other farro species (einkorn wheat and spelt wheat).
In 2005 the Monlis einkorn variety was acquired by the CRA (National Council for Agricultural Research, former Experimental Institute for Cereal Growing). This is the first variety of einkorn registered in the National Variety Register
PROMETEO VARIETIES OF FARRO
ATTENTION TO BIODIVERSITY
We have always paid particular attention to minor species and to local varieties. Over the last decade we have carried out an intense research and collection work on the territory of local plant lives still cultivated by farmers, in particular of emmer wheat.
Every year we create the so-called “Exhibition field” where we cultivate, characterize and evaluate the numerous local varieties of the different species. These are a very precious source of genetic variability that must be preserved and, at the same time, used to create new varieties.
All the genetic material that has been collected and studied is adequately preserved (seeds stored under vacuum in the freezer at -18 ° C) and periodically “renewed” in the field.
