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Louette, D.

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Louette
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Louette, D.

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    Farmers' seed selection practices and maize variety characteristics in a traditionally-based Mexican community
    (CIMMYT, 1998) Louette, D.; Smale, M.
    Experimental results and farmers surveys in a Mexican community indicates that farmers' seed selection practices protect the phenological integrity of their maize varieties as they define them, despite numerous factors contributing to genetic instability. Analysis of morphological and genetic data suggest that when subjected to significant gene flow through cross-pollination, ear characteristics are maintained through farmers' selection even though other characteristics may continue to evolve genetically. Because the effects of farmers' selection practices are confined largely to ear characteristics and plant characteristics that are linked to them, their practices appear to offer only limited scope for improving varieties. Farmers' expectations of what they can achieve through seed selection are similarly modest. These findings indicate potentially complementary roles for professional breeders and Mexican farmers in developing methods to improve maize landraces on farms-if farmers themselves perceive benefits from the collaboration.
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    Genetic diversity and maize seed management in a traditional Mexican community: implications for in situ conservation of maize
    (CIMMYT, 1996) Louette, D.; Smale, M.
    Results from a study of maize varieties and seed sources in a traditional community in Mexico raise questions about the relevance of models for in situ conservation of crop genetic resources that are based on geographical isolation of the community, as well as the relationship between genetic erosion and the introduction of varieties. The morphophenological diversity of local materials is shown to be enhanced by introductions of both improved cultivars and landraces from farmers in other communities. Evidence on seed sources and selection practices also reveals that the geographical point of reference for defining a "local" landrace is larger than the community itself. Farmers often obtain seed for their landraces from other farmers in and outside the community, rather than select seed exclusively from their own harvests. A farmer will classify seed obtained from another community as that of a local landrace if it resembles one of his own, according to the phenotypic characteristics that he uses to distinguish varieties. A more appropriate model for conserving maize diversity in this community would be to permit a certain level of introductions while assuring that the extent of cultivation of local varieties is sufficient to maintain a desirable level of polymorphism. The design of such an in situ system would clearly be much more complex than the simple model based on geographical isolation would suggest.
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