The Collation and Collection of Heirloom Fruit and Vegetable Cultivars
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International Specialised Skills Institute Inc THE COLLATION AND COLLECTION OF HEIRLOOM FRUIT AND VEGETABLE CULTIVARS Nicholas David Gowans The Pratt Foundation/ISS Institute Overseas Fellowship Fellowship supported by The Pratt Foundation .1 1 A 2 B ISS Institute Inc. 2009 © International Specialised Skills Institute ISS Institute Suite 101 685 Burke Road Camberwell Vic AUSTRALIA 3124 Telephone 03 9882 0055 Facsimile 03 9882 9866 Email [email protected] Web www.issinstitute.org.au Published by International Specialised Skills Institute, Melbourne. ISS Institute 101/685 Burke Road Camberwell 3124 AUSTRALIA Also extract published on www.issinstitute.org.au © Copyright ISS Institute 2009 This publication is copyright. No part may be reproduced by any process except in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968. Whilst this report has been accepted by ISS Institute, ISS Institute cannot provide expert peer review of the report, and except as may be required by law no responsibility can be accepted by ISS Institute for the content of the report, or omissions, typographical, print or photographic errors, or inaccuracies that may occur after publication or otherwise. ISS Institute do not accept responsibility for the consequences of any action taken or omitted to be taken by any person as a consequence of anything contained in, or omitted from, this report. Executive Summary The aim of this Fellowship was to obtain first hand practical experience of heritage fruit and vegetables, and their relevance in Australian horticultural production systems. The knowledge and skills obtained overseas can be shared with others who have an interest in the practical application of these processes and the subsequent lessons to be entrenched into future horticultural programs and research and development. There are lessons indicative of the new challenges for 21st century food production, climate change, and frameworks for sustainable options entrenched in this Fellowship. The majority of cultivar related research and traditional production techniques have their foundation in the ‘Victorian Era’ (1838−1901) with a United Kingdom focus and the colonies of the British Empire located in temperate zones from that period. It specifically related to the temperate regions of Victoria. Heritage vegetables also contain positive characteristics that are historically evident in heritage fruit and vegetable cultivars including resilience and resistances that may assist in the production of future food sources. This required resilience may be against drought, water-logging, pests and disease resistance – all of which are important in dramatic events predicted in climate change models. Key areas of investigation included: • determining the various stocks of heritage cultivars still in existence, still available and useful to the Australian production horticultural sector • determining what sort of monitoring and classification for identification of heritage species is best practice in the British Isles • Identifying the gaps in nomenclature and classification for heritage varieties in Australian horticultural production • determining the best delivery of training and information for heritage varieties to be delivered to the market sectors and educational institutions. Heritage cultivars and organic production methods are experiencing significant interest from the marketplace, and training (both initial training and further training) is essential to meet the increasing demand for grown fruit and vegetables. Education is the key to ensuring the survival of this valuable resource. Knowledge transfer is essential to establishing a collection of material available for both consumers, as well as professionals. Effective distribution of knowledge will assist cultivators to achieve the aim of not only preserving the horticultural heritage of Victoria, but also working towards an economically and environmentally sound society. The demise in heritage fruit and vegetable stock has been underpinned by market forces and a lack of public awareness as to the importance of diversity in food security and supply. Furthermore, a trend in food-based horticulture involving the movement from cultivars deemed ‘public inheritance’ to those privately owned ‘plant breeders’ has impacted upon Australian production systems. In response to these factors, the collation and presentation of an 19th century horticultural archive of food-based plant material and production techniques must address opportunities for reducing society’s footprint upon the planet and educate and reconnect the populace with its food production techniques. The following report provides an overview of the Fellowship experience and detailed accounts of processes and practices. In addition, the report concludes with a series of recommendations for government, industry, the business sector, professional associations, education and training providers and the wider community. Table of Contents i Abbreviations and Acronyms iii Definitions 1 Acknowledgments 1 Awarding Body - International Specialised Skills Institute (ISS Institute) 3 Fellowship Supporter 3 Supporters 4 Australian Organisations/Individuals Impacted by the Fellowship 5 Special Acknowledgements 6 About the Fellow 7 Aims of the Fellowship Program 7 Identifying the Aims and Objectives 8 The Findings and Opportunities 9 The Australian Context 9 Description of the Industry 13 SWOT Analysis 15 Market Opportunity and Development 17 Identifying the Skills Deficiencies 17 Definition: Skills Deficiencies 7 The Australian Playing Field 20 The International Experience 20 East Malling Research Station 21 Keepers Nursery, Kent 22 National Institute of Agriculture and Botany (NIAB), Cambridge 22 Brogdale – FAST Ltd 22 Lost Gardens of Heligan and the Eden Project 24 Heritage Seed Library − HDRA 25 Other United Kingdom Contacts Visited/Interviewed 26 Learnings and Outcomes of the Overseas Research 27 Key Findings 28 Summary of Findings 32 Knowledge Transfer: Applying the Outcomes 32 Case Studies Table of Contents 35 Recommendations 35 Summary of Fellowship Results 35 Summary of Recommendations 36 Government 36 Federal and State Government Bodies 39 Industry 40 Professional Associations 40 Education and Training 40 Community 40 ISS Institute 40 Further Skills Deficiencies 44 References 44 International Research Web Addresses 44 Other United Kingdom Institutions 44 English Heirloom Specialists 45 International Reference Reports 46 Attachments 46 Index to Attachments 47 Attachment 1 – Suggested Business Development Models 52 Attachment 2 − Cultivars Classification – Real Value Versus Notional Interest 53 Attachment 3 − Associated Industries – Marketplace Strategic Alliances 54 Attachment 4 − Organic Agriculture Standards 55 Attachment 5 − Internationally Recognised Measures 56 Attachment 6 − Global Crop Diversity Trust 57 Attachment 7 − Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) i Abbreviations and Acronyms APNI Australian Plant Name Index ASHA Australian Society of Horticultural Science AUSVEG Australian Vegetable Peak Industry Body BFA Biological Farming Association BIS Biodiverse Information Standards CBD Convention on Biological Diversity CSIRO Commonwealth Science Industry Research Organisation DEFRA Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs DPI Department of Primary Industry (Victorian Government) ECPGR European Cooperative Program for Plant Genetic Resources ESFEDS European Science Foundation European Documentation System FAO UN Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations FAST Food and Allied Services Trades GVP Gross Value of Product HAL Horticulture Australia Limited HDRA Henry Doubleday Research Association IK Index Kewensis ILDIS International Legume Database and Information Service IPNI International Plant Names Index ISHS International Society for Horticultural Science ISS Institute International Specialised Skills Institute Inc IPM Integrated Pest Management IPNI International Plant Names Index MSB Millennium Seed Bank NCCPG The National Council for the Conservation of Plants and Gardens NIAB The National Institute of Agricultural Botany NOF National Orchard Forum OPCAA Ornamental Plant Collection Association Australia ii Abbreviations and Acronyms PGRG Plant Genetic Resources Group, UK RBG Royal Botanical Garden, Edinburgh RHS Royal Horticultural Society RIKEN Rikagaku Kenkyusho (Institute of Physical and Chemical Research, Japan) RIRDC Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation RNG Royal National Gardens, Reading, UK SAC Scottish Agricultural College SMTA Standard Material Transfer Agreement SRW Southern Rural Water TDWG Taxonomic Database Working Group (forerunner of the BIS) iii Definitions Where possible, the following definitions have been sourced by accredited international bodies, particularly as there is some conjecture and blurring as to what actually constitutes some of the nomenclature. Sourced material is acknowledged, as concise and brief explanations have been used to minimise confusion. Annual A plant that completes its life cycle, from seed to seed, in one growing season. Abioto The non-living factors such as water, sunlight, temperature, geographical features found in an ecosystem that affect the survival of living organisms in that ecosystem. Biennial A plant that completes its life cycle in two years. Generally, in the first year, growth occurs followed by flowering, fruiting and seed production in the second year. Binomial The two-part scientific name consisting of a genus name and a species,