Overview of Maize and Wheat Genetic Resources Preservation and Sustainable Use in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Cereals, primarily wheat and corn, make up a significant part of the diet in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Cereal landraces are still an important part of the global agrobiodiversity in the country, although the maize and wheat landraces, were reduced from the sowing areas, in the second half of the 20th century, as in many other countries, because of the introduction of high-yielded cultivars into production. Considering the turbulent history, in addition to the industrialization that was carried out in the second part of the 20th century, as well as the migration of humans from the countryside to the cities, all together contributed to the loss of many local populations of local maize and wheat landraces. However, during and after the 2000s, several collection missions were carried out. Different activities started and the collected accessions were stored in gene banks. In the country, there is only one breeding institute today that deals with maize and wheat breeding and selection, which makes this country constantly dependent on imported seeds. Cereal genetic resources are bearers of good traits, such as resistance to stress conditions, but also as a material that carries some undesirable properties. These genetic resources should be seen also as a part of the common heritage and should be preserved and maintained for the use of current and future generations.