How to improve Einkorn varieties? (Deliverable 6.4)

Einkorn producers grow a limited number of varieties and are looking for a wider diversity. A participatory einkorn breeding program can easily be implemented to meet the needs of actors in the value chain. Participatory breeding programs are being implemented in some places to take into account not only the wishes of the producers, but also those of millers, bakers, other processors, and consumers at the territorial level. The objectives of the breeding program must be participatory, meaning that all stakeholders can present their constraints and wishes, in order to jointly define relevant variety “ideotypes”. Creating variability requires access to relevant European einkorn collections and the breeding scheme involves the choice of parent lines, emasculation to prevent self-pollination, and pollination with pollen from the second parent plant. After growing the F1 generation, the following generations are made by self-crosses and the plants that best exhibit the desired traits may be selected at each generation. Multiplication: continuing the process of selection and crossing over several generations lead to the stabilization of the desired traits. This can take multiple growing seasons. This process is labour-intensive and requires careful planning and execution over several years to achieve the desired results. Dissemination: nowadays, einkorn is not listed in the European catalogue of varieties and seeds, meaning that no registration is needed for this species. Therefore, a selected variety that can be a pure line or a population may be easily disseminated through the selling or exchange of the seeds.