Landraces of spring wheat deliver multiple functions under low-input conditions

Landrace cereals have become more popular among organic farmers in Europe. However, little is known about the response of landraces to environmental conditions and farmers’ management compared to modern cultivars. A co-designed field experiment, informed by Swedish farmers’ experiences of landrace cereals, was used to investigate how traits valued by organic farmers differ between four landrace and three modern varieties of spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under different environmental conditions and depending on nutrient applications. The experiment was organically managed and consisted of four randomized complete blocks in four environments, comprising two sites during two consecutive years. The varieties responded similarly to fertilization. The most recent modern variety had the highest grain yield of all varieties but the lowest protein content. At low or medium initial availability of nitrogen, landraces were shown to yield similarly to modern organic varieties, give high and stable protein content, and in addition suppress weeds better and produce higher straw yields. In one experimental environment, the initial amount of soil mineral nitrogen was high, and all four landraces yielded considerably less than all modern varieties. These results show the potential for landraces to provide both food and ecosystem services under low-input organic conditions.