Crop: Lactuca sativa L. (Lettuce)
The landrace called 'Szentistváni' ('means 'from Szentistván'), is cultivated in Szentistván (a small village in South-Borsod, Hungary). The origin of the subspecies is unknown, it has been collected by the colleagues of the Hungarian Gene Bank, in the early years of this decade. It is a head lettuce with bright green leaves. The seeds are sown in early spring, the first heads appear in the middle of May. During July it bolts and flowers, the seeds are ripening in August. The spontaneously dropped seeds can germinate in autumn and overwinter providing earlier harvest next year.
Cultivation System: low input, organic conditions.
Geographical Information
Country: Hungary
This 'Szentistváni' landrace of lettuce is traditionally grown in the South-Borsod, on loamy soil.
Farmer(s) description:
The range of the cultivation of this landrace is unknown. Presumably it is grown in some garden of Szentistván, and in surrounding villages. There is a local small civil gene bank in Négyes (next to Szentistván), they maintain this landrace. Furthermore, the National Gene Bank maintains and spreads this landrace.
Propagation system: Seed, self-pollination
Multiplication procedures and consequences on landrace diversity:The lettuce is strongly inbreeding plant, therefore easy to avoid cross-pollination. Unfortunately, in this area only few gardeners are familiar with this local landrace.
Management plan existence:The landrace management relies on farming activities in the area ant the mentioned local and national gene banks.
Added Values
This landrace can be good at local markets, but until now, just few local gardeners grow this landrace only for their personal use.
Others (e.g. commercial/geographical brands or special traits):ND.
As no support is currently given, the first step should be to spread this landrace in the local garden via increasing knowledge.
There are plant material samples stored at the CRF (National Center of Pant Genetic Resources). ID: NC086253.
Case study prepared by The Hungarian Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (ÖMKi), Hungary
ND.