The Seed: Regenerative agriculture through local varieties and hybrid breeding

During a learning journey participants will get familiar with a specific topic related to regenerative practices, guided through the farm and showed practical examples and trials focused on local varieties and their importance for sustainable agriculture. “The Seed” focuses on local varieties and their traditional significance in rural development, emphasising the need to understand and preserve them for sustainable agricultural practices and how introducing hybrid crops (F1) from parent lines could generate more resilient and adaptable varieties.

The course will be conducted by:

• Antonio Perdomo Molina - Professor at Universidad de La Laguna - Department of Agricultural Engineering, Production and Economics - Geographer and Technical Agricultural Engineer - Researcher in plant production and breeding with over 170 scientific publications.
• Martin Bielich. Agricultural engineer. His expertise lies in the breeding process, the evaluation of hybrids, the registration of new varieties and market differentiation. Currently Chief farmer at Juntos Farm.
• Adrián Díaz Ribell - Agricultural engineer- His expertise lies in agroecology, traditional knowledge, and local seed varieties and has conducted various studies within the agroecology framework to promote sustainable development in rural areas. Currently farm manager at Juntos Farm.

Agenda

Day 1  (Focus on local varieties) 

• 8.30 - 9.00 Participants’ registration
• 9.00 - 11.00 Understanding seeds of traditional varieties: key concepts
• 11.00 - 11.30 Coffee break
• 11.30 - 12.30  The role of traditional varieties in agroecological farming
• 12.30 - 13.30 Harvesting traditional varieties and collecting associated knowledge: challenges and biases 
• 13.30-15.00 Lunch 
• 15.00 - 18.00 Field Practice:  Selection, maintaining purity and seed extraction

Day 2 (Focus on hybrids)

• 9.00-10.00 Plant breeding and breeding programs (selection of inbred lines and hybrids)
• 10.00-11.00 Introduction to hybrids and successful breeding programs
• 11.00 -11.30 Coffee break  
• 11.30 -12.30 Product development timings, selection, and filtering mechanisms in multi-environments: Real-life examples of successful breeding
• 12.30 -13.30 Seed production, industry dynamics, royalties, and the use of genetic materials
• 13.30-15.00 Lunch and tasting of Ibicenco local varieties
• 15.00 -18.00 Field practice: crossing methods, self-pollination and emasculations.