In situ preservation of local landraces of faba bean (Vicia faba L.) and utilisation of their food products in central regions of Serbia

Abstract

Today, faba bean (Vicia faba L.) in Serbia is almost completely replaced with Phaseolus beans and has become a neglected crop with no official data. A recently launched action of the Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops and the Faculty of Agriculture in Novi Sad is aimed at the identification of the regions in Serbia where faba bean, known in Serbian as bob, could still be found. This was essentially enhanced by the multilateral project ECO-NET 18817 Search for new genetic variability in pea (Pisum sativum) and faba bean (Vicia faba L.) to support the development of sustainable agricultures, with duration in 2008 and 2009 and involving partners from France, Bulgaria, Russia, Serbia and Republic of Srpska. The main regions in Serbia where faba bean is cultivated are the last section of the Southern Morava and its joint mouth with the Western Motava into the Great Morava, as well as in neighbouring regions in southeastern Serbia and northwestern Batka. Each household usually maintains its own faba bean landrace, with rare exchanges with the others. It is usually produced to fit the needs of a household, along with other pulses such as common bean or pea (Pisum sativum J..). Faba bean in central Serbia is sown in late February or early March, with (30 x 20) cm distribution and several plants in one hole. A part of the harvested seed is put aside for the next sowing. The faba bean is usually prepared during the Christmas fast, lasting six weeks, when according to the ancient rules of the Christian Orthodox Church, no meat, eggs or dairy products are allowed. The aspic made of faba bean is especially popular at the feasts called in Serbian séava, dedicated to the patron saint of a family. By early 2012, more than 40 faba bean landraces from Serbia and few from Srpska have been collected, with the joint action continuing and enriching the achieved results.