Landscape variety, organic tomato seedlings can conquer again

By: Trademagazin Date: 2023. 04. 21. 12:32

We hear more and more often about the importance of preserving biodiversity, but perhaps few people know that we ourselves can do a lot to protect and maintain the biological diversity of our immediate environment. Even if we only garden in a small garden or even on our terrace. During backyard cultivation, it is up to us how much space we give to the living world: pollinators, soil life, or the diversity of cultivated plants. In connection with agricultural diversity and the important day, the Ecological Agricultural Research Institute (ÖMKi) announced on Earth Day that, for the fifth time, tomato seedlings of special landscape varieties will be available again.

Based on the report of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, only 9 of the 200 plant species used for industrial food production account for more than 66% of global crop production. The problem is further aggravated by the fact that these cultivated plants, in parallel with the loss of their genetic diversity, become vulnerable to the increasingly extreme and unpredictable effects of climate change.

Landscape species, which are diverse plant species created over a long period of time through natural and human selection, have outstanding adaptability due to their diversity, and are therefore more resistant to the effects of climate change. Planting them not only contributes to sustainable agriculture, but also helps to preserve our agricultural heritage in small gardens. The special flavor of local tomatoes brings a new flavor to our everyday meals and to Hungarian gastronomy, which loves tomato dishes so much.