Local Variability of Citrus (Citrus spp.) in Pluricultural Enclaves in the South of Misiones (Argentina): Diversity, Uses and Perception, and Classification of Variability

Abstract

Traditional settlements with diverse resource management strategies are important for in situ conservation of agrodiversity. Community scale perception, taxonomy, and uses of citrus (Citrus spp.) contribute to the conservation of germplasm and practices generating and maintaining diversity. I used ethnobotanical research methods, including assessment of local perceptions and criteria involved in the selection of variability, to document the uses and diversity of citrus in the south of Misiones province (Argentina) and discuss several aspects of local taxonomy. In this research, I recorded thirty ethnovarieties belonging to nine citrus ethnospecies and found that the organoleptic descriptors (both morphological and sensitive) and grafting practices are the most important in their recognition. Local people use citrus in diverse ways-as fresh fruit, to make preserves, and as fodder. Local citrus variability is related to families and individuals, as well as the presence of the native forests where ethnovarieties remain as spontaneous plants.