Skip to main content
ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #59422
Title: HORTICULTURAL CROP GERMPLASM: 500 YEARS OF EXCHANGE

Author
item Sperling, Calvin
item Williams, David

Submitted to: Crop Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/10/1995
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: The 500th anniversary of Columbus' landing in the New World is reason to reflect on the significance of horticultural crop germplasm exchanged between the Old and New Worlds. Fruit and vegetable crop germplasm exchanged between the two hemispheres has forever changed the agriculture and diet of both hemispheres. Crops have become established and form commercial bases far from their centers of origin. However, many crops, legumes for food consumption in particular, are still most important in the hemispheres where they originated. Of greatest horticultural significance has been the exchange of onions and garlic, cabbages and mustards, Citrus, squashes, tomato, banana, beans, peaches, plums, cherries, almonds, and grapes. Examples are presented of horticultural crops exchanged and the rise or fall of their importance following their transfer to new hemispheres. Exchanges continue today, but the present focus is on transfer of germplasm for specific traits, rather than on species or adapted cultivars. The prospect for continued exchange of genetic resources between hemispheres is discussed.

Technical Abstract: The 500th anniversary of Columbus' landing in the New World is reason to reflect on the significance of horticultural crop germplasm exchanged between the Old and New Worlds. Fruit and vegetable crop germplasm exchanged between the two hemispheres has forever changed the agriculture and diet of both hemispheres. Crops have become established and form commercial bases far from their centers of origin. However, many crops, legumes for food consumption in particular, are still most important in the hemispheres where they originated. Of greatest horticultural significance has been the exchange of Allium, Brassica, Citrus, Cucurbita, Lycopersicon, Musa, Phaseolus, Prunus and Vitis. Examples are presented of horticultural crops exchanged and the rise or fall of their importance following their transfer to new hemispheres. Exchanges continue today, but the present focus is on transfer of germplasm for specific traits, rather than on species or adapted cultivars. The prospect for continued exchange of genetic resources between hemispheres is discussed.