Contribución de las variedades tradicionales de trigo a la mitigación del cambio climático en agroecosistemas mediterráneos de secano

Abstract

Mediterranean area is especially vulnerable to climate change (CC). Several studies have assessed the negative impacts of CC on wheat yield and wheat distribution. At the same time, Mediterranean agriculture contributes greatly to CC. In this context, it is necessary to enhance strategies designed for the adaptation and mitigation of CC, such as soil carbon (C) sequestration and greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions reduction. Since suitable varietal choice can also be an important strategy for that aim, we have focused on C sequestration differences due to wheat cultivar and management. We have compared old (VT) and modern (VM) wheat varieties under organic and conventional management under rainfed Mediterranean conditions, as differences in biomass production due to both can led to differences in the carbon footprint. Our results show the important potential for CC mitigation of VT under organic management, comparing with MV under organic management or conventional production mainly due to an increase in C accumulation. Grain yield was higher for VT decreasing carbon footprint on a product base. On the other hand, the less presence of weed under VT reduced mechanical weed control. In addition, the higher straw and roots biomass production of VT compensated the less weed biomass production, increasing the potential for C sequestration. Therefore, VT contributes in the reduction of carbon footprint in a product base and improving edaphic quality, required for CC adaptation.