Traditional varieties and associate produces: conserve to valorize.

Diversity is an important approach to plant genetic resources conservation. Landraces and farmer varieties are essential elements of agroecosystems. Several ethnobotanical surveys carried out in different Portuguese regions highlighted the importance of some agroecosystems and enhanced biological, cultural and heritage values of local knowledge, plant-use systems and traditional landscapes.Such importance and rich heritage are based in particular agricultural and wild crops well adapted to edaphic, climatic and productive conditions, as well as to social, economic and regional requirements. For decades, these species and crops have supplied people’ nutrition, and balanced diets, and have also ensured primary health care needs. They may not last if seeds, propagules, practices and traditional knowledge are not guaranteed.