Autochthonous trees and plants are in in danger. Remaining populations are threatened by deforestation, forest fragmentation and intensive agriculture and use of woodland. Another very important but less known threat is the massive cultivation of planting stock of indigenous species, but of a non-autochtonous origin. A considerable part of the commercially available planting stock is grown from seeds originating from foreign countries. The genetic diversity in the autochthonous populations is influenced through introgression of non-autochthonous genetic information. As a result, it is possible that a lot of information is lost. The autochthonous populations should get the necessary chances for the conservation and the evolution of their genetic diversity, so that they can face the future. 

For CESnet its an important aim to offer an alternative for the non-autochthonous planting stock in the commercial trade. Based on the inventory of autochthonous plants, several measures can be taken to enable the production of autochthonous planting stock for a variety of indigenous species. This includes the elaboration of autochthonous seed planting and the delineation of the regions of provenance. Developing a mehtod that allows the production of seeds and plants of various autochthonous or adaptations, obtained by biologic means with the objective of maintaining genetic diversity, improving the quality of the cultivated species and supply a potentially growing market which is scarce of biologic seeds. The project proposes, in relation to a new sustained agriculture, a new production system that help biodiversity, vegetal health and management of agrarian resources which can generate incomes and employment in the rural milieu. Find Fotos from the event: http//www.cesnet.it, link SEED FREEDOM