Indigenous fruit species as a significant resource for sustainable development

Abstract

Sustainable agriculture means increasing yields and profits without degrading the natural resources which are the most important for agricultural production. The aim is to meet the people’s needs for food and improve the quality of life while preserving the environment. Among hundreds of forest species, particular attention is drawn to the wild relatives of cultivated fruit trees, so called indigenous fruit trees, whose regular collection, production and use can affect all aspects of agricultural economy. The natural habitats of the Republic of Serbia include 15 families and 26 genera with 100 species of wild fruit trees. The primary use of the indigenous fruits is for human consumption (either fresh or processed). A number of wild relatives of cultivated fruit trees could be used in the future as rootstocks for fruit production, or for large-scale production, either organic or conventional. In addition, indigenous fruit species are carriers of genes for resistance to economically important diseases and pests, and they can be used in breeding of fruit trees and grapevines. Wild species of fruit trees are used as planting materials for afforestation and erosion prevention, some for timber production, as well as some decorative forms in landscape architecture, while some species are important bee pastures.