Cambodia is a diversity center for vegetables such as Cucurbitaceae, Fabaceae, Lamiaceae, and Solanaceae crops, which could be useful genetic resources for breeding programs. Here, we conducted a field exploration in northern Cambodia to collect vegetable genetic resources based on their cultivation methods and characteristics. A total of 113 samples were collected at 38 sites in 4 provinces, including 17 species from 6 families: Apiaceae, Cucurbitaceae, Fabaceae, Lamiaceae, Pedaliaceae, and Poaceae. Among these 113 samples, 105 was collected at 35 new sites, remaining eight collected at sites previously visited in 2014 and 2016 explorations were different crops from samples previously collected. Chemical fertilizers, and insecticides were not frequently used for cultivation of vegetable landraces at neither these 38 sites, as well as those of previous explorations in northern and eastern Cambodia. Herbs such as basils or vegetables such as legumes and amaranth were cultivated at small-scale backyards near farmhouses and used for daily cooking. Thus, rich genetic resources may be found in and around farmer homes.
Tanaka et al. (Sat,) studied this question.