Title: Origin and historic path of the triticum compactum (Binkel) in alpine and pre-alpine agriculture

Authors: Margarita Kwich; Gilbert Ahamer

Addresses: Gastrosophy and Nutrition Scientist, Waldesruhgasse 14, 5111 Bürmoos, Austria ' Institute for Economic History, Graz University, Graz, Austria

Abstract: Recently, great interest in historic grain varieties arose, given their positive nutritional properties and usefulness for endurance in local climates, such as European Triticum compactum, colloquially named 'Binkel' in German. This article analyses answers to the following questions: 1) when was the Binkel first mentioned/described in historical literature and records?, 2) what is the Binkel's genetic and geographic origin? 3) how and when did Binkel come to the Alpine region? Were breeding measures applied? Historic evidence first perceived Binkel through the pen of Viennese historians and perceives winter and summer forms. In the 19th century, Binkel was famously attributed to the dwellers of the stilt houses and called the oldest wheat from Europe. Originally stemming from Iran in a complex historic and genetic trajectory, Binkel was highly esteemed in Tyrol and Salzburg for its high endurance up to 1,600 m altitude.

Keywords: Binkel; triticum compactum; historic grain species; genesis of grain.

DOI: 10.1504/IJGENVI.2024.142204

International Journal of Global Environmental Issues, 2024 Vol.23 No.2/3, pp.173 - 190

Received: 17 May 2023
Accepted: 01 Jul 2023
Published online: 14 Oct 2024 *

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