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Examining the impact of gene-based breeding on agriculture and medicine

by Chinese Academy of Sciences

A research team has demonstrated that gene-based breeding (GBB) offers a transformative approach to advancing plant and animal breeding, showing remarkable predictability, speed, and cost-effectiveness. The review highlights GBB's impact on improving crop and livestock genetics, while also laying the foundation for molecular precision agriculture and medicine.

This strategic integration of genomics into breeding and health care could significantly improve the quality and efficiency of global food supplies and health services, marking a pivotal shift from traditional methods to more targeted, gene-based strategies.

Amid rapidly growing global populations and climate change , food production and security have emerged as critical global challenges. The dramatic shifts in climate, such as rising temperatures and unpredictable rainfall, are exacerbating these challenges, compelling the agricultural sector to innovate ways to sustain and increase food supply.

The consensus among researchers is that developing genetically improved crop varieties and livestock strains offers a sustainable solution. Various molecular techniques are pivotal, with GBB as particularly effective for developing new varieties with complete intellectual properties.

A study published in Tropical Plants extensively covers GBB, highlighting its transformative impact on the development of crop varieties and livestock strains.

GBB employs sophisticated artificial intelligence to optimize every phase of the breeding cycle—from parent selection through progeny evaluation—using genetic markers like SNPs and InDels to drive decision-making.

This approach has significantly outperformed traditional methods in terms of speed, accuracy, and cost efficiency. Particularly notable are the applications of GBB in cotton and maize, where it has been instrumental in enhancing fiber length and grain yield. In cotton, studies using GBB have achieved a prediction accuracy for fiber length of 0.83–0.86, correlating strongly with actual phenotypes and demonstrating superior performance over genomic selection methods.

Similarly, in maize, the integration of GBB has enabled the prediction of inbred line grain yields and F1 hybrid performance with high reliability, providing a substantial improvement over conventional selection methods.

This review also emphasizes the broader implications of GBB for molecular precision agriculture and medical science, suggesting that this technology could revolutionize fields beyond agriculture. For example, the potential for adapting these methodologies to human and veterinary medicine could lead to breakthroughs in genotypic medicine, offering more personalized and effective treatments based on genetic profiles.

According to the study's researcher, Prof. Hong-Bin Zhang, "GBB can be a revolutionary technology for breeding in all field crops, vegetable crops, fruit trees, and livestock for either pure-line varieties (or strains) or hybrid varieties, but only a preliminary GBB system has been established to date in maize and cotton. Additional research is necessary to develop the GBB in maize and cotton into robust GBB systems that are suited for enhanced breeding across environments and populations in different breeding programs."

Overall, this review highlights that GBB represents a pioneering advancement in genetic science, with the power to significantly enhance both agricultural output and medical treatments through precise genetic manipulation and analysis.

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Plant Breeding: Its Evolution and Recent Trends

• First Online: 03 January 2023

Cite this chapter

• Aparna Tiwari 7 ,
• Surinder K. Tikoo 8 ,
• Sharan P. Angadi 9 ,
• Suresh B. Kadaru 10 ,
• Sadananda R. Ajanahalli 11 &
• M. J. Vasudeva Rao 12  

379 Accesses

Plant breeding is the process of improving crops. It continuously addresses the evolving needs of consumers by introducing new genetic diversity through new products. The principles of plant breeding and tools of biotechnologies are being effectively utilized by breeders to improve crop performance; they do so by developing varieties with better nutritional content and agronomic traits (e.g., yield, disease resistance, etc.). Breeders work in close association with farmers as well as consumers to understand their preferences and priorities, and accordingly design and execute comprehensive breeding strategies to maximize revenue opportunities of all stakeholders through the new improved varieties. A successful breeder requires technical knowledge and acquires extensive experience over time. But breeding successes are often confined to a handful of experts, who know how to translate breeding challenges into opportunities, and how to take ownership of efforts to develop an improved variety, by minimizing total cost without compromising on productivity and quality of produce.

With the increasing need for food from a growing human population, it has now become indispensable for us all to learn from the best commercial plant breeding practices. This chapter aims to emphasize the need to train breeders with the knowledge and wisdom acquired from experienced breeders in a commercial setting.

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Sharan P. Angadi

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Tiwari, A., Tikoo, S.K., Angadi, S.P., Kadaru, S.B., Ajanahalli, S.R., Vasudeva Rao, M.J. (2022). Plant Breeding: Its Evolution and Recent Trends. In: Market-Driven Plant Breeding for Practicing Breeders. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-5434-4_1

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World-renowned, cutting-edge, interdisciplinary plant breeding and genetics program at the University of Georgia.

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Adam grew up on a Christmas tree farm in central Georgia, where he established a hands-on approach to work and developed practical problem-solving skills from working alongside his grandfather. In 2009, he graduated from UGA with a BS in Biology and Minor in Biochemistry. After graduation he found his way to Synageva, a biotech startup, where he worked in the QC lab purifying recombinant protein from egg whites.

Adam was recruited and trained by Zach King to manage the rice and switchgrass transformation pipeline in the Parrott Lab. Working in Dr. Parrott’s lab exposed him to the field of Plant Breeding. This phase not only reconnected him with his agricultural roots, but also fueled his intellectual curiosity.

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Plant breeding is the science of selecting a plant’s desirable genetic traits to develop new varieties of field crops, vegetables, fruits and ornamentals. When combined with the latest advancements in genetics and genomics, this critical science is significantly advancing the field of plant production.

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Plant Breeding for Crop Improvement: Agricultural Research for Development

Plant breeding plays a pivotal role in advancing crop improvement for sustainable agricultural development. By harnessing the principles of genetics and selective breeding, scientists can develop new plant varieties that possess desirable traits such as increased yield, disease resistance, and improved nutritional content. For instance, consider a hypothetical case study where researchers successfully breed wheat plants resistant to a devastating fungal pathogen. This breakthrough not only protects the crop from significant yield losses but also reduces reliance on chemical pesticides, thereby promoting environmentally friendly farming practices.

In recent years, agricultural research has increasingly focused on plant breeding as an essential tool to address global food security challenges. With population growth and climate change exerting pressure on agricultural systems worldwide, there is an urgent need to enhance the productivity and resilience of crops. Plant breeders employ various strategies including conventional breeding techniques and advanced molecular methods like genetic engineering to create genetically superior plant varieties. Through meticulous selection processes spanning multiple generations, these efforts result in plants with desired characteristics that ensure optimal performance under diverse environmental conditions.

The significance of plant breeding extends beyond immediate crop improvements; it serves as a foundation for long-term sustainability in agriculture. As new variety releases are adopted by farmers and integrated into existing cropping systems, they contribute to enhancing overall farm productivity and profitability. Moreover, successful examples demonstrate that plant breeding can lead to significant advancements in food security, economic development, and environmental sustainability. For example, the development of drought-tolerant maize varieties has helped farmers in water-stressed regions produce higher yields and protect their livelihoods. Similarly, the introduction of disease-resistant potato cultivars has reduced crop losses and improved incomes for farmers.

Furthermore, plant breeding plays a crucial role in addressing nutritional deficiencies and improving human health. By enhancing the nutritional content of crops through biofortification techniques, breeders have successfully increased the levels of essential vitamins and minerals in staple foods like rice, wheat, and beans. This has had a positive impact on combating malnutrition and related health issues.

The success of plant breeding relies on collaboration between breeders, scientists, farmers, policymakers, and other stakeholders. By sharing knowledge and resources, stakeholders can collectively work towards developing resilient crop varieties that meet the evolving needs of agriculture in a sustainable manner. Governments also play a vital role by providing support for research initiatives and creating policies that facilitate the adoption of improved plant varieties.

In conclusion, plant breeding is an indispensable tool for advancing agricultural development sustainably. Its ability to create genetically superior plant varieties with desired traits contributes to increased productivity, resilience against pests and diseases, improved nutrition, and environmental conservation. As we face global challenges such as population growth and climate change, investing in plant breeding research becomes increasingly important for ensuring food security and promoting sustainable farming practices.

History of Plant Breeding

Introduction

Plant breeding, an essential aspect of agricultural research for development, has a rich history that spans centuries. This section aims to provide an overview of the historical milestones in plant breeding and highlight its significance in crop improvement. To illustrate this, let us consider the case study of Gregor Mendel, whose experiments with pea plants laid the foundation for modern plant breeding.

Early Developments

The practice of selective breeding can be traced back thousands of years when farmers observed desirable traits in their crops and saved seeds from these plants for future cultivation. However, it was not until the mid-19th century that scientific advancements started shaping plant breeding into a systematic discipline. Gregor Mendel’s groundbreaking work on inheritance patterns using garden peas provided evidence for the existence of discrete hereditary units or genes. His experiments demonstrated how traits are inherited in predictable ratios through generations, paving the way for controlled cross-breeding methods.

Advancements in Techniques

Building upon Mendel’s discoveries, scientists began employing various techniques to further enhance crop characteristics by manipulating genetic material. With advances in microscopy and cytology during the early 20th century, researchers gained deeper insights into cell structure and chromosome behavior. This knowledge enabled them to develop more efficient selection processes, such as hybridization and mutation breeding, aimed at introducing desired attributes like disease resistance or improved yield potential.

Emotional Connection Bullets:

• Increased food security: Through targeted breeding efforts, crops have been developed to withstand harsh environmental conditions and resist pests and diseases.
• Enhanced nutritional value: Plant breeders have successfully increased nutrient content in staple crops like rice and wheat, addressing micronutrient deficiencies prevalent among vulnerable populations.
• Improved economic outcomes: High-yielding varieties resulting from plant breeding programs contribute significantly to enhanced livelihoods for farmers.
• Preservation of biodiversity: Plant breeders play a vital role in conserving traditional crop varieties threatened by extinction due to changing farming practices.

Emotional Connection Table:

The historical development of plant breeding has revolutionized agriculture by providing a scientific framework for crop improvement. From Mendel’s pioneering experiments to modern techniques, the discipline continues to contribute significantly to global food security, nutrition enhancement, economic prosperity, and environmental conservation. With this understanding of its past achievements, we can now explore the importance of further advancements in crop improvement.

Having examined the history of plant breeding and its significant contributions towards crop improvement, it is vital to delve into why further advancements in this field are critical for agricultural research and development.

Importance of Crop Improvement

Plant breeding has a long history of contributing to the improvement of crop varieties, resulting in increased productivity and better adaptation to changing environments. This section will explore the importance of crop improvement through plant breeding, highlighting its potential impact on food security and agricultural sustainability.

One compelling example that showcases the significance of crop improvement through plant breeding is the development of drought-tolerant maize varieties. In regions where water scarcity poses a major challenge for agriculture, such as sub-Saharan Africa, farmers often struggle with low yields due to insufficient rainfall. By employing traditional breeding techniques alongside modern biotechnological approaches, scientists have successfully developed maize varieties that can withstand prolonged periods of drought without compromising yield potential. These improved varieties not only enhance farmer resilience but also contribute to overall food security in these vulnerable regions.

• Increased resistance against pests and diseases
• Enhanced nutritional content in staple crops
• Improved tolerance to environmental stresses (e.g., heat or salinity)
• Reduced dependence on chemical inputs

Furthermore, an emotionally engaging 3-column table presents specific examples demonstrating how plant breeding positively impacts various aspects of crop production:

In summary, crop improvement through plant breeding plays a pivotal role in addressing global challenges related to food security and sustainable agriculture. By developing resilient crop varieties with increased yield potential and enhanced traits like disease resistance and nutritional quality, plant breeders contribute significantly to improving farming systems worldwide.

Transitioning into the subsequent section about “Techniques in Plant Breeding,” it becomes clear that understanding effective methods for manipulating genetic material is crucial for further advancements in this field.

Techniques in Plant Breeding

Plant breeding is a crucial process for improving crops and achieving agricultural development. By using selective breeding techniques, scientists aim to enhance desirable traits in plants such as yield, disease resistance, and nutritional value. This section will explore the various techniques employed in plant breeding, highlighting their significance in crop improvement.

One example of a successful application of plant breeding is the development of high-yielding rice varieties. In the 1960s, Dr. Norman Borlaug introduced new wheat and rice varieties that had increased responsiveness to fertilizers and were resistant to diseases. This breakthrough led to what became known as the Green Revolution, which significantly increased food production worldwide. Through careful selection and hybridization, breeders were able to produce crops with improved characteristics that addressed specific challenges faced by farmers.

In modern plant breeding practices, several techniques are utilized to create desired outcomes:

• Hybridization: The crossing of two genetically diverse parents can result in offspring with enhanced traits.
• Selection: Breeders identify individuals within a population that possess favorable characteristics and propagate them.
• Mutagenesis: Exposure of seeds or plants to mutagens induces genetic variations that may lead to beneficial changes.
• Genetic engineering: Manipulation of an organism’s DNA allows for precise modification of specific genes responsible for desirable traits.

These techniques have revolutionized agriculture by accelerating the pace at which novel crop varieties can be developed. To further illustrate this point, consider the following table showcasing notable advancements achieved through plant breeding:

These advancements not only contribute to increased food security but also have socio-economic implications. However, despite these positive outcomes, there are still challenges that need to be addressed in the field of crop improvement. The next section will examine some of these hurdles and shed light on the ongoing efforts to overcome them.

Transitioning into the subsequent section about “Challenges in Crop Improvement,” it is important to acknowledge that while plant breeding techniques have been successful in enhancing crop traits, certain obstacles hinder further progress. By addressing these challenges head-on, scientists can continue their quest for sustainable agricultural development.

Challenges in Crop Improvement

Plant breeding is a crucial aspect of agricultural research aimed at improving crop performance and ensuring food security.

One example that highlights the importance of plant breeding in crop improvement is the case of drought-tolerant maize varieties. In regions where water scarcity poses a significant threat to agriculture, developing drought-tolerant crops becomes imperative. Plant breeders employ various techniques such as marker-assisted selection (MAS) and genomic selection to identify and incorporate genes associated with drought tolerance into maize varieties. By doing so, they aim to improve crop productivity even under limited water availability.

Despite technological advancements, several challenges persist in crop improvement through plant breeding:

• Genetic variation: Limited genetic diversity within cultivated crops can hinder progress in enhancing desirable traits. Breeders need access to diverse germplasm collections or wild relatives to introduce new genetic material into existing cultivars.
• Time-consuming process: Developing improved crop varieties requires extensive time investments due to multiple generations required for trait stabilization and regulatory procedures involved before commercialization.
• Biotic and abiotic stresses: Crops face constant threats from pests, diseases, extreme weather conditions, and changing climatic patterns. Incorporating resistance or tolerance against these stress factors remains an ongoing challenge for breeders.
• Socio-economic considerations: The adoption of new varieties depends not only on their agronomic performance but also on social acceptance, market demand, and economic viability for farmers.

To better illustrate these challenges visually, consider the following table:

Understanding these challenges helps inform future strategies for overcoming them and achieving sustainable crop improvement goals.

Looking ahead towards the subsequent section on Genetic Diversity in Agriculture, it is essential to recognize the pivotal role that genetic diversity plays in addressing these challenges. By harnessing and preserving diverse germplasm resources, plant breeders can enhance crop resilience, adaptability, and overall productivity.

Genetic Diversity in Agriculture

Building upon the challenges faced in crop improvement, genetic diversity plays a crucial role in ensuring sustainable agricultural development. By exploring and harnessing the diverse range of traits found within different plant species, researchers can enhance crop performance and adaptability to changing environmental conditions. This section will delve into the importance of genetic diversity in agriculture, highlighting its impact on crop productivity and resilience.

Genetic diversity serves as a foundation for successful plant breeding programs aimed at improving crops. Through the introduction of new genetic material, breeders can access a wider pool of desirable traits that may confer resistance against diseases, pests, or abiotic stresses. For instance, let us consider the case study of wheat rust, a devastating fungal disease affecting wheat crops worldwide. The identification and utilization of wild relatives with natural resistance genes enabled breeders to develop rust-resistant varieties through hybridization techniques.

• Genetic diversity enhances crop adaptation to changing climates.
• It provides insurance against potential yield losses caused by biotic and abiotic stresses.
• Diverse crops offer improved nutritional profiles, contributing to food security.
• Maintaining genetic diversity safeguards against loss due to climate change or other factors.

In addition to these points, it is important to highlight how genetic diversity is managed and conserved. A three-column table illustrates this concept effectively:

By employing various management strategies like those mentioned above, stakeholders collaborate towards conserving valuable plant genetic resources while promoting equitable access among farming communities.

Looking ahead to future trends in plant breeding—our subsequent section—we can anticipate advancements in genomics and molecular techniques that will further enhance our understanding of plant genetics. With the increasing availability of genetic information, breeders will be empowered to develop improved crop varieties with greater precision and efficiency.

As we explore the potential future trends in plant breeding, it becomes evident that technological innovations hold immense promise for revolutionizing agricultural practices.

Future Trends in Plant Breeding

Genetic Diversity and its Importance in Plant Breeding

In the previous section, we explored the concept of genetic diversity in agriculture and how it plays a crucial role in plant breeding for crop improvement. Now, let us delve deeper into the significance of genetic diversity and its implications for agricultural research and development.

To illustrate this point, consider a hypothetical case study involving wheat crops. Imagine two fields, Field A and Field B, both growing the same variety of wheat. However, Field A has been cultivated using traditional farming practices with limited genetic diversity, while Field B has been managed using modern techniques that promote increased genetic diversity through crossbreeding and selection. After several years of cultivation, it becomes evident that Field B consistently produces higher yields and exhibits greater resilience to pests and diseases compared to Field A. This example demonstrates the tangible benefits that can be achieved by harnessing genetic diversity in plant breeding.

The importance of genetic diversity in plant breeding cannot be overstated. Here are four key reasons why it is essential:

• Adaptability: Genetic diversity allows plants to adapt to changing environmental conditions such as temperature fluctuations or water availability.
• Disease resistance: By incorporating diverse genes into crop varieties, breeders can enhance their ability to resist various pathogens and reduce reliance on chemical pesticides.
• Yield potential: Genetic variation enables breeders to develop high-yielding cultivars by combining desirable traits from different parental lines.
• Nutritional value: Expanding genetic diversity can lead to improved nutritional content in crops, addressing malnutrition concerns worldwide.

Now let’s take a closer look at these factors through the following table:

In conclusion, genetic diversity is a cornerstone of plant breeding for crop improvement. It enables breeders to develop crops that are adaptable, resistant to diseases, high-yielding, and nutritionally enhanced. By incorporating diverse genes into crop varieties through crossbreeding and selection, agricultural research can pave the way for sustainable development in the field of agriculture.

Note: The table above is not rendered as markdown because it’s not supported here. However, you can use this format when creating your own document or presentation.

Related posts:

• Biotechnology in Agricultural Research for Development: Advancing Crop Improvement
• Crop Agronomy in Agricultural Research for Development: An Overview of Crop Improvement

Crop Genetics for Agricultural Research: Enhancing Crop Improvement

• Crop Improvement in Agricultural Research for Development: Enhancing Yield, Resilience, and Sustainability

Pest Control Methods: Agricultural Research for Development and Climate Change Adaptation

Plant Breeding for Disease Resistance: Enhancing Agricultural Research for Development in Pest and Disease Control

Genetic Engineering in Agricultural Research for Development: Crop Improvement

Crop Physiology in Agricultural Research for Development: Enhancing Crop Improvement

Crop Improvement in Agricultural Research for Development: Enhancing Yield,…

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NIFA supports the latest plant breeding, genetics, and genomics research to ensure that U.S. agriculture is prepared to meet the grand challenges facing the world. Innovation in agricultural production is key to producing more food with less impact on the environment. 

Agriculture of the future will be enabled by genome design, innovative breeding methods, data analysis, and knowledge of molecular and biological processes. Breeding crops for the future will require new traits, breeding platforms built for quick transfer of traits to elite cultivars, coordination of breeding efforts in public and private domains, and training for current and future plant breeders and researchers

The Plant Breeding, Genetics & Genomics Program portfolio is responsive to stakeholder needs for increased productivity by providing agricultural plants with higher inherent genetic potential. The intention of NIFA’s Plant Breeding, Genetics & Genomics efforts is to improve the production efficiency, yield, sustainability, resilience, healthfulness, product quality, and value of U.S. agricultural plants.  Click here for further information on Plant Breeding Research at USDA .  

Funded Projects

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• Agricultural Genome to Phenome Initiative (AG2PI)
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• Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI)
• Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative (113.A)
• Foundational Knowledge of Plant Products (A1103)
• Data Science for Food and Agricultural Systems (DSFAS) (A1541)
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• Economic and Social Implications of Food and Agricultural Technologies (A1642)

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• Agricultural Genome to Phenome Initiative
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• Organic Programs
• Biotechnology Risk Assessment Research Grants Program
• Alfalfa Seed and Alfalfa Forage System Program
• Potato Research
• Supplemental and Alternative Crops
• Sensing What Plants Sense: Integrated Framework Helps Scientists Explain Biology and Predict Crop Performance
• Securing Plant Genebank Collections and Providing Educational Resources for Training Opportunities
• Scientists Make Wheat Gene Discovery
• Research to Develop Cranberry Cultivars with Less Added Sugar
• Delicious and Disease-free: Scientists Attempting New Citrus Varieties
• Drought Tolerant Peanut Breeding
• Newly Discovered Trait Helps Plants Grow Deeper Roots in Dry, Compacted Soils   
• Decline in Plant Breeding Programs Could Impact Food Security
• Under the Hood: How Environment and Genomes Interact in Plant Development
• Development and Optimization of a Barley Stripe Mosaic Virus - Mediated Gene Editing System to Improve Fusarium Head Blight Resistance in Wheat
• Metabolomic Selection for Enhanced Fruit Flavor
• Oklahoma Team Discovers a Wheat Gene that Increases Grain Yield
• Development of a Practical Haplotype Graph for Wheat
• Multistate W3150: Breeding Better Beans
• Big Data Driven Agriculture
• A Road Map for Conservation, Use, and Public Engagement around North America's Crop Wild Relatives and Wild Utilized Plants
• Training in Plant Genetic Resources Management: A Way Forward
• Breeding Crops for Enhanced Food Safety

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Plant Breeding Research

Blueberries

Our group is a multidisciplinary research group interested in genetics, genomics, and the breeding of blueberry. We integrate principles of traditional plant breeding, modern plant breeding, comparative genomics, quantitative genetics and apply genomics and bioinformatics science to identify molecular bases underlying complex traits in cultivated and wild blueberries. We are using the latest sequencing technologies to sequence genome and transcriptome sequences of various Vaccinium species.

Functional genomics will be used to identify points of control of current and future fiber quality traits as well as using cotton fiber as a model for improvement of cellulose synthesis in biomass crops.

Forest Trees

The North Carolina State University Cooperative Tree Improvement program is one of the largest and most successful tree breeding programs in the world. The program continues to develop loblolly pine varieties for its members, which are disease resistant and productive. The program is developing genomic selection methods to fundamentally change tree breeding practice in the coming years.

NC State conducts cooperative research with the USDA-ARS on breeding, germplasms, and genetics to diversify the genetic base of field corn in the US. We work on: studying diversity and relationships of maize landraces in the Americas, developing unique lines from tropical maize crossed with elite commercial lines; determining the genetic and biochemical mechanisms of environmental adaptation and disease resistance; studying gametophytic cross-incompatibility factors; and improving selected heirloom varieties for niche markets.

Nursery/Landscape Plants

Nursery and Landscape plants developed by plant breeders in Horticultural Science have contributed almost $400 million in retail value to the largest crop commodity in the state. These improved crops contribute to economic development (superior products, enhanced profitability, competitive advantages), environmental stewardship and sustainability (reducing pesticide needs, greening and cooling urban environments, preventing invasiveness, reducing runoff), and local food supply (edible landscaping and foodscaping.

The NC State University peanut breeding and genetics program continues to develop cultivars that are extensively grown in the Virginia-Carolina (VC) region. Estimates of certified seed production (2015-2019) indicate NC State releases have grown on 13%, 82% and 91% of the total peanut acreage in the US, the VC region, and North Carolina, respectively. These cultivars, based on plant variety protection and exclusive licensing rights, generate between $0.5-1M in royalties annually.

Potatoes and Sweetpotatoes

The Potato and Sweetpotato breeding efforts are best characterized as applied breeding programs. Our goal is to develop improved potato and sweetpotato varieties adapted for use in North Carolina and the Southeastern US. To achieve this goal, we utilize a combination of classical and modern breeding techniques. Research interests include: Plant Breeding; Plant Resistance to Insects and Pathogens; Application of Molecular Biology and Plant Biochemistry to Plant Breeding; Integrated Pest Management; and International Agriculture.

Small Fruits

Dr. Fernandez leads the strawberry and caneberry breeding programs. She is responsible for the development of new strawberry, raspberry and blackberry cultivars adapted to North Carolina.Dr. Fernandez collaborates with Dr. Penny Perkins-Veazie to evaluate postharvest attributes and levels of bioactive compounds in strawberry and caneberry fruit. In collaboration with Dr. Hudson Ashrafi, they have identified genes that are differentially expressed in blackberry fruit with white drupelet disorder.

Tomato is a more than $32 million industry in NC. It is estimated that about 60% of tomato varieties grown in NC are from the NC State University tomato breeding program. The Tomato breeding program of NCSU aims to improve disease resistance, fruit quality, and heat stress tolerance. We are working in large-fruited, plum, and grape. Varieties developed from NC are grown not only in the US but also throughout the world.

Approximately 70% of flue-cured tobacco acreage in the southeastern United States is planted to cultivars derived from the NC State tobacco breeding and genetics program. The generation of new knowledge, germplasm, and technology also affects the tobacco industry worldwide. Several patented technologies have been developed for the desired modification of cured leaf chemistry.

The turfgrass breeding and genetics program at NC State is one of the very few turfgrass cultivar development programs located in the transitional climatic zone of the US. As such, the program is uniquely positioned to work with both cool- and warm-season species and having to deal with a wide array of biotic and abiotic stresses. Additionally, the program is focusing on generating genomic information to elucidate genetic control of the response to some of these stresses in order to improve breeding efficiency.

Wheat and Small Grains

We focus on the improvement of the agronomic and end-use quality of the nutritious and healthy small grain staples of wheat, oat, triticale and rye. We are plant breeders and cultivar developers first and utilize the tools of molecular and Mendelian genetics and statistics to assist in cultivar advancement. We are members of the seven-university Sun Grains breeding cooperative, the largest coordinated public breeding effort in the US. This has advantages in the application of emerging technologies to plant improvement and graduate education.

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• Review Article
• Published: 17 June 2019

Breeding crops to feed 10 billion

• Lee T. Hickey   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0001-6909-7101 1 ,
• Amber N. Hafeez 2 ,
• Hannah Robinson 3 ,
• Scott A. Jackson   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-3172-1607 4 ,
• Soraya C. M. Leal-Bertioli 5 ,
• Mark Tester   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-5085-8801 6 ,
• Caixia Gao   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0003-3169-8248 7 ,
• Ian D. Godwin   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-4006-4426 8 ,
• Ben J. Hayes   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-5606-3970 1 &
• Brande B. H. Wulff   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0003-4044-4346 2  

Nature Biotechnology volume  37 ,  pages 744–754 ( 2019 ) Cite this article

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• Molecular engineering in plants
• Plant biotechnology
• Plant breeding
• Plant domestication
• Plant sciences

Crop improvements can help us to meet the challenge of feeding a population of 10 billion, but can we breed better varieties fast enough? Technologies such as genotyping, marker-assisted selection, high-throughput phenotyping, genome editing, genomic selection and de novo domestication could be galvanized by using speed breeding to enable plant breeders to keep pace with a changing environment and ever-increasing human population.

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Acknowledgements

We thank V. Korzun and C. Uauy for feedback on an earlier draft of this manuscript, T. Draeger for discussions, and T. Florio ( www.flozbox.com/Science.illustrated ) for the artwork. B.W. was supported by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council cross-institute strategic programme Designing Future Wheat (BB/P016855/1) and the 2Blades Foundation, M.T. by King Abdullah University of Science & Technology, L.T.H. by an Australian Research Council Early Career Discovery Research Award (DE170101296), C.G. by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (31788103), and S.L.-B. by the Peanut Foundation.

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Lee T. Hickey & Ben J. Hayes

John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK

Amber N. Hafeez & Brande B. H. Wulff

InterGrain Pty Ltd, Perth, Western Australia, Australia

Hannah Robinson

Center for Applied Genetic Technologies, Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA

Scott A. Jackson

Center for Applied Genetic Technologies, Department of Plant Pathology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA

Soraya C. M. Leal-Bertioli

King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Division of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia

Mark Tester

State Key Laboratory of Plant Cell and Chromosome Engineering, Center for Genome Editing, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Innovation Academy for Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China

School of Agriculture and Food Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

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A brief history of breeding

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Hickey, L.T., N. Hafeez, A., Robinson, H. et al. Breeding crops to feed 10 billion. Nat Biotechnol 37 , 744–754 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41587-019-0152-9

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Issue Date : July 2019

DOI : https://doi.org/10.1038/s41587-019-0152-9

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By Jamie Martin

The National Association of Plant Breeders (NAPB) is gearing up for its annual meeting in St. Louis, Missouri, this July, promising to be a pivotal event in the field of plant breeding. Hosted in collaboration with Bayer and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, the conference aims to rethink, reinvent, and revolutionize the sector.

Incoming NAPB president, J.D. Rossouw, emphasized the significance of the gathering in aligning with the legacy of previous meetings while introducing fresh perspectives. This year's themes focus on innovative strategies in plant breeding, engaging a diverse group of participants, from graduate students to industry leaders.

One of the highlights of the meeting will be a field trip to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, enhancing the educational experience. Local startups from St. Louis will also play a crucial role, sharing their journeys and insights, which adds a practical dimension to the discussions.

The conference will also spotlight significant scholarship opportunities like the Borlaug and George Washington Carver awards, underlining its commitment to nurturing new talent. A special session for graduate students will facilitate direct interactions with potential future employers from both the private and public sectors, ensuring a comprehensive networking and learning environment.

Set in the historical St. Louis Union Station Hotel, the venue itself is a nod to the city's rich heritage, providing an inspiring backdrop for the week’s activities. This meeting not only serves as a platform for scientific exchange but also as a cornerstone for building enduring relationships that could shape the future of plant breeding globally.

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