Genetic contributions to agricultural sustainability

Abstract

The current tools of enquiry into the structure and operation of the plant genome have provided us with an understanding of plant development and function far beyond the state of knowledge that we had previously. We know about key genetic controls repressing or stimulating the cascades of gene expression that move a plant through stages in its life cycle, facilitating the morphogenesis of vegetative and reproductive tissues and organs. The new technologies are enabling the identification of key gene activity responses to the range of biotic and abiotic challenges experienced by plants. In the past, plant breeders produced new varieties with changes in the phases of development, modifications of plant architecture and improved levels of tolerance and resistance to environmental and biotic challenges by identifying the required phenotypes in a few plants among the large numbers of plants in a breeding population. Now our increased knowledge and powerful gene sequence-based diagnostics provide plant breeders with more precise selection objectives and assays to operate in rationally planned crop improvement programmes. We can expect yield potential to increase and harvested product quality portfolios to better fit an increasing diversity of market requirements. The new genetics will connect agriculture to sectors beyond the food, feed and fibre industries; agri-business will contribute to public health and will provide high-value products to the pharmaceutical industry as well as to industries previously based on petroleum feedstocks and chemical modification processes.

Heifer‐in‐trust, Social Protection and Graduation: Conceptual Issues and Empirical Questions

“…The NGO Farm-Africa has been involved in small-scale goat development in East Africa since 1988, and this work provides one of the best documented examples of the use of the heiferin-trust approach (or what Farm-Africa refer to as 'goat credit') (Ayele and Peacock 2003;Ahuya et al 2005;Dennis et al 2008;Peacock 2005;Peacock 2008;Peacock and Sherman 2010). While the term social protection is not used in relation to this work, the objectivesasset building, improved nutrition, increased income -resonate strongly with social protection discourse, as do the stated target groups: 'particularly vulnerable households', 'the poorest of the poor', 'those affected by HIV/AIDS' and 'households headed by women' (Peacock 2008).…”

Agricultural technology and land use futures: The UK case

“…New genetic technologies such as gene mapping and the use of gene markers have been helpful in streamlining the process of identifying and selecting individuals with desirable alleles (Haley and Archibald, 2005;Dennis et al, 2008). In many countries, plant breeders have also used genetic modification to transfer a desired gene from one individual to another without the risk of transferring possible undesirable genes.…”

“…In 2004, the European Union lifted its moratorium on approving new genetically modified crops, which are examined on a case-by-case basis. However, general acceptance of genetic modification is likely to be dependent on the processes and products providing clear societal and environmental benefits (Dennis et al, 2008;O'Brien and Mullins, 2009). Although GM legislation requires that the cultivation of GM crops is no more harmful to the environment than their non-GM counterparts, it has been suggested that where and when genetic modified crops are introduced, crop management practices, such as length of rotation or unsprayed patches, may be required as part of a package of measures to increase the ecological sustainability of the system (Firbank and Forcella, 2000;Dennis et al, 2008).…”

“…High levels of obesity, Type 2 diabetes and cardio-vascular diseases in the UK have been linked with a lack of exercise and unhealthy diets. Future crop varieties could focus on nutritional attributes such as a low glycaemic index or a particular amino acid or fatty acid combination (Dennis et al, 2008). Amongst other factors, a healthy diet is considered to have low levels of saturated fat.…”

Perspectives on the Application of Next-generation Sequencing to the Improvement of Africa’s Staple Food Crops

“…Genetic improvement is heralded as the best option to enhance crop productivity, resilience to climate effects, and nutritional quality. The effective and efficient application of advanced biosciences tools and products holds substantial promise for enhanced agricultural productivity, improved livelihoods, and better prospects for food and nutrition security in Africa, where less-studied crops are grown as staples [114,115,158]. Genomics-enabled breeding will enable scientists to more effectively tap into the wealth of genetic variation in landraces and wild relatives for novel traits.…”