Plant breeding for increased sustainability: challenges, opportunities and progress

Abstract

Humanity is facing enormous challenges in the years to come: sustainability of agriculture and sustainability of our supply with food, feed and renewable materials are neither granted nor free. Especially, but not only, in the Global South, a sustainable increase in agricultural productivity and a steady reduction of avoidable losses are undoubtedly key issues that need to be addressed.In order to pinpoint the most pressing challenges and strategies to achieve targets, the United Nations have formulated the Sustainable Development Goals (https:// sdgs. un. org/ goals). Among these, several are directly or indirectly addressing agriculture, food supply and sustainability, most notably SDG2 (zero hunger), SDG12 (responsible consumption and production), SDG13 (climate action) and SDG15 (life on land).

Evidence of scientific research on organic plant breeding: A bibliometric study

“…In recent decades, organic farming has become more and more popular due to the enormous negative impact of intensive agriculture on both customers and the environment (Kazimierczak et al, 2020). Furthermore, there is an evident increase in demand for organically produced crops worldwide (Buerstmayr et al, 2022). However, the main concern still centres around the potential of organic farming to produce enough food supplies for the human population—projected to be 10 billion in 2050.…”

“…Furthermore, there is an evident increase in demand for organically produced crops worldwide (Buerstmayr et al, 2022). However, the main concern still centres around the potential of organic farming to produce enough food supplies for the human population-projected to be 10 billion in 2050.…”