Introduction to Sustainable Crop Production

Plant Genetic Resources

any genetic material of plant origin, including

seeds, vegetative propagating materials, and other plant-

based resources, that have actual or potential value for

food, agriculture, and other uses

Plant Genetic Resources

Include domesticated species (land races, traditional

varieties, formally registered crop varieties, farmer varieties)

and wild species (wild relatives and other wild species)

Plant Genetic Resources

synonymous with germplasm

Plant Genetic Resources

have future value for crop improvement so they must be

conserved.

In situ germplasm

(on-site, such as in the field)

Ex situ germplasm

(off-site, such as in gene/seed banks)

• Mutation

• Recombination

• Gene flow

• Hybridization

How is genetic diversity achieved?

Mutation

random changes in the genetic material

Recombination

exchange of genetic material between chromosomes

Hybridization

crossing of 2 different varieties or species

Gene Flow

movement of genetic material via migration

• Naturally

• Artificially with human intervention

  to develop a new variety with a

  particular goal (crop breeding)

Hybridization can occur:

cross-pollinating (i.e. corn) and self-pollinating (i.e. rice) crops to create new varieties.

Hybridization can be done by plant breeders in both:

created by facilitated cross-pollination between a Male-sterile Female parent (A line) and a Male parent (R line) to produce uniform F1 seed for planting, but their harvested seeds cannot be replanted

Hybrid

crossing two parents (Variety A and B), letting the F1 generation self-pollinate to produce segregating F2 seed, and then breeders select and self-pollinate desirable lines for several generations (Fn) to create a new uniform variety whose seeds can be replanted every season.

Inbred

Breeder seeds

from plant breeder

Foundation seeds

grown from BS

Registered seeds

grown from FS

Certified seeds

grown from either FS, RS or CS

Potential Yield

maximum possible yield determined solely by Defining factors like light, temperature, and water under ideal, non-limiting conditions

Attainable Yield

achieved when only Defining factors and Limiting factors are present.

This is the maximum yield achievable in a given environment with optimal management.

Experimental Yield

chieved on research farms or optimized field trials. This gap (Yield gap II) between Attainable and Experimental yield is also primarily caused by Limiting factors that restrict the full use of resources, often related to soil and nutrient management.

Actual Yield

final yield achieved by a farmer in a typical field. This gap (Yield gap III) between Experimental and Actual yield is caused by Reducing factors

Light, Water, Temperature

Yield Gap 1 (Defining Factors)

Soil texture and fertility

Yield Gap 2 (Limiting factors)

management, sowing rate

Yield Gap 3 (Reducing Factors)

“Sustainable development is

our commitment to meet the

needs of the present without

compromising the ability of

future generations to meet

their own needs.”

The Brundtland Report (1987), Gro Harlem Brundtland: First Female Prime Minister of Norway (1981) and Chair of the World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED, 1983)

Agroecosystem

Systems of production where some of the system properties are

manipulated to satisfy a set of needs

Agroecosystem

Agricultural production areas taken as a whole system

Agroecosystem

Includes cultural management and technological practices, as well as the sociocultural and politico-economic dimensions

Agrobiodiversity

plays a critical role in maintaining ecosystem services, enhancing food security, and supporting sustainable agriculture practices.

Agrobiodiversity

Cultivated, semi domesticated, wild relatives and wild edible genetic resources within an area, part of biodiversity.

Agro-ecosystem Diversity, Agro-ecozone Diversity

Variety of different agro-ecosystems within an area, different growing seasons, cropping pattern, agro-ecology and agro-ecozones.

Agrobiodiversity components and groups

All components and sub components and groups of agricultural genetic resources within agro-ecozone.

Species Diversity, Crop Diversity

Inter and intra level species and sub species and crops diversity within a given area.

Varietal Diversity

Intra and inter varietal diversity, landrace or cultivar diversity within a species

Genotypic Diversity

Variation of genes, traits and genotypes within, landraces, varieties and population structure and among genotypes.

Allelic Diversity

Variation within genes, traits and among alleles within genotypes.

Genetic Diversity

Encompasses Varietal Diversity, Genotypic Diversity, Allelic Diversity

Functional Diversity

Functional traits among and within species and varieties

• crops, livestock, soil

  microbes, pollinators, natural pest

  predators

Morphological Diversity

Phenotypic variation among and within species and varieties

Molecular Diversity

Variation at DNA, protein and other molecules.

Food Diversity

Varied recipe with different nutritional pack

• Functional Diversity

• Morphological Diversity

• Molecular Diversity

• Use Value Diversity

• Nutritional Diversity

• Food Diversity

Types of Biodiversity

Functional Agrobiodiversity

Instead of just counting the number of

crop varieties or livestock breeds, it

considers how they contribute to the

stability, productivity, and resilience of

agricultural systems.