Using crop genetic diversity to address stress tolerance in agriculture
Genetic diversity is the essential ingredient for improvement of major food crops. Domestication by itself induced spectacular arrays of new specific adaptations. Breeding enabled the spread of beneficial alleles in new genotypic combinations, as illustrated by the dramatic increase in cereal productivity during the Green Revolution, largely due to the so-called semi-dwarfing genes in association with new agronomic practices. Among all crop species, rice is exceptionally well endowed with genetic resources and advanced genetic tools that make it a model genetic system. The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) is the custodian of the world's largest collection of rice germplasm, with over 100,000 accessions covering traditional and improved varieties as well as wild relatives. Shared use of the germplasm collection has served rice breeding and research activities well. Several genes involved in major adaptation to stresses have been identified. Yet, only a small fraction of the rice genetic resources has been used in breeding. New partnerships have just been launched for a Global Rice Science Partnership (GRiSP). A strategy has been put in place in developing a public genetic diversity platform for rice to meet the increasing demand for genetic variation in crop improvement. Other important food crops have broad germplasm collections held in trust by the Centers of the Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research; the progress of genomics and information technology as well as a systematic characterization and broad access to genetic diversity will foster the use of germplasm to address production and environmental problems in the future. (Texte intégral)
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | conference_item biblioteca |
| Language: | eng |
| Published: |
s.n.
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| Subjects: | F30 - Génétique et amélioration des plantes, F70 - Taxonomie végétale et phytogéographie, |
| Online Access: | http://agritrop.cirad.fr/569894/ http://agritrop.cirad.fr/569894/1/document_569894.pdf |
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