Participatory Plant Breeding Methods for Organic Cereals

Formal breeding methods were not always suitable to address the very large diversity of both environmental conditions and end-user needs. Both were frequently encountered either in marginal areas of developing countries or in organic farms of EEC. Participatory plant breeding (PPB) methods represent alternatives aimed to improve local adaptation breeding, to promote genetic diversity, to empower farmers and rural communities. The term PPB refers to a set of breeding methods usually distinguished by the objectives (functional or process approach), institutional context (farmer-led or formal-led), forms of interaction between farmers and breeders (consultative, collaborative or collegial), location of breeding (centralized or decentralized), stage of farmers participation in the breeding scheme (participatory varietal selection or participatory plant breeding)… Among all these methods, the best strategies for organic breeding and their impacts on breeding techniques are discussed. A PPB program actually conducted at INRA – Montpellier (F), involves the whole organic durum wheat interprofessional organization, from farmers to consumers. It is used to assess the interest of a multidisciplinary approach and to discuss the role of each participant in such program. Must participation be seen as a means towards an end or an end in itself

Animal breeding in organic farming

After a general introduction into the available breeding techniques for animal breeding and an overview of the organic principles, points for discussion are identified and scenario's for organically accepted breeding methods are discussed

Genetic engineering for the environment: Ethical implications of the biotechnology revolution

This is a PDF version of an article published in Heythrop Journal© 1995. The definitive version is available at www.blackwell-synergy.com.This article discusses the environmental consequences of genetic engineering for agricultural purposes within a theological and philosophical framework. The advanatges and disadvantages of genetic engineering of crop plants are anlaysed. Theological aspects of genetic engineering and animals and nature are commented upon

The effects of different combinations and varying concentrations of growth regulators on the regeneration of selected Turkish cultivars of melon

Cucurbits are an economically important family of plants. The majority of the vegetable production in Turkey, for example, derives from the species beloning to the family Cucurbitaceae. Despite the importance of cucurbits among vegetable crops worldwide, the development of genomic tools in these species has been rather limited. Although melon production has been improved by conventional plant breeding methods, output is still insufficient. One useful technique in overcoming such problems in melon is functional genomics’ studies, and the other one is abiotic stress resistance and improved fruit quality has been gene transfer via Agrobacterium tumefaciens mediated transformation. The availability of an optimized plant regeneration system is crucial for genetic transformation techniques as well as obtaining an entire plant. Although Hasanbey and Cinikiz in Turkey, for example, are important commercial melon cultivars used in the breeding programs and molecular biology of fruit ripening and genetic mapping of melons, there is no study to date on the regeneration of these cultivars

Participatory Plant Breeding for Organic Farming in France, the cauliflower experience at the PAIS

The availability of organic seeds is a great problem for organic farmers. The private sector of plant breeding meets difficulties to answer to the organic farming (OF) demand, characterized by small quantities and a great diversity of criteria and by breeding methods which respect the natural species characteristics (see IFOAM Draft Standard on organic seeds and plant breeding). So, the organic sector is organizing breeding and seed production by itself In France, since 2001, a Brittany regional organic umbrella (IBB, Inter Bio Bretagne), and some researchers from the national institute for agronomical research (INRA) have initiated a breeding program for organic production and a participatory plant breeding (PPB) program for organic cabbages and cauliflowers in Brittany, from the evaluation of genetic resources of several European gene Banks. In the PPB, the farmers are taking in charge breeding and seed production of open pollinated varieties. Several types were kept and bred, depending on the way of production and commercialization for each farmer. In the northern Brittany, farmers have not forgotten the traditional production of cauliflower seeds. PAIS, the agrobiological experimental station of IBB on the organic site of an agricultural school (Suscinio, Morlaix), is the meeting point for all the involved actors (farmers, traders, trainers, researchers…). There, the farmers and traders can find technical and scientific information, and they can share their experiences from the plant selection to seed production. Today, other French PPB initiatives involve several species and organic farmers groups, to promote biodiversity and a best adaptation to a local production: durum wheat in the Mediterranean area, bread wheat with the “paysan-boulangers”, maize and sunflower in the South-West of the country, tomato in the South-East, radishes, parsnip and summer cauliflower, in Pays de Loire. From these experiences, the PPB for organic farming consists in the constitution of the organic farmers group with the creation of exchange space for researchers and others organic actors, the definition of the priority in matters of crops, the discovering and selection of genetic resources in the farmers fields, the exchange of experiences and genetic resources through formal and informal, regional, national or international, farmer and organic professional meetings (accompanied by researchers and often enlarged to gardeners and trainers). The seed distribution has been depending on the French legislative evolution. By nature, the varieties issued from PPB could not fill the DUS (Distinction, Uniformity, Stability) characteristics for registration. And mainly, by ethics, the organic way of development should enhance the ancestral link between the plant and the farmers, link which needs exchanges to allow the evolution of the crops and the conservation of a living biodiversity

Plant breeding for organic farming: current status and problems in Europe

Compendium is a part of Deliverable 4 of 6th FP SSA project “Environmental friendly food production system: requirements for plant breeding and seed production” (ENVIRFOOD) and contains information about current status and problems in EU regarding to organic plant breeding

Use of DNA-based genetic markers in plant breeding

Genetic markers have been used since the beginnings of plant breeding, but the concept of linkage and recently the availability of molecular markers have offered new and powerful tools that can help to perform the traditional tasks of selection or that can change the traditional breeding process. Markers can either be used in a descriptive manner to identify varieties, to study the ‘micro-evolution’ of composite crosses or variety mixtures or to analyse the breeding progress retrospectively in order to learn from the past. The operative use of markers in plant breeding is connected to the selection of parental lines and progeny lines. The possible implementation of these processes stretches from the introgression of specific chromosome fragments to ‘marker-based idiotype breeding’

Hybrid Varieties for Organic Cereals? Prospects and acceptance of hybrid breeding for organic production

Hybrid breeding utilizes the advantages characterizing F1 plants in a targeted manner: Vigour, uniformity, and a combination of all dominant traits of the parental lines. It gives breeders secure licences, as farmers can not save seed from hybrid varieties with a view to replanting. Regarding rye, the current advantages of hybrid varieties are primarily the higher yields but also improved resistances to lodging and sprouting. However, farmers can only benefit from higher yields if the limited market for organic rye in Switzerland can be expanded. The currently available hybrid rye varieties have higher susceptibility to leaf rust and ergot infections. The criticism of hybrid breeding and hybrid varieties concerns four areas: Firstly, the area of intrinsic quality: There are concerns, especially in the biodynamic movement, that continued inbreeding and pollen sterility as part of the breeding process will lead to losses regarding the more subtle ripening and nutritional qualities. This poses the question of adequate research methods. There is still considerable need for research. Secondly, the area of socio-economics: The fact that seed from hybrid varieties can not be saved and replanted leads to greater dependence on breeders and seed producers on the part of the farmers. At present this is not regarded as a problem in Switzerland as most farmers purchase new seed every year in any case but in the long term it renders agriculture liable to corruption. Thirdly, the ethical field: Some people have concerns regarding the breeders’ intervention into the flowering biology of the relevant cereal species. These interventions are at variance with the basic ethical-philosophical tenets of organic agriculture. Moreover, the fact that the hybrid varieties can not be saved and replanted effectively constitutes “patent protection” and promotes the ethically questionable change in meaning of seed from a cultural asset to a mere means of production. Fourthly: Hybrid varieties of self-sterile plants (e.g. rye) are genetically more vulnerable to environmental influences which were not considered during selection. This point is less relevant as regards self-fertile plants (oilseed rape, barley, wheat) as even today’s pureline varieties are already very uniform. It must be noted that amongst all hybrid varieties which are based on male sterility many so-called “different” varieties may share the same cytoplasm. As the criticisms regarding dependencies and genetic vulnerability only concern the future and the ethical concerns are not shared by everyone, it is the quality issue which is of particular relevance regarding the pending decision on whether or not to ban hybrid varieties in organic bread cereal production in Switzerland. Further research is essential. However, if one is to wait for the relevant results before taking a decision, this will certainly be too late. It would be more realistic to integrate a review clause into a potential decision to refrain from the use of hybrid varieties. Abstaining from the use of hybrid varieties in organic bread cereal production in Switzerland would give a clear signal to upstream and downstream sectors (breeders/trade and consumers respectively) that organic farming strives to consider long-term and future aspects of independence, quality, and diversity and that it would be ready to forego current agronomic advantages to this end. This would need to be clearly communicated to the trade sector when it comes to discussions on market prices

Genetical genomics dissection of cotton fiber quality

Cotton fiber is a commodity of key economic importance in both developed and developing countries. The two cultivated species, Gossypium hirsutum and G. barbadense , are tetraploid (2n=1x= 52 . 2.3 Gb). Cotton fibers are single-celled trichomes of the outermost epidermallayer of the ovule and elongate extensively to 25-50 mm. The final quality of the fiber results from complex developmentai processes and improvement of cotton fiber quality remains a challenge for many research groups worldwide. Although traditional breeding methods have proven efficient, the contribution of molecular genetics and genomic tools are gaining interest and the cotton fiber transcriptome has attracted a lot of attention in recent years. The major objective of the project (acronym Cotton_RILs) sponsored by the French National Research Agency (ANR) , is the genetic and genomic dissection of important fiber quality characteristics using a combination of classical QTL mapping and of gene expression QTL mapping. The integrated genetics and genomics approach (or genetical genomics approach) in this project is centered on a population of interspecific G. hirsutum X G. harhadense recombinant inbred lines (RILs) created by CIRAD. Specifie objectives are, 1. Construction of a saturated genetic map, 2. QTL mapping through multi-site phenotypic evaluation on 1 continents. 3. Population-wide gene expression analysis through microarray and cDNA-AFLP profilings and for 1 or 2 key developmental stages, and 4. Genetic fine mapping of selected QTLs using a large F, population. The 3 participants in the project. CIRAD (Montpellier, France) . Bayer Crop Science (Gent . Belgium). and CSIRü (Canberra , Australia) , have active research programs in applied genetics both through c1assical breeding and using modern biotechnology. Past achievements of the 3 laboratories are recognized worldwide and they are highly complementary in terms of their scientific expertise. Apart from greenhouses and biotechnology laboratories in their respective primary sites, they provide access to a broad range of field experimental sites on 4 continents, in Brazil and Cameroon through CIRAD partnerships and in the USA for Bayer CS. (Texte intégral