Gene editing techniques are being explored to improve food plant breeding, offering quicker and more efficient ways to develop high-yield and disease-resistant crops.
The article discusses the advancements in plant breeding techniques, particularly focusing on the use of gene editing technologies that promise to enhance the efficiency of developing better plant varieties. Traditional breeding methods are slow and labor-intensive, often resulting in the selection of only a few candidates from thousands of plants after numerous crossbreeding attempts. New breeding technologies aim to allow selective improvement of the best varieties while incorporating genes from plants with traditionally lower breeding values.
The piece emphasizes the distinction between genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and gene-edited plants, highlighting that researchers have suggested a clear definition should be made whereby gene transfer methods only utilize genes from plants that can be conventionally crossed. By using laboratory methods for gene transfer, it is possible to prevent the introduction of undesirable genes into modern varieties, thus pushing the boundaries of what's achievable in crop improvement.
As plant breeders work towards enhancing already good strains by adding specific new traits, the article points out the potential of novel genes that often come from plants with little to no breeding value. This implies a significant shift in plant breeding philosophy, where previously ignored plant genetics could play a crucial role in developing resilient and high-performing crops, ultimately benefiting agricultural productivity.
