AGRI 106 - Genetics in Agriculture

 The world of genes

Since the 1920s, the use of genetics to grow new strains of plants and animals has brought substantial changes in agriculture. Only at the beginning of the 20th century was genetics developed as a science dealing with the concepts of heredity and variation in plants and animals. Later came its application to practical issues.

Extremely stable are the chromosomes. However, means of assortment, segregation, and recombination of genetic factors are present during sexual reproduction processes. Thus, within a population, enormous genetic diversity is provided. In order to adapt it to particular applications, this variability makes possible the improvements that can be made within a species. Variability is often contributed by occasional mutations (spontaneous changes) in genes.

Of course, the study of genetics did not await the creation of new strains of plants and animals, and some advances were made by observational methods even after the application of genetic science to agriculture. Luther Burbank, the U.S. plant breeder, created the Burbank potato as early as 1873 without any formal knowledge of genetic principles and continued his plant-breeding experiments, which produced several new fruit and vegetable varieties. In some instances, both practical experience and scientific knowledge contributed to major technological achievements. An example is the development of hybrid corn.

Genetic Engineering

Since World War II, the application of genetics to agriculture has resulted in major increases in the production of many crops. This was most evident in the maize and grain sorghum hybrid strains. At the same time, crossbreeding has led to even more active wheat and rice strains. These methods, called artificial selection or selective breeding, have become components of a wider and more controversial area called genetic engineering.

The development of techniques to purposefully modify the functions of genes by manipulating the recombination of DNA has been of particular interest to plant breeders. This made it possible for researchers to focus on growing plants with qualities that they did not naturally have, such as the ability to use free nitrogen or to resist diseases.

Animal Breeding

In the twentieth century, the objective of animal breeders was to produce animal types that would meet consumer demands, be efficient under adverse climatic conditions and be successful in turning feed into animal products. At the same time, through improved range management, better feeding practices, and the eradication of diseases and harmful insects, farmers have increased meat production. Since World War II, the world production of meat has been steadily increasing.

Resources

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

http://www.fao.org/genetic-resources/en/

Frontier in Plant Science

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2020.00531/full

Nature Research

https://www.nature.com/subjects/agricultural-genetics#:~:text=Definition,crop%20plants%20and%20farm%20animals.