Abstract
The question of how to feed the growing world population is very old, but because of the increase of population and possible climate change, currently it has an explosive impact. Plant breeding can be considered as the starting point for the whole human food chain. Therefore, high, stable and highly digestible yields of phytogenic biomass with low external inputs of non-renewable resources, such as water, fuel, arable land, fertilizers, etc.; low emissions of gases with greenhouse potential during cultivation; and high resistance against biotic and abiotic stressors, including adaptation to potential climate change, and a low concentration of undesirable substances in the plants are real challenges for plant breeders in the future. Virtually unlimited resources such as sunlight, nitrogen and carbon dioxide from the air as well as the genetic pool of microbes, plants and animals can be used to breed/develop optimal plants/crops. Biofortification of plants may also be an objective of plants breeders, but it is more important for human nutrition to avoid micronutrient deficiencies. A lower concentration of undesirable substances in the plants can be considered as more important than higher concentrations of micronutrients in plants/feeds. Animal nutritionists have various possibilities for feed additive supplementation to meet animal nutrient requirements. Examples to reduce undesirable substances in feed plants are discussed and shown in the paper. In summary, plant breeding has a large and strategic potential for global feed and food security. All breeding technologies may contribute to solving important global challenges, such as sustainable use of limited global resources, improved use of unlimited resources, adaption to climate change and lowering global greenhouse gas emission. More publically supported research seems to be necessary in this field. All methods of plant breeding that contribute to a more resource-efficient production of high and stable yields of available biomass should be used/combined.
Highlights
Feed accounts for 50% to 70% of the cost of production of animal protein
More people and a higher need for feed and food are associated with a growing demand for limited natural resources such as water, fuel, minerals, arable land, etc., and elevated emissions with greenhouse gas (GHG) potential such as carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O) and other substances (e.g., N, P, trace elements, etc.)
More people and a higher need for feed and food are associated with a growing demand for limited natural resources such as water, fuel, minerals, arable land, etc., as well as elevated emissions with greenhouse gas potential
Summary
Feed accounts for 50% to 70% of the cost of production of animal protein (i.e., meat, milk and eggs). Feed production consumes high amounts of limited natural resources such as water, land area, fuel, fertilizers, etc. Feed efficiency or feed conversion (amount of feed per product of animal origin such as milk, eggs, meat or fish) is a potential parameter to assess feed utilization in animal nutrition [1,2]. Biotechnology or green chemistry [9], may result in changing of composition and nutritive value of feed plants. The objective of the present paper is to analyze challenges for plant breeding under special consideration of high and stable yields, efficient use of limited resources and reduction of the content of undesirable ingredients in feed plants
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