Research priorities for next-generation breeding of tropical forages in Brazil

Jorge Fernando Pereira,Antonio Vander Pereira,Marco Pessoa-Filho,Elisson Antonio Da Costa Romanel,Marcelo Mattos Cavallari,Rosângela Maria Simeão,Giovani Greigh De Brito,Francisco José Da Silva Ledo,Fausto De Souza Sobrinho,Juarez Campolina Machado,Flávio Rodrigo Gandolfi Benites,Bianca Baccili Zanotto Vigna,Karem Guimarães Xavier Meireles,Ana Luisa Sousa Azevedo

doi:10.1590/1984-70332018v18n3n46

Jorge Fernando Pereira, Antonio Vander Pereira + Show 12 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/1984-70332018v18n3n46

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Abstract

ABSTRACT: Pasture is the main food source for more than 200 million cattle heads in Brazil. Although Brazilian forage breeding programs have successfully released well-adapted, high-yielding cultivars over the years, the use of genomic tools in these programs is currently limited. These tools are required to tackle the main challenges for tropical forage breeding in Brazil. In this context, this notes lists the main research priorities raised at the workshop ?Breeding Forages in the Genomic Era?, which are necessary to accelerate the use of genomic tools for next-generation breeding of tropical forages and allow breeders to increase genetic gains. Additionally, an online discussion forum (hosted at http://www.cnpgl.embrapa.br/genfor) has been launched to strengthen collaborations among research groups. The research priorities and more synergistic collaborations will assist researchers and decision-makers in delivering a sustainable increase in production of animal products, especially beef and milk, which are required to feed a rising world population.

Highlights

A revolution in plant breeding has been led by the availability of genomic information that is crucial to answer relevant biological questions and to pave new ways for basic and applied research
To tackle the main challenges for tropical forage breeding in Brazil, the genetic gains for important traits need to be increased, and the timeframe required for developing cultivars needs to be shortened
Genomic information in tropical forages is required to pave the way for next-generation breeding, which refers to the use of different tools that allow breeders to achieve increased genetic gains (Barabaschi et al 2016)

Summary

INTRODUCTION

A revolution in plant breeding has been led by the availability of genomic information that is crucial to answer relevant biological questions and to pave new ways for basic and applied research. To increase productivity in pasturelands, Brazilian tropical forage breeding programs will have to address challenges such as (i) reduction of losses due to biotic stresses, especially spittlebug attacks, (ii) increase of adaptation, based on forecasted climate changes (especially heat, drought, and flood tolerance), and (iii) improvement of nutritive value for better animal performance (more beef and milk per kg of pasture). An association of these challenges is concerning since climate change can impact forage nutritive value and spittlebug development (Wheeler and Reynolds 2013, Fonseca et al 2016)

LACK OF GENOMIC INFORMATION FOR TROPICAL FORAGES

Implementation of genomic selection

Findings

FINAL CONSIDERATIONS