Conventional Breeding Technologies Research Articles

ROLE OF CRISPR TO IMPROVE STRESS TOLERANCE IN PLANTS

Climate changes and increasing human population is experiencing by most of the countries throughout the world, so, for production of crops with enhanced adaptation to the environment and high yield reliance through conventional breeding technologies seemed to be fully supporting now a days. It requires those techniques that increase crop yield in less time through developing resistance of plants for stress factors. Fortunately, for improvement of crops under the abiotic and biotic stress conditions, clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR) approach provided a way towards new horizon and consequently revolutionizing the plant breeding approach. This review article presents the optimization and mechanism of CRISPR strategy and its huge number of applications for crop improvement like domestication, fruit quality improvement, resistance to abiotic and biotic stresses is most highlighted aspect. In this review article there is a brief summary about CRISPR/Cas9 technique and its role in increasing agricultural yield by gene knock in or knock out. It also presents number of evidence based studies where this approach has been used for making plants resistant to biotic factors. Future perspectives and controversies have also been discussed.

Integrating speed breeding with artificial intelligence for developing climate-smart crops.

IntroductionIn climate change, breeding crop plants with improved productivity, sustainability, and adaptability has become a daunting challenge to ensure global food security for the ever-growing global population. Correspondingly, climate-smart crops are also the need to regulate biomass production, which is imperative for the maintenance of ecosystem services worldwide. Since conventional breeding technologies for crop improvement are limited, time-consuming, and involve laborious selection processes to foster new and improved crop varieties. An urgent need is to accelerate the plant breeding cycle using artificial intelligence (AI) to depict plant responses to environmental perturbations in real-time.Materials and methodsThe review is a collection of authorized information from various sources such as journals, books, book chapters, technical bulletins, conference papers, and verified online contents.ConclusionsSpeed breeding has emerged as an essential strategy for accelerating the breeding cycles of crop plants by growing them under artificial light and temperature conditions. Furthermore, speed breeding can also integrate marker-assisted selection and cutting-edged gene-editing tools for early selection and manipulation of essential crops with superior agronomic traits. Scientists have recently applied next-generation AI to delve deeper into the complex biological and molecular mechanisms that govern plant functions under environmental cues. In addition, AIs can integrate, assimilate, and analyze complex OMICS data sets, an essential prerequisite for successful speed breeding protocol implementation to breed crop plants with superior yield and adaptability.

CRISPR Cas-9: A genome editing tool for the improvement of horticultural crops: A review

Horticultural crops, being a prime source of essential nutrients, staple food and foreign exchange for a large part of human population, exhibit a unique status among growers and consumers. Ever increasing population across the world and changing climate conditions are badly affecting food security. Urgent needed improvement of production and enhanced adaptation to changing environmental conditions of horticultural crops seems unlikely to be met by conventional breeding technologies. Fortunately, one of the modern molecular techniques namely “clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)” technology has opened a new window to genetically improve these crops. Employing CRISPR technology, many crops for instance tomato, potato, watermelon and grapes have been successfully genetically engineered in order to improve their nutritional value and enhance adaptability towards changing climates. In the same way, resistance against many potential diseases have been developed modifying the genetics of certain horticultural crops. In this mini review, we have briefly discussed the successful CRISPR-Cas9 based studies conducted in horticultural crops and tried to present valuable source for the horticulturists working on biotic and abiotic stresses.

Expert and public perceptions of gene-edited crops: attitude changes in relation to scientific knowledge

This study empirically examined expert and public attitudes toward applying gene editing to agricultural crops compared with attitudes toward other genetic modification and conventional breeding technologies. Regulations regarding the application of gene editing on food are being debated around the world. New policy measures often face issues of public acceptance and consensus formation; however, reliable quantitative evidence of public perception toward such emerging breeding technologies is scarce. To fill this gap, two web-based surveys were conducted in Japan from December 2016 to February 2017. Participants (N = 3197) were categorised into three groups based on the domain-specific scientific knowledge levels (molecular biology experts, experts in other fields, and lay public). Statistical analysis revealed group differences in risk, benefit, and value perceptions of different technologies. Molecular biology experts had higher benefit and value perceptions, as well as lower risk perceptions regarding new technologies (gene editing and genetic modification). Although the lay public tended to have more favourable attitudes toward gene editing than toward genetic modification, such differences were much smaller than the differences between conventional breeding and genetic modification. The experts in other fields showed some characteristics that are similar to the experts in molecular biology in value perceptions, while showing some characteristics that are similar to the lay public in risk perceptions. The further statistical analyses of lay attitudes revealed the influence of science literacy on attitudinal change toward crops grown with new breeding technologies in benefit perceptions but not in risk or value perceptions. Such results promoted understanding on distinguishing conditions where deficit model explanation types are valid and conditions where they are not.

Recent advances in CRISPR/Cas mediated genome editing for crop improvement

Plant breeding is one of the oldest sustainable agriculture methods used to increase the yield, quality and other biomaterial for human use. Many crops like fruits, vegetables, ornamental flowers, shrubs and trees, have been long cultivated to satisfy human food and aesthetical needs. Conventional breeding technologies like selection, hybridization, mutation through physical and chemical methods, and modern transgenic approaches are often used to improve the desired traits without inducing the pleiotropic effects. But these breeding methods are highly laborious and complicated to enhance crop production. Recently, targeted genome editing through engineered nuclease including zinc finger nuclease, transcription activator like effector nuclease and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPRs) have been used to improve various traits in plants. Genome editing has emerged as a novel alternative approach to classical breeding with higher mutagenic efficiency. Here, we briefly cover the strengths of CRISPRs in comparison with other genome editing techniques. We also discuss its potential applications in genetic improvement of various crops and future prospective.

Targeted genome editing, an alternative tool for trait improvement in horticultural crops

Abstract Improving crops through plant breeding, an important approach for sustainable agriculture, has been utilized to increase the yield and quality of foods and other biomaterials for human use. Crops, including cereals, vegetables, ornamental flowers, fruits, and trees, have long been cultivated to produce high-quality products for human consumption. Conventional breeding technologies, such as natural cross-hybridization, mutation induction through physical or chemical mutagenesis, and modern transgenic tools are often used to enhance crop production. However, these breeding methods are sometimes laborious and complicated, especially when attempting to improve desired traits without inducing pleiotropic effects. Recently, targeted genome editing (TGE) technology using engineered nucleases, including meganucleases, zinc finger nucleases (ZFNs), transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs), and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR) nucleases, has been used to improve the traits of economically important plants. TGE has emerged as a novel plant-breeding tool that represents an alternative approach to classical breeding, but with higher mutagenic efficiency. Here, we briefly describe the basic principles of TGE and the types of engineered nucleases utilized, along with their advantages and disadvantages. We also discuss their potential use to improve the traits of horticultural crops through genome engineering.

People’s reliance on the affect heuristic may result in a biased perception of gene technology

In an experiment, we demonstrated that the same outcome of a new corn variety was evaluated less positively if it was from gene technology (GT) compared with conventional breeding technology (CT). The participants (N=205) were randomly assigned to one of two experimental conditions—GT or CT. In the first step, the participants’ affect associated with GT or CT plants was measured. Then, the participants read a hypothetical scenario about a new genetically modified (GT condition) or conventionally produced (CT condition) corn variety that was more resistant to the corn borer. They were presented with a matrix in which 1976 black (50%) and white (50%) cells were randomly scattered. The participants were informed that each cell represented a test plot and that the corn plants in the white test plots were not damaged by the corn borer. The participants were then asked to estimate the percentage of the plots infested by the corn borer and how effective they perceived the new corn variety was in resisting the pest. The results indicated that the participants assigned to the GT condition perceived the new corn variety as significantly less effective compared with the participants assigned to the CT condition. No significant difference was observed for estimated percentages. The results suggest that the difference in perceived effectiveness between genetically modified and conventionally bred corn can be explained by people’s reliance on the affect heuristic.

CALLUS AND PLANTLETS PRODUCED FROM IN VITRO CULTURE OF ANTHERS OF ACTINIDIA CHINENSIS

Homozygous genotypes are valuable for genomic and genetic studies in higher plants, but obtaining homozygous perennial plants using conventional breeding technologies is challenging, with the long times and large field areas required for several back-crossed generations. It is especially difficult with Actinidia because of dioecy, long generation times, high heterozygosity and variation in ploidy from diploid to octoploid. In vitro androgenesis through anther or microspore culture offers a route to develop the haploid and dihaploid plants often used in modern crop breeding, genetics and genomic studies. I report in vitro culture of anthers of six genotypes of diploid Actinidia chinensis resulting in production of callus and regeneration of plantlets. Preliminary results showed that genotype, plant growth regulators, the stage of microspore development and pre-treatments (cold, heat shock) all affected callus formation. Confirmation of their callus origin, homozygosity and determination of the ploidy levels of plantlets are underway.

Community-based livestock breeding programmes: essentials and examples.

Breeding programmes described as community-based (CBBP) typically relate to low-input systems with farmers having a common interest to improve and share their genetic resources. CBBPs are more frequent with keepers of small ruminants, in particular smallholders of local breeds, than with cattle, pigs or chickens with which farmers may have easier access to alternative programmes. Constraints that limit the adoption of conventional breeding technologies in low-input systems cover a range of organizational and technical aspects. The analysis of 8 CBBPs located in countries of Latin-America, Africa and Asia highlights the importance of bottom-up approaches and involvement of local institutions in the planning and implementation stages. The analysis also reveals a high dependence of these programmes on organizational, technical and financial support. Completely self-sustained CBBPs seem to be difficult to realize. There is a need to implement and document formal socio-economic evaluations of CBBPs to provide governments and other development agencies with the information necessary for creating sustainable CBBPs at larger scales.

The Emission Factors Determination at Different Breeding Technology of Laying Hens

The study deals with emission factor determination at different breeding technology of lying hens. Concentration of ammonia and greenhouse gases were investigated under the laboratory condition for hens breeding of enriched cages, in comparison with conventional breeding technology with exhaust air cross flow (1), technology for layered straw on to dropping belt (2) and technology with exhaust air under the cage’s grate (3).

Recent advances in rice biotechnology—towards genetically superior transgenic rice

Rice biotechnology has made rapid advances since the first transgenic rice plants were produced 15 years ago. Over the past decade, this progress has resulted in the development of high frequency, routine and reproducible genetic transformation protocols for rice. This technology has been applied to produce rice plants that withstand several abiotic stresses, as well as to gain tolerance against various pests and diseases. In addition, quality improving and increased nutritional value traits have also been introduced into rice. Most of these gains were not possible through conventional breeding technologies. Transgenic rice system has been used to understand the process of transformation itself, the integration pattern of transgene as well as to modulate gene expression. Field trials of transgenic rice, especially insect-resistant rice, have recently been performed and several other studies that are prerequisite for safe release of transgenic crops have been initiated. New molecular improvisations such as inducible expression of transgene and selectable marker-free technology will help in producing superior transgenic product. It is also a step towards alleviating public concerns relating to issues of transgenic technology and to gain regulatory approval. Knowledge gained from rice can also be applied to improve other cereals. The completion of the rice genome sequencing together with a rich collection of full-length cDNA resources has opened up a plethora of opportunities, paving the way to integrate data from the large-scale projects to solve specific biological problems.

우리 나라 담배 병 연구의 어제와 오늘

Tobacco diseases have not been recorded until 1900s in Korea, where tobacco plants were introduced at early 1700s. Practical researches on the disease have been conducted since mid 1960s. Major ten tobacco diseases were mosaic caused by tobacco mosaic virus·potato virus Y·cucumber mosaic virus, bacterial wilt, hollow stalk, wild fire caused by angular leaf spot strain, black shank, brown spot, powdery mildew and fusarium wilt. But their annual occurrences were varied according to changes of tobacco varieties and their cultivating practices. As no useful chemicals, several biological tactics have been developed to control the viral or bacterial diseases that give significant economic damages on sustainable crop yield, but not practicable to field farming condition yet. Transgenic tobacco plants containing foreign disease resistant genes have been developed by current bio-technology, but not released to farmers yet. Though some disease-resistant tobacco varieties have been developed by the conventional breeding technology and currently used by farmers, their disease controlling efficacy have been diminished by occurrence of the new strain or race. Future research on tobacco diseases has been focused on technical development to produce high quality tobacco with less production cost, which leads Korean tobacco industry to keep its competence against foreign industry and decreasing overall market.

Biotechnology and Agriculture in Today's World

The application of biotechnology, in terms of using the full range of scientific biological information available, is in its infancy. Although there are concerns being raised by the public that need to be carefully addressed, farmers are adopting the new technologies at an unprecedented rate, and the pipeline is full of new products of more obvious benefit to the consumer. Biotechnology will unlock some of the genetic variation available in the extensive genetic resource collections. Conventional breeding technologies require the crossing of these exotic collections, thus introducing many unwanted genetic traits. Biotechnology will allow the transfer of less than the whole genome, thus allowing easier utilization of these rich genetic resources. The application of molecular genetic markers is efficient for the backcrossing of single-gene traits and will become increasingly important for more complex traits such as those of quality protein maize, where modifier genes play a prominent role. Genomics—the study of the whole genome—is providing unprecedented information useful for the genetic manipulation of crop species. Understanding the structure and function of every gene in a plant will lead to many innovative applications. DNA chip or microarray technologies will allow every gene to be monitored. Comparative mapping indicates great similarity among broadly related species and indicates that genomics knowledge for rice and other model species will be quite informative. With respect to the improvement of human nutrition, a database on nutritional genomics related to crop plants would allow even greater progress than can be made with conventional techniques.