Genetic plant improvement and climate changes

Abstract

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Contribuição da Embrapa na produção de novas cultivares de plantas e seu impacto na agricultura

“…This implies not only the intensification of production systems for classic routes, but also routes in search of innovative technology, in relation to the models and production strategies, intensive use of advanced genetics, new inputs, among others. b) Genetic improvement and global climate change -The global simulation models, despite being still limited, suggest major vulnerabilities in the tropics due to extreme events that are becoming more frequent, such as temperatures rising and changes in rainfall distribution and intensity (Marengo 2007, Assad et al 2008, Ramalho et al 2009). From the agriculture standpoint, these events may involve loss of biodiversity, changes in water availability, changes in the ecology of pests and diseases, etc.…”

Climate Change: New Breeding Pressures and Goals

“…One of the predictions is that the number of undernourished people would have increased by 150% in the Middle East and North Africa and by 300% in sub-Saharan Africa by the year 2080, compared with 1990 (Tubiello and Fischer, 2007). Thus, aggressive agricultural productivity investments are needed to raise calorie consumption enough to offset the negative impacts of climate change on the health and well-being of children (Nelson et al, 2009;Ramalho et al, 2009). If climate change reduces production while populations increase, there is likely to be more hunger.…”

“…In this scenario, given that plant breeding has been a success story in increasing yield, it can help in developing new cultivars with enhanced traits better suited to adapt to climate change conditions using both conventional and genomic technologies (Dixon et al, 2006;Habash et al, 2009). The genetic improvement of plants, based on experiences of the past, is an area that can make contributions to the adaptation of plants to the new agricultural scenario of the coming years (Ramalho et al, 2009). The genetic improvement of plants, based on experiences of the past, is an area that can make contributions to the adaptation of plants to the new agricultural scenario of the coming years (Ramalho et al, 2009).…”

BRS Cipotânea and BRS Diamantina: maize varieties

“…The wide range of maize cultivars on the market is extremely favorable for Brazilian agriculture, because it leads to constant improvements in yield and quality (Ramalho et al 2009). The main maize breeding goals focus on yield and yield-related factors, such as uniformity, stability and adaptability (Pacheco et al 2002).…”