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Journal of Plant Physiology Feb 2021Climate change during the last 40 years has had a serious impact on agriculture and threatens global food and nutritional security. From over half a million plant... (Review)
Review
Climate change during the last 40 years has had a serious impact on agriculture and threatens global food and nutritional security. From over half a million plant species, cereals and legumes are the most important for food and nutritional security. Although systematic plant breeding has a relatively short history, conventional breeding coupled with advances in technology and crop management strategies has increased crop yields by 56 % globally between 1965-85, referred to as the Green Revolution. Nevertheless, increased demand for food, feed, fiber, and fuel necessitates the need to break existing yield barriers in many crop plants. In the first decade of the 21st century we witnessed rapid discovery, transformative technological development and declining costs of genomics technologies. In the second decade, the field turned towards making sense of the vast amount of genomic information and subsequently moved towards accurately predicting gene-to-phenotype associations and tailoring plants for climate resilience and global food security. In this review we focus on genomic resources, genome and germplasm sequencing, sequencing-based trait mapping, and genomics-assisted breeding approaches aimed at developing biotic stress resistant, abiotic stress tolerant and high nutrition varieties in six major cereals (rice, maize, wheat, barley, sorghum and pearl millet), and six major legumes (soybean, groundnut, cowpea, common bean, chickpea and pigeonpea). We further provide a perspective and way forward to use genomic breeding approaches including marker-assisted selection, marker-assisted backcrossing, haplotype based breeding and genomic prediction approaches coupled with machine learning and artificial intelligence, to speed breeding approaches. The overall goal is to accelerate genetic gains and deliver climate resilient and high nutrition crop varieties for sustainable agriculture.
Topics: Agriculture; Crops, Agricultural; Genome, Plant; Genomics; Plant Breeding
PubMed: 33412425
DOI: 10.1016/j.jplph.2020.153351 -
Emerging Topics in Life Sciences Dec 2023In the current scenario of climate change, global agricultural systems are facing remarkable challenges in order to increase production, while reducing the negative... (Review)
Review
In the current scenario of climate change, global agricultural systems are facing remarkable challenges in order to increase production, while reducing the negative environmental impact. Nano-enabled technologies have the potential to revolutionise farming practices by increasing the efficiency of inputs and minimising losses, as well as contributing to sustainable agriculture. Two promising applications of nanotechnology in agriculture are nanobiosensors and nanoformulations (NFs). Nanobiosensors can help detect biotic and abiotic stresses in plants before they affect plant production, while NFs can make agrochemicals, more efficient and less polluting. NFs are becoming new-age materials with a wide variety of nanoparticle-based formulations such as fertilisers, herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides. They facilitate the site-targeted controlled delivery of agrochemicals enhancing their efficiency and reducing dosages. Smart farming aims to monitor and detect parameters related to plant health and environmental conditions in order to help sustainable agriculture. Nanobiosensors can provide real-time analytical data, including detection of nutrient levels, metabolites, pesticides, presence of pathogens, soil moisture, and temperature, aiding in precision farming practices, and optimising resource usage. In this review, we summarise recent innovative uses of NFs and nanobiosensors in agriculture that may boost crop protection and production, as well as reducing the negative environmental impact of agricultural activities. However, successful implementation of these smart technologies would require two special considerations: (i) educating farmers about appropriate use of nanotechnology, (ii) conducting field trials to ensure effectiveness under real conditions.
Topics: Agriculture; Pesticides; Agrochemicals; Nanotechnology; Farms; Plants
PubMed: 37921102
DOI: 10.1042/ETLS20230070 -
Journal of Zhejiang University....Agriculture is the foundation of social development. Under the pressure of population growth, natural disasters, environmental pollution, climate change, and food... (Review)
Review
Agriculture is the foundation of social development. Under the pressure of population growth, natural disasters, environmental pollution, climate change, and food safety, the interdisciplinary "new agriculture" is becoming an important trend of modern agriculture. In fact, new agriculture is not only the foundation of great health and new energy sources, but is also the cornerstone of national food security, energy security, and biosafety. Hydrogen agronomy focuses mainly on the mechanism of hydrogen gas (H) biology effects in agriculture, and provides a theoretical foundation for the practice of hydrogen agriculture, a component of the new agriculture. Previous research on the biological effects of H focused chiefly on medicine. The mechanism of selective antioxidant is the main theoretical basis of hydrogen medicine. Subsequent experiments have demonstrated that H can regulate the growth and development of plant crops, edible fungus, and livestock, and enhance the tolerance of these agriculturally important organisms against abiotic and biotic stresses. Even more importantly, H can regulate the growth and development of crops by changing the soil microbial community composition and structure. Use of H can also improve the nutritional value and postharvest quality of agricultural products. Researchers have also shown that the biological functions of molecular hydrogen are mediated by modulating reactive oxygen species (ROS), nitric oxide (NO), and carbon monoxide (CO) signaling cascades in plants and microbes. This review summarizes and clarifies the history of hydrogen agronomy and describes recent progress in the field. We also argue that emerging hydrogen agriculture will be an important direction in the new agriculture. Further, we discuss several scientific problems in hydrogen agronomy, and suggest that the future of hydrogen agronomy depends on contributions by multiple disciplines. Important future research directions of hydrogen agronomy include hydrogen agriculture in special environments, such as islands, reefs, aircraft, and outer space.
Topics: Agriculture; Carbon Monoxide; Climate Change; Crops, Agricultural; Food Safety; Hydrogen; Microbiota; Nitric Oxide; Reactive Oxygen Species; Soil; Soil Microbiology
PubMed: 33150769
DOI: 10.1631/jzus.B2000386 -
Viruses Jun 2019Initially described a century ago by William Twort and Felix d'Herelle, bacteriophages are bacterial viruses found ubiquitously in nature, located wherever their host... (Review)
Review
Initially described a century ago by William Twort and Felix d'Herelle, bacteriophages are bacterial viruses found ubiquitously in nature, located wherever their host cells are present. Translated literally, bacteriophage (phage) means 'bacteria eater'. Phages interact and infect specific bacteria while not affecting other bacteria or cell lines of other organisms. Due to the specificity of these phage-host interactions, the relationship between phages and their host cells has been the topic of much research. The advances in phage biology research have led to the exploitation of these phage-host interactions and the application of phages in the agricultural and food industry. Phages may provide an alternative to the use of antibiotics, as it is well known that the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections has become an epidemic in clinical settings. In agriculture, pre-harvest and/or post-harvest application of phages to crops may prevent the colonisation of bacteria that are detrimental to plant or human health. In addition, the abundance of data generated from genome sequencing has allowed the development of phage-derived bacterial detection systems of foodborne pathogens. This review aims to outline the specific interactions between phages and their host and how these interactions may be exploited and applied in the food industry.
Topics: Agriculture; Bacteria; Bacteriophages; Food Industry; Host Microbial Interactions; Phage Therapy
PubMed: 31216787
DOI: 10.3390/v11060567 -
Trends in Ecology & Evolution Oct 2021We challenge the widespread appraisal that organic farming is the fundamental alternative to conventional farming for harnessing biodiversity in agricultural landscapes.... (Review)
Review
We challenge the widespread appraisal that organic farming is the fundamental alternative to conventional farming for harnessing biodiversity in agricultural landscapes. Certification of organic production is largely restricted to banning synthetic agrochemicals, resulting in limited benefits for biodiversity but high yield losses despite ongoing intensification and specialisation. In contrast, successful agricultural measures to enhance biodiversity include diversifying cropland and reducing field size, which can multiply biodiversity while sustaining high yields in both conventional and organic systems. Achieving a landscape-level mosaic of natural habitat patches and fine-grained cropland diversification in both conventional and organic agriculture is key for promoting large-scale biodiversity. This needs to be urgently acknowledged by policy makers for an agricultural paradigm shift.
Topics: Agriculture; Biodiversity; Conservation of Natural Resources; Ecosystem; Organic Agriculture
PubMed: 34362590
DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2021.06.010 -
Current Biology : CB Dec 2023Climate change threatens global food and nutritional security through negative effects on crop growth and agricultural productivity. Many countries have adopted... (Review)
Review
Climate change threatens global food and nutritional security through negative effects on crop growth and agricultural productivity. Many countries have adopted ambitious climate change mitigation and adaptation targets that will exacerbate the problem, as they require significant changes in current agri-food systems. In this review, we provide a roadmap for improved crop production that encompasses the effective transfer of current knowledge into plant breeding and crop management strategies that will underpin sustainable agriculture intensification and climate resilience. We identify the main problem areas and highlight outstanding questions and potential solutions that can be applied to mitigate the impacts of climate change on crop growth and productivity. Although translation of scientific advances into crop production lags far behind current scientific knowledge and technology, we consider that a holistic approach, combining disciplines in collaborative efforts, can drive better connections between research, policy, and the needs of society.
Topics: Crops, Agricultural; Climate Change; Plant Breeding; Agriculture; Crop Production
PubMed: 38052178
DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.10.028 -
Molecular Plant Jan 2024People have grafted plants since antiquity for propagation, to increase yields, and to improve stress tolerance. This cutting and joining of tissues activates an... (Review)
Review
People have grafted plants since antiquity for propagation, to increase yields, and to improve stress tolerance. This cutting and joining of tissues activates an incredible regenerative ability as different plants fuse and grow as one. For over a hundred years, people have studied the scientific basis for how plants graft. Today, new techniques and a deepening knowledge of the molecular basis for graft formation have allowed a range of previously ungraftable combinations to emerge. Here, we review recent developments in our understanding of graft formation, including the attachment and vascular formation steps. We analyze why plants graft and how biotic and abiotic factors influence successful grafting. We also discuss the ability and inability of plants to graft, and how grafting has transformed both horticulture and fundamental plant science. As our knowledge about plant grafting improves, new combinations and techniques will emerge to allow an expanded use of grafting for horticultural applications and to address fundamental research questions.
Topics: Plants; Agriculture
PubMed: 38102831
DOI: 10.1016/j.molp.2023.12.006 -
International Journal of Environmental... Jul 2022Agricultural straw waste and livestock manure are often misplaced resources. The separation of planting and breeding has induced significant pressure on the environment.... (Review)
Review
Agricultural straw waste and livestock manure are often misplaced resources. The separation of planting and breeding has induced significant pressure on the environment. Thus, there is a growing need for a system that can integrate crop and livestock farming to improve resource efficiency. To clarify the current state of crop-livestock systems in China and elsewhere, a bibliometric analysis was conducted for a total of 18,628 published English and 3460 published Chinese research articles and dissertations on circular agriculture. The published research papers were taken from the ISI Web of Science and CNKI database to explore research hotpots, research methods, theme trends, and mainstream technical models of crop-livestock systems from 1981 to 2021. Recent progress in crop-livestock systems was analyzed from ecological, economic, social benefits, and stakeholder perspectives. The research results showed that compared with traditional agricultural models, crop-livestock systems had far more ecologic and social benefits, including gaining higher net income and input-output ratio, improving soil quality, and mitigating global warming. The drivers of crop-livestock systems' development were also analyzed from stakeholders' perspectives. The study provides insights into the development of circular agriculture by reducing the pollution risks of agricultural waste and improving both ecological and economic benefits of the system.
Topics: Agriculture; Animals; Bibliometrics; Farms; Livestock; Manure
PubMed: 35886413
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19148563 -
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) Oct 2022When adopting remote sensing techniques in precision agriculture, there are two main areas to consider: data acquisition and data analysis methodologies [...].
When adopting remote sensing techniques in precision agriculture, there are two main areas to consider: data acquisition and data analysis methodologies [...].
Topics: Remote Sensing Technology; Data Analysis; Agriculture
PubMed: 36298248
DOI: 10.3390/s22207898 -
Transgenic Research Apr 2022Traditional breeding techniques, applied incrementally over thousands of years, have yielded huge benefits in the characteristics of agricultural animals. This is a... (Review)
Review
Traditional breeding techniques, applied incrementally over thousands of years, have yielded huge benefits in the characteristics of agricultural animals. This is a result of significant, measurable changes to the genomes of those animal species and breeds. Genome editing techniques may now be applied to achieve targeted DNA sequence alterations, with the potential to affect traits of interest to production of agricultural animals in just one generation. New opportunities arise to improve characteristics difficult to achieve or not amenable to traditional breeding, including disease resistance, and traits that can improve animal welfare, reduce environmental impact, or mitigate impacts of climate change. Countries and supranational institutions are in the process of defining regulatory approaches for genome edited animals and can benefit from sharing approaches and experiences to institute progressive policies in which regulatory oversight is scaled to the particular level of risk involved. To facilitate information sharing and discussion on animal biotechnology, an international community of researchers, developers, breeders, regulators, and communicators recently held a series of seven virtual workshop sessions on applications of biotechnology for animal agriculture, food and environmental safety assessment, regulatory approaches, and market and consumer acceptance. In this report, we summarize the topics presented in the workshop sessions, as well as discussions coming out of the breakout sessions. This is framed within the context of past and recent scientific and regulatory developments. This is a pivotal moment for determination of regulatory approaches and establishment of trust across the innovation through-chain, from researchers, developers, regulators, breeders, farmers through to consumers.
Topics: Agriculture; Animals; Biotechnology; Crops, Agricultural; Gene Editing; Plant Breeding
PubMed: 35000100
DOI: 10.1007/s11248-021-00294-3