why plant biotechnologist take interest in developing hybrid plants
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Answer:
In the frame of this paper, “biotechnology” is considered in its broad sense, i.e. the use of biological processes or organisms for the improvement of the characteristics of plants, animals, micro-organisms or food derived thereof. This includes, but is not limited to, modification and enhancement of living organisms at the molecular level, frequently dubbed as “modern biotechnology.”
The paper concentrates on recent developments of biotechnology use in the seed industry. It presents biotechnology as providing powerful and useful tools, in a continuum of technical evolution that contributes or could contribute to the improvement of crop production, food quality and safety, while preserving the environment. It also addresses the complex regulatory framework surrounding modern biotechnology, as well as tools in the pipeline, and intellectual property aspects related to the technology. It analyses current and potential applications of biotechnology in developing countries and countries with economies in transition, and what should or could be the role of FAO to maximize potential benefits of biotechnology in these countries.
Finally, the paper is limited to plant biotechnology. It does not address the use of biotechnology in animal breeding or food processing.
2. USE OF BIOTECHNOLOGY IN SEED PRODUCTION AND PLANTING MATERIAL PROPAGATION
Biotechnological tools have greatly contributed to the production and supply of improved quality seed and planting material to farmers worldwide. Among other uses, biotechnology is employed to:
speed-up the multiplication process for vegetatively propagated crops,
detect diseases transmitted by seed or planting material,
eradicate diseases transmitted by planting material,
protect seed with biological control agents, and
test varietal identity and purity.
2.1 Tissue culture
Miniaturized in vitro multiplication of plant material under aseptic and controlled artificial conditions, also known as micropropagation, has been used for decades to speed up the propagation process for several vegetatively propagated crops. This is the case for fruit trees (e.g. banana, date palm), roots and tubers (e.g. potato, cassava), vegetables (e.g. strawberry, asparagus), and ornamentals (e.g. roses, orchids). Many companies and institutions worldwide have invested or specialized in this activity, to provide farmers and growers with high quality and healthy planting material.
Somatic embryogenesis, a variation of micropropagation (where embryos are directly regenerated instead of shoots and roots), is being used widely for oil palm. In the early 1980s, several organizations investigated the possibility with some crops to use somatic embryos that could be encapsulated with different chemical and biological compounds. These “artificial seeds” would have been planted and treated as seeds. Potential benefits would have been tremendous from a plant breeding, seed production and seed treatment point of view. However, technical and economic constraints have not allowed commercial development of this technology.
Explanation:
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