PGR SECURE

Novel characterization of crop wild relative and landrace resources as a basis for improved crop breeding

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'The goal of agrobiodiversity conservation, unlike other forms of conservation, is not only the conservation of species and intra-specific genetic diversity related to agriculture, but also to promote its sustainable use in facilitating agricultural production. Although significant progress has been made in the conservation and management of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture (PGRFA) globally and in Europe, there remain two critical areas where progress has been limited: (a) the use of conserved agrobiodiversity by breeders and (b) the systematic conservation of crop wild relative (CWR) and landrace (LR) diversity. Specifically for breeders and CWR / LR diversity conservationists, the status quo is no longer an option as human-induced climate change is threatening the maintenance of the very diversity breeders require to mitigate the adverse impact of climate change. Conventionally, breeders have used their own lines and stocks to generate novel crop varieties, but these materials are relatively genetically uniform and it is now increased recognition that CWR and LR offer the breadth of genetic diversity required by breeders to meet the novel challenges of climate change and rapidly changing consumer demands. Therefore, the aim of PGR Secure is to research novel characterization techniques and conservation strategies for European crop wild relative and landrace diversity, and further, to enhance crop improvement by breeders, as a means of underpinning European food security in the face of climate change. To achieve these goals PGR Secure has four research themes: 1. Investigation of novel characterization techniques, including: (1a) Genomics, phenotyping and metabolomics, (1b) Transcriptomics, (1c) Focused Identification of Germplasm Strategy; 2. CWR and LR conservation, including: (2a) Europe-wide CWR inventory, (2b) Exemplar national CWR inventories, (2c) European CWR strategy, (2d) Europe-wide LR inventory, (2e) Exemplar national LR inventories, (2f) European LR strategy; 3. Facilitating breeders’ CWR and LR use, including: (3a) Identifying breeders’ needs, (3b) Meeting breeders’ needs, (3c) Integration of conservation and user communities, (3d) Pre-breeding - channelling potential interesting germplasm into commercial breeding programmes; and 4. Informatics development, including: (4a) CWR and LR inventory information web availability, (4b) Novel characterization information web availability, (4c) Inter-information system operability. The research requires the integration and collaboration of European policy, conservation and breeding sectors and the products will be disseminated Europe-wide to all appropriate stakeholders. The project, initiated by the European Cooperative Programme for Plant Genetic Resources In Situ and On-Farm Conservation Network will involve 42 European countries, as well as both large and smaller European plant breeding companies.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

Europe enjoys a wealth of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture (PGRFA) that can be used to improve crops and ensure food security. However, these resources must be conserved and protected to ensure their sustainable use in the future.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

Our food depends on fresh sources of genetic variation for breeding new varieties of crops that will be able to thrive in the face of a changing climate. Wild plant species closely related to crops (crop wild relatives (CWRs)) and traditional, locally adapted crop varieties (landraces (LRs)) are crucial to genetic variation.

Although the importance of CWRs and LRs to food security is widely recognised, there is a lack of knowledge regarding their diversity. There is also a lack of information concerning exactly how this diversity can best be used for improving crops.

The project 'Novel characterization of crop wild relative and landrace resources as a basis for improved crop breeding' (http://www.pgrsecure.org (PGR SECURE)) addressed this lack of information. The EU-funded initiative sought to develop fast and cost-effective methods to identify and make available genetic material that can be used by plant breeders.

Examples include the ability to confer resistance to new pests and strains of disease, and tolerance to extreme environmental conditions, such as drought and heat stress. Project partners also worked to develop a Europe-wide strategy for conserving the highest priority CWR and LR resources to secure the genetic diversity needed for crop improvement.

However, the goal of agrobiodiversity conservation is not simply to conserve agriculture-related PGRFA. It also promotes their sustainable use in improving agricultural production. Therefore, ensuring that conserved diversity is made readily available to users was an important aspect of PGR SECURE work.

Project research focused on new techniques and conservation strategies for European CWR and LR diversity. The results will enable breeders to improve crops. This will play a vital role in underpinning European food security in the face of climate change.