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Genetic resources for crops of the future
To produce optimally crops must be adapted to environmental stress factors, and crop cultivation must be carried out to ensure quality without adverse effects on the environment. Our cultivars must therefore be bred for changing climates, marginal soils and the demands from an increasing population. As the present varieties may not represent sufficient genetic variation to fulfil these needs, traits and quality must be brought in from genetic resources. The research focuses on characterisation of crop genetic resources, screening for quantative and qualitative variation.
Genetic resources for agriculture in a changing environment
The genetic variation in present and past (i.e. land races) crops is characterised and their stress tolerance tested, in particular their tolerance to elevated CO2, ozone, drought and heavy metals. The research forms the basis for conservation strategies of genetic resources important under altered growing conditions (global change) in the Nordic countries. The research covers study of the model genera Avena (oat), Secale (rye), Hordeum (barley) and Brassica (oilseed rape). The results show that levels of genetic variation differ among old and new varieties, reflecting also their breeding history.
Employees involved:
Rikke Bagger Jørgensen (project leader) and Teis Mikkelsen.
International partners:
Roland von Bothmer, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (Svalöv), S; Magne Gullord, Norsk Kornforedling, N, Jens Weibull, Nordic Genebank. |