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Mysterious crop genes: How do they affect our food quality and yield?
Crop diversity, or crop biodiversity, describes the variability of crops and plants used in agriculture and their genetic and phenotypic characteristics. Crop diversity has faced significant challenges over the past fifty years, particularly with significant declines in genetic diversity within each crop and in the types of crops commonly cultivated. This loss of crop diversity threatens global food security as the world's human survival depends on fewer and fewer crop varieties and species.
Monoculture of crops, if encountered by disease, may destroy the entire harvest.
The monoculture model reduces the genetic diversity of crops, which is similar to the historical Great Famine in Ireland: when a crop was destroyed by disease, leading to a serious food crisis. In addition, the commercial extinction of certain species, such as the Grosmichel banana, illustrates the increasing vulnerability of single crop varieties.
Loss of biodiversity
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the loss of biodiversity is considered one of the most serious environmental problems today. If this trend continues, half of the world's plant species could be at risk of extinction. On the one hand, 6% of the wild relatives of crops such as wheat, corn and rice are at risk, while some beans and plants such as tomatoes and potatoes also face 18% and 13% risks of extinction respectively.
Certain environmental factors have a significant impact on crop growth, such as water availability, soil pH and temperature.
In addition, diversity within crops is also affected by genetic differences. Some varieties may possess genes for early maturation or disease resistance. These characteristics ultimately affect crop quality and yield. Modern plant breeders are working hard to develop new crop varieties that can adapt to specific conditions in order to achieve better performance in terms of yield and disease resistance.
Ecological impact
Agroecosystems operate effectively as self-regulating systems when there is sufficient diversity of plants and animals. In addition to providing food, fuel and fiber, agroecosystem functions include nutrient cycling, maintaining soil fertility, regulating microclimate and water flow, controlling pests and detoxifying waste.
Crop diversity not only increases resistance but also reduces pesticide use.
Currently, due to the implementation of modern agriculture, biodiversity in agricultural ecosystems has been drastically reduced. Traditional systems such as the farmlands of the Andes preserve as many as 50 varieties of potatoes. Research suggests that increasing the genetic diversity of crops may be an important strategy to combat plant diseases.
Economic Impact
Agriculture is the economic foundation of most countries, especially for developing countries, and is an important source of economic growth. Growth in agriculture may help improve the lives of the rural poor, but this is not always the case. Crop income can be increased through production of high-value crops, better marketing and value-added activities.
Cultivation practices that focus on a single crop expose the entire crop to the same risk of disease.
While quantifying the economic value of crop diversity remains uncertain, it is clear that increased diversity prevents crop failure and leads to higher returns. As the threat of pests and diseases increases, how to protect crop diversity has become a top priority in agriculture.
Resist disease threats
Apart from insect pests, diseases are the main cause of crop losses. Genetic variability in wild species allows some individuals to survive when disturbances occur. However, in agricultural production, such disease resistance is hampered when genetically homogeneous seeds are grown. The monocrop farming model of agriculture results in low crop diversity, especially when seeds are produced in large quantities or plants are cloned.
The previous Great Famine in Ireland was a food crisis caused by an infection of a low-diversity crop.
Currently, significant new threats such as African Cassava Mosaic Virus and Wheat Rust in Africa have once again highlighted the need to increase crop diversity. In order to protect global food security, many international organizations and local farmers are currently involved in genetic conservation actions to ensure the healthy growth of future crops.
Organization and Technology
In response to the loss of crop diversity, many global organizations are taking active actions, including Biodiversity International, the International Research Institute of Tropical Agriculture and other institutions. They preserve endangered crop varieties through gene banks and seek to promote their regeneration. The Global Crop Diversity Trust focuses on protecting and utilizing crop diversity to ensure global food security.
In addition to traditional breeding methods, genetic improvement technology also helps improve crop disease resistance.
In addition, many scientists have begun to use genetic modification technology to introduce specific genes into crops to make them resistant to specific pests. However, such technology should be applied with caution as it may impact other organisms in the ecosystem. Facing the challenge of global food security, should we rethink our relationship with crop genetic technology?
