Breeding for nitrogen efficiency: concepts, methods, and case studies

Edith T. Lammerts van Bueren, K. Thorup-Kristensen, C. Leifert, J. Cooper, H.C. Becker. 2014. Breeding for nitrogen efficiency: concepts, methods, and case studies. Euphytica. 1-2. 199
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Taal/language: Engels
Abstract / summary in English:

In Europe, the challenge of meeting future food demands while ensuring the sustainability of agricultural systems is increasingly an issue on the public agenda. We have to accept the need of increased efficiency, sustainability and resilience of our agricultural production, while at the same time meeting the emerging challenges such as “feeding the world,” “food or fuel,” “biodiversity,” and “climate change.” EUCARPIA, the European association for research in plant breeding, organized a Section meeting on Organic & Low-input Agriculture in Germany from September 24–26, 2013 at the Georg August University of Go¨ttingen on Breeding for Nutrient Efficiency. This conference focused on the development of new crop breeding strategies to improve nutrient use efficiency as one strategy to address the above mentioned challenges. Next to various contributions on basic concepts and methodologies to improve nutrient efficiency, updates on many ongoing breeding programs and research activities were also presented. The program included results of the NUECROPS project (Improving nutrient efficiency in four major European food, feed and biofuel crops to reduce the negative environmental impact of crop production; EU-FP7 222-645) followed by a panel discussion on the question, ‘‘Where do we go next with R&D into nutrient use efficiency?’’ In this special issue 16 selected contributions are published. For a more complete overview of the conference please see Becker et al. (2013). In this preface we will shortly summarize the key aspects covered in this issue.

Keywords in English: sustainability of agricultural systems, plant breeding