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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #290076
Title: Biodiversity: Building blocks for crops

Author
item Dierig, David

Submitted to: Trade Journal Publication
Publication Type: Trade Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/5/2013
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: An increasing global population will require more efficient food production. By year 2025, we will need 20-24% increases in yields of crops to meet the projected increase in food, fiber, and bioenergy demand from the global population. The competition to use limited land and sometimes compromised water resources are having greater impacts on crop yields. Production boundaries of crops are already affected by a changing climate and require new crop varieties more adapted to temperature, drought, salinity, and other stresses. Areas becoming more favorable for crop growth due to climate change may also be more favorable for pests and diseases. These mega-trends will place demands on farmers and plant breeders to improve yields and disease/pest resistance of new varieties for a more food secure world.