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ARS Home » Plains Area » Manhattan, Kansas » Center for Grain and Animal Health Research » Hard Winter Wheat Genetics Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #326852
Title: Resistance genes in global crop breeding networks: A complex adaptive system

Author
item GARRETT, KAREN - University Of Florida
item Bowden, Robert
item FORBES, GREGORY - International Potato Center
item KULAKOW, PETER - International Institute For Tropical Agriculture
item ZHOU, BO - International Rice Research Institute

Submitted to: Current Opinion in Plant Biology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/25/2017
Publication Date: 10/1/2017
Citation: Garrett, K., Bowden, R.L., Forbes, G., Kulakow, P., Zhou, B. 2017. Resistance genes in global crop breeding networks: A complex adaptive system. Current Opinion in Plant Biology. 107:1268-1278. https://doi.org/10.1094/PHYTO-03-17-0082-FI.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1094/PHYTO-03-17-0082-FI

Interpretive Summary: Resistance genes are a major tool for managing crop diseases. The crop breeder networks that exchange and deploy resistance genes in elite varieties comprise an important system for maintaining food security. We illustrate the general structure of crop breeding networks for cassava, potato, rice, and wheat. Principles for maintaining system resilience can be applied to global resistance gene deployment. For example, both diversity and redundancy may contribute to stability of the system. Another principle is management of connectivity, where enhanced germplasm exchange among crop breeders may benefit global resistance gene deployment, but increase the risks to the durability of resistance genes unless there are effective gene stewardship programs in place.

Technical Abstract: Resistance genes are a major tool for managing crop diseases. The crop breeder networks that exchange and deploy resistance genes in elite varieties help to determine the global landscape of resistance, and comprise an important system for maintaining food security. These networks function as complex adaptive systems, with associated strengths and vulnerabilities, and implications for regulation to support resistance gene deployment strategies. We illustrate the general structure of crop breeding networks for cassava, potato, rice, and wheat. These systems must adapt to global change in climate and land use, the emergence of new diseases, and disruptive breeding technologies. Principles for maintaining system resilience can be applied to global resistance gene deployment. For example, both diversity and redundancy in the roles played by individual crop breeding groups (public versus private, global versus local) may support societal goals for crop production. Another principle is management of connectivity, where enhanced connectivity among crop breeders may benefit global resistance gene deployment, but increase risks to the durability of resistance genes without effective regulation.