Page 45 - RKM Prabudh Gram
P. 45

i`"B 43 | vDVwcj&fnlEcj] 2024            =kSekfld (f}Hkk"kh;) if=kdk



             synthetic chemicals and muatgenes.           farming systems.
          •   Marker-Assisted  Selection (MAS) and
             Marker  Assisted Gene  Pyramiding        3.  Improved Nutritional Quality and Taste:
             (MAGP):  Use of  MAS  and MAGP  will         Organic plant breeding  often focuses on
             help to bred varieties resistant for multiple   traits  that  benefit  consumers,  such  as
             biotic and abiotic stress resistance quickly   flavor, nutritional content, and freshness.
             and precisely.                               This contrasts with conventional breeding,
          •   Speed Breeding: We need to bred new         which may prioritize yield or appearance
             and durable varieties frequently. For these   over taste and nutrition.
             rapid and quick development of varieties   4.  Economic Benefits for Farmers: Organic
             we need  speed  breeding  techniques  for    seeds from plant breeding programs can
             rapid generation advance.                    provide farmers with more independence
          •   Participatory Breeding:  Farmers and        from large seed companies, as they can
             breeders work together to  select plants     save seeds from open-pollinated varieties.
             in real-world  conditions,  ensuring  that   This reduces input costs and allows
             the crops are tailored to specific regional   farmers to maintain control over their seed
             environments  and agricultural practices.    sources.
             This   collaboration  also  strengthens  5.  Sustainability   and   Environmental
             the relationship  between farmers and        Impact:  By breeding  crops that require
             the development  of their own resilient      fewer inputs, such as chemical fertilizers or
             varieties.                                   pesticides, organic plant breeding reduces
          •   Open-Pollinated Varieties: Unlike hybrid    the environmental impact of farming. This
             seeds that cannot be saved and replanted     contributes to  healthier soils, cleaner
             without losing their unique traits,  open-   water, and more robust ecosystems.
             pollinated varieties allow farmers to save   Future and Scope of organic plant breeding
             seeds  for the next season,  supporting
             self-reliance and sustainability.        As demand for organic food continues to rise,
                                                      the importance of organic plant breeding will
          Advantages of Organic Plant Breeding
                                                      likely to grow.But to meet the demand of ever
          1.  Adaptation  to  Organic Conditions:     increasing population and reduction in area of
             Crops bred in organic  conditions  are   cultivation we need to improve the productivity
             inherently more suitable for  organic    also along with quality in organic agriculture.
             farms. They can utilize available nutrients   We  need  to  develop  specific  cultivar  for
             efficiently, exhibit better pest and disease   organic  system, so more durable  and high
             resistance  without   chemicals,  and    yielding so that it can meet the growing food
             compete more effectively with weeds.     demand.  Climate  change,  soil  degradation,
          2.  Resilience to Climate Change: By        and the environmental impact of conventional
             emphasizing  biodiversity  and genetic   agriculture  are prompting farmers and
             diversity, organic breeding programs     researchers to explore more sustainable
             contribute to creating crops that can adapt   solutions. Organic plant breeding, with its
             to changing climates, erratic weather    emphasis on biodiversity,  resilience, and
             patterns, and  new  pest pressures.  This   environmental harmony, offers a way forward.
             enhances the  overall sustainability of   Advances in genomic  tools and marker-
   40   41   42   43   44   45   46   47   48