Original scientific paper

BREEDING WHEAT FOR ORGANIC CROPPING SYSTEM

Marijan Jošt ; JOST Seed-Research, 21, S. Radića, Križevci, Croatia
Vesna Samobor ; College of Agriculture at Križevci, Križevci, Croatia

Abstract

The breeding methods for organic and conventional production may overlap in the early generations, when selection focuses on an ideotype for organic production. But in later generations, the environmental variation must be accounted for during selection. Free access to genetically diverse pool is a prerequisite for combining desired parental characteristics. At Krizevci, ideotype building for organically grown wheat started in the 1990’s. In addition to high tillering and stress tolerance, our breeding goals included premium grain quality and resistance to diseases and insects. Of course, grain yield was considered in all cases. Both pedigree and recurrent selection were applied as in conventional wheat breeding. Cv. Divana -- the first Croatian premium grain quality wheat suitable for organic cropping systems -- was registered in 1995. The next step was introducing resistance to prevalent diseases, and the last step was introducing resistance to leaf beetle (Oulema melanopus) – an emerging threat to the future of wheat cultivation in the country. It should be noted that some of the listed ideotype characteristics are negatively correlated with others. Therefore, improvement in some pairs of characters, for instance high yield and high quality, proceeds more slowly than it would for either trait alone. Following a historical approach to development of scientific thought and achievements, we review conclusive experimental evidence that organic agriculture can feed the world.

Keywords

wheat; breeding; thought development; ideotype; bioethics and organic cropping

Hrčak ID:

33129

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/33129

Publication date:

12.1.2009.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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