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Publication of the book 'Gene flow between Crops and their Wild Relatives in Centres of Crop Origin and Diversity'
Project
Project code: keine Angaben
Contract period: 01.10.2007
- 30.09.2008
Budget: 39,500 Euro
Purpose of research: Basic research
The centres of origin and diversity of many crop species are located in developing countries. Many of these areas are not only under the pressure of environmental threats, but they are also affected by agriculture, and in particular by the way it is practiced.
Modern agriculture has made great strides to improve productivity, but is dependent on massive use of agricultural inputs, creating environmental problems. Biotech tools and genetically engineered crops are seen as possible solutions to overcome production constraints faced by many poor farmers, while at the same time overcoming environmental problems reducing the use of inputs. However, there are concerns about the likelihood for geneflow from GM varieties to wild populations, especially in centres of origin and diversity of crop plants.
The objective of this project was to provide support tools to assist in making well-informed decisions about the ecological implications of releasing GM crops in or around areas with concentrated crop diversity. It focused on one particular concern that is of utmost importance in this respect: The likelihood of gene flow and introgression to crop wild relatives (CWR) and other domesticated species. The goal was to provide objective information to guide basic and scientifically sound decision-making by taking into account the facts that gene flow and introgression exist, and that the preservation of crop genetic resources in their habitat is a requisite for the sustainable development of modern crops.
Section overview
Subjects
- Agricultural Engineering Plant Production
