What Is on the Horizon for Alfalfa & Biotech?

نویسنده

  • Joe Bouton
چکیده

Biotechnology is concentrated in two evolving research areas, genomics and transgenics. For the genomics approach, molecular markers combined with sequencing data, high throughput machinery, and sophisticated data analysis allow determinations of complex gene expression. The use of an annual relative of cultivated alfalfa, Medicago truncatula, as the reference species for all legumes is likewise viewed as a big plus for using genomic technologies for alfalfa research. Transgenics involve the movement of specific and useful genes into the crop of choice and is sometimes referred to as genetic engineering. A summary of biotech research by the North American Alfalfa Improvement Conference in 2004 showed these biotech approaches are now a large part of alfalfa cultivar development and basic research. However, biotech approaches are both expensive, and in the case of transgenics, controversial, requiring much planning and even partnerships with others. The Noble Foundation and the Consortium to Improve Alfalfa is presented as a model of what may need to be done when using biotechology for alfalfa improvement. However, the irony is not whether basic biotechnology research is increasing in alfalfa, because it is, but whether we will be able to deliver useful biotech traits directly to the farmer due to costs and concerns with regulatory agencies and the public.

برای دانلود متن کامل این مقاله و بیش از 32 میلیون مقاله دیگر ابتدا ثبت نام کنید

ثبت نام

اگر عضو سایت هستید لطفا وارد حساب کاربری خود شوید

منابع مشابه

What’s on the Horizon for Biotechnology in Alfalfa and Forage Grasses?

Biotechnology is concentrated in two evolving research areas, genomics and transgenics. For the genomics approach, molecular markers combined with sequencing data, high throughput machinery, and sophisticated data analysis, allow determinations of complex gene expression. The use of an annual relative of cultivated alfalfa, Medicago truncatula, as the reference species for all legumes is an imp...

متن کامل

Market Sensitivity and Methods to Ensure Tolerance of Biotech and Non-biotech Alfalfa Production Systems

Roundup-Ready® alfalfa was released in June of 2005, the first trait to be commercialized in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) using biotechnology. Traditional alfalfa varieties will likely be grown in close proximity to these new biotech varieties. While most users will probably not be sensitive to the presence of these varieties, other markets (particularly export and organic) will request hay tha...

متن کامل

Biotech Traits in Alfalfa – What’s Next?

In June 2005, USDA/FDA/EPA deregulated the Roundup Ready trait in alfalfa. In August 2005, seed of the first Roundup Ready alfalfa varieties was offered for sale. This was the first biotech trait to be commercialized in alfalfa, and paved the way for new research supporting a second wave of biotech traits enhancing value in alfalfa. These new biotech traits can be divided into two categories: o...

متن کامل

New Strategies for Forage Quality Improvement in Alfalfa

The research presented here is the result of a collaboration of government, industry and private non-profit organizations that formed in 2002 as the Consortium for Alfalfa Improvement. Scientists from the U.S. Dairy Forage Research Center/ARS-USDA, Forage Genetics International, Pioneer HiBred and The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, Inc., have been conducting a focused biotech research effort ...

متن کامل

Effect of irrigation with saline water on ion homeostasis and forage dry yield in Alfalfa ecotypes application of high salty water for Alfalfa plants irrigation

Salinity stress is a brutal environmental stress which decreases the yield production of plants. Questions rise on which of the ionic stress or lack of water has deleterious effects on plants forage dry yield. Also, questions remain on whether the K+ reduction or Na+ accumulation is more important in forage dry yield reduction under salinity stress. The present experiment was conducted to answe...

متن کامل

ذخیره در منابع من


  با ذخیره ی این منبع در منابع من، دسترسی به آن را برای استفاده های بعدی آسان تر کنید

برای دانلود متن کامل این مقاله و بیش از 32 میلیون مقاله دیگر ابتدا ثبت نام کنید

ثبت نام

اگر عضو سایت هستید لطفا وارد حساب کاربری خود شوید

عنوان ژورنال:

دوره   شماره 

صفحات  -

تاریخ انتشار 2004