uman Population Plant Resources Improvements in the next 40 years (i.e 80 m net e per year) ed for food productie So clearly, biotechnology with its ability to improve yield, quality and nutritional value will help us in feeding today s and tomorrows population. Plant Implications 1. Food consumption in 2000 6 billion pe 3 billion in absolute poverty(<SUS 1/day) 0.071 land and simple ve lifestyle larger areas needed if marginal lands used Unsustainable systems degrade farmland Erotic 4. Many farmlands are already marginal Farming 1. 4 billion ha(11%total land on earth) Consuming 40% of terrestrial photosynthate 5. By 2050: 38 countries(4 billion people) below 0.07 ha Plant Resources Improvements Food Crisis In the next 2 generations, we will consume twice as much food as has been consumed in the entire previous history of humankind How and where to produce it? Only one planet There are no simple solutions ethics, consensus, population, education, distribution, conservation, invention, science, biotechnology Shift emphasis to global sustainability Plant Resources Improvements are for a sm sustanable agriculture cultivation sy hat sustain most of humanity Sustain farmed and natural environments for future generations Combine the best technologies for safe, efficient and sustainable production(e g. gene technologies) Plant Resources Improvements 235, 000 species of angiosperm 5,000 12 species provide 75% of food 1% increase in wheat yield is good Greater gains from breeding unimproved species opical(less research effort to date) ant Resources Improvements Why can t be done by normal breeding? Make hybrids between unrelated plants Introduce single genes into species om non-plants This is molecular biotechnology or genetic engineering Genetic Engineering Genetic Engineering is the transfer of specific useful segments of genetic materials between unrelated organisms. It is used to: crease plant and animal production medical treatment produce vaccines and other useful drugs enetic Engineering Transgenic Technology Recombinant DNA Technology3 Plant Resources & Improvements Human Population Plant Resources & Improvements Projections (USDA) Doubling of population in the next 40 years (i.e. 80 m net increase per year) Need for food production increases of 250% However, resources are dwindling “ So clearly, biotechnology with its ability to improve yield, quality and nutritional value will help us in feeding today’s and tomorrow’s population.” Plant Resources & Improvements Implications 1. Food consumption in 2000 6 billion people 1.3 billion in absolute poverty (<$US 1/day) 840 million malnourished 2. Sustainable carrying capacity 0.07 ha per human, only with high quality land and simple vegetarian lifestyle larger areas needed if marginal lands used Plant Resources & Improvements Implications 3. Unsustainable systems degrade farmland Erosion Salinity 4. Many farmlands are already marginal Farming 1.4 billion ha (11% total land on earth) Consuming 40% of terrestrial photosynthate Consuming 30% of coastal shelf production 5. By 2050: 38 countries (4 billion people) below 0.07 ha Plant Resources & Improvements Food Crisis In the next 2 generations, we will consume twice as much food as has been consumed in the entire previous history of humankind. How and where to produce it? Plant Resources & Improvements Problems & Solutions Only one planet “ The problems are complex” “ food, poverty, pollution, climate change, biodiversity, inequality of opportunity” “ space-ship earth” “ There are no simple solutions” “ ethics, consensus, population, education, distribution, conservation, invention, science, biotechnology” “ Shift emphasis to global sustainability” Plant Resources & Improvements Agriculture for a Small Planet Sustainable agriculture to: Enhance ecological footprint of cultivation systems that sustain most of humanity Enhance quality of human life through reliable production of safe and affordable food Sustain farmed and natural environments for future generations Combine the best technologies for safe, efficient and sustainable production (e.g. gene technologies) Plant Resources & Improvements How many species do we need? 235,000 species of angiosperm 5,000 species cultivated 103 species provide 90% of food 12 species provide 75% of food Plant Resources & Improvements Gains from plant breeding 1% increase in wheat yield is “good” yield plateau. Greater gains from breeding unimproved species perennials (slow to breed) tropicals (less research effort to date) Plant Resources & Improvements Why can’t be done by normal breeding? Make hybrids between unrelated plants Introduce single genes into species from other plants from non-plants Delete or down-regulate existing genes This is molecular biotechnology or genetic engineering Genetic Engineering Genetic Engineering is the transfer of specific & useful segments of genetic materials between unrelated organisms. It is used to: increase plant and animal production diagnose disease improve medical treatment produce vaccines and other useful drugs Genetic Engineering It is synonymous to: Molecular Biotechnology Genetic Transformation Transgenic Technology Recombinant DNA Technology &