Seed breeding – the technique that enables us to encourage desired garden plants – ranks alongside farm mechanization, irrigation, chemical fertilization and crop protection as one of the most important innovations ever to impact agriculture and society. The science of seed breeding was not so much invented as borrowed from nature, to produce modern seeds used in conventional and organic cultivation alike

1. INFORMATION FROM THE AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRY | APRIL 2012
AGRICULTURAL DIALOGUE 16
EDITORIAL
Dear Readers,
Seed breeding, especially today, is one of
the most fascinating and misunderstood
areas of agriculture. As a science it sits at
the very heart of the history of agriculture
species from hunter gatherers to farmers.
has been at the revolutionary forefront
A society grown from seed the development of community, health,
fertility and learning due to its contribution
to nutrition. As such, seed breeding has
always been a visible result of our ability to
innovate. Future regulatory developments
and reservoirs, in a pattern as natural as night following day. If we look even need to ensure that we continue to support
innovation and growth in this increasingly
Seed breeding – the technique that enables us to encourage desired In this edition of the Agricultural Dialogue
we tell the story of the radical development
and impact of seed breeding, as well
garden plants – ranks alongside farm mechanization, irrigation, chemical
fertilization and crop protection as one of the most important innovations provided for society. We are hugely grateful
ever to impact agriculture and society. The science of seed breeding was as ever for the contribution of our expert
not so much invented as borrowed from nature, to produce modern seeds interviewees, including Prof Dr. Jacobsen
used in conventional and organic cultivation alike. at the Wageningen University and Abelardo
Hernández from the Association of Fruit
The evolution of plant species from one generation to the next is a and Vegetable Producers in the Region of
natural phenomenon. No two members of a plant species are genetically Murcia, Spain.
characteristics. Genetic variation can also be caused however by exposure
to soil minerals, local water conditions and sunlight in a process called
mutation. Markus Heldt
President, Crop Protection Division, BASF SE

2. AGRICULTURAL DIALOGUE 16 2
From domestication to early breeding
Settled populations started selecting and domesticating edible plants.
This process of selection and unconscious cross-fertilization of
like potato, wheat, rice, cotton, apples and strawberries.
purposefully exploit seed breeding techniques to develop new crop
disease resistance and low input requirements. Did you know?
Induced mutation / Mutagenesis Mutation is a naturally occurring
process that is part of plant evolution
radiation and chemical baths to simulate the activity of the sun, soil In nature mutations occur at an
minerals and water conditions, seed breeders learned to diversify average rate of 1 per 1 million, meaning
genetic variability within their seeds more rapidly (Mutagenesis). that you need vast populations and
Greater variety led to the more rapid discovery of naturally occurring testing programs to discover new traits
traits that might otherwise have taken many hundreds of plant
Targeted radioactive mutation of
generations to encounter.
alternative process for achieving new
crop traits. It was motivated by a desire
However, searching for random mutations remains a long process.
we eat today is the result of mutation,
including organic food. FAO estimates
Directed mutagenesis
(including rice, wheat, grapefruit,
Directed Mutagenesis is a generic term covering several techniques that lettuce and many fruits) have been
enable seed breeders to encourage a targeted gene mutation in a plant. developed using mutagenesis
This process, being an advanced form of induced mutation (Mutagenesis),
In beer production, yeast, barley
usual genetic variability, integrating no external DNA. and hops have all been improved by
mutagenesis. Seedless fruits such
as grapes and oranges are another
Plant Breeding - overview
A naturally occurring change in
Mutation
Innovation is crucial to support the
Intentionally induced mutations continuous development in plant
Mutagenesis
(e.g. through radiation or chemicals) breeding
A targeted mutagenesis through molecular tools
Directed Mutagenesis
Plant Biotech
integration of external DNA
overcoming challenges like new and emerging diseases and marginal
soils, the step-by-step progress of breeding techniques has provided

3. INFORMATION FROM THE AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRY | APRIL 2012 3
About Prof. Dr. Jacobsen
Prof. Dr. Evert Jacobsen is a professor
in plant breeding, especially on genetic
started his career at the Max Planck
Institute in Cologne and graduated from
the Friedrich Wilhelm University in Bonn.
of Genetics of the University of
full professor at Wageningen University.
He was the founder and director of the
Plant Sciences, which is now one of the
top graduate schools in the Netherlands.
Prof. Dr. Evert Jacobsen, professor in plant breeding
He was the director of the department on
and former research director of Wageningen Plant
Plant Sciences and later CSO of the Plant
Sciences in the Netherlands, discusses modern
Sciences Group of Wageningen UR.
plant breeding.
He was a member of the Dutch COGEM
techniques?
and a member of the Committee on
per year. Another reason is that disease resistance can be broken in honoured in China with the National
existing varieties which have to be improved in new varieties which after
Award on Technical International
a breeding process become new seeds. In greenhouse horticulture,
Collaboration.
micro-climates because of higher humidity. Such adaptations have to
be partly formed by breeding new varieties.
TIMELINE
A new development in the Netherlands is the stimulation of breeding
for organic agriculture. Organic farmers are confronted with additional
problems because of the restrictions on using synthetic agrochemicals
be overcome by breeding more robust varieties. More breeding under
these organic circumstances needs to be done.
In addition, new seed disinfection methods were developed, which are
now also used in regular seed production. In general, it can be said
that the best varieties for current agriculture are also the best under
organic conditions. It must be stated that selection, with organic
cultivation can also bring new yield potentials for current agriculture,
as has recently been seen in a commercial sugar beet breeding
program under both organic and conventional conditions.
consumers?
consumers refused Dutch tomatoes because they had no taste. This
triggered quality breeding for taste, resulting in varieties of many

4. AGRICULTURAL DIALOGUE 16 INFORMATION FROM THE AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRY | APRIL 2012 4
normally results in a bitter taste. However, selection reduced this
problem with the appearance of extra-mild tasting varieties. Abelardo Hernández
Plant breeding techniques also help with the potential occurrence of is a technical expert at
PROEXPORT (Asso-
cadmium contaminated soils where, for example, wheat is grown.
ciation of Producers
Humans and livestock are exposed to such a heavy metal due to the and Exporters of Fruits
uptake into the plant and subsequent transport into the kernel which and Vegetables in
is the basis of many food products. In wheat, genetic variation has the Region of Murcia,
been found to reduce uptake of this compound into the grain kernel. Spain)
the risk of ingestion of such compounds into our bodies. Q: What challenges does seed breeding
help farmers overcome? Today, specialist
And for sustainability? seed breeders work to improve agricultural
crops, but genetic selection has always
A recent example is the breeding of salt tolerant wheat in Australia,
which is allowing growth of this crop on more salty soils. Salinity, at means of maintaining and improving crop
performance in the face of new threats. The
ongoing process of breeding new strains
breeding with Triticum monococcum as a new gene source for this trait. through the years has led to almost all crop
attributes being improved and disseminated
Have we reached a point where we have enough varieties, or is worldwide in seeds. These alterations have
further innovation a constant necessity? helped farmers to overcome diseases and
Variety improvement is an ongoing need in plant breeding. Clear environmental conditions that jeopardized
crop viability, as well as maximizing yields
statements from politicians could be a real help to prioritise the
and improving food quality. One example,
innovations which are needed in the short and long run. Climate
amongst thousands, of the agronomic
change, sustainability, necessary yield gain, a bio-based economy
and food quality improvement are a few items steering future variety development of mildew-resistant spinach.
breeding in almost all crops. New developments in plant breeding are
highly needed to master future problems in order to be able to feed Q: How important is seed innovation for
growers? European farmers know how to
proper way. maximize the quality and yield of a planted
crop, but their success will always be
What are the drivers behind innovation in plant breeding? limited by the quality of the seeds planted.
Expecting farmers to produce the biggest
Business and science development. Competition, but also balance
and best quality yields without access to
between open and Intellectual Property protected systems is needed the best seeds would be like expecting
them to produce cantaloupe melons from
future food production worldwide. Innovation in plant breeding is galia melon seeds. Constantly adapting
based on science which is stimulating necessary changes. There must weather patterns and disease threats make
seed innovation vital not just to improve
agricultural production but to maintain it.
for plant breeding.
Q: Can you give us examples of when
seed breeding has delivered consumer
Seed breeding is the unseen
driver behind all of the improvements that
have been made to agricultural crops,
IMPRINT creating the expansion of available varieties.
There is a wide range of new products
BASF SE Rainer von Mielecki bred to meet consumers desires, such as
Agricultural Center Limburgerhof AP/K – Public/Government Affairs yellow kiwis, seedless watermelons, smaller
melons, tomatoes that last longer, easy-to-
AP/K - LI555 Phone: +49 (0) 621 / 60-27 511
peel mandarins, sweet pink grapefruits and
67117 Limburgerhof Fax: +49 (0) 621 / 60-27 512 asparagus and potato varieties that are
Germany rainer.mielecki@basf.com available all year round.
www.agro.basf.com Responsible Editor: Tassilo Galitz