|
FAQ: How does Organic Seed Alliance’s approach to plant breeding differ from conventional or biotech?
Organic Seed Alliance is not engaged in any breeding that uses the techniques of genetic engineering or modern biotechnology (see the FAQ “What are GMOs/GE crops/biotech crops?”). We employ traditional breeding techniques, including population improvement, controlled pollination, and family selection. We use many of the same techniques that conventional breeders use in public breeding programs and in the seed industry. However, our breeding program is based on principles not generally seen in conventional breeding programs. We use participatory plant breeding to produce genetically diverse varieties adapted to organic agriculture.
Participatory plant breeding: In our participatory breeding work, there is a true and equal partnership between a farmer and a plant breeder. The farmer understands how the crop responds to the challenges of their environment and the agronomic traits needed to excel under those conditions. They also know what horticultural traits are essential for their markets. The classical plant breeder knows how to isolate those traits and how to test the new crosses “on farm,” relying on the farmer’s expertise to select the best material as the farmer gets to intimately know the material over the course of the season.
Genetically diverse varieties: We strive to produce varieties that have the broad genetic elasticity necessary for continual adaptation to shifting climatic, environmental, and energy constraints. This diversity allows them to be selected for local environments. They will stand up over time, thrive under organic conditions, and be worked with and handed down by farmers and gardeners for many generations to come as “heirlooms of tomorrow”.
Adapted to organic agriculture: Due to the lack of plant varieties that have been developed or screened in organic (or other low-input) systems, most organic producers rely on conventionally-bred varieties that have been selected to perform well under high-input chemical systems. Fundamental to the success of organic agriculture is the use of plant varieties that are most suitable to organic production challenges and methods. OSA’s breeding objectives support sustainable and organic agriculture, recognize local ecological systems and address food consumer needs. These breeding objectives include:
- Insect and disease resistance
- Weed management or competition
- Optimization of plant nutrient systems
- Minimize soil impact
- Support of whole-farm ecology
- Minimize off-farm impacts
- Heat or drought tolerance
- Adaptability to soil quality
- Pollution tolerance
- Improved nutrition for consumers
- Development of crops for low resource populations
- Improved crop yields in organic systems
- Promotion of the economics of sustainability by preserving and developing key crop varieties that fill niches not met by industrial agricultural paradigm
|
