PowerPoint Presentation

Jane DeverAssociate Professor Cotton BreederMember, USDA National Genetic Resources Advisory CouncilWelcome to Hong Kong

Purpose: Eliminate Barriers to GrowthObjective: Collaborate and GrowChallenge: Meeting Supply and DemandSolution: Working TogetherFacilitate expansion strategiesImprove access to non-GM seedAddress GM contaminationOrganic and sustainableImprove business models

Good farming practices that produce raw material for business expansion and strategy depend on access to good quality seed with native genetic improvement1. GM cannot be separated from the importance of native traits and availability of genetic improvements to all farmers2. Contamination: distraction or threat?3. Breeding for the long haul, not the short delivery4. Good news and other news5. Policy: Hindsight versus tunnel visionHave a wonderful and high-yielding round table discussion!It starts with the seed

Returning to Texas A&M, I was stunned to be asked, How can a traditional breeder be relevant in a GM world?

To capture native genetic resources that are not targets of biotechnology research

To ensure genetic resources are available for adaptation to changing environments

To protect consumer choices; the freedom to farm your way

Your seed is something before it is GM

Seed has to be something before is it GM.

DNA is a strand of genes. Traditional plant breeding combines many genes at once.Desired geneTraditional Donor Commercial Variety New Variety(many genes transferred)Desired gene(s)X(crosses)= Plant Biotechnology

Using plant biotechnology, a single gene is added to the strand with a very specific purpose.(backcross)=GM traitDesired Gene Commercial Variety Old VarietyYield, fiber quality, disease resistance, drought tolerance, salt tolerance, environmental adaptation

Organic farmers should not be penalized for unintentional adventitious presence of GM Planting seed purity begin with the purity of the foundation seedSeed quality is as important as seed purityGood production practices minimize contaminationPresence of GM is a threat to traditional breeding1% allowable contamination in non-GM seed sources can multiply in the breeding process if the GM trait cannot be economically and practically detectedSelection bias exacerbates GM contamination in the breeding process and farmer-caught seed sourcesContamination is a distraction and a threat

Maintaining purityGM seed contamination is a concern for traditional breeding programs. Sources of contamination can come from out crossing, volunteers, seed handling, and adventitious presence. It can be minimized, but detection of GM traits is expensive for traditional breeders without access to technology profits.

Adventitious presenceVolunteer in a field Outcrossing in a field Harvester mixingMechanicalSeed contaminationIt takes 10 to 15 years to develop a line; if contamination is not controlled early the cost is multiplied. Seed security in a minority environment should include prevention and maintenance relief for traditional breeders and organic farmers who do not financially benefit from biotechnology traits, but feel the burden of the costs.Possible sources of contamination

Germplasm enhancement and screening at Texas A&M AgriLife in Lubbock

Broaden the genetic base of cottonImprove fiber qualityIdentify new sources of resistance incorporate native traits into agronomically acceptable germplasm

Improved Fiber Quality

Thrips Resistance

Sources identified for drought and salt tolerance

Cotton varieties available to organic farmers in US increased from ~2 in 2010/2011 to 7 in 2012Transgenic acreage in US cotton increased to 99%Good news and other news

U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTUREAgricultural Marketing Service - Cotton ProgramMemphis, TennesseeSeptember 5, 2012mp_cn833Bayer CropScience FM 958 and AFD 2485 were the predominate varieties planted by Organic cotton producers.Other varieties planted by organic producers include All-Tex 7A21, All-Tex LA122, All-Tex A102, BayerCropScience FM 989, and Seed Source Genetics CT 210.B15

Current biotechnology efforts are very specific Short term benefits fundamentally change farming practices with few contingency plans to handle new problems that ariseRegulation during the GM approval phase relax after deregulation w/o adequate stewardship for contamination issueGenetic resources should be protected beyond GM traitsThere is a gap in germplasm collections for crops with approved GM because final varieties are not deposited (IP)Contamination issues in development of new, traditional varieties far exceed planting seed contamination issuesCrossing with sources that have 1% AP and selection bias can lead to contamination beyond expected amountsTunnel vision and hindsight

Seed breeders ask, how can we help organic farmers?Experience (hindsight) tells me a thriving organic farming community helps protect our vital genetic resourcesConsumer demand and adherence to principles of organic farming encourages true genetic improvement and diversity in an environment dominated by short-term policiesIn countries with GM being introduced, urge policies that help protect the development and production of traditional varietiesDiscovery of new genetic improvements from native sources improves agriculture production and policy for everyone and contributes biodiversity when short-term solutions fall shortDo not let GM IP issues restrict access to natural genetic resourcesA brighter future

Jane DeverAssociate Professor Cotton BreederMember, USDA National Genetic Resources Advisory CouncilThank you and Enjoy the Conference

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Primary germplasm pool717Secondary germplasm pooltertiary germplasm poolGossypoides spp.#

Sheet1#kirkii1G. somalense1G. areysianum1G. robinsonii1G. bickii3G stocksii3G. australe3G. nelsonii4G. sturtianum4G. aridum1G. harknessi1G. triphyllum1G. klotzchianum2G. davidsonii2G. anomalum2G. longicalyx3G. turneri3G. raimondii3G. turberi5G. arboreum24G. herbaceum26G. barbadense5G. mustelinum6G. darwinii9G. hirsutum666