genetic resource in agriculture

genetic resource in agriculture 

so what are we going to learn? let me share.. :))

•  Centre of origin
• Germplasm 
•  Biological diversity :1) Genetic diversity, 2) Species diversity ,3) Ecosystem diversity

•  Genetic resource application
• Conservation of genetic resources
• Threat to diversity & genetic resources  

*GERMPLASM AND BIODIVERSITY

A little story of theory~~

• The term germplasm was first used by the German biologist August Weismann (1834–1914). 
• The germplasm theory states that multicellular organisms consist of germ cells that contain and    transmit heritable information, and somatic cells which carry out ordinary bodily functions.
• Inheritance in a multicellular organism only takes place by means of the germ cells: the gametes, such as egg cells and sperm cells. 

keywords:

• Germplasm 

⇒ a collection of genetic resources for an organism 

⇒ DNA of an organism through collection of materials 

For your information, a worldwide had been collected various of germ of the existing plant. Collections of plant, animal & bacterial germplasm for use in breeding new organisms and the conservation of existing species.

This seed had to be store in a cold place. Therefore, there were a place which is situated deep in a mountain. the seed even arranged exactly like in a library. 

(Biodiversity)

• Variability among living organisms 

• Plant or animal diversity 

• Terrestrial or marine 

• Within species or between species 

 This biodiversity has 3 aspects:

i) Genetic diversity 

ii) Species diversity 

iii) Ecosystem diversity 

i) GENETIC DIVERSITY

• The total of all the genetic information carried by individual organisms. 
• some are obvious to the human eye, but others are more subtle
• eye colour, colour of skins, susceptibility to cancer
• This term refers to the variation of genes within a species. 

keywords:

DNA = carries the genetic information of a cell 

Genes = contains basic information of a species

ii) SPECIES DIVERSITY 

• The diversity among the species.

iii) ECOSYSTEM DIVERSITY

• Ecosystem = an area that contains organisms (e.g: plants, animals, bacteria) interacting with one another and their non-living environment 
• Ecosystem diversity = Different diversity in variety of habitats, topography, elevation, natural vs agroecosystem

*GENETIC RESOURCES APPLICATIONS

•  Agriculture production is increased through the use of improved genetic resources (new variety) created by altering the genetic constitution. 

 Advantages

1. Increase in yield. for example:

• a) Genes from wild relatives - resistance to at least 32 major tomato diseases - Insect resistant genes 
•  b) Foreign genes such as from Bacillus - Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), which produces an insect killing toxin, into maize

     2. Pest and disease resistance
     3. Ecological tolerance 

•  E.g: Genes tolerant to temperature extremes

        ⇒Salinity
        ⇒Drought
        ⇒ Waterlogging 

!! ADD ON KNOWLEDGE: !!

6 categories of genetic resources :

1. Wild relatives - species in the wild from the same genus of the crop or livestock. 

2. Weedy relatives - bridge between wild relatives and domesticated species (neglected varieties, evolved to adapt the natural growing environment. 

3. Primitive cultivars/landraces - the cultivated varieties during earlier times. 

4. Modern cultivars - improved strains bred from primitive cultivars. 

5. Advanced breeding lines - superior germplasm selected from modern cultivars.

6. Genes from other species - advanced lines which contain specific desired genes from other species. For example, 90% of the genes in rice could also be found in corn, wheat and barley 

*TECHNIQUE TO CONSERVE GENETIC RESOURCES

1.  In situ conservation 

•  on-site conservation e.g., botanical reserves, forest reserves 
•  It is the process of protecting an endangered plant or animal species in its natural habitat

       2. Ex situ conservation

• Off-site conservation 
•  From a threatened habitat to a new location, which may be a wild area or within the care of humans Ø In gene banks, long-term storage as seed. 
•  Many important tropical species are recalcitrant (difficult or impossible to store for long periods ) 
• Tissue culture, cryopreservation

*THREATS TO DIVERSITY & LOSS OF GENETIC

Dying species: 

1.  Domestication and use of modern varieties

      2.  Wanton (intentional damage)

•  Irresponsible and thorough wide spread, and often concentrated habitat destruction. 
•  Natives species often lost and habitat invaded by exotic weeds. 

   

   3.  Natural extinctions as a result of competition and natural disasters 

THAT ALL FOR NOW.. nice to share with you.. XOXO.