Molecular breeding for animal, human and environmental welfare

Since farmers started to cultivate land and deliberately sow seed, selection has led to the development of domesticated crops suitable for a wide range of agro-ecological and socio-cultural conditions. Based on increasing understanding of genetics and genes, new prospects for molecular breeding have emerged. Both forward and reverse genetic approaches and techniques such as marker-assisted selection and introgression, mutation breeding and transformation are now available. Increased precision in genetic manipulation promotes the application of more targeted breeding strategies to a wider range of traits serving a broader range of objectives. These include enhanced prospects for multifunctional land-use with improvements in the efficient use of inputs such as nitrogen, phosphate and water; in soil quality and protection against erosion; in pest and disease resistance; in enhanced animal nutrition and improved livestock product quality; in reduced pollution risks and health problems; and in potential for alternative use of grassland such as for amenity purposes, industrial processing and pharmaceuticals.