The FAO (2020) estimated that three billion people are living in agricultural areas with different levels of water scarcity. It is well known that the regions of Central, Western and Southern Asia, as well as Northern Africa, possess most of the world’s low-input rain-fed cropping systems. In addition to this, more than 800 million hectares of land are affected by salinity, and new challenges such as diminishing fertilizer responses are rising. The under-utilized genetic variation of existing staple food crops i.e., rice, wheat, and maize can be improved genetically to counter existing and upcoming challenges. To this end, mega-initiatives were started by research institutes (ARIs), CGIAR centers (IRRI, CIMMYT, ICARDA, and ICRISAT), as well as national agricultural research programs. These efforts, if undertaken in a more focused and coordinated way, could deliver a high impact, and contribute significantly to ensuring current and future food security amidst the challenges of climate change.
Nowadays, breeders and geneticists are equipped with a number of genomic tools that can assist in the introduction of precise genetic modifications to improve plant genotypes. Large-scale genetic and genomic characterization is also achievable. A multi-faceted approach involving basic genetic studies, breeding, and high throughput genomic approaches can help greatly with the handling of under-utilized or unexplored germplasms.
This research topic aims to ensure better coordination among different research groups working towards the genetic improvement of crops designed to be grown in marginal lands. However, this special issue, and the state-of-the-art research within it, will also be made readily available to all other scientists as well, so that innovative solutions may be more easily found in order to achieve sustainable food production with a minimal impact on soil health.
Research articles which fall within the purview of the areas mentioned in the non-exhaustive list below are welcome:
1. Genetic/ genomic studies conducted with orphan/ neglected crops (including pseudo-cereals), having the potential to thrive well under marginal environments.
2. Genetic/ genomic studies conducted with cultivated varieties, landraces, and wild relatives of staple food crops i.e., rice, wheat, maize, cassava, and potato. that are relevant for marginal environments.
3. Genomic analysis of traits relevant to climate resilience including genome-wide association studies, identification of quantitative trait loci, genomic prediction, and other approaches.
4. Genetic and genomic studies with under-utilized materials available at gene banks.
5. Breeding and genetic/ genomic efforts targeting productivity enhancements as well as maintenance of quality traits by growing at marginal environments.
The FAO (2020) estimated that three billion people are living in agricultural areas with different levels of water scarcity. It is well known that the regions of Central, Western and Southern Asia, as well as Northern Africa, possess most of the world’s low-input rain-fed cropping systems. In addition to this, more than 800 million hectares of land are affected by salinity, and new challenges such as diminishing fertilizer responses are rising. The under-utilized genetic variation of existing staple food crops i.e., rice, wheat, and maize can be improved genetically to counter existing and upcoming challenges. To this end, mega-initiatives were started by research institutes (ARIs), CGIAR centers (IRRI, CIMMYT, ICARDA, and ICRISAT), as well as national agricultural research programs. These efforts, if undertaken in a more focused and coordinated way, could deliver a high impact, and contribute significantly to ensuring current and future food security amidst the challenges of climate change.
Nowadays, breeders and geneticists are equipped with a number of genomic tools that can assist in the introduction of precise genetic modifications to improve plant genotypes. Large-scale genetic and genomic characterization is also achievable. A multi-faceted approach involving basic genetic studies, breeding, and high throughput genomic approaches can help greatly with the handling of under-utilized or unexplored germplasms.
This research topic aims to ensure better coordination among different research groups working towards the genetic improvement of crops designed to be grown in marginal lands. However, this special issue, and the state-of-the-art research within it, will also be made readily available to all other scientists as well, so that innovative solutions may be more easily found in order to achieve sustainable food production with a minimal impact on soil health.
Research articles which fall within the purview of the areas mentioned in the non-exhaustive list below are welcome:
1. Genetic/ genomic studies conducted with orphan/ neglected crops (including pseudo-cereals), having the potential to thrive well under marginal environments.
2. Genetic/ genomic studies conducted with cultivated varieties, landraces, and wild relatives of staple food crops i.e., rice, wheat, maize, cassava, and potato. that are relevant for marginal environments.
3. Genomic analysis of traits relevant to climate resilience including genome-wide association studies, identification of quantitative trait loci, genomic prediction, and other approaches.
4. Genetic and genomic studies with under-utilized materials available at gene banks.
5. Breeding and genetic/ genomic efforts targeting productivity enhancements as well as maintenance of quality traits by growing at marginal environments.
