About this Research Topic
Speed breeding systems for sustainable food production offer a promising solution to address food security and environmental sustainability. Speed breeding technologies allow accelerating generation of new plant varieties with desired traits in a short period. These systems include genetic selection, vertical hydroponics and data-driven smart sensor applications.
Quick generation of plant varieties is achieved by manipulating photoperiods of a native plant with extended light periods in a controlled environment to fasten the crop cycle. This allows for multiple plant generations to be grown and harvested in a single year rather than the typical one to two generations in traditional field-based breeding. The application of molecular markers in the analysis of crop genomes enables the identification and characterization of genetic variation within a crop species. This, in turn, helps breeders in identifying and selecting plants with desirable traits, such as resistance to pests or diseases, or improved yield. Marker-assisted selection (MAS) and genomic selection (GS) are two recent methods that revolutionized plant breeding to improve the efficiency and accuracy of selecting desirable traits. MAS allows breeders to identify desirable traits earlier in the breeding process, without having to wait for the traits to be phenotypically expressed. On the other hand, GS allows breeders to predict the performance of a plant before it is even grown and can help speed up the breeding process by allowing breeders to select plants with desirable traits much earlier in the breeding process.
The use of these techniques has increased the efficiency and speed of the breeding process, allowing breeders to develop new varieties and lines in a shorter amount of time. Vertical hydroponics involves growing plants in stacked layers using nutrient-rich water instead of soil. This technique allows for higher yields per unit of land, efficient use of water and nutrients, and year-round production. By accelerating the breeding process, speed breeding technologies can help to develop crops that are more resistant to pests and diseases, tolerant to drought and heat, more nutritious, and more productive. Data-driven smart sensor applications involve the use of sensors to monitor environmental conditions such as temperature, humidity, and light levels to optimize crop growth and reduce waste. These systems can also be used to automate processes such as nutrient delivery and harvesting.
Overall, sustainable plant farming offers a promising alternative to traditional agriculture, providing high yields, efficient resource use, and reduced environmental impact. Speed breeding has the potential to revolutionize plant breeding and increase the speed at which new crop varieties are developed, ultimately helping to address food security challenges by developing more productive and resilient crop varieties.
The integration of innovative technologies and data-driven approaches will continue to advance the development of these systems and make them more accessible for widespread adoption. Hence, the goal of this research topic is to gather papers that explore novel speed breeding systems with the aim of enhancing plant yields.
• Application of molecular markers for specific crop genome analysis and development of new crop varieties with desirable traits in speed breeding systems.
• Marker-assisted selection (MAS) and genomic selection (GS) are utilized to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of speed breeding.
• Speed Breeding using vertical hydroponics, artificial lighting, controlled environments, and greenhouse technologies.
• Applications of smart sensors for tracking, monitoring, and optimization of crop growth, nutrient delivery, and post-harvest processes.
Quick generation of plant varieties is achieved by manipulating photoperiods of a native plant with extended light periods in a controlled environment to fasten the crop cycle. This allows for multiple plant generations to be grown and harvested in a single year rather than the typical one to two generations in traditional field-based breeding. The application of molecular markers in the analysis of crop genomes enables the identification and characterization of genetic variation within a crop species. This, in turn, helps breeders in identifying and selecting plants with desirable traits, such as resistance to pests or diseases, or improved yield. Marker-assisted selection (MAS) and genomic selection (GS) are two recent methods that revolutionized plant breeding to improve the efficiency and accuracy of selecting desirable traits. MAS allows breeders to identify desirable traits earlier in the breeding process, without having to wait for the traits to be phenotypically expressed. On the other hand, GS allows breeders to predict the performance of a plant before it is even grown and can help speed up the breeding process by allowing breeders to select plants with desirable traits much earlier in the breeding process.
The use of these techniques has increased the efficiency and speed of the breeding process, allowing breeders to develop new varieties and lines in a shorter amount of time. Vertical hydroponics involves growing plants in stacked layers using nutrient-rich water instead of soil. This technique allows for higher yields per unit of land, efficient use of water and nutrients, and year-round production. By accelerating the breeding process, speed breeding technologies can help to develop crops that are more resistant to pests and diseases, tolerant to drought and heat, more nutritious, and more productive. Data-driven smart sensor applications involve the use of sensors to monitor environmental conditions such as temperature, humidity, and light levels to optimize crop growth and reduce waste. These systems can also be used to automate processes such as nutrient delivery and harvesting.
Overall, sustainable plant farming offers a promising alternative to traditional agriculture, providing high yields, efficient resource use, and reduced environmental impact. Speed breeding has the potential to revolutionize plant breeding and increase the speed at which new crop varieties are developed, ultimately helping to address food security challenges by developing more productive and resilient crop varieties.
The integration of innovative technologies and data-driven approaches will continue to advance the development of these systems and make them more accessible for widespread adoption. Hence, the goal of this research topic is to gather papers that explore novel speed breeding systems with the aim of enhancing plant yields.
• Application of molecular markers for specific crop genome analysis and development of new crop varieties with desirable traits in speed breeding systems.
• Marker-assisted selection (MAS) and genomic selection (GS) are utilized to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of speed breeding.
• Speed Breeding using vertical hydroponics, artificial lighting, controlled environments, and greenhouse technologies.
• Applications of smart sensors for tracking, monitoring, and optimization of crop growth, nutrient delivery, and post-harvest processes.
Keywords: Molecular Markers, Marker-assisted and Genomic Selection, Speed Breeding, Vertical Hydroponics, Data-Driven Agriculture
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