Article contents
Plant breeding technologies relevant to developing countries
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 27 February 2018
Abstract
The relevance of new and traditional plant breeding technologies is discussed with particular reference to the improvement of sustainable agricultural systems in difficult environments. The focus of the paper is on barley, a crop which is grown as animal food, mostly for small ruminants, on about 17 million ha in developing countries. Barley is also a typical low-input crop being grown largely in agriculturally marginal areas by risk-averse farmers. Differences in straw quality characteristics between varieties of some crops are discussed in relation to their utilization in breeding programmes using either conventional or new technologies. A greater interaction between animal scientists and plant breeders is needed to define appropriate techniques to screen for straw quality. This is considered to be essential to incorporate straw quality characteristics in breeding programmes.
- Type
- Research Article
- Information
- BSAP Occasional Publication , Volume 16: Animal Production in Developing Countries , 1993 , pp. 37 - 46
- Copyright
- Copyright © British Society of Animal Production 1993
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