Genetic erosion in crops: concept, research results and challenges

• Published in: Plant genetic resources: characterization and utilization Vol. 8; no. 1; pp. 1 - 15
• Main Authors: van de Wouw, Mark, Kik, Chris, van Hintum, Theo, van Treuren, Rob, Visser, Bert
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge, UK Cambridge University Press 01.04.2010
• Subjects: Agriculture; allelic diversity changes; Breeding methods; Crops; Cultivars; Developing countries; durum desf; Farmers; farmers seed selection; Genes; Genetic diversity; genetic erosion; genetische diversiteit; genetische erosie; green-revolution; improved varieties; Kwantitatieve- en populatiegenetica; landraces; landrassen; LDCs; microsatellite markers; modernisering; modernization; molecular diversity; oryza-sativa l; plant breeding; Plant Breeding and Genetics (General); plantenveredeling; Plantenveredeling en -genetica (algemeen); Population and Quantitative Genetics; Seeds; spring bread wheat; temporal trends; triticum-aestivum l; veredelde rassen; genetic erosion; modernization bottleneck; crop diversity

The loss of variation in crops due to the modernization of agriculture has been described as genetic erosion. The current paper discusses the different views that exist on the concept of genetic erosion in crops. Genetic erosion of cultivated diversity is reflected in a modernization bottleneck in t...