b'This technology enables the development of parental material in a much shorter time,so the development process has a smaller carbon footprint.John LindboIn contrast, gene editing can enable precise changes in DNA, so just the desired gene can be brought into a plant without all the genetic baggage from older breeding methods. Lindbo says molecular markers are used a lot to facilitate the fixation of important traits and increase the potential of plants we take to the field for evaluation. Using these DNA tests lets us make better varieties in a way that uses less resourceslike less water or field space. Tissue culture is used to create dihaploid lines. These are finished (genetically stable) lines that can be used immediately in the development of new hybrid varieties. This technology enables the development of parental material in a much shorter time, so the development process has a smaller carbon footprint. Peter Visser, the R&D crop lead for leafies, okra, asparagus, celeriac at BASFs vegetable seeds business, says molecular mark-ers, genomic tools, double haploids and statistical (or genomic) prediction of line and hybrid performance are some examples of breeding techniques that are increasingly being used. Utilizing breeding technologies allows vegetable breeders to bring These technologies are not new, but the increased power andimproved varieties to the market faster, such as BASFs Intense speed of computing gives them new life in aiding plant breedingtomatoes that improve performance for the food industry with their in vegetable seeds, he says. Also worth mentioning is that thefull flesh that retains juice after cutting, or the Coliseo melon, cost of each has significantly decreased over the years. Now thesewhich quickly offers resistance to a new virus.technologies are intertwined into the variety development steps. IMAGE COURTESY OF BASF AGRICULTURAL SOLUTIONS NORTH AMERICAAdditionally, advancements in computing power such as computer vision and machine learning enables digitalization ofi.e., agility and speed of plant breeding, cost of R&D and speed phenotyping in field and greenhouse. This can be used to eitherto market, he continues. improve data quality, increase output or to phenotype traits thatIf gene editing becomes deregulated and the level of public couldnt be done before these technologies were available. acceptance increases, Visser says, this technique may slowly The overall goal of new breeding techniques is to generallybecome more used to make specific adjustments to existing speed up the selections process through increased accuracy andvarieties, but only when natural variation is not readily available bring improved varieties to market faster, Visser adds.to the breeder. [However], it is not very likely that gene editing will replace Whats Next? current modern breeding technologies like hybrid breeding, As for what the next three to five years holds for plant breed- marker assisted breeding, genomic selection, or the use of ing and gene editing, Lindbo says he does not foresee a lot ofdouble haploids.change, but rather a steady evolution. Ruthner says the industry can clearly see the huge potential To be successful, I think the first vegetable products tothat the latest breeding methods, such as genome editing, can emerge using this technology will have to be providing enhance- bring to the seed sector. ments that excite the consumer, he says. At the moment, the biggest limitation is the legislative uncer-Visser believes the industry is ready to use new technology.tainty in many areas of the world, he says. Therefore, we see only The speed of implementation depends on the cost of dereg- niche products on niche markets and there is no product being ulation and, above all, on the impact these have on our business:commercialized with global relevance.SW76/ SEEDWORLD.COMINTERNATIONAL EDITION 2022'