Abstract only

Assessment of farmers that grow the target crops is important for establishment of a new crop breeding program. Objectives of a breeding program should be identified based on farmer requirements and should address farmers' problems, expectations and demands. Genetic variability by the desired traits such as resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses, yield and quality is essential to be presented in the breeding stock {local cultivars, landraces, wild species and populations, etc) to initiate a successful breeding program. Further, the development of breeding systems is highly dependent on the biology ofthe crop of interest, i.e. whether the crop is self- or cross- pollinated, and on the environment of its cultivation. In case of self-pollinated crops, stress tolerance is a major tool to stabilize crop yield and, consequently, a major objective of any breeding program that targets its varieties to low-input farming systems and environments that are not favourable for growing of the crop of interest. "Shutt]e Breeding Approach" emphasizes wide adaptation and facilitates development of varieties better adapted to normal and stress conditions. However, under affluent conditions, where the cultivation conditions are favourable, in addition to disease and pest resistance, emphasis should be made on micronutrient deficit tolerance, which is also true to low-input and low yield environments. In regards to the quality control in seed production systems, it is essential for each country to choose the most appropriate for its conditions formal and informal seed systems, which includes internal seed quality con1ro1, semi-official seed quality control or official seed quality control schemes.

English

0408|AGRIS 0401|AL-Wheat Program

Juan Carlos Mendieta

CIMMYT Publications Collection