农作物遗传多样性农家保护的现状及前景

农作物地方品种的有效保护是农业生物多样性的可持续利用的基础。由于现代农业的集约化生产方式使大量农作物地方品种被少数高产改良品种所取代,造成农作物基因库的严重“基因流失”（genetic erosion)。农家保护是在农业生态系统中进行的动态保护,被保护的生物多亲性可在其生境中继续进化而产生新的遗传变异,在而是农业生物多样性就地保护的重要途径。然而,尽管人们对作物品种资源农家保护的兴趣不断增长,也有大量有关农家的保护的研究和案例分析,但目前为止还没有比较成功的农家保护实例报道。因此,对农家保护的机制及科学问题进行深入的研究,并寻求一条新的途径来充分发挥农家保护应有的作用,显得格外重要。利用生物多样性布局的水稻混合间栽的生产模式,不仅解决了病害控制的问题,而且也保护了水稻地方品种的多样性。这种混合间栽的生物多样性布局和生产方式可能成为农保护的一条新途径。     

Old Crop,New Society: Persistence and Change of Tartary Buckwheat Farming in Yunnan,China

Traditional agricultural systems are important for crop genetic resources conservation. Many scholars have addressed the problem of traditional cultivar replacement by modern varieties, but few have investigated the entire loss of traditional crops from farming systems. Our prior research suggested that tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum (L.) Gaertn.) agriculture is rapidly decreasing in Yunnan China, the center of the crop’s origin and an important repository of on-farm genetic diversity. Using interdisciplinary methodology to determine whether the crop is indeed in decline and evaluate reasons behind planting trends, we found a combination of interacting agroecological, socio-cultural, and institutional factors influence tartary buckwheat planting in Yunnan. Farmer ethnicity, presence of a commercial market for the crop, and government agricultural policy were particularly important. Low commercial value of the crop compared to other alternatives, reduction of available farmland, and labor shortages were major reasons cited for crop abandonment. Despite an overall reduction in tartary buckwheat planting across a wide spectrum of farms, we also found the crop retains subsistence, rotational and cultural value for many Yunnan farmers. We conclude that although Yunnan farms are increasingly managed commercially rather than for subsistence, tartary buckwheat will continue to occupy a niche in the agricultural landscape.     

Genetic conservation: our evolutionary responsibility

The conservation of the crop varieties of traditional agriculture in the centers of genetic diversity is essential to provide genetic resources for plant improvement. These resources are acutely threatened by rapid agricultural development which is essential for the welfare of millions. Methodologies for genetic conservation have been worked out which are both effective and economical. Urgent action is needed to collect and preserve irreplaceable genetic resources.

Wild species, increasingly endangered by loss of habitats, will depend on organized protection for their survival. On a long term basis this is feasible only within natural communities in a state of continuing evolution, hence there is an urgent need for exploration and clarification of the genetic principles of conservation. Gene pools of wild species are increasingly needed for various uses, from old and new industries to recreation. But the possibility of a virtual end to the evolution of species of no direct use to man raises questions of responsibility and ethics.

     

Plant genetic resources and policy

Genetic engineering will allow the introduction of new genes and novel qualities into crops, thereby extending genetic diversity. However, seed development and bulking through anther and pollen culture will tend to reduce variability. Infrastructural developments, such as the acquisition of small seed companies by large corporations, the patentability of plant germ plasm, and the technological needs of crop processing, will also favour uniformity in crop varieties.The recent history of crop agriculture shows that many plant breeders have recognized that increased homogeneity is inappropriate for world agriculture. Those using biotechnological methods should, therefore, also acknowledge the need for genetic diversity.     

Landraces of maize in Central Mexico: an altitudinal transect

Conservation of crop genetic resources is now considered an important component of sustainable agricultural development. If conservation of genetic resources for agriculture is to be successful, a more complete understanding of the dynamics affecting traditional (landrace) crop populations is needed. We conducted a study of maize-based agriculture in the Central Highlands of Mexico in communities at 2400, 1700, 1400, and 1200 masl to assess the status of traditional varieties in an area characterized by thorough integration into the national economy. Our research contradicts the view that modern varieties persist because of marginal conditions, deficient infrastructure, weaker markets, or traditional attitudes. One or two landraces dominated highland maize populations and farmers appeared to be more conservative in terms of their emphasis on traditional maize varieties than at lower elevations. The dominance of traditional varieties in the highlands is well known but poorly explained, and the coexistence of traditional and modern varieties in the mid-elevations was unexpected. Our highland study area has good roads, is near Mexico City, and is less than 50 km away from four major crop research institutes that have done maize breeding since 1950’s. We suggest that in situ conservation of maize genetic resources in the highlands is sustained because the landraces there have good agronomic performance and are highly valued by farmers for their end-use qualities. At the mid-elevations, competition between local and modern maize was sharpest, and farmers have found that both landraces and improved varieties suit their needs, hence enhancing genetic diversity. Interventions and incentives would appropriately be carried out here to assure in situ conservation of locally adapted landraces of maize.     

苦荞地方种质资源的遗传多样性分析

利用SSR分子标记技术对中国苦荞主产区陕西、云南、四川、西藏等地的82份苦荞地方种质的遗传多样性进行了分析,以揭示中国特有的作物种质--苦荞地方种质资源的遗传多样性,促进苦荞优良品种的选育.结果显示:(1)所用25个SSR引物中有13个引物在苦荞地方品种中具有多态性,且扩增条带的稳定性较好,共扩增出208条条带,其中多态性条带200条,占总数的96.2%;(2)聚类分析结果显示,82份苦荞材料的遗传相似系数(GS)分布于0.52～0.85之间,平均值为0.69,在GS值为0.722的水平上,82份材料被聚为10大类群.研究表明82份苦荞品种间遗传多样性明显,具有丰富的遗传基础.     

1. The importance of genetic resources in plant breeding

Modern agricultural technology and the introduction of new high-yielding varieties are largely eliminating the wide range of crop genetic diversity that has evolved during the five to ten thousand years since food plants were first domesticated. Related wild species are also on the decline because of new land use policies. These gene pools (or what is left of them) are generally spoken of as genetic resources, and are vitally needed in the creation of new crop varieties by plant breeders. Wild species and land races often furnish genes conferring resistance to diseases and pests and adaptation to environmental stresses which cannot be found in the modern crop varieties.
The study of genetic diversity of crops, its storage in gene banks or in natural reserves, its evaluation and enhancement, are briefly described. The genetic resources work of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) and other international agencies such as the International Board for Plant Genetic Resources (IBPGR) is outlined.     

Heritage genetics for adaptation to marginal soils in barley

Future crops need to be sustainable in the face of climate change. Modern barley varieties have been bred for high productivity and quality; however, they have suffered considerable genetic erosion, losing crucial genetic diversity. This renders modern cultivars vulnerable to climate change and stressful environments. We highlight the potential to tailor crops to a specific environment by utilising diversity inherent in an adapted landrace population. Tapping into natural biodiversity, while incorporating information about local environmental and climatic conditions, allows targeting of key traits and genotypes, enabling crop production in marginal soils. We outline future directions for the utilisation of genetic resources maintained in landrace collections to support sustainable agriculture through germplasm development via the use of genomics technologies and big data.     

Unmanaged sexual reproduction and the dynamics of genetic diversity of a vegetatively propagated crop plant, cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz), in a traditional farming system

Occurrence of intervarietal or interspecific natural crosses has been reported for many crop plants in traditional farming systems, underlining the potential importance of this source of genetic exchange for the dynamics of genetic diversity of crop plants. In this study, we use microsatellite loci to investigate the role of volunteer seedlings (plants originating from unmanaged sexual reproduction) in the dynamics of genetic diversity of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz), a vegetatively propagated crop, in a traditional farming system in Guyana. A previous field study showed that farmers incorporate such plants into the germplasm for vegetative propagation, and that many of them are likely to be assigned by farmers to recognized varieties. Under strict vegetative propagation clonality of varieties is expected. The high proportion of polyclonal varieties observed suggests that incorporation of seedlings into the germplasm for propagation is a frequent event. The molecular variability assessed with microsatellite markers shows that there is high differentiation among heterozygous varieties, whereas populations of seedlings do not depart from the proportions expected under Hardy-Weinberg assumptions. Assignment of seedlings to a recognized variety on the basis of morphological similarity greatly increases genetic diversity within the variety. We argue that recombination and gene flow play a major role in the dynamics of genetic diversity of cassava in traditional farming systems. Documenting unmanaged sexual reproduction and its genetic consequences is a prerequisite for defining strategies of in situ conservation of crop plant genetic resources.     

Dynamic Management of Maize Landraces in Central Mexico

Conservationists of crop genetic resources have feared that in situ conservation was not viable for agriculture precisely because of changes resulting from introduction of new varieties of existing crops, new crops, and new farm practices. In addition, conservation within farming systems necessarily implies a constantly changing crop population resulting from the processes of crop evolution. Even though in situ conservation of crop genetic resources is now generally understood to be dynamic, there are few examples of how evolution takes place in farmers fields. This study describes several changes in maize landraces in four communities along an altitude transect in Central Mexico (1200 to 2400 masl). While true modern varieties have not been widely adopted in the study region, farmer management results in numerous changes in maize landrace populations. Five types of dynamic management were observed: (1) purposeful hybridization between traditional and modern maize types, (2) possible creation of a new maize landrace by directional selection of the progeny of hybridization between two traditional landraces, (3) displacement of a local landrace by the introduction of a modern variety and a non-local landrace, (4) maintenance of stable populations of a locally dominant landrace, and (5) market-driven selection for a minor variety. We concur that in situ conservation of crops must be conceived as an open process where the objective is not to maintain historic varieties or static genetic conditions. Rather, in situ conservation of crops is totally in the hands of the farmer, although interventions may be designed to influence farmers’ management of agrobiodiversity.     

Estimating maize genetic erosion in modernized smallholder agriculture

Replacement of crop landraces by modern varieties is thought to cause diversity loss. We studied genetic erosion in maize within a model system; modernized smallholder agriculture in southern Mexico. The local seed supply was described through interviews and in situ seed collection. In spite of the dominance of commercial seed, the informal seed system was found to persist. True landraces were rare and most informal seed was derived from modern varieties (creolized). Seed lots were characterized for agronomical traits and molecular markers. We avoided the problem of non-consistent nomenclature by taking individual seed lots as the basis for diversity inference. We defined diversity as the weighted average distance between seed lots. Diversity was calculated for subsets of the seed supply to assess the impact of replacing traditional landraces with any of these subsets. Results were different for molecular markers, ear- and vegetative/flowering traits. Nonetheless, creolized varieties showed low diversity for all traits. These varieties were distinct from traditional landraces and little differentiated from their ancestral stocks. Although adoption of creolized maize into the informal seed system has lowered diversity as compared to traditional landraces, genetic erosion was moderated by the distinct features offered by modern varieties.     

中国作物种质资源多样性

本文综述了中国作物种质资源的物种多样性和遗传多样性。按农艺学和用途可将中国作物分为8大类即粮食作物、经济作物、蔬菜作物、果树作物、饲用和绿肥作物、花卉作物、药用作物和林木作物。汇集了中国作物总计有840种（类）,涉及栽培物种1251个和野生近缘植物物种3308个,它们隶属176个科和619个属,这充分说明中国作物种质资源物种多样性相当丰富。依据中国作物的类型或变种多和性状变异幅度大,阐明了中国作物种质资源遗传多样性十分丰富。为中国作物种质资源的收集、保护、高效利用、创新、分类和遗传研究奠定了坚实基础,为生物多样性保护提供了科学依据。     

Genetic diversity trends in twentieth century crop cultivars: a meta analysis

In recent years, an increasing number of papers has been published on the genetic diversity trends in crop cultivars released in the last century using a variety of molecular techniques. No clear general trends in diversity have emerged from these studies. Meta analytical techniques, using a study weight adapted for use with diversity indices, were applied to analyze these studies. In the meta analysis, 44 published papers were used, addressing diversity trends in released crop varieties in the twentieth century for eight different field crops, wheat being the most represented. The meta analysis demonstrated that overall in the long run no substantial reduction in the regional diversity of crop varieties released by plant breeders has taken place. A significant reduction of 6% in diversity in the 1960s as compared with the diversity in the 1950s was observed. Indications are that after the 1960s and 1970s breeders have been able to again increase the diversity in released varieties. Thus, a gradual narrowing of the genetic base of the varieties released by breeders could not be observed. Separate analyses for wheat and the group of other field crops and separate analyses on the basis of regions all showed similar trends in diversity.     

Positive effects of wheat variety mixtures on aboveground arthropods are weak and variable

Although modern agriculture generally relies on homogeneous varieties that are usually grown in pure stands, crop variety mixtures have been used for a long time, notably to improve resistance to fungal diseases. A growing number of studies suggest that intraspecific plant diversity may also enhance the abundance and diversity of wild species and thereby some ecosystem services such as biological control by natural predators. However, positive effects of the genetic diversity of plant species on the diversity of associated communities have mostly been documented in natural systems, with only a handful of studies targeting crop species in agroecosystems. Here, we investigated the ecological effects of the number of winter wheat varieties (Triticum aestivum) on aboveground arthropods and particularly predatory species. We manipulated the number of wheat varieties (1, 2, 4 or 8) in 120 plots (80 m² each) to examine how wheat diversity and stand characteristics impact communities of three dominant aboveground arthropod groups that include many predatory species: ground beetles, rove beetles and spiders. The number of wheat varieties had a weak, but positive effect on predator abundance, notably spider abundance. In contrast, wheat functional diversity, as assessed by the number of wheat functional groups, was only negatively related to the diversity of spiders. Among wheat stand characteristics, the variance in plant height, wheat biomass and the Green Area Index were weakly correlated with ground beetle, rove beetle and predatory diversity, respectively. The Green Area Index was also weakly correlated with ground beetle abundance. Our study suggests that wheat variety mixtures have variable and limited effects on aboveground arthropods and probably low effectiveness to enhance biological control, but these results should be further tested under low-input agriculture in real fields.     

云南栽培稻种SSR遗传多样性比较

采用64个SSR标记对96份云南水稻（Oryza sativa）地方品种和选育品种的遗传多样性进行比较分析。结果发现64个标记都具有多态性,共检测到741个等位基因,每个多态性位点检测到的等位基因数为2—29个,平均11．57个：Nei基因多样性指数（He）范围在0．345（RM321）-0．932（RM1）之间,平均为0．56。水稻品种的遗传多样性并非按地理位置均匀分布,而是在相似系数为0．17的水平上明显分为2个不同类群,即籼稻类群和粳稻类群,且籼粳亚种间的SSR多样性差异不明显,籼稻平均等位基因数（Ap）和Nei基因多样性指数（Ap=10．6,He=0．46）与粳稻品种（Ap=10．7,He=0．48）十分接近,可能与这些品种间存在一定频率的基因交流有关。糯稻和非糯稻在籼稻群和粳稻群中都有表现,没有特别的分布规律。云南栽培稻选育品种与地方稻亲缘关系较近,其遗传基础可能来源于云南水稻地方品种。本研究结果表明,SSR标记能较好地区分云南栽培稻品种,且云南水稻地方品种遗传多样性丰富,存在大量的优质性状可供育种实践选择。     

云南栽培稻种SSR 遗传多样性比较

采用64个SSR标记对96份云南水稻(Oryz a sativa)地方品种和选育品种的遗传多样性进行比较分析。结果发现64个标记都具有多态性, 共检测到741个等位基因, 每个多态性位点检测到的等位基因数为2-29个, 平均11.57个; Nei基因多样性指数(He)范围在0.345(RM321)-0.932(RM1)之间, 平均为0.56。水稻品种的遗传多样性并非按地理位置均匀分布, 而是在相 似系数为0.17的水平上明显分为2个不同类群, 即籼稻类群和粳稻类群, 且籼粳亚种间的SSR多样性差异不明显, 籼稻平均等位基因数(Ap)和Nei基因多样性指数(Ap=10.6, He=0.46)与粳稻品种(Ap=10.7, He=0.48)十分接近, 可能与这些品种间存在一定频率的基因交流有关。糯稻和非糯稻在籼稻群和粳稻群中都有表现, 没有特别的分布规律。云南栽培稻选育品种与地方稻亲缘关系较近, 其遗传基础可能来源于云南水稻地方品种。本研究结果表明, SSR标记能较好地区分云南栽培稻品种, 且云南水稻地方品种遗传多样性丰富, 存在大量的优质性状可供育种实践选择。     

A global barley panel revealing genomic signatures of breeding in modern Australian cultivars

The future of plant cultivar improvement lies in the evaluation of genetic resources from currently available germplasm. Today’s gene pool of crop genetic diversity has been shaped during domestication and more recently by breeding. Recent efforts in plant breeding have been aimed at developing new and improved varieties from poorly adapted crops to suit local environments. However, the impact of these breeding efforts is poorly understood. Here, we assess the contributions of both historical and recent breeding efforts to local adaptation and crop improvement in a global barley panel by analysing the distribution of genetic variants with respect to geographic region or historical breeding category. By tracing the impact that breeding had on the genetic diversity of Hordeum vulgare (barley) released in Australia, where the history of barley production is relatively young, we identify 69 candidate regions within 922 genes that were under selection pressure. We also show that modern Australian barley varieties exhibit 12% higher genetic diversity than historical cultivars. Finally, field-trialling and phenotyping for agriculturally relevant traits across a diverse range of Australian environments suggests that genomic regions under strong breeding selection and their candidate genes are closely associated with key agronomic traits. In conclusion, our combined data set and germplasm collection provide a rich source of genetic diversity that can be applied to understanding and improving environmental adaptation and enhanced yields.     

Genetic diversity in Taro (Colocasia esculenta Schott, Araceae) in China: An ethnobotanical and genetic approach

Taro,Colocasia esculenta (Araceae), is a widely distributed and important food crop in the humid tropics and subtropics. Relatively neglected by science, much knowledge of genetic diversity in taro is with farmers. Taro genetic resources managed by five ethnic communities and Han farming villages in diverse ecosystems were sampled and characterized in Yunnan Province, southwest China. This study documented a new type of flowering taro selected by farmers which is widely and intensively cultivated for its edible flower. Samples representing 20 traditional cultivars were grouped into five major morphotypes according to ethnobotanical, agro-morphological, and preliminary genetic characterization. Folk taxonomy and uses tended to confirm the five morphotypes recognized by peoples of Yunnan for their distinctive properties and uses. These major taro morphotypes are key units for assessing how patterns of use maintain genetic diversity and to monitor potential genetic erosion. The morphotype groups also suggest possible evolutionary relationships in cultivated taros.     

云南红花种质资源主要农艺性状的遗传多样性分析

为加强红花种质资源的研究利用,对筛选出的66份云南红花优异种质资源16个形态性状进行聚类分析与主成分分析。结果表明:云南红花种质资源具有丰富的遗传多样性,多样性指数最高的是果球着粒数,其次是株高、最末分枝高度和千粒重;性状变异系数最大的是分枝总数,其次分别是单株有效果球数和第一分枝高度,最小的为顶果球直径;基于各种质间形态性状的遗传差异,把66份红花种质聚类并划分为6大类群。第Ⅰ类群可作为有增产潜力的亲本材料,第Ⅲ类群可作为高产量目标选育的亲本,第Ⅳ类群可作为大粒型选育亲本,第Ⅴ类群可作为高含油量选育目标亲本,第Ⅵ类群既是大粒型又是高含油量双重选育目标亲本。11个数量性状的主成分分析结果表明,前4个主成分累计贡献率达82.59%,第一主成分反映植株高度,第二主成分反映产量构成因子,第三、第四主成分分别反映千粒重和果球着粒数。研究结果表明云南红花地方种质资源的变异较大,遗传较丰富。     

Application of a partitioning procedure based on Rao quadratic entropy index to characterize the temporal evolution of in situ varietal and genetic diversity of bread wheat in France over the period 1981–2006

Key message

We present and highlight a partitioning procedure based on the Rao quadratic entropy index to assess temporal in situ inter-annual varietal and genetic changes of crop diversity.

Abstract

For decades, Western-European agroecosystems have undergone profound changes, among which a reduction of crop genetic diversity. These changes have been highlighted in numerous studies, but no unified partitioning procedure has been proposed to compute the inter-annual variability in both varietal and genetic diversity. To fill this gap, we tested, adjusted and applied a partitioning procedure based on the Rao quadratic entropy index that made possible to describe the different components of crop diversity as well as to account for the relative acreages of varieties. To emphasize the relevance of this procedure, we relied on a case study focusing on the temporal evolution of bread wheat diversity in France over the period 1981–2006 at both national and district scales. At the national scale, we highlighted a decrease of the weighted genetic replacement indicating that varieties sown in the most recent years were more genetically similar than older ones. At the district scale, we highlighted sudden changes in weighted genetic replacement in some agricultural regions that could be due to fast shifts of successive leading varieties over time. Other regions presented a relatively continuous increase of genetic similarity over time, potentially due to the coexistence of a larger number of co-leading varieties that got closer genetically. Based on the partitioning procedure, we argue that a tendency of in situ genetic homogenization could be compared to some of its potential causes, such as a decrease in the speed of replacement or an increase in between-variety genetic similarity over time.