PutraMOOC | PRT2008M Topic 4 Genetic Resources in Agriculture (Part I)

Summary

Dr. Umarani Sena, an Associate Professor from the University Putra Malaysia, discusses the vital role of genetic resources in agriculture. She defines genetic resources as the hereditary material in plants, animals, and microbes essential for agricultural production. The lecture covers the difference between domesticated species, altered by human intervention, and wild types, which naturally grow without human influence. She also explains the concepts of center of origin and center of diversity, highlighting their relevance in understanding biodiversity and genetic variation in agriculture. The lecture underscores the importance of conserving genetic resources for sustainable farming practices.

Takeaways

• 😀 Genetic resources refer to any living organisms, including plants, animals, and microbes, that contain functional units of heredity, which allow them to reproduce and are renewable.
• 😀 Biodiversity refers to the variety of species within a specific area, which plays a crucial role in agriculture by providing resources for food, fiber, and medicine production.
• 😀 Agriculture depends on genetic resources from biodiversity, as humans exploit these organisms for various needs such as food, clothing, transportation, and scientific research.
• 😀 Domesticated species are those that humans have intentionally bred over generations for specific traits, such as larger size or non-shattering seeds, to meet human needs.
• 😀 Wild species grow in nature without human intervention and undergo natural reproduction and evolution, which is different from domesticated species.
• 😀 An example of domestication is wheat, which underwent significant changes over time, including selecting for traits such as non-shattering seeds, making it easier for humans to harvest.
• 😀 The process of domestication often leads to species being altered in both appearance and behavior, as they are bred to suit human agricultural needs.
• 😀 The center of origin of a plant is where the plant species first developed its distinct properties, either in its wild or domesticated form.
• 😀 The center of diversity refers to the geographical area where a plant species exhibits the highest degree of variation, indicating genetic diversity.
• 😀 While the center of origin and center of diversity are often the same, they can differ if a plant species is introduced to a new area, leading to increased genetic diversity elsewhere.
• 😀 Understanding the relationship between agriculture and genetic resources is essential for sustaining and improving agricultural production systems in the future.

Q & A

What are genetic resources in agriculture?

Genetic resources in agriculture refer to any plant, animal, microbial, or other living organisms that contain functional units of heredity, allowing them to reproduce and be renewable.

How is biodiversity related to genetic resources?

Biodiversity, or biological diversity, refers to the variety of species within a specific area. It is closely linked to genetic resources as these resources form the basis of agricultural production and sustainability by exploiting animal, plant, and microbial diversity.

What is the role of domestication in agriculture?

Domestication involves human intervention to selectively breed plants or animals to meet human needs, such as for food, fiber, or aesthetic purposes. This process alters the species over generations, both in appearance and behavior, to suit human requirements.

What is the difference between domesticated and wild-type species?

Domesticated species are those that have been selectively bred under human control, leading to alterations in appearance or behavior. Wild-type species, on the other hand, grow naturally and go through their life cycle without human intervention.

What is meant by the term 'shattering' in plant domestication?

Shattering refers to the process where mature grains naturally fall off the plant, which is a trait seen in wild plants. However, domesticated plants have been bred to have non-shattering traits to make harvesting easier and more efficient.

Why is the concept of genetic resources important in agriculture?

Genetic resources are crucial in agriculture because they provide the genetic diversity needed for crop breeding, adaptation to environmental changes, and disease resistance. They also support the sustainable production of food, fiber, and other products.

What is the center of origin of a plant species?

The center of origin is the geographical area where a plant species first developed its distinct characteristics, either in its wild form or through domestication. It is where the species' evolutionary history began.

What is the center of diversity of a plant species?

The center of diversity refers to the geographical area where a plant species exhibits the highest degree of variation, meaning there are many different varieties of that species in that location.

How do the center of origin and center of diversity relate to each other?

The center of origin and center of diversity are often similar, as the place where a plant species developed its distinct properties is also where it shows the greatest genetic variation. However, they can differ if a species is moved from its center of origin to a new area where diversity also develops.

Can the center of origin and center of diversity be in different locations?

Yes, the center of origin and center of diversity can be different locations. This occurs when a crop is moved from its origin to a new area, resulting in a different geographical location where genetic variation (center of diversity) increases.