Breeding traits

Table 6.4 shows further examples of suitable breeding traits for organic livestock. In general, these traits lead away from maximum performance. Instead, an optimum performance should be the aim. 

Table 6.4 Aims and possible breeding traits for organic livestock breeding...

Still today, there is a gap between short-term economic view and long-term sustainability in breeding goals. This difference leads to the attribution of a market or non-market value to the breeding traits (Olesen et fl/., 2000). With the increasing societal expectations of sustainable development, more efforts on non-market value traits (animal welfare, reduced environmental impact, safe and healthy food) are required. With an... 

Orchid Cellmark is focused on identity DNA testing services for both, human and agriculture applications. Specifically, in the DNA testing services are used for food safety and selective trait breeding in the agriculture industry. The patented SNP method employs DNA polymerase for carrying out the biochemical reactions, which lead to the identification of the SNP by isolating the site of a suspected SNP. 

The genotypes used in organic farming are often the same crossbreeds as in conventional production but also encompass a wide range of rare breeds characterised by specific traits. Sometimes conservation of rare breeds is the objective in different farm units. 

Camelina sativa, a rare and unexploited crop plant Camelina sativa is grown as a crop plant only in Finland and Ireland. Because it is a self-pollinating plant the risk of inadvertently transferring the new trait to naturally occurring plant relatives in the environment is low. Camelina sativa has not been extensively used in plant breeding, which means that there are only few varieties of the plant... 

For next development of allelopathy utilization, especially such ways as breeding for stronger allelopathic potential is very hopeful. Hybridization could be a promising method of breeding. However, allelopathic activity was identified as a quantitative trait and therefore this characteristic is affected by both genetic effects and environmental conditions. The main disadvantage of the application of allelopathy is considerable variability in the dependence on environment. Therefore all results achieved in laboratory should be compared with effects of allelopathic crops in field conditions. 

Courtois B, Olofsdotter M (1998) Incorporating the allelopathy trait in upland rice breeding programs. In Olofsdotter M (ed) Allelopathy in rice. Int Rice Res Ins, Manila, Philippines,... 

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