Improved pest resistance

Understanding the molecular genetics of plant natural product pathways facilitates the engineering of these pathways for plant improvement and human benefit (see Chapter by Halkier et al). This chapter focuses attention on the need to start applying genomics technology to exotic species for development of biotech crops with novel natural products and with improved pest resistance and increased nutritional value. 

Despite these disadvantages, hybrid vegetables are generally a wise choice for gardeners. They have increased vigor, pest resistance and longevity, and seem to be equal in taste and nntrition to non-hybrid varieties. The fruit, in fact, freqnently has improved shelf life and improvements in both appearance and quality. 

Although they are not pesticides, kelp, seaweed, and micronutrient sprays can help make plants more pest resistant by improving their overall health. Often described as growth enhancers, these products provide an extensive menu of nutrients such as iron and boron that plants need, in very small amounts, for proper growth and development. 

Greater effort is needed to build management systems that help limit development of resistance to new pesticides as well as to conserve other valuable tactics of pest control, such as pest resistant host plants and even some biological control agents (Croft et al. 1988). Such effort will be required for genetically improved forms of these pest control agents, as well. Effective management systems should be put in place before these new tactics of pest control are deployed rather than after problems of pest adaptation to them are detected in the field. 

These important Asian accessions were key to the development of soybeans in the United States when they entered the hands of e breeders at the state agriculture experiment stations. Partnerships with the USDA Soybean Laboratory in Urbana, Illinois, which held this treasure of genetic diversity, led to the significant improvements in yield, pest resistance, and even composition that have characterized the modern development of this crop. 

One way to tackle the problem, according to Professor Beddington, is to improve agricultural productivity since 30 to 40% of all crops are lost due to pest and disease before they are harvested. More disease- and pest-resistant crops as well as plants resistant to drought and sahnity coupled with more efficient irrigation and harvesting practices are needed in the 21st century. 

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