Abstract
To feed the continuously growing world population requires sustainable food production in both nutrient-stressed environments (low-fertility soils) and fertile soils. In many low-fertility soils, the limiting factor for plant growth is often the bioavailability of the nutrient of concern rather than its total amount in the soil. The traditional approach to correcting low-fertility soils has been fertilizer application. This is now being challenged by economic viability and the negative environmental impacts of nutrient loss from soil to ground water. Modifying the plant to suit the soil is emerging as an useful alternative. Differences in plant nutrient acquisition/efficiency exist among different species and/or genotypes. This genetic variation allows possible improvement of crop cultivars for nutrient-stressed environments by manipulating related plant traits through either conventional or molecular plant breeding (including marker-assisted selection and genetic engineering). This paper examines strategies employed by various plant species/cultivars to acquire nutrients with low bioavailability and the genetic control of these strategies. Current approaches to breeding for low-nutrient environments are also discussed in order to identify new research directions and initiatives for future development of genetic resources and crop cultivar improvement.
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Zhu, YG., Huang, C., Howes, N.K., Smith, S.E. (2002). Breeding for low-nutrient environments. In: Adu-Gyamfi, J.J. (eds) Food Security in Nutrient-Stressed Environments: Exploiting Plants’ Genetic Capabilities. Developments in Plant and Soil Sciences, vol 95. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-1570-6_7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-1570-6_7
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