Speaker
Description
Abstract
Introduction:
This study employs a comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to examine the impact of breeding on yield, greenhouse gas emissions, and carbon footprint trends for five cereal crops (winter wheat, rye, winter barley, spring barley, and winter triticale) over a 39-year period.
Materials and Methods:
We utilized data from Variety for Cultivation and Use (VCU) trials, analyzing it through mixed model analysis. This method allowed us to differentiate genetic influences from non-genetic agronomic factors.
Results:
Our results indicate a significant, consistent genetic improvement in yields across all crops, particularly in winter triticale. However, yields plateaued around the year 2000 and subsequently declined, likely due to agronomic impacts from climate change, with rye being the most affected. The analysis of greenhouse gas emissions followed a similar pattern (Figure 1). Notably, the carbon footprint analysis showed a reduction due to genetic improvements, pointing to successful breeding for sustainability.
Figure 1: Five cereal crops’ genetic and non-genetic yield trend from 1960 to 2021
Discussion:
The findings underscore the dual role of breeding in enhancing crop yields and mitigating climate change effects. Despite genetic gains, non-genetic factors such as external environmental pressures pose ongoing challenges. The study highlights the critical need for breeding strategies that address these factors to sustain food production and contribute to environmental conservation.
| Keywords | greenhouse gas emission, carbon footprint, breeding progress, genetic and non genetic trends |
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