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GUEST EDITORIAL

Field Work

President and Director, Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St. Louis, Missouri

RnBeachy{at}danforthcenter.org

Q: Why a Plant Genome Supplement for Crop Science?

A: Because there is a need to put information about the genomes of crop plants in the context of the field that it serves. The world of plant genome studies has advanced rapidly during the past two decades, and we look forward with anticipation to new tools that will make the information ever more accessible to the science and technology of crop improvement.

Genomic science technologies make it possible to collect DNA sequences from crop and non-crop plants at an astounding rate: plant breeders are using the information to map traits and isolate genes; physiologists use the information in research to determine how plants respond to stresses and the relationships between stress, genes and yield potentials; plant scientists of all disciplines will combine the analytical tools of metabalomics, and proteomics, and other ‘omics’ sciences to reveal insights to the complex nature of plants in their environment. Using systems-based approaches to solve difficult questions in crop science start with, and are facilitated by, studies in plant genomics. Readers of this journal need ready access, and exposure, to this information.

Scientists who read Crop Science include those that recognize the many challenges that face modern agriculture, including the need to: produce sufficient amounts of safe and nutritious food in a time when population growth is high, conserve and protect the agricultural environment while deriving maximum yield, promote a future where "bio-products" expand in importance, and serve the farmer/producer under increasing financial pressures. As the U.S. agricultural community, including public and private sector scientists and private companies, comes face to face with its challenges (and challengers), science and technology will be front and center to develop the solutions. We face issues as encompassing as climate change and global warming, and as local as fresh produce and rural industries. The competitive nature of world and local markets will demand ever better food and cost-competitive production. Genomics sciences will serve those that choose genetic modification as a method for crop improvement, as well as those that apply conventional breeding methods, or those that develop and improve organic agriculture practices.

The sciences that derive from knowledge of genome sequences are far broader than first anticipated by many of us. The revolution that began in the late 1970's is showing the path to a future in agriculture that is based on an understanding of molecular and cellular events which, when combined with the wisdom of experiences of field biologists, will allow plant scientists to achieve the goals outlined above, and to go far beyond.

It was easy to answer the question posed in the first line of this article. Congratulations to Crop Science as they take this important step.

This Article Full Text (PDF) Free Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Beachy, R. N. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Beachy, R. N. Agricola Articles by Beachy, R. N.