Performance and variability of thirteen winter wheat composite cross populations (CCP) with differing cultivation histories.

Summary

Alternative breeding approaches in organic agriculture have started to address pressing issues such as the lack of appropriate plant varieties particularly suited to cope with higher biotic and abiotic stresses, generally found in low-input and organic production systems. This challenge, coupled with the additional pressure of loss of plant genetic diversity, has driven novel breeding approaches such as Composite Cross Populations (CCPs) and other genotype mixtures, thereby increasing both intra- and inter-varietal diversity. This High genetic Diversity (Hi-D) approach is relevant to organic agricultural systems for two reasons; firstly the availability of diverse germplasm improves chances of finding germplasm suited for low-input conditions as found in organic agriculture. Secondly, the comparatively large environmental variability in organic systems needs to be buffered with higher levels of in-field diversity. COBRA (Coordinating Organic plant BReeding Activities for Diversity) aims to support and develop plant breeding and seed production in Europe by increasing the use of plant material with High genetic Diversity (Hi-D) through coordinating, linking and expanding existing breeding and research in cereals (wheat and barley) and grain legumes (pea and faba bean).