Utility of basic research in plant/crop physiology in relation to crop improvement : A review and a personal account
Agricultural research and development plays an essential role in a nation's economic development, providing for food security for an ever-increasing population. In developed countries, the gap between potential and actual yield is largely closed because of a combination of advanced technologies, hig...
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| Format: | Journal Article |
| Language: | Inglés |
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FapUNIFESP
2006
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://hdl.handle.net/10568/44214 |
| _version_ | 1855517848728764416 |
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| author | El-Sharkawy, Mabrouk A. |
| author_browse | El-Sharkawy, Mabrouk A. |
| author_facet | El-Sharkawy, Mabrouk A. |
| author_sort | El-Sharkawy, Mabrouk A. |
| collection | Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace) |
| description | Agricultural research and development plays an essential role in a nation's economic development, providing for food security for an ever-increasing population. In developed countries, the gap between potential and actual yield is largely closed because of a combination of advanced technologies, high-yielding new varieties and the application of agrochemicals in highly mechanized production systems. In most of these countries, agricultural production exceeds national demand, resulting in excess products for export. In many of the developing countries, however, agricultural productivity is still far below what it should be because of multiple technical and socio-economic constraints. Food deficits are the norm in poor and middle-income countries, requiring expensive food imports. To partially alleviate this situation, agricultural research must be strengthened. As branches of basic sciences, plant and crop physiology have often been criticized for being non-effective in translating their findings into improving crop productivity, which would enhance agricultural progress. This paper addresses this issue by presenting an assessment of past achievements of physiological research and their impacts on crop improvement and food production. Shortcomings and limitations of isolated, non-relevant research are discussed, along with scientist views on how effective physiological research should be conducted and integrated within breeding-based multidisciplinary research teams. Examples of successful research in crop physiology and their contributions towards increasing crop productivity are given. All this points to the need for steadfast funding of basic research by public and private sectors of developed countries. |
| format | Journal Article |
| id | CGSpace44214 |
| institution | CGIAR Consortium |
| language | Inglés |
| publishDate | 2006 |
| publishDateRange | 2006 |
| publishDateSort | 2006 |
| publisher | FapUNIFESP |
| publisherStr | FapUNIFESP |
| record_format | dspace |
| spelling | CGSpace442142025-05-14T13:29:37Z Utility of basic research in plant/crop physiology in relation to crop improvement : A review and a personal account El-Sharkawy, Mabrouk A. plant breeding photosynthesis drought resistance photoperiodicity plant physiology drought stress fitomejoramiento fotosíntesis resistencia a la sequía fotoperiodismo fisiología vegetal estrés de sequía Agricultural research and development plays an essential role in a nation's economic development, providing for food security for an ever-increasing population. In developed countries, the gap between potential and actual yield is largely closed because of a combination of advanced technologies, high-yielding new varieties and the application of agrochemicals in highly mechanized production systems. In most of these countries, agricultural production exceeds national demand, resulting in excess products for export. In many of the developing countries, however, agricultural productivity is still far below what it should be because of multiple technical and socio-economic constraints. Food deficits are the norm in poor and middle-income countries, requiring expensive food imports. To partially alleviate this situation, agricultural research must be strengthened. As branches of basic sciences, plant and crop physiology have often been criticized for being non-effective in translating their findings into improving crop productivity, which would enhance agricultural progress. This paper addresses this issue by presenting an assessment of past achievements of physiological research and their impacts on crop improvement and food production. Shortcomings and limitations of isolated, non-relevant research are discussed, along with scientist views on how effective physiological research should be conducted and integrated within breeding-based multidisciplinary research teams. Examples of successful research in crop physiology and their contributions towards increasing crop productivity are given. All this points to the need for steadfast funding of basic research by public and private sectors of developed countries. A pesquisa e o desenvolvimento agrícola têm função essencial no desenvolvimento econômico das nações, provendo segurança alimentar para uma população em constante crescimento demográfico. Em países desenvolvidos, as lacunas entre a produção potencial e a produção real são sobremodo estreitas, devido a uma combinação de tecnologias avançadas, novas variedades altamente produtivas e aplicação de agroquímicos em sistemas de produção altamente mecanizados. Na maioria daqueles países, a produção agrícola supera a demanda nacional, resultando em excedentes para a exportação. Em muitos países em desenvolvimento, entretanto, a produtividade agrícola está ainda muito abaixo de seu potencial devido a limitações técnicas e sócio-econômicas. Déficit alimentar é a norma em países pobres e subdesenvolvidos, os quais requerem vultosas importações de alimentos. Para aliviar parcialmente essa situação, pesquisas de cunho agrícola devem ser reforçadas. Como ramos das ciências básicas, a fisiologia vegetal e a fisiologia da produção têm sido freqüentemente criticadas por não traduzirem seus resultados de pesquisa em melhoria da produtividade. Este artigo é focado nesse tema, apresentando uma avaliação das realizações pretéritas da pesquisa fisiológica e de seus impactos sobre o melhoramento das culturas e sobre a produção de alimentos. Discutem-se deficiências e limitações de pesquisas isoladas e de pouca relevância, juntamente com opiniões do cientista sobre como pesquisas efetivas na área da fisiologia devem ser conduzidas e integradas dentro de equipes de pesquisa multidisciplinares associadas ao melhoramento vegetal. Exemplos de pesquisas de sucesso na fisiologia da produção e suas contribuições para aumentar a produtividade agrícola são apresentados. Todos esses aspectos apontam para a necessidade de pronto financiamento da pesquisa básica por setores públicos e privados de países desenvolvidos. 2006-12 2014-10-02T08:33:26Z 2014-10-02T08:33:26Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/44214 en Open Access FapUNIFESP |
| spellingShingle | plant breeding photosynthesis drought resistance photoperiodicity plant physiology drought stress fitomejoramiento fotosíntesis resistencia a la sequía fotoperiodismo fisiología vegetal estrés de sequía El-Sharkawy, Mabrouk A. Utility of basic research in plant/crop physiology in relation to crop improvement : A review and a personal account |
| title | Utility of basic research in plant/crop physiology in relation to crop improvement : A review and a personal account |
| title_full | Utility of basic research in plant/crop physiology in relation to crop improvement : A review and a personal account |
| title_fullStr | Utility of basic research in plant/crop physiology in relation to crop improvement : A review and a personal account |
| title_full_unstemmed | Utility of basic research in plant/crop physiology in relation to crop improvement : A review and a personal account |
| title_short | Utility of basic research in plant/crop physiology in relation to crop improvement : A review and a personal account |
| title_sort | utility of basic research in plant crop physiology in relation to crop improvement a review and a personal account |
| topic | plant breeding photosynthesis drought resistance photoperiodicity plant physiology drought stress fitomejoramiento fotosíntesis resistencia a la sequía fotoperiodismo fisiología vegetal estrés de sequía |
| url | https://hdl.handle.net/10568/44214 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT elsharkawymabrouka utilityofbasicresearchinplantcropphysiologyinrelationtocropimprovementareviewandapersonalaccount |