Cropping
Biotechnology:
A new era for plant pathology and plant protection
Plant biotechnology ushers in a new era for
plant scientists working to maintain healthy
plants, optimize crop yields, and minimize
pesticide usage. One of the ultimate aims of
agricultural biotechnology is to feed an
expanding world population.
During the last 30 years, production of the main
food crops has doubled. is increase of
production has mainly been achieved by
introduction of high-yielding varieties,
irrigation, and the use of fertilizers and
pesticides.
Due to this increase, the share of people in
developing countries with insufficient average
food supply has decreased from 74 % in 1962 to
6 % in 1988, representing 230 million people. In
many regions of the world, the intensi cation of
crop production has led to deterioration of soil
fertility, erosion, salinization, reduction of
biodiversity, and other deleterious side-effects.
e use of pesticides has more than tripled since
1970 and is a growing concern especially in
developed countries. Despite the intensive use
of chemical crop protection methods, the losses
due to pests, pathogens and weeds are more
t h a n 4 0 % o f at t a