Using systems approaches to design and evaluate ideotypes for specific environments

Abstract

An eco-regional approach is needed to find ways to increase agricultural production to meet the growing demand for food in large parts of the world, while sustaining the environment. The selection of germplasm is a key element in such an approach. Selection of varieties for particular environments is mostly based on the intuition of the breeder. With the increasing knowledge of processes that determine crop production and the availability of systems approaches, the opportunity emerged to design crop ideotypes and improve the efficiency of germplasm evaluation programmes. A systems framework to target plant types for different production environments is presented. Specific examples are given of on-going research to design and evaluate the suitability of plant types for different environments for major crops such as rice and potato.