"If we do nothing, we're heading towards a situation where certain crops will no longer be viable," says Guido van den Ackerveken, a professor at Utrecht University in the Netherlands. He is also the scientific director of CropXR, a public-private partnership between universities and companies. CropXR focuses on breeding climate and future-proof crops.
© CropXR
One such crop is potatoes. In collaboration with Holland Innovative Potato, which brings together breeders and processors, CropXR is working on improving potatoes' resilience. After all, climate change and stricter legislation on nitrogen and crop protection products are causing increasing pressure to become more sustainable.
According to Professor Van den Ackerveken, you must have a firm foundation: the plant itself must be vigorous. Breeding is, thus, crucial. Before, the main focus was on yield. Now, though, it is resilience: accumulating many characteristics in a single plant. But it is difficult to breed complex traits. While simple genes can be selected relatively quickly, combining multiple genes requires years of crossbreeding and testing.
© CropXR
By zoning in on knowledge and data, CropXR aims to significantly accelerate the process. They use models and artificial intelligence to develop 'blueprints' for new varieties. That makes it possible to determine much more precisely which characteristics must be combined to develop robust varieties. The goal is to significantly shorten the trial-and-error phase and, so, save time.
In the research phase, gene editing is used to build know-how. However, current EU legislation prohibits that for variety development. Professor Van den Ackerveken emphasizes that CropXR does not want to depend on gene editing, but hopes the rules will be relaxed so the methodology can be used more widely.
CropXR's program, now in its second year, will run for ten. The first phase focuses on gaining knowledge; from year six onwards, they will apply the methodologies developed in practice. The ultimate objective is to create potato varieties that are more resistant to heat, drought, and disease pressure, and that require less nitrogen and crop protection products.
© CropXR
Professor Van den Ackerveken points to an undeniable necessity: without intervention, it may , in the future, become impossible to grow certain crops. By developing innovative breeding methods and structurally improving crop resilience, CropXR wants to contribute to a robust, sustainable food supply.
CropXR
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