Plants People Planet最新文献

{"title":"A new framework for predicting and understanding flowering time for crop breeding","authors":"Chetan Deva, Laura Dixon, Milan Urban, Julian Ramirez‐Villegas, Ioannis Droutsas, Andrew Challinor","doi":"10.1002/ppp3.10427","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/ppp3.10427","url":null,"abstract":"Societal Impact Statement As the growing season changes, the development of climate resilient crop varieties has emerged as a crucial adaptation in agricultural systems. Breeding new varieties for a changing climate requires enhanced capacity to predict the complex interactions between genotype and environment that determine flowering time. Hundreds of experiments with observations of flowering, the environment and plant genetics were used to build a model that can predict when a variety of common bean is going to flower. This model will help breeders to explore the phenological characteristics of their germplasm, speeding up selection for climate adaptation. Summary There is an urgent need to accelerate crop breeding for adaptation to a changing climate. As the growing season changes, crop improvement programmes must ensure that the phenological characteristics of the varieties they develop remain well suited to their target population of environments. Meeting this challenge will require a clear understanding of how existing germplasm behave across Genotype ∗ Environment (G ∗ E) to enhance the efficiency of selection. Recent work calls for the development of simple models that can accurately simulate genotypic variation in key traits across target population of environments. Accordingly, we develop a simple machine learning framework for modelling time to flowering across G ∗ E and apply this to common bean in an equatorial target population of environments. Within this framework, we test three machine learning models and find that the best performing models display high levels of accuracy across G ∗ E. We advance understanding of the environmental drivers of flowering time in equatorial conditions by showing that thermal time and accumulated evaporation are powerful predictors of flowering time across all three models.","PeriodicalId":52849,"journal":{"name":"Plants People Planet","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135250740","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The nutritional and industrial significance of cottonseeds and genetic techniques in gossypol detoxification","authors":"Vincent Ninkuu, Zhixin Liu, Yaping Zhou, Xuwu Sun","doi":"10.1002/ppp3.10433","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/ppp3.10433","url":null,"abstract":"Societal Impact Statement Gossypol and its derivatives represent a class of toxic and immunosuppressive compounds that are naturally synthesized in cottonseed. These compounds pose several health hazards to humans and animals, such as heart and lung damage, breathing difficulties, and death in swine. In poultry, gossypol reduces egg production and slows growth. Studies have also shown that gossypol can indirectly harm humans and animals through the food chain. Although several physical and chemical approaches are adopted to reduce gossypol levels in cottonseed before food and feed processing, these techniques are expensive. Therefore, genetically regulating gossypol production in cotton could provide a cheaper alternative. Summary Cotton ( Gossypium spp.), the most important fiber crop, is cultivated in over a hundred countries to provide raw materials for the growing textile industry. The seed obtained after delinting cotton is a rich source of protein with a vast potential for oil and feed production. Cottonseed oil production is estimated at 5.08 million metric tons and is expected to generate over 6.56 billion United States Dollars in revenue by 2029. The cake from defatted cottonseed is used as animal feed and food supplements. However, the contamination of gossypol in cottonseed limits its use. Gossypol ingestion impairs weight gain and causes anorexia, respiratory distress, and death under extreme exposure. This review highlights the significance of cottonseed oil and meal; the pharmacological uses and impact of gossypol; the chemistry, toxicity, and bioactivity of gossypol; and the physical and chemical methods used in gossypol removal during feed and food supplement processing. In addition, the biosynthetic pathway of gossypol and attempts to genetically transform some key regulators of this pathway to produce glandless cottonseed or reduce the gossypol levels in the seed are discussed.","PeriodicalId":52849,"journal":{"name":"Plants People Planet","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135899710","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Strigolactone biosynthesis <i>lgs1</i> mutant alleles mined from the sorghum accession panel are a promising resource of resistance to witchweed (<i>Striga</i>) parasitism","authors":"Sylvia Mutinda, Muhammad Jamil, Jian You Wang, Lamis Berqdar, Elijah Ateka, Emily S. Bellis, Salim Al‐Babili, Steven Runo","doi":"10.1002/ppp3.10442","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/ppp3.10442","url":null,"abstract":"Societal Impact Statement Striga is a parasitic plant that greatly limits the production of Africa's most staple cereals, including sorghum. Infection occurs when the parasite germinates in response to biomolecules emitted into the soil from the host's roots. Some sorghum genotypes harbor a mutation that makes them ineffective in stimulating Striga seed germination. This resistance is of great importance because of its possible application in Striga management. Here, additional resistant sorghum genotypes with varying levels of Striga resistance are discussed in the context of their candidacy for integration in breeding programs and their possible role in alleviating food insecurity in sub‐Saharan Africa by reducing crop losses because of Striga infestation. Summary Sorghum is a food staple for millions of people in sub‐Saharan Africa, but its production is greatly diminished by Striga , a parasitic weed. An efficient and cost‐effective way of managing Striga in smallholder farms in Africa is to deploy resistant varieties of sorghum. Here, we leverage genomics and the vast genetic diversity of sorghum—evolutionarily adapted to cope with Striga parasitism in Africa—to identify new Striga ‐resistant sorghum genotypes by exploiting a resistance mechanism hinged on communication molecules called strigolactones (SLs), exuded by hosts to trigger parasite seed germination. We achieved this by mining for mutant alleles of the LOW GERMINATION STIMULANT 1 ( LGS1 ) that are ineffective in stimulating Striga germination from the sorghum accession panel (SAP). Our analysis identified lgs1 sorghum genotypes, which we named SAP‐ lgs1 . SAP‐ lgs1 had the SL exudation profile of known lgs1 sorghum, whose hallmark is the production of the low inducer of germination, orobanchol. Laboratory and field resistance screens showed that the SAP‐ lgs1 genotypes also exhibited remarkable resistance against Striga . Our findings have the potential to reduce crop losses because of Striga parasitism and therefore have far‐reaching implications for improving food security in Africa.","PeriodicalId":52849,"journal":{"name":"Plants People Planet","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135344242","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Poison ivy (<scp><i>Toxicodendron radicans</i></scp>) leaf shape variability: Why plant avoidance‐by‐identification recommendations likely do not substantially reduce poison ivy rash incidence","authors":"John G. Jelesko, Kyla Thompson, Noah Magerkorth, Elizabeth Verteramo, Hannah Becker, Joy G. Flowers, Jonathan Sachs, Jyotishka Datta, Jordan Metzgar","doi":"10.1002/ppp3.10439","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/ppp3.10439","url":null,"abstract":"Societal Impact Statement Avoidance of poison ivy plants is currently the primary approach to prevent the estimated 30–50 million annual poison ivy skin rash cases. The “leaves of three let it be” mnemonic device lacks specificity to differentiate poison ivy from other three‐leaflet native plants. This report demonstrated that poison ivy leaves show marked total leaf shape variability that likely confounds accurate poison ivy plant identification, and significantly undermines a poison ivy avoidance strategy for mitigating poison ivy rash cases. Therefore, there is an ongoing need to develop prophylactic medical procedures to prevent poison ivy rash that do not depend on human poison ivy plant identification. Summary Urushiol is the natural product produced by poison ivy ( Toxicodendron radicans ) that is responsible for millions of cases of delayed contact allergenic dermatitis in North America each year. Avoidance of poison ivy plant material is the clinically recommended strategy for preventing urushiol‐induced dermatitis symptoms. However, poison ivy leaf shape is anecdotally notoriously variable, thereby confounding accurate poison ivy identification. This study focused on quantitative analyses of poison ivy and a common poison ivy look‐alike (American hog peanut) leaf shape variability in North America to empirically validate the high degree of poison ivy leaf shape plasticity. Poison ivy and American hog peanut iNaturalist.org records were scored for seven attributes of compound leaf shape that were combined to produce a total leaf complexity score. Both the mean and the distribution of poison ivy total leaf complexity scores were significantly greater than that of American hog peanut. Non‐metric multidimensional scaling analyses corroborated a high degree of poison ivy leaf shape variability relative to American hog peanut. A poison ivy accession producing frequent palmate penta‐leaflet compound leaves was evaluated using linear regression modeling. Poison ivy total leaf complexity was exceedingly variable across a given latitude or longitude. With that said, there was a small but significant trend of poison ivy total leaf complexity increasing from east to west. Palmate penta‐leaflet formation was significantly correlated with a stochastic leaflet deep‐lobing developmental process in one unusual poison ivy accession. The empirically‐validated poison ivy leaf shape hypervariability described in this report likely confounds accurate poison ivy identification, thereby likely resulting in many accidental urushiol‐induced clinical allergenic dermatitis cases each year.","PeriodicalId":52849,"journal":{"name":"Plants People Planet","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135580763","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Multigenerational differences in harvesting and use of wild edible fruits and nuts in the South Caucasus","authors":"Aisyah Faruk, Anush Nersesyan, Astghik Papikyan, Sona Galstyan, Emma Hakobyan, Tinatin Barblishvili, Tsira Mikatadze‐Pantsulaia, Tamaz Darchidze, Marina Kuchukhidze, Nona Kereselidze, David Kikodze, Ian Willey, Philippa Ryan, Elinor Breman","doi":"10.1002/ppp3.10434","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/ppp3.10434","url":null,"abstract":"Societal Impact Statement Ecosystem services are underpinned by biodiversity, which is rapidly eroding globally, threatening rural livelihoods and culture. Examining the uses of wild edible plants (WEPs) that are important to rural communities gives insight into the value of a biodiverse landscape to local communities. Here, the importance of considering age groups in future ethnobotanical and conservation studies is highlighted, as this can enhance our understanding on the dependence of use within a landscape, informing more inclusive conservation actions. Summary Wild edible plants (WEP) remain an important aspect of many rural communities across the world, yet the decline in the diversity and knowledge of WEP use is becoming a global concern. In the Biodiversity Hotspot of the Caucasus, there is few cross‐cultural and multigenerational comparisons of plant uses, limiting our knowledge of resource use and dependence within biodiverse landscapes. Here, we investigate the patterns of use for wild edible fruits and nuts in the South Caucasus, focusing on multigenerational differences in harvesting patterns, diversity and use through semi‐structured interviews in Armenia and Georgia. We calculated use values (UV) for each genera harvested and compared the diversity of genera used between age groups. Pearson chi‐square was used to explore the relationship between age‐groups and genera harvested. We found 53% of rural population ( n = 220) actively harvest from wild populations, with older age groups harvesting the highest diversity of plants. Twenty‐four species from 16 genera are harvested, with Berberis vulgaris L. and Rosa canina L. shared between both communities. The association between age and diversity of harvested genera was significant (χ 2 [48, N = 506] = 114.75, p < .01), mainly driven by a strong positive association with Berberis spp. L., Crataegus spp. L. and Ribes spp. L. with the under 18s and Prunus spp. L. with under 35s. Young harvesters used WEP for income generation, while medicinal use increases across older age groups. Foraging activities within South Caucasus' communities remains active; however, the use of WEP is not uniform within and across different communities.","PeriodicalId":52849,"journal":{"name":"Plants People Planet","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135536973","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Genetic variation in <i>Loudetia simplex</i> supports the presence of ancient grasslands in Madagascar","authors":"George P. Tiley, Andrew A. Crowl, Tchana O. M. Almary, W. R. Quentin Luke, Cédrique L. Solofondranohatra, Guillaume Besnard, Caroline E. R. Lehmann, Anne D. Yoder, Maria S. Vorontsova","doi":"10.1002/ppp3.10437","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/ppp3.10437","url":null,"abstract":"Societal Impact Statement Recognizing Loudetia ‐dominated grasslands were widespread prior to human colonization highlights that open ecosystems were and continue to be an important component of Madagascar's biodiversity. A better understanding of the plant species that form grassland ecosystems is necessary for effective land management strategies that support livelihoods, but substantial financial and logistical barriers exist to implementing conservation genetic studies using contemporary genomic tools. Some challenges for population genetic analyses of non‐model polyploids lacking reference genomes can be ameliorated by developing computational resources that leverage a cost‐effective data generation strategy that requires no prior genetic knowledge of the target species. This may benefit conservation programs with small operating budgets while reducing uncertainty compared to status quo microsatellite assays. Summary The extent of Madagascar's grasslands prior to human colonization is unresolved. We used population genetic analyses of a broadly dominant C 4 fire‐adapted grass, Loudetia simplex , as a proxy for estimating grassland change through time. We carefully examined the utility of target‐enrichment data for population genetics to make recommendations for conservation genetics. We explored the potential of estimating individual ploidy levels from target‐enrichment data and how assumptions about ploidy could affect analyses. We developed a novel bioinformatic pipeline to estimate ploidy and genotypes from target‐enrichment data. We estimated standard population genetic summary statistics in addition to species trees and population structure. Extended Bayesian skyline plots provided estimates of population size through time for empirical and simulated data. All Malagasy L. simplex individuals sampled in this study formed a clade and possibly indicated an ancestral Central Highland distribution of 800 m in altitude and above. Demographic models suggested grassland expansions occurred prior to the Last Interglacial Period and supported extensive grasslands prior to human colonization. Though there are limitations to target‐enrichment data for population genetic studies, we find that analyses of population structure are reliable. Genetic variation in L. simplex supports widespread grasslands in Madagascar prior to the more recent periods of notable paleoclimatic change. However, the methods explored here could not differentiate between paleoclimatic change near the Last Glacial Maximum and anthropogenic effects. Target‐enrichment data can be a valuable tool for analyses of population structure in the absence a reference genome.","PeriodicalId":52849,"journal":{"name":"Plants People Planet","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135582143","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Lavaka (erosional gullies) provide productive patch environments for flora and farming in Madagascar's grassy highlands","authors":"Rónadh Cox, Alizé Carrère, Amos F. M. Rakotondrazafy, Ny Riavo Voarintsoa","doi":"10.1002/ppp3.10440","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/ppp3.10440","url":null,"abstract":"Societal Impact Statement Lavaka, large gullies in Madagascar, can cause problems for farmers and for infrastructure, but these features also have beneficial aspects that have generally been overlooked. They provide plant refugia, and commonly host species that would otherwise not thrive on the grassy uplands. Farmers sometimes make use of lavaka to plant crops that require more protection or soil moisture. Colonial narratives blame lavaka erosion on poor land management but ignore their pre‐human‐settlement existence on the landscape and the ecological functions they serve. The knowledge and wisdom of Malagasy farmers are key to better understanding the complex roles that lavaka plays in the landscape. Summary This paper combines a review of lavaka—erosional gullies in Madagascar's grass‐covered highlands—with new observations of their importance as ecological patch environments for a wide range of plants not seen elsewhere within the grassy biome. Lavaka play a role as a natural refugia for flora that would otherwise not thrive on the exposed and infertile hillslopes, and local farmers exploit their topography and sediment deposits to grow a variety of crops. We provide a classification scheme for lavaka based on the extent to which they have been colonised by vegetation. Our analysis is based on observations made over many field seasons in the highlands as well as interviews with Malagasy farmers living with lavaka on their land. We emphasise the importance of local knowledge and environmental wisdom in the analysis of landscape evolution, and we conclude that lavaka, while certainly an erosional problem in many places, can nonetheless provide valuable ecosystem services and agricultural opportunities that should not be overlooked.","PeriodicalId":52849,"journal":{"name":"Plants People Planet","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135864725","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Global access to nomenclatural botanical resources: Evaluating open access availability","authors":"Nicky Nicolson, Maarten Trekels, Quentin J. Groom, Sandra Knapp, Alan J. Paton","doi":"10.1002/ppp3.10438","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/ppp3.10438","url":null,"abstract":"Societal Impact Statement Primary occurrence data ( ‘ what, where, when ’ ) enable study of species distribution and diversity, facilitating reactions to societal challenges from food security to climate change mitigation. Scientific names integrate information and are made concrete through reference to a type specimen. Research and conservation planning requires timely open access to this data. Around 2000 vascular plant species are described each year, and many are narrowly endemic and face conservation threats. Twenty‐four percent of those published between 2012 and 2021 is available openly, and only 12% of taxa is represented by digitised type material served from within their native range. We make several recommendations to increase open access to this vital information to support prompt conservation action and future research. Summary We review access to literature and type specimens, key resources for taxonomic research. Takeup of open access (OA) publishing in plant naming is analysed using the International Plant Names Index (IPNI) data (2012–2021), and online availability of specimens analysed using the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF). Integration of the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP) taxonomy and distributional data is used to examine regional variation. We found that 23% of vascular plant names are published OA, and 41% are digitally undiscoverable: contained in bibliographic works without a Digital Object Identifier (DOI) or with an unresolvable DOI. The most common OA publishing model used is ‘gold’. We also found that 30% of taxa are represented by a digitised type specimen mobilised from within the continent of their natural range and only 12% from the (more precise) country. We recommend clear article processing charge (APC) waivers for authors from low and middle income countries to better enable ‘gold’ OA and promotion of deposition repositories to better enable ‘green’ OA. Nomenclators should clearly indicate the OA status of literature and mobilise type citation data as material citations to aggregators like GBIF. Names registration systems should promote the capture of code‐recommended elements such as catalogue numbers for type specimens. Digital mobilisation of specimen metadata and images from collections based in low‐ and middle‐income countries must be accelerated to help increase in country taxonomic capacity to document and conserve plant diversity.","PeriodicalId":52849,"journal":{"name":"Plants People Planet","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"136102029","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Most of the world's largest flowers (genus <i>Rafflesia</i>) are now on the brink of extinction","authors":"Pastor Malabrigo, Adriane B. Tobias, Joko Witono, Sofi Mursidawati, Agus Susatya, Mat Yunoh Siti‐Munirah, Adhityo Wicaksono, Reza Raihandhany, Sarah Edwards, Chris J. Thorogood","doi":"10.1002/ppp3.10431","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/ppp3.10431","url":null,"abstract":"Societal Impact Statement Rafflesia is the genus that contains the world's largest flowers. Despite their global appeal, most of the 42 known species are now at risk of extinction. Urgent action is needed to protect these remarkable flowers. A combined approach to conservation is recommended, including a greater level of habitat protection and support for local community action groups. Rafflesia is a suitable new icon for conservation in the Asian tropics. Summary The genus Rafflesia , which includes the world's largest flowers, has aroused curiosity among scientists for centuries and features prominently in local culture across Southeast Asia. The plant has long been used in ethnobotanical medicine and, more recently, as a source of revenue from ecotourism. But despite its acclaim, Rafflesia remains poorly understood in many respects. Taxonomy is disputed, new species are described each year, and the plant has proven recalcitrant to cultivation. This has hindered conservation, and most of the 42 known species are now severely threatened, yet only one is listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). We estimate that 60% of Rafflesia species face a severe risk of extinction (equivalent to Critically Endangered [CR]). Moreover, we predict that at least 67% of known habitats fall outside protected areas, exacerbating their vulnerability. Alarmingly, recent observations suggest taxa are still being eradicated before they are even known to science. We present recent scientific discoveries and probable extinctions and highlight case studies of conservation success, with a focus on the role of local people. We propose a multi‐pronged conservation approach combining strengthened taxonomy, ex situ propagation, ecotourism, and an extension of protected areas. We suggest action devolved to local communities and awareness campaigns linked to social media networks will be crucial outside of protected jurisdictions. Finally, we propose to establish Rafflesia as a new icon for plant conservation in the Asian tropics. A combined approach might just save some of the world's most remarkable flowers, most of which are now on the brink of being lost.","PeriodicalId":52849,"journal":{"name":"Plants People Planet","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135010664","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Farming cattle in the tropics: Transnational science and industrializing pastures in Brazil","authors":"Ryan Nehring","doi":"10.1002/ppp3.10441","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/ppp3.10441","url":null,"abstract":"Societal Impact Statement Society is increasingly concerned over the environmental impact of diets. Much of this concern is over the environmentally destructive nature of meat production, especially beef and especially in the Amazon. This article aims to understand the production of beef in Brazil through the understudied perspective of forage grasses. In doing so, the article traces who was involved in the importation and improvement of forage grasses in Brazil, why they were involved, and what the consequences of their actions were. By centering forage grasses, we can better understand the potential consequences of seemingly unimportant plant breeding efforts. Summary Beef is viewed by many as one of the more environmentally destructive foods today. Whether it is deforestation in the Amazon or concentrated feedlots, the rancher and the cow have come to epitomize the dangers of a global industrial food system. This article looks at the industrialization of beef cattle from another angle, a bit closer to the ground. It looks at the role and circulation of plants and plant breeders in the expansion of beef cattle in the Brazilian tropics. The article draws on documents collected from the institutional archives of the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation, known by its Portuguese acronym Embrapa and the Rockefeller Archive Center. Additional archival documents were acquired by a personal contact. Embrapa was established in 1973, but its archives contain documents from Brazilian agricultural research agencies from as far back as 1952. Documents from the Rockefeller Archive Center include research bulletins and reports from Nelson Rockefeller's IBEC Research Institute (IRI), which conducted research on forage grasses from the 1950s until the 1970s. The article puts forth the argument that imported and improved forage grasses made large‐scale cattle ranching environmentally viable and economically profitable in Brazil. One type of grass in particular, Brachiaria , was central in propelling Brazil as the world's largest producer of beef and underpinning perhaps the most environmentally and socially destructive cattle ranching system in the world. Brachiaria was a key biological and technological input to further entrench longstanding structural inequalities of land ownership. One of the key conclusions of this article is that perspectives from the margins can be illustrative of how seemingly unimportant research (forage grass breeding) can have massive consequences as part of a broader socio‐environmental system.","PeriodicalId":52849,"journal":{"name":"Plants People Planet","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135258539","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}