Are native varieties of crops able to compete with European genetics? What are the strengths and weaknesses of domestic plant breeding? Are we ready for new genomic techniques? The editors of farmer.pl talked about it with the new president of the Polish Chamber of Seeds, Dr. Karol Marciniak.
Strengths of Polish plant breeding
With progress in Polish agriculture, farmers are improving plant production on their farms also by selecting newer, more perfect varieties. They are more and more willing to use varieties bred from Western Europe, which are eagerly developing in our country. How does this affect Polish plant breeding? Are we dealing with healthy competition or a threat to native varieties? The editors of farmer.pl asked Dr. about it. Karol Marciniak, president of the Smolice Plant Breeding Plant, who has recently also taken over the management of the Polish Seed Chamber. From an “insider’s” perspective, Karol Marciniak rather talks about the stabilization of the position of domestic farms on the seed market in Poland.
– I think that the period when the share of Polish breeding in the market was falling rapidly is behind us. Currently, we have stabilization, which has developed differently in different genres and has been maintained for some time. In some species, Polish breeding has a clear advantage, in others it lags behind, and in still others, for example winter wheat – it is about 50/50. There has been a stabilization of mutual capabilities and forces, which is quite lasting, said Dr. Karol Marciniak in an interview with farmer.pl.
Dr. Marciniak cites their adaptation to local soil and environmental conditions as the greatest advantage of domestic plant breeding and native varieties of crops.
– The first argument for Polish-bred varieties is that they were bred in Polish conditions, therefore they are usually much better adapted to local conditions, which of course change – our climate is quite dynamic, but in each country they are grown primarily all locally bred varieties. That is why it is so important that Poland, which is a large agricultural country, has its own efficient plant breeding that can supply Polish agriculture – noted Dr. Marciniak.
What needs to be improved in Polish breeding and seed production?
According to Dr. Karol Marciniak in our country is still “limping” and limits both the results obtained by agricultural producers and the development opportunities of breeding and seed companies, is the low level of exchange of seed material.
– Plant breeding is a very good business: for farmers, because they have new varieties all the time, but also for breeders, provided that they can be properly paid for their work, that is, when there is no illegal trade in seeds, when seed exchange is not at the level of 20 percent as in Poland, only at the level of 60-70 percent. as in most European countries. Then, much more funds flow into breeding and breeding can more easily invest in new technologies and research programs. It all starts with the market. Unfortunately, our market is disordered, in fact we are still at the bottom of Europe when it comes to using seeds certified for sowing – noted Karol Marciniak.
Dr. Marciniak also stated that Polish plant breeding should expand to a greater extent on international markets, reach farmers in other countries, sell their varieties there and obtain additional income.
Is Polish breeding ready for new genomic techniques?
An issue that has not yet been decided at EU level is the possibility of marketing varieties obtained using new genomic techniques (NGT). Their use in plant breeding allows for significant breeding progress, but the greatest controversy remains the issue of patenting specific varieties and varietal characteristics. Assuming that a compromise is reached and new genomic techniques come into practice – are the resources of domestic breeding companies ready to implement innovative technologies? According to Dr. Karol Marciniak – yes, but they need support from the state and national scientific institutions.
– Polish breeding is, of course, ready for new genomic techniques. The question is whether Poland is able to create such innovations. These are expensive things and require a lot of knowledge. Biotechnology companies have their own resources, small breeding companies do not have such resources. Therefore, we count on scientific institutions in the country to develop these techniques. A discussion is currently underway to intensify such work as soon as possible. They are being created, but to a much smaller extent than everyone would like, said Dr. Marciniak.
Below is the entire conversation with Dr. Karol Marciniak:
– .
