Page 236 - Breeding and regulatory opportunities, Renaud

Chapter 6

variance evoked under organic conditions. This was also the case in the broccoli

trials reported in this thesis.

6.3.5 Multiple seed system models contribute to organic sector growth

Organic production in the US is comprised of numerous small- and large-

scattered acreages across the country producing under a broad range of

environments and servicing multiple market types. Therefore, the assortment

of broccoli cultivars required to meet the demands of the organic market place is

diverse. As has been described, organic producers are presently dependent on the

commercial cultivar assortment available that were developed predominantly

for large-scale industrialized growers in California and Arizona. The breeding,

selection and testing of these cultivars are performed in the target region,

therefore organic growers (outside the target region) are not exposed to newly

released cultivars until the release, distribution and commercialization stage

of a breeding process (as seen in our study with grower awareness of ‘Green

Magic’). In the context of what Ceccarelli et al. (2009) describe as the three major

phases of a breeding process: (1) generating genetic variability, (2) selection and

testing to identify superior recombinants within the genetic variability created

in the irst phase, and (3) release, distribution, and commercialization of new

cultivars, the contribution of the present seed production and breeding models

employed in the sector are now discussed. We further consider the implications

in the event of regulatory closure. The four model scenarios presented are

(Figure 6.1): (1) 100% conventional seed breeding and production companies

(Model 1), (2) conventional seed breeding and production companies with an

organic division (Model 2), (3) 100% organic seed breeding and production

company (Model 3), and (4) farmer-led or non-proit organic breeding and

production initiatives (Model 4). Finally, measures for enhancing each of the

models presented are considered.

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