Why does plant phenomics matter?
Phenomics data is crucial to developing crop improvements that can ensure global food security and environmental sustainability…
Plant phenomics has the power to transform lives. By exploring how the genetic makeup of an organism determines its appearance, function and performance, phenomics can help tackle urgent agricultural challenges.
With a rapidly growing world population, a changing climate, and increasing pressure on essential resources, a transformational advance in grain production is needed to meet projected global food demand.
While poor nutrition carries an immeasurable human and social cost, the economic impact of undernutrition and micronutrient deficiencies is estimated to be 2-3 per cent of global GDP, equivalent to US$1.4-2.1 trillion per year. At the same time, the economic cost of obesity is expected to surpass US$3 trillion by 2030 (World Obesity Federation, 2022).
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), a population increase to 9 billion by 2050 means global food production needs to double within fewer than 30 seasonal harvests.
Environmental stewardship also means our farming systems must be able to increase production in the face of climate change, declining arable land and biotic and abiotic plant stresses, while reducing the impacts of fertiliser and pesticide use.
Phenomics data supports the discovery of molecular markers and the development of new germplasm. This knowledge is crucial to delivering crops with higher yields and greater tolerance to biotic or abiotic stresses such as disease, pests, drought, heat and soil constraints.