Dr Godfrey Kgatle, plant pathologist and research coordinator at Grain SA, offers insight into how traditional breeding, hybrids, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), and new breeding techniques (NBTs) are transforming agriculture.
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Kgatle emphasises that different seed types offer different advantages, and farmers must understand these differences to make informed choices.
Hybrid seeds
Hybrids break through the [open-pollinated varieties] yield ceiling, giving farmers higher productivity, though they must be purchased annually for maximum performance.
Genetically modified organisms (GMOs)
“GMOs have … really supported farmers in various ways. Genetically modified crops can protect from insects, pests and diseases. … Yield protection and climate resilience, that’s what GMO actually gives us.”
New breeding techniques (NBTs)
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As Kgatle puts it, “…[I]nstead of testing tens of thousands of crops [for their genetic markers], you only test those that you are interested in because you [already] know what their genetics look like.”
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“We do national cultivar trials on an annual basis. In these trials, more than 150 cultivars are tested … on their adaptability to a particular place. … It enables [farmers] to have a choice, depending on their production system,” Kgatle says.
