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- Title
How can we exploit above-belowground interactions to assist in addressing the challenges of food security?
- Authors
Orrell, Peter; Bennett, Alison Elizabeth
- Abstract
Can above-belowground interactions help address issues of food security? We address this question in this manuscript, and review the intersection of above-belowground interactions and food security. We propose that above-belowground interactions could address two strategies 18 identified by Godfray et al. (2010): Reducing the Yield Gap, and Increasing Production Limits. In particular, to minimise the difference between potential and realised production (The Yield Gap) 20 above-belowground interactions could be manipulated to reduce losses to pests and increase crop growth (and therefore yields). To Increase Production Limits we propose two mechanisms: utilizing intercropping (which uses multiple aspects of above-belowground interactions) and breeding for traits that promote beneficial above-belowground interactions as well as breeding mutualistic organisms to improve their provided benefit. As a result, if they are managed correctly, there is great potential for above-belowground interactions to contribute to food security.
- Subjects
FOOD security; PLANT breeding; PLANT growth; INTERCROPPING; CROP yields
- Publication
Frontiers in Plant Science, 2013, Vol 4, p1
- ISSN
1664-462X
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.3389/fpls.2013.00432