By Yiching Song, Jingsong Li, Shihuang Zhang, Weidong Chen,

Kaijian Huang, Lanqiu Qing and etc

Centre for Chinese Agricultural Policy, Chinese Academy of Science

Institute of Crop Science (ICS, CAAS)

Guangxi Maize Research Institute, (GMRI)

Farmers’ roles in biodiversity conservation and

crop improvement: Insights from participatory breeding in SW

China

Outline I. Challenges:

• Flattening yield increases of maize,

• farmers’ low adoption of high yielding

technologies

II. PPB Initiative and action process in SW

China

III. Consideration and suggestions

2

Challenge Flattening yield increases of maize in China

• 1960-1970:double cross,89 kg/ha/year

• 1971-1995:single cross,126kg/ha/year

• 1996-2010:~ 35kg/ha/year

3 0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

1950 1955 1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005

OPVs

b=14

双交种

b=89

单交种

b=126 b=23

抗逆性

Maize yield since 1950

Yield of major crops during 1990-2010

• Aim: Linking formal and farmers’ systems and enhancing their complementary roles

Formal breeders: 1) M collection, pre-breeding, knowing farmers’

needs,

2) field experiment, lab analysis,

3) Strategic crossing

4, Ex-situ conservation

Farmers: a) participate in evaluation, selection and experiment

b) improvement of OPV supported by breeders

c) direct adoption of appropriate impr OPVs & hybrids

d) in-situ conservation

1990-2010主要作物单产

0.0

1000.0

2000.0

3000.0

4000.0

5000.0

6000.0

7000.01990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

年份

单产

（公

斤、

公顷

）

小麦

水稻

玉米

大豆

油菜

棉花

1990-2010主要作物单产

0.0

1000.0

2000.0

3000.0

4000.0

5000.0

6000.0

7000.0

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

年份

单产

（公

斤、

公顷

）

小麦

水稻

玉米

大豆

油菜

棉花

Gap and Potential for actual yield increasing

7.6

11

19.5

6.17.9

8.85

4.9 5.23

0

5

10

15

20

25

1980 1995 2005

potential yield experiment yield actual yield

Dr. RF Hu 227/120/127 860/95/30

Why? Input: fertilizer/hybrid seeds etc • We used 2.4 times of fertilizer than USA,

our yield is only 51%

• Almost 100% hybrid coverage in

Northern China and more than 70% in

SW China

• Are they right technologies for right people and in right place, time and right way?

6

China’s fertilizer consumption and grain production

(1980=100) – results suggest that we need a new approach

100

139 144159

100

204

240

309

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

1980 1990 2000 2008

Grain production

Fertilizer consumption

Why: Policy Review 我国农业产业政策变化大

•Rural reform in 1980:联产承包责任制

•No agricultural Tax:取消农业税

•Increased subsidies 增加农业补贴

•Increased E&D investment 科技投入成

倍增加

•…….? 8

Why? one of the main reasons is…

Lower concern and effort in genetic exploration

and pre-breeding by both public research and

domestic seed companies, due to

• Low interest and role conflicts of public

breeding

• low interest and capacity of private seed

companies 9

Missing linkage: Genetics exploration and Pre-breeding

中国玉米育种的技术缺环

• Quick jump and limited foundation in breeding research （从原始OPV跨入双交种阶段，又用了很短时间，跃入单交种时期）

• Use USA and CIMMYT germplasms, and ignored local genetic resource exploration for local specific adaption breeding, and stressful locations （得益于无偿获得国外先进技术和种质资源（忽略了地方种

质和资源)

11

100

200

300

400

500

1982 1986 1990 1994 1998 2002

玉米

Number of hybrids V used in production

yet with few dominant 60% of the area and

with narrow genetic base

胡瑞法

Disappearance of landraces…

Coverage of landraces of 3 major crops in SW china

95% 93%

46%

30%25%

37%

25%

95%

69%

1998 2003 2008

soybean

rice

maize

Source: Survey in SW China, CCAP

2009-2010

Why? another reason…. No right Vs for right location and right farmers…

Limited understanding of the differentiation and changes of

the context, farmers’ farming system and their livelihood

Socio-economic change and climate change

- urbanization/migration, market and income driven, low interest in

agriculture, extreme weather, more drought,

Income structure change: less % of farming come

labor change: farming labors are women and the old now

farming system change:-more easy cash crop, less food

crop, less labor input

•SW China karst mountain area dwelling by 33 ethnic groups, 0,4

ha farm/HH size, maize, rice, potato, maize hybrid about 25-35%

•Farming labors: more than 70% is women and 85% is older than

50 years

Montain

Areas in

Southwest

China Plain

Areas

西南山区玉米

–Shandong: Av farm/HH 0.6 ha,

vegetable and maize.100% hybrid

maize, part time farmers, mainly

women and old

15

How we started our PPB?

CIMMYT Impact Study in SW China 1998:

Separation of the two systems

Farmers System

农民系统

poor and remote area

OPVs and landraces,

seed selection and maintenance

Farmer to farmer seed exchange

better off green revolution area

several high yielding hybrids

hybrid breeding,

top-down formal seed system

Technology transfer,

Formal System 正规系统

Farmers farmers

Farmers farmers

Farmers farmers

Farmers farmers

Breeders

Seed Company

Extension

farmers farmers farmers

Participatory Plant Breeding (PPB) Definition

PPB:

close collaboration between researchers and farmers and other stakeholders, covers the whole cycle of activities associated with plant genetic improvement. (Identify objectives, materials, fields, selection, evaluation, and improvement, small scale seed production, distribution etc)

PVS: Participatory Varietal election (PVS)….is just involve farmers in part/s of the cycle…

Why participatory plant

breeding?

为什麽参与式育种

• Marginal, stress prone regions farmers’ needs

• Biodiversity + productivity increase are twin goals for sustanable yield increase

• Diversity maintenance + exploration is a base for both farmer and formal systems

Major PPB steps/activities in two systems

• Aim: Linking formal and farmers’ systems and enhancing their complementary supporting roles

Formal breeders: 1) M collection, documentation, farmers’ needs

2) field experiment, lab analysis,

3) Strategic crossing

4, Ex-situ conservation

Farmers: a) participate in evaluation, selection and experiment

b) improvement of OPV supported by breeders

c) direct adoption of appropriate impr OPVs & hybrids

d) in-situ conservation

e) small scale seed production and value adding

PPB action research in SW Chin （2000-2011）

Phases site crop Focuses 重点关注 Institutes/villages

2000-2003 GX maize PPB capacity building for formal

institutes and farmers

-women and groups in 4

v

-Interested breeders

from CAAS and GAAS,

2004-2007 GX

Maize

and

cassava

PPB, Extension Reform,

conservation agriculture

-8 villages

State and Provincial

public breeding and

Extension, MOA

2008-2011 GX

GZ

YN

SC

CQ

Maize,

rice,

bean,

cassava,

etc

-PPB for pre-breeding and joint

experiment, conservation

-- livelihood, value adding and

farmer cooperatives

-Community, Orgs

3+2 Prov public breeding

CAAS and MOA maize

program

What have been done in recent years?

Genetic resource exploration and analysis (1)

• （1）170 landraces collected in field, documented in 3

provinces (Gunagxi, Yunan, Guizhou) in 2009-2010

• (2) Lab analysis of landraces’ biodiversity, grouping of the

170 landraces in ICS, CAAS, 2010

• (3) experiment for comparison of 34 landraces collected 20-

30 years ago with same lines in cultivation now (2009-2010)

品种名称 株高 穗位高 茎粗 穗长 秃尖长 穗粗 行粒数 锈病级别 出籽率 千粒重 粒长

20年前收集种质 219.2 99.3 1.4 12.3 1.2 3.6 24 8.2 84.07 183 0.8

20年后收集种质 240.6 109.3 1.6 13.7 1.4 4.0 27 7.3 83.45 215 0.9

In Genetic resource exploration (2)

4）170+31 landraces for joint experiments

(evaluation and screening) 3 sites, two repeats

in 3 provinces in 2011,

(5) Strategic grouping and crossing of their own

landraces by the 5 breeding groups from the 3

provinces in different sites for specifically local

adaption

(6) Lab analysis of landraces’ biodiversity, grouping

etc (201 landraces in 2011)

资源收集与分布

Fig. Geographical distribution of the landraces collected from 3 provinces

in southwest China. 总计：170个+31

Field and Lab analysis result：enhancing recognition of

landraces, TK and farmers’ roles

The same germplasm (20-30 years ago and now) are different, in field ones are more

diversity rich and adaptive to changes ….. Adaptation, evolution… process

170 landraces had been assigned into 2 groups clearly with remarkable diversity,

two maize agro-ecosystems

The genetic structure of the landraces was well compatible with geographical pattern.

Gene flow occurred in the SW

Characteristic diversification due to the bio-ecological environments, farmers’

selection based on their rich culture, TK and diversified livelihood needs

Initial results of Lab analysis of 170 landraces,

2009-2010

PPB in farmers’ field

• Landraces screenning, in population and fixed

line selection提纯复壮：对优良的地方资源，提倡用提纯复壮的方法加以繁殖、留种。

• farmer interest group in OPV improvement

and varietal and top crosses根据试验的初步结果尝试组配顶交种加以利

• Small scale seed production of prefer

Improved OPVs and hybrid and PPB

Knowledge Exchange

•-Conservation, seed fair,

seed bank, register,

•-PPB and PVS, improved

landraces and OPVs

•-community based Seed

production

•Value adding to GRs and TK

Pre-breeding;

-Landraces collection and

screening

-selected OPV/population

improvement

-in-bred line selection

-crossing…

参与式育种培训/PPB training

Landraces from Guangxi

广西地方玉米品种

Yunan

Guizhou

Landraces in Comparison with

a popular hybrid in Gunagxi

Landraces in Comparison with

a popular hybrid in Guangxi

Community Based Seed Production

Farmer improved landraces survived 2010, Big Spring

Draught in SW China Farmer improved

Landraces,

Tolerant to drought

and low nitrogen

with little fertilizer

and labor

Hybrid Variety

was not able

to survive the

big drought ,

With climate changes farmers in remote areas more like self-

saved improved OPV varieties

R2

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

7000

1961 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010

Yie

ld (

kg h

a-1)

Intensive management

Land leveling

Soil improvement

Increase density

Irrigation

Farmyard and green

manure

Double- cross hybrids

Single- cross hybrids

N fertilizer, irrigation

and pesticides

Capital construction of

farmland and

improvement of saline -

alkali soil

Intercropping and

double/triple cropping

Increase density

Stress resistant planting

Single- cross hybrids

(Breed high-yield, dwarf

and early - maturing

varieties and disease

resistance varieties)

Increase density

N and P fertilizers

Plastic mulch

Leaf age regulation

Drought-resistant

cultivation

Single- cross hybrids

(Disease-resistant,

compact, stay green,

high-stalk and later

maturing)

NPK fertilizers and trace

elements, input

Increase density

Seed coating

Seedling transplanting

Water-saving irrigation

Mechanical operations

for seeding and weed

control

Single- cross hybrids

(Disease-resistant,

compact, stay green,

high-stalk and later

maturing)

Single- cross hybrids

(Close-planting, multi -

resistant and highly

adaptable)

Increase density

Soil testing and compound

fertilizer

Germination hastening and

bed-irrigating sowing

Rainwater collection and

irrigation

Reduced tillage

Straw return

Deep ploughing

Direct seeding

Late harvest

Mechanized sowing &

harvest

y = 85.8x + 436.9

R2= 0.95**

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

7000

1961 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010

Yie

ld (

kg h

a-1)

Intensive management

Land leveling

Soil improvement

Increase density

Irrigation

Farmyard and green

manure

Double- cross hybrids

Single- cross hybrids

N fertilizer, irrigation

Capital construction of

improvement of saline

alkali soil

Intercropping and

double/triple cropping

Increase density

Stress resistant planting

Single- cross hybrids

(Breed high-yield, dwarf

and early

varieties and disease -

resistance varieties)

Increase density

N and P fertilizers

Plastic mulch

Leaf age regulation

HerbsideDrought-resistant

cultivation

Single- cross hybrids

(Disease-resistant,

compact, stay green,

high-stalk and later

maturing)

NPK fertilizers and trace

elements, increased

Increase density

Seed coating

Seedling transplanting

Water-saving irrigation

Mechanical operations

for seeding and weed

control

Single- cross hybrids

(Disease-resistant,

compact, stay green,

high-stalk and later

maturing)

Single- cross hybrids

(Close-planting, multi

resistant and highly

adaptable)

Increase density

fertilizer

bed-irrigating sowing

Rainwater collection and

irrigation

Reduced tillage

Straw return

Deep ploughing

Direct seeding

Late harvest

Mechanized sowing &

harvest

R2

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

7000

1961 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010

Yie

ld (

kg h

a-1)

Intensive management

Land leveling

Soil improvement

Increase density

Irrigation

Farmyard and green

manure

Double- cross hybrids

Single- cross hybrids

N fertilizer, irrigation

and pesticides

Capital construction of

farmland and

improvement of saline -

alkali soil

Intercropping and

double/triple cropping

Increase density

Stress resistant planting

Single- cross hybrids

(Breed high-yield, dwarf

and early - maturing

varieties and disease

resistance varieties)

Increase density

N and P fertilizers

Plastic mulch

Leaf age regulation

Drought-resistant

cultivation

Single- cross hybrids

(Disease-resistant,

compact, stay green,

high-stalk and later

maturing)

NPK fertilizers and trace

elements, input

Increase density

Seed coating

Seedling transplanting

Water-saving irrigation

Mechanical operations

for seeding and weed

control

Single- cross hybrids

(Disease-resistant,

compact, stay green,

high-stalk and later

maturing)

Single- cross hybrids

(Close-planting, multi -

resistant and highly

adaptable)

Increase density

Soil testing and compound

fertilizer

Germination hastening and

bed-irrigating sowing

Rainwater collection and

irrigation

Reduced tillage

Straw return

Deep ploughing

Direct seeding

Late harvest

Mechanized sowing &

harvest

y = 85.8x + 436.9

R2= 0.95**

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

7000

1961 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010

Yie

ld (

kg h

a-1)

Intensive management

Land leveling

Soil improvement

Increase density

Irrigation

Farmyard and green

manure

Double- cross hybrids

Single- cross hybrids

N fertilizer, irrigation

Capital construction of

improvement of saline

alkali soil

Intercropping and

double/triple cropping

Increase density

Stress resistant planting

Single- cross hybrids

(Breed high-yield, dwarf

and early

varieties and disease -

resistance varieties)

Increase density

N and P fertilizers

Plastic mulch

Leaf age regulation

HerbsideDrought-resistant

cultivation

Single- cross hybrids

(Disease-resistant,

compact, stay green,

high-stalk and later

maturing)

NPK fertilizers and trace

elements, increased

Increase density

Seed coating

Seedling transplanting

Water-saving irrigation

Mechanical operations

for seeding and weed

control

Single- cross hybrids

(Disease-resistant,

compact, stay green,

high-stalk and later

maturing)

Single- cross hybrids

(Close-planting, multi

resistant and highly

adaptable)

Increase density

fertilizer

bed-irrigating sowing

Rainwater collection and

irrigation

Reduced tillage

Straw return

Deep ploughing

Direct seeding

Late harvest

Mechanized sowing &

harvest

Conclusions –

A lot to do urgently

Short and longer term solutions

– exploit some existing science for sustainable intensification

How about people, institutions, policy, lows?, …..If farmer not use

it, it’s zero……we need to broaden our heart, view and working

areas, need integrated approach and collaboration …..

Some recommendations

Linking science research with farmers’ needs

1. More efforts in GR exploration and pre-breeding with more involvement of farmers, to ensure genetic gains keep pace with climate change and demand

2. Experimenting with farmers, understand farmers’ needs and interests, match breeding priority with farmers’ needs

3. Decentralized and regional specific technology development and extension strategies

4. Extension and farmer training: public extension (farmer field school, in field advices etc), farmer cooperatives, enterprise contracting farming,

5. linking different disciplines, stakeholders (inc farmers), sectors, levels via Integrated and collaborative approach

Thank You !

Q&A?