The Partnership no. 9

Data-based breeding Big

Data-based breeding Big Data has become a major technological trend in today’s world of business. No big surprise there, considering that powerful analytical tools enable data scientists to visualise data and patterns whose existence was hitherto unknown. Big Data also has tremendous added value for the breeding industry. The results of extensive data analyses give breeders an impression of the chance of specific cross-breeding experiments resulting in the characteristics they want to obtain. This enables them to cross particular varieties that may initially seem odd choices. Now that developments in biotechnology in general, and molecular biology in particular, are succeeding one another at such a tremendous speed, the amount of interesting data has grown explosively. We already know a lot about which genes in DNA, known as ‘markers’, are responsible for specific characteristics. And we know how to visualise those markers with PCR technology, which has made ‘marker assisted breeding’ possible. Breeders can now already determine in the early seedling stage which colour sweet peppers a plant will later produce. Or they can tell to which pathogens a potential new variety will be resistant. Such information is of great help in making the right selections, and consequently speeds up the overall breeding process. It was only a few years ago that vegetable breeders began to realise the interesting opportunities offered by Big Data. Biotechnologists now make preselections for the breeders and provide advice on the plants they use for breeding. Other agricultural sectors had started to work with such analyses at an earlier stage. In those sectors, attention each time focuses on a specific single characteristic. Things are quite different in vegetable breeding: we focus on far more markers at a time, such as those associated with colour, germination, taste, etc. For such a large number of characteristics Big Data is a tremendous investment. We don’t know what the future will bring, but what we do already know for sure is that the amount of data will increase exponentially in the years to come. Does this mean that biotechnologists will take over the work of breeders? Absolutely not. Predictions based on molecular data serve merely as advice. Feedback from the breeders is indispensable for continuously finetuning the work. Because it’s the breeders who ultimately have to test the new hybrids in practical trials. Joep Lambalk Managing Director Research & Development Enza Zaden 4 Pumpkin mania The demand for pumpkin is growing. What is the reason for this and what are the developments in this trend? 8 Spain, Europe's supplier The Spanish fresh produce market is much larger than just Spain. Read about the challenges and solutions of being Europe's supplier. 12 Tasty Tom 20 years Frutanova U.A. has marketed the Campari cocktail tomato very succesfully for 20 years already. Let's look back with PR man Ton Janssen. 14 PCR, the basis of today's research Although the developments in the biotechnology are going fast, some techniques of dozens of years ago are still used on large scale. 17 In Focus Up to date with the latest developments and events. 18 Resistance breeding The cultivation and sale of herbs as pot plants have enjoyed a great boom. Supplying plants with good resistance ensure quality, anywhere in the world and for different cultivations. 22 CSR in North America In this era companies around the world are expected to take responsibility on how they influence the environment. An example from North America 24 Fresh food & recipe boxes Fresh food boxes are finding their way to a growing group of consumers. These boxes are the answer to today's demand for freshness and convenience. 28 Focus on quality What's the secret of New Zealand Gourmet? Focusing on quality! 31 Column Production Director Manuel van Eijk writes what partnerships mean for the seed production process. 32 The ins and outs of substrates The ins and outs of substrates: how they contribute to the cultivation and what should be taken into account. 34 Events An overview of upcoming events. Markets Product 4 8 Marketing Partnership 12 18 Technology Trends 24 32 Index Product Index 2 | The Partnership Cover: Ralf Kuijpers, Crop Research Director Enza Zaden The Partnership | 3