The Intersection of Plant Breeding, Human Health, and Nutritional Security: Lessons Learned and Future Perspectives

In recent years, propelled by rapid increases in global population and food insecurity, concerns about global, sustainable, and nutritional security have gained substantial momentum. Historically, plant breeding has played a key role in improving yield to keep pace with the rising global population; however, current crop breeding efforts focused on increasing yield may need to shift toward nutritional security. Although the traits affecting yield and disease resistance remain essential, emerging scientific results have highlighted the importance of nutrition, flavor quality, and enhanced health-promoting properties in food security. Plant breeding challenges in addressing nutritional security and the importance of consumer perception of flavor, nutrition, and quality will be discussed.  The VFIC plant breeding work in pepper, cantaloupe, citrus, carrot, peach, and plum will provide specific examples of improvements in vegetable and fruit quality and health-promoting properties.  Case studies of whole foods compared to bioactive compounds, and lessons learned from such studies will be described. Historical perspectives, case studies, current programs and a future outlook on the role of plant breeding in nutritional security will be discussed.  The critical importance of the intersection of plant breeding, human health and nutritional security for the future will be demonstrated. This project is based upon work supported by the USDA–CSREES # 2009-34402-19831 "Designing Foods for Health” through the VFIC.