ABSTRACT
Australian wheat breeders were surveyed to assess the importance they gave to genetic diversity and identify their key issues of concern relating to crop diversity. Areas addressed included breeders’ attitude toward diversity and the diversity available in their current “gene pool” (that is, the breeding materials they use and/or have access to). The sources of materials that breeders use to maintain and/or enhance diversity in their programs are identified, and the ways in which diversity influences breeding decisions are examined. More importantly from the policy viewpoint, the survey responses identify changes in the environment in which breeders operate that affect their ability to enhance crop diversity. Funding constraints, in particular, are shown to influence the extent to which breeders can utilise genetic diversity. The findings raise important issues concerning the future genetic diversity of Australia’s wheat, as well as the extent to which economic problems related to genetic diversity may arise in the future.
