The Global Partnership Initiative for Plant Breeding
Capacity Building (GIPB) brings you:
PLANT BREEDING NEWS
EDITION 192
31 July 2008
An Electronic Newsletter of Applied Plant Breeding
Clair H. Hershey, Editor
chh23@cornell.edu
Sponsored by FAO/AGPC and Cornell University,
Dept. of Plant Breeding and Genetics
-To subscribe, see instructions here
-Archived issues available at: FAO Plant Breeding
Newsletter
1. NEWS, ANNOUNCEMENTS AND RESEARCH NOTES
1.01 Cassava for
food and energy security
1.02 GIPB launches call for information on genetic resources
and breeding of underutilized bioenergy crops
1.03 New regional seed
association formed
1.04 ICRISAT and Pravardhan Seeds launch
hybrid pigeonpea seeds
1.05 Groundnut variety maintenance at
Maroua Research Centre in North Cameroon
1.06 European corn production faces powerful
beetle
1.07 Useful traits from earliest Mexican wheats
1.08 Good breeding increases
shelf life - Packaged salad-cut lettuce studied for stability, freshness
1.09 New DuPont markers for soybean productivity
1.10 Scientists identify genes that control citrus carotenoid
content
1.11 Some plants can adapt to climate
change
1.12 Higher CO2 level
means higher tolerance of barley to salinity
1.13 New Tecoma cultivars bring color to gardens
1.14 Scientists unlock the key to rice
nutrition
1.15 Rice genomics research without the GM
1.16 Sex ratios of plants linked to environmental
factors
1.17 UT Knoxville professor finds unexpected key to flowering
plants' diversity
1.18 Workshop on the use of modern molecular breeding techniques
in plant breeding held in Nairobi, Kenya
2. PUBLICATIONS
2.01 FAO Biotechnology Glossary now available in seven languages - Russian
version just released
2.02 The Plant Genome:
A new journal of the Crop Science Society of America
2.03 Geneconserve: an open access journal
2.04 Mycotoxins: detection methods, management,
public health and agricultural trade
2.05 Call for papers for the UNESCO-EOLSS Encyclopedia of Life Support Systems
3. WEB RESOURCES
3.01 GIPB Knowledge Resource Center launches the Plant
Breeding Electronic Journal Club
4 GRANTS AVAILABLE
4.01 United States Department
of Agriculture announces $28.4 million in funding for specialty crop research
4.02 Generation Challenge Programme
– Genotyping Support Service proposals
5 POSITION ANNOUNCEMENTS
5.01 Deputy Administrator for Science and Education Resources
Development, CSREES
5.02 Research Geneticist (Plants), U.S. Department of Agriculture,
Agricultural Research Service
6 MEETINGS, COURSES AND WORKSHOPS
7 EDITOR'S NOTES
=========================
1. NEWS, ANNOUNCEMENTS AND RESEARCH NOTES
1.01 Cassava for food and energy security
Investing in cassava research and development could boost yields and industrial
uses
Rome
The tropical root crop cassava could help protect the food and energy security
of poor countries now threatened by soaring food and oil prices, FAO said today.
At a global conference held in Ghent, Belgium, cassava scientists called for a
significant increase in investment in research and development needed to boost
farmers' yields and explore promising industrial uses of cassava, including production
of biofuels.
The scientists, who have formed an international network called the Global Cassava
Partnership, said the world community could not continue to ignore the plight
of low-income tropical countries that have been hardest hit by rising oil prices
and galloping food price inflation.
Widely grown in tropical Africa, Asia and Latin America, cassava is the developing
world's fourth most important crop, with production in 2006 estimated at 226 million
tonnes. It is the staple food of nearly a billion people in 105 countries, where
the root provides as much as a third of daily calories. And it has enormous potential
– at present, average cassava yields are barely 20% of those obtained under optimum
conditions.
Cassava is also the cheapest known source of starch, and used in more than 300
industrial products. One promising application is fermentation of the starch to
produce ethanol used in biofuel, although FAO cautions that policies encouraging
a shift to biofuel production should carefully consider its effects on food production
and food security.
Orphan crop
Despite growing demand and its production potential, however, cassava remains
an 'orphan crop'. It is grown mainly in areas that have little or no access to
improved varieties, fertilizer and other production inputs, by small scale farmers
often cut off from marketing channels and agro-processing industries. Governments
have not yet made the needed investments in value-added research that would make
cassava starch products competitive on an international scale.
The Ghent meeting was the first global scientific conference of the Global Cassava
Partnership, a consortium formed - under the auspices of the FAO-facilitated Global
Cassava Development Strategy - by international organizations, including FAO,
CIAT, IFAD and IITA, national research institutions, NGOs and private partners.
Participants reviewed the current state of cassava production worldwide and future
prospects. They agreed on a number of new projects, which will be offered immediately
to the donor community, and a set of investments needed if cassava is to realize
its full potential in addressing the global food and energy crisis.
They included establishment of a cassava chain delivery system to channel technical
advances to poor farmers ('from seed to field to market'), improvements in soil
fertility through better management and increased use of inputs, improvements
in basic scientific knowledge of cassava, including genomics, expansion of cassava's
market share through development of post-harvest products, and training for the
next generation of cassava researchers in developing countries.
Contact: FAO Media Office
FAO-Newsroom@fao.org
Source: Online news from FAO: http://www.fao.org/newsroom/
25 July 2008
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1.02 GIPB launches call for information on genetic resources
and breeding of underutilized bioenergy crops
Jjatropha, castor bean, sugar beet and sweet sorghum
Rome, Italy
Many underutilized or neglected plant species are grown or used very little, or
very locally, but have great promise for contributing to sustainable energy production,
livelihood and rural development. However, success in domestication and production
of underutilized bioenergy crops will depend on a wide range of preconditions.
Among the most basic of these is the understanding of the genetic resources available
through natural selection over time and from selections of adapted materials by
farmers and breeders.
So far, the genetic resources of underexploited bioenergy crops in general are
very poorly documented; little is known about the genetic variability, its useful
characteristics, how to access breeding material and share it as a public good,
and how to utilize it in breeding programmes to generate improved cultivars suitable
for production in different agro-ecological and socio-economic conditions.
This call for studies and analysis aims at expanding information on genetic resources
of selected bioenergy crops. The information will also support the development
of a guide on genetic resource assessment and use, which will help ongoing efforts
directed at enhancing the potential of underutilized bioenergy crops for smallholder
producers. These information resources will help bridge the knowledge gap and
assist stakeholders to improve their ability to resolve constraints relating to
genetic diversity characterisation and utilization.
This is the first Call for Letters of Intention for production of expanded up-to-date
information on genetic resources and breeding of selected bioenergy species, together
with detailed analysis of their potential as bioenergy crops adaptable to sustainable
smallholder production systems.
Species of interest under this Call are jatropha (Jatropha curcas L.), castor
bean (Ricinus communis L.), sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.), sweet sorghum (Sorghum
bicolor L.) and Pongamia (Pongamia pinnata L.). Only one species must be considered
per Letter of Intention. The same applicant may submit more than one Letter of
Intention.
All applications must be written in English and the deadline for submission
of Letters of Intention is 1st September 2008.
Click HERE
to open the announcement (PDF) with more detailed information.
Source: Global Partnership Initiative for Plant Breeding
Capacity Building
22 July 2008
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1.03 New regional seed association
formed
History was made on 18 July in Istanbul, Turkey when the formation of the
new regional seed association was announced by 10 member countries of the Economic
Cooperation Organization (ECO) region comprising of Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Islamic
Republic of Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan
and Uzbekistan.
The decision to form this association followed an intense two-day consultative
meeting amongst delegates, which was held on 17-18 July under the aegis of the
ECO Secretariat as part of the intra-regional Technical Cooperation Project supported
by FAO and implemented jointly with the International Center for Agricultural
Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA). Prior to that a three-day regional workshop
on harmonization of seed regulations attended by more than 50 Senior Government
officials and representatives of the private sector, after discussing technical
and policy issues, endorsed harmonization and the need for a regional association
to translate this into a reality.
The delegates worked day and night reviewing the existing opportunities for public-private
partnerships and reached a consensus to embark on the formation of the new regional
seed association that will represent the interests of all the member countries
and contribute to the development of the seed sector in the region. In recognition
of the advanced nature of the Turkish seed industry and the leadership role it
could play in ensuring the visibility and viability of the association, the delegates
agreed to locate the headquarters of the regional seed association in Ankara.
Also present at the meeting were international experts as well as executives of
the International Seed Federation (ISF) representing the global seed industry
and the Asia and Pacific Seed Association (APSA) who shared their experiences
in facilitating seed security and seed trade.
ECO, FAO and ICARDA worked closely with member countries, and particularly the
Government of Turkey in facilitating the meeting which lead to the formation of
the regional seed association. The membership of the association will be open
to all seed companies and service providers to the seed industry from ECO region
and beyond.
The ECO member countries collectively represent a huge seed market worth billions
of dollars. The estimated domestic annual seed market based on potential demand
in the top three countries alone is close to US $1 billion.
In his opening statement Dr Metin Genckol, Director of Agriculture and Tourism
of ECO, stressed that “the ECO region covers about 800 million ha with rich diversity
in agro-ecology, farming systems, crops and a population of over 350 million.
We are cultivating barely half of the available land (only 24%) from the potential
cultivable area of 49%. Obviously there is great opportunity for expansion and
diversification of agriculture in the era of soaring food prices”.
Dr Zewdie Bishaw, Head of ICARDA’s Seed Unit, said that “organizing the seed industry
is in the best interest of farmers. “Today the winners are the farmers of the
ECO region who would be served better through better organized seed industry,”
he added.
In his closing remarks Dr Michael Larinde of FAO said: “Today we have planted
a seed which should be nurtured to develop into a productive plant that would
bear fruits to meet regional food security”.
For more information contact the following people:
Metin Genckol, ECO Secretariat, Tehran, Iran; registry@ecosecretariat.org
Michael A. Larinde, FAO, Rome, Italy; michael.larinde@fao.org
Zewdie Bishaw, ICARDA, Aleppo, Syria; z.bishaw@cgiar.org
Contributed by Ravi R. Prasad
Communications / Media Specialist
ICARDA
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1.04 ICRISAT and Pravardhan Seeds launch hybrid pigeonpea
seeds
Red gram or pigeonpea is an important pulse crop of India where it is grown
on about 3.5 million ha. It is a favorite dal (tuar or arhar) of
Indian cuisine. It is a very suitable crop for rainfed agriculture because it
is drought tolerant, needs minimum inputs and produces reasonable yields under
unfavorable agro-ecological conditions.
Over the past 50 years, pigeonpea productivity has not increased in spite of several
new varieties being released. To achieve a breakthrough in yield, the International
Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) developed an innovative
breeding technology to develop commercial hybrids in this crop, the first such
attempt in any food legume. ICRISAT is working with the Indian Council of
Agricultural Research, State Agricultural Universities, Seed Corporations, and
private seed companies in this effort.
After 25 years of intense research, the world’s first cytoplasmic male sterility
(CMS) based pigeonpea hybrid ICPH 2671 was developed by ICRISAT in 2005, and has
been named as ‘Pushkal’ by Pravardhan Seeds. This hybrid is suitable for cultivation
in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Maharashtra. Pushkal was launched today
by the Director General of ICRISAT, Dr William D Dar. Also present were Mr Murahari
Rao, Managing Director of Pravardhan Seeds and senior officials from ICRISAT and
Pravardhan Seeds.
Launching the hybrid for cultivation, Dr William Dar said that the world is witnessing
marked volatility in food and energy prices. Reduced global stocks, climate change,
rising human population, natural calamities such as droughts, coupled with speculative
response to the market signals are a few reasons for spiraling prices of food
and other essential commodities. Expressing his concern, Dr. Dar said that nearly
every agricultural commodity is fueling the rising price trend.
Stressing the need for urgent attention, Dr Dar said that the bulk of food proteins
in India are derived from pulse crops that are generally grown under low-input
and risk-prone marginal environments with low and unstable yields. The Green Revolution
of the 1970s ignored legumes that are a major source of protein in the developing
world. At present the protein availability in India is less than one-third of
the recommended dietary allowance.
Since the food production balance in India will always remain in favor of cereals,
the issue of protein availability assumes greater significance. Options such as
increasing the pulses growing area, intensive cropping, and enhanced inputs have
limited scope in India. Therefore, to harvest additional protein the cultivation
of hybrid legumes is the most prudent alternative, Dr Dar opined.
Dr CLL Gowda, Global Theme Leader, Crop Improvement, ICRISAT, said that the CMS
based hybrid seed technology is ready for take off with all its major components
in place. The major responsibility, now, is to take this research product
to the clients – the farmers of rainfed agriculture.
Considering the high yield potential of the technology, it is expected that farmers
with both small and large holdings will adopt the hybrids. Since small scale and
resource poor farmers predominantly cultivate pigeonpea, it will be important
to keep the seed cost within the reach of the farmers, he said.
Dr KB Saxena, the scientist behind this breakthrough, said that the new technology
promises to break the yield barrier, which has been plaguing Indian agriculture
for the past five decades. In achieving this milestone, Dr. Saxena and his team
struggled for 35 years to overcome various scientific hurdles. He was very optimistic
about the adoption of the hybrid technology. He further mentioned that in achieving
this goal the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) provided full support
in the research and development of this technology.
At ICRISAT the experimental hybrids have recorded 20% to150% yield advantage over
the best checks, ideal for bringing the next quantum jump in yield. Eminent agricultural
scientist Dr MS Swaminathan had mentioned that, “hybrid pigeonpea technology is
like dwarfing genes in wheat and rice and this will create a second green revolution”
in India. This breakthrough is the result of ICRISAT’s strong public-private
partnership.
On the basis of results from three years and 21 test locations, ICRISAT scientists
believe that hybrid technology in pigeonpea has become a profound success. One
of the important outcomes of the research program is Pushkal (ICPH 2671). This
high yielding, disease (wilt and sterility mosaic) resistant hybrid was bred at
ICRISAT and gives about 30-40% yield advantage over the popular variety Maruti.
The seed production of the parental lines of Pushkal has been tried successfully.
Mr Murahari Rao, M.D. Pravardhan Seeds, said that hybrid pigeonpea technology
has a great potential for enhancing yield and farmers will surely accept this
hybrid and other hybrids. He also thanked ICRISAT for providing the genetic material
for development of Pushkal.
For further information, contact Dr KB Saxena, Principal Pigeonpea Breeder, ICRISAT,
at k.saxena@cgiar.org.
Contributed by Gopikrishna Warrier
ICRISAT
w.gopikrishna@CGIAR.ORG
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1.05 Groundnut variety maintenance at Maroua Research Centre
in North Cameroon
A. Hamasselbe
In North Cameroon, groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is a staple food
crop that ranks third only to cotton and cereals (sorghum, millet and maize) in
terms of total land area cultivated.
In order to increase groundnut production in the region, the breeding programme
based at Maroua Regional Centre of Agricultural Research has released more than
ten improved varieties since 1982. Of these improved cultivars, only five varieties
are maintained for breeder seed production using low income obtained from the
sale of foundation seeds.
These varieties were evaluated in 2007 for varietal purity, shelling percentage
and 100 seed weight at the Institute of Agricultural Research for Development
(IRAD) farm, Maroua in North Cameroon.
Each variety was grown in a 10 m x 5 m plot size. At harvest, two samples of 1
kg of dried pods per variety were collected and analysed in the groundnut section
laboratory.
- Varietal purity: this character varied from 52.4% for JL 24 to 97.3% for 28-206,
indicating large range of variation in the varieties tested.
- Shelling percentage: the variety 28-206 showed the least shelling percentage
(15.0%) while JL 24 had the highest (72.4%).
- 100 seed weight: this character ranged from 34.4 g for K3237-80 to 51.1 g for
JL 24.
The results suggest that pedigree selection could be required to improve varietal
purity of the breeder varieties tested for which the satisfactory limit of varietal
purity is 100%. In addition, agronomic practices could be improved to increase
shelling percentage and 100 seed weight of the varieties.
In short term, it is not possible to undertake these suggestions due to the lack
of research funding since the end of the Groundnut Germplasm Project (GGP) in
2001.
For more complete information on these results contact:
Aboubakar Hamasselbe
ahamasselbe@yahoo.com
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1.06 European corn production faces powerful
beetle
One of the world's most dangerous pests to corn is a tiny insect known as
the Western corn rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera). It is now spreading across
Europe and could soon be responsible for yield losses of up to 80 percent. Permanent
populations of the corn pest have become established in Austria, Switzerland and
France and the pest has already emerged in the southern states of Germany.
The problem with the corn rootworm is that it has no direct natural enemies in
Europe. One theoretical alternative means of control is crop rotation. This approach
cannot guarantee long-term success, however. The pathogen has developed numerous
resistances to this measure, including one-year egg dormancy. Longest-lasting
control is achieved with crop protection agents. Effective insecticides can either
be sprayed onto the leaves of the corn plant or delivered with spot precision
and high effectiveness into the soil through seed dressing. Use of dressed seeds
is probably the most ecofriendly way of using crop protection agents.
To read more about the Western corn rootworm, visit http://www.bayercropscience.com/BCSWeb/CropProtection.nsf/id/EN_2008-NST-033
.
Source: CropBiotech Update
25 July 2008
Contributed by Margaret Smith
Dept. of Plant Breeding & Genetics
Cornell University
mes25@cornell.edu
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1.07 Useful traits from earliest Mexican
wheats
Hundreds of years ago, Spanish monks brought wheat to use in Roman Catholic
religious ceremonies. Now scientists at the International Maize and Wheat Improvement
Center (CIMMYT) are scouring for these sacramental wheats to be used as sources
of traits like disease resistance and drought tolerance. Field trials at CIMMYT
Cuidad Obregón wheat research facility show that some sacramental wheats have
better early ground cover, quickly covering the soil and safeguarding moisture
from evaporating. Others have enhanced levels of soluble stem carbohydrates which
help fill the wheat grain even under drought, while some show better water uptake
in deep soils thanks to their deep roots.
Sacramental wheats also proved to be useful in fighting a new leaf rust race that
appeared on Altar 84, the most widely-grown wheat cultivar in Sonora, Mexico.
The CIMMYT durum collection of sacramental wheats from Oaxaca, Mexico, displayed
minor gene or major gene resistance to the new leaf rust race. CIMMYT researchers
are still unlocking the potential of sacramental wheats. "We started to characterize
them for resistance to leaf and yellow rust, and the collections from the state
of Mexico for wheat head scab and Septoria," says Julio Huerta, CIMMYT wheat pathologist.
" We were surprised to find many, many resistant lines. "But until we finish characterizing
all of them, we won't know what else is there."
The complete article is available at http://www.cimmyt.org/english/wps/news/2008/jun/earliest_mexican.htm
.
Source: CropBiotech Update
18 July 2008
Contributed by Margaret Smith
Dept. of Plant Breeding & Genetics
Cornell University
mes25@cornell.edu
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1.08 Good breeding increases shelf life - Packaged salad-cut
lettuce studied for stability, freshness
The lettuce cut and packaged for food service and salad mixes is an increasingly
important component of the produce industry. Lettuce is highly perishable, and
the cutting required in processing further shortens its shelf life.
Packaging cut lettuce and other fresh produce in semipermeable plastic films extends
shelf life via a technique called "modified-atmosphere packaging". The success
of modified-atmosphere (MA) packaging for lettuce and certain salad greens has
led to innovative products, marketing strategies, and enhanced sales to consumers.
Increased demand for the convenient, pre-cut salads and lettuce has led to scientists
to search for ways to select lettuce cultivars that stay fresh, colorful, and
crisp. Shelf life and visual quality of salad-cut lettuce are affected by many
things, including production environment, vegetative maturity, and type of lettuce
chosen. Although an increasing variety of lettuce types are being grown, romaine
and "crisphead" (such as iceberg) are the most widely produced for salad-cut products
Ryan J. Hayes, a research geneticist, and Yong-Biao Liu, research entomologist
at the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service, published
the results of a study that should give lettuce breeders and producers enhanced
product information and a market edge. During the two-year study, lettuce was
processed from field-grown plants of 33 romaine and three "crisphead" cultivars.
Shelf life of each cultivar was evaluated after storage in modified-atmosphere
bags and in CO2-free controlled-atmosphere chambers.
Lettuce cultivars 'Clemente', 'Darkland', and 'Green Forest' performed consistently
well, ranking in the top 10 in every experiment. 'Alpi', 'Dark Green Romaine',
and 'Queen of Hearts' showed clearly unstable shelf life. Hayes noted, "cultivars
that performed well in our MA environments will likely be useful as parents in
breeding programs to develop new romaine cultivars with an acceptable shelf life.
It is also clear that not all crisphead cultivars have good shelf life. Wide variation
was observed between the crisphead cultivars Pacific, Salinas 88, and La Brillante."
In concluding the impact of the study outcomes, Hayes stated; "Breeders can use
these methods to characterize or identify breeding lines that are suitable for
salad-cut markets before release, and to select for increased shelf life within
breeding populations. These practices should facilitate a consistent release of
germplasm with high quality in MA environments."
The complete study and abstract are available on the ASHS Journal of the American
Society for Horticultural Science electronic journal web site: http://journal.ashspublications.org/cgi/content/abstract/133/2/228
Source: American Society for Horticultural Science
(ASHS) via SeedQuest.com
18 July 2008
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1.09 New DuPont markers for soybean
productivity
Pioneer Hi-Bred recently announced that it has identified and incorporated
new proprietary molecular markers into its soybean research program. The new markers
will aid in the development of soybeans resistant to Asian soybean rust, soybean
aphids and frogeye leaf spot. The company plans to commercialize soybean varieties
carrying multiple sources of Asian soybean rust resistance by 2012 in Brazil and
by 2013 in the United States. Frogeye leaf spot-resistant and soybean aphid-resistant
soybean varieties will be released by the company in 2011.
Molecular markers act as genetic road signs, indicating where scientists should
look on a segment of DNA for genes related to a specific trait. Once molecular
markers are identified, researchers can use DNA analysis early in product development
to screen for the presence of these specific traits. This ability to screen complements
extensive trait-specific field testing, for complex traits, driving greater success
in research programs.
To read more, visit http://www.pioneer.com/web/site/portal/menuitem.ada5e752304b6d5ca210a210d10093a0/
.
Source: CropBiotech Update
4 July 2008
Contributed by Margaret Smith
Dept. of Plant Breeding & Genetics
Cornell University
mes25@cornell.edu
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1.10 Scientists identify genes that control citrus carotenoid
content
Citrus fruits are particularly rich in carotenoids, which give them their
color and many of their nutritional properties. Recently, a team of scientists
from the French Agricultural Research Center for International Development (CIRAD)
has identified genes involved in the varying levels of carotenoids in different
citrus species. The discovery may lead to citrus varieties with enhanced nutrient
content.
There are five key stages in the carotenoid biosynthetic pathway, and on the last
stage the pathway can proceed to two separate branches depending on the genes
expressed. The scientists found out that mandarin and oranges, which naturally
contain the highest carotenoid levels, use both branches of the carotenoid biosynthetic
process, accumulating all the different compounds. Environmental factors were
also found to play a major role in determining the fruits' carotenoid contents.
Grapefruit for instance, accumulates more lycopene in the tropics, boosting the
red color of its flesh.
Read the full article at http://www.cirad.fr/en/actualite/communique.php?id=959
Source: CropBiotech Update
4 July 2008
Contributed by Margaret Smith
Dept. of Plant Breeding & Genetics
Cornell University
mes25@cornell.edu
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1.11 Some plants can adapt to climate
change
A new study conducted by scientists from Syracuse University and the University
of Sheffield found that some plant species are adaptable to long-term changes
in temperature and rainfall. The new findings resulted from the analysis of 13
years of data collected at the Buxton Climate Change Impacts Laboratory (BCCIL)
in the United Kingdom by Emeritus Professor J. Philip Grime and colleagues at
the University of Sheffield. BCCIL is a field laboratory of grasslands consisting
largely of slow-growing herbs and sub-shrubs. Thirty small grassland plots were
subjected to microclimate manipulation. A similar experiment was concurrently
conducted on grasslands in Southern England. In a 2000 study by Grime and colleagues,
the vegetation in the southern plots was substantially altered by the climate
changes, while the Buxton vegetation in the north was virtually unaffected.
"Contemporary wisdom suggests that climate changes cause plants to move or die,"
says Jason Fridley, study co-author and assistant professor of biology in The
College of Arts and Sciences at SU. "However, our study suggests that if the changes
in climate occur slowly enough, some plants have the ability to respond, adapt
and thrive in their existing location."
Read the press release at http://sunews.syr.edu/story_details.cfm?id=5149.
Source: CropBiotech Update
11 July 2008
Contributed by Margaret Smith
Dept. of Plant Breeding & Genetics
Cornell University
mes25@cornell.edu
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1.12 Higher CO2 level means higher tolerance of barley to salinity
Barley is one of the most important crops in the world. But what does climate
change do to barley in the future? A research by Usue Pérez-López of the University
of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) found that climate change will bring with it increased
in tolerance to salinity in barley. It is predicted that aside from increased
CO2 levels, there will be an increase in salinity in the soil in the future, because
of greater rate of evaporation. As a result of this increase in salinity the hydric
state of barley plants will deteriorate and imbalances in their nutrition will
occur due to excess sodium and chlorine (components of salt) and due to lack of
potassium, calcium and nitrogen. In essence, the plant will produce less carbohydrates
and proteins, which means a reduction in its growth.
Pérez-López found out that high concentrations of CO2 attenuate the loss of water
through the plant leaves, due to the fact that the stomas are kept closed and
the plant tissues are dehydrated to a lesser degree. High levels of CO2 considerably
enhances the hydric state of barley. It also has a positive influence on the photosynthesis
of the plant because, despite the fact that the plant keeps its stomas shut, the
diffusion of CO2 between the exterior and the interior of the leaf is greater.
The oxidative stress level of barley (the oxidation suffered by a plant due to
high salinity) was also determined. Pérez-López found that high concentrations
of CO2 alleviate this stress. The study concluded that the increase in CO2 enables
greater growth of barley plants subject to saline conditions, thanks to the improvement
in their hydric state and turgescence, but, above all, to the increase in photosynthesis.
Read the complete article at http://www.basqueresearch.com/berria_irakurri.asp?Berri_Kod=1819&hizk=I
.
Source: CropBiotech Update
11 July 2008
Contributed by Margaret Smith
Dept. of Plant Breeding & Genetics
Cornell University
mes25@cornell.edu
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1.13 New Tecoma cultivars bring color
to gardens
The United States Agricultural Research Service (ARS) has released three new
cultivars of an ornamental shrub called Tecoma. It includes 14 species
of shrubs and small trees from the trumpet-creeper family, found in the Americas
from the southern United States through northern Argentina, and in Africa. The
three Tecoma cultivars developed by ARS were named 'Miami Sunset', 'Miami Sunrise',
and 'Tangelo'. All three cultivars have inherent resistance to insect pests requiring
little or no pesticides.
To read more visit http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2008/080715.htm.
Source: CropBiotech Update
18 July 2008
Contributed by Margaret Smith
Dept. of Plant Breeding & Genetics
Cornell University
mes25@cornell.edu
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1.14 Scientists unlock the key to rice nutrition
Washington, DC
Rice is the primary food for more than 3 billion people around the world. New
research, funded by USDA's Cooperative State Research, Education,
and Extension Service (CSREES), may allow scientists to improve the nutritional
value of rice, affecting the health of more than 70 million of the world's poorest
people in developing countries.
Researcher Zhaohua Peng and colleagues at Mississippi State University and The
Ohio State University determined that chromatin plays an essential role in the
control of endosperm sizes and grain quality. The results obtained in this study
are applicable not only to rice, but other cereal crops as well in improving grain
yield and nutritional quality.
The endosperm portion of grain is an important component in determining the nutrient
content for most cereal crops as it provides growing plant nutrition, such as
starch, oils and protein. This makes endosperm an important source of nutrition
in the human diet as well.
Chromatin structures store genetic information and control gene expression in
cells. In chromatin, a piece of DNA wraps around a group of basic proteins called
histones to form a structure similar to the coil of telephone cord. When proteins
interact with the chromatin, it adjusts the tightness of the DNA and histone interaction.
Genes positioned in loosely packaged chromatin regions are usually active and
genes within the tightly package chromatin regions are often silenced.
The scientists used a new approach called proteomics, which examines proteins
in a large scale, to gain new insight into the chromatin structure and function
in rice. They identified a total of 344 unique proteins associated with chromatin
and found a large number of histone variants in rice.
The researchers also determined that chromatin modification genes control the
endosperm sizes and grain quality in rice. These findings suggest that manipulating
chromatin modification genes may be an effective approach for the improvement
of crop yield and quality. Future studies may also clarify how genes are expressed
and how these genes control plant functions.
The USDA's Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES)
funded this research project through the National Research Initiative Plant Genome
program. Through federal funding and leadership for research, education and extension
programs, CSREES focuses on investing in science and solving critical issues impacting
people's daily lives and the nation's future. For more information, visit www.csrees.usda.gov.
This impact is a service of the USDA Cooperative State Research, Education, and
Extension Service. News on other research can be found on the CSREES newsroom
at http://www.csrees.usda.gov/newsroom/impacts.html.
By Stacy Kish
Source: SeedQuest.com
28 July 2008
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1.15 Rice genomics research without the
GM
A research project led by the University of Arkansas System's Division of
Agriculture has a mission: to improve crop varieties through the study of genomics
without creating genetically transformed varieties. RiceCAP, or Rice Coordinated
Agricultural Project, is funded by a $5 million grant from the U.S. Department
of Agriculture.
To speed up the process of plant breeding, scientists use genetic markers identified
through genomic research. "Markers are genomic tools, but that doesn't mean we
are developing genetically engineered rice varieties," said Jim Correll, a Division
of Agriculture professor of plant pathology. Markers reveal the presence of genetic
material linked to a particular genetic trait, which allows breeders to more efficiently
screen plants for crossbreeding.
RiceCAP is focused on two genetic traits that have been difficult for breeders
to improve - resistance of rice plants to the fungal disease sheath blight and
milling yield, or the portion of rice kernels that remain whole after milling.
Both are difficult problems because they are controlled by environmental factors
as well as genetics, and because they involve multiple genes.
Readers can access the complete article at http://dailyheadlines.uark.edu/13139.htm.
Source: CropBiotech Update
4 July 2008
Contributed by Margaret Smith
Dept. of Plant Breeding & Genetics
Cornell University
mes25@cornell.edu
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1.16 Sex ratios of plants linked to environmental
factors
A new research from the University of Toronto found that environmental factors
can transform the ratio of females to males in plant populations. The team, composed
of Ivana Stehlik, Jannice Friedman, and University Professor Spencer Barrett used
genetic markers (known DNA sequences) to identify the sex of seeds. They investigated
six natural populations of the wind-pollinated herb Rumex nivalis in the
Swiss Alps and mapped the distance between females and neighboring males. They
then measured the amount of pollen captured by female flowers and collected seeds
from the plants when they were mature.
Barrett and his team found a strongly female-biased flowering sex ratios in these
populations. When there were more males surrounding females, females captured
more pollen, matured more seed and produced more strongly female-biased offspring.
The authors suggest that when females capture large amounts of pollen, female-determining
pollen tubes out compete male-determining pollen tubes to fertilize the single
ovule in each flower, resulting to the observed female to male ratio.
To read more, visit http://www.news.utoronto.ca/science-and-technology/u-of-t-discovers-environmental-factors-linked-to-sex-ratios-of-plants.html
.
Source: CropBiotech Update
25 July 2008
Contributed by Margaret Smith
Dept. of Plant Breeding & Genetics
Cornell University
mes25@cornell.edu
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1.17 UT Knoxville professor finds unexpected
key to flowering plants' diversity
KNOXVILLE -- What began with an off-the-cuff curiosity eventually led Joe
Williams to hang from the limbs of a tree 80 feet above the soil of northeastern
Australia.
The things Williams, a University of Tennessee, Knoxville, researcher found there
may help explain the amazing diversity in the world's flowering plants, a question
that has puzzled scientists from the time of Charles Darwin to today.
Williams' findings, published online this week by the Proceedings of the National
Academy of Sciences, show that the ability of flowering plants -- known as
angiosperms -- to quickly and efficiently move sperm from pollen to egg through
a part of the plant was the key to their evolutionary diversity.
His curiosity was based in the time it takes from when pollen lands on a plant
to the time that its' seed is fertilized. Williams noticed a recurring theme in
the research papers he read:
"They would usually describe how fertilization was occurring, but they never tell
you much about timing," said Williams, an assistant professor of ecology and evolutionary
biology at UT Knoxville.
For a seeded plant to fertilize, pollen that lands on the flower must grow a tube
to carry sperm to the egg. In non-flowering plants, the pathway is usually short,
because the pollen tube must destroy cells in its path, which is a time-consuming
process. In flowering plants, though, pollen tubes are able to cover longer distances
to the egg by essentially "squeezing" between cells. It is a trait that Williams
says is vital to their diversification.
"The longer a plant takes to fertilize, for the pollen to reach the egg," said
Williams, "the more chance there is for it to die."
When he studied the data he had collected through the years, Williams found that
older lineages of flowering plants -- those on lower branches of the angiosperms'
evolutionary family tree -- grew shorter tubes of pollen than those that went
on to evolve into the diverse array of flowering plants that exist today.
That's what brought Williams to a harness in the rainforest of Australia. To confirm
what he found in the data analysis, he pollinated -- by hand -- an ancient vine
known as Austrobaileya that grows high in the canopy. He chose that plant, along
with another plant found only on the Pacific island of New Caledonia and a water
lily that grows high in the Colorado mountains, to test because they developed
as species early in flowering plants' evolution.
He found that, when compared to more recently evolved species of angiosperms,
the older plants grew shorter pollen tubes and took longer to do so than more
diverse modern species. According to Williams, this indicates that these pollen
tubes likely played a previously unknown role in spurring the evolution of the
roughly 250,000 species of flowering plants we see today.
"As these plants gained the ability to grow pollen tubes faster and over longer
distances," said Williams, "It gave them the ability to develop the much larger
and more complex flowers as well as deeper ovaries with more seeds -- that is
to say, larger fruits -- that we see around us today."
###
Williams' work was funded by UT Knoxville and the National Science Foundation.
Contact: Jay Mayfield
jay.mayfield@tennessee.edu
Source: EurkaAlert.org
28 July 2008
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1.18 Workshop on the use of modern molecular breeding techniques
in plant breeding held in Nairobi, Kenya
A workshop on “Molecular Breeding Capacity Building” highlighting the use
of modern molecular breeding techniques in plant breeding in Africa, was held
at the Biosciences eastern and central Africa (BecA) Hub and the International
Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) in Nairobi.
It was attended by 22 plant breeders from several countries in Africa. The objectives
were to identify the opportunities and constraints for applying marker assisted
selection (MAS) in national and international plant breeding programs in Africa;
and to strengthen Maize and Sorghum Molecular Breeding Community of Practices
(CoP) in Africa. Among the issues identified include access to germplasm, breeding
materials, training manuals and molecular markers. In addition, ways and means
to address these constraints were identified by the participants.
The workshop program included descriptions and discussion on issues in molecular
breeding including molecular markers and genotyping systems; marker assisted breeding;
genetic diversity and association mapping; and breeding informatics. It is hoped
that the theoretical training on MAS will bridge the gap between molecular biologists
and conventional plant breeders, resulting in better communications.
The workshop was organized by three international agricultural research centers
including CIMMYT, IITA and ICRISAT, and the BecA Hub with financial support from
the Generation Challenge Program and the Drought Tolerant Maize for Africa Project
sponsored by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Howard G. Buffett Foundation.
Yunbi Xu of CIMMYT Mexico maize molecular breeder chaired the organizing committee.
Further details about the BecA research platform are available from s.kelemu@cgiar.org, and on marker assisted
capacity building workshop from y.xu@cgiar.org or s.hearne@cgiar.org.
Source: CropBiotech Update via SeedQuest.com
18 July 2008
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2 PUBLICATIONS
2.01 FAO Biotechnology Glossary now available in
seven languages - Russian version just released
Rome, Italy
The FAO Biotechnology Glossary
is now available in Russian.
Apart from a translation of the over 3,000 terms and definitions contained in
the original English glossary, the 381-page publication also contains an additional
English-Russian vocabulary of biotechnology-related terms.
The glossary provides consolidated, comprehensive and accessible definitions of
terms and acronyms that are used regularly in biotechnology, including genetic
engineering, and closely allied fields.
The initial draft was prepared by G. Camarova (State Agricultural University of
Moldova, Republic of Moldova) and revised by T. Gavrilenko, I. Anisimova and O.
Antonova (N.I.Vavilov Institute of Plant Industry, Russian Federation) for plant-related
terminology and by O. Kuznetsova and S. Kharitonov (Russian State Agrarian University,
Russian Federation) for animal-related terminology. It is available in PDF, and
soon as a web-based searchable database, at http://www.fao.org/biotech/index_glossary.asp.
The book was prepared by FAO's Research and Extension Division, in collaboration
with the FAO Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia. The original English
version was prepared by A. Zaid, H.G. Hughes, E. Porceddu and F. Nicholas in 2001.
The glossary has previously been translated into Arabic, French, Serbian, Spanish
and Vietnamese and all these seven versions can be downloaded from the above website.
Source: SeedQuest.com
16 July 2008
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2.02 The Plant Genome: A new journal
of the Crop Science Society of America
The Plant Genome is an international open-access electronic journal
published by the Crop Science Society of America. The goal of The Plant Genome
is to provide the readership with a short submission-to-online publication of
the latest advances and breakthroughs in plant genomics research.
The Plant Genome publishes original research investigating all aspects
of plant genomics. Technical breakthroughs reporting improvements in the efficiency
and speed of acquiring and interpreting plant genomics data are welcome. The editorial
board will give preference to novel reports that use innovative genomic applications
that advance our understanding of plant biology and that may have applications
to crop improvement. The journal also publishes invited review articles and perspectives
that offer insight and commentary on recent advances in genomics and their potential
for agronomic improvement.
The first edition of the journal was published on 16 July 2008.
For more information on The Plant Genome, including instructions to authors
and the editorial board, please go to The
Plant Genome.
Papers may be submitted through The Plant Genome's online submission website
at:
http://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/plantgenome.
We look forward to receiving your manuscripts for publication in The Plant
Genome.
David A. Somers
Editor
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2.03 Geneconserve: an open access
journal
As an open access journal,Geneconserve (www.geneconserve.pro.br ) is made freely
available online to all readers.
In addition to being open access, Geneconserve will differ from traditional
scholarly journals in a number of important ways.
First, the journal will employ a completely transparent peer review system, in
which authors and reviewers interact directly throughout the review process. Submitting
authors will be asked to suggest potential reviewers for their manuscript, and
if these reviewers are approved by the journal's Editorial Office, they will be
sent a review request. Reviewers who agree to submit a report will be asked to
provide an assessment of the quality of the manuscript, a written critique addressed
to the authors, and a written commentary addressed to the journal's readers.
Once the review reports for a manuscript have been submitted, authors will have
the choice of revising their manuscript in order to address any concerns raised
by the reviewers, or if they have received positive evaluations from at least
three reviewers they can choose to move ahead with the publication of their article
in its current form. Once a manuscript is accepted for publication, The author
is consulted, if he accept,the positive ,stimulative analytic reviewers'
commentaries and their assessment of the manuscript's quality may
be published alongside the final version of the article.
Another aspect of Geneconserve which differs from many traditional
journals is the ability for readers to comment on, and evaluate, published articles
(provided acceptance of concerned authors). This will effectively create
a discussion forum around published article. It will be a source of learning
more about experimentation, research and publication too.
Our scope is Plant genetic resources and their manipulation: Topics on taxonomy,
conservation and evolution will receive greatest interest. No any fees will
be charged, except in case of translation from Portuguese to English. All other
expenses will be covered by a special fund created by Nagib Nassar from his own
resources.
If you would be interested in submitting an article to Geneconserve , you may
do so using a simple email message to nagnassa@rudah.com.br Pleae
feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
Contributed by Nagib Nassar
Editor
www.geneconserve.pro.br
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2.04 Mycotoxins: detection methods, management,
public health and agricultural trade
A new book "Mycotoxins: detection methods, management, public health and agricultural
trade" edited by Prof. John Leslie (Kansas State University, USA), Ranajit Bandyopadhyay
(IITA) and Dr. Angelo Visconti (Institute of Sciences of Food Production, ISPA,
Italy was published by CABI Publishing. The book is the principle proceedings
from the MycoGlobe mycotoxin conference organized by IITA and the MycoGlobe Project
of the European Commission in Accra during 13-16 September 2005. It comprises
of 35 chapters authored by the renowned experts from all over the world, and provides
an overview and introduction to mycotoxins and their impact from a public health
viewpoint and examines the health, trade and legislation issues involved. Management
of mycotoxins – from technical (includes chapters on breeding and molecular
biology), institutional and policy aspects -- is discussed in detail as well
as the global problems caused by them. More details about the book can be found
at http://www.cabi.org/bk_BookDisplay.asp?PID=2114
Contributed by Ranajit Bandyopadhyay
Plant Pathologist
International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA)
r.bandyopadhyay@cgiar.org
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+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
2.05 Call for papers for the UNESCO-EOLSS Encyclopedia of Life Support Systems
We are looking for a few more authors who would be willing to write a 15-20
page peer-reviewed article for a new online encyclopedia sponsored by UNESCO and
would appreciate your help in identifying possible collaborators. The project
is described in more detail below and is followed by a list of topics to be included
in the encyclopedia. Please consider becoming a part of this exciting project!
If you are unable to participate at this time, would you please forward this information
to colleagues who might potentially be interested in participating? Thank you
very much for your help.
Description of Encyclopedia
The UNESCO-EOLSS Encyclopedia of Life Support Systems is an integrated online
compendium of 16 encyclopedias on themes ranging from Earth and Atmospheric Sciences,
Biological, Social and Water Sciences, to Food and Agricultural Sciences, Human
and Natural Resources Policies and Management, and Development and Economic Sciences.
This project attempts to forge pathways between disciplines in order to show their
interdependence and helps foster the transdisciplinary aspects of the relationship
between nature and human society. It deals with both interdisciplinary and disciplinary
subjects, as each major core subject is covered in great depth by world experts.
The EOLSS is the result of an unprecedented global effort and a decade of planning.
The leading experts who have contributed to this state-of-the-art publication
come from diverse fields. You are invited to visit the EOLSS website www.eolss.net for more information on the concept
and structure of this ambitious project.
The Encyclopedia is designed to be a guide and reference for a wide range of users:
from natural and social scientists to engineers, economists, educators, university
students and professors, conservationists, entrepreneurs, law and policy-makers.
The project is coordinated by the UNESCO-EOLSS Joint Committee.
The present edition covers now about 200 themes, each managed by an internationally
recognized expert in the field. Teams of experts are working to regularly
update the various sections of the web-based encyclopedia, making EOLSS a living
library. The EOLSS already grew to about 57 million words, equivalent to about
130,000 standard pages, and several thousand tables, graphics, boxes, and photographs.
Soon, it will mature to its full size of about 70 million words (equivalent to
about 200 volumes) by augmentation and updating as often as every week. EOLSS
is rapidly becoming the most sought after reference site in the World. A recent
count showed that the average number of daily visitors over a week was approximately
81,000. The one-day high recorded over 99,000 visitors! These figures are steadily
increasing.
EOLSS-online is made available free of charge to universities on the United Nations
list of least developed countries and disadvantaged individuals worldwide. We
invite you, your friends and colleagues to visit the online encyclopedia at www.eolss.net for further information on free
trial access provisions.
Description of Review Articles
As Honorary Theme Editors of Theme 1.5A: Crop and Soil Sciences we are responsible
for the publication of the titles listed below. For many of the topics a suitable
author has already been identified; however, for a number of others we are still
in search of interested people who are willing and interested in contributing.
In this context we are inviting you to write a peer-reviewed paper of approximately
15-20 pages on one or more of the topics listed below. The objective is to come
up with a well documented REVIEW PAPER on the topic, to be submitted within a
maximum timeframe of SIX MONTHS from now. Authors receive an honorarium of US$30
per thousand words. We are looking for either Retired Professors or Senior Research
experts, who are willing and able to put their long-time experience on paper or
for young dynamic Researchers and Assistant Professors aware of modern developments
in their particular fields, but supported in co-authorship by an experienced Senior
Scientist or Full Professor. The objective is NOT to present a research report
but a scientifically sound and up to date review paper on the topic.
Colleagues interested in collaborating on this project are requested to contact
us at their earliest convenience. Potential collaborators should include a short
CV documenting their experience in the subject. They will then receive additional
information on format and editing rules.
Melanie Bayles
Co-Editor EOLS-UNESCO Encyclopedia Theme 1.5A
Dept. of Plant and Soil Sciences
378 AG Hall
Stillwater OK 74078
melanie.bayles@okstate.edu
Em. Prof. W. Verheye
Honorary Theme Editor EOLS-UNESCO Theme 1.5A
c/o Acacialaan, 21, B-9840 De Pinte, Belgium
WLVerheye@telenet.be
List of the topics in Theme 1.5A: Crop and Soil Sciences
(Only titles that are open for new authors are listed)
15A.01: Soils and General Agronomy
15A.10: Seed Physiology
15A.11: Seed Production and Technology
15A.13: Corn Science and Production
15A.15: Rice Science and Production
15A.17: Growth and Production of Soybeans
15A.18: Growth and Production of Pulses
15A.22: Growth and Production of Sugarcane
15A.23: Growth and Production of Tropical Food Crops: Cassava, Yam and Sweet
Potato
15A.24: Growth and Production of Citrus and Bananas
15A.25: Growth and Production of Tropical Food Tree Crops: Avocado, Papaya,
Litchi and Mango
15A.26: Growth and Production of Coffee, Cacao and Tea
15A.33: Crop Quality
Contributed by Melanie Bayles, melanie.bayles@okstate.edu via Ann
Marie Thro, ATHRO@CSREES.USDA.GOV
3. WEB RESOURCES
3.01 GIPB Knowledge Resource Center
launches the Plant Breeding Electronic Journal Club
The GIPB Knowledge Resource Center is launching the Plant Breeding Electronic
Journal Club, a virtual place that allows communities to meet and critically evaluate
plant breeding and related fields' articles in the scientific literature.
This e-Journal Club is directed to professionals and students interested in discussing
relevant plant breeding themes and issues. Its majors objectives are
to help improve skills of understanding and debating current topics of interest
to plant breeding and to promote intellectually stimulating and professionally
rewarding exchange with colleagues from around the world.
This e-Journal Club will use Fireboard, a forum component fully integrated to
the GIPB website, which allows implementation of many e-Journal Club groups simultaneously.
Dr. Fred Bliss kindly agreed to serve as the convener of this first GIPB e-Journal
Club, which will discuss the article “Quantitative Genetics, Genomics, and
the Future of Plant Breeding” by Dr. Bruce Walsh.
In order to participate you just need to follow the instructions in the front
page of the GIPB website (http://km.fao.org/gipb). Registration
is now opened and the e-Journal Club will start on Wednesday, 6 August 2008.
Please, note that discussion in this first e-Journal Club will be held in English,
but proposals of conveners willing to start e-Journal Clubs in other languages
can be sent to gipb@fao.org.
We look forward to your participation.
Contributed by:
Elcio Guimarães
Maurício Lopes
Michela Paganini
E-Journal Club Facilitators
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4. GRANTS AVAILABLE
4.01 United States Department of Agriculture announces
$28.4 million in funding for specialty crop research
Washington, DC
Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer announced today that USDA
is making available $28.4 million for research and extension projects in fiscal
year 2008 to address the critical needs of the specialty crop industry by developing
and disseminating science-based tools to address needs of specific crops.
"This is a substantial investment in scientific research and technology for production
of specialty crops that will advance their large contribution to America's agriculture
both domestically and in world markets," said Schafer.
The U.S. specialty crop industry is comprised of producers and handlers of fruits
and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits and nursery crops, including floriculture.
It is a major contributor to the U.S. agricultural economy, accounting for 10
million harvested cropland acres in 2004. The total value of U.S. specialty crops
is over $50 billion in sales, which puts the combined value of these crops in
league with the five major program crops.
Funding for the Specialty Crop Research Initiative was a major initiative in USDA's
farm bill proposal and is authorized through the Food, Conservation and Energy
Act of 2008. The 2008 farm bill provides an additional $50 million each year for
fiscal years 2009 through 2012 for a total of $230 million over the five years
of the farm bill. Those interested in applying for funding can access the request
for applications online at www.csrees.usda.gov/funding/rfas/specialty_crop.html
The Specialty Crop Research Initiative has five focus areas:
1) plant breeding, genetics and genomics research to improve crop characteristics;
2) efforts to identify and address threats from pests and diseases;
3) innovations and technology, including improved mechanization and technologies
that delay or inhibit ripening;
4) efforts to improve production efficiency, productivity and profitability; and
5) methods to prevent, detect, monitor, control and respond to potential food
safety hazards in the production and processing of specialty crops.
Through federal funding and leadership for research, education and extension programs,
CSREES focuses on investing in science and solving critical issues impacting people's
daily lives and the nation's future. For more information, visit www.csrees.usda.gov.
As of Friday, July 11, 2008, application forms and instructions for completing
and submitting those forms via the Grants.gov Web site are not available for download.
These materials will be available on our site Monday, July 14, 2008.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: August 14, 2008
Source: SeedQuest.com
11 July 2008
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4.02 Generation Challenge Programme – Genotyping
Support Service proposals
Please note that the deadline for submission of proposals for the GCP’s Genotyping
Support Service has been extended to 10th September 2008.
This new deadline supersedes the 31st August 2008 deadline in GCP
News Issue 32.
For more information, please visit http://www.generationcp.org/latestnews.php?i=1279
Source: GCP News
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========================
5. POSITION ANNOUNCEMENTS
5.01 Deputy Administrator for Science and Education
Resources Development, CSREES
CSREES vacancy announcement number CSREES:SES:08-13 for the position of Deputy
Administrator for Science and Education Resources Development is now open.
Application and supplemental information must arrive at the address shown in the
announcement by the September 3, 2008, closing date. A copy of the vacancy
announcement may be obtained from the Office of Personnel Management website at
http://www/usajobs.gov/
For more information about the position, contact Betty Lou Gilliland on 202-720-5506.
For information on the application process, contact Deborah Crump on 301-504-1448.
"CSREES Science and Education Resources Development (SERD) Deputy Administrator
Vacancy Announcement:
For ag scientists who are U.S. citizens and have an interest in education, this
is a leadership position for USDA's activities in education, from kindergarten
through graduate school. SERD also includes the CSREES International Programs
unit, which collaborates with U.S. universities in international activities; and
the Current Research Information System (CRIS). The position is an
exciting opportunity in a time when there is renewed reason for attention to ag
science education and globalization.
Deadline for applications is Sept. 3, 2008.
Contributed by Betty Lou Gilliland, via Ann Marie Thro
CSREES, USDA
athro@csrees.usda.gov
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5.02 Research Geneticist (Plants), U.S.
Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service
The USDA-ARS Crop Genetics and Breeding Research Unit in Tifton, Georgia is
seeking a permanent full-time scientist to conduct research requiring the application
of molecular and conventional technologies in order to develop germplasm and cultivars
of adapted, warm-season grasses. The primary focus will be on turfgrasses.
Specific objectives include: 1) identification and characterization of traits
important in developing germplasm suitable for turf; 2) development and use of
marker assisted selection to accelerate development of improved warm-season grass
germplasm; 3) development and evaluation of new genetic resources using traditional
and molecular approaches; 4) technology transfer of research results to customers,
including other public and private industry researchers. Team research will
include the development of warm-season grasses for bioenergy and forage purposes.
Candidate will responsible for reporting research results and for providing general
supervision to one technician and students.
For details and application directions, a full text vacancy announcement may be
obtained via the Internet at www.afm.ars.usda.gov/divisions/hrd/index.html.
Announcement number ARS-X8S-0177 or call Debbie Padgett, 229-386-3504. U.S.
Citizenship is required. A Federal benefits package is available.
Applications must be postmarked by October 10, 2008. USDA-ARS is an equal
opportunity employer and provider.
Contributed by Kathy Marchant
Kathy.Marchant@ARS.USDA.GOV
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===========================
6. MEETINGS, COURSES AND WORKSHOPS
* New listings. May include some program details, while repeat listings will
include only basic information. Visit web sites for additional details.
24 – 29 August 2008. International IUFRO-CTIA 2008 Joint Conference:
Adaptation, Breeding and Conservation in the Era of Forest Tree Genomics and Environmental
Change, Loews Le Concorde, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. www.iufro-ctia2008.ca
September 2008.UC Davis Seed Biotechnology Center announces second session
of the Plant Breeding Academy, Davis, California.
The UC Davis Plant Breeding Academy is
pleased to be accepting applications for its second class, starting in September
2008. Visit the Plant Breeding Academy website
for more information and to apply for the 2008-2010 Academy.
8-9 September 2008. Course on cassava genetic resources and their manipulation
for crop improvement, offered by prof. Nagib Nassar at ESALQ, USP, Piracicaba,
Sao Paulo, Brazil
For inscription, kindly contact prof. Paulo Kageyama, email kageyama@esalq.usp.br, Dept. Florestal,
ESALQ.
Audiovisual support for the course can be found at:
http://www.geneconserve.pro.br/parte1.pdf
http://www.geneconserve.pro.br/parte2.pdf
http://www.geneconserve.pro.br/parte3.pdf
http://www.geneconserve.pro.br/parte4.pdf
http://www.geneconserve.pro.br/parte5.pdf
*(NEW) 10-12 September 2008. National Seminar on Recent Trends in Research
on Spices and Aromatic Plants, Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural
University, Hisar – 125 004 (HARYANA)
Topics:
i) Biodiversity Conservation and Evaluation
ii) Crop Improvement
iii) Crop and Seed Production
iv) Crop Protection
v) Biotechnological Approaches
vi) Post harvest, Management and Processing
vii) Marketing
viii) Scientists, growers and traders interaction
Correspondence Addresses:
1. For Spice Crops:
S.K. Arora, Department of Vegetable Science, CCS Haryana Agricultural University,
aicrpspices@hau.ernet.in; vegscience@hau.ernet.in
2. For Aromatic Crops:
P. K. Verma, Medicinal, Aromatic & Under-Utilized Plants Section, Department
of Plant Breeding, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125 004 (Haryana).
mauup@hau.ernet.in; pkverma@hau.ernet.in
Contributed by EVD Sastry
evdsastry@aol.in
11- 15 September 2008. 5th International Hybrid Rice Symposium.
Changsha, China. www.5thishr.cn.
14 – 18 September 2008. Harlan II: An International Symposium – Biodiversity
in Agriculture: Domestication, Evolution, & Sustainability, University
of California, Davis. http://harlanii.ucdavis.edu/index.htm
14-18 September 2008. The 12th International Lupin Conference,
Fremantle, Western Australia conference@lupins.org. http://www.lupins.org/
17-20 September 2008. 19th New Phytologist Symposium -- Physiological
Sculpture of Plants: new visions and capabilities for crop development, Mount
Hood, Oregon, USA.www.newphytologist.org .
22 – 26 September 2008. All Africa Congress on Biotechnology, Nairobi,
Kenya. The theme of the Congress will be ‘Harnessing the Potential of Agricultural
Biotechnology for Food Security and Socio-Economic Development in Africa’.
www.abneta.org/congress and www.absfafrica.org
and www.africa-union.org
29 September 2008 – 5 June 2009.International Master in Plant Breeding
(17th edition), Zaragoza (Spain),
http://www.iamz.ciheam.org/ingles/cursos08-09/mejveg0809-pub-ing.htm
6 – 31 October 2008. Regional training programme on Plant Genetic Resources
and Seeds: Policies, Conservation and Use, Ethiopia.
www.cdic.wur.nl/UK/newsagenda
Application forms can be downloaded from the website of Wageningen International,
and should be submitted by e-mail to: training.wi@wur.nl
20–31 October 2008. International Course on Crop Prebreeding, Maracay,
Venezuela.
(
http://km.fao.org/gipb/index.php?option=com_content&task=section&id=24&Itemid=112
).
26–31 October 2008. 4th International Silicon in Agriculture Conference,
Wild Coast Sun Resort, Port Edward, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
www.siliconconference.org.za.
*(NEW) 3-5 November 2008. Workshop: "Mixed Models in Plant Improvement".The
University of Western Australia, International Centre for Plant Breeding Education
and Research.
A hands-on workshop for plant breeders seeking to improve the design and analysis
of single/multi environment experiments. Register your interest to receive
more information with Assoc Prof Wallace Cowling. (Look for the website in next
month’s newsletter)
Contributed by Wallace A. Cowling
The University of Western Australia
wcowling@cyllene.uwa.edu.au
3–7 November 2008. 7th International Safflower Conference, Wagga
Wagga, New South Wales, Australia. http://www.australianoilseeds.com/registration
*(NEW) 4-8 November 2008. 3rd International Conference for Peanut
Genomics and Biotechnology on Advances in Arachis through Genomics and
Biotechnology (AAGB-2008), ICRISAT, Hyderabad, India
AAGB-2008 is focusing on improving the productivity, quality and safety issues
of peanut/groundnut using modern genomics and biotechnology tools. The conference
will be organized under well-structured technical sessions that will include invited
lectures by eminent speakers/experts in their field across the world. The conference
will be dealing with following themes - Genetic Resources, Allelic Diversity,
Germplasm Enhancement, Genomic Resources, Comparative Genomics, Gene Discovery,
Biotic and Abiotic Stresses, and Product Quality and Safety. A poster exhibition
on these major themes will also be arranged during the conference. Excursions
and sight seeing tours to some of the world heritage sites in Hyderabad will also
be arranged. The Organizing Committee is endeavoring to make this event scientifically
rewarding and socially enjoyable.
For further details, please visit http://www.icrisat.org/aagb-2008 /
http://www.peanutbioscience.com or contact Rajeev Varshney
(r.k.varshney@cgiar.org) for further
details
*(NEW) 17-28 November 2008. Molecular methodologies for assessing and applying
genetic diversity in crop breeding, ICRISAT Campus at Patancheru, Greater
Hyderabad, India.
ICRISAT’s Center of Excellence in Genomics (CEG), supported by the Department
of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India, is pleased to announce its second
Training Course. The course will provide participants a hands-on opportunity to
gain expertise in the use of molecular markers (SSRs, SNPs and DArTs) in diversity
analysis, gene/QTL mapping and marker-assisted breeding.
Details about the training course and online submission of applications are available
at http://www.icrisat.org/CEG/ . For
questions, please contact Rajeev Varshney (r.k.varshney@cgiar.org).
*(NEW) 3-7 November 2008. 7th International Safflower Conference, Wagga
Wagga, New South Wales. http://www.australianoilseeds.com/registration/conference_information
*(NEW) 9-14 November 2008. 5th International Symposium of the European
Amaranth Association. Institute of Plant Genetics and Biotechnology of the
Slovak Academy of Sciences, Nitra, Slovak Republic. Organized by the Institute
of Plant Genetics and Biotechnology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Nitra, Slovak
Republic and AMR AMARANTH a.s., Blansko, Czech Republic.
New deadlines:
Registration form and abstract submission - August 31, 2008.
Payment (we will confirm before Sept.15) - September 15, 2008
Please, do not pay before we confirm that the conference will be organized
in this year.
Main topics:
1. Agrotechnical aspects of amaranth cultivation
2. Amaranth genetic resources – environmental, nutritional and molecular evaluation
3. Breeding and biotechnology approaches for amaranth improvement
4. Impact of amaranth cultivation on sustainable agriculture, phytoremediation,
forage and biomass production
5. Importance of amaranth in human nutrition -impact on human health, biomedicine
and industrial processing.
Contributed by Helmut Knüpffer
Genebank Department, Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research
(IPK)
knupffer@ipk-gatersleben.de, HKnuepffer@web.de
24 – 27 November 2008. Conventional and Molecular Breeding of Field
and Vegetable Crops. Novi Sad, Serbia. For more information contact: tanja@ifvcns.ns.ac.yu.
7-11 December 2008. Vth International Symposium on Horticultural Research,
Teaching and Extension, Chiang Mai, Thailand. http://muresk.curtin.edu.au/conference/ishset/topic.html
7-12 December 2008. International Conference on Legume Genomics and
Genetics IV Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. http://www.ccg.unam.mx/iclgg4/
9-12 December 2008. Global Potato Conference 2008. NASC Complex,
New Delhi, India. http://www.gpc2008.in. For
registration inquiries, contact Dr JS Minhas at minhasjs@excite.com
9-12 December 2008. Second International Symposium on Papaya, Madurai,
Tamil Nadu, India. http://www.ishs-papaya2008.com/About%20the%20symposium.html
*(NEW) 8-11 February 2009. International Conference on “Plant Abiotic Stress
Tolerance,” Vienna, Austria http://www.univie.ac.at/stressplants/
The conference will cover the following topics:
-Plant Response to Cold and Heat Stresses
-Plant Response to Drought, Salt, and Osmotic Stresses
-Plant Response to Heavy Metal and Oxidative Stresses
-Plant Response to Nutrient Stresses
-Signal Transduction of Abiotic Stress Tolerance in Plants
-Functional Genomics of Abiotic Stress Tolerance
-Breeding and Biotechnology of Abiotic Stress Tolerance
For any questions please contact conference organisers: stressplants.pflanzenmolbio@univie.ac.at
Contributed by Marie Baubin
baubin@mondial-congress.com
24 – 26 March 2009. Sixth International Integrated Pest Management Symposium.
Transcending Boundaries, Portland, Oregon. www.ipmcenters.org/ipmsymposium09
*(NEW) 26-29 May 2009. 19th EUCARPIA Conference, Genetic Resources
Section, Ljubljana, Slovenia. Early registration and abstract submission:
February 2009. www.eucarpia.kis.si
Contributed by Helmut Knüpffer
Genebank Department, Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research
(IPK)
knupffer@ipk-gatersleben.de, HKnuepffer@web.de
1-5 June 2009. 6th International Triticeae Symposium. Kyoto University
Conference Hall, Kyoto, Japan
Contact:
Taihachi Kawahara kawatai@mbox.kudpc.kyoto-u.ac.jp
Kazuhiro Sato kazsato@rib.okayama-u.ac.jp
21–25 September 2009. 1st International Jujube Symposium, Agricultural
University of Hebei, Baoding, China. www.ziziphus.net/2008
*(NEW) 11-16 October 2009. Interdrought-III, The 3rd international conference
on integrated approaches to improve crop production under drought-prone environments;
Shanghai, China. Conference web site: http://www.interdrought.org/. Previous
Interdrought conferences at www.plantstress.com
Contributed by Abraham Blum
Conference Chair
ablum@plantstress.com
2-5 August 2010. 10th International Conference on Grapevine Breeding
and Genetics. http://www.nysaes.cornell.edu/hp/events/.
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7. EDITOR'S NOTES
Plant Breeding News is an electronic forum for the exchange of information
and ideas about applied plant breeding and related fields. It is a component of
the Global Partnership Initiative for Plant
Breeding Capacity Building (GIPB), and is published monthly throughout
the year.
The newsletter is managed by the editor and an advisory group consisting of Elcio
Guimaraes (elcio.guimaraes@fao.org), Margaret Smith (mes25@cornell.edu), and Ann
Marie Thro (athro@reeusda.gov). The editor will advise subscribers one to two
weeks ahead of each edition, in order to set deadlines for contributions.
Subscribers are encouraged to take an active part in making the newsletter a useful
communications tool. Contributions may be in such areas as: technical communications
on key plant breeding issues; announcements of meetings, courses and electronic
conferences; book announcements and reviews; web sites of special relevance to
plant breeding; announcements of funding opportunities; requests to other readers
for information and collaboration; and feature articles or discussion issues brought
by subscribers. Suggestions on format and content are always welcome by the editor,
at pbn-l@mailserv.fao.org. We would especially like to see a broad participation
from developing country programs and from those working on species outside the
major food crops.
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The first is that computer viruses and worms can be distributed in this manner.
The second reason is that attached files cause problems for some e-mail systems.
PLEASE NOTE: Every month many newsletters are returned because they are undeliverable,
for any one of a number of reasons. We try to keep the mailing list up to date,
and also to avoid deleting addresses that are only temporarily inaccessible. If
you miss a newsletter, write to me at chh23@cornell.edu and I will re-send it.
REVIEW PAST NEWSLETTERS ON THE WEB: Past issues of the Plant Breeding Newsletter
are now available on the web. The address is: http://www.fao.org/WAICENT/FAOINFO/AGRICULT/AGP/AGPC/doc/services/pbn.html
We will continue to improve the organization of archival issues of the newsletter.
Readers who have suggestions about features they wish to see should contact the
editor at chh23@cornell.edu.
RECEIVE THE NEWSLETTER AS AN MS WORD® ATTACHMENT
If you prefer to receive the newsletter as an MS Word attachment instead of
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To subscribe to PBN-L: Send an e-mail message to: mailserv@mailserv.fao.org.
Leave the subject line blank and write SUBSCRIBE PBN-L (Important: use ALL CAPS).
To unsubscribe: Send an e-mail message as above with the message UNSUBSCRIBE PBN-L.
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(Return to Contents)