The
Global Partnership Initiative for Plant Breeding Capacity
Building (GIPB) brings you:
PLANT BREEDING NEWS
EDITION 198
28 February 2009
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 Crop genetic engineering under global climate change
1.02 Study
suggests climate change could boost corn pests
1.03 The
200th anniversary of Charles Darwin’s birth
1.04 Identifying mega-targets for high-yield plant breeding
1.05 Research suggests public funding for specialty crops
inadequate
1.06 University of Idaho breeders release improved varieties
of potatoes, wheat, and beans
1.07 A new, improved, protein-rich
pea called Pushkal, is the first commercially available
hybrid legume in the world and is set to launch a new Green Revolution.
1.08 Promising
selection HS2180-1-36-23-10-1 for roselle industry
in Malaysia
1.09 Rise in global temperatures takes toll on tomato farmers
and wholesale dealers in India
1.10 Making Sense of GM: What is the genetic modification
of plants and why are scientists doing it?
1.11 ICRISAT and Government of India plan platform for translational
research on transgenic crops
1.12 New generation of glyphosate
resistance traits improves weed management
1.13 Tracing
the evolution history of rice to improve future varieties
1.14 Natural
selection of gene function drives retrotransposon
evolution in rice
1.15 One of history’s biggest biological rescue efforts
poised to save 100,000 critical crop varieties from certain extinction
1.16 New National Science Foundation grant focuses on resistance
genes in soybean
1.17 Russian
Wheat Aphids are no match for new barley
1.18 Indian scientists develop transgenic chickpea resistant
to cowpea aphids
1.19 Maize varieties resistant to the widespread Striga plant parasite are a hit with Nigerian farmers
1.20 Scientists
to breed maize types suitable for areas with poor rains
1.21 Drought resistant cereal plant
1.22 New
disease-resistant apple variety from University of Illinois
1.23 Discovery
may solve devastating rust fungus issue for bean growers
1.24 Genomic
selection for crop improvement
1.25 Scientists
identify a wheat gene sequence which provides protection against leaf rust,
stripe rust and powdery mildew
1.26 Portable kit may one day detect plant disease before
disastrous outbreak
1.27 Researchers
identify gene to improve wheat frost tolerance
1.28 University
of California, Berkeley researchers develop improved method for comparing
whole genome sequences
1.29 Unraveling of the sorghum genome
will help improve dryland crops
1.30 Hybrids
and polyploids grow more in daytime
1.31 Epigenetics: forgetting might be as important as remembering
1.32 USDA-ARS researchers identify drought-hardy soybean
line
1.33 Determining
rice gene function: unlocking the secrets of the world's most important crop
2.
READER INQUIRIES: REQUESTING YOUR RESPONSE
2.01 PDAs
to manage plant breeding data
2.02 Call
for stories about the guardians of diversity
2.03 Seed
Info -- bi-annual newsletter of the Regional Seed Network: Reader survey
3. WEB RESOURCES
3.01 FAO
e-mail conference about successes and failures with agricultural biotechnologies
in developing countries in the past
3.02
ISAAA New Video "Knowledge, Technology and Alleviation of Poverty"
4 GRANTS AVAILABLE
4.01 ICGEB-TWAS-UNESCO/IBSP
Joint Project on Capacity Building in Basic Molecular Biology
4.02
US Govt Funding Opportunities
5 POSITION ANNOUNCEMENTS
5.01 Leafy
vegetable breeder – Assistant/Associate Professor
5.02 Post-doctoral
associate, Cornell University
5.03 Assistant
Professor (tenure track), Specialty Crops Breeding and Genetics
5.04 Breeding
and Genetic Scientific Positions
5.05 Post
Doctoral Fellows in Potato Genetics and Genomics – Chile
6 MEETINGS, COURSES AND WORKSHOPS
7 EDITOR'S NOTES
=========================
1. NEWS, ANNOUNCEMENTS AND RESEARCH NOTES
1.01 Crop genetic engineering under global climate
change
Annals of Arid Zone 47(3&4): 1-12,
2008
Rodomiro Ortiz
Centro Internacional
de Mejoramiento de Maíz
y Trigo (CIMMYT), Km 45 Carretera
México-Veracruz, Col. El Batán, Texcoco, Edo. de México, C.P. 56130,
México
Abstract: Climate change may bring an increased intensity and frequency
of storms, drought and flooding, weather extremes, altered hydrological cycles,
and precipitation.Such climate vulnerability will
threaten the sustainability of farming systems, particularlyin
the developing world. Stress tolerant bred-germplasm, coupled with sustainable
crop and natural resource management as well as sound policy interventions
will provide means for farmers to cope with climate change and benefit consumers
worldwide. This article reviews advances in genetic engineering for improving
traits such as heat tolerance, water productivity, and better use of nutrients
that may enhance crop adaptation to the changing climate of the twenty-first
century.
(Return to Contents)
++++++++++++++++++++++
1.02 Study suggests climate change could boost corn pests
Warmer growing seasons and
milder winters, brought about by climate change, could boost populations of
insects that feed on corn and other crops, according to a Purdue University study. Severe pest infestation may significantly decrease corn yield in
the United
States, the world's top corn producer and exporter. The study appears in the
current issue of Environmental Research Letters.
Noah Diffenbaugh and his colleagues compared conservative
climate change models to the temperature survival thresholds of four common
corn pests found in the U.S.: corn earworm, the European corn borer, northern
corn rootworm and western corn rootworm. "Basically, we examined both
the number of days warm enough for the pests to grow and the number of days
cold enough to kill the pests, assuming the pests' documented climate tolerances
remain the same," explained Purdue entomologist Christian Krupke, co-author of the paper. "This tells us what could
happen in projected future climates."
The scientists predict that increases in temperatures could result to a substantial
range expansion of each of the pests surveyed, especially in the case of corn
earworm (Heliothis zea),
a migratory, usually insecticide-resistant and cold-intolerant pest.
Read the full article at http://news.uns.purdue.edu/x/2008b/081216DiffenbaughCornpests.html>http://news.uns.purdue.edu/x/2008b/081216DiffenbaughCornpests.html
The paper published by Environmental Research
Letters is available to subscribers at
http://www.iop.org/EJ/article/1748-9326/3/4/044007/erl8_4_044007.html
http://www.iop.org/EJ/article/1748-9326/3/4/044007/erl8_4_044007.html
From CropBiotech Update
19 December 2008
Contributed by Margaret E. Smith, Cornell University
mes25@cornell.edu
(Return to Contents)
++++++++++++++++++++++++
1.03 The
200th anniversary of Charles Darwin’s birth
Oxford evolutionary biologist, Richard Dawkins, makes the argument that were
superior creatures from a distant galaxy to visit earth – just getting here
would demonstrate that superiority – they would likely have little more than
passing interest in our music, culture, literature, languages, economies,
and history. Shakespeare, Freud, Marx, Hollywood and the Pyramids might be no more than a curiosity.
Charles Darwin, however, would be another matter altogether. Darwin’s explanation of how remarkably diverse and complicated
life forms on Earth resulted from “cumulative
evolution by non-random survival of random hereditary changes” might well
strike them as the most profound idea ever developed by one of our species.
And yet, at its heart, the insight is so simple. As T.H. Huxley famously lamented to himself at the time, “How extremely
stupid not to have thought of that”.
This year we observe two major anniversaries: on 12 February, the 200th anniversary
of Charles Darwin’s birth, and in November, the 150th
anniversary of the publication of On the Origin of Species.
Amateur plant and animal breeders have probably never had their accomplishments
so profoundly appreciated since the 1800s when a quiet and modest man named
Charles Darwin focused his curiosity on them. His correspondence with pigeon
and dog breeders was extensive, his powers of observation extraordinary. Darwin was keenly interested in the variability among
individuals, whether pigeons or peas. He discerned that differences were heritable.
Small, incremental improvements could be passed from generation to generation
and changes could be accumulated, leaving the starting point far behind. This
was nowhere more evident than with agricultural crops and farm animal breeds.
Little wonder then, that the first chapter of his monumental On the
Origin of Species was entitled, “Variation under Domestication”.
Darwin also realized that flora and fauna alike produced
more offspring than could survive, and reasoned that the probability of survival
favored those most fit, and that the resulting inheritance
of qualities favoring fitness would produce gradual
changes in the population – i.e., evolution.
As Darwin came to understand, evolution was the product
of billions of tiny “experiments” in survival and fecundity, the outcome of
which decided which individuals, with which traits, became parents to the
next generation. Over time, the statistical odds favor
the retention and spread of these adaptive differences and the loss of any
that are counterproductive – an albino deer, for example.
(Figure 1can be found at: http://www.croptrust.org/documents/newsletter/img_news_no16/figure1_big.gif)
In summary, the key ingredients in Darwin’s schema were diversity, inheritance, selection,
and time. It was the interaction and the impact of the combination of these
(See Figure 1) that Darwin was the first to unveil.
Responsibility
Sir Ronald Fisher, an early and prominent geneticist, contended that the
smaller the change, the more likely it would be positive. He used a microscope
analogy. A tiny movement in the objective lens has a 50% chance of being in
the right direction and improving focus. A large movement in the lens, whether
in the right or wrong direction, is likely to worsen the focus.
So it is that dramatic changes in organisms from one generation to the next,
as a result of a major mutation, rarely succeed. Huge random changes have
the potential to take an organism in countless directions, many, indeed most
of them probably unviable. The resulting organism simply is not adapted to
the environment in which it was born. Changes of a more limited scope will
be less dramatic, but will stand a better chance of building on an existing
success – that of the parents. As Dawkins puts it, “However many ways there
may be of being alive, it is certain that there are vastly more ways of being
dead”. The small steps, not the giant leaps, are the most likely to succeed.
And this brings us, finally, to the connection with crop diversity. Unlike
wild species, crops are domesticated. Their fitness, their evolution is in
our hands and as Sir Otto Frankel put it, “we have acquired evolutionary responsibility”.
Darwin understood that populations that made appropriate
and successful adaptations survived and that those that didn’t perished, and
that agricultural crops were not exempt. He noted, for example, that certain
crop varieties “withstand certain climates better than others” and in Origin,
outlined a screening and breeding experiment, suggesting that someone sow
kidney beans,
“…so early that a very large proportion are destroyed by frost, and then collect
seed from the few survivors, with care to prevent accidental crosses, and
then again get seed from these seedlings, with the same precautions…”
Modern genebanks and plant breeders are essentially
doing this today on a large scale and with many crops. Drawing on the huge
diversity stored in genebanks, breeders expose samples
to different conditions (heat, drought, a new disease) to find the adaptive
traits for producing the new varieties that farmers will sow in the future.
But if this genetic diversity is not conserved, if we lose the ability to
make and accumulate those small changes so central to evolution, we will have
removed one of Darwin’s essential pillars of evolution – variation – and will have rendered
selection impotent.
The diversity of our crops – what we have managed to save of it – is what
humans will have to fashion those small incremental adaptive changes in crops
necessary for their survival. Climate change, and
other pressures on agricultural systems and crops intensify daily. Agriculture
needs to respond, even now, with crop varieties adapted and ready to meet
these challenges. What better way to commemorate Charles Darwin’s life
and work than guaranteeing that agriculture’s evolutionary process can continue.
America’s new President, Barack Obama, said in his inaugural
address “What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility… This is
the price and promise of citizenship”. For the world’s food supply, good global
citizenship requires us to embrace our “evolutionary responsibility”. It remains
to be seen whether we are prepared to pay its price.
To learn more about the topic:
Darwin, Charles. On the Origin of Species.
1859. (various publishers)
The Complete Work of Charles Darwin, online and searchable at: http://darwin-online.org.uk/
Dawkins, Richard. The Blind Watchmaker. Penguin. 1986.
Mayr, Ernst. One Long Argument: Charles Darwin
and the Genesis of Modern Evolutionary Thought. Harvard University Press. 1991.
Mayr, Ernst. What Evolution Is. Basic Books. 2001.
Source: topics@croptrust.org
(Return to Contents)
++++++++++++++++++++++
1.04 Identifying mega-targets for high-yield plant
breeding
A recent study reported in Crop Science examines
methods for facilitating genetic exchange in plant breeding programs
Madison, Wisconsin
Promoting genetic diversity in crops is traditional practice for agriculture
professionals, and with today's technology, scientists are able to develop
breeding programs with great care for the security of crops. This is particularly
important due to the numerous risks the world's food supplies face with the
changing climate. Genetic diversity in a breeding program is essential as
an insurance against unforeseeable changes in the environment and to maintain
genetic progress.
The incorporation of diversity into a breeding program, however, should be
planned carefully. Without taking great care in the incorporation of diversity
into a breeding program, poorly adapted genotypes may prevent genetic progress
and may therefore have a short-term negative impact on the breeding program.
On the other hand, the use of elite genotypes adapted to the local conditions
could increase diversity while maintaining genetic gain.
Adapted genotypes can easily be obtained for any environment if the genotypes
are evaluated in the target environment. However, it is not possible for a
breeding program to evaluate every single candidate genotype. Predicting the
performance of a genotype is difficult due to the multiple breeding objectives
and the many environmental conditions of genotype evaluation. Therefore, finding
adapted elite genotypes is challenging if the genotypes are not evaluated
in the targeted environment.
A recent study conducted at Iowa State University proposed data-driven methods to group breeding
programs likely to be compatible for germplasm exchange. Specifically, the
researchers characterized the genetic diversity of traits in advanced inbred
lines of barley from 23 public and private barley breeding programs, which
they analyzed to identify mega-targets of selection (i.e. groups of breeding
programs likely to be compatible for germplasm exchange) among those breeding
programs. Results from this research are published in the January 2009 issue
of the journal Crop Science.
The researchers found that all phenotypic traits had significant genetic diversity,
but only seven of the 20 traits evaluated showed differences in the amount
of diversity among the breeding programs. Some breeding programs had high
levels of diversity for most traits, while others had low levels of diversity.
The methodology proposed by the authors groups breeding programs by their
performance and by their response to changes in the environment, resulting
in sets of breeding programs with similar performance and similar adaptations.
They call these sets mega-targets of selection. The authors identified three
mega-targets of selection among the barley breeding programs. They hypothesize
that exchange of germplasm within mega-targets of selection would produce
adapted genotypes with high yields. Research is ongoing to develop larger
data sets to evaluate this method.
The full article is available for no charge for 30 days following the date
of this summary.
View the abstract at http://crop.scijournals.org.
http://crop.scijournals.org/content/vol49/issue1/
Source: Crop Science via
SeedQuest.com
16 February 2009
(Return to Contents)
+++++++++++++++++++++++
1.05 Research suggests public funding for specialty
crops inadequate
More funding could make fruits, vegetables less
expensiv
Davis, California
Specialty crops, including fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits,
and nursery crops, have become increasingly important compared to other categories
of agriculture in the United States over the past 50 years. These crops have
continued to grow in production value, but this growth has not been matched
by growth in public agricultural research spending. In fact, spending on specialty
crops research has remained constant during a time period when the value of
production for these crops has increased significantly.
A recent article published in the August 2008 issue of HortScience reviewed trends in
the economic importance of specialty crops and public funding for research
on these crops. Researchers Julian M. Alston of the University of California,
Davis, and Philip G. Pardey from the University
of Minnesota, questioned the adequacy of funding for specialty crops and whether
the share of funding allocated to research these crops should be increased.
Previous research has indicated that government involvement in agricultural
research and development is justified, because the private sector typically
invests too little in certain types of R&D. The rates of return to publicly
funded agricultural research have been very high, suggesting that government
intervention to date has been inadequate, and that the U.S. government could
have profited from spending much more on agricultural R&D, especially
in the area of specialty crops.
Agricultural research in the United States is funded from a variety of sources. Historically,
the majority of funding has come from the U.S Department of Agriculture. Other
agencies, including the National Science Foundation, the National Institutes
of Health, the Department of Energy, the Department of Defense,
and the U.S. Agency for International Development have been increasing sources
of funding over the last several years. Overall spending on R&D grew rapidly
during the 1960s and 70s, but since then, growth has slowed and become erratic.
In general, support has stagnated.
The growth in the value of production of specialty crops has not been matched
by commensurate growth in public agricultural research spending. There could
be many benefits to increasing funding in this area. One possible benefit
is that there can be a much larger social rate of return if it makes fruit
and vegetables less expensive and more available to more Americans, encouraging
people to eat healthier diets.
The authors concluded that although the evidence is mixed, specialty crops
research is underfunded and that a case can be made for increasing funding
going for research of these crops. They suggest that a producer check-off
program with a matching government grant could be one way to give incentives
to both private industry and government agencies to enhance research funding.
The Australian government has implemented such a program with much success.
Another option would be to simply redirect funds that would otherwise be spent
on other types of agricultural research.
The complete study and abstract are available on the ASHS HortScience
electronic journal web site: http://hortsci.ashspublications.org/cgi/content/abstract/43/5/1461
Source: American Society for Horticultural
Science via
SeedQuest.com
4 February 2009
(Return to Contents)
++++++++++++++++++++++++
1.06 University of Idaho breeders release improved
varieties of potatoes, wheat, and beans
With consumer tastes continually changing, with growers and processors squeezing
every conceivable cent from input costs, and with pests evolving into ever-more-aggressive
forms, plant breeding dare not stand still. At the University of Idaho College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS), it doesn’t. CALS breeders
have released six new varieties of potatoes, wheat, and beans since fall 2008.
They include:
-Classic Russet: a high-yielding, early-maturing russet potato with
attractive tubers and outstanding culinary qualities that could replace the
Russet Norkotah
-Alpine Russet: a late-season russet potato that can be successfully
processed out of long-term storage, like Russet Burbank, but that exceeds
it in yields and fry quality
-Clearwater Russet: a late-maturing russet potato with a high percentage
of U.S. No. 1s, resistance to low-temperature sweetening, and exceptional
processing quality
-UICF-Lambert: a soft white winter wheat that performs much like Lambert—a
UI variety released in the 1990s—and that offers the highest level of tolerance
to imazamox currently available to wheat producers
-VCW 54 and VCW 55: two dry beans derived from the scarlet runner
bean that CALS breeder Shree Singh intends for worldwide use in transferring
white mold resistance to different market classes
CALS agronomist Jeff Stark, who coordinates the Tri-State Potato Variety Program,
calls the trio of new russets “definite improvements over what’s available.”
All are joint releases with the USDA Agricultural Research Service, Oregon State University, and Washington State University.
New Aberdeen-based wheat breeder Jianli Chen is
focusing on heat-, drought-, and pest-resistant varieties as well as on varieties
that tolerate herbicides and that meet the distinct demands of domestic, Asian,
and biofuel markets. Topnotch varieties are essential to the profitability and
sustainability of Idaho grain growers, Chen says.
Wheat varieties on the docket for release later this year: two full-waxy wheats with potential for licensing as biofuel
and blending wheats, a partial-waxy soft white spring
wheat targeted to the Asian noodle market, three more imazamox-resistant
varieties, and a soft white winter wheat with superior yield potential and
end-use quality that veteran UI wheat breeder Bob Zemetra
expects will excel in both domestic and foreign markets.
Source: SeedQuest.com
17 February 2009
(Return to Contents)
+++++++++++++++++++++++
1.07 A new, improved, protein-rich
pea called Pushkal, is the first commercially available
hybrid legume in the world and is set to launch a new Green Revolution.
“With 40 percent higher yields
than the best local varieties, Pushkal is truly
the magic pea,” exclaims Dr. William Dar, Director General of the India-based
International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT).
Pigeonpea is a high protein dietary staple in many
semi-arid tropical countries of the world. It is especially important in India, eastern and southern Africa, the Caribbean and
Myanmar, areas where high protein foods are scarce.
Pigeonpea provides 20 to 22 percent of the protein
in most of the countries where it is grown extensively (India, Myanmar, Nepal, China, south-eastern Africa).
Globally, pigeonpea is cultivated on 4.92 million
hectares (about 12 million acres), about the size of Texas or about 1/4 the
area covered with corn) with a productivity of 898 kg (1975.6 lbs) per hectare
(2.47 acres).ICRISAT researchers have taken a different approach on African
pigeonpeas which were until recently not carefully studied.
Most of the research had been done in India, where small brown, quick-cooking beans are preferred;
in Africa, the preferred pigeonpeas
are white, larger and the whole seeds are cooked.“Indian
pigeonpea hybrids don’t adapt well to conditions
in Africa, where altitude, climate, soil condition and
rainfall are quite different,” says Dr. Said Silim,
ICRISAT’s regional director for eastern and southern Africa.
For example, Kenya, near the equator, has a natural increase in altitude from sea level to
5000 meters. The ICRISAT researchers charted the effects of temperature and
day-length sensitivity at different altitudes, then
duplicated conditions experimentally.
They discovered that plants mature in 180 days in warmer temperatures and
150 days in cooler, high altitudes in Africa.
Since wilt disease is a significant problem for African pigeonpea,
various varieties were planted in local fields to find plants which were wilt
resistant.
Thus, researchers, working with local farmers, were able to incorporate in
the African pigeonpea adaptation to temperature,
climate and light.
The pea had white grain and was wilt resistant. “We developed niche varieties,
knowing what we were targeting,” Dr. Silim points
out.In Tanzania, for instance, this meant finding high yield
varieties that cook fast and have the taste and aroma favored
by the local population; the pea is resistant to wilt; and matures early.
Other varieties include bean varieties favored in
India, where crops are timed for export between May
and October when the country faces a pigeonpea shortage.
This work has boosted income for local farmers and varieties that mature early
give farmers two crops a year.
In addition to continuing its active research program, ICRISAT wants to spread
the word about pigeonpeas, to target areas with
mono-culture crops by showing that by intercropping with pigeonpeas,
both crops are more productive.
ICRISAT also wants to encourage canning processed pigeonpeas,
the way black-eyed peas are canned.In its pigeonpea research, ICRISAT works with national agricultural
research systems, sharing germplasm, hybrid parents and breeding lines, as
well as cutting edge knowledge and skills.
National partners include Australia, China, Fiji, India, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand, Uganda, and USA. Likewise, a hybrid
pigeonpea research consortium established by ICRISAT
through its Agri-Science
Park includes 22 private sector seed companies in
India.
Partnerships with advanced research institutes led to the identification of
the sterility mosaic virus, a major problem in India.Farmer
and women’s groups have aided with variety selection, integrated pest management
work and production of hybrid seeds.
On ICRISAT’s research anvil are transgenic pigeonpea
varieties and hybrids resistant to the pod borer, Helicoverpa
armigera.
These are currently undergoing contained field trials at its headquarters
in Patancheru, Hyderabad India.
ICRISAT is one of 15 allied Centers supported by
the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR).
In India, dry, split pigeonpea
often are cooked as dal, a traditional curry
eaten with rice or bread. In addition, immature green seeds and pods are eaten
as a green vegetable.
Also pigeonpea seeds are crushed to provide animal
feed; in rural areas, its dry stems are used for fuel.The
new hybrid thrives in drought conditions and has greater resistance to diseases
than the best varieties.
It also creates a strong root system which aids greater nitrogen fixation
to keep soils fertile.The new variety which is very
affordable for poor farmers comes during a global pigeonpea
shortage which has caused prices to soar, creating misery among millions of
poor people who cannot afford them.
Dr. M. S. Swaminathan, the agricultural scientist
considered as the father of India’s Green Revolution, compares ICRISAT’s breakthrough
in developing a hybrid pigeonpea to the development
of wheat and rice with dwarfing genes that launched the global Green Revolution
for cereals in the 1960s.
Pigeonpea research is also being done in other parts
of the world. “Our efforts in eastern and southern Africa have established an active pigeonpea
research program that has already resulted in the release and adoption of
improved varieties.
African farmers are reaping the benefits from improved food security and enhanced
incomes from the new varieties,” Dr. Dar says.Internationally,
over a dozen legumes are cultivated by farmers but
due to their self-pollinating nature, no commercial hybrids are available.
At ICRISAT, scientists have used the partial natural out-crossing of pigeonpea to breeding hybrids. For this it was essential to
develop a stable CMS line.
This was accomplished after 30 years of dedicated research, a great achievement
from the plant breeding point of view. Male-sterile plants are those that
do not have functional male sex organs. Hybrid production requires a female
plant in which no viable pollen grains are borne.
The expensive and labor-intensive method is to remove
the male organs (anthers) from the plants.
The other simple way to establish a female line for hybrid seed production
is to identify or create a line that is unable to produce viable pollen.
This male-sterile line is therefore unable to self-pollinate, and seed formation
is dependent upon pollen from the other male fertile line. By developing a
parental line that has the trait for male-sterility in the cytoplasm (or the
cell fluid) it could be ensured that all progeny from this line were male-sterile.
“This new technology helped us break the yield barrier that has plagued Indian
agriculture for the past five decades,” says Dr. K.B. Saxena,
ICRISAT’s principal pigeonpea breeder. After successful
testing by poor farmers in India, Pravardhan Seeds and
other private and public seed companies began producing large quantities of
Pushkal seeds.
To date, seeds for the new pigeonpea hybrid have
been planted on some 5,000 hectares (12,500 acres), but Dr. Saxena
predicts that the hybrid will be widely planted in the next few years as the
low cost seed becomes more readily available. “Because India has many private seed companies, we went through
the private sector for production and marketing,” explains Dr. Saxena.
“That’s how we distribute the new seeds quickly.” Plants and seeds developed
by ICRISAT are not patented and remain in the public domain for use by public
and private institutions.
The new hybrid technology has generated interest from a number of other countries,
including Myanmar, Brazil, the Philippines and China.
In southern China, pigeonpea hybrids, because they have strong
root systems, will be useful to preventing soil erosion, a huge problem in
the hilly areas.
Although the new Pushkal hybrid has received
the most attention, three new hybrid varieties developed at ICRISAT are under
final testing.
Source: Africa Science News Service - Nairobi,Kenya
Contributed by Aluizio Borem
borem@ufv.br
(Return to Contents)
+++++++++++++++++++++++
1.08 Promising
selection HS2180-1-36-23-10-1 for roselle industry
in Malaysia
Mohamad,O1., Ramadan, G1.,
Halimaton Saadiah, O2., Noor Baiti, A. A1., Ahmad Bachtiar, B3.,
Zainal, M1., Mamot, S1.,
and Aminah, A1.
1 Universiti Kebangsaan
Malaysia, Bangi
2 Universiti Sains Islam
Malaysia, Nilai
3 Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur
Roselle
Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) is a relatively
new crop in Malaysia. It was introduced into the country in early
1990s. Its commercial planting was first promoted by the Department of Agriculture in Terengganu
in 1993, and has now spread to other states. Roselle comes from the family Malvaceae,
with more than 300 species. The origin is believed to be from West Africa. A handful of small companies are now involved
in processing, product development and marketing, mainly for local market.
Antioxidant and Anti-obesity Properties
Roselle is well known for its rich contents of vitamin
C and anthocyanins. It is mainly used to produce
pro-health juice due to its high contents of vitamin C and anthocyanins.
To a small extent, the calyces are also processed into sweet pickle, jelly
and jam, and are also used for making tea. Recent findings have shown that
roselle produce relatively high contents of hydroxycitric acid (HCA). HCA is widely used as a potent body weight controlling
ingredient in many commercially available products.
Development of New Varieties Through Mutation Breeding
Conventional hybridization is difficult to carry out in roselle
due to its cleistogamous nature of reproduction.
At present, two introduced varieties are available to local growers and these
are named “Terengganu” and “Arab”. Variety Arab is more recently introduced
compared to variety Terengganu. The variety Arab is known to yield higher
both in terms of fruits and calyces. However, variety Terengganu possesses
better quality characteristics such as higher vitamin C content. A mutation
breeding programme was conducted on variety Arab which resulted in six promising
mutant lines. One of the selections, HS2180-1-36-49-4-1, was highlighted recently.
Promising Selections
Evaluation and selection were done in every generation starting from M1 through
M6 at TFirdauce, Tasek
Gelugor, Penang and also in UKM, Bangi.
Initially, mutants were recovered from 967 plants in M3. A total of 75 M5 plants were eventually evaluated
at UKM Experimental Plot. Evaluation was done based on their morpho-agronomic and also physico-chemical
characteristics (vitamin C content, anthocyanins
and % HCA-containing extract). At present, three promising
selections are being tested for field performance in both locations (Table
1).
Selection
HS2180-1-36-23-10-1
This research innovation highlights the promising selection HS2180-1-36-23-10-1, currently propagated
at M6 generation. Morpho-agronomic characteristics
of selection HS2180-1-36-23-10-1 recorded include plant height (107.2 cm),
canopy diameter (105.4 cm), number of branches per plant (7.5), number of
fruits per plant (114.8), weight of fruits per plant (1,227 g), capsule weight
per plant (362.9 g), calyx weight per plant (851.9 g), calyx weight per fruit
(7.38 g) and capsule weight per fruit (3.16 g) (Table 1). In terms of physico-chemical
characteristics, this selection has vitamin C content of 15.2 mg/100g fresh
weight, anthocyanins content of 230.9 mg/100g dry
weight and 9-24% of HCA-containing
extract (with and without charcoal treatment) (Table 2). This selection shows
fruit characteristics almost similar to that of its parent variety Arab. It has a shorter plant stature with pronounced
red-pigmented leaves. It also has early
maturation and high calyx yield. Thus, this selection holds excellent promise
to be promoted as a new variety for roselle industry
in Malaysia.
AcknowledgementsThis research is funded by ScienceFund Project No:05-01-02-F0057
to UKM from the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, Malaysia. The authors wish to express their gratitude
to UKM, UM, MARDI, DOA, MyAgri Sdn.
Bhd., and other agencies and individuals for their support. Also to Prof. Dr Zainal
Abidin Aziz of TFIRDAUCe;
Dr. Abdul Rahman Milan, Mohd
Zulkifly Zainuddin and
Rasli of MARDI; Marlina, Kamaliah, Elfi, Rani, Zainal Mohamad
and staff of UKM, and other individuals for their assistance.
(References available on request)
Note: This article is extracted from a Malaysia Technology Expo 2009 (MTE09)
poster sent by the first author. MTE09 is currently being held on 19-21 February
2009 in Kuala Lumpur. For a complete copy of the poster,
including photos and figures, please contact Dr. Mohamad
bin Osman, below.
Contributed by Dr. Mohamad bin Osman
School of Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences
Faculty of Science and Technology
Universiti Kebangsaan
Malaysia
43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor
Malaysia
mbopar2004@yahoo.com
(Return to Contents)
+++++++++++++++++++++++
1.09 Rise in global temperatures takes toll on tomato
farmers and wholesale dealers in India
Tainan, Taiwan
The poorest populations of the poorest countries face the concentrated challenge
of tackling the worst impacts of climate change with the least capacity. The
rise in global temperatures now has started to take a toll on tomato
farmers and wholesale dealers in the Indian states of Ishwariganj
and Pratapur. More than 25,000 tomato farmers have
incurred severe losses due to the premature ripening of the fruit, as the
early massive output peak affects markets. The sudden overabundance of ripe
tomatoes lowers the revenues of farmers and
retailers alike. Tomato brought in more than Rs 1,200 (ca. 24.50 US $) per quintal (100 kg) last year; it is now
sold for less than Rs 50/quintal. Under normal conditions, a mere 30-40 percent
of the total crop is ready to enter the market at the same time of the year.
This year, around 80 percent of the produce already has been sold to avoid
rotting.
Early ripening was caused by the unusual weather conditions during the last
several months, with extreme heat during the day and cold temperatures at
night. If the weather persists, the entire local harvest may be exhausted
in 15 days, leading to shortages thereafter.
The early ripening has another side effect: Shorter shelf life. In previous
years a significant portion of the
tomato harvest was sold to neighboring states. Now,
the majority is consumed locally. “In our view, there is a need to adjust
the package of practices to cope with global warming, the impact of which
we are already witnessing,” says Dr. Madan Chadha, director of the Regional Center for South Asia (AVRDC-RCSA)
in Hyderabad.
“There is a challenge to develop varieties suited to such conditions, including
strengthening the market chain, and introducing postharvest handling and processing
technologies.”
Smallholder farmers have been severely hit by the lowest prices in the last
five years, and are unable to
recover even 25 percent of their investments. Farmers are calling for government
initiatives, and have announced that they will shift to other crops such as
wheat as an alternative. While producers face a severe threat to their livelihoods,
the middlemen seem to be riding out the rough weather quite well: Market prices
are hovering around Rs 6-8/kg for tomato, but middlemen are fetching prices
unchanged, at Rs 12/kg.
Further reading:
“Early ripening leaves tomato farmer redfaced”,
Business Standard, 29 Jan 2009
http://www.business-standard.com
Source: AVRDC - The World Vegetable Center
Newsletter via SeedQuest.com
13 February 2009
(Return to Contents)
+++++++++++++++++++++++
1.10 Making Sense of GM: What is the genetic modification
of plants and why are scientists doing it?
London, United Kingdom
In Making Sense
of GM, scientists and agriculturalists are launching a fresh
public discussion about GM: one that puts GM back into the context of developing
plant breeding and that responds to the public’s questions and misconceptions.
Publicly funded work in particular has struggled against misconceptions about
Frankenstein foods, vandalism and a costly regulatory burden.
There have been more Google searches on genetically modified crops in the
past two years in the UK than anywhere else in the world. While there have been over a trillion
GM meals consumed and nearly 120 million hectares of GM crops grown, hardly
any of that was in Europe, still less in the UK. It’s not surprising that people have questions
about why that is, what GM is, what it does, whether they are eating it and
what would happen if they did.
The guide examines the way GM has been debated in the past, and presents commentary
from scientists, who say a new perspective needs to take into account:
-The limitations of older selective breeding techniques that GM was developed
to overcome.
-Advances in molecular breeding since 2000, which mean GM is even less of
a distinct area of plant breeding than before and it makes little sense to
talk about it separately.
-Society’s requirements for improvement in plants, ranging from the main commercial
crops, where yields must increase to feed people but with less environmental
impact, to localised issues such as combating the fungal destruction of banana
and plantain crops in Uganda and improving the shelf-life of Kentish apples
to reduce imports.
-The importance of assessing a new plant - GM or not - according to what farmers
need, where it is to be grown and its likely impact, rather than according
to how it was developed.
In the guide, the heads of the independent, public-sector research centres
in the UK call for a discussion about GM that helps the
public and policy makers to judge what crop technologies could contribute
to global food supply and to the management of natural resource and changes
in climate. They and other scientists explain what GM is and the research
that uses it.
The guide Making
Sense of GM is published by Sense About Science with the kind assistance
of the BBSRC, Genetics Society, Institute of Biology, Institute of Food Research,
John Innes Centre and The Lawes Agricultural Trust
Download: http://www.senseaboutscience.org.uk/PDF/MakingSenseofGM.pdf
For hard copies of the guide please fill in this form or email publications@senseaboutscience.org
Source: Sense about Science
via SeedQuest.com
11 February 2009
(Return to Contents)
+++++++++++++++++++++++
1.11 ICRISAT and Government of India plan platform
for translational research on transgenic crops
The International Crops Research Institute
for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) and the Department of Biotechnology
(DBT), Government of India, have together launched the project for establishing
a Platform for Translational Research on Transgenic Crops (PTTC). The foundation
stone for the PTTC was laid by Dr MK Bhan, Secretary,
DBT, and Dr William Dar, Director General of ICRISAT, at the Patancheru
campus of ICRISAT, near Hyderabad, today.
The DBT-funded Platform is a US$ 6.2 million project that will translate transgenic
technology and harness its products to meet the needs of agricultural growth
and serve as a facility of reference to strengthen national, regional and
international linkages in transgenic R&D, exchange of materials and information,
as well as support training, consultation and technology commercialization.
The PTTC will provide an opportunity for public sector research institutes
and private sector biotechnology companies to work together for translating
transgenic research into products.
Speaking at the foundation stone laying function, Dr William Dar, Director
General of ICRISAT, said that research breakthroughs in agri-biotechnology
hold the potential for increasing crop productivity and the resistance of
food crops to pests and diseases, thereby helping solve the food crisis. The
future food demand cannot be met merely from incremental gains from conventional
plant breeding. A quantum change in yield improvement is needed, such as that
which occurred during the Green Revolution.
Finding solutions to major crop productivity constraints, developing new technologies
that raise yields in low-potential areas and creating opportunities for diversification
in agricultural value chains are some of the major present day agricultural
challenges, Dr Dar added.
Agri-biotechnologies are a further step in an evolution
that extends from the dawn of agriculture. These technologies offer a new
set of tools to enhance crop productivity and profitability.
In 2008, another 40 million people were pushed into hunger due to high food
prices! A majority of the world’s undernourished, over 900 million, live in
developing countries alone! The world hunger crisis may further deteriorate
as the financial crisis combined with the energy crisis, and emerging climate
change issues threaten livelihoods. Hence combating the food crisis will require
much greater investments in agriculture.
ICRISAT believes that biotechnology can contribute to global food, feed and
fiber security; improve health and nutrition; use less external
inputs for a more sustainable agriculture and environment; conserve biodiversity
and help improve economic and social status and alleviate poverty in poor
countries, Dr Dar said.
Transgenics offers a powerful tool for nutritional
enhancement that may save lives or help farmers adapt to climate change through
faster integration of genes for drought and flood tolerance, in the process
generating social, economic and environmental benefits for resource-poor farmers.
According to Dr Bhan, the PTTC will bring together
the expertise of DBT and ICRISAT and build partnerships to strengthen the
conceptualization, development and delivery of agri-biotechnological
research products that will ultimately benefit the Indian farmers in improving
their incomes.
By financially supporting the PTTC, the DBT wants to fund research and provide
infrastructure for innovation, so that transgenic technology can strengthen
agricultural productivity, Dr Bhan said. The PTTC
will add value to research by strengthening trust and reliability. The Platform
will also bring together the unlimited creative strength of partnerships for
strengthening agricultural research.
Source: SeedQuest.com
9 February 2009
(Return to Contents)
++++++++++++++++++++++++++
1.12 New generation of glyphosate
resistance traits improves weed management
The discovery of new glyphosate and other herbicide
resistance transgenes is providing more weed management
options to growers of crops, according to a report published in Weed Science.
Glyphosate-resistant crops are grown worldwide and
have been associated with effective weed control, increased profits, and less
need for tillage. Low prices for glyphosate have
further encouraged its use.
Soybeans, corn, cotton, and canola are some of the glyphosate-resistant
crops that have been grown commercially.
Glyphosate has a long history of helping crop growers
manage weeds. This herbicide kills weeds but not crops that are resistant
to it. Over time, however, weeds have evolved to develop their own resistance
to glyphosate. To ensure the continued use of glyphosate and to broaden the scope of weed management techniques,
researchers are using new transgenes to create crops
that are resistant to multiple herbicides.
The author presents an extensive historical review of glyphosate-resistant
crops and explains current efforts focusing on the development of new glyphosate transgenic traits. In addition, the author discusses
how resistance traits in other herbicides are being combined with those of
glyphosate to provide growers with more diverse
weed management systems. The idea is to combine resistance genes of various
herbicides in molecular stacks and use them to develop more resilient crops.
Researchers are confident that the evolution of glyphosate-resistant
crop technology will meet grower demands for more diverse weed management
systems and that this technology will lead to the commercialization of more
herbicide-resistant crops.
To read the entire study, Evolution of Glyphosate-Resistant
Crop Technology, (Vol. 57, Issue 1:108-117, 2009); visit http://www.allenpress.com/pdf/WEES_57.1_108_117.pdf.
Source: SeedQuest.com
10 February 2009
(Return to Contents)
++++++++++++++++++++++++++
1.13 Tracing
the evolution history of rice to improve future varieties
By comparing the sequences of a single gene in fourteen rice species, an international
team of researchers has successfully traced the evolutionary history of the
world's most important crop. Scott Jackson from Purdue University and colleagues from the University of Arizona and the Chinese Academy of Sciences focused their attention on moc1, a gene that decides how many
shoots will form on a rice plant. The team said that understanding the variations
of moc1 could lead to the development of domesticated rice varieties with
more branching, increased plant size or other favorable
characteristics.
Jackson said that the comparison revealed how rice has
changed from as far back as 14 million years ago. The scientists found that
differences in the current sizes of rice genomes resulted from differences
in the amplification of jumping genes. As rice adapted to climate changes
and other natural circumstances, its genetic structure changed, keeping some
genes and losing others. Scientists are now on a hunt for wild rice genes
that can be used to breed better rice varieties.
For more information, read http://news.uns.purdue.edu/x/2009a/090123JacksonRice.html>http://news.uns.purdue.edu/x/2009a/090123JacksonRice.html
The open access paper published by PNAS is available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1073_pnas.0812798106>http://dx.doi.org/10.1073_pnas.0812798106
From CropBiotech
Update 30 January 2009
Contributed by Margaret E. Smith, Cornell University
mes25@cornell.edu
(Return to Contents)
+++++++++++++++++++++++
1.14 Natural
selection of gene function drives retrotransposon
evolution in rice
Transposons are small stretches of DNA that can move around to different positions in
the genome of a single cell, and in the process dramatically increasing a
genome's size. For years, researchers thought that most of this DNA was passive "junk" and knew little
about it. New findings, however, are peeling back the odd and baffling world
of transposons. Scientists at the University of Georgia found that natural selection on gene function
is driving the evolution of one kind of transposable element called the LTR retrotransposon (LTR-R). LTR-R are a subclass of
transposons particularly abundant in plants that replicate
by reverse transcription (using an RNA intermediate in replication).
The researchers analyzed the patterns of genetic variation among LTR-R in rice "to investigate the type of selective
forces that potentially limit their amplification and subsequent population
of a nuclear genome." They found that LTR-R are under significant
evolutionary constraint, by finding strong purifying selection on genes involved
in their replication and life-cycle. They also discovered that, regardless
of the family that any of the LTR-R sequences might belong to, they show similar
"life-histories."
"What the scientists found helps explain why these elements can, while
lying quiet for millions of years, suddenly amplify within genomes while not
causing more long-term harm than to take up space," noted lead researcher
Regina Baucom
Read the paper at http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=q7xocvcab.0.0.vanmbvcab.0&p=http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1101%2Fgr.083360.108>http://dx.doi.org/10.1101/gr.083360.108
From CropBiotech Update
12 December 2008
Contributed by Margaret E. Smith, Cornell University
mes25@cornell.edu
(Return to Contents)
++++++++++++++++++++
1.15 One of history’s biggest biological rescue efforts
poised to save 100,000 critical crop varieties from certain extinction
Push by Global Crop Diversity Trust is rapidly
reviving ailing seed samples from 46 countries that could provide genetic
traits vital to maintaining global food security
Chicago, Illinois
Only two years after launching an ambitious effort to save endangered crop
species, the Global Crop Diversity Trust
announced today it is on track to save from extinction 100,000 different varieties
of food crops from 46 countries, making it one of the largest and most successful
biological rescue efforts ever undertaken.
“We are moving quickly to regenerate and preserve seed samples representing
thousands of distinct varieties of critical food crops like rice, maize, and
wheat in 46 countries that were well on their way to total extinction,” said
Cary Fowler, Executive Director of the Trust. “I think it is fair to say that
without this effort, many of them would
have been lost forever.”
In many countries, stresses as mundane as poor refrigeration and inadequate
funding and as dramatic as war and economic collapse threaten seed collections
of crop varieties that do not exist anywhere else in the world. The imperiled seeds targeted for rescue by the Trust are samples
of staple crops stored in crop gene banks in Africa, Central Asia,
South Asia, and Central and South America. They include rare varieties of barley, wheat,
rice, banana/plantain, potato, cassava, chickpea, maize, lentil, bean, sorghum,
millet, coconut, breadfruit, cowpea and yam.
Fowler said the Trust already has agreements in place with 49 institutes in
46 countries to rescue some 53,000 of the 100,000 crop samples identified
as endangered. Agreements for preserving the remaining varieties are expected
to be completed soon.
The initiative is one of the biggest rescue efforts ever of any threatened
biological species and by far the largest rescue of endangered domesticated
crop varieties. The main funding for the project was provided by the Bill
and Melinda Gates Foundation, with additional support from the Grains Research
and Development Corporation, an
Australian farmers’ organization.
While many of the imperilled varieties may no longer be growing in farmer’s
fields—and exist only in seed collections— they could be critically important
to the future of global food production. For example, farmers in the developing
world desperately need new crop varieties that can help them
overcome pests and diseases, poor soils, and rapidly changing climate conditions
while keeping pace with the food demands of a growing population. The plant
breeders they turn to for help depend on publicly-accessible national, regional
and international crop gene banks to provide them with the widest variety
of genetic traits that can allow farmers to overcome these challenges.
“Growing conditions and food demands change rapidly and breeders never know
which variety stored in a crop gene bank somewhere in the world is going to
be that proverbial needle in the haystack that will provide the critical trait
that can literally make the difference between abundance and starvation,”
said Fowler. “So while these seeds being saved represent crop varieties from
the past, they could easily play a role in the crops of the future.”
In fact, most of the food crops widely planted today are
the products of breeding efforts that owe their success to the genetic wealth
stored in crop gene banks. For example, to create Sonalika,
an incredibly successful variety of wheat widely planted in the developing
world, breeders used traits from varieties of wheat collected from 17 countries.
The Trust identified seed samples in need of rescue by first consulting scientific
experts who specialize in particular crop species and could identify the most
important collections. The Trust then asked individual crop gene banks maintaining
those collections to identify and regenerate the most threatened of their
unique samples.
Generally, a sample of a particular variety is considered healthy if the number
of living, viable seeds does not drop below 85 percent of the sample’s original
germination rate. Declines greater than this imply loss of diversity, and
a threat to the very existence of the sample. Some of the samples of the varieties
that became the focus of the rescue effort had fallen to below 50 percent
germination rate, which means they must be quickly
regenerated or they will be lost forever.
After the seeds have been regenerated, three sample lots are prepared. One
remains in the genebank carrying out the regeneration.
Another is sent to a gene bank meeting international standards for seed preservation
as a safety duplicate. A third copy is sent to the Svalbard Global Seed Vault,
built by the government of Norway, operated by Nordgen
and supported financially and technically by the Trust. The so-called Doomsday
Vault is amassing a comprehensive fail-safe collection of the world’s agricultural
biodiversity.
Fowler said one benefit of the rescue initiative is that producing new seeds
requires growing the plant. This provides an opportunity to gather and record
information on its appearance and performance that could help breeders and
others determine whether the sample may be of use to them in their work.
“We’re not preserving these samples to be museum pieces,” he said. “Even when
we are regenerating a variety ostensibly to produce new seeds, breeders are
looking at that plant for certain qualities, such as heat resistance, drought
tolerance, weed or pest resistance, that could improve food production right
now.”
The mission of the Trust is to ensure the conservation and availability
of crop diversity for food security worldwide. Although crop diversity is
fundamental to fighting hunger and to the very future of agriculture, funding
is unreliable and diversity is being lost. The Trust is the only organization
working worldwide to solve this problem, and has already raised
over $140 million. For further information, please visit: www.croptrust.org.
Source: SeedQuest.com
15 February 15, 2009
(Return to Contents)
+++++++++++++++++++++++
1.16 New National Science Foundation grant focuses
on resistance genes in soybean
Columbia, Missouri
In Missouri, where soybeans reign as the number one cash crop, soybean pathogens
can cut yields and impact the state's economy. A research effort to identify
the genes essential for a strong plant defense against
three diseases got a boost recently with a new $2.1 million grant by the National
Science Foundation to Iowa State University and the University of Missouri.
The project, led by Iowa State, will focus on genetic resistance against three
important soybean pathogens: soybean mosaic virus, Asian soybean rust and
soybean cyst nematode. Melissa Mitchum, assistant
professor of plant sciences at CAFNR and member of the Interdisciplinary Plant
Group, will help lead the research on the soybean cyst nematode.
According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, 4.6 million acres
of land in Missouri were planted with soybean in 2007, yielding approximately
1.8 tons of soybean and $1.7 billion in production. Although no statistics
exist on the impact of the cyst nematode on soybean yield in Missouri, yield losses linked to the cyst nematode have
been estimated to cost U.S. soybean producers $750 million annually.
Despite the heavy reliance on host plant resistance to manage this nematode,
scientists know little about the specific genes responsible for defending
the soybean plant against the cyst nematode or against any diseases for that
matter. Mitchum, along with her colleagues at Iowa State University, hope to close this knowledge gap by identifying
the defense signaling
pathways in soybean.
"Currently, more than 95 percent of soybean cultivars in the field derive
their resistance from a single source of resistance, a plant introduction
called 88788," explains Mitchum, who is also
an investigator in MU's Christopher
S. Bond Life Sciences
Center. "The problem with having a single source
of resistance is that we end up selecting for populations of the nematode
that can grow on that type of resistance. We can deploy new types of resistance
using natural resistant cultivars, but the same thing is going to happen:
the nematode is going to adapt."
To overcome this cyclical problem, Mitchum and her
colleagues will use a new approach in soybean, called virus-induced gene silencing,
to identify the genes that provide the underlying basis of resistance in the
soybean plant.
"Once we understand the genetic mechanism for resistance in the plant,
we can then use that information to assist breeders in developing soybean
cyst nematode resistant cultivars as well as design novel transgenic resistance,"
said Mitchum.
Additional benefits of the project include training of MU undergraduates and
K-12 teachers, which may encourage students to consider careers in the plant
and biological sciences.
Mitchum said the success of the NSF grant application
was rooted in results of earlier studies supported by Missouri Soybean Merchandising
Council.
Source: SeedQuest.com
28 January 2009
(Return to Contents)
+++++++++++++++++++++++
1.17 Russian
Wheat Aphids are no match for new barley
Troublesome Russian wheat aphids hoping to feed and live comfortably on barley
plants are in for bad news. Scientists from the US Department of Agriculture’s
Agricultural Research Service (ARS) developed a new barley variety that is
highly resistant to the insect pest. Russian wheat aphids, or Diuraphis noxia, are major pests
of cereal crops. In the first 20 years after its introduction into the US, the pest has caused wheat and barley farmers
billions of dollars in losses.
Phil Bregitzer and his colleagues invested more
than 10 years in developing the superior barley RWA-1758. The new variety
offers barley growers in states such as Montana, Colorado, and Nebraska—where infestations of the insect can be severe—an
effective, economical and environmentally sound way to quell the aphid. Bregitzer
noted that cost-effective chemical controls are still not available for combating
the insect. RWA-1758’s yields are on par with those of popular barley varieties.
Read the article at http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=q7xocvcab.0.0.vanmbvcab.0&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ars.usda.gov%2Fis%2Fpr%2F2008%2F081208.htm>http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2008/081208.htm
From CropBiotech Update
12 December 2008
Contributed by Margaret E. Smith, Cornell University
mes25@cornell.edu
(Return to Contents)
++++++++++++++++++++++++
1.18 Indian scientists develop transgenic chickpea
resistant to cowpea aphids
Chickpea is an important
food legume currently grown on 12 million hectares in more than 40 countries.
India is the world's top producer of chickpea. According
to the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization, the country produces some 5
million tons annually. Chickpea production in India, however, is severely threatened by difficulties
in managing several insect pests. These pests include the lepidopteran pod borer, pea leaf weevil and the sap-sucking
cowpea aphid (Aphis craccivora).
Researchers at the Bose Institute
in Kolkata have successfully developed transgenic chickpea plants resistant
to cowpea aphids. The transgenic plants express a garlic lectin
gene (asal) which encodes a mannose binding homodimeric protein. Lectins are
sugar-binding proteins that mediate numerous biological processes, such as
cell-cell and host-pathogen interactions. The insecticidal activity of some
lectins involves the binding of the protein to the gut surface,
leading to fatal abrasion in the insect's gut lining.
The level of recombinant protein in transgenic lines, as measure by enzyme-linked
immunosorbent assay (ELISA), varied between 0.08
percent and 0.38 percent of the total soluble proteins. In planta bioassay revealed significant decreases in the survival
and fecundity of cowpea aphids. The scientists will next study the resistance
of the transgenic cowpea lines to other sap-sucking insects.
The paper published by Transgenic Research is available for download at
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11248-009-9242-7
Source:CropBiotech Update
via SeedQuest.com
6 February 2009
(Return to Contents)
+++++++++++++++++++++++
1.19 Maize varieties resistant to the widespread Striga plant parasite are a hit with Nigerian farmers
Lagos, Nigeria
by Abiose Adelaja, SciDev.Net
Nigerian farmers who tested new maize crops resistant to the widespread Striga plant parasite are so enthusiastic about their increased
crop yields that they are selling more seeds than the official distribution
channels.
The crops were developed in the Nigerian laboratories of the International Institute for Agricultural Research
(IITA). They dramatically cut maize losses from the root-infecting Striga, or witchweed, during two
years of trial cultivation by farmers in Borno State in northern Nigeria.
Nigeria's Institute for Agricultural
Research began distributing the new parasite-resistant maize seeds in December
2008.
Abebe Menkir, the lead scientist
on the research project at IITA, told SciDev.Net that some farmers in Borno
state were already producing large quantities of resistant seeds and selling
them on to farmers in and outside the region. He was unable to say how many
seeds are being — and will be — distributed through official channels.
"The farmers say they couldn't wait for the official release of seedlings
because the variety is successful, cutting losses," says Menkir.
Menkir said the next step was to distribute the parasite-resistant
maize in other countries in West and Central Africa.
The varieties, known as Sammaz 15 and 16 contain genes
that diminish the growth of parasitic flowering plants such as Striga, which attaches to the maize root. Both Sammaz varieties tolerate heavy Striga
infestations without suffering crop losses.
"A normal maize variety without resistance to Striga
can sustain from 60 per cent to 100 per cent grain yield loss in farmers' fields
that are severely infested," Menkir told SciDev.Net.
Sammaz 16 loses just ten per cent of yield in an extreme
invasion.
Sammaz 16 is a late-maturing variety requiring 110
to 120 days of growth, whereas Sammaz 15 can often
be harvested at 100 days and is more suitable for regions with short growing
periods or unpredictable water supplies.
Agronomy researcher Michael Aken'Ova from the faculty
of agriculture at the University of Ibadan, said that producing resistant and
tolerant cultivars such as Sammaz is the most economically
feasible, easily accessible, safe and sustainable approach to combat losses
due to Striga, particularly compared to labour-intensive
methods such as weeding.
He added that he is sure that the resistant crops will soon make it to the farmers
who need them, with the aid of leaflets, radio magazine programmes and messages
in local languages.
Other news from the
International Institute for Agricultural Research (IITA)
Source: SeedQuest.com
13 February 2009
(Return to Contents)
+++++++++++++++++++++
1.20 Scientists to breed
maize types suitable for areas with poor rains
A Quarterly newsletter of the African Agricultural Technology FoundationSince its inception in 2004, the African Agricultural
Technology Foundation has been taking part in publicprivate
partnerships that seek to address key problems facing smallholder farmers in
Sub-Saharan Africa. The Water Efficient Maize for Africa (WEMA) project (see
main story) is one of two new projects that AATF and its partners are implementing.The other new initiative is the Nitrogen Use
Efficiency and Salt Tolerance Rice Project, which seeks to develop varieties
that can grow well in saline soils and those low nitrogen levels. Other ongoing
projects focus on the control of the destructive weed Striga
in maize, control of the legume pod borer in cowpeas, and on checking the
spread of the banana bacterial wilt disease. All these projects are based on
priorities identified by national and regional research and development organisations.
For more
information visit: www.aatf-africa.org/projects.php Many areas of Africa frequently
experience drought, making farming risky for millions of small-scale farmers
who rely on rainfall to grow their crops. Climate change will worsen the effects
of drought in many parts of the continent, which has been steadily warming over
the past two decades. The reality of climate change calls for urgent action
to prepare communities to cope with persistent drought in the long run. One
way to help farmers maintain and increase farm yields is to introduce improved
crop varieties that can grow well in conditions of poor rains. A new public-private
partnership being implemented by AATF and partners aims to develop droughttolerant
maize varieties that will produce more reliable harvests for small-scale farmers.
Known as the Water Efficient Maize for Africa (WEMA) project, this partnership
brings together leading researchers from national agricultural research institutes
in eastern and southern Africa, the International Centre for Maize and Wheat Improvement
Centre (CIMMYT) and Monsanto to develop improved drought-tolerant maize for
the continent. The project, launched in 2008, will incorporate the best technology
available internationally into highperforming maize
varieties that have been adapted to local conditions. Its long-term goal is
to make droughttolerant maize available royaltyfree to small-scale farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa.
WEMA will combinethe benefits of CIMMYT’s maize breeding
programme and Monsanto’s molecular breeding, genomics and biotechnology platforms
with AATF’s capacity for project management and deployment to fast-track delivery
of drought-tolerant maize to farmers.CIMMYT will provide conventionally bred drought tolerant,
high-yielding maize varieties that are adapted to African conditions. The research
centre will also bring into the project expertise in breeding and testing for
drought tolerance. Monsanto will donate patented germplasm, advanced breeding
tools and expertise as well as drought tolerance genes developed jointly with
the chemical company BASF. The national agricultural research systems, farmers’
groups and seed companies taking part in the project will contribute their skills
and knowledge in breeding and regulatory issues. These partners will be responsible
for governance, testing, germplasm evaluation, seed production and distribution.
WEMA is funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Howard G.
Buffet Foundation. Project activities will initially be carried out in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Mozambique and South Africa.
Contact:
G. Wachoro (g.wachoro@aatfafrica.org)
Source: Partnerships: A Quarterly newsletter of the African Agricultural
Technology Foundation, Jan. – March 2009, via Seedquest.com
(Return to Contents)
+++++++++++++++++++++++
1.21 Drought resistant cereal plant
Neuherberg, Germany
The global climate is changing, and this change is already impacting food supply
and security. People living in regions already affected by
aridity need plants that can thrive / grow under dry conditions.
One example is sorghum: Also known as milo, durra,
or broomcorn, sorghum is a grass species that can grow up to five meters in
height and is extremely resistant to aridity and hot conditions. The grass,
which originates from Africa, can thrive under conditions and locations where other
cereal plants cannot survive due to lack of water. In arid-warm and moderate
regions of the Americas, Asia and Europe it is mainly utilized for food and
fodder and is also gaining in significance as a basis for bio-fuel. The plant
also provides fibers as well as combustible material
for heating and cooking.
As part of an international consortium of scientists, researchers at Helmholtz
Zentrum München are analyzing the
genes of sorghum, the first plant of African origin whose genome has been sequenced.
Dr. Klaus Mayer of the Institute of Bioinformatics and Systems Biology of the Helmholtz
Zentrum München described the scientists’ research goal:
”We want to elucidate the functional and structural genomics of sorghum.“
He went on to explain: ”That is the prerequisite for
making this important grain even more productive through targeted breeding strategies.
As German
Research Center for Environmental Health, sustaining the food supply
is one of our most important research topics. That is why we are trying to learn
something about the molecular basis of the plant’s pronounced drought tolerance
in order to apply this knowledge to other crop plants in our latitude zone as
well. “The first results of the study have been published in the current issue
of Nature.
What makes sorghum interesting as a model system is that it is more closely
related to the predominant grains of tropical origin, for example maize, than
it is to rice. Moreover, sorghum, unlike many other crop plants, has not undergone
genome enlargement in the past millions of years. Its rather small genome –
about one-fourth as large as the human genome – is a good starting point for
investigating the more complex genomes of important crop plants such as maize
or sugarcane, especially since sorghum - like these two plants –is a ”C4 plant“.
Due to biochemical and morphological specialization, such plants use a special
kind of photosynthesis (in which first a molecule with four carbon atoms is
formed, thus the name). They can assimilate carbon at higher temperatures and
more efficiently than ”C3 plants“ and are especially
suitable for the production of biomass for energy. Sorghum is the first cereal
plant with C4 photosynthesis whose genome has been completely sequenced. The
analysis of its functional genomics provides new insights into the molecular
differences between C3 and C4 plants.
Furthermore, the comparison with the C3 plant rice - likewise completely sequenced
– gives us information about how these cereals became more divergent in the
course of evolution.The data of the Munich scientists
also allow a comparative analysis of sorghum, rice and maize. This analysis
yields information about the evolution of the genome size, distribution and
amplification of genes or recombination processes.
Last but not least, the researchers have validated a method in their study -
whole genome shotgun sequencing – which is an especially fast and inexpensive
method of sequencing complete chromosomes and genomes. In this method, the DNA is
copied multiple times and then shredded into many small fragments by squeezing
the DNA through a pressurized syringe. Finally the fragments
are sequenced from both ends ans subsequentially
the millions of small DNA fragments are assembled by elaborate computational methods
into complete chromosomes.
Read more:
The Sorghum bicolor genome and the diversification
of grasses.
Andrew H. Paterson et al., Nature 457, p551-556; doi:10.1038/nature07723
Source: SeedQuest.com
30
January 2009
(Return to Contents)
+++++++++++++++++++++++
1.22 New disease-resistant
apple variety from University of Illinois
Researchers at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign have developed a late-ripening,
disease-resistant apple variety. The new variety, which they named WineCrisp, carries the Vf gene for scab resistance. WineCrisp
was developed over the past 20 plus years through classical breeding techniques.
Why does it take over 20 years to make an apple? The researchers explained that
it has taken them a long time because they want to test the apple variety in
different locations and observe it over a number of years. The original cross
in the breeding process was done at Rutgers in 1989. The University of Illinois has also collaborated with Purdue
University on the project. U of I geneticist Schuyler Korban noted that it takes time for a new orchard or even
for an existing orchard to plant new apple varieties. But when WineCrisp
cuttings are grafted into a fast-growing root stock, Korban
says there could be fruit on the tree in as little as three years. Read the
press release at http://news.illinois.edu/>http://news.illinois.edu/
From CropBiotech Update
23
January 2009
Contributed by Margaret E. Smith
Cornell University
mes25@cornell.edu
(Return to Contents)
++++++++++++++++++++
1.23 Discovery may
solve devastating rust fungus issue for bean growers
By Alfredo Flores
The detection of 3,000 proteins produced in plants of common beans could help
breeders develop resistance against the bean rust fungus, Uromyces
appendiculatus, a major concern for domestic dry
bean and snap bean growers. This rust is prevalent throughout the continental
United States, according to research by
Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists
and cooperators.
Plant pathologist Bret Cooper,
at the ARS Soybean
Genomics and Improvement Laboratory (SGIL) in Beltsville, Md., leads the
research, which could help scientists determine which proteins produced in bean
plants are involved in providing resistance to rust fungus.
The symptoms of this rust initially appear as small white flecks on the upper
leaf surface, then develop into reddish-brown pustules (small eruptions on the
leaf surface). When severe infections occur, the leaves curl upward, dry, turn
brown, and drop prematurely, and pod set, pod fill and seed size are reduced.
To make matters worse, in 2004, a separate rust fungus that causes Asian soybean
rust—which infects soybeans, but not common beans—arrived in the United States. Domestic soybean cultivars
have little resistance to soybean rust, and now America's second largest crop is severely
threatened by this new disease. It is hoped that the discovery of the dry bean
rust disease resistance proteins will help identify similar proteins in soybeans
and advance soybean breeding efforts as well.
Until recently, disease resistance genes and the proteins they produce were
studied one at a time, but Cooper and his team used a process called high-throughput
mass spectrometry to identify, at a much faster rate, proteins by their unique
molecular mass. With this technology, they evaluated more than 3,000 rust resistance
proteins in bean over the course of two-and-a-half years, and measured how protein
levels change in plants, and which ones provide disease resistance.
This study revealed more than 1,500 “molecular battles”— interactions between
the fungus and the plant—and led to the identification of a potential set of
proteins thought to be master regulators of a strong resistance response in
the plant. This new information may help breeders improve bean varieties that
are currently threatened by rust.
The scientific team also includes molecular biologist Mark Tucker,
plant physiologist Kimberly
Campbell, and bean breeder Talo Pastor-Corrales
at SGIL, as well as molecular biologist Brian Scheffler
at the Mid South Area Genomics Laboratory in Stoneville, Miss. Other collaborators
include scientists at Johns Hopkins University
in Baltimore and the University of Missouri in Columbia.
The research was published recently in Molecular
and Cellular Proteomics.
ARS is the principal intramural scientific research agency in the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Source: USDA News and Events
http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2009/090227.htm
27 February 2009
(Return to Contents)
++++++++++++++++++++
1.24 Genomic selection for crop improvement
Elliot L. Heffnera, Mark E. Sorrellsa
Dep. of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Cornell Univ., Bradfield Hall, Ithaca,
NY 14853
and Jean-Luc Jannink
USDA-ARS, R.W. Holley Center for Agriculture and Health,
Cornell Univ., Ithaca, NY 14853 ABSTRACT
January, 2009
Despite important strides in marker technologies, the use of marker-assisted
selection has stagnated for the improvement of quantitative traits. Biparental mating designs for the detection of loci affecting
these traits (quantitative trait loci [QTL]) impede their application, and the
statistical methods used are ill-suited to the traits' polygenic nature. Genomic
selection (GS) has been proposed to address these deficiencies. Genomic selection
predicts the breeding values of lines in a population by analyzing their phenotypes
and high-density marker scores. A key to the success of GS is that it incorporates
all marker information in the prediction model, thereby avoiding biased marker
effect estimates and capturing more of the variation due to small-effect QTL.
In simulations, the correlation between true breeding value and the genomic
estimated breeding value has reached levels of 0.85 even for polygenic low heritability
traits. This level of accuracy is sufficient to consider selecting for agronomic
performance using marker information alone. Such selection would substantially
accelerate the breeding cycle, enhancing gains per unit time. It would dramatically
change the role of phenotyping, which would then serve
to update prediction models and no longer to select lines. While research to
date shows the exceptional promise of GS, work remains to be done to validate
it empirically and to incorporate it into breeding schemes.
Source: http://crop.scijournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/49/1/1
Source: Crop Science via SeedQuest.com
19 February 2009
(Return to Contents)
++++++++++++++++++++
1.25 Scientists identify a wheat gene sequence which provides
protection against leaf rust, stripe rust and powdery mildew
Australia
CSIRO Plant Industry scientists and international collaborators have discovered
the key to overcoming three major cereal diseases, which in epidemic years cost
wheat growers worldwide in excess of AUS$7.8 billion.
In a paper published today in the prestigious journal Science, scientists from
CSIRO Plant Industry, the University of Zurich and the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center
have identified a wheat gene sequence which provides protection against leaf
rust, stripe rust and powdery mildew.
"Genetic disease resistance is highly desirable in plants as it is more
environmentally friendly and profitable than strategies like spraying pesticides,"
says a senior principal research scientist at CSIRO Plant Industry, Dr Evans
Lagudah. "The newly identified resistance gene
product – known as Lr34 transporter protein – is the first of its kind to be
found in a commercial crop that is capable of delivering broad-spectrum control
of multiple pathogens."
Lr34 has two extremely valuable characteristics. Whereas one gene usually only
protects against a single disease for a limited time under commercial production,
Lr34 provides long lasting disease resistance and acts against multiple diseases.
"The fungi that cause rust diseases are very adaptable and can rapidly
evolve to overcome resistant cereal varieties," Dr Lagudah
says. "Scientists and farmers can commonly only respond to a rust outbreak
after it has passed, but tests conducted after identifying the Lr34 gene sequence
show it has provided partial but constant protection against leaf rust for over
80 years."
Understanding the molecular nature of this type of resistance has important
implications for long-term control of rust diseases.
CSIRO Plant Industry's Dr Wolfgang Spielmeyer says
an immediate application is the use of the gene sequence to directly select
and breed wheat plants that carry the resistance against multiple pathogens.
"The Lr34 gene can now be combined with other disease resistance genes
into single cultivars faster and with greater confidence providing even more
durable resistance," he says.
This work was supported in Australia by the Grains
Research and Development Corporation
Source: SeedQuest.com
24 February 2009
(Return to Contents)
++++++++++++++++++++
1.26 Portable kit may one day detect plant disease before
disastrous outbreak
College Station, Texas
This science may literally be outside the box: A briefcase-sized kit is carried
to a field where thousands of tons of food are growing. The search is for microorganisms
that could infect and kill the plants, wreaking havoc on the food supply and
market.
If the equipment in the box finds the pathogen, experts can tell farmers how
to prevent the devastation. Quick and accurate are key.
That’s what scientists plan to do within three years, according to Dr. Won-Bo
Shim, Texas AgriLife Research
plant pathologist. He’s lead investigator on a $1 million U.S. Department of
Agriculture grant that takes aim at protecting the nation’s food and agriculture
from bacterial, fungal and viral agents on the homeland security select list.
PADLOC is what they have already named the futuristic kit – Pathogen Detection
Lab-On-a-Chip.
“It’s a portable system,” Shim said. “The idea is to shorten the current detection
process to a few hours so that a plan could be set up to minimize impact from
such plant diseases.”
Currently, if a new plant disease appears on a farm, it could take days to find,
sample, ship to a lab and run tests to verify, Shim explained, and that time
increases the chance for irreversible damage to the food supply and marketplace.
One of the novel approaches to creating a faster system, Shim explained, is
collaboration between the experts in plant pathology and his co-investigator
Dr. Arum Han, a Texas
A&M University electrical engineer who specializes in nanotechnology
where things are measured in billionths.
The two met almost accidentally at a social for professors. Shim recalls that
as each asked the other about their research efforts, the notion clicked that
one’s skill could supplement the other to develop a better detection system.
“There’s a need for a system that is not only portable but rapid, accurate and
‘dummy proof’ so that someone with no background in the science could use it,”
Shim said. “The technology we need is already available to both plant pathology
and engineering. We’re just putting them together.”
But the nature of diseases in plants presents the challenge. Humans and other
animals have an immune system, so researchers predict the strains of flu that
might be present in a given year and make a vaccine against that, he explained.
Because plants do not have immune systems, breeders are constantly trying to
stay ahead of disease outbreaks by breeding new varieties – a process that can
take years, Shim said. If a new or foreign plant pathogen is introduced to an
area, susceptible plants are not able to defend themselves. If farmers knew
about the presence of such a disease early enough, the infected portion of the
crop could be eradicated to prevent disease from spreading to the remaining
fields.
“One thing about plant diseases is that there are so many,” Shim explained.
“There are bacteria, fungi and viruses that cause plant diseases,
and the symptoms are also quite diverse. Even the experts when they see a disease
on a plant will scratch their heads about the cause, especially if it is a newly
introduced microorganism.”
In the 1980s and 90s, plant pathologists relied on visual inspections to determine
diseases, he said. More recently, technology emerged to allow labs to detect
pathogens at the molecular level with high precision and accuracy. However,
this diagnostic process requires a lab equipped with bulky instruments.
With Han’s expertise in nanotechnology, the team plans to cram this “lab” into
a “box." And that means packing the sophisticated measuring devices, reagents,
power supply and other features that now take up lab space into a parcel no
bigger or heavier than a briefcase.
The kit, he said, would be “a library to target the plant diseases of national
interest.”
The first goal is to make a kit to test in the field. Shim expects that to be
accomplished within the first two years of the three-year project. He and plant
pathology colleague Dr. Dennis Gross will then do field testing for accuracy.
Next, a team of Texas AgriLife Extension Service agents
will test the user-friendliness of the kit around the state from the rice fields
in the southeast to the ornamental crops in the northeast and the field crops
in the west.
Shim acknowledges that the project is high risk. The team promises USDA a prototype
in three years. But he said the proposal made for the grant was already so detailed
in its design that the two are confident enough to speak of PADLOC as if it
is already a product.
“It’s a new tool from existing technology,” Shim said. “But we hope that it
can make recommendations in real-time for farmers so that we would be able to
stop a local problem from becoming a regional or national one.”
Source: SeedQuest.com
23 February 2009
(Return to Contents)
++++++++++++++++++++
1.27 Researchers identify gene to improve wheat frost tolerance
Washington, DC
The United States, the world’s leading exporter of wheat, is struggling to keep
pace with demand, and a decline in grain available is causing a worldwide crisis.
Improving the performance of winter wheat is crucial to keeping pace with worldwide
demand.
With funding from USDA’s Cooperative State
Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES), scientists in California
have identified the genes in wheat that are responsible for the plant’s tolerance
to freezing temperatures. This discovery may lead to improved crop production.
The tolerance for freezing temperatures varies in different winter wheat varieties,
ranging from 1 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit. When temperatures fall below this range,
wheat is either injured or it dies. Reduced grain production presents serious
economic implications.
Wheat breeders have long recognized the need to produce cultivars with greater
resistance to freezing temperatures, but have had limited success at developing
cultivars that exhibit improved freezing tolerance. This may be due in part
to the regulation of temperature tolerance by multiple genes as well as the
variable nature of freeze injury in fields where snow and sloped ground create
microclimates.
"It has been difficult for wheat breeders to develop more winter-hardy
varieties because frost tolerance in wheat is a complex trait that is regulated
by many genes," said Professor Jorge Dubcovsky,
a wheat breeder and geneticist.
Dubcovsky led an international team of scientists
from the University of California–Davis (UCD) and European institutions to identify
the genes that regulate temperature tolerance in wheat and to identify frost-susceptible
varieties.
The research team had previously identified a compact group of 11 genes on wheat
chromosome 5AL. These genes play key roles in regulating a large number of other
genes that confer tolerance to cold temperatures.
The team demonstrated that the frost-tolerant variety activated two of these
genes earlier than the frost-susceptible varieties when exposed to decreasing
temperatures. This earlier response helped to better prepare the plants for
freezing temperatures.
“This research has great potential to be directly incorporated into winter wheat
breeding programs where improved winter survival is a goal,” said project collaborator
Dr. Kim Garland-Campbell. “The research to date has focused on differences between
spring habit, cold-sensitive wheat and winter habit, winter-tolerant wheat.
Our next step is to further examine differences in freezing tolerance among
winter wheat varieties to determine which genes are present and active in the
hardiest varieties, such as from Russia, the Ukraine, Canada, western Nebraska, and other locations with extremely severe winters.”
The project team will use these discoveries to screen wheat varieties for the
best combinations of frost tolerance genes and then develop genetic markers
to accelerate the selection of hardier wheat cultivars.
"The identification of these optimum gene combinations will enable breeders
to develop hardier winter wheat, which is of vital importance in light of growing
pressures to increase global food production," Dubcovsky said.
The United
States annually
produces more than 50 million metric tons of wheat, which is used to make a
broad spectrum of food products ranging from breads to pastas. The results of
this research will enhance wheat sustainability and production.
This project is part of the CSREES National Research Initiative (NRI)
Plant Genome program and included participants from UCD, USDA’s Agriculture
Research Service, Washington State University, the Ohio Plant Biotechnology Consortium, and the Hungarian Academy of Sciences.
Through federal funding and leadership for research, education and extension
programs, CSREES focuses on investing in science and solving critical issues
affecting people’s daily lives and the nation’s future. For more information,
visit www.csrees.usda.gov.
By Stacy Kish
Source: SeedQuest.com
9 February 2009
(Return to Contents)
++++++++++++++++++++
1.28 University of California, Berkeley researchers develop
improved method for comparing whole genome sequences
Berkeley, California
Taking a hint from the text comparison
methods used to detect plagiarism in books, college papers and computer programs,
University of California, Berkeley researchers
have developed an improved method for comparing whole genome sequences.
With nearly a thousand genomes partly or fully sequenced, scientists are jumping
on comparative genomics as a way to construct evolutionary trees, trace disease
susceptibility in populations, and even track down people's ancestry.
To date, the most common techniques have relied on comparing a limited number
of highly conserved genes - no more than a couple dozen - in organisms that
have all these genes in common.
The new method can be used to compare even distantly related organisms or organisms
with genomes of vastly different sizes and diversity, and can compare the entire
genome, not just a selected small fraction of the gene-containing portion known
to code for proteins, which in the human genome is only 1 percent of the DNA.
The technique produces groupings of organisms largely consistent with current
groupings, but with some interesting discrepancies, according to Sung-Hou Kim, professor of chemistry at UC Berkeley and faculty
researcher at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. However, the relative positions
of the groups in the family tree - that is, how recently these groups evolved
- are quite different from those based on conventional gene alignment methods.
The computational results have surprised scientists in being able to classify
some bacteria and viruses that until now were enigmatic.
The technique, which employs feature frequency profiles (FFP),
is described in a paper to appear this week in the early online edition of the
journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Whole-genome vs. gene-centric methods
Current methods for comparing the genomes of different organisms focus on a
small set of genes that the organisms being compared have in common. The genomes
are then lined up in order to count the sequence similarities and differences,
from which a computer program constructs a family tree, with near relatives
assumed to have more similar sequences than distant relatives.
This technique assumes organisms have genes in common, however, or that these
"homologous" genes can be identified. When comparing distantly related
species - such as bacteria that live in vastly different environments - this
gene-centric method may not work, Kim said.
"What do you do when one gene tells you the organisms are closely related,
and another gene tells you they're distantly related?" he asked. "It
happens."
Kim, who in the past focused on creating three-dimensional demographic maps
of all known protein structures, wanted a technique that could be used to compare
genomes of all sizes, and even genomes only partially sequenced. He also wanted
a method that would compare all regions of the genome, not just the exons - that is, the DNA transcribed
into mRNA, the blueprint for proteins. Exons make
up only 1 percent of the human genome, with the remainder being non-coding "introns,"
regulatory DNA,
duplicate or redundant DNA and transposons - genes that
have jumped from other places in the genome.
Kim thought that traditional text comparison - used, for example, to assess
the authorship of a work of literature or to identify plagiarized text - might
provide a model for whole genome comparison and a way to test comparison methods.
But while text comparison involves looking at word frequency; genomes cannot
be broken down into words.
"I can compare two books in two different ways. I can pick a few sentences,
say a hundred that I subjectively decided are important, and compare them, but
some are very similar and some very different in the two books," he explained.
"So, how can I decide? I need a second method to compare some features
representing one whole book to those of the other whole book."
Source: SeedQuest.com
29 January 2009
(Return to Contents)
++++++++++++++++++++
1.29 Unraveling of the sorghum genome will help improve dryland crops
Patancheru,
India
The announcement of the unraveling of the genome of
sorghum, one of the mandate crops of the International
Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), will strengthen
the Institute’s research for the improvement of sorghum and other food crops.
The sequencing of the sorghum genome was announced in a scientific article published
on 29 January 2009 in the journal Nature. The global team of scientists
that reported the genome sequencing was led by Prof Andrew Paterson of the University of Georgia, USA, and included ICRISAT’s Cereal Breeder, Dr C Tom Hash.
Sorghum is the second food crop from the grass family to have its genome fully
sequenced. The first one was rice. Sorghum is the first crop with the more efficient
C4 photosynthesis system to be sequenced. Sugarcane, maize and pearl millet
are other grasses with the C4 photosynthesis system that should benefit from
this.
Plants that have a C4 photosynthesis system have a competitive advantage over
plants possessing the more common C3 carbon fixation pathway under conditions
of drought and high temperatures. While a significant portion of the water taken
up by C3 plants is lost through transpiration, this loss is much lower for C4
plants, demonstrating their advantage in a dry environment.
According to Dr William Dar, Director General of ICRISAT, the unraveling of the sorghum genome is the first such breakthrough
for a dryland agricultural crop that is adapted to
drought. “The sequence of sorghum genome will provide us a better understanding
on genes that make sorghum, as compared to other cereals, more drought tolerant.”
ICRISAT will combine the new knowledge on the sorghum genome sequence with its
expertise on molecular-marker assisted crop selection and breeding to develop
improved sorghum varieties and hybrids for desirable traits, say with improved
drought tolerance or improved disease resistance.
Candidate genes identified for drought tolerance or pest resistance can be used
to understand natural variation in ICRISAT’s sorghum germplasm collection comprising
of more than 36,000 accessions with a final objective to identify superior variants
for using in breeding crops.
The genome sequence is already contributing to development of additional molecular
markers for economically important sorghum traits, and for identification of
specific genes that control them. This in turn is leading to more efficient
crop breeding methods – particularly those based on marker-assisted selection
for naturally occurring genetic variation – which will reduce the time required
to develop grain, forage, and sweet sorghum varieties and hybrids having improved
agronomic performance, stress tolerance, pest resistance and product quality.
The availability of genome sequence data should enhance genomics-assisted breeding
in sorghum. For instance, a few hundred molecular markers, genomics tools that
are used in marker-assisted selection, were available in sorghum until 2 to
3 years ago; genome sequence data has now provided more than 71,000 microsatellite
marker candidates.
“We believe that availability of genome sequence combined with modern genomics
approaches should boost our breeding activities to develop the desirable breeding
lines. Genes identified in sorghum would not be useful only for sorghum but
other cereal/plant species as well, especially for enhancing drought tolerance,”
Dr Dar said.
The paper published in Nature shows that different cereals such as rice, wheat,
barley, maize, sorghum and pearl millet show similarities in gene number and
gene order, since they derived from a common ancestor. This allows the use of
genomic resources from one cereal species to improve another species. For instance,
based on the sequence data of sorghum and rice, molecular markers have been
developed and are being used in pearl millet, another mandate crop for ICRISAT.
Sorghum, a mandate crop of ICRISAT, is the fifth most important and relatively
drought tolerant cereal crop that is the dietary staple of more than 500 million
people in more than 30 countries of semi-arid tropics. It is grown on 42 m ha
in 98 countries of Africa, Asia, Oceania, and the Americas.
ICRISAT has been working for more than three decades for improving sorghum for
food and feed proposes. Furthermore, sweet sorghum has emerged as a feedstock
for ethanol production. It gives food/feed, fodder and fuel, without significant
trade-offs in any of these uses in a production cycle. ICRISAT has pioneered
the sweet sorghum ethanol production technology, and its commercialization.
Having the genome sequence of sorghum is significant landmark of genomics research
for sorghum community in particular and biofuel community
in general.
Source: SeedQuest.com
2 February 2009
(Return to Contents)
++++++++++++++++++++
1.30 Hybrids and polyploids grow more in daytime
Hybrid plants tend to grow faster, bear more flowers and fruit, or be more adaptable
than their parents. The same holds true for polyploid
plants, those that have two or more sets of chromosomes. Many important agricultural
crops such as wheat, banana, cotton and canola, are polyploid in nature. Scientists at the University of Texas found that hybrids and polyploids
grow bigger and better because many of their genes for photosynthesis and starch
metabolism are more active during the day. Their work appears in the current
issue of Nature." Before this discovery, no one really knew how hybridization
and polyploidy led to increased vigor," says
lead author Dr. Jeffrey Chen. "This is certainly not the only mechanism
behind this phenomenon, but it is a big step forward." The research team
discovered a direct connection between circadian clock regulators and growth
vigor in both hybrids and polyploids. Repressors of circadian clock genes were found
to be more active during the day in the hybrids and polyploids,
leading to increases in their photosynthesis and starch accumulation.
With this knowledge, scientists can now develop genomic and biotechnological
tools to find and make better hybrids and polyploids.
Read the full article at
http://www.utexas.edu/news/2008/11/24/hybrid_vigor/>http://www.utexas.edu/news/2008/11/24/hybrid_vigor/
The paper published by Nature is available at
http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nature07523>http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nature07523 http://www.utexas.edu/news/2008/11/24/hybrid_vigor/
From CropBiotech Update
28 November 2008
Contributed by Margaret E. Smith, Cornell University
mes25@cornell.edu
(Return to Contents)
++++++++++++++++++++++
1.31 Epigenetics: forgetting might be
as important as remembering
Expression of a gene depends as much on its location
as its primary DNA sequence. Epigenetic modifications, or the changes to
the protein around which DNA is wound, can also alter gene expression patterns. Epigenetic
changes can be passed on from parent cell to daughter cell, ensuring each cell
line has the proper characteristics consistently over many generations. Transposons
or jumping genes are quite distinct from other genes, because they are nearly
always epigenetically inactivated. Silencing transposons
is important to retain the integrity of the genome, since these mobile genetic
elements can insert themselves randomly, causing deleterious mutations and gene
silencing. Scientists have known that once triggered, the maize plant "remembers,"
and keeps the transposons "silenced" generation
after generation, even after the trigger is lost. Researchers at the McGill
University and University of California, Berkeley, found that this is not always the case. At certain
positions in the genome, the transposon reawakens
when the trigger is lost. The discovery suggests that the epigenetic landscape
of plant genomes may be more subtle and interesting than previously thought,
with the ability to remember epigenetic silencing varying depending on position.
Erasure of heritable information might prove to be an important component of
the epigenetic machinery.
Read the complete article at http://www.mcgill.ca/newsroom/news/item/?item_id=103077>http://www.mcgill.ca/newsroom/news/item/?item_id=103077
Download the paper published by PLoS Genetics at
http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgen.1000216>http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgen.1000216
From CropBiotech Update 5 December 2008
Contributed by Margaret E. Smith, Cornell University
mes25@cornell.edu
(Return to Contents)
++++++++++++++++++++++
1.32 USDA-ARS researchers identify drought-hardy soybean line
St. Louis, Missouri
USDA scientist expresses appreciation for Soybean Checkoff’s
consistent funding
The United Soybean Board (USB)
and soybean checkoff are pleased to congratulate Tommy
Carter, PhD., and his team of researchers as they prepare to release a line
of drought-tolerant soybeans. In addition, the soybean checkoff
is proud to have played such a major role in helping fund the project in partnership
with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS).
“In 1980, when I started this type of research, we all knew drought-tolerance
was important to farmers. But from the research side, we didn’t know anything
about drought-tolerance or if we could do anything about it genetically,” Carter
said. “Because of climate change, there’s been more awareness recently in the
scientific community that drought research is a priority. The United Soybean
Board [through soybean checkoff research programs]
has been the one who was there the whole time, starting in 1998.”
Carter, a plant geneticist with USDA-ARS located at North Carolina State University, began his quest for drought-tolerant soybeans some
25 years ago. Over the past 11 years, the soybean checkoff
has expanded this work, providing Carter and his team a total of over $7 million.
Over that time, the project has utilized an average of just under $650,000 per
year in checkoff funding, which is used strictly as
funding for research. Checkoff funds do not compensate
researchers.
“In the 1990s, USB asked farmers what was important and they said drought
tolerance, so the soybean checkoff began the funding,”
Carter said. “It’s been hard to get much support from other sources because
studying drought-tolerance in soybeans is so risky. But USB stuck
with it through thick and thin because it’s so important.”
Drought awareness is just as important for farmers now as it was then, says
Rick Stern, USB Production Program Chair and a soybean farmer from Cream
Ridge, N.J.
“There is somebody on our committee every year who is hit by drought,” Stern
said. “Drought doesn’t care about whom it picks on; it hits somebody new every
year.”
Carter combed the thousands of exotic soybean lines that are housed at the USDA
Soybean Germplasm Collection in Urbana,
Ill. Finally, he identified a rare drought-tolerant trait,
thereby narrowing down the field to five that could pass the drought-resistance
test consistently.
“One day, we went out to the field, which contained plots of all these different
types of soybeans, after it hadn’t rained in about two weeks and five of the
plots hadn’t wilted,” Carter said. “So over the next five years, we investigated
what made those specific types not wilt. We’re looking for those rare exceptions
in soybean traits that are slow-wilting.”
Carter then faced the problem of getting them to yield acceptably. After one
final round of trials, Carter says he’ll release the winner this year. Carter
says that under drought conditions, where conventional soybeans may yield only
about 30 bushels per acre, his line will yield four to eight bushels per acre
better, depending on the region. At the same time, this line produces well under
wet conditions.
“Tommy Carter has had great success with this project,” Stern said. “He’s constantly
hitting the goals that he tells us he’s going to meet every year.”
According to Carter, drought is the top environmental limitation to soybean
yield. His team, he says, is trying to become the first to demonstrate progress
in soybean performance under drought conditions.
Carter’s team of researchers consists of eight scientists from six state universities.
Tom Rufty and Tom Sinclair both represent North
Carolina State; Larry Purcell and Pengyin
Chen are from the University of Arkansas. Then there is Felix Fritschi,
University of Missouri; Jim Specht, University of Nebraska; Jim Orf, University of Minnesota; and Roger Boerma, University of Georgia. Carter also enlisted the help of collaborators Randy
Nelson, who is the curator of the USDA Soybean Germplasm Collection, and USDA
geneticists Perry Cregan and David Hyten.
USB is made up of 68 farmer-directors who oversee the investments
of the soybean checkoff on behalf of all U.S. soybean farmers. Checkoff
funds are invested in the areas of animal utilization, human utilization, industrial
utilization, industry relations, market access and supply. As stipulated in
the Soybean Promotion, Research and Consumer Information Act, USDA’s Agricultural
Marketing Service has oversight responsibilities for USB and the soybean checkoff.
Source: SeedQuest.com
29 January 2009
(Return to Contents)
++++++++++++++++++++++++
1.33 Determining rice gene function: unlocking the secrets
of the world's most important crop
Washington, DC
In 2008, headlines of real world events read like the script of a bad science
fiction movie – the main food source of half the world was in short supply,
sparking riots around the globe. But new research may help shield rice crops
from future attacks.
Rice is a tiny cereal grain that is the primary source of food for more than
50 percent of the world’s human population. It is the second most consumed cereal
grain and provides more than one-fifth of the caloric intake of people around
the world. Fearing a global shortage, many governments and retailers began rationing
rice supplies, which led to the events in the headlines.
The importance of this grain to the world community is clear. It is also important
to science; the rice genome was one of the first cereal crops sequenced.
Scientists use rice as a model for research of other cereals because it has
a relatively small genome compared to other cereals. The diminutive rice genome
is one-sixth the size of the maize genome and 40 times smaller than the wheat
genome. The complete sequence of the domesticated rice variety, Oryza sativa spp. japonica, was
finished in 2004.
Despite all of the progress in mapping the rice genome, the function of individual
rice genes lags far behind the same studies in other cereal crops. Now, with
funding from USDA’s Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service
(CSREES), scientists in California have cataloged the different
techniques available to determine the function of genes in rice.
Pamela Ronald and colleagues at the University of California–Davis and Postech, Korea, provide a complete analysis of all of the tools and
publically available collections for this important agricultural crop to the
scientific community. These tools will help scientists delve into the rice genome
and discover the function of the estimated 41,000 rice genes.
“[The] tools include rice lines that are lacking function of one or more genes,
methods for assaying the expression of genes in different environments, and
databases to catalog rice gene function,” Ronald said.
A genome, the total of all genes that make up the genetic code of an individual,
is like a brick building where genes are the individual bricks in the building.
A gene is the basic unit of inheritance.
Currently, the scientific community has identified forms of genes that confer
fungal and bacterial resistance, as well as genes that make the grain tolerant
of submergence and other stresses. Genes responsible for flowering, nutrient
transport, and biochemical pathways play a critical role in plant growth and
development, as well as establish the environmental parameters under which the
crop thrives.
Research on gene function may provide additional protection to the rice crop
from attack from bacterial, fungal, and insect pests. Deciphering gene function
may also increase plant growth, crop production. and
expand the plant’s environmental tolerance, allowing it to thrive under a new
set of conditions dictated by changing climate, including drought, flood, and
increased carbon dioxide concentrations.
For example, a gene called Sub1 has already been used to develop new rice varieties
that are tolerant to submergence, a problem that affects 75 million poor farmers
in south and southeast Asia. These Sub1 varieties,
developed in collaboration with breeders at the International Rice Research
Institute, are now showing dramatic gain yields in farmers’ fields in Bangladesh.
Deciphering the function of genes in the rice plant will ensure the supply remains
bountiful in the future. The knowledge gained from these studies can be transferred
to other important cereal crops as well as bioenergy
crops, such as switchgrass.
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 affecting people’s daily lives and the nation’s future. For more information,
visit www.csrees.usda.gov.
By Stacy Kish
Source: SeedQuest.com
17
February 2009
(Return to Contents)
=========================
2 READER
INQUIRIES: REQUESTING YOUR RESPONSE
2.01 PDAs to manage plant
breeding data
Editor’s note: Please respond directly
to Dr Banks, with copy to me at chh23@cornell.edu,
and I will distribute comments in the next newsletter.
There was a discussion in newsletter 143 (Dec 2003) on using PDAs to manage
plant breeding data. The electronic world
has changed since then, and I was wondering if you thought it would be worthwhile
to reopen the discussion. I have to replace a cell phone because the battery
is not recharging properly, and I would be interested in knowing if anyone has
tried using smart phones for datalogging in the field.
How good are the screens in bright light?
Are the touch screen models more convenient than the Blackberries with
thumbpads?
Paul R Banks
pbanks@uoguelph.ca
(Return to Contents)
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
2.02 Call for stories about
the guardians of diversity
Dear Recipients of GFU for Underutilized Species and Platform for Agrobiodiversity Research News,
our next regular Newsletters are still to come but upon the special request
of our Bioversity International colleagues we would
like to share the following call with you:
In 2008, Bioversity International launched a global
campaign - Diversity for Life. The campaign has the goal of making people around
the world understand and appreciate that diversity in all of its forms - human,
plant, animal - is a critical part of the fabric of life. Agricultural biodiversity
in particular is vital for our nutrition, our health and our livelihoods.
The campaign targets policymakers, the media and schools. As part of the campaign,
an oral history project targeting schools will involve students in Italy, France, the UK, Kenya, Ethiopia, Egypt, Syria, Peru, and the US.
In connection with the campaign, we are looking for stories about the guardians
of diversity--individuals who have devoted their lives to protecting and promoting
plant and animal diversity, including safeguarding the diversity of individual
species. We are particularly interested in stories about farmers and community
organizations in Kenya, Peru, Armenia, the UK and around the Mediterranean. Can you help? If so, please contact Ruth Raymond at
Bioversity (r.raymond@cgiar.org) and we will follow up. Thanks!
Some additional information can be found in the Bioversity
International News Section
Best regards
Paul Bordoni & Carolin
Bothe-Tews
agrobiodiversity@shares-knowledge.de
(Return to Contents)
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
2.03 Seed Info -- bi-annual
newsletter of the Regional Seed Network
Please kindly find a link to the electronic version of Seed Info No. 36 http://www.icarda.org/news/seed%20info/seedinfo_36/seedinfo_36.htm
which is now available at the ICARDA http://www.icarda.org/ website. Seed Info started in 1991 as bi-annual
newsletter of the Regional Seed Network and has now reached a total of 36 issues.
To date Seed Info is the only newsletter reporting on seed issues in the region
and distributed to over 2000 people in over 100 countries (over 3000 electronic
subscribers). In this issue we once again included an on-line ICARDA Seed Info
User Survey http://www.icarda.org/publications/SurveySeedInfo/ICARDA_SeedInfo_User_Survey.asp
We appreciate if you take few minutes of your time
and tell us what you think of the newsletter to help us improve the content
and the readership. We apologize for any cross-listing.
We look forward to receive your comments and/or contributions to the newsletter.
Contributed by Zewdie Bishaw
Head, Seed Unit, ICARDA
z.bishaw@cgiar.org
(Return to Contents)
=========================
3. WEB RESOURCES
3.01 FAO e-mail conference
about successes and failures with agricultural biotechnologies in developing
countries in the past
The FAO Biotechnology Forum (http://www.fao.org/biotech/forum.asp) wishes to announce that
it will host its next e-mail conference from 20 April to 17 May 2009 and that
its provisional title is "Learning from the past: Successes and failures
with agricultural biotechnologies in developing countries over the last 20 years".
Biotechnology represents a broad collection of tools that can be used for a
variety of purposes, such as the genetic improvement of plant varieties and
animal populations to increase their yields or the genetic characterisation
and conservation of genetic resources for food and agriculture. Some of them
have already been used for many years in a wide range of developing countries.
For example, a survey carried out by FAO nearly 20 years ago on the use of artificial
insemination indicated that over 16 million cattle were inseminated in developing
countries in 1990/1991.
The aim of the e-mail conference is to analyse past experiences of applying
different agricultural biotechnologies in developing countries, to document
and discuss what has succeeded or failed and to determine and evaluate the key
factors that were responsible for their success or failure.
The conference will cover the different food and agricultural sectors -crops,
forestry, livestock, fisheries/aquaculture and agro-industry - as well as the
wide range of biotechnologies normally covered in conferences of this FAO Biotechnology
Forum i.e. including some biotechnologies that may be applied to all of the
sectors, such as the use of genomics, molecular DNA markers
or genetic modification, and some others that are more sector-specific, such
as micropropagation (in crops and forest trees), embryo
transfer (livestock), or triploidisation and sex-reversal
(fish).
As usual, the conference is open to everyone, is free and will be moderated.
To join the Forum (and also register for the conference), send an e-mail to
mailserv@mailserv.fao.org
leaving the subject blank and entering the following text on two lines
subscribe BIOTECH-L
subscribe biotech-room4
People who are already Forum members should leave out the first line of the
above message, to register for the conference. For more information, contact
biotech-mod4@fao.org.
A background document for the conference is being finalised and will be sent
to the Forum Members before the conference begins. As usual it is planned that
a document will be prepared after the e-mail conference is finished summarising
the main issues that were discussed.
FAO Biotechnology Forum website http://www.fao.org/biotech/forum.asp
Contributed byJohn Ruane
Forum Administrator
Biotech-Admin@fao.org
(Return to Contents)
++++++++++++++++++++++++
3.02 ISAAA New Video "Knowledge, Technology and Alleviation
of Poverty"
Major findings of the Global Status of Commercialized Biotech/GM Crops in 2008
This ISAAA video presents the major findings of the Global Status of Commercialized
Biotech/GM Crops in 2008 and addresses the growing interest biotech crops have
experienced in the past years, including substantial advances in Africa. The
Video discusses in detail the three questions global society has begun to ask
about biotech crops. First, can they contribute to more affordable food? Second,
can they help mitigate climate change and contribute to sustainability? And
finally, can they contribute to global food security and the alleviation of
poverty? ISAAA believes that answer to each of these questions is unequivocally
yes.
http://www.isaaa.org/purchasepublications/itemdescription.asp?ItemType=VIDEOS
http://www.isaaa.org/purchasepublications/itemdescription.asp?ItemType=VIDEOS&Control=V009-GS2008-DVD
&Control=V009-GS2008-DVD
(Return to Contents)
========================
4. GRANTS AVAILABLE
4.01 ICGEB-TWAS-UNESCO/IBSP Joint Project on Capacity Building in Basic Molecular
Biology
Expression of Interest in Research Grant Applications
Deadline for Phase 1 is 31 March 2009.
ICGEB, TWAS and UNESCO/IBSP are pleased to announce the launch of a new funding
opportunity through the implementation of the "Joint Project on Capacity Building in Basic Molecular Biology".
The programme aims to create a network of laboratories involved in research
on plant and animal pathogens that affect agricultural productivity in developing
regions, and that could stimulate South- South and North-South co-operation,
thus building research capacity in scientifically lagging countries and in the
developing world at large. The programme will be implemented in four individual
and consecutive phases:
* Phase 1: Call for Letter of Intent
(submission deadline: 31/03/2009)
* Phase 2: Coordinating Workshop
organized by ICGEB, TWAS and
UNESCO/IBSP during 2009 (dates to be decided)
* Phase 3: Call for fully developed
applications (forms to be circulated after the Workshop)
* Phase 4: Final meeting
More information on the four phases as well as the application form to submit
the Letters of Intent to ICGEB are provided in the file to be downloaded from
the ICGEB website at: www.icgeb.org/icgeb-twas-unescoibsp-joint-project.html
For any queries or additional information on this new programme, please contact
Ms. Barbara Argenti at ICGEB (bargenti@icgeb.org).
Contributed by Peter McGrath
TWAS acting programme officer
mcgrath@twas.org
(Return to Contents)
+++++++++++++++++++++
4.02 US Govt Funding Opportunities
The FY 2009 SCRI is now available for public viewing and download. See the links
to the CSREES website and the Grants.gov Announcement Synopsis and Download
pages.
Grants.Gov Alert: A substantial increase in submissions is causing system
slowness. Submission processing times may take longer than usual, thank you
for your patience. Please encourage applicants to start filing early enough
to avoid submission errors.
CSREES Funding Opportunity
http://www.csrees.usda.gov/fo/specialtycropresearchinitiative.cfm
Grants.gov Synopsis
http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do;jsessionid=JHKBJKF62WffH1yl4nTyd0m21pv7XyxhKW5GZhJKTnH6nxGG7hWb!994572762?oppId=45127&flag2006=false&mode=VIEW
Grants.Gov Application Package
http://apply07.grants.gov/apply/UpdateOffer?id=10301
Contributed by Ann Marie Thro
ATHRO@CSREES.USDA.GOV
(Return to Contents)
========================
5. POSITION
ANNOUNCEMENTS
5.01 Leafy vegetable breeder – Assistant/Associate
Professor
Department of Horticultural Science, NC State University, 12 month appointment,
tenure track, 100% Research. The position
is located at the Plants for Human Health Institute (PHHI) on the North Carolina
Research Campus (NCRC) in Kannapolis and tenured in the Department of Horticultural Science
at NC State University in Raleigh. The candidate will be responsible for the development
of superior leafy vegetable cultivars adapted to NC production systems. New
cultivars will have enhanced nutritional and nutraceutical
properties, resistance to major production constraints, high yields, and extended
post-harvest shelf-life. The candidate will work as part of a team of investigators
at the PHHI ranging from breeders to molecular geneticists, and establish collaborative
partnerships with other faculty on campus, other universities and the private
sector. For successful promotion/tenure, the candidate will be expected to establish
a rigorous, nationally- and internationally-recognized, and externally funded
research program; publish in relevant peer reviewed publications; and chair
and serve on graduate student committees. The candidate will also be expected
to provide input to NC commodity industries on promising new breeding lines
and cultivars, and participate in annual field days and commodity meetings. Qualifications: PhD degree in Horticulture, Crop Science, Agronomy,
Plant Genetics or related discipline with experience in applied plant breeding
and cultivar development. Applicants should apply online at https://jobs.ncsu.edu (reference position number
01-10-0715). Attach a cover letter and
CV to the online applicant profile, and include the names and contact information
for at least three references. For more information, contact Dr. Julia Kornegay, Professor and Head, Department of Horticultural
Science, Box 7609, NC State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-7609; Phone: 919-515-3131; Fax: 919-513-3191;
Email: julia_kornegay@ncsu.edu Review
of applications will begin April 30, 2009 and close when an acceptable candidate
is identified. Minority candidates
are encouraged to apply. NCSU is an EEO/AA
employer.
Craig_Yencho@NCSU.edu
(Return to Contents)
+++++++++++++++++++++
5.02 Post-doctoral associate,
Cornell University
New York State Agricultural Experiment Station
Geneva, New York
Department of Horticultural Sciences
AVAILABLE: Position is available immediately, and will remain open until filled.
DESCRIPTION:
A postdoctoral research associate position is available in the Department of
Horticultural Sciences, Cornell
University, New
York State Agricultural
Experiment Station, Geneva, NY. The major responsibility of this position is to conduct
research to understand the genetic and molecular basis of apple fruit quality
traits, such as fruit texture, juiciness and sugar and acid content. Research
activities will involve optimizing of fruit quality evaluation methods, development
of DNA markers, genotyping of pedigreed breeding populations
and identification of QTL, genes and/or gene networks of significant influence
on fruit quality traits. Additional responsibilities include lab management
and supervising undergraduate students working in the lab.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Applicants should have a Ph.D. degree in plant genetics, plant biology or closely
related field. Experience and skills in molecular biology techniques and knowledge
in latest genome technologies and analytical tools are required. Ability to
communicate in English and good interpersonal skills are essential. The successful
candidate is expected to be strongly self-motivated and work independently.
ANNUAL SALARY:
Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience. An excellent benefits
package is included.
HOW TO APPLY:
Interested candidates should submit a letter of interest, curriculum vitae and
contact information for three professional references to:
Dr. Kenong Xu
New York State Agricultural Experiment Station
Department of Horticultural Sciences
Cornell University
630 W. North Street
Geneva, NY 14456
kx27@cornell.edu>kx27@cornell.edu
Phone: 315-787-2496
Contributed by Lou Ann Rago
Cornell University
(Return to Contents)
+++++++++++++++++++++
5.03 Assistant Professor
(tenure track), Specialty Crops Breeding and Genetics
College of Agriculture
Purdue University
West Lafayette, Indiana
The College of Agriculture, Purdue University, announces an academic year, tenure-track
assistant professor research / teaching position in the breeding and genetics
of specialty crops. This position is
part of a cluster-hire in the College of Agriculture focused on understanding and enhancing sustainable production
of specialty crops of state and regional importance as outlined in the USDA
2008 Farm Bill. Other faculty positions
to be filled in this cluster are in the areas of specialty crop production systems
and specialty crops entomology. Indiana and the North Central region rank highly in the production
of a number of important specialty crops. The successful candidate will establish
a competitive, externally-funded research program utilizing modern genetics
research tools to improve specialty crops of economic importance to Indiana and the North Central region of the U.S. Focus areas of
research might include, but are not limited to, modern genetic and breeding
techniques for improved post-harvest quality and storage, disease resistance,
abiotic stress tolerance, enhanced flavor, nutritional
quality, and / or other traits of importance to specialty crops. The incumbent
will be expected to develop an internationally recognized scholarly program,
to provide genetic expertise and resources to the specialty crops initiative,
and forge multidisciplinary, multi-institutional collaborations. Although the
primary scholarly focus of this appointment is research, the incumbent is expected
to participate fully in both the undergraduate and graduate programs, including
teaching at the undergraduate and / or graduate level, and mentoring graduate
students and postdoctoral research associates.
This position is being advertised jointly between the Department of Botany
and Plant Pathology and the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture.
The departmental home for the successful candidate will depend on their specific
research and teaching interests. Further
information about the position may be obtained from the co-chairs of the search
committee: Dr. Ray Martyn, Department of Botany and
Plant Pathology (Email: Rmartyn@purdue.edu) and Dr. Cary Mitchell, Department
of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture (Email: Cmitchel@purdue.edu).
Qualifications: A Ph.D. degree in plant genetics, plant breeding,
or related plant science discipline. Excellent
oral and written communication skills are essential. Post-doctoral or equivalent professional experience
is highly desirable, as is field experience in breeding and selection for crop
improvement, and a demonstrated ability to collaborate and develop multidisciplinary
team approaches to solve research problems.
Compensation: Salary will be competitive and commensurate
with professional experience. Academic
year appointment with excellent fringe benefits that include employer contributions
to the individual’s retirement program, medical, life & disability insurance,
and sabbatical-leave opportunities.
Application: Screening of applicants will begin March 15, 2009 and will continue until the position is filled. Expected appointment will be July 1, 2009. Applications
should include a cover letter that includes a statement of professional goals
for research and teaching, the candidate’s curriculum vitae with full list of
publications, and the names and contact information, including email address,
for four references. All application
material should be sent electronically as .pdf files
to:
Ms. Colleen Martin
Department of Horticulture & Landscape Architecture
Purdue University
625 Agriculture Mall Drive
West Lafayette, IN 47907-2010
martinck@purdue.edu
Phone: 1-765-494-1306
Fax: 1-765-494-0391
Purdue University is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access/Affirmative Action Employer
fully committed to achieving a diverse workforce.
Contributed by Ann Marie Thro
ATHRO@CSREES.USDA.GOV
(Return to Contents)
+++++++++++++++++++++
5.04 Monsanto Breeding and
Genetic Scientific Positions
Posted at www.monsanto.com/careers:
(Use Req. Number to locate and see more detailed posting)
Position/Location/Req. Number
Research Scientist; Mode of Action Lead/Chesterfield,
MO/mons-00010191
Senior Research Geneticist/Chesterfield/MO/mons-00009468
Corn Transformation Lead/Mystic,
CT/mons-00010231
Data Curator/St. Louis, MO/mons-00010229
Bioinformatics Scientist/St. Louis,
MO/mons-00009844
Research Scientist/Middleton, WI/mons-00010217
Sequencing and Bioinformatics Lead/St.
Louis, MO/mons-00010215
Breeding Statistics Lead/St. Louis,
MO/mons-00010203
Statistical Geneticist/St. Louis/MO/mons-00010202
Statistical Genetics Lead/Ankeny,
IA/mons-00010204
Trait-Marker Discovery: Scientist Lead
(Cucurbits)/California/mons-00009586
Research Scientist/Felda, FL/mons-00009815
GET Dicot Lead/Middleton, WI/mons-00010177
Marker-Assisted Breeding Coordinator/Woodland,
CA/mons-00010020
Trait Strategy Lead/Woodland, CA/mons-00010019
Post Doctoral Researcher - Fruit Quality/Woodland,
CA/mons-00009996
Pathology, Disease Resistance Testing
Lead, NAFTA/Woodland, CA/mons-00009708
Discovery Corn Breeder/Huxley, IA/mons-00007679
Cotton Breeding Western Regional Lead/Haskell,
TX/mons-00010055
Cotton Breeding Delta Regional Lead/Scott,
MS/mons-00010070
Patent Scientist/Mystic, CT/mons-00010075
Central Nursery Manager/Scott, MS/mons-00009940
Soy Discovery Breeding Lead/Ankeny,
IA/mons-00009860
Trait Integration Breeder/Arlington,
WI/mons-00009613
Breeding Application Developer/Williamsburg,
IA/mons-00009476
Cotton Discovery Breeder/St. Louis,
MO/mons-00009436
Double Haploid Optimization - Disease
Scientist/Huxley, IA/mons-00009183
Breeding Modeling
Scientist/ St. Louis, MO/mons-00009170
Double Haploid Optimization Research
Scientist/St. Louis, MO/mons-00009121
Contributed by Donn Cummings
Monsanto Global Breeder Sourcing Lead
donn.cummings@monsanto.com
(Return to Contents)
+++++++++++++++++++++
5.05 Post Doctoral
Fellows in Potato Genetics and Genomics – Chile
The Institute of Agriculture Research of Chile (INIA) is seeking two Potato
Genetics/Genomics Post-doctoral Fellows (PDF) for the Potato Breeding Program
of INIA. The PDFs will seek to enhance the understanding of the potato genome
and diversity, in order to facilitate the development of molecular tools applied
to potato breeding. The PDFs will, thereby, help identify specific genes associated
to productivity and stress resistance (biotic and abiotic) in potato. The PDFs
will be posted at the Regional Center of Research in Remehue at Osorno, and will be expected
to work in coordination with the other INIA Regional Centers. The appointment
will be for a period of three years. Longer contracts may be possible conditioned
to the performance and scientific productivity demonstrated during the initial
period.
The primary responsibilities will include
Characterization of potato germplasm to identify the extent of genetic diversity
within the potato species and its wild relatives
Conduct experiments to identify QTLs and genes associated to productivity and
stress resistance/tolerance.
Genome annotation and active participation in the Chilean
compromises within the International Potato Genome Sequencing Consortium
Collaborate with the INIA’s efforts to strengthen the establishment of a crop
bioinformatics platform.
Contribute to develop a molecular assisted breeding method (MAB) to facilitate the creation of new potato varieties
We are seeking candidates with the following qualifications
-Recently earned PhD in plant genetics or other related discipline
-Strong genetics and bioinformatics analytical skills
-Experience in designing and implementing laboratory and field work
-Capacity to communicate well in written and spoken Spanish and/or English,
proficiency in both languages will be much appreciated
-Ability to work effectively in a interdisciplinary team
INIA’s mission is to create, adapt and transfer technologies to ensure that
the Chilean agricultural sector will continue to produce food of high safety
and quality standards. In addition, INIA
strives to provide a competitive and sustainable response to the challenges
of rural development.
Please download application guidelines from INIA’s web site (http://www.inia.cl/link.cgi/Institucion/TrabajeNosotros/)
go to reference “CODIGO16”, and send via e-mail your application no later
than March 16, 2009, CV/Resume (including full contact information), and
names and contact information of three references to:
Paulina Macaya
Human Resources Manager, INIA
(Reference: CODIGO16)
Email: pmacaya@inia.cl
For further information contact Dr. Boris Sagredo, bsagredo@inia.cl
(Return to Contents)
===========================
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.
International conference on Heterosis in Plants
The international conference on *Heterosis
in Plants* is the first scientific meeting on this topic since the last 12 years.
Well-known scientists from top-ranking universities and institutes present their
latest achievements on heterosis research.
(NEW) 7-9 September 2009. International
Conference on Heterosis in Plants: Genetics and molecular
causes and optimal exploitation in breeding, University of Hohenheim. Stuttgart, Germany
Link: www.uni-hohenheim.de/heterosis
A.E. Melchinger, Chair
Brigitte Kranz, Coordinator
Seed Biology, Production & Quality
Course
16 - 27 March 2009.
Quantitative Genetics in Plant
Breeding, NIAB, Cambridge, United Kingdom.
The National Institute of Agricultural Botany
(NIAB) is to repeat its two-week intensive training course in Quantitative Genetics
in Plant Breeding, after the first session held earlier this year was heavily
over-subscribed.
Further details available from Chris Dixon (courses@niab.com)
17 – 20 March 2009.
The Borlaug Global Rust Initiative
(BGRI) 2009 Technical Workshop, Ciudad Obregón, Mexico
Initiative homepage: http://www.globalrust.org/content.cfm?ID=46.
We will be accepting posters. See the Call for Posters tab on the registration
website for information.
24 – 26 March 2009.
Sixth International Integrated Pest Management
Symposium. Transcending Boundaries, Portland, Oregon. www.ipmcenters.org/ipmsymposium09
25 – 26 March 2009. Seed
Biology, Production & Quality Course. Offered by The Seed Biotechnology Center, together with UC Davis
Extension.
Watch for more information and registration details at http:sbc.ucdavis.edu.
16 to 18
April 2009. Progeny
Trial Analysis with ASReml International Centre for Plant Breeding Education
and Research (ICPBER) at the University of Western Australia
The final date for registering is 16 March 2009 and numbers are limited.
Please contact Sarah Mawson at ICPBER icpber@cyllene.uwa.edu.au for any
information and registration documents.
21-22 April 2009. Measures of Hope and Promises Delivered: An International Conference on
Socioeconomic and Environmental Impact Assessment of Genetically Modified (GM)
Crops, Bangkok, Thailand.
SEARCA, in collaboration with the International Service for the Acquisition
of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA) and the International Food
Policy Research Institute (IFPRI, Washington DC), will conduct the international
conference.
The conference aims to provide a better understanding of the methodologies,
tools, insights, and experiences in examining the socioeconomic and environmental
impacts of adopting biotechnology applications, particularly GM crops. It will
also examine the factors that encourage or hinder the development and diffusion
of new agricultural biotechnologies, and the institutional arrangements and/or
policy environment influencing them.
For more details, contact:
Arnulfo G. Garcia
Manager
Research and Development Department
SEARCA, College, Los Baños, Laguna 4031 Philippines
agg@agri.searca.org
Roberta V. Gerpacio
Project Development Specialist
rvg@agri.searca.org
20
– 24 April 2009. VII National Symposium of Biotechnology REDBIO-ARGENTINA:
"BIOTECHNOLOGY and FUTURE GLOBAL SCENARIO" , Venue:
Bolsa de Comercio de la
Ciudad de Rosario, Provincia de Santa
Fe
http://www.redbio.org
3-5 May 2009.
International Plant Breeding Conference, Egyptian
Society of plant breeding, Suez Canal University,Faculty
of Agriculture, Agronomy Department
Second Announcement and Call for Abstracts
Theme:
Crop research, technology dissemination and adoption to increase food supply,
reducing hunger and poverty in Egypt
- Ismailia, Egypt
Organizers: Faculty of
Agriculture, Suez Canal University (SCU) and Egyptian Society of Plant Breeding Society (EPBS)
Conference Topics and Symposia The
general topics to be covered at the conference include: plant breeding for abiotic
and biotic stresses, horticulture, crop improvement and physiology, crop genetics
and biotechnology, analysis and experimental design, integration of livestock
in crop production, soils and agricultural engineering sciences, water sciences,
environmental sciences, biodiversity and natural resources management.
Questions?
Correspondence concerning general matters of the
conference should be addressed to the Local Organizing Committee:. The Dean Faculty of Agriculture, Suez Canal University,
Ismailia, Egypt
pl_breed2009@yahoo.com
Contact with: Tarek Youssef Bayoumi: bayoumity@yahoo.com
Mohamed Abed El Hameed El Baramawy:
elbamawy@hotmail.com
UPOV schedules two 2009 sessions of
its distance learning course
Introduction to the UPOV System of Plant Variety Protection under the UPOV
Convention
Geneva, Switzerland
The UPOV Distance Learning
course (DL-205 - Introduction to the UPOV System of Plant Variety Protection
under the UPOV Convention) has been followed by some 400 students in 2008, in
English, French, German and Spanish.
Two sessions of the DL-205 Course are scheduled for 2009:
Session I
May 4 to June 7, 2009
(On-line registration: February 1 to 28, 2009)
Session II
November 2 to December 6, 2009
(On-line registration: July 1 to 31, 2009)
In total, over 1100 students have participated in the UPOV Distance learning
course (DL 205).
(NEW) 11-12
May 2009. SBC’s 10th Anniversary Symposium:“Seed Biotechnologies: Filling
the Gap between the Public and Private Sector, UC
Davis, Davis, CA, USA
This event will include an evening social on May 11th
with a keynote address by Rob Dirks of Rijk Zwaan. A full day of talks will be held on May 12th,
with confirmed speakers including Mathilde Causse (INRA, France), Molly Jahn
(University of Wisconsin), Jean Kridl (Arcadia), and Pam Ronald (UC Davis). This event will be
open to the public and we hope you will be able to join us. For more information
or to register for this event, go to SBC or contact Jamie Miller at 530-752-9985
or jkmiller@ucdavis.edu.
Contact Sue DiTomaso at 530-754-7333 or scditomaso@ucdavis.edu
14-17 May 2009.Plant Abiotic Stress
from signaling to development, Tartu, Estonia. Please visit the conference web site http://www.ut.ee/INPAS for more
information, including the list of the invited plenary speakers. The registration
and abstract submission is now open. Deadlines for reduced registration fee
(only 120 EUR) and early abstract submission (to be considered for selection
of oral presentations) is up to 17th of March. To receive updated information
about the meeting in the future, please reply to this mail - after this further
information about the meeting will be sent only to those who send us an email.
Contributed by Hannes Kollist
University of Tartu
and Helmut Knüpffer
Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK)
knupffer@ipk-gatersleben.de
(NEW) 18-29 May 2009. Fifth
training course of ICRISAT-CEG, ICRISAT
Campus at Patancheru, Greater Hyderabad, India.
ICRISAT's Center of Excellence in Genomics (CEG,
www.icrisat.org/ceg), supported by the Department
of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India, is pleased to announce its Fifth
Training Course entitled " Molecular Marker Technology for Crop Improvement
" to be held 18-29 May 2009 at the ICRISAT Campus at Patancheru, Greater Hyderabad, India. The course will provide
participants a hands-on opportunity to gain expertise in the use of molecular
markers (SSRs, SNPs and DArTs), gene/QTL mapping and
marker-assisted breeding. The course will focus on the experimental design and
data analysis components of molecular markers, rather than the actual marker
data generation technology. Special attention will be given on the requirements
to utilize a high-throughput marker service facility such as the one being established
at the CEG.
Since the establishment in 2007, the CEG has
already trained >80 scientists from India and other developing countries in the area of application
of marker technology in crop improvement.
The Fifth Training course is open to mainly Indian scientists but few scientists
from developing countries who have a demonstrable ability to use the techniques
taught and the CEG marker services. Selected Indian participants will be
provided 2nd class AC train fare by the shortest route to/from ICRISAT, boarding
and lodging at ICRISAT. Candidates selected from other developing countries
will need to get the sponsorship from either their organization or some other
funding agencies for their travel expenses and the ICRISAT-CEG will
be taking care of their boarding and lodging at ICRISAT. Last date Last date
for submitting on line application is 31 March 2009 (www.icrisat.org/ceg/cegregistration2.htm).
For details contact: Rajeev Varshney, Leader- Centre
of Excellence in Genomics and
Principal Scientist (Applied Genomics), ICRISAT, Patancheru,
India (e-mail: r.k.varshney@cgiar.org).
25 May – 26 June 2009. Conservation
agriculture: Laying the groundwork for sustainable and productive cropping systems.
CIMMYT El Batan.
(http://www.cimmyt.org/english/wps/events/courses/pdf/announcement_CA_course_2009.pdf)
26-29 May 2009. 19th EUCARPIA Conference,
Genetic Resources Section, Ljubljana, Slovenia. Early
registration and
abstract submission: February 2009. www.eucarpia.kis.si
(NEW) 31 May 2009. 6th
International Triticeae Symposium, Kyoto,
Japan
Please note deadlines for abstracts and early registration
Call for abstracts
1. Web registration of 6ITS is now on progress.
See http://www.shigen.nig.ac.jp/6ITS/
2. Deadline of early registration is end of March but deadline for abstracts is one
month earlier, ie. end of
February.
Contributed by Helmut Knüpffer and
Taihachi KAWAHARA kawatai@mbox.kudpc.kyoto-u.ac.jp
June 2009 (6-8 weeks). Wheat Chemistry
and Quality Improvement Course, CIMMYT El Batan
(http://www.cimmyt.org/english/wps/events/courses/pdf/WheatChemisty_6-8weeks_mid_June2009.pdf)
1-5 June 2009. 6th International Triticeae Symposium. Kyoto
University Conference Hall, Kyoto, Japan
http://www.shigen.nig.ac.jp/6ITS/index.jsp
(NEW) 3-5 August 2009. 3rd Annual Plant Breeding Workshop, National Association
of Plant Breeders, Monona
Terrace Community and Convention Center, Madison, Wisconsin, USA.
An Initiative of the Plant Breeding Coordinating Committee (SCC-080)
What: The annual meeting of the National Association
of Plant Breeders, an initiative of the Plant Breeding coordinating committee
Who: All those interested in plant breeding are invited to attend; there
are no annual dues; attendees will include public and private sector scientists
and graduate students
Host: Bill Tracy, University of Wisconsin
Objective: The plant breeding coordinating committee serves as a forum
regarding issues and opportunities of national and global importance to the
public and private sectors of the U.S. national plant breeding effort. The workshop
will include invited speakers, discussion sessions, and focus groups.
Organized by: the Plant Breeding Coordinating Committee (SCC-080)
Registration Fee: $235
Information and on-line registration:
http://cuke.hort.ncsu.edu/gpb/pr/pbccmain.html
Background: The PBCC is a national
coordinating committee of U.S. plant breeders (SCC-080) established in 2007 at a workshop co-organized
by USDA-CSREES and the Departments of Crop Science and Horticultural Science
at North
Carolina
State University. The committee works to raise awareness of what plant
breeders have done for the nation and how they can contribute to the future
of the United
States. The group seeks to strengthen U.S. plant breeding capacity by encouraging improvements
in infrastructure and education. The PBCC was established as a Land-Grant University
Multistate Research Coordinating Committee.
According to guidelines of USDA-CSREES (United States Department of Agriculture
– Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service) and ESCOP (Experiment
Station Committee on Organization and Policy), a Coordinating Committee (CC)
provides opportunities for scientists, specialists and others to work cooperatively
and coordinate activities to solve problems that concern more than one state.
The Plant Breeding Coordinating Committee (PBCC) is administered by the Southern
Association of Agricultural Experiment Station Directors (SAAESD) and has been
assigned the number "SCC-080". However, participants in SCC-080 can be from any state. Experiment Station directors
of each state are encouraged to name an official representative to the SCC-080. Anyone from either the public or private sector
interested in the future of plant breeding is encouraged to participate in the
PBCC (SCC-080). The PBCC is organized into an executive committee
and seven subcommittees.
10-14 August 2009. 14th Australasian
Plant Breeding & 11th Society for the Advancement of Breeding Research in
Asia & Oceania Conference, being held at the Cairns Convention Centre,
Tropical North Queensland, Australia
http://www.plantbreeding09.com.au/Home/tabid/1129/Default.aspx
(NEW)
2-4 September 2009. Meeting of the Biometrics in Plant Breeding section of Eucarpia, Dundee, Scotland UK.
Please click on http://www.scri.ac.uk/events/forthcomingevents/eucarpia2009
for more details and a link to the online forms mentioned below
Five topic areas will be covered:
* Systems Biology
* Association Mapping
* Selection Responses
* Developments in Design and
Analysis
* Statistical Methods
The meeting will be held as a tribute to the career of Prof Mike Kearsey of the University of Birmingham, who will be one of
the keynote speakers. Other speakers include:
* Marc Cooper
* Brian Cullis
* Dirk Husmeier
* Sue Welham
Please complete the online form to register your interest in attending. The
scientific committee will select a number of papers as oral presentations, in
addition to the main speakers. If you would like your research to be considered
for presentation, please submit a short abstract. Research posters will also
be considered for presentation.
A small workshop featuring the Biometris QTL Procedure
library for Genstat will be held at SCRI in
Dundee on the afternoon of Spetember
1st, immediately prior to the meeting. Please also indicate on the online form
if you are interested in participating in this workshop.
Contributed by Bill Thomas
Bill.Thomas@scri.ac.uk
8 – 10 September 2009. 2nd World Seed Conference: Responding to the challenges of a changing world, FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy
Visit the 2nd
World Seed Conference website for more information.
To register
Registration is required (cost € 125). In order to participate, please register
on-line at worldseedconference.org.
Registration will be open from March 16, 2009.
9 September 2009. Registrations open for the first of the John Innes
Centenary Events
We are launching the John Innes Centenary Year with a Centenary Symposium
‘Genetics 100 Years On’ which will begin with a prestigious History of
Genetics Day on Wednesday 9th September. ‘JI Alumni Day’ will follow on Saturday
12th September, bringing together former staff to share their memories, catch
up with what goes on today, and of course to have some fun. A ‘Discovery Day’
on Sunday 13th September will complete the launch celebrations. More»
Advances is available in both PDF and HTML format at www.jic.ac.uk/corporate/about/publications/
21–25 September 2009. 1st International Jujube Symposium,
Agricultural University of Hebei, Baoding, China. www.ziziphus.net/2008
28 Sept. – 1 Oct. 2009. 9th African Crop Science Society Conference, Cape Town, South Africa. Conference theme: Science
and technology supporting food security in Africa. The deadline for
abstract submission is March 31, 2009. For further details, please go to our website: http://www.acss2009.up.ac.za.
For more information, Kindly contact : Dr. G.D. Joubert joub@absamail.co.za
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
9-12 November 2009. Exploiting genome-wide
association in oilseed Brassicas: a model for genetic
improvement of major OECD crops for sustainable future farming, The International
Centre for Plant Breeding Education and Research (ICPBER), University of Western Australia.
The International Centre for Plant Breeding Education
and Research (ICPBER) was launched at the University of Western Australia (UWA) in August 2008 and aspires to “train professional plant breeders for tomorrow”.
ICPBER seeks to attract international students into plant breeding and genetics,
at BSc, MSc and PhD levels. We also offer in-service training by way of short
courses/Master Classes for practising plant breeders or those in the seeds industry.
We at ICPBER are very excited at the opportunity to host this international
conference, “Exploiting genome-wide association in oilseed Brassicas:
a model for genetic improvement of major OECD crops for sustainable future farming.”
The conference will be held at UWA, on the 9-12 November 2009. This conference is sponsored by the International
Organisation for Economics Co-operation and Development (OECD) Co-operative
Research Programme on Biological Resource Management for Sustainable Agricultural
Systems, whose financial support makes it possible for many of the invited speakers
from many OECD countries to participate in the conference. The keynote speaker
is Professor Carlos Bustamante, from Cornell University, USA, speaking on “Association
mapping – from humans to Arabidopsis and rice.” This conference promises
to be of great value to those in this field.
To be included in the next announcement regarding this conference, please send
your contact details to icpber@cyllene.uwa.edu.au or Facsimile
+61 8 6488 1140
Submitted by Sarah Mawson, Project Officer, ICPBER, School of Plant Biology
M084, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia 6009
smawson@cyllene.uwa.edu.au
2-5 August 2010. 10th
International Conference on Grapevine Breeding and Genetics, Geneva, New York, USA.
This conference is sponsored by the International
Society for Horticultural Science. The first announcement is now available at:
http://www.nysaes.cornell.edu/grapebreeding2010/.
2010. Hanoi, Vietnam to host 3rd International Rice Congress in 2010
The 3rd International Rice Congress (IRC2010) will be held in Hanoi, Vietnam, in 2010, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the
International Rice Research Institute (IRRI).
(Return to Contents)
=======================
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.
Apart from the newsletter itself, sent as a PDF attachment, messages with attached
files are not distributed on PBN-L for two important reasons. 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 on the web at: http://www.fao.org/WAICENT/FAOINFO/AGRICULT/AGP/AGPC/doc/services/pbn.html Please
note that you may have to copy and paste this address to your web browser, since
the link can be corrupted in some e-mail applications. Readers who have
suggestions about features they wish to see should contact the editor at chh23@cornell.edu.
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. Lists of potential new subscribers are welcome. The editor will contact
these persons; no one will be subscribed without their explicit permission.
(Return to Contents)
