PLANT BREEDING NEWS
EDITION 220
31 January 2011
An Electronic Newsletter of Applied
Plant Breeding
Clair H. Hershey, Editor
Sponsored by GIPB, FAO/AGP and
Cornell UniversityÕs Department 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 Test new
genetic resources portal: contribute to its evolution
1.02 Do you have work-life balance?
1.03 Foresight
report highlights key role for agricultural science in addressing food security
challenge
1.04 New concepts impact on the
practical bases of plant breeding
1.05 New
DuPont white paper outlines modern agriculture and its role in feeding the
world
1.06 BreedWise
reaches milestone in plant breeding education - Over 2000 students trained
1.07 Indonesia
and China launch joint hybrid rice research program
1.08 New
crop varieties for a changing climate
1.09 A
powerful new partnership in plant science
1.10 China
- Coverage ratio of improved seeds now exceeds 95%
1.11 New
data, trial designs accelerating canola breeding
1.12 Statistical
analysis can estimate crop performance
1.13 A new learning module on the
International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture
1.14 Reversing
vitamin and mineral deficiencies by fortifying crops
1.15 UC
Davis receives $25 M to lead major wheat research project
1.16 EMBRAPA to launch potato
resistant to late blight
1.17 ChinaÕs new wheat variety to
exceed world wheat average yield
1.18 Nepal and CIMMYT harvest fruits
of partnership
1.19 Korea releases tasty new pest-proof
rice
1.20 Nigeria gets improved cassava
varieties
1.21 IITA releases better soybean
varieties for African farmers
1.22 New seed varieties approved in
Pakistan
1.23 Open
letter to stakeholders from U.S. Agriculture Secretary to urge GE and non-GE
coexistence
1.24 Taiwan
breeders may apply for new plant varieties rights in the Chinese Mainland
1.25 U.S.
Secretary of Agriculture intends to reestablish the Plant Variety Protection
Board
1.26 U.S.
National Agricultural Statistics Service launches new CropScape geospatial data
service
1.27 U.S.
Department of Agriculture authorizes Roundup Ready alfalfa for spring planting
1.28 Controversial
plant biotech patents overturned
1.29 Norway pledges $50 million to campaign to collect and employ
endangered wild relatives of worldÕs major food crops
1.30 International
Potato Center publishes virtual catalogue of advanced clones and varieties
1.31 Identifying the training
needs of gene bank staff in Africa
1.32 Grass
germplasm collection also includes fungal endophytes
1.33 Photosynthesis
trackers shine light on new rice varieties
1.34 Drought
tolerant rice in development
1.35 Researchers
identify genetic trait for heat tolerance in rice plants
1.36 The
factors that influence yields in dry environments
1.37 UNL research looking for ways
to block rice blast
1.38 Waterlogging
wheat research benefits two countries
1.39 International Potato Center working on potatoes fortified
with iron
1.40 Deadlines
for rust screening submissions to Kenya and Ethiopia
1.41 New Stripe
Rust Strain with virulence in triticale
1.42 Eyespot breakthrough welcomed
1.43 New strategy to control rust
1.44 Transfer of stripe rust
resistance from goatgrass to bread wheat
1.45 University of Minnesota
introduces new barley variety with improved scab resistance
1.46 Identification of
salt-responsive genes in upland cotton
1.47 NIABÕs
detection of barley pigment genes is step towards improving yield and disease
resistance
1.48 An
Australian first for lupin genome project
1.49 New discovery about how flowering time of plants can be
controlled
1.50 Using
genetic mapping to save wheat production - Scientists identify gene that
confers resistance to stem rust
1.51 Wheat
resistance genes failing, new approach needed to stop flies
1.52 Arming
young scientists to combat global wheat rusts
1.53 Scientists use virus induced
gene silencing in studying aphid resistance In wheat
1.54 Scientists report occurrence of
natural transgenes
1.55 Gene
for drought tolerance is worth money
1.56 Technique
allows researchers to identify key maize genes for increased yield
1.57 Gene
helps plants use less water without biomass loss
1.58 Cient’ficos
internacionales descifran el genoma del tomate
1.59 Gene discovery could increase value of non-food crops for
industries outside of agriculture
1.60 A new marker developed for rice blast
resistance breeding in India
2.01 A new book on root genomics
3. WEB AND
NETWORKING RESOURCES
3.01 Plant
breeding and genomics are focus of new national web resource
3.03 New stem rust resistance gene protocols hosted on MASWheat
4.01 USDA/NIFA
announces grants to study climate change mitigation and bioenergy development
4.02 BBSRC
announces research competition to combat biotic and abiotic
stresses
4.03 African Women in Agricultural Research and Development
(AWARD) is calling for applications for its 4th cohort of fellowships
4.04 National Association of Plant
Breeders 2011 Awards Announcement
5.01 Research (PLANT)
GENETICIST/Physiologist (Postdoc)
5.02 Position Announcments:
Engagement Manager and Strategic Scientist-Quantitative Modeling
5.03 Plant
Breeder / Senior Plant Breeder
6. MEETINGS, COURSES AND WORKSHOPS
7. EDITOR'S NOTES
1 NEWS, ANNOUNCEMENTS AND RESEARCH NOTES
1.01 Test new genetic resources portal: contribute to its
evolution
Bioversity International, a leading
organization dedicated to agricultural biodiversity research, recognizes
that access to information is vital if breeders are to identify those samples
of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture (PGRFA) which will be of
most immediate use to them in addressing food insecurity.
According to the
Food and Agriculture Organization, about 7.4 million accessions are currently
being stored in more than 1700 genebanks around the world. Add to this an
undetermined number of breedersÕ lines and all the genetic variation occurring
in situ, and it becomes obvious that information describing the characteristics
of all this germplasm is the key to its access and use. Finding that
information more efficiently and easily means that breeders can address
production constraints and the challenges of a changing climate more
effectively to help farmers who need to produce more with less.
Genesys is a plant genetic resources
portal that gives breeders and researchers a single access point to information
of about a third of the worldÕs genebank accessions. These include those in the
international collections managed by the Consultative Group on International
Agricultural Research Centers (CGIAR), the United States Department of
AgricultureÕs (USDA) National Plant Germplasm System and the European Plant
Genetic Resources Search Catalogue (EURISCO). Genesys adds value to these
accessions by providing more than 11 million records about phenotypic
characteristics in order to help breeders find the genetic variation needed by
the worldÕs farmers. It also adds 19 environmental parameters to the 625,000 of
these accessions that are geo-referenced – more than 11 million
additional pieces of information.
Users can
quickly build custom queries across all data types. For example, using Genesys,
with about 15 mouse clicks and six keystrokes, a plant breeder can identify all
of the red-grained wheat accessions with resistance to stem rust originating
from areas in Afghanistan with an annual precipitation of between 150 and 350
mm.
In consultation with data providers,
breeders and researchers, Genesys has been designed with the user in mind. An
International Steering Committee (ISC) guided the development of Genesys. It
consulted the user community and information technology experts to provide
breeders with the functionality they require. With Genesys, both data providers
and breeders benefit from being part of a larger system, giving their work and
institutions global visibility.
The ongoing
success of Genesys will depend largely on the sharing of information, gathered
in the normal course of their work, among genebanks and researchers, including
breeders.
ÒWhat we have
demonstrated with Genesys is the proof of concept,Ó says Michael Mackay, the
project leader. ÒIt contains a lot of data and demonstrates how easy it can be
for breeders and other plant improvement scientists to find and request the
particular genetic variation they seek. A lot more needs to be done, however,
and this will depend on the users – especially genebanks and breeders
– who gather the information that adds value to PGRFA.Ó
Genesys will
only reach its full potential if it is embraced by communities of PGRFA users
to share their information Anyone can make a contribution or suggestion to how
Genesys evolves by simply going to the portal at www.genesys-pgr.org and clicking on the ÔComments and FeedbackÕ button at the
lower right on most Genesys pages. Please complete the five question online
survey at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/5YTFX85 after giving Genesys a test.
Genesys is an initiative by
Bioversity International in partnership with the Secretariat of the
International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture and
with generous support from the Global Crop Diversity Trust.
Contact: Michael
Mackay, Bioversity International, M.Mackay@CGIAR.ORG
(Return to Contents)
++++++++++++++++++++++
1.02 Do you
have work-life balance?
Cornell University and the Durable Rust Resistance in Wheat
project is interested to know what demographic characters are associated with
work-life conflict among people working in the field of plant breeding.
We invite you to sign up to take a 5 minute survey regarding
your work-life conflict.
Follow this link to sign up: https://sites.google.com/site/worklifeconflictsurveysignup/
You will be sent a personal email with a link to the survey.
Participants will receive a report of the results of the
study once all the data has been collected and analyzed.
Contributed by Jessica Rutkoski
(Return to Contents)
1.03 Foresight report highlights key role
for agricultural science in addressing food security challenge
United Kingdom
January 25, 2011
NIAB chief executive Dr Tina Barsby has welcomed the central
conclusion in the Global Food and Farming Futures Foresight report that
Governments around the world must increase investment in agricultural research
and development to meet the food demands of a growing world population.
Dr Barsby called on the UK Government to lead the way in
targeting funding for research to improve yields, disease-resistance and
climate resilience of key crops, and to support the sustainable intensification
of agriculture using the most advances technologies and practices.
The report, compiled by more than 400 leading experts and
stakeholders over the past two years, and led by the GovernmentÕs chief
scientist Professor Sir John Beddington, set out to investigate how a future
global population of 9 billion people could be fed healthily and sustainably.
It concludes that agricultural innovation will play a key
role and that every scientific tool must be considered, calling for a major
injection of funds into agricultural research to reverse the declines of recent
decades as successive Governments viewed farming as a low priority when food
was in cheap and plentiful supply.
Dr Barsby said: ÒThe Foresight report is a major piece of
work examining the pressures building up on the global food system –
population growth, climate change, demographic and dietary shifts, resource
depletion – and the measures needed to ensure food production, and
especially crop yields, can keep pace affordably and sustainably. It calls for
a major rethink in our attitudes towards the funding and application of new
technologies and practices in agriculture.
ÒThis is extremely welcome news for NIAB as a national crop
research centre combining within a single resource the specialist knowledge,
skills and facilities needed to support the development of improved crop
varieties, to evaluate their performance and quality, and to ensure the
benefits of those advances are transferred effectively on the ground.
ÒIn recent years, NIAB has invested in a strategic
development of the InstituteÕs capabilities to help revitalise the connection
between the science base and practical agriculture, providing a unique resource
to address key global challenges of food security, climate change and
sustainable development.
ÒWith an expanding crop research programme, leading edge
scientific and advisory services, and unrivalled skills in seed and variety
evaluation, NIAB is uniquely placed to build on its 90 year heritage and help
address the urgent global need to produce more food with reduced impact on the
environment,Ó she concluded.
More news from: NIAB
(National Institute of Agricultural Botany)
Website: http://www.niab.com
http://www.seedquest.com/news.php?type=news&id_article=14165&id_region=&id_category=&id_crop=
Source: SeedQuest.com
(Return to Contents)
++++++++++++++++++++++
1.04 New concepts impact on the practical bases of plant breeding
The former hypotheses about heredity
were relatively simple. Modern methods have highlighted the importance of a
number of phenomena that were formerly seen as exceptions, and discovered a
series of new ways of expression of inheritance. Heredity turns out to be so
much more complex than anyone (except perhaps Barbara McClintock) had thought
before year 1995.
Living beings are also able to invent
ways to cope with environmental change, and steps towards evolution against
stress often involve epigenetic modifications. Thus it is timely to wonder how
this may affect breeding practice and methodology. Living beings act as highly
sophisticated systems in which organized and regulated components interact with
each other, and in which relationships with the environment are very finely
tuned. The study of heredity has entered subtle roads that were not previously
recognized as important.
Those who like to gain better grasp
of the new concepts may be interested in the recent book: Genome Instability
and Transgenerational Effects (Kovalchuk & Kovalchuk, eds., 2010)Ó. The
last chapter (by Comeau et al.) offers a viewpoint about how those new elements
of knowledge could apply to plant breeding, and help develop ways to make
breeding more efficient, more rapid, and yet less costly per unit progress.
Those ideas could have major impact to help meet the complex genetic challenges
of the future for many crop species, and are readily applicable even for
developing countries.
Source: https://www.novapublishers.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=11809
ContributorÕs
Note:
This story
below is actually in part a follow-up of discussions I had with Dr Don Wallace
a year before he passed away.
We found
most traits interact with lots of others, as Wallace described himself in his
work on beans, and this is not always in an apparently logical manner (at least
to the human observer).
His book
on the interaction of phenology with all traits was a precursor of our broader
theory.
The new
theory and current successes are discussed in chapter 19 in the book quoted
below.
We are
looking for international contacts interested in trying new ideas.
The brief
text above is mine, reviewed by Dr Kovalchuk and one of the coauthors of
chapter 19.
We should
get better success in very difficult endeavours in quantitative genetics
provided we change our approaches.
In this
respect, the systematic approach that we propose has no equivalent.
AndrŽ Comeau
Germplasm developer at Agriculture
and Agri-Food Canada since 1971
(Return to Contents)
+++++++++++++++++++++++
1.05 New DuPont white paper outlines
modern agriculture and its role in feeding the world
Wilmington, Delaware, USA
January 24, 2011
DuPont Executive Vice President Jim Borel discusses how
agriculture will help to increase global food production in a new report.
ÒAgricultural Innovation in the 21st Century: Optimistic Science Meets Global
DemandÓ details how new approaches in agriculture can be applied in innovative
ways to boost local production around the world.
ÒWe can meet the global challenges of food only if we embrace
contributions from all sources, if we empower collaboration, if we ensure that
farmers can choose the seeds and other products that work best for them, and if
we enhance the ability of farmers in all parts of the world to be as productive
as possible,Ó Jim said.
The report explains there is no one-size-fits-all solution in
agriculture, and solutions to the looming global food challenge must be
addressed with a holistic approach.
ÒMeaningful scientific breakthroughs seldom occur in the
isolation of a single laboratory,Ó Jim said. ÒCollaboration is often the spark
plug that ignites the next big idea. In our increasingly complex and
interconnected world, it is collaboration that brings together all the
different elements that must combine to actually create a solution.Ó
Read the full
paper.
http://www.seedquest.com/news.php?type=news&id_article=14156&id_region=&id_category=&id_crop=
Source: SeedQuest.com
(Return to Contents)
++++++++++++++++++++++++
1.06 BreedWise reaches milestone in plant
breeding education - Over 2000 students trained
The Netherlands
December 1, 2010
Today, too few students are training for careers in plant
breeding to meet current demands. Concomitantly, the number of university plant
breeding programs is declining. There are few programs available for educating
students in this field outside of the traditional graduate-level education
system. In order to alleviate this situation, universities are reemphasizing
classical plant breeding training. To aid this, a small number of programs have
been developed in recent years, focusing on education of professionals while
working in their plant breeding organizations.
One person and a small company from The Netherlands have done
more than their fair share of training plant breeders. Ms. Idy van Leeuwen (photo)
has taught plant breeding for the last 18 years, starting with the Plant
Breeding Institute in Wageningen. In the beginning of 2004, she founded BreedWise; a
company specialized in education and consultancy in the plant breeding sector.
In this relatively short period, BreedWise organized a variety of courses that
were attended by over 2,000 professionals working in the seed industry. The
courses range from very basic that are offered to non-technical management to
very advanced technical courses.
It is hard to measure the impact BreedWise and Idy have on
raising the competency in the plant breeding industry, especially in The
Netherlands. Kees Reining, the research director of Rijk Zwaan sums it up,
"Idy van Leeuwen has a long time experience in teaching plant breeders.
With her company, BreedWise, she is the preferred (in company) teacher of most
of the Dutch seed companies. Her plant breeding course has boosted the
professional career of many of our breeders."
In 2009, the Plant
Breeding Academy at UC Davis partnered with BreedWise
to bring the Academy to Europe. The European Plant Breeding Academy (EPBA) was
successfully launched in March of 2010, with participants from six European
countries, Thailand and Israel.
The UC Davis Seed Biotechnology Center is pleased to have
BreedWise as the principal partner in Europe: "It has been a pleasure
leveraging Idy's expertise to develop the European Plant Breeding Academy. Her
professionalism and dedication to ensuring plant breeders are trained in The
Netherlands and now across Europe is unmatched. Idy is a welcomed partner to
the Plant Breeding AcademyÓ says Allen Van Deynze, SBC Research Director and
one of the Plant Breeding Academy founders.
"Idy is an ultimate professional when it comes to
teaching plant breeding. She has a unique ability to adjust the level of
teaching, catering to a variety of students that range from having
non-technical backgrounds all the way to advanced post-graduate level
experiences." - Rale Gjuric, Director of the Plant Breeding Academy.
While the primary focus is still plant breeding, BreedWise
recently offered an International Course on Seed Physiology that attracted
participants from a number of countries. Kent Bradford, Academic Director of
SBC UC Davis, was an invited instructor in that course, and was highly
impressed with the overall organization and high level of the course content:
"While Idy's BreedWise courses are well known in The Netherlands, her
involvement in the European PBA is bringing her talents to a broader audience
throughout Europe."
The BreedWise and UC Davis European Plant Breeding Academy
cooperation continues by offering its second class, beginning in October 2011.
For application information please visit www.pba.ucdavis.edu.
Congratulation to Idy van Leeuwen and BreedWise on a
significant milestone in plant breeding education. To learn more about
BreedWise visit: www.BreedWise.nl.
The Plant Breeding Academy was developed by the Seed
Biotechnology Center in direct response to industry concerns over the reduced
number of plant breeders being trained in academic programs. To- date, 36 plant
breeders have completed the PBA and 30 additional students are participating in
the Plant Breeding Academies. The director of the Plant Breeding Academy is Dr.
Rale Gjuric. More information on the Plant Breeding Academy can be obtained at http://pba.ucdavis.edu.
http://www.seedquest.com/news.php?type=news&id_article=12886&id_region=&id_category=&id_crop=
Source: SeedQuest.com
(Return to Contents)
+++++++++++++++++++++++
1.07 Indonesia and China launch joint
hybrid rice research program
Beijing, China
December 30, 2010
A technical research program aimed at developing best hybrid
rice variety for Indonesia jointly conducted by Indonesian and Chinese
scientists was launched here on Wednesday with the effective research period
set to due in 2013.
The launching of the research, that was apparently a
translation of improving relations between the two countries, was conducted by
representatives of Indonesia's agricultural ministry and China's well-regarded
crop varieties development firm, Long Ping Hi Tech, witnessed by Chinese
Ambassador to Indonesia Zhang Qiyue at the ministry's premises.
Through such a program, Indonesia will send its agricultural
scientists and officials to be trained in China, developing best training
programs for Indonesian farmers in selecting the best hybrid rice variety that
fits with the country's soil and natural condition.
The program was designed to be effective within three years
starting from April this year, to last in 2013. China has sent its scientists
to Indonesia since April this year as an advance, preparing the success of this
program.
"Indonesia has been well regarded to have the world's
best hybrid rice. Such a cooperation is good to assure the food security for
the future generation. The future's food security depends on the researches we
are conducting now. Such a cooperation needs to be developed further," Haryono,
Director General at the Indonesian Agricultural Ministry's Research and
Development section told Xinhua on the sidelines of the launching ceremony.
Meanwhile, citing two hybrid rice strains brought on the
occasion, Long Ping President Director Chen Peng said that the two strains were
developed in Long Ping research development, particularly designed for
Indonesian natural terrain.
"These two strains featured higher yield, much higher
than most on the Indonesian market, and better quality. They are the
achievement of our plan to develop particular stains of rice for
Indonesia," he said.
Indonesia and China are apparently two large countries most
of whose populations consume rice. The joint cooperation in hybrid rice
research program between scientists in both countries is highly expected to
improve the average rice production in Indonesia, and will eventually help
achieve a rice self-supplied level in Indonesia.
Most importantly, such a cooperation would pave the way for
more cooperation in the agriculture section and improve the relationship
between the two countries in general.
(Source: Xinhua)
http://www.seedquest.com/news.php?type=news&id_article=13623&id_region=&id_category=&id_crop=
Source: Source: Xinhua via Chinese Academy of
Sciences via SeedQuest.com
(Return to Contents)
1.08 New crop varieties for a changing
climate
Patancheru, Andhra Pradesh, India
December 1, 2010
As climate change becomes more felt all over the world, the
United Nations is currently holding a climate change conference in Cancun,
Mexico, which encompasses the sixteenth Conference of the Parties (COP16) and
the sixth Conference of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (CMP6).
Speaking at the conference that runs from 29 November to 10
December, Patricia Espinosa, MexicoÕs Minister of Foreign Affairs and incoming
President of COP16/CMP6, said "With political will and a pragmatic
outlook, Cancun can be the beginning of a new era of agreements on climate
change."
Taking a pragmatic outlook even further, the India-based
International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) has
gone ahead and developed climate change-ready cultivars of dryland crops.
ICRISAT Director General William Dar affirms, ÒICRISAT is
well placed to respond to the climate challenge. Along with our partners, we
recognize the importance of the issue and firmly believe that our new strategy,
following the inclusive market-oriented development approach, will benefit the
livelihoods of communities who are the most vulnerable to climate change.Ó
ICRISATÕs research is focused on crops that are important to
the livelihoods of the people of the dryland tropics. These are pearl millet,
sorghum, chickpea, pigeonpea and groundnut. These crops have several natural
evolutionary advantages to withstand global warming.
Both pearl millet and sorghum have high levels of salinity
tolerance, so are better adapted to areas that are becoming saline due to
global warming. Some of the pearl millet varieties and hybrids, developed from
ICRISATÕs germplasm are able to flower and set seed at temperatures more than
42 degrees centigrade in areas such as Western Rajasthan and Gujarat in India.
Improved sorghum lines have also been developed that are
capable of producing good yields in temperatures of 42 degrees C, and have
stay-green traits that can enhance terminal drought tolerance.
Short-duration groundnut varieties such as ICGV 91114 have
good levels of drought tolerance, and are already replacing more susceptible
older varieties. For chickpea, ICRISAT has developed extra-early (85 to 90 days
to maturity) and super-early (75 to 80 days) varieties that can escape terminal
drought. More recently, ICRISAT researchers have identified chickpea lines that
have high levels of heat tolerance, which will enable them to be grown in areas
with higher temperatures during the heat-sensitive pod filling stage.
Modeling studies carried out at ICRISAT show that there will
be a drop in agricultural productivity with climate change in the dryland
tropics. However, with a combination of climate change-ready varieties plus
improved agronomic practices, dryland farmers will be able to overcome the
adverse impacts of a warmer world.
COP16/CMP6 is the 16th edition of Conference of the Parties
of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP) and the 6th
Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto
Protocol (CMP). The Parties refer to all the national states that signed and
ratified both of the international treaties, committing to observe and comply
with its terms regarding international cooperation against climate change.
http://www.seedquest.com/news.php?type=news&id_article=12871&id_region=&id_category=&id_crop=
Source: SeedQuest.com
(Return to Contents)
+++++++++++++++++++++++
1.09 A powerful new partnership in plant
science
San Diego, California, USA
January 21, 2011
The Generation Challenge Programme (GCP) of the Consultative
Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) and the iPlant
Collaborative signed a joint Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 17 January
2011, in San Diego, California, USA.
Under the terms of this MoU, iPlant will collaborate with GCP
in developing GCPÕs Integrated Breeding Platform (IBP), including hosting a
team of GCP software engineers (see vacancy announcements for these positions).
ÒIBPÕs collaboration with iPlant is a winning combination,Ó
said Dr Stephen Goff, iPlantÕs Project Director. ÒThe community and
partnerships that the IBP brings together through GCP pools extensive global
expertise in both conventional and molecular breeding technology.Ó
The IBP is mainly funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates
Foundation. Other funders include the European Commission, and the UKÕs
Department for International Development (DFID). iPlant is funded by the
National Science Foundation, USA.
ÒOne of the biggest constraints to the successful deployment
of molecular technologies in public plant breeding, especially in the
developing world, is a lack of access to informatics tools to support sample
tracking, breeding logistics, data management, analysis and decision support,Ó
observed Dr Graham McLaren, IBPÕs Project Manager. ÒThe iPlant
cyberinfrastructure [CI] will allow us to develop and deploy an Integrated Breeding
Workbench which will be configurable to different breeding workflows and
provide the informatics support and analytical pipeline required for integrated
breeding. In addition, the collaboration will give breeders throughout the
world access to the products of upstream biological research necessary for
effective molecular breeding.Ó
iPlant will benefit from close interactions with the highly
experienced breeders from the international Centres of the CGIAR, while IBP
will gain by building on the iPlant CI platform that many plant biology
researchers will use for discovery research. iPlant collaborators will also
benefit by gaining access to the users in the CGIAR and academic research
organisations interested in supporting the humanitarian applications of the
IBP, and to rich biological data which will be accessible through the iPlant CI
for collaborative biological research. Taken together, such a coordinated
effort will be mutually advantageous.
For more than a decade, the CGIAR and other partners have
been working on developing the International Crop Information System (ICIS) and
a fieldbook system for maize breeding. These systems will now be updated and
merged for compatibility with iPlantÕs CI platform, and to be scalable to the
CGIARÕs new needs. iPlant is building a software developer toolkit (SDK) and
application programming interfaces (APIs) and will work closely with IBP
developers to facilitate building IBPÕs Integrated Breeding Workbench on the
iPlant CI.
ÒThe Workbench and its data will be valuable components of
iPlantÕs Grand Challenge Project on correlating genotypic variation with
phenotypic variation,Ó said Dr Goff. Targeted for priority development are
tools for a Breeding Management System; tools for a Field Trial Management
System including an Integrated Breeding Fieldbook; and tools for a Decision
Support System including a Molecular Breeding
Design Tool, a Cross Prediction Tool and a tool for
markerassisted recurrent selection (MARS).
Dr Goff concluded, ÒTogether, IBP and iPlant's efforts will
create synergy between breeders, crop genetics and genomics experts, and
computational experts to help drive state-of-the-art plant science discovery
into applications that will greatly benefit humanity around the
globe.Ó
The MoU was signed by Dr Jean-Marcel Ribaut, GCP Director, on
behalf of GCP, and by Dr Goff for iPlant.
http://www.seedquest.com/news.php?type=news&id_article=14131&id_region=&id_category=&id_crop=
Source: SeedQuest.com
(Return to Contents)
1.10 China - Coverage ratio of improved
seeds now exceeds 95%
Beijing, China
December 2, 2010
The vice minister Zhang Taolin of the Ministry of Agriculture
(MOA) stated on 30 November 2010 that the country now saw a much higher
breeding level of agricultural crop varieties, with a number of newly developed
varieties and combinations of major farm crop varieties like super rice,
compact maize and quality wheat. As a result, the coverage ratio of improved
seeds was brought up to over 95%.
According to MOA statistics, the share of commercial seed
supply has increased from 30% in mid 1990s to 60% now, and that of hybrid maize
and rice has reached 100%, respectively. And they are all beautifully packaged
and labeled for sale. Thanks to greatly improved quality of seeds, there are
les lawsuits caused by seed quality problems. The acceptance rates of hybrid
rice and maize have reached over 95%.
http://www.seedquest.com/news.php?type=news&id_article=12930&id_region=&id_category=&id_crop=
Source: SeedQuest.com
(Return to Contents)
1.11 New data, trial designs accelerating
canola breeding
Australia
December 8, 2010
The delivery of better canola varieties to Western Australian
growers is being accelerated by key advances in trial design and data analysis,
an international plant breeding forum in Perth has been told.
Canola Breeders (CB) plant breeder Cameron Beeck was speaking
as a Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) sponsored participant
at the recent ÔCollaborative Breeding Master ClassÕ.
Held at The University of Western Australia (UWA), the
two-week event brought together plant breeders from around the world and
discussed Ôcollaborative breedingÕ, also known as Ôparticipatory breedingÕ.
Collaborative breeding refers to research which is directly
relevant to growers and involves them in the breeding process to provide
improved crop varieties.
It recognises the needs of diverse agricultural systems,
particularly marginal lands where farmers cannot afford expensive seed,
fertiliser and chemicals.
Dr Beeck told the Master Class that CBÕs breeding program had
been enhanced by its collaboration with researchers from the GRDC funded
project ÔStatistics for the Australian Grains IndustryÕ (SAGI).
Led by Professor Brian Cullis, of the University of
Wollongong, and Dr Alison Smith, of Industry & Investment NSW, SAGI
delivers high quality information through efficient analysis of National
Variety Trial (NVT) data, and conducts statistical research to develop improved
designs and analysis for plant improvement data.
Once tested, these methods are implemented in international
plant breeding programs, as demonstrated during the Master Class.
ÒCBÕs collaboration with the SAGI project has revolutionised
our plant breeding in crucial areas of trial design and data analysis,Ó Dr
Beeck said.
ÒThe new designs and statistics allow us to advance more
canola material through to selection, faster.
ÒWe can then make decisions on what to release earlier and
with more confidence than we could using traditional designs and analysis.
ÒWe can also decide which canola lines we should cross,
earlier, and with more confidence, leading to increased rates of genetic gain
and better varieties delivered faster to WA growers.Ó
Dr Beeck, who completed a GRDC sponsored plant breeding PhD
at UWA in 2006 and grew up on a farm at Gnowangerup, said the improved trial
design and data analysis technology was flexible, efficient and cheap to
implement.
ÒThis means that, as well as benefiting Australian growers,
the technology is also very useful for breeding programs in developing
countries,Ó he said.
Dr Beeck said Australian plant breeders benefited from taking
part in the Master Class by learning new ideas about collaborative breeding
from international plant breeders, responsible for a variety of crops.
Breeders participating in the event came from Australia,
Afghanistan, Bangladesh, China, East Timor, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran,
Nepal and Tanzania.
The Collaborative Breeding Master Class was sponsored by The
Crawford Fund; the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research
(ACIAR); the International Centre for Agricultural Research in Dry Areas
(ICARDA); and UWAÕs International Centre for Plant Breeding, Education and
Research (ICBER), which is supported by the GRDC.
The GRDC sponsored five Australian participants in the event.
http://www.seedquest.com/news.php?type=news&id_article=13125&id_region=&id_category=&id_crop=
Source: SeedQuest.com
(Return to Contents)
1.12 Statistical analysis can estimate
crop performance
Researchers
try accounting for spatial trend in single crop field trials
Madison, Wisconsin, USA
December 23, 2010
Scientists at Rothamsted Research, United Kingdom, in
collaboration with the International Center for Agriculture Research in the Dry
Areas (ICARDA), Syria have developed a method of accounting for spatial trend
in single crop field trials. Spatial trend refers to the variations in crop
yield and other characteristics observed when repeating this single crop field
trial.
Usually plant breeders will grow several replicate plots to
assess the breed line in different environments and then compare the results to
commercial or standard varieties of the crop. When resources or seed are
scarce, breeders will grow only a single plot of a test line alongside a number
of other standard varieties acting as check plots.
ÒThe results have shown that adjustment for spatial trend
within the trials is possible and gives improved accuracy on the estimates of
line performance,Ó says Sue Welham, one of the authors of the study.
A crop developed by Dr. Miloudi Nachit at ICARDA was used to
illustrate spatial trend in this particular experimental design. The teams then
used simulations to further demonstrate the dramatic increase in precision in
estimating the performance of a line while adjusting for spatial trend.
However, these measurements are not without their flaws.
According to Welham, ÒOne drawback to the use of spatial
adjustment is the possible subjectivity and difficulty in the choice of a
model.Ó
Collaborative efforts are continuing at both facilities and
the full paper is available in the November-December 2010 Issue of Agronomy
Journal.
The full article is available for no charge for 30 days
following the date of this summary. View the abstract at https://www.agronomy.org/publications/aj/abstracts/102/6/1542.
http://www.seedquest.com/news.php?type=news&id_article=13737&id_region=&id_category=&id_crop=
Source: SeedQuest.com
(Return to Contents)
1.13 A new
learning module on the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food
and Agriculture
Bioversity International has launched a new learning module
on the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and
Agriculture. The module is available online on the Bioversity web site with an announcement.
The module, available in English, French and Spanish, aims to
explain the Treaty in the context of other international agreements and how to
use its Standard Material Transfer Agreement (SMTA) to exchange crop diversity.
It was developed by Bioversity International and sponsored by the CGIAR
System-wide Genetic Resources Programme and the CGIAR Generation Challenge
Programme.
We believe that this announcement and learning module might
also be of interest to your web site users, partners and collaborators.
To reach the widest possible audience, we invite you to place
a short note about the online launch of the learning module in your news
section with a link that points to the announcement above and the IT-PGRFA
Learning module found here.
Contributed by Elizabeth D. Goldberg
Head, Capacity Development Unit
Bioversity International
(Return to Contents)
1.14 Reversing vitamin and mineral
deficiencies by fortifying crops
Washington, DC, USA
December 8, 2010
Grace is 4½ years old and lives in Nanyuki, a small town
north of Nairobi. She is one of millions of poor children in Africa seriously
affected by vitamin A deficiency.
Because her diet lacks diversity, Grace consumes very few
sources of vitamin A—commonly found in foods such as carrots, sweet
potatoes, butter, and broccoli— and is deficient in other key
micronutrients. She eats mostly maize, twice a day. Grace gets sick easily, and
if she does not get the nutrients her body needs, she may lose her sight.
Estimates show 127 million preschool children worldwide do
not get enough vitamin A. And children with vitamin A deficiency are also
likely to be deficient in other nutrients. Globally, micronutrient malnutrition
affects more than 2 billion people—mostly women and
children—increasing their susceptibility to diarrhea and other deadly
illnesses and infection. When deficiencies exist in many nutrients, brain
function is affected, reducing economic well-being for families and countries.
ÒHunger and under-nutrition is such an enormous global
challenge that it demands innovative technical, operational, and institutional
solutions,Ó says Dr. Bruce Cogill, chief of nutrition at USAID.
That is one reason that in 2011, HarvestPlus, an alliance of
over 200 agriculture and nutrition scientists and development program implementers,
is on tap to receive $1.3 million from USAID to biofortify seven staple crops
that represent the source of food for the vast majority of people on the
planet.
The Agency has teamed up with the international agricultural
and food research community to place better quality food—not just more
food—on the agenda and on dinner plates where it is most needed. In this
instance, through biofortification, researchers will use plant breeding to add
iron, zinc, and vitamin A directly into staple foods. At its core, the effort
is using an agricultural tool to improve global health.
ÒNutrition is a major objective of both the Global Health and
Feed the Future initiatives and is integral to USAIDÕs development programs
across sectors,Ó Dr. Cogill said. ÒUSAID health programs deliver a package of
holistic nutrition interventions—and maximize benefits to women and young
children by coupling these efforts with water-, sanitation-, and health
system-strengthening programs.Ó
Feed the Future, the U.S. governmentÕs global hunger and food
security initiative, is designed specifically to increase sustainable
market-led growth, particularly for small and rural farmers, thereby
contributing to an increase in rural incomes and a reduction in the prevalence
of poverty.
Breeding nutrients into staple foods holds great potential
because the strategy reaches people who currently have limited access to viable
healthcare systems or commercially processed fortified foods.
There are already signs of improvements in the field. Orange
sweet potato packed with vitamin A is now being planted alongside traditional
white sweet potato throughout East Africa. Vitamin A-rich cassava in Nigeria
and the Democratic Republic of Congo, high-iron beans in Rwanda, and maize high
in vitamin A in Zambia are currently being adapted by agricultural research
programs in those countries. In India, high-iron pearl millet is being
evaluated by research organizations and seed companies in Maharashtra and
Gujarat. Studies have shown that consumers of the improved varieties of sweet
potato have elevated vitamin A levels; more studies are under way.
ÒIt [crop fortification] is an idea whose time has come,Ó
added EGAT Assistant Administrator Josette Lewis. ÒWe can help channel the
powers of modern agricultural technology to reduce the single largest public
health problem in the world, malnutrition. The reach of biofortification could
be monumental.Ó
For little Grace and children like her, biofortification of
common food crops represents another tool to reverse nutrition deficiencies and
provide a head start to a healthy childhood.
For more information see: www.harvestplus.org
http://www.seedquest.com/news.php?type=news&id_article=13141&id_region=&id_category=&id_crop=
Source: Source: USAID via SeedQuest.com
(Return to Contents)
1.15 UC Davis receives $25 M to lead major
wheat research project
On January 12, University of California, Davis received $25
million to develop new varieties of wheat and barley. Jorge Dubcovsky of UC,
Davis and Gary Muehlbauer of the University of Minnesota will head the research
team.
For more information about the project visit http://www.news.ucdavis.edu/search/news_detail.lasso?id=9726
Source: BGRI E-Newsletter, January
2011
(Return to Contents)
1.16 EMBRAPA to
launch potato resistant to late blight
EMBRAPA, the Brazilian Research Corporation, will be
launching its newly developed potato cultivar BRS Clara which has resistance to
the late blight disease, a devastating disease not only in Brazil, but also in
many parts of the world including the EU. The cultivar was developed by the
Breeding Program of Embrapa Potato led by Arione Pereira. In addition to its
late blight resistance, the new cultivar has a desirable tuber appearance and
comparable yield with imported and locally developed potatoes.
To learn more about the cultivation and crop management of
this potato, including the availability of seed, contact the Business Office of
Embrapa Technology Transfer (Canoinhas / SC) at: Embrapa Technology Transfer
Canoinhas EN-BR-280 , km 219, Bairro: çgua Verde, Caixa Postal 317, CEP:
89460-000, Canoinhas, SC, or e-mail: ecan.snt@embrapa.br.
The Portuguese news release can been viewed at http://www.embrapa.br/imprensa/noticias/2010/novembro/4a-semana/nova-cultivar-de-batata-e-resistente-a-requeima/.
Source: Crop Biotech Update 03 December 2010:
(Return to Contents)
1.17 ChinaÕs
new wheat variety to exceed world wheat average yield
Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences released a new high
yielding wheat variety Jimai 22. According to wheat breeder expert Liu Jianjun,
the average yield of Jimai 22 will exceed 600 kilograms per mu (667 square
meters), which is three times higher than the world wheat yield average.
The new variety exhibits strong disease-resistant ability and
adaptability, and is also water and heat resistant. It will be planted in 35.7
million mu in autumn and winter of 2010, which is 10 percent of China's total
wheat hectarage.
Read more at http://www.agromail.net/5186-china-succeeds-in-breeding-super-high-yield-wheat
Source: Crop Biotech Update 17 December 2010:
(Return to Contents)
1.18 Nepal and
CIMMYT harvest fruits of partnership
After more than 20 years of consolidated effort to boost
maize and wheat yield, Nepal and the International Maize and Wheat Improvement
Center (CIMMYT) are now reaping the fruits of their hard work. The yields of
wheat has improved by 85%, and the maize yield increased by 36%. This further
resulted to improved lives of farmers in remote mountain areas.
For instance, a villager named Bissu Maya experienced
improvement in her farm income after the Hill Maize Research Program (HMRP)
involved her in planting maize varieties suited for the location of her farm.
Since then, her harvest grew from 20-50%. "Now I have enough food and can
sell some surplus to pay for my children's education," she said.
"The partnership that CIMMYT has maintained over the
past 25 years with our research and development institutions in Nepal has been
very useful and of significant value to increase maize and wheat production in
the country" says Dr. K.K. Lal, one of the very first ! CIMMYT maize
trainees and former Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture and
Cooperatives of Nepal. "This partnership should continue and be
strengthened".
Visit http://www.cimmyt.org/en/about-us/media-resources/newsletter/869-nepal-cimmyt-partnerships-reach-the-unreachable for the
complete story
Source: Crop Biotech Update 17 December 2010:
(Return to Contents)
1.19 Korea releases
tasty new pest-proof rice
The continuing research collaboration between Korea Rural
Development Authority and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) has
released another product - the Anmi japonica rice. Anmi is a high quality
medium grain rice typically grown in temperate countries. It is highly
resistant to a destructive rice pest, the brown planthopper (BPH), and
also to blast, bacterial blight, and rice stripe virus.
The BPH resistance of the variety was developed through
genetic research led by IRRI plant breeder Dr. Kshirod Jena. He said, "In
2004, we had a significant breakthrough when we were able to locate the gene
Bph18 for BPH resistance. We were then able to add this gene to a
BPH-susceptible elite japonica rice variety successfully employing the modern
rice-breeding technique called marker-assisted breeding for the first
time ever in japonica rice."&nbs! p;
Anmi, besides containing multiple resistance to pests is also
high yielding, at more than 5.8 tons per hectare, 11% more yield than the best
japonica check variety in Korea, Hwaseongbyeo.
The original article can be viewed at http://irri.org/news-events/media-releases/korea-releases-tasty-new-pest-proof-rice.
Source: Crop Biotech Update 23 December 2010:
(Return to Contents)
1.20 Nigeria
gets improved cassava varieties
Four improved cassava varieties (NR 01/0004, CR 41-10, TMS
00/0203, and TMS 01/0040) were released recently by the Nigerian government.
TMS 00/0203 and TMS 01/0040 were bred by scientists from Ibadan-based
International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA); while NR 01/0004 and CR
41-10 were bred by Umudike-based National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI)
and the Colombian-based International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT),
respectively.
These varieties performed well in terms of yield and pest resistance
in on-farm prerelease trials in eight states in the country. The average yield
observed was 31 tons per hectare, compared to the 26 t/ha yield of the local
varieties. "The release of the varieties is good news for Nigerian farmers
in particular and African farmers in general," says Dr. Peter Kulakow,
IITA Cassava Breeder.
More on this news can be seen at http://www.iita.org/news-feature-asset/-/asset_publisher/B3Bm/content/nigeria-gets-improved-cassava-varieties?redirect=%2Fnews
Source: Crop Biotech Update 14 January 2011:
(Return to Contents)
1.21 IITA
releases better soybean varieties for African farmers
Three new soybean varieties developed by the International Institute
of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) have been released in Malawi and Nigeria.
Soybean variety TGx1740-2F was developed by IITA and Malawi's Department of
Agricultural Research Services (DARS), while varieties TGx1987-10F and
TGx1987-62F were both developed by IITA and Nigeria's National Cereal Research
Institute (NCRI).
Release of the Malawi variety was approved by the
Agricultural Technology Clearing Committee (ATCC) on 18 January 2011, and the
release of the other two was approved by Nigeria Varietal Release Committee on
2 December 2010.
IITA Soybean Breeder Hailu Tefera reported that TGx1740-2F
exceeded the grain yield of widely grown promiscuous variety Magoye during the
two-year multilocation on-station trials.
"In Nigeria, medium-maturing varieties TGx1987-10F and
TGx1987-62F proved highly resistant to rust, bacterial blight, and Cercospora
leaf spot," says Ranajit Band! yopadhyay, IITA pathologist.
Read the press release at http://www.iita.org/news-feature-asset/-/asset_publisher/B3Bm/content/better-soybean-varieties-offer-african-farmers-new-.opportunities;jsessionid=C78633198E3594F893E967FABB04D9E5?redirect=/news
Source: Crop Biotech Update 28 January 2011:
(Return to Contents)
1.22 New seed
varieties approved in Pakistan
Eighteen new seed varieties of various cultivation crops
including ARRI-10 (wheat), CPF-246 (sugarcane), and Basmati-515 (rice) were
approved by Punjab Seed Corporation during its 40th meeting on January 13,
2011. The provisional approval for the cultivation of four insect resistant
Bt cotton varieties including IR-1524, F4-113, Ali AKber-802 and Neelam-121
were also extended for one year.
The other approved varieties are MMRI yellow, Pearl, FH-810
Hybrid, and Yousafwala hybrid of maize; pulse varieties Chakwal Masoor &
Mash Arooj; and tomato hybrid LITTH-514. Other varieties are Line-07001 Ravi
(melon), S-2005 (millet), F-9917 (sorghum), rye grass-1, and super late
Faisalabad of Barseem and 2-KCG-020 (groundnut). These approved varieties have
potential to resist diseases and are high yielding.
See the original article at http://www.pabic.com.pk/Approval%20of%2010%20new%20seeds%20varieties%20of%20various%20crops%20by%20Pakistan%20seed%20council.html.
Source: Crop Biotech Update 28 January 2011:
(Return to Contents)
1.23 Open letter to stakeholders from U.S.
Agriculture Secretary to urge GE and non-GE coexistence
Washington, DC, USA
December 30, 2010
Complexity surrounds American agriculture today. With the
recent announcement of USDA's final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for
genetically engineered (GE) Roundup Ready alfalfa and the subsequent meeting to
bring together diverse stakeholders for a dialogue, USDA has taken decisive
steps toward looking at possible approaches to alfalfa production coexistence
that are reasonable and practical.
These actions have generated tremendous interest in USDA's
and my intentions regarding our ability to objectively regulate GE agricultural
products and whether we are focused enough on science. I have tremendous
confidence in our existing regulatory system and no doubts about the safety of the
products this system has approved and will continue to approve. As a regulatory
agency, sound science and decisions based on this science are our priority, and
science strongly supports the safety of GE alfalfa. But, agricultural issues
are always complex and rarely lend themselves to simple solutions. Therefore,
we have an obligation to carefully consider USDA's 2,300 page EIS, which
acknowledges the potential of cross-fertilization to non-GE alfalfa from GE
alfalfa - a significant concern for farmers who produce for non-GE markets at
home and abroad.
The rapid adoption of GE crops has clashed with the rapid
expansion of demand for organic and other non-GE products. This clash led to
litigation and uncertainty. Such litigation will potentially lead to the courts
deciding who gets to farm their way and who will be prevented from doing so.
Regrettably, what the criticism we have received on our GE
alfalfa approach suggests, is how comfortable we have become with litigation
– with one side winning and one side losing – and how difficult it
is to pursue compromise. Surely, there is a better way, a solution that
acknowledges agriculture's complexity, while celebrating and promoting its
diversity. By continuing to bring stakeholders together in an attempt to find
common ground where the balanced interests of all sides could be advanced, we
at USDA are striving to lead an effort to forge a new paradigm based on
coexistence and cooperation. If successful, this effort can ensure that all
forms of agriculture thrive so that food can remain abundant, affordable, and
safe.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack
http://www.seedquest.com/news.php?type=news&id_article=13661&id_region=&id_category=&id_crop=
Source: SeedQuest.com
(Return to Contents)
1.24 Taiwan breeders may apply
for new plant varieties rights in the Chinese Mainland
Beijing, China
December 3, 2010
The Ministry of Agriculture and the State Forestry
Administration have jointly formulated the Temporary Provisions on Applicants
in Taiwan Region for Rights of New Plant Varieties in the Chinese Mainland
(hereinafter referred to as the ÒProvisionsÓ) for the purpose of protecting the
legitimate rights and interests of breeders in the region, and encouraging the
breeding and use of new plant varieties. The provisions came into force on
November 22, 2010.
The provisions states that an applicant in the Taiwan Region
for such rights and relevant issues with the examining and approving
authorities shall do it by entrusting an agencyin the Chinese mainland that is
commissioned for such purpose and established according to law. The application
documents shall be written in the simplified Chinese and the date in Gregorian
calendar, except for certificates and relevant papers. Where varieties to be
applied for such rights, their propagating materials for sale, with the consent
of the holders of the variety rights, in the Chinese mainland for less than one
year; or for sale outside the Chinese mainland for less than six years of their
propagating materials of liane, crop trees, fruit trees and ornamental plants,
or less than four years of the propagating materials of other plant varieties,
the said varieties shall be deemed no novelty lost.
http://www.seedquest.com/news.php?type=news&id_article=13054&id_region=&id_category=&id_crop=
Source: Source: Nanfang Rural Areas via SeedQuest.com
(Return to Contents)
1.25 U.S. Secretary of Agriculture intends
to reestablish the Plant Variety Protection Board
Washington, DC, USA
December 13, 2010
Plant Variety Protection Board;
Reestablishment of the Plant Variety Protection Board
AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice.
SUMMARY: In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee
Act (FACA) (5 U.S.C. App.), this notice announces that the Secretary of
Agriculture intends to reestablish the Plant Variety Protection Board.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Paul Zankowski, USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS),
10301 Baltimore Blvd., Room 401, National Agricultural Library, Beltsville, MD
20705-2351 or by phone at (301) 504-7475 (301)
504-7475 or by Internet: http://www.regulations.gov or
by e-mail: Paul.Zankowski@ams.usda.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
The Plant Variety Protection Act (Act) (7 U.S.C. 2321 et
seq.) provides legal protection in the form of intellectual property rights to
developers of new varieties of plants, which are reproduced sexually by seed or
are tuber-propagated. A Certificate of Plant Variety Protection is awarded to
an owner of a crop variety after an examination shows that it is new, distinct
from other varieties, genetically uniform and stable through successive
generations. The term of protection is 20 years for most crops and 25 years for
trees, shrubs, and vines.
The Act also provides for a statutory Board (7 U.S.C. 2327)
to be appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture. The duties of the Board are
to: (1) Advise the Secretary concerning the adoption of rules and regulations
to facilitate the proper administration of the Act; (2) provide advisory
counsel to the Secretary on appeals concerning decisions on applications by the
PVP Office and on requests for emergency public-interest compulsory licenses;
and (3) advise the Secretary on any other matters under the Regulations and
Rules of Practice and on all questions under Section 44 of the Act, ``Public
Interest in Wide Usage'' (7 U.S.C. 2404). Reestablishing the Board is necessary
and in the public interest.
The Act provides that ``the Board shall consist of
individuals who are experts in various areas of varietal development covered by
this Act.'' The Board membership ``shall include farmer representation and
shall be drawn approximately equally from the private or seed industry sector
and from the sector of government or the public.'' The Board consists of 14
members, each of whom is appointed for a 2-year period, with no member
appointed for more than three 2-year periods. Nominations are made by farmers'
associations, trade associations in the seed industry, professional
associations representing expertise in seed technology, plant breeding, and
variety development, public and private research and development institutions
(13 members) and the USDA (one member).
Equal opportunity practices, in agreement with USDA
nondiscrimination policies, will be followed in all membership appointments to
the Board. To ensure that the suggestions of the Board have taken into account
the needs of the diverse groups served by USDA, membership shall include, to
the extent practicable, individuals with demonstrated ability to represent
minorities, women, and persons with disabilities.
The Charter for the Board will be available on the Web site
at: http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/getfile?dDocName=STELPRDC5O59988 or may be
requested by contacting the individual identified in the FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT section of this notice.
USDA prohibits discrimination in all its programs and
activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age,
disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family
status. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for
communication of program information (braille, large print, or audiotape)
should contact USDA's Target Center at 202-720-2600 202-720-2600 (voice
and TTY).
To file a written complaint of discrimination, write USDA,
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue,
SW., Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call 202-720-5964 202-720-5964 (voice
and TTY). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
Dated: December 7, 2010.
Pearlie S. Reed,
Assistant Secretary for Administration.
[FR Doc. 2010-31219 Filed 12-10-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-M
[Federal Register: December 13, 2010 (Volume 75, Number 238)]
[Notices]
[Page 77612-77613]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr13de10-34]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service
[Document No. AMS-ST-10-0052]
http://www.seedquest.com/news.php?type=news&id_article=13246&id_region=&id_category=&id_crop=
SeedQuest.com
(Return to Contents)
1.26 U.S. National Agricultural Statistics
Service launches new CropScape geospatial data service
Washington, D.C., USA
January 10, 2011
To provide easier access to geospatial satellite products,
the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service
(NASS) today announced the launch of CropScape, a new cropland exploring service.
CropScape provides data users access to a variety of new resources and
information, including the 2010 cropland data layer (CDL) just released in
conjunction with CropScape.
This new service offers advanced tools such as interactive
visualization, web-based data dissemination and geospatial queries and
automated data delivery to systems such as Google Earth.
ÒCropScape delivers data visualization tools directly into
the hands of the agricultural community without the need for specialized
expertise, GIS software or high-end computers,Ó said Mark Harris, NASS Research
and Development Division director. ÒThis information can be used for addressing
issues related to agricultural sustainability, land cover monitoring,
biodiversity and extreme events such as flooding, drought and hail storm
assessment.Ó
NASS produced the 2010 CDL using satellite image observations
at 30-meter (0.22 acres per pixel) resolution and collected from the
Resourcesat-1 Advanced Wide Field Sensor (AWiFS) and Landsat Thematic Mapper.
The collection of images was categorized using on-the-ground farm information
including field location, crop type, elevation, tree canopy and urban
infrastructure. All prior CDL products dating back to 1997 are also hosted by
CropScape.
CropScape was developed in cooperation with the Center for
Spatial Information Science and Systems at George Mason University, Fairfax,
Va. The research and development of CropScape and the NASS partnership with
George Mason University reflect NASSÕs continued commitment to improve U.S.
agricultural production, sustainability and food security.
CropScape is operated by NASSÕs Research and Development
Division and hosted and maintained by the Center for Spatial Information
Science and Systems at George Mason University. For more information about
CropScape, and the Cropland Data Layer visit http://nassgeodata.gmu.edu/CropScape.
More news from: USDA -
NASS (National Agricultural Statistics Service)
http://www.seedquest.com/news.php?type=news&id_article=13809&id_region=&id_category=&id_crop=
Source: SeedQuest.com
(Return to Contents)
1.27 U.S. Department of Agriculture
authorizes Roundup Ready alfalfa for spring planting
St. Louis, Missouri, USA
January 27, 2011
For the first time since 2007, U.S. farmers will have the
choice to plant Genuity¨ Roundup Ready¨ alfalfa. Today the U.S. Department of
Agriculture (USDA) authorized resumption of the sale and planting of Monsanto
CompanyÕs (NYSE: MON) Roundup Ready¨ alfalfa.
ÒThis is great news for farmers who have been waiting for the
green light to plant Roundup Ready alfalfa,Ó said Steve Welker, alfalfa
commercial lead at Monsanto. ÒUSDAÕs action gives farmers the choice to enjoy
the benefits of this product, including superior crop safety and high-quality
yield opportunity.Ó
Roundup Ready alfalfa was developed by Monsanto and Forage
Genetics International (FGI). The USDA decision comes in time for spring
planting, the company noted. Monsanto, FGI and other alfalfa seed companies
have varieties of Genuity Roundup Ready alfalfa seed in stock and ready for
sale.
Roundup Ready alfalfa was commercialized in 2005. More than
5,000 farmers had planted Roundup Ready alfalfa on over 250,000 acres before a
court ruling regarding USDAÕs administrative process halted further sales and
planting.
ÒThe overwhelming positive feedback from the farmers who
first planted Roundup Ready alfalfa and ongoing grower surveys indicate
significant farmer interest in this product,Ó Welker said.
The final Environmental Impact Statement published by USDA in
December concluded that one outcome of renewed planting could be an increase in
quantity of high quality alfalfa hay produced by alfalfa growers. Roundup Ready
alfalfa offers farmers healthier, faster-growing stands and hay with fewer
weeds in every bale.
http://www.seedquest.com/news.php?type=news&id_article=14261&id_region=&id_category=&id_crop=
Source: SeedQuest.com
(Return to Contents)
1.28 Controversial plant biotech
patents overturned
The European Patent Office has
overturned two controversial patents granted a decade ago on methods for
breeding broccoli containing anticarcinogenic compounds and tomatoes with a
reduced water content.
The broccoli patent was filed by
Plant Bioscience Ltd, a plant science company based in Norwich, UK and the
tomato patent by the Israeli Ministry of Agriculture. The broccoli and tomato
varieties are produced using conventional breeding techniques but also use
genetic markers to locate and indentify key genes to breed the varieties with
the desired traits.
According to EU law, biological
processes for the production of plants or animals are not allowed to be
patented. But the law regards marker-assisted selection as a technical process,
and therefore patentable. The broccoli and tomato patents were awarded on this
basis.
Since their approval, industry,
including the Swiss agribusiness Syngenta, has contested the patents arguing
that they didnÕt cover just the genetic markers but also the commonly used
breeding techniques. They say the breeding techniques should be regarded as a
biological process, and so the patents should not have been awarded. Industry
was concerned that they would have to pay the patent holders for permission to
use the breeding technique.
After years of appeals and hearings,
the cases reached the EPOÕs Enlarged Board of Appeal, its highest level of
jurisdiction. In a ruling on 9 December, the board agreed with industry that
the patents covered the whole selection and breeding process and therefore
should not be allowed.
In a statement, the board says,
ÒWhile technical devices or means, such as genetic markers, may themselves be
patentable inventions, their use does not make an essentially biological
process patentable.Ó
ÒA process for the production of
plants involving sexually crossing whole plant genomes, and the subsequent
selection of plants is not patentable. The mere inclusion of a technical step
which serves to enable or assist the performance of the steps of sexually
crossing the whole genomes of plants or of subsequently selecting plants does
not override this exclusion from patentability,Ó it adds.
This decision does not affect the
patentability of inventions or technical steps such as genetic markers.
Gareth Morgan, an intellectual
property lawyer based at the London offices of DLA Piper, a legal service
provider, says the ruling helps Òclarify the lawÓ. But he says it will change
little about the day to day practices of plant scientists or breeder.
Source: December 13, 2010 Nature News
Contributed by Rodomiro Ortiz
(Return to Contents)
1.29 Norway pledges $50 million to
campaign to collect and employ endangered wild relatives of worldÕs major food
crops
Global
field expeditions aim to help farmers adapt to climate change by securing
valuable genetic traits of key food crops
Rome, Italy
10 December 2010
The Global Crop Diversity Trust today announced a major
global search to systematically find, gather, catalogue, use, and save the wild
relatives of wheat, rice, beans, potato, barley, lentils, chickpea, and other
essential food crops, in order to help protect global food supplies against the
imminent threat of climate change, and strengthen future food security.
The initiative, led by the Trust, working in partnership with
national agricultural research institutes, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and the
Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), is the
largest one ever undertaken with the tough wild relatives of todayÕs main food
crops. These wild plants contain essential traits that could be bred into crops
to make them more hardy and versatile in the face of dramatically different
climates expected in the coming years. Norway is providing US$50 million
towards this important contribution to food security.
ÒAll our crops were originally developed from wild
species—thatÕs how farming began,Ó explained Cary Fowler, Executive
Director of the Global Crop Diversity Trust. ÒBut they were adapted from the
plants best suited to the climates of the past. Climate change means we need to
go back to the wild to find those relatives of our crops that can thrive in the
climates of the future. We need to glean from them the traits that will enable
modern crops to adapt to new, harsher and more demanding situations. And we
need to do it while those plants can still be found.Ó
Crop wild relatives make up only a few percent of the worldÕs
genebank holdings, yet their contribution to commercial agriculture alone is
estimated at more than US$100 billion per year. One example dates back to the
1970s, when an outbreak of grassy stunt virus, which prevents the rice plant
from flowering and producing grain, decimated rice harvests across Asia.
Scientists from the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) screened more
than 10,000 samples of wild and locally-cultivated rice plants for resistance
to the disease and found it in a wild relative, Oryza nivara, growing in
India. The gene has been incorporated into most new varieties since the
discovery.
ÒThis project represents one of the most concrete steps taken
to date to ensure that agriculture, and humanity, adapts to climate change. At
a more fundamental level, the project also demonstrates the importance of
biodiversity and genetic resources for human survival,Ó said Erik Solheim,
Minister of the Environment and International Development of Norway, which is providing
the initial budget of US$50 million to fund the work on 23 global food crops:
alfalfa, bambara groundnut, banana, barley, bean, fava bean, chickpea, cowpea,
finger millet, grass pea, lentil, oat, pea, pearl millet, pigeon pea, potato,
rye, rice, sorghum, sunflower, sweet potato, vetch and wheat. The work is
scheduled to take 10 years, from determining where to collect, through to
having material ready for crop breeding programs.
Although plant breeders have incorporated many traits from
the wild relatives of our crops over the years, the plants have never been
comprehensively collected or conserved, according to the Global Crop Diversity
Trust. As a result, valuable traits are largely unavailable to plant breeders
and farmers and many are at risk of being lost forever due to climate change
and rapid habitat loss. According to the UKÕs Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, a
major partner in the project, one-fifth of the worldÕs plants are threatened
with extinction.
It is widely understood that, irrespective of the outcomes at
the United NationsÕ climate change conference in Cancœn, the coming decades
will see ever more challenging conditions for agriculture. The forecasts for
declining yields are particularly frightening for the developing world. For example,
yields for maize in Southern Africa, a vital crop in a region which already
suffers from chronic hunger, are predicted to fall by up to 30 percent within
just 20 years. The standard response until now has been that new, hardier
varieties of our crops will be required. ÒWe are taking a step back and
challenging the lazy assumption that new crop varieties will just materialize
out of thin air,Ó said Solheim.
ÒThe aim of the project is to collect wild crop diversity and
put it into the crop breeding pipeline before this treasure is lost from the
wild forever. This is a two-fold race against time—the race to adapt
agriculture to climate change, and the race to collect biodiversity before it
is lost forever. We are extremely excited to support a project that will help
insure our common future, and look forward to other donors adding their support
so that more crops can be included.Ó Norway showed its deep commitment to
conserving the worldÕs plant biodiversity in 2008, when it built the Svalbard
Global Seed Vault, offering a secure Arctic home for millions of seed samples
collected from around the world.
ÒDiversity equals resilience in the biological world, which
is why this project is vital to the survival of agriculture,Ó said Paul Smith,
Director of the Millennium Seed Bank at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and a
key partner in the project announced today. KewÕs unparalleled experience in
wild plant collecting and seed biology will be brought to bear not just on a
conservation problem, but on the whole issue of food security, added Smith.
According to the partners, the scale of loss in the wild is
not the only urgent factor. On average, a new crop variety takes 7-10 years to
breed, so it is essential for the work to begin now, before the effects of climate
change begin to wreak havoc on food production. ÒImproving food security means
helping farmers today,Ó said Solheim, Òbut also taking steps to ensure they
will be able to adapt to changes in the future. If we wait until the climate
has changed, it will be too late. Delaying adaptation is short-sighted and the
poor will pay the heaviest price.Ó
The program will target critical traits in the wild relatives
of crops that are essential, especially in the developing world, where climate
change could cause production declines of between 10 and 30 percent or more.
Wild relatives of crop plants tend to be much more diverse than their
domesticated cousins. They grow in a wider variety of climates and conditions.
The Global Crop Diversity Trust will draw in climate change experts,
biodiversity conservationists and agricultural scientists. Scientists will work
with national governments and local partners on the ground, and the species to
be collected all fall under the auspices of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic
Resources for Food and Agriculture. All materials will be collected and be
publicly available under the terms of that Treaty.
Collecting is only the first step. The aim is not simply to
collect and conserve, but to use and thus benefit from this diversity. However,
these wild plants cannot be used straight away in a crop breeding
program—as wild plants contain many characteristics that are undesirable
for crops, along with the desirable ones. The 10-year scope of the project will
therefore ensure that collected seed can be grown and crossed with existing
breeding lines, a process known as Òprebreeding,Ó to see if the traits of
interest can then be introduced effectively into domesticated plants. Once this
is done, the diversity is available to all plant breeders, everywhere.
Preservation and Progress
Samples will be conserved in a number of sites around the
world, including the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, and the genetic material and
information will be shared electronically and openly. The project will also
provide training to partners in the developing world in identifying and
handling wild species and in plant-breeding techniques. ÒVariable temperatures,
pests, diseases, droughts and floods are agricultural problems that have always
been with us,Ó said Fowler, Òbut climate change will be like putting such
traditional agricultural problems on steroids.Ó This initiative will create an
unprecedented resource for developing Òclimate-readyÓ food crops.
For example, wild plants could address the issue of riceÕs
temperature sensitivity. At a critical stage in rice flowering, a one degree
Celsius change in temperature can cut yields by 10 percent. Most high-yield
rice varieties flower during the heat of the day, but some wild rice relatives
flower at night. ÒWith climate change, temperatures rising by a few degrees
could cut yields by 30 to 40 percent,Ó said Fowler. ÒBut if we could just
incorporate the characteristic of night-flowering from wild rice into farmed
rice, we could save millions of tons of rice, and thousands of lives. That
would pay for the project many times over.Ó
ÒThis is a game changer,Ó said Fowler. ÒThis project will
provide us with enormous amounts of diversity, and will provide plant breeders
and farmers around the world with access to that diversity. WeÕre going to find
resistance to diseases and pests that farmers have never had before.
If—and it remains an ÔifÕ—we are to adapt agriculture to climate
change, we need to stack the odds heavily in the farmersÕ favor. This does just
that.Ó
http://www.seedquest.com/news.php?type=news&id_article=13290&id_region=&id_category=&id_crop=
Source: SeedQuest.com
Return to Contents)
1.30 International Potato Center
publishes virtual catalogue of advanced clones and varieties
Lima, Peru
January 6, 2011
The International Potato Center has published a Catalogue of
Advanced Clones, available online and on DVD, which provides up to the minute
information on the potato advanced clones and varieties available for worldwide
distribution from the Center. The catalogue contains detailed information on
220 advanced clones and 55 improved varieties of potato.
Directed at national research programs, universities,
producers associations and private companies, the catalogue is an important
resource for any researcher or institution interested in obtaining candidate
varieties of potato with biotic resistance (to pest and disease), high yield,
and potential for both fresh consumption or processing.
The catalogueÕs design resembles that of an online shopping
site. Users can search in two ways: by variety name or clone number, or by
selection criteria (morphology, pest and disease resistance, agronomical
characteristics, etc.). Both options will give the user information on
technical characteristics, worldwide distribution area, and postharvest
performance features, as well as illustrations of the plant, tuber, and flowers.
Clicking on the shopping cart icon assigned to each entry
will generate an order request for that clone or variety. Once you have
completed your desired selection, the system will request additional
information. A specialist from the CenterÕs Acquisition and Distribution Unit
will then get back to you in order to complete the necessary documentation to
send the order.
ÒThe clones in the catalogue contain sources of resistance to
late blight and potato viruses and disease. They are the result of years of
research and selection aimed at creating new varieties in different
agro-ecological environments. Some have already been tested in specific regions
and conditions,Ó says Stef De Haan, Coordinator for Red LatinPapa (Ibero-
American Network for Innovation in Potato Breeding and Dissemination).
Red LatinPapa is a partner of CIP in this initiative. This
third update of the catalogue takes full advantage of the latest technological
advances. The site is available in three languages: English, Spanish and
Chinese. ÒThe decision to translate into Chinese was made bearing in mind that
China is the worldÕs largest producer of potatoes, and that CIP will very
shortly have a headquarters for Asia and the Pacific there. The translation was
made possible thanks to the collaboration of Chinese student Li Qingquan, from
the Heilongjiang Academy of Agricultural Science, who trained in breeding for
more than a year at CIPÓ, said De Haan.
The catalogue also comes as a free DVD for users in countries
or locations across the developing world where there may be Internet connection
problems,
For more information on clones and/or varieties, please
contact CIPÕs Acquisition and Distribution Unit. (CIP-ADU@cgiar.org).
http://www.seedquest.com/news.php?type=news&id_article=13734&id_region=&id_category=&id_crop=
Source: SeedQuest.com
(Return to Contents)
1.31 Identifying the
training needs of gene bank staff in Africa
Launch of Kew's
'Difficult' Seeds Project webpages
Kew has recently launched webpages for the
ÔDifficultÕ Seeds Project, which supports crop gene banks and
farmers in the conservation of plants used for food and agriculture
in Africa. The project is supported by the Food and Agriculture
Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) and has been funded by the UK
governmentÕs Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
(Defra). The webpages contain information about the project and 160
profile pages for species that have been identified as being difficult to
handle, store or use.
At stakeholder workshops held in Burkina Faso and
South Africa, Kew worked with managers to identify the training needs
of gene bank staff in Africa. These workshops were followed in 2007 by
four training workshops (two conducted in English and two in French), to which
we invited gene bank technicians from various institutes across the
African continent. At these workshops we also got the opportunity to work with
local farmers in the host contries and to share information on the
appropriate handling and storage of seeds.
As a result of these workshops, we have put together a list
of 220 species that were identified as being difficult to handle, store or use,
and have developed species profile pages for 160 of these, to
overcome any difficulties.We have also provided training resouces and
useful links to enable gene banks to run training courses amongst their staff,
and with farmers and community seed groups.
http://www.kew.org/science-research-data/kew-in-depth/difficult-seeds/index.htm
Contributed by Vanessa
J Sutcliffe
Training Specialist
Millennium Seed Bank Partnership
Seed Conservation Department
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
(Return to Contents)
1.32 Grass germplasm collection also
includes fungal endophytes
Washington, DC, USA
January 27, 2011
One of the world's largest collections of cool-season forage
and turf grasses is located at the Western Regional Plant Introduction Station
(WRPIS), operated in Pullman, Wash., by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
It could also be said that the station is, by default, among
the largest collections of endophytes, a specialized group of Neotyphodium
fungi that live symbiotically within the tissues of certain grasses—tall
fescue among them.
The endophytes' presence can be a mixed bag, however. On the
one hand, they help their grass hosts tolerate stresses like drought and they
produce metabolites that repel insect pests. But some of the
metabolites—notably, ergot alkaloids—can cause fescue toxicosis in
grazing livestock.
Fortunately, intensive research over the past several years
has identified new endophyte strains that don't cause fescue toxicosis, but
that still confer desirable benefits to grass.
According to Stephen Clement, who recently retired as an
entomologist with USDA's Agricultural
Research Service (ARS) in Pullman, research
organizations in the United States and abroad are increasingly mining the WRPIS
collection to identify new strains of these nontoxigenic endophytes. ARS is
USDA's principal intramural scientific research agency, and this research
supports the USDA priority of promoting international food security.
Mindful of the interest in the collection, Clement and
colleagues with the ARS Forage
Seed and Cereal Research Unit in Corvallis, Ore., conducted
research to ensure that the station's current seed regeneration practices are
suitable for maintaining viable stores of the endophytes.
Clement had been conducting studies to better characterize
the diverse grass-endophyte associations in the collection and to determine
what effect this has on feeding by insect pests. In recent research, Clement
observed a decline in the survival of cereal leaf beetles—invasive pests
of Pacific Northwest seed nurseries—that fed on endophyte-infected
grasses, including the wild tall fescue Lolium arundinaceum.
Read more about
this research in the January 2011 issue of Agricultural Research
magazine.
http://www.seedquest.com/news.php?type=news&id_article=14246&id_region=&id_category=&id_crop=
Source: SeedQuest.com
(Return to Contents)
1.33 Photosynthesis trackers shine light
on new rice varieties
Beaumont, Texas, USA
December 1, 2010
What looks like a flock of giant, robotic geese in a field
near Beaumont is actually new technology shedding light on how scientists can
develop better varieties of rice.
Specially designed equipment is monitoring photosynthesis in
14 rice varieties at the Texas AgriLife Research and Extension Center in
Beaumont, according to Dr. Ted Wilson, director and lead scientist on the
study.
"Photosynthesis is the engine that drives crop growth,
development and yield. By understanding the physiology behind photosynthesis
better, we can use this information to determine what plants to select in a
plant breeding program, with the end result being a more efficient and faster
rate of developing new varieties," Wilson said. "In a nutshell, the
faster one can develop a new variety, the greater the rate of yield increase
and thus grower income."
In field studies, Wilson and his team are looking at a series
of inbred rice varieties and their offspring, which are called hybrids. The idea
is to try to determine the inheritance of different traits and how much of the
photosynthetic rates of a variety can be inherited from the male and female
plants.
Each variety is grown under a different cage which is
automatically measured 58 times in 15-second increments during a three-day
period. This is repeated over the growing season, totaling more than 635
measurements of five minutes for the plants in each cage, Wilson explained.
"We also measure detailed information on light
interception, allocation of carbohydrates to different parts of the plant and
uptake of nitrogen. So, we can get information on how much we're able to
predict how a particular variety responds to a particular environment,"
Wilson said.
He said that the more light a plant is able to intercept, the
greater the plant's growth and, hence, its yield. The study is comparing
results of different varieties to see if some are able to intercept light
better than others.
Wilson explained that a plant uses sunlight to convert carbon
dioxide and water into oxygen and sugars, which are the building blocks for
plant growth and respiration.
"The plant allocates the sugars to different parts of
the plant -- the roots, leaves, stem, and grain -- dynamically throughout the
season as the crop grows," he said. "The manner in which this
allocation occurs determines whether you end up with a plant that is largely
vegetative at one extreme, or ends up using a lot of its 'energy' to produce,
say, grain at the other extreme."
The goal of a rice breeding program, Wilson added, is to
produce a plant that has enough vegetation to support the greatest amount of
grain yield.
"This is very much a balancing act. If you select for a
plant type that sends most of its energy to producing grain too soon, the plant
will be small and stunted," he said. "At the other extreme, if you
select for a plant type that puts most of its early and mid-season growth into
vegetation, you can end with a very late maturing plant that has too much
vegetation that costs the plant too much energy to maintain, which can result
in a plant that either matures its grain too late or which cannot support much
grain."
The team is considering three years of detailed data as part
of its continuing rice breeding program.
"Our ultimate goal is to develop a new variety of rice,
so we are working very closely with Dr. Omar Samonte who is a plant breeder and
partner on this research, and Jim Medley who is the lead technician who keeps
the project going," he said.
http://www.seedquest.com/news.php?type=news&id_article=12866&id_region=&id_category=&id_crop=
Source:
SeedQuest.com
(Return to Contents)
1.34 Drought tolerant rice in development
IRRI
scientists test rice crops to eliminate dependency on flooding lowland rice
fields
Madison, Wisconsin, USA
November 30, 2010
Rice production faces the threat of a growing worldwide water
scarcity. Approximately, 75% of the worldÕs rice is grown in flooded, lowland
conditions. Lowland rice crops either rely on irrigation or rain water to
provide adequate growing conditions. The food security of millions of people
depends on the availability of water.
Scientists at the International Rice Research Institute
(IRRI) have developed a rice crop that is not only drought tolerant but high
yielding despite the lack of water. These genotypes have been dispersed to
other Asian countries including Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Laos, Nepal,
Pakistan, and the Philippines.
The study was funded by the Asian Development Bank and the
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and can be found in the November –
December 2010 issue of Crop Science.
Originally, researchers planted different rice genotypes on
two separate plots at IRRI headquarters in Los Ba–os. The field plots were of
similar soil fertility and the crops were equally managed apart from receiving
different amounts of water. Initial analysis found rice crops grown in drought
like conditions show a decrease in plant height, harvest index, and grain
yield.
Nevertheless, upon repeating the experiment, IRRI scientists
were able to identify 26 second-generation aerobic rice genotypes that produced
significant yields compared to the first generation crops. The rice crops
subjected to less water yielded 50% more than the previous generation and
further gains are expected as the cycle is repeated.
The use aerobic rice is a relatively new, but necessary trend.
Aerobic rice crops eliminate the need for flooding, instead using long root
systems to extract moisture from the soil. Water is still necessary to maintain
the crop, however not at the volume used in lowland rice before.
Dr. Dule Zhao, one of the authors of the study, says,
ÒAerobic rice is a good strategy for coping with the increasing water shortage
and ensuring rice food security in tropical regions. A breeding protocol is key
to the success of a breeding program in developing new aerobic rice varieties.Ó
Aerobic rice breeding studies are continuing at IRRI.
Researchers are attempting to develop rice crops that are drought tolerant and
also weed competitive and high quality.
The full article is available for no charge for 30 days
following the date of this summary. View the abstract at https://www.crops.org/publications/cs/abstracts/50/6/2268.
http://www.seedquest.com/news.php?type=news&id_article=12902&id_region=&id_category=&id_crop=
Source: SeedQuest.com
(Return to Contents)
1.35 Researchers identify genetic trait
for heat tolerance in rice plants
Stuttgart, Arkansas, USA
December 6, 2010
University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture research on
the effects of high nighttime temperatures on rice grain yield and quality has
identified genetic differences in rice varieties that were less affected by the
heat than other varieties. The findings could lead to future development of
more heat-tolerant rice varieties, said Paul Counce, a plant physiologist based
at the Division's Rice Research and Extension Center near Stuttgart.
The summer of 2010 was the hottest on record in Arkansas, as
measured by average daily temperatures over a 24 hour period, Counce said. The
difficulty of keeping fields adequately irrigated contributed to the lowest
statewide rice yields since 2001, which the U.S. Department of Agriculture
estimated at 142 bushels per acre. Another likely factor was high nighttime
temperatures, Counce said. Rice millers also reported that grain quality was
significantly below average.
Research in the Division of Agriculture's Rice Processing
Program on the effect of high temperature on rice yield and quality has
identified genes that appear to be associated with tolerance to high temperatures,
Counce said.
It has been documented that the flowers on rice plants do not
open properly when the temperature is above 95 F, which hinders pollination and
results in blank hulls with no grain inside and smaller, lighter kernels,
Counce said. However, nighttime temperatures are usually moderate during
flowering in late spring or early summer.
Research over several years by Counce and others in the Rice
Processing Program has documented that blanks and lower-quality kernels can
also result from high nighttime temperatures during the grain-filling stage in
mid-summer, which occurred frequently in 2010.
The research team studied the genetic coding of enzymes that
carry out the grain filling process and found that the enzyme starch synthase
appears to be most affected by nighttime temperatures. In one of the rice
varieties least affected by high night temperatures, the genes that code
expression of starch synthase were relatively unaffected by night temperature,
Counce said.
These findings suggest that it might be possible to
incorporate specific genes for increased tolerance of high night temperatures
into future rice varieties, Counce said.
http://www.seedquest.com/news.php?type=news&id_article=13077&id_region=&id_category=&id_crop=
Source: SeedQuest.com
(Return to Contents)
1.36 The factors that influence yields in
dry environments
Australia
December 6, 2010
The combined contribution of plant breeding and agronomy to
improved grain yield in low rainfall environments is currently being assessed
by a South Australian Research and Development Institute-led research team.
Headed up by SARDI Associate Professor Victor Sadras and
research officer Chris Lawson, the team is undertaking the assessment as part
of a Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) project, Improving Crop
and Farm Water Use Efficiency in Australia.
Speaking at the recent Hart Field Day in South Australia,
they explained that the research has a particular emphasis on the Mid North of
SA but involves trials of wheat varieties representative of those that are well
adapted to conditions in Western Australia (Mace), central New South Wales
(Livingstone) and central Queensland (Kennedy), as well as SAÕs Mid North
(Gladius).
These four wheat varieties are being compared at Hart and at
Buntine in WA (both winter dominant rainfall sites), at Gatton in Queensland
(summer dominant rainfall) and at Condobolin in NSW (capturing the transition
from winter to summer dominant rainfall).
When completed in 2011, the trials will enable the
researchers to answer the question: what are the traits that contribute to
local adaptation of wheat in environments with contrasting rainfall patterns,
and how do these traits interact with cropping practices?
The research is also involving trials of 13 historic
varieties of wheat released between 1951 and 2007 and which have been widely
grown in SA.
Researchers are closely monitoring the phenology, growth,
water use, capture of radiation and yield attributes of these varieties in
three locations, including Hart.
When completed in 2012 these trials will provide answers to
the question: what has been the rate of genetic improvement in yield in SA over
the last five decades, and what are the traits that have contributed to the
improvement in yield and water use efficiency.
Partly funded by GRDC, the trial work involves assistance
from Hart Field-Site Group trials manager Peter Hooper, NSW Industry &
Investment research agronomist Neil Fettell, CSIRO WA scientist Dr Steve
Milroy, and Richard Routley from the Department of Employment, Economic
Development and Innovation in Queensland.
http://www.seedquest.com/news.php?type=news&id_article=13061&id_region=&id_category=&id_crop=
Source: SeedQuest.com
(Return to Contents)
1.37 UNL
research looking for ways to block rice blast
Rice blast caused by Magnaporthe
oryzae is one of the major diseases of rice. Global efforts to understand
the pathogen and to control its spread have been going on for decades. can
reduce rice yield by up to 30 percent per year and a related organism can
affect other cereals such as wheat. Currently, rice blast is spreading havoc in
Arkansas, USA, and a related species has been found in wheat in Brazil.
In a journal article of the Proceedings of the National
Academy of Sciences, University of Nebraska-Lincoln plant pathologist Richard
Wilson and his colleagues discovered a genetic switch that regulates plant
infection by signaling to the fungus that it is in a nutrition rich
environment. This signal will trigger infection and establishment of the
disease. These scientists have now renewed their efforts to control the switch
and the related processes so that a targeted control of the disease can be
developed.
See the original ne! ws at http://citnews.unl.edu/ianrhome/ianrnews/static/1012200.shtml
Source: Crop Biotech Update 23 December 2010:
(Return to Contents)
1.38 Waterlogging wheat research benefits
two countries
South Perth, Western Australia
December 16, 2010
Researchers at the Department of Agriculture and Food are
identifying elite germplasm to help breed new waterlogging tolerant wheat
varieties.
The methodology from the project is also being used to
develop waterlogging tolerant wheat varieties in India with three Indian
research institutes as part of a projected funded by the Australian Centre for
International Agricultural Research (ACIAR).
The department is mid-way through the four year collaboration
with the University of Adelaide to identify suitable material that is tolerant
to waterlogging and associated micro-element toxicities, which also has
improved disease resistance.
Up to 40 per cent of agricultural land in WA can be affected
by waterlogging, which can significantly reduce crop yields.
Department research officers Tim Setter and Irene Waters
recently visited the University of SydneyÕs Plant Breeding Institute (PBI) at
Cobbitty, NSW, where plants from the trial were screened for resistance to
leaf, stem and stripe rust.
A total of 1200 plants with high waterlogging and aluminium
tolerance were tested, of which only one per cent had acceptable rust resistance.
Dr Setter said although the selection pressure was extreme,
there was still some useful material that could be used in the next seasonÕs
trials.
ÒNew South Wales has had an extremely wet year, which
resulted in extreme stripe rust infections,Ó he said.
ÒThe lines tested were developed from the WA variety Tammarin
Rock and a doubled haploid breeding line, both of which have good waterlogging
tolerance.
ÒThe best performers will now also be used in a backcrossing
program using parents from the University of Sydeny PBI to improve disease
resistance. Lines will be screened next year at the waterlogging tolerance
screening facility at Katanning.Ó
Waterlogging tolerance screening involves sowing 5,000-10,000
pots per year containing different soil types planted with more than 400 wheat
and barley breeding lines in a 200 metre square pond at the departmentÕs Great
Southern Research Institute at Katanning.
The seedlings used include commercial varieties, local
breeding lines, as well as germplasm from India.
Dr Setter said an interdisciplinary approach was required to
develop waterlogging tolerant wheat varieties.
ÒWaterlogged soils have low levels of oxygen, which affect
the plantsÕ capacity to exclude potentially toxic elements like boron,
aluminium and sodium. Waterlogging also increases the availability of other
elements in the soil like iron and manganese,Ó he said.
ÒThe challenge for plant physiologists and plant breeders is
to develop germplasm that is not only waterlogging tolerant but also tolerant
to micro-element toxicity and has disease resistance.
ÒPlant breeding is a slow process but significant gains are
being made by research in the target environments.Ó
http://www.seedquest.com/news.php?type=news&id_article=13363&id_region=&id_category=&id_crop=
Source: SeedQuest.com
(Return to Contents)
1.39 International Potato Center working
on potatoes fortified with iron
Lima, Peru
January 18, 2011
Iron deficiency is the most common nutritional disorder in
the world – affecting 50% of pregnant women and 40% of preschool children
in developing countries, according to the World Health Organization. Since
potatoes are naturally good sources of iron, the International Potato Center
(known by its Spanish acronym CIP) is working to add further nutritional value
through breeding, or biofortification, of potato. It is a very promising
alternative for improving health in poor communities, where access to meat is
limited and people cannot afford commercially fortified foods and vitamin
supplements.
The bioavailability of iron in potato is also important, and
can be greater than that from cereals and legumes. Potatoes have high levels of
ascorbic acid, which promotes iron absorption. They also have low levels of
phytic acid, which inhibits of iron absorption. CIP efforts are focused on
identifying and breeding varieties that are rich in both iron concentration and
bioavailability.
Health consequences of iron deficiency include impaired
physical and cognitive development, increased risk of morbidity in children,
and reduced work productivity in adults. In the Peruvian highlands, up to 60%
of preschool children suffer the stunting effects of malnutrition, with iron
deficiency as the main contributing factor.
The potato is recognized as a key food staple, but its
potential for combating malnutrition is not well known or exploited. ÒFor
example, in Huancavelica in the Peruvian highlands, women and children consume
an average of 800g and 200g of potato per day, respectively,Ó explains Gabriela
Burgos, who leads the Quality and Nutrition Laboratory at CIP. ÒSo improving
iron concentrations and bioavailability in potato can have real impact in these
areas.Ó
Five years ago, with funding from the HarvestPlus program,
CIP started to screen the potato germplasm in its genebank for micronutrients
(iron, zinc, vitamin C, and phenolic). Initial screening of 579 native Andean
potato varieties and 315 improved varieties showed a wide variation for iron
and zinc concentration and a large genetic diversity that could be exploited in
breeding programs.
CIP agronomist Walter Amor—s explains: ÒWe selected a group
of potatoes for their high levels of iron, and we have done a whole series of
crosses with them and studied the progeny,Ó he says. ÒFrom a baseline iron
content of 19mg / k, weÕve achieved levels as high as 40mg / k after two
selection cycles.Ó
The bioavailability of iron in potato is also important, and
can be greater than that from cereals and legumes. Potatoes have high levels of
ascorbic acid, which promotes iron absorption. They also have low levels of
phytic acid, which inhibits of iron absorption. CIP efforts are focused on
identifying and breeding varieties that are rich in both iron concentration and
bioavailability.
Health consequences of iron deficiency include impaired
physical and cognitive development, increased risk of morbidity in children,
and reduced work productivity in adults. In the Peruvian highlands, up to 60%
of preschool children suffer the stunting effects of malnutrition, with iron
deficiency as the main contributing factor.
The potato is recognized as a key food staple, but its
potential for combating malnutrition is not well known or exploited. ÒFor
example, in Huancavelica in the Peruvian highlands, women and children consume
an average of 800g and 200g of potato per day, respectively,Ó explains Gabriela
Burgos, who leads the Quality and Nutrition Laboratory at CIP. ÒSo improving
iron concentrations and bioavailability in potato can have real impact in these
areas.Ó
Five years ago, with funding from the HarvestPlus program,
CIP started to screen the potato germplasm in its genebank for micronutrients
(iron, zinc, vitamin C, and phenolic). Initial screening of 579 native Andean
potato varieties and 315 improved varieties showed a wide variation for iron
and zinc concentration and a large genetic diversity that could be exploited in
breeding programs.
CIP agronomist Walter Amor—s explains: ÒWe selected a group
of potatoes for their high levels of iron, and we have done a whole series of
crosses with them and studied the progeny,Ó he says. ÒFrom a baseline iron
content of 19mg / k, weÕve achieved levels as high as 40mg / k after two
selection cycles.Ó
The bioavailability of iron in potato is also important, and
can be greater than that from cereals and legumes. Potatoes have high levels of
ascorbic acid, which promotes iron absorption. They also have low levels of
phytic acid, which inhibits of iron absorption. CIP efforts are focused on identifying
and breeding varieties that are rich in both iron concentration and
bioavailability.
Health consequences of iron deficiency include impaired
physical and cognitive development, increased risk of morbidity in children,
and reduced work productivity in adults. In the Peruvian highlands, up to 60%
of preschool children suffer the stunting effects of malnutrition, with iron
deficiency as the main contributing factor.
The potato is recognized as a key food staple, but its
potential for combating malnutrition is not well known or exploited. ÒFor
example, in Huancavelica in the Peruvian highlands, women and children consume
an average of 800g and 200g of potato per day, respectively,Ó explains Gabriela
Burgos, who leads the Quality and Nutrition Laboratory at CIP. ÒSo improving
iron concentrations and bioavailability in potato can have real impact in these
areas.Ó
Five years ago, with funding from the HarvestPlus program,
CIP started to screen the potato germplasm in its genebank for micronutrients
(iron, zinc, vitamin C, and phenolic). Initial screening of 579 native Andean
potato varieties and 315 improved varieties showed a wide variation for iron
and zinc concentration and a large genetic diversity that could be exploited in
breeding programs.
CIP agronomist Walter Amor—s explains: ÒWe selected a group
of potatoes for their high levels of iron, and we have done a whole series of
crosses with them and studied the progeny,Ó he says. ÒFrom a baseline iron
content of 19mg / k, weÕve achieved levels as high as 40mg / k after two
selection cycles.Ó
The future challenge is to combine these cultivars with CIPÕs
advanced breeding lines that have disease and pest resistance, high yield, and
high acceptance from farmers.
http://www.seedquest.com/news.php?type=news&id_article=13976&id_region=&id_category=&id_crop=
Source: SeedQuest.com
(Return to Contents)
1.40 Deadlines for rust screening
submissions to Kenya and Ethiopia
The screening facilities of East-Africa cater to two cycles
per year. It is important to strictly adhere to deadlines. Material received
after the season-specified deadline given below will be sown in the next
season.
DEADLINES FOR SENDING MATERIAL FOR SCREENING:
Spring wheat:
Main season: 1st week of May (Kenya and Ethiopia)
Off-season: 1st week of November (Kenya); 30 November
(Ethiopia)
Winter wheat: Vernalization requirement
prior to planting in field (minimum 8 weeks in advance depending on the
material sent).
For information and the protocols for sending germplasm for
screening in Kenya and Ethiopia visit http://www.globalrust.org/traction/permalink/screening38. Or
contact Sridhar Bhavani (Kenya): s.bhavani@cgiar.org or Dr.
Bedada Girma (Ethiopia): Bedada_g@yahoo.com.
Source: BGRI E-Newsletter, January
2011
(Return to Contents)
1.41 New Stripe Rust Strain with virulence
in triticale
The University of SydneyÕs Colin Wellings reports that
testing completed by the Australian Cereal Rust Control Program has shown a new
stripe rust pathotype that is a threat to several popular tritcale varieties.
The research was supported by growers and the Australian government through the
Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) of Australia.
For more information about the cereal rust control program at
the University of Sydney, visit http://sydney.edu.au/agriculture/plant_breeding_institute/cereal_rust/index.shtml
Source: BGRI E-Newsletter, January
2011
(Return to Contents)
1.42 Eyespot
breakthrough welcomed
Wheat breeders in the UK have been studying how to control
the eyespot disease caused by two different, co-existing fungal species,
Oculimacula yallundae and Oculimacula acuformis in the crop. Resistance to the
disease has always been based on the presence of Pch2 gene but it has been less
effective against O. yallundae.
In a research study by Paul Nicholson of the John Innes
Centre, a new resistant gene that is effective against both eyespot pathogens
has been identified in the French wheat variety Cappelle Desprez. The variety
which is also the source of Pch2 gene has been crossed with several commercial
varieties and some progenies showed partial protection.
The report published in the Theoretical and Applied Genetics
describe the identification of this new gene that is present in Cappelle
Desprez but on a different chromosome than Pch2. The gene confers significant resistance
to both eye! spot pathogens at seedling and adult stage.
The original news article can be seen at http://www.jic.ac.uk/corporate/media-and-public/current-releases/101129eyespotbreakthrough.html
Source: Crop Biotech Update 03 December 2010:
(Return to Contents)
1.43 New
strategy to control rust
Stem rust has been and still is a devastating disease of
wheat worldwide. Its initial discovery and spread in the 1950s was controlled
by the development of resistant varieties at that time. A new race of stem rust
named Ug99 was discovered in 1999 in Uganda, in which the previously used
resistance is no longer effective.
In efforts to overcome this new stem rust strain, scientists
at the University of California-Davis, Kansas State University and the USDA
Cereal Disease Laboratory in Minnesota have mapped and characterized resistance
gene Sr35. Molecular markers and candidate genes associated with the gene can
be used to accelerate the development of wheat varieties with Sr35 gene. Stable
resistance against Ug99 can be achieved however with a deployment of the Sr35
gene with other resistance genes.
According to Jorge Dubcovsky, the author of the study,
"The presence of multiple resistance genes is expected to extend the dur!
ability of resistance, since the probability of simultaneous mutations in the
pathogen to overcome multiple resistance mechanisms is much lower than the
probability to overcome individual mutations."
To view the original news, visit https://www.crops.org/news-media/releases/2010/1220/440/. Abstract
is available at https://www.crops.org/publications/cs/abstracts/50/6/2464
Source: Crop Biotech Update 23 December 2010:
(Return to Contents)
1.44 Transfer
of stripe rust resistance from goatgrass to bread wheat
China has the largest area affected by stripe rust among all
the bread wheat-producing countries in the world. Stripe rust, caused by
Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici, is a common wheat disease in cool and
temperate areas, thus scientists are searching for sources of adult-plant
resistance gene for breeding. Dengcai Liu from the Chinese Academy of Sciences,
and colleagues, reported the transfer of stripe rust resistance from goatgrass
(Aegilops variabili) to bread wheat through resistance breeding. The resulting
line, TKL2(R) was crossed with a susceptible sister line TKL2(S). Through the
genetic analysis of the offspring, it was discovered that the adult-plant
resistance to stripe rust pathogen is encoded by a single dominant gene. The
gene is important in wheat breeding in China because it was observed to confer
resistance to pathogens endemic to the country.
Read the original article published by African! Journal of
Biotechnology at
http://www.academicjournals.org/AJB/abstracts/abs2011/10Jan/Liu%20et%20al.htm
Source: Crop Biotech Update 14 January 2011:
(Return to Contents)
1.45 University
of Minnesota introduces new barley variety with improved scab resistance
The Minnesota Agricultural Experiment station of the
University of Minnesota has released Quest, its first malting variety with
enhanced resistance to Fusarium head blight or scab. Quest accumulates half the
level of deoxynivalenol (DON), the toxic compound produced by the Fusarium
fungus causing scab. This new variety exhibits similar yield with Tradition and
Lacey, the varieties that cover 70 percent of the Midwest barley hectarage.
"Quest's resistance derives from barley varieties that
trace back to China and Switzerland," said Kevin Smith, who heads the
barley breeding program at the University. This study is being supported by the
U.S. Wheat and Barley Scab Initiative, Minnesota Small Grains Initiative, and
the American Malting Barley Association.
Read the complete article at http://www.maes.umn.edu/news/2011/new-uofm-barley-variety.asp
Source: Crop Biotech Update 14 January 2011:
(Return to Contents)
1.46 Identification
of salt-responsive genes in upland cotton
Cotton, the world's main source of natural fiber, is the
second most salt tolerant crop next to barley. However, salinity is
still a problem of cotton growers because it affects productivity of cotton
plants. Some of its known effects are reduction in seedcotton yield and
fruiting bolls. At present, not much information is known about salt-responsive
genes in cotton. Thus, Laura Rodriguez-Uribe of the New Mexico State University
and colleagues investigated the salt-responsive genes in upland cotton
(Gossypium hirsutum L.) which has been exposed to 200nM sodium chloride (NaCl).
Gene profiling was done through microarray analysis and it was found out that
only 25 out of 720 salt-responsive genes are actively expressed. Gene
annotation also revealed that some of these genes are involved in known
biological pathways associated with salt stress such as lipid metabolism, cell
wall str! ucture, and membrane synthesis. Further analysis of these genes could
be used to develop varieties of cotton with better tolerance to high
salinity.
For more information, read the research article at http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.plantsci.2010.10.009.
Contributed by Margaret Smith
Dept of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Cornell University
Mes25@cornell.edu
(Return to Contents)
1.47 NIABÕs detection of barley pigment
genes is step towards improving yield and disease resistance
Scientists at the National Institute of Agricultural Botany
(NIAB) have identified the genes that encode important visible differences in
barley. The breakthrough is a major step forward in unravelling the genetic
determinants controlling traits including yield, quality and disease
resistance.
The DNA variants identified control a range of characters,
from the eye-catching variations in barley awn-pigmentation to the shape and
the structure of the ear, fundamental to differences in yield. In one case, the
scientists were able to show that the absence of purple pigment, or
anthocyanin, in the plant is probably controlled by a natural mutation within a
gene thought to regulate the pigmentÕs biosynthetic pathway.
The collaborative investigation between UK scientists at
NIAB, the Scottish Crop Research Institute and the University of Birmingham, as
well as interested commercial partners, established and characterised a
comprehensive set of UK barley varieties using state-of-the-art DNA profiling techniques.
The Cambridge-based NIAB research team pinpointed stretches of barley DNA code
associated with observed variation in characters using statistical techniques
pioneered in human genetics called Ôassociation mappingÕ.
ÒBarley does not yet have a complete genome sequence
available, but by combining association mapping with comparative analysis of
gene content in related plant species, weÕve been able to focus in on the
likely genetic variant that determines whether barley can produce anthocyanin,Ó
says NIAB plant scientist Dr James Cockram.
ÒOur results are
just the tip of a very large iceberg,Ó says Dr Donal OÕSullivan, study leader
in NIABÕs Genetics and Breeding Research Programme.
ÒBy showing that we can use approaches from human genetics
and apply them successfully in crops, we will now be able to investigate the
natural genetic variation that controls agronomically important traits in
barley, as well as other crops.
ÒThis includes tackling complex traits geared to providing
better information and improved varieties to farmers in the future. These may
also be crucial in meeting an increased food demand from a growing world
population, as well as confronting the challenges of climate change and reduced
availability of land, water, and fertiliser,Ó says Dr OÕSullivan.
As well as opening up further research opportunities the
results may also prove to be an additional method in variety evaluation, seed
certification, and seed testing, lowering costs and reducing the potential for
human error.
The study reports on a series of botanical characters usually
collected in the process of NIABÕs day-to-day work in carrying out exact
variety descriptions for regulatory purposes.
ÒFor a grant of Plant BreedersÕ Rights to be awarded a
variety must be distinct, uniform and stable, otherwise known as DUS. These
characters are not heavily influenced by growing conditions so were ideal for
the project. Some are important in their own right and can impact on
performance and quality. They are also relevant to breeders as they can prove
the variety is pure,Ó explains Dr Cockram.
The researchers were fortunate to have access to a treasure
trove of DUS varietal measurements accumulated since NIAB began variety trials
as far back as 1919. This database extends to complicated multi-site and
multi-season measurements including yield, disease, agronomic and quality
characters, and not just in barley which featured in this study but to all
major UK arable crops.
Recreating such datasets would be expensive today. Now that
the techniques for mining and analysing historic variety trial data, has been
successfully road-tested, the research team can explore the full potential of
this data to reveal economically important genetic variation in more complex
characters.
As part of a similar project in wheat, scientists at NIAB and
the John Innes Centre (UK) are also using association mapping to locate genes
controlling resistance to yellow rust, one of most important diseases
constraining global wheat yields.
ÒWeÕve already made rapid advancements in our understanding
of the genetics of yellow rust resistance, which will help us breed new wheat
varieties with increased natural resistance to this damaging disease,Ó says Dr
OÕSullivan.
BACKGROUND
ÔGenome-wide association mapping to candidate polymorphism
resolution in the unsequenced barley genomeÕ is available as a PDF document
(5.5 MB size) from ros.lloyd@frontfoot.uk.com
The study is a collaborative investigation between NIAB, the
Scottish Crop Research Institute and the University of Birmingham, alongside
barley breeding and malting, brewing and distilling industry partners.
http://www.niab.com/pages/id/265/Genetics_and_Breeding_Research
http://www.seedquest.com/news.php?type=news&id_article=13078&id_region=&id_category=&id_crop=
Source: SeedQuest.com
(Return to Contents)
1.48 An Australian first for lupin genome
project
Australia
December 7, 2010
As part of the first major plant genome sequencing project
managed in Australia, CSIRO researchers will soon start sequencing the narrow
leaf lupin genome.
Being conducted in collaboration with the Centre for Food and
Genomic Medicine (CFGM) in Perth, WA, the three-year, $1.5 million project will
enable researchers and breeders to accelerate lupin crop improvements such as
drought tolerance, disease resistance and optimal flowering time.
The research team will build upon established resources and
employ powerful next-generation sequencing technologies and innovative
bioinformatics techniques in their efforts to sequence the genome.
Lupins, members of the legume family, are a valuable winter
rotation crop that farmers can use to prevent diseases surviving from season to
season in cereal crops such as wheat. They have the added benefit of fixing
nitrogen in the soil.
Lupins are also a good source of protein and dietary fibre
and CSIRO scientists have already identified genes in lupins which produce
proteins that impact on the nutritional content of the grain.
Studies conducted by the CFGM have shown these proteins have
important wide ranging benefits for humans and may provide cardiovascular
health benefits in terms of increasing insulin sensitivity and reducing blood
pressure. The proteins could potentially reduce the risk of diabetes and obesity
by increasing a personÕs sensitivity to insulin and creating the sensation of
being ÔfullÕ.
Responsibility for overseeing the research project was
awarded to the Western Australian Institute for Medical Research-based CFGM by
the Grains Research and Development Corporation following a competitive
national tender process.
The CFGM team will interact with national and international
collaborators in China, Europe, Japan and the USA with sequencing and
bioinformatic expertise to help gain and analyse the sequence data. The
majority of the project will be conducted at the new CSIRO/University of
Western Australia joint Crop Genomics laboratory at Floreat, in Perth WA and
will be led by Professor Karam Singh (photo) (CSIRO/UWA).
The projectÕs results will be published online for public
access benefiting lupin researchers, lupin breeders and the broader community.
http://www.seedquest.com/news.php?type=news&id_article=13086&id_region=&id_category=&id_crop=
Source: SeedQuest.com
(Return to Contents)
1.49 New discovery about how flowering
time of plants can be controlled
Sweden
December 7, 2010
Researchers at UmeΠPlant Science
Center in Sweden discovered, in collaboration with the Syngenta company, a
previously unknown gene in sugar beets that blocks flowering. Only with the
cold of winter is the gene shut off, allowing the sugar beet to blossom in its
second year. The discovery of this new gene function makes it possible to
control when sugar beets bloom.
Researchers at UmeΠPlant Science Center in Sweden
discovered, in collaboration with the Syngenta company, a previously unknown
gene in sugar beets that blocks flowering. Only with the cold of winter is the
gene shut off, allowing the sugar beet to blossom in its second year. The
discovery of this new gene function makes it possible to control when sugar
beets bloom.
The new findings were recently published in the prestigious
journal Science.
Scientists at UmeΠPlant Science Center and the international
company Syngenta, in a joint study of genetic regulation in the sugar beet,
have discovered an entirely new principle for how flowering can be controlled.
The study, which was co-directed by Professorn Ove Nilsson, of the Swedish
University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), and Syngenta scientist Dr. Thomas
Kraft, showed that there is a gene in the sugar beet that was previously
unknown.
ÒWhen we studied a gene in the sugar beet that usually
stimulates blooming in other plants, we made a very surprising discovery: in
the sugar beet evolution has developed a Ôsister geneÕ that has taken on the
exact opposite function, namely, to inhibit blossoming. For biennial sugar
beets this means that they canÕt flower in their first year. Once the plants
have been exposed to the cold of winter at the end of the first year, the Ôgene
blockade is lifted,Õ and the sugar beets can bloom in their second year of
life,Ó says Ove Nilsson about the function of the newly discovered flowering
gene.
The researchers speculate that the development of the
inhibiting sister gene was an important factor in enabling biennial sugar beets
to evolve from an annual to a biennial plant. Furthermore, plant researchers in
UmeŒ and Landskrona have shown that it is possible to manipulate the Òflowering
geneÓ in such a way as to leave the gene constantly Òturned on,Ó that is, to
block blooming, and thereby prevent it from being turned off after winter.
ÒIn that way itÕs possible to fully control the flowering
time of the sugar beet. This enables us to develop a so-called Ôwinter beet,Õ
that is, a sugar beet that can be planted in the autumn and then will continue
to grow throughout the following growth season without blossoming,Ó says Thomas
Kraft at Syngenta Seeds.
ÒA winter beet has be a high priority for sugar beet growers,
since it is estimated to be able to increase the yield by about 25 percent and
at the same time allow a more extended harvesting period. Traditional breeding
has failed to produce such a plant. Syngenta Seeds is now going to move on to
more in-depth tests of this potential new winter beet.Ó
The research work in this project has been primarily
conducted by an industrial doctoral candidate, Pierre Pin, with funding from
the Swedish Research Council and Syngenta Seeds AB.
Original publication: Pierre A. Pin, Reyes Benlloch,
Dominique Bonnet, Elisabeth Wremerth-Weich, Thomas Kraft, Jan J. L. Gielen, Ove
Nilsson. An Antagonistic Pair of FT Homologs Mediates the Control of Flowering
Time in Sugar Beet. Science, 3 December 2010.
http://www.seedquest.com/news.php?type=news&id_article=13107&id_region=&id_category=&id_crop=
Source: Source: Expertsvar/ExpertAnswers via
SeedQuest.com
(Return to Contents)
1.50 Using genetic mapping to save wheat
production - Scientists identify gene resistant to stem rust
Madison, Wisconsin, USA
December 20, 2010
Stem rust disease has the potential to devastate wheat
production worldwide. In the 1950s, large epidemics spread across North America
and through other parts of the world. Developing a stem rust resistant gene
stopped the spread of the disease. In 1999, a new race of stem rust was
discovered in Uganda and identified as Ug99. Previously developed stem rust
resistant genes are no longer effective against Ug99.
Fortunately, researchers at the University of
California-Davis, Kansas State University, and the USDA Cereal Disease
Laboratory in Minnesota have mapped and characterized a gene resistant to Ug99
and its derivatives, known as Sr35.
Scientists identified molecular markers closely flanking the
gene on the long arm of one of the geneÕs chromosomes, and then used
comparative genomics to identify a small set of candidate genes among the
collinear genes in rice and the model grass species. These candidate genes and
molecular markers can be used to accelerate the deployment of Sr35 in wheat
breeding programs.
Having a precise genetic map of Sr35 is the first step
towards potentially cloning the gene. Cloning Sr35 will provide a perfect tool
for the understanding of the resistance mechanisms against Ug99. However,
certain genetic imperfections would need to be reduced before it is introduced
to commercial wheat varieties.
While Sr35 is effective against Ug99, its derivatives, and
another broadly virulent strain of stem rust originally found in Yemen; it
cannot counter all the known forms of the disease. Since stem rust is airborne,
outbreaks can spread in very little time. Therefore, Sr35 should be deployed
with other stem rust resistant genes to successfully defend wheat production.
According to Jorge Dubcovsky, the author of the study, ÒThe
presence of multiple resistance genes is expected to extend the durability of
resistance, since the probability of simultaneous mutations in the pathogen to
overcome multiple resistance mechanisms is much lower than the probability to
overcome individual mutations.Ó
The study was funded by the USDA Agriculture and Food
Research Initiative and by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Results of
the study can be reviewed in full detail in the November-December 2010 issue of
Crop Science.
The full article is available for no charge for 30 days
following the date of this summary. View the abstract at https://www.crops.org/publications/cs/abstracts/50/6/2464.
http://www.seedquest.com/news.php?type=news&id_article=13487&id_region=&id_category=&id_crop=
Source: SeedQuest.com
(Return to Contents)
1.51 Wheat resistance genes failing, new
approach needed to stop flies
West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
January 24, 2011
Many of the genes that allow wheat to ward off Hessian flies
are no longer effective in the southeastern United States, and care should be
taken to ensure that resistance genes that so far haven't been utilized in
commercial wheat lines are used prudently, according to U.S. Department of
Agriculture and Purdue University scientists.
An analysis of wheat lines carrying resistance genes from
dozens of locations throughout the Southeast showed that some give little or no
resistance to the Hessian fly, a major pest of wheat that can cause millions of
dollars in damage to wheat crops each year. Others, even those considered the
most effective, are allowing wheat to become susceptible to the fly larvae,
which feed on and kill the plants.
Wheat resistance genes recognize avirulent Hessian flies and
activate a defense response that kills the fly larvae attacking the plant.
However, this leads to strains of the fly that can overcome resistant wheat,
much like insects becoming resistant to pesticides.
"The number of genes available to protect wheat is
limited. There really aren't that many," said Richard Shukle, a research
scientist with the USDA Agricultural Research Service Crop Production and Pest
Control Research Unit and Purdue adjunct associate professor of entomology.
"In the Southeast, having multiple generations of Hessian fly each year
enhances the ability of these flies to overcome wheat's resistance."
Sue Cambron, a USDA Agricultural Research Service research
support scientist, received Hessian flies from 20 locations in Alabama,
Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Louisiana and used them to infest
21 varieties of wheat that each contained different resistance genes, most of
which have been deployed in commercial wheat, and a few that haven't yet. While
the study did not include all of the 33 named resistance genes, it did show
that only five of the 21 genes evaluated would provide effective resistance to
flies in the Southeast, and none was effective in all the Southeast locations.
"Even some of the newer genes that haven't been deployed
in cultivars weren't too effective," Cambron said.
That's because flies have likely interacted with, and adapted
to, those genes already, said Brandi Schemerhorn, a USDA-ARS entomologist and
Purdue assistant professor of entomology. She said it's possible that some of
the genes were introduced to flies unintentionally in plots where wheat
cultivars with those genes were being tested for suitability to Southeast
climates. The resistance genes also could have come from other plants, such as
rye, and the flies may already have started to overcome those genes.
Schemerhorn said she suspects a certain number of flies in
any population have the ability to overcome any wheat resistance gene, which
defends against the flies' ability to feed on the plant and starves the insect
larvae. When a resistance gene kills off some of the flies, the survivors breed
and eventually establish a population that renders the gene ineffective.
"We're creating a system in which the fly is becoming
more virulent," Schemerhorn said. "What we have to do is slow down
that adaptation or virulence."
Shukle and Schemerhorn suggest stacking genes in a wheat
cultivar. There are only a few genes that haven't been deployed, and they
believe combining two of those would be the best option.
"With a small number of identified resistance genes, we
can't afford to release wheat lines with only one resistance gene," Shukle
said. "If you deploy two different resistance genes, it's unlikely that a
population of flies could overcome both of them."
Schemerhorn is working to combine two of the unreleased genes
for testing with Hessian fly populations.
The USDA funded the research. Shukle, Schemerhorn and Cambron
collaborated with David Buntin, a University of Georgia professor of
entomology; Randy Weisz, a North Carolina State associate professor of crop science
and small grains specialist; Kathy Flanders, an Auburn University associate
professor of entomology; and Jeff Holland, a Purdue associate professor of
entomology. Their findings were published in the Journal of Economic
Entomology.
(Purdue Agricultural Communication photo/Tom Campbell)
http://www.seedquest.com/news.php?type=news&id_article=14141&id_region=&id_category=&id_crop=
Source: SeedQuest.com
(Return to Contents)
1.52 Arming young scientists to combat
global wheat rusts
To address the looming threat of Ug99 and the related
spreading variants of wheat stem rust, members of the BGRI organized the second
hands-on training course this year, entitled ÒStandardization of stem rust
field notes and germplasm evaluation, with discussions on yellow and brown
rust.Ó
Source: BGRI E-Newsletter, January
2011
(Return to Contents)
1.53 Scientists
use virus induced gene silencing in studying aphid resistance In wheat
Virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) technology is one of the
emerging reverse genetic approaches in cereal crops. The use of VIGS in
studying aphid defense gene function in wheat has not been explored. Thus, Leon
van Eck of Colorado State University, and colleagues, used barley stripe mosaic
virus (BSMV) to target and silence a WRKY53 transcription activator and a
phenylalanine-ammonia-lyase (PAL) gene which are both suspected of stimulating
aphid defense in wheat.
They inoculated the resistant wheat with VIGS constructs and
observed that the WRKY53 levels decreased, reaching almost the same level as
that of the susceptible wheat. At the same time, the PAL expression also
decreased, which may imply that both genes are in the same defense response
network.
Aphid infestation is higher in the silenced plants and there
was an increase in the fitness of the aphids compared with those feeding on the
control plants. Therefore, it ! is confirmed that WRKY53 and PAL have
significant functions in garnering positive resistance against aphids.
Read the abstract of this study at http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1467-7652.2010.00539.x/abstract.
Source: Crop Biotech Update 03 December 2010:
(Return to Contents)
1.54 Scientists
report occurrence of natural transgenes
One of the issues about genetic engineering is the
"unnatural" mixing of genes from different species. However, a team
of researchers from Lund University, Sweden led by Pernilla Vallenback has
proven that transgenes can occur in nature. They discovered that a gene (PgiC2)
has been transferred into sheep's fescue (Festuca ovina) from a genetically
different kind of grass, probably Poa palustrus (or a close relative). Based on
the results of genome walking, it was shown that only a small potion of
the DNA was transferred. This is the first reported case of horizontal gene
transfer (HGT) or the transfer of genes between distantly related genomes by
other techniques aside from sexual fertilization.
The mode of gene transfer is still unknown because it
happened probably 700,000 years! ago. But the presence of transposition
associated properties suggests that the HGT occurred through a vector.
Read the research article published by PLoS ONE at http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0013529.
Source: Crop Biotech Update 10 December 2010:
(Return to Contents)
1.55 Gene for drought tolerance is worth
money
Wageningen, The Netherlands
January 6, 2011
The Plant Sciences Group of Wageningen UR has entered into a
licensing agreement with the French biotechnology firm Biogemma. The French are
going to use a gene patented by PSG to increase drought tolerance in wheat.
Five years ago, Wageningen UR Plant Breeding identified genes
that make the model plant Arabidopsis (rock cress) better able to
withstand drought. The sequential order of genes was patented. 'We have already
used these genes in rice varieties and in potatoes with positive results', says
Ton den Nijs of the Plant Sciences Group. And now they are being applied in
wheat.
There are two options for developing wheat varieties that
need less water. The first option is to incorporate the sequence of genes found
in Arabidopsis in wheat. 'However, we can also look for homologues - comparable
sequences of genes in wheat', says Den Nijs. 'Then you screen various wheat
varieties in gene banks to determine whether they have the sequence of genes
for this trait.'
http://www.seedquest.com/news.php?type=news&id_article=13831&id_region=&id_category=&id_crop=
Source: SeedQuest.com
(Return to Contents)
1.56 Technique allows researchers to
identify key maize genes for increased yield
Ithaca, New York, USA
January 10, 2011
A study published online in Nature Genetics on Jan. 9 has
identified the genes related to leaf angle in corn (maize) -- a key trait for
planting crops closer together, which has led to an eight-fold increase in
yield since the early 1900s.
The study, led by researchers from Cornell and the U.S.
Department of Agriculture -- Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) at
Cornell and North Carolina State University, is the first to relate genetic
variation across the entire maize genome to traits in a genomewide association
study. The researchers have so far located 1.6 million sites on the maize
genome where one individual may vary from another, and they used those sites to
identify the genes related to changes in leaf angle that have allowed greater
crop density.
Yield increases have mostly resulted from adaptations made by
breeders to maize so crops can be planted closer together. Along with changes
in roots and nutrient uptake that also play roles in increased crop densities,
the leaves of maize crop plants have become more upright to maintain access to
sunlight in crowded plots.
The team of researchers found that natural mutations in genes
that affect ligules -- the first thick part of the leaf where it wraps around
the stalk -- contributed to more upright leaves. Also, the changes in leaf angle
result from many small genetic effects added together; while leaf angles may
vary from one maize variety to another by up to 80 degrees, the biggest effect
from a single gene was only 1.5 degrees.
"Although each gene and variant has a small effect, we
can make very accurate predictions," said Ed Buckler, the paper's senior
author, a USDA-ARS research geneticist in Cornell's Institute for Genomic
Diversity and a Cornell adjunct associate professor of plant breeding and
genetics. Lead authors include Feng Tian, a postdoctoral researcher in
Buckler's lab, and Peter Bradbury, a computational biologist with the USDA-ARS
in Ithaca.
The genomewide association study method allows researchers to
examine a corn plant's genome and predict a trait with 80 percent accuracy.
This would be analogous to predicting the height of a person by sequencing and
analyzing their genes, or genotyping a seed to predict traits of the plant,
said Buckler. The methodology may be applied to other traits, crops and
species, including animals.
"This method will allow the intelligent design of maize
around the world for high-density planting, higher yields and disease
resistance," said Buckler.
In this study, the researchers had the advantage of making
controlled crosses in maize plants to capture a great deal of genetic variation
in the population of maize they studied, something that cannot be done when
studying human genetics. The study offers proof that variation in traits is the
sum of many small effects in genes, a hypothesis that has also been proposed by
some human geneticists.
Also in the Jan. 9 online issue of Nature Genetics, a
companion paper by the same research team, but led by those at USDA-ARS and
North Carolina State University, used the same technique to identify key genes
associated with southern leaf blight in maize.
The study was funded by the National Science Foundation and
USDA-ARS.
James Holland, a researcher at USDA-ARS and North Carolina
State University, is also a senior co-author of the study.
http://www.seedquest.com/news.php?type=news&id_article=13817&id_region=&id_category=&id_crop=
Source: SeedQuest..com
(Return to Contents)
1.57 Gene helps plants use less water
without biomass loss
West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
January 11, 2011
Purdue University researchers have found a genetic mutation
that allows a plant to better endure drought without losing biomass, a
discovery that could reduce the amount of water required for growing plants and
help plants survive and thrive in adverse conditions.
Plants can naturally control the opening and closing of
stomata, pores that take in carbon dioxide and release water. During drought
conditions, a plant might close its stomata to conserve water. By doing so,
however, the plant also reduces the amount of carbon dioxide it can take in,
which limits photosynthesis and growth.
Mike Mickelbart, an assistant professor of horticulture; Mike
Hasegawa, a professor of horticulture; and Chal Yul Yoo, a horticulture
graduate student, found that a genetic mutation in the research plant Arabidopsis
thaliana reduces the number of stomata. But instead of limiting carbon dioxide
intake, the gene creates a beneficial equilibrium.
"The plant can only fix so much carbon dioxide. The
fewer stomata still allow for the same amount of carbon dioxide intake as a
wild type while conserving water," said Mickelbart, whose results were
published in the early online version of the journal The Plant Cell. "This
shows there is potential to reduce transpiration without a yield penalty."
Mickelbart and Yoo used an infrared gas analyzer to determine
the amount of carbon dioxide taken in and water lost in the Arabidopsis mutant.
Carbon dioxide is pumped into a chamber with the plant and the analyzer
measures the amount left after a plant has started to take up the gas. A
similar process measures water lost through transpiration, in which water is
released from a plant's leaves.
Analysis showed that the plant, which has a mutant form of
the gene GTL1, did not reduce carbon dioxide intake but did have a 20 percent
reduction in transpiration. The plant had the same biomass as a wild type of Arabidopsis
when its shoot dry weight was measured.
"The decrease in transpiration leads to increased
drought tolerance in the mutant plants," Yoo said. "They will hold
more water in their leaves during drought stress."
Of the 20 genes known to control stomata, SDD1 was highly
expressed in the mutant. SDD1 is a gene that is responsible for regulating the
number of stomata on leaves. In the mutant, with GTL1 not functioning, SDD1 is
highly expressed, which results in the development of fewer stomata.
Mickelbart said the finding is important because it opens the
possibility that there is a natural way to improve crop drought tolerance
without decreasing biomass or yield. He said the next step in the research is
to determine the role of GTL1 in a crop plant.
The National Science Foundation and a Binational Agricultural
Research and Development Award funded the research.
http://www.seedquest.com/news.php?type=news&id_article=13825&id_region=&id_category=&id_crop=
Source: SeedQuest.com
(Return to Contents)
1.58 Cient’ficos internacionales descifran
el genoma del tomate
Madrid, Spain
January 11, 2011
Un grupo de cient’ficos provenientes de 13 pa’ses distintos
han descifrado el genoma del tomate, uno de los cultivos m‡s importantes del
mundo. El descubrimiento permitir‡ estudiar mecanismos genŽticos para el
mejoramiento del sabor, nutrici—n y calidad de la especie. Segœn ha publicado Sol Genomics Network en su p‡gina web, el tomate
tendr’a unos 45 mil genes y aunque el genoma ha sido completamente secuenciado,
todav’a no ha sido ordenado, etapa que esperan se alargue en el tiempo.
Investigadores del Instituto Nacional de Tecnolog’a Agropecuaria argentino (INTA), equipo
que lider— el grupo de gen—mica estructural y funcional, recalcaron que Òel genoma
humano comenz— en la dŽcada de los noventa y aœn hoy siguen liber‡ndose
versiones corregidasÓ, por lo que en el terreno del tomate aœn queda mucho
trabajo por hacer.
Fernando Carrari, integrante del Instituto de Biotecnolog’a
del INTA Castelar, afirm— que Òconocer la estructura gen—mica de los propios
recursos naturales es la informaci—n m‡s valiosa que podamos tener. No s—lo es
necesario conservar la variabilidad, sino tambiŽn utilizarla en beneficio de la
producci—n localÓ.
Este avance se suma a los descubrimientos hechos en los
œltimos a–os sobre nuevas variedades de tomate. El pasado mes de diciembre un
equipo de cient’ficos de la Universidad Pontificia Cat—lica de Chile desarroll—
un tomate transgŽnico que imuniza contra
la hepatitis y el c—lera. Meses antes un grupo de
investigadores japoneses logr— l’neas de tomates transgŽnicos que expresan altos
niveles de miraculina, una glicoprote’na capaz de modificar los sabores amargos
en dulces.
Investigadores del Instituto Nacional de Investigaci—n
Gen—mica Vegetal en Nueva Delhi (India), desarrollaron tambiŽn en 2010 una
variedad de tomate transgŽnico que permanece
fresco durante m‡s de 30 d’as despuŽs de la recolecci—n.
http://www.seedquest.com/news.php?type=news&id_article=13830&id_region=&id_category=&id_crop=
Source: SeedQuest.com
(Return to Contents)
1.59 Gene discovery could increase value
of non-food crops for industries outside of agriculture
Ardmore, Oklahoma, USA
December 29, 2010
Scientists at The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation have
uncovered a gene responsible for controlling key growth characteristics in
plants, specifically the density of plant material.
Denser plants have more biomass without increasing the
agricultural footprint, meaning farmers and ranchers can produce more plant
material from the same sized field. Plants that have increased density hold
great potential to be used to produce biofuels, electricity and even advanced
materials, like carbon fiber.
The image on the left shows a normal cross section of a stem
as viewed under ultraviolet light. The areas in red are chlorophyll. The blue
areas are lignin. The image on the right is a cross section of stem from the
model plant, Arabidopsis, in which a newly discovered gene has been removed.
Noble Foundation scientists have proven that the plant without this gene
produces dramatically more lignin, cellulose and hemicelluloses, increasing its
density and biomass production. (The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation)
"This is a significant breakthrough for those developing
improved plants to address pressing societal needs," said Richard Dixon,
D. Phil., director of the Noble Foundation's Plant Biology Division. "This
discovery opens up new possibilities for harnessing and increasing the
potential of crops by expanding their ranges of use. These plants will be part
of the next generation of agriculture which not only impacts food, but many
other vital industries as well."
Huanzhong Wang, Ph.D., a postdoctoral fellow in Dixon's lab,
found a gene that controls the production of lignin in the central portions of
the stems of Arabidopsis and Medicago truncatula, species commonly used as
models for the study of plant genetic processes. Lignin is a compound that
helps provide strength to plant cell walls, basically giving the plant the
ability to stand upright. When the newly discovered gene is removed, there is a
dramatic increase in the production of biomass, including lignin, throughout the
stem.
Research targeting plants that are grazed by animals has
historically focused on reducing lignin production within the plant. However,
increasing lignin in non-food crops, such as switchgrass, may be desirable for
increasing the density of the biomass and producing more feedstock per plant
and, therefore, more per acre.
"In switchgrass, as the plant matures, the stem becomes
hollow like bamboo," Dixon said. "Imagine if you use this discovery
to fill that hollow portion with lignin. The potential increase in biomass in
these new plants could be dramatic. This technology could make plants better
suited to serve as renewable energy sources or as renewable feedstocks to
produce advanced composite materials that consumers depend on every day."
Additionally, further research with collaborators at the
University of Georgia revealed that removal of the gene also can increase the
production of carbohydrate-rich cellulose and hemicellulose material in
portions of the plant stem. These are the components of a plant that are
converted to sugars to create advanced biofuels, such as cellulosic-derived
ethanol or butanol. More celluloses and hemicelluloses mean more sugars to use
for carbohydrate-based energy production.
"Science often progresses in increments," Dixon
said. "Every once in a while, though, you have a significant breakthrough
that helps redefine the research. This is certainly one of those moments for
our advanced feedstock program."
This project is supported by the United States Department of
Energy and the Oklahoma Bioenergy Center. It builds upon decades of research by
Dixon's group, which has already demonstrated the ability to reduce lignin in
plants as well as modify its composition and characteristics.
The potential lies in the combination of these current and
past discoveries to maximize the usefulness of agricultural crops; achieve more
from less through the application of technology; and design agricultural
feedstocks to produce sustainable sources for energy and other valuable industrial
products.
This research was recently published in Proceedings of the
National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) as well as selected as an Editors'
Choice feature in Science. Since its establishment in 1914, PNAS is one of the
world's most cited, multidisciplinary scientific serials that publishes
cutting-edge research reports, commentaries, reviews and perspectives. Science
is regarded as the world's leading journal for original scientific research,
global news and commentary.
http://www.seedquest.com/news.php?type=news&id_article=13613&id_region=&id_category=&id_crop=
Source: SeedQuest.com
(Return to Contents)
1.60 A new
marker developed for rice blast resistance breeding in India
Scientists at the Crop Improvement Section, Directorate of
Rice Research, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, India have for the last 10 years been
conducting research on the management of rice blast, a devastating disease of
rice. The group led by Dr. Sheshu Madhav has recently developed a
functional marker for one of the major blast resistance genes which has been
observed to show resistance against many isolates of the blast pathogen in
India.
The scientists through a large allele mining effort have
identified a novel allele for the blast gene, Pi54 MAS. The functional
marker is very useful for enhancing the precision and accuracy in
marker-assisted selection (MAS) of target gene(s) with minimum effort, time and
cost. Further validation of this marker in 105 diverse rice genotypes showed
its utility in routine deployment of blast resistance in rice breeding
programs.
The work is published in the onlin! e journal Molecular
Breeding, Dec 4, 2010 issue at http://www.springerlink.com/content/535662l427w2p974/. For more
information, email the author Dr. Sheshu Madhav at sheshu_24@yahoo.com
Source: Crop Biotech Update 23 December 2010:
(Return to Contents)
=========================
2.01 A new book
on root genomics
Root Genomics
Antonio Costa de Oliveira, Federal
University of Pelotas, RS, Brazil;
Rajeev K Varshney, ICRISAT,
Patancheru, India
(Editors)
CONTENTS
1 Introduction to Root Genomics
Antonio Costa de Oliveira and Rajeev K. Varshney
2 EST-Based Approach for
Dissecting Root Architecture in Barley Using Mutant Traits of Other Species
Beata Orman, Aleksander Ligeza, Iwona Szarejko,
and Miroslaw Maluszynski
3 Genomics of
Root–Microbe Interactions
Ulrike Mathesius and Giel E. van Noorden
4 Plant Genetics for Study of
the Roles of Root Exudates and Microbes in the Soil
Aparna Deshpande, Ana Clara Pontaroli, Srinivasa R.
Chaluvadi, Fang Lu, and Jeffrey L. Bennetzen
5 Impact of the Environment on
Root Architecturein Dicotyledoneous Plants
Ve«ronique Gruber, Ons Zahaf, Anouck Diet, Axel de
Ze«licourt, Laura de Lorenzo, and Martin Crespi
6 Mechanisms of Aluminum
Tolerance
Owen A. Hoekenga and Jurandir V. Magalhaes
7 Root Responses to Major
Abiotic Stresses in Flooded Soils
Rogerio O. Sousa and Antonio Costa de Oliveira
8 Genomics of Root Architecture
and Functions in Maize
Roberto Tuberosa, Silvio Salvi, Silvia Giuliani, Maria
Corinna Sanguineti, Elisabetta Frascaroli, Sergio Conti, and Pierangelo Landi
======
Overview
With the predicted increase of the human population and the subsequent
need for larger food supplies, root health in crop plants could play a major
role in providing sustainable highly productive crops that can cope with global
climate changes. While the essentiality of roots and their relation to plant
performance is broadly recognized, less is known about their role in plant
growth and development.
ÒRoot GenomicsÓ examines how various new genomic
technologies are rapidly being applied to the study of roots, including
high-throughput sequencing and genotyping, TILLING, transcription factor
analysis, comparative genomics, gene discovery and transcriptional profiling,
post-transcriptional events regulating microRNAs, proteome profiling and the
use of molecular markers such as SSRs, DArTs, and SNPs for QTL analyses and the
identification of superior genes/alleles. The book also covers topics such as
the molecular breeding of crops in problematic soils and the responses of roots
to a variety of stresses.
¥ A valuable source of information for scientists in plant sciences
and genomics as well as in applied fields of agriculture and crop plant
breeding
Springer
2011. 1st Edition. xiv, 318 p. Hard cover
ISBN: 978-3-540-85545-3
► $ 189.00 ►
(Return to Contents)
3. WEB AND
NETWORKING RESOURCES
3.01 Plant breeding and genomics are focus
of new national web resource
As global food needs increase, so does the need for crops
that can be efficiently and safely produced. Traditional plant breeding
methods have served well in the past and breakthrough technologies are now
available to aid this process. These breakthroughs include key
information on the genetics, or ÒgenomesÓ of crops. A group of researchers and
educators from AmericaÕs land-grant universities, government agencies and
industry, have banded together to create the first-ever internet resource aimed
at quickly putting basic research on crop genomes into practice through plant
breeding programs across the U.S. to more efficiently improve crops. The
resource is a new online community housed at eXtension (pronounced
E-extension), www.extension.org, at the www.extension.org/plant_breeding_genomics.
eXtension resource areas
The researchers and educators working on this project are
what the new national U.S. Cooperative Extension System project calls an
eXtension Web Community. This group, the Plant Breeding and Genomics
(PB&G) community of practice, is one of many within eXtension. Other
communities in eXtension include geospatial technology; corn and soybean
production; cotton production; horticulture; pest management; science,
engineering and technology for youth; organic agriculture; bee health and more.
There are currently 37 published resource areas. Each community continues
adding new information on a regular basis. New communities are also being
added every month.
Putting Research into Practice
Development of crop varieties through plant breeding has traditionally
focused on selection of the best plant lines based on traits
(phenotypes). In the past decade, research has yielded extensive
databases of gene sequences and of the complete genetic makeup (genomes) of
entire plants. As sequencing technology improves, available information
to aide in crop improvement is expanding rapidly. This basic research
information is utilized when linking important agricultural traits to genetic
sequence variations and incorporating this knowledge into crop improvement
strategies.
David Francis, associate professor at The Ohio State
University noted, ÒThe eXtension portal provides an entry point into the
research knowledge of the Land-Grant University System. WeÕve developed a
resource to help train the next generation of plant breeders, help current
professionals keep abreast of new developments, as well as inform growers and
processors about the technological advances that bring them new varieties.Ó
In 2009 the international community was still working to
complete the first draft of the tomato genome sequence, in 2010 two draft
sequences became public. The research community expects as many as 100
Solanaceae genomes to be available within the next year or two. This
complements whole genome sequences already known in key crops such as potato,
rice, poplar, soybean, maize, cotton and cucumber to mention a few. David
Francis explained, ÒThis information explosion means that practitioners need
resources for continuing education to keep up with new developments.Ó
Dave Douches, a Michigan State University potato breeder, and
leader of the Solanaceae Coordinated Agricultural Project (SolCAP) highlighted
the need for this eXtension outreach effort, ÒSolCAP developed over 5.7 GB of
sequence data for three potato varieties, we mined this data for genetic
differences and developed a tool that allows breeders and their support crews
to quickly survey breeding populations for 8,300 genetic differences. The
outreach material will help the breeding community make better use of genetic
information and will increase the likelihood that plant breeding will benefit
from genotype-based selection processesÓ.
Allen Van Deynze, director of research for the Seed
Biotechnology Center at the University of California, Davis emphasized the importance
of accessibility to information ÒThe goal of the Plant Breeding and Genomics
resource on eXtension is to act as a portal to the vast number of public
databases in crops and genetic and genomic resources.Ó
Resource for Agricultural Producers
Another important function of the eXtension site will be to
provide up to date production information on new varieties available to
agricultural producers. Members of the barley Coordinated Agricultural
Project (Barley CAP) provided a template for this goal by including information
on barley production practices and other basic barley information needed by
barley producers and growers.
Gary Muehlbauer, professor at the University of Minnesota and
lead PI of the Barley Coordinated Agricultural Project (CAP), emphasizes
that Òproviding helpful information on barley improvement efforts is a central
goal of eXtension and CAPsÓ. He states that the barley grower site on eXtension
Òhighlights information available for growers regarding planting and production
of existing varieties, as well as those improved through the genomics and
breeding efforts of Barley CAP researchÓ.
An example of information provided for producers and plant
breeders alike is the Barley CAP-produced podcast on the threat of a new rust
virus. Barley, like all crops, is attacked by disease-causing organisms.
One potential threat, which can dramatically reduce yield and quality, is the
fungus, Ug99, first detected in Uganda in 1999. ÒAlthough Ug99 is not yet
confirmed in the U.S., this highly virulent strain is spreading in Africa and
to the Middle East and will ultimately come to the U.S.Ó Brian Steffenson,
plant pathologist at the University of Minnesota, points out. He states
Òwhat concerns barley researchers and growers is that most U.S. varieties are
susceptible to the fungusÓ.
Barley CAP researchers, partnering with the USDA-ARS Ug99
Cereal Rust Initiative, screened over 2000 U.S. breeding lines in Africa,
identified Ug99 resistance in several advanced barley lines and were able to find
molecular markers associated with the resistance. Leading this study,
Steffenson shares that, Òthe genomics efforts of Barley CAP made it possible to
identify the genes responsible for resistance and develop the tools that will
dramatically accelerate breedersÕ efforts to develop stem rust-resistant barley
varieties for growersÓ.
Contributors
Experienced researchers and extension personnel in the United
States contributed to the new site. The effort is led by SolCAP, a USDA
National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA)-funded program focused on
potato and tomato. SolCAP recruited a community of experts from a wider
range of Coordinated Agricultural Projects (CAP). The Barley CAP, another
ongoing CAP project, played a pivotal role in organizing a template for other
groups to develop information pages geared toward growers' needs. Other
educational information in the CAP eXtension materials included those developed
by Wheat CAP and Rosaceae CAP (RosBREED). The PBG community currently has 195
members who represent 30 universities and federal agencies, 11 educational
institutions outside of the USA, and 5 industry groups. Over forty individuals representing 15
Universities and agencies have directly written, edited, and reviewed the
content, which includes articles, videos, and tutorials. Content continues to be written and
updated, with new information to be published monthly.
Terry Meisenbach, a Communications and Marketing expert
with eXtension explained, "eXtension is a direct response to concerns
about information quality on the Internet. Users can access eXtension with the
same confidence they access their own state extension networks.Ó
eXtension is an educational partnership of more
than 70 land grant universities helping Americans improve their lives with
access to timely, objective, research-based information and educational
opportunities. eXtension's interactive Web site is customized with links to
local Cooperative Extension sites. Land-grant universities were founded on the
ideals that higher education should be accessible to all, that universities
should teach liberal and practical subjects and share knowledge with people
throughout their states. eXtension is
an educational resource designed to help people acquire skills and knowledge to
help them grow and empower them to improve their quality of life. eXtension
takes the best university-based research and turns it into practical
information people can use to solve todayÕs problems and develop skills to
build a better future.
Contacts:
David Douches, douchesd@msu.edu
David Francis, The Ohio State University,
francis.77@osu.edu
Heather Merk, The Ohio State University,
merk.9@osu.edu
Allen Van
Deynze, Seed Biotechnology Center, University of California, Davis,
avandeynze@ucdavis.edu
Lynette Spicer, Iowa State
University, lynette.spicer@extension.org
Karen Hertsgaard, Institute of Barley and Malt
Sciences, North Dakota State University, karen.hertsgaard@ndsu.edu
Peggy G. Lemaux, University of California, Berkeley, lemauxpg@berkeley.edu
Barbara Alonso, University of California, Berkeley,
balonso@berkeley.edu
(Return to Contents)
3.02 RUSTGENE e-list launched
Many workers around the world are making great progress on
enhancing resistance to the cereal rusts. As new methods and materials are
developed, there is a greater need to rapidly share information about how to
use them most effectively. Toward that end, Bob Bowden (USDA-ARS, Manhattan,
KS) and Erick De Wolf (Kansas State University) have started a new email
listserv called RUSTGENES. The purpose of the listserv will be to promote
international discussion on the use and stewardship of resistance genes for
cereal rusts, with an emphasis on wheat stem rust. Topics that might be
addressed include: phenotyping, resistance sources, germplasm releases,
markers, gene postulation, regional deployment strategies, pyramiding, breeding
strategies, performance, information resources, etc. To avoid spam
messages, this is a controlled access listserv. Only listserv members
will be able to post messages. If you are interested in joining the list,
please send a message to Bob Bowden (rbowden@ksu.edu) or Eric
DeWolf (dewolf1@ksu.edu) and they
will add your email address. Please also include your full name in the message.
Source: BGRI E-Newsletter, January
2011
See complete newsletter online
(Return to Contents)
3.03 New stem rust resistance gene
protocols hosted on MASWheat
Colin Hiebert, Tom Fetch and collegues recently reported in Theoretical
and Applied Genetics that two Canadian hard red spring cultivars of
wheat— ÒPeaceÓ and ÒAC CadillacÓ — are resistant to Puccinia
graminis f. sp. tritici race Ug99 and its variants at the seedling
stage and in the field.
Source: BGRI E-Newsletter, January
2011
(Return to Contents)
4.01 USDA/NIFA announces grants to study climate
change mitigation and bioenergy development
Davis, California
January 12, 2011
Roger Beachy, director of USDAÕs National Institute of Food
and Agriculture (NIFA) announced today two Coordinated Agricultural Project
(CAP) awards to the University of California-Davis that have implications for
both climate variability and the development of a promising new sustainable
bioenergy source.
ÒI am pleased to formally announce two significant
investments by USDA in science that will impact agriculture. In one of these
exciting projects, a team of researchers will tease out the impacts of changes
in climate on crop yields and identify genetic loci that can be incorporated in
breeding of barley and wheat to tolerate changes that accompany change in
climate. The second research team will generate and use genomics information to
provide an understanding of genes and genetics in conifers to help in
developing new bioenergy sources,Ó Beachy said. ÒEach of these projects feature
transdisciplinary, regional, integrated teams, including scientists from
institutions that represent underserved populations - an approach that
represents a new paradigm in how USDA science can best solve critical issues
facing agriculture today.Ó
NIFA awarded a research team led by UC Davis researcher Dr.
Jorge Dubcovsky $25 million to develop new varieties of wheat and barley. The
work will focus on the biological and abiotic stresses that are caused, at
least in part, by changes in weather patterns. The Dubcovsky-led Triticeae
Coordinated Agricultural Project (T-CAP) is composed of 55 university and USDA
researchers, breeders and educators from 21 states. The team will identify
favorable gene variants for disease resistance, water and nitrogen use
efficiency and yield improvement from a diverse representation of barley and
wheat germplasm to mitigate impacts of climate variability on agricultural
productivity. The 5-year project will also develop a Plant Breeding Education
Network to train 30 new doctoral students in plant breeding and provide
educational opportunities for 100 undergraduate students interested in plant
improvement.
Beachy also announced a $14.6 million NIFA award to a team
led by Dr. David Neale to sequence the loblolly pine genome, and the genomes of
two other conifers: sugar pine and Douglas fir. Pine genomes are extremely
large at 10 times the size of the human genome. The genome sequence of these
important species will accelerate breeding efforts and are expected to enhance
their uses as feedstocks for biofuels and biopower. Increased planting of fast
growing varieties of loblolly pine and other agroforestry crops will also
contribute to carbon sequestration and help to mitigate the effects of climate
change.
UC Davis is the lead institution on the 5-year Loblolly Pine Genome
CAP and will be joined by the ChildrenÕs Hospital of Oakland Research
Institute, Washington State University, Texas A&M University, Indiana
University and the University of Maryland. The pine germplasm to be sequenced
comes from the North Carolina State University Cooperative Breeding Program and
was produced by a mating made by the Virginia Department of Forestry.
Both awards were made through NIFAÕs Agriculture and Food
Research Initiative (AFRI). AFRI is NIFAÕs flagship competitive grant program and
was established by the 2008 Farm Bill. AFRI supports work in six priority
areas: 1) plant health and production and plant products; 2) animal health and
production and animal products; 3) food safety, nutrition and health; 4)
renewable energy, natural resources and environment; 5) agriculture systems and
technology; and 6) agriculture economics and rural communities.
Through federal funding and leadership for research,
education and extension programs, NIFA focuses on investing in science and
solving critical issues impacting people's daily lives and the nation's future.
More information is available at: www.nifa.usda.gov.
http://www.seedquest.com/news.php?type=news&id_article=13863&id_region=&id_category=&id_crop=
Source: SeedQuest.com
(Return to Contents)
4.02 BBSRC announces research competition
to combat biotic and abiotic stresses
DEADLINE FOR OUTLINE PROPOSALS: March 31, 2011.
For details about the call for proposals go to http://www.bbsrc.ac.uk/scprid/
For more information about the initiative visit http://www.bbsrc.ac.uk/news/food-security/2011/110111-pr-developing-countries.aspx
Source: BGRI E-Newsletter, January 2011
(Return to Contents)
4.03 African
Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD) is calling for
applications for its 4th cohort of fellowships.
Application
deadline is March 25, 2011.
Borlaug
Global Rust Initiative Announcement
Up to 70
African women scientists from 11 countries—including Liberia for the
first time—who are conducting agricultural research in selected
disciplines will be chosen.
AWARD is a
professional development program that strengthens the research and leadership
skills of African women in agricultural science, empowering them to contribute
more effectively to poverty alleviation and food security in sub-Saharan
Africa. AWARD is a project of the Gender & Diversity Program of the
Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR).
For more
information and application forms visit http://www.awardfellowships.org/home.html
Contributed
by Cally Arthur
BGRI
(Return to Contents)
4.04 National Association of Plant
Breeders 2011 Awards Announcement
The National Association of Plant
Breeders (NAPB) is pleased to announce its Awards Program for 2011. This year
the NAPB is sponsoring two awards that will be presented at our Annual Meeting
May 23-25 at Texas A&M University, College Station, TX.
Early Career Award - recognizing a
successful individual active in the plant breeding field.
Life Time Achievement Award -
recognizing an individual who has given distinguished long-term service to the
plant breeding field in such areas as research, education, outreach and
leadership.
These awards will highlight the
achievements of individuals and are not based on the nature or source of
employment. The nominee does not have to be a member of the NAPB.
A description of each award and the
procedures for nominating a candidate are included with this announcement and
on our website http://www.plantbreeding.org/napb/Awards/Awards.html
Annual NAPB Meeting information can
also be found at the meeting site http://www.plantbreeding.org/napb/Meetings/Meetings.html
Nominations are currently being
accepted and the final deadline is March 1, 2011 (5:00 pm Pacific time). For
inquiries or questions please contact the Awards Chair Karen Moldenhauer.
EMAIL NOMINATION PDFs TO BOTH
Dr. Karen Moldenhauer, Rice Research & Extension Ctr., PO Box #351,
Stuttgart, AR 72160 (870)673-2661 kmolden@uark.edu
Dr. Sterling Blanche, LSU AgCenter, 8105 Tom Bowman Drive, Alexandria, LA
71302 (318)229-5635 sblanche@agcenter.lsu.edu
========================================
NAPB EMAIL LIST MAINTENANCE:
Join the
email list for the National Association of Plant Breeders (US)
If you are not yet a member of NAPB
and wish to join NAPB's email list, please notify the NAPB Secretary by email,
at your earliest possible convenience. (If you include your full name and
professional contact information, NAPB can add that information to the
spreadsheet or database, unless you indicate that you prefer otherwise.)
David Stelly
NAPB Secretary
(Return to Contents)
5.01 Research (PLANT)
GENETICIST/Physiologist (Postdoc)
The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research
Service, Crop Improvement and Protection Unit, Salinas, California, invites
applications for a Research (Plant) Geneticist/Physiologist (Postdoctoral
Research Associate) position GS-11 ($67,963.00 per annum). Two-year appointment
with a possibility of extension. Selectee will conduct research to identify
heat-tolerant lettuce and spinach genotypes for adaptation to global warming
and low land cost areas of California. Characterize the mechanism and traits
involved in heat-tolerance in lettuce and spinach. Study the inheritance of
heat-tolerant traits. Adapt, modify or develop new methods, techniques and/or
procedures to satisfy the needs of the research. This position requires a Ph.D.
in plant breeding, genetics, horticulture, crop science, agronomy, plant
physiology, biological sciences or a related field. Knowledge of current
methods and techniques used in plant stress physiology is preferred but not
required. Certain citizenship restrictions may apply. For application
instructions, see http://www.afm.ars.usda.gov/divisions/hrd/hrdhomepage/vacancy/pstdclst.htm
(Announcement # RA-11-039-L), or send a cover letter describing qualifications,
a resume with names, addresses, and phone numbers of three references, college
transcripts, and a one-page abstract of Ph.D. thesis to Dr. Beiquan Mou,
USDA-ARS, 1636 E. Alisal Street, Salinas, CA 93905. (831) 755-2893,
beiquan.mou@ars.usda.gov. The
position is open immediately until filled. USDA/ARS is an equal opportunity
employer and provider.
Contributed by Beiquan Mou
Research Geneticist
Agricultural Research Service
beiquan.mou@ars.usda.gov
(Return to Contents)
5.02 Position
Announcments: Engagement Manager and
Strategic Scientist-Quantitative
Modeling
Monsanto is passionate about using science and technology to
improve agriculture. Monsanto scientists are conducting the research and
development (R&D) to revolutionize plant breeding and biotechnology. The
Technology Pipeline Solutions (TPS) team within IT works directly with the
Monsanto scientists to develop software platforms that enable these research
and development efforts. The accepted candidates will join the emerging field
of IT systems informatics leveraging their training to play a key role in
defining and delivering breakthrough science in high throughput R&D business
platforms (Breeding, Breeding Technology, Biotechnology and Compliance) for
Monsanto.
Engagement Manager-Job Number 001QA
This position is responsible for creating strategic alliances
between the business units and TPS. The Engagement Manager will predict, define
and develop high-level business scenarios that are projected in the 1-2 year
timeframe in one of the R&D platforms and propose software solutions to
implement those scenarios. The candidate must have demonstrated excellent
interpersonal and communication skills to successfully partner with the R&D
organizations to understand the opportunities and identify systems solutions.
In addition, the candidate must successfully interact with business analysts
and technical architects to define and develop these solutions.
Qualifications: MS in Computer Science,
Biology, Agronomy, Plant Sciences, or Chemistry and/or comparable work
experience in Agriculture or Biotechnology required. PhD is highly desired.
Experience with agricultural research and/or business and strong working
knowledge of Excel, Access and other Microsoft software is highly desirable.
The candidate must have demonstrated the ability to foster and maintain
relationships with new and existing IT and business clients at all levels of the
organization. The candidate must have the ability to listen and translate
clients' needs into multiple solution possibilities via written proposals and
estimates.
Strategic Scientist-Quantitative Modeling, Job Number 001DY
Required experience/skills: PhD or
completion expected in the next 6 months in Quantitative Genetics, Computer
Science, Mathematics, Statistics and/or an engineering discipline or equivalent
degree; creating predictive models and strategies to drive scientific
decisions; proficient in computational modeling, simulation, data analysis;
strong programming skills and ability to build predictive models from complex
data (either in an academic or professional environment); 3+ years experience with Statistical
packages (R, Matlab, SAS); strong publication record in peer reviewed journals.
Desired skills: Advanced knowledge
of various forms of statistical and analytical techniques; machine learning;
scientific programming (Perl, C/C++, Java); experience with Quantitative
Genetics Modeling; experience working with agricultural/biological scientific
data is highly desired.
Interested applicants may forward resume to pam.keck@monsanto.com and/or
submit application on line; please reference this ad in your cover letter.
Monsanto is an equal opportunity employer; we value a combination of ideas,
perspectives and cultures. EEO/AA Employer M/F/D/V. www.monsanto.com
Contributed by Pam Keck
(Return to Contents)
5.03 Plant Breeder / Senior Plant Breeder
POSITION DESCRIPTION
The Company
Canola Breeders is a small private
company with technical operations centred in Perth, commercial operations
centred in Melbourne, and a growing market share in Australia as a result of
innovative technology and skills in breeding and seed production, international
connections, and an energetic marketing and sales/agronomy team.
Canola Breeders developed and
commercialised the first triazine tolerant hybrid canola in the world, and as a
result is expanding rapidly in the Australian hybrid canola market.
Canola Breeders is a unique canola
breeding company with four investors including a grower research investment
company COGGO Ltd, the Grains Research and Development Corporation, The
University of Western Australia and Norddeutsche Pflanzenzucht Hans-Georg Lembke
KG (NPZ Lembke). Further details
may be found at www.canolabreeders.com
The Position
We seek a qualified plant breeder
(PhD or equivalent) with around five years relevant experience who will operate
the canola breeding program in close consultation and collaboration with the
Research Director.
The position is located at The
University of Western Australia field station at Shenton Park, near the centre
of Perth, where the field and glasshouse facilities and staff are located. The position will provide technical
leadership and direction to several research and technical assistants in the
field, glasshouse, laboratory and IT areas, and will work in close
collaboration with staff in the technical and commercial divisions of the
company.
Ideal Candidate Profile
The ideal candidate will be an
experienced plant breeder with exceptional technical and communication skills,
and a team player who is willing to fit into the company structure and
contribute at all levels. The
candidate will understand commercial as well as research goals of the
company. The candidate will be
willing and able to travel extensively in Australia and internationally, and
will provide timely and concise reports on technical and marketing intelligence
to the company. The candidate will
be equally capable and comfortable speaking to farmers, agronomists and peers
in canola breeding.
The ideal candidate will:
-
have a
high level of observation skills and ability to accurately record and report
observations;
-
have a
solid understanding of plant breeding for high performing, competitive
varieties;
-
be
reliable and trustworthy with leadership skills,
-
adhere
to CB company policy and Code of Conduct and represent CB professionally;
-
be a
qualified and motivated plant breeder who contributes to the plant breeding
profession at a high level, and who strives for continuous improvement within
the CB breeding program;
-
be
willing and able to work in a breeding team with the Research Director
(Principal Plant Breeder);
-
be a
competent supervisor of CB technical staff in laboratory, glasshouse, office
and field;
-
generate
a strong field presence and to represent CB at field days and industry meetings
when required;
-
communicate
well at all levels in CB and with partner companies and external organisations;
-
achieve
breeding outcomes on time and within budget;
-
implement
new and efficient analytical methods and data management systems in conjunction
with the Research Director and external experts, and supervise and train IT
staff towards these goals;
-
evaluate
new breeding and molecular technologies and integrate new technologies in
collaboration with the Research Director and external experts, and supervise
and train molecular breeding staff towards these goals;
-
work with
CB seed production teams to ensure high quality CB variety seed is delivered on
time to market
-
be
qualified to drive, and have a safe driving record and experience driving in
rural and remote areas
Status:
-
The
position reports to the Research Director (Principal Plant Breeder)
-
The
position participates as a key member of the CB Technical, Seed Production and
Marketing Teams.
-
The
position is based in Perth, Western Australia, with frequent travel throughout
the major canola growing regions of southern Australia and internationally.
Key Responsibility Areas:
Under limited supervision of, but in
close consultation with, the Research Director:
-
plan,
document and implement the CB breeding goals on time and within budget, and
report on progress against goals;
-
organise
and supervise field, glasshouse, laboratory and IT staff and external service
providers in the maintenance, harvest and processing of field and glasshouse
experiments;
-
ensure
a safe working environment in the CB canola breeding program at UWA Shenton
Park Field Station and at field sites across southern Australia and
internationally as required;
-
communicate
with specialists, investigate and implement new systems of trial design, data
collection, data analysis, data reporting, and integrate new technologies to
improve efficiency of CBÕs breeding program;
-
design
and implement an appropriate crossing program to meet CB breeding goals;
-
design
and implement secure seed storage and seed retrieval systems for CB;
-
plan
and supervise technical management of variety registration trials and prepare
documents for variety registration;
-
advise
CB executive on issues relating to canola breeding as required.
Personal Attributes:
-
strong
interpersonal skills with an ability to manage people and negotiate outcomes for
the benefit of CB;
-
highly
self-motivated, with proven ability to work autonomously and in teams;
-
high
level of competency in computer skills
-
a high
attention to detail
-
excellent
communication skills
-
effective
team player
Contributed by Duncan Wyse
(Return to Contents