Coordinated Research Projects

摘要

A new CRP (D2.50.05) on Mutation Breeding for Resistance to Striga Parasitic Weeds in Cereals for Food Security was open for proposals from Member States during the reporting period. The parasitic weeds Striga asiatica and S. hermonthica are major biological constraints to cereal production in most of sub-Saharan Africa and semi-arid tropical regions of Asia. The CRP proposes the use of physical mutagenesis and associated screening technologies to broaden the genetic base of resistance. The main objective is to develop screening protocols for mutant population to identify and advance resistant mutants. Screening packages will be optimized for laboratory, screen house and field to Striga asiatica and S. hermonthica. Allelism and mechanism of resistance will be analyses to classify different source of resistance which can be combined to produce durable resistance. Accelerating techniques such as rapid cycling of crop generation and efficiency enhancing technologies of doubled haploid, genomics and molecular markers will be adapted as appropriate. So far, 14 contacts were approved for participation in the CRP and additional 2-3 are expected. The initial notification was send to contract holders inviting them to the first RCM meeting. (For more information, see Forthcoming Events on page 9).