The
Challenge
Center
scientists have undertaken this work in collaboration
with a wide range of national research organizations.
In support of their joint efforts, the Center has maintained
germplasm collections of Phaseolus and Manihot
(including cultivated species as well as wild relatives)
and of hundreds of tropical grass and legume species.
These genetic resources constitute a valuable segment
of the world's total endowment of agrobiodiversity.
To conserve and use this germplasm more effectively,
CIAT has conducted extensive research since 1985, aimed
at gaining a better understanding of the genetic diversity
of target species and of broadening their genetic base
by means of modern molecular and cellular techniques.
This work has led to the development of new applications
and insights that have increased the effectiveness and
reduced the costs of germplasm conservation and improvement
at CIAT and elsewhere. Based on this experience, the
Center is now working with national institutions interested
in applying techniques available at the Center to a
wider range of agrobiodiversity, including, for example,
various tropical fruit species. A key challenge for
this project is to help national institutions strengthen
their capacity to conserve, understand, and improve
genetic resources, using the best and most relevant
biotechnology techniques available.
Objective
To
promote more efficient conservation and use of agrobiodiversity
by developing novel techniques for assessing the genetic
diversity of wild and cultivated gene pools, by broadening
the genetic base of crops, and by collaborating with
research partners.
Outputs
-
Improved
strategies for conserving and using genetic resources
-
Molecular
marker technologies to facilitate plant breeding
-
Techniques
for assessing the genetic diversity of crops and
wild species
-
Agroecological,
agronomic, and genomic information at the intra-
and interspecific levels
-
Characterization
of exotic and novel genes and gene combinations
-
Techniques
for interspecies gene transfer
-
Germplasm
containing new gene combinations that broaden the
genetic base of target crops
-
Knowledge
about genetic mechanisms of variability and tools
for manipulating them
-
Training
in techniques for assessing genetic diversity and
broadening the genetic base.
Benefits
The
ultimate beneficiaries of this project are farmers and
consumers in Latin America and Africa, who need crop
varieties containing genetic traits that solve problems
in production and processing. Such varieties help strengthen
food security, alleviate poverty, and fuel economic
development. The project also serves scientists in national
institutions by making new techniques, information,
and genetic stocks widely available to them.
Strategy
To
fulfill its chief objective, the project pursues a strategy
with the following elements:
-
Monitor
basic research, with a view to acquiring and developing
information and techniques that show high potential
for reducing high-priority constraints in agricultural
research and production
-
Integrate
the information and techniques into problem-solving
research at CIAT and elsewhere on genetic improvement
of crops and on conservation and assessment of natural
resources
-
Establish
collaborative relationships with institutions in
developed and developing countries
-
Build
bridges between biotechnology research and end users
of its products in developing countries through
biotechnology networks, conferences, and training.
|
Common
bean, cassava, tropical grasses and legumes, and rice are
vital to food security and human welfare in many developing
countries. Over the last three decades, CIAT has engaged in
genetic improvement of the first three crops on a global basis
and of rice in Latin America and the Caribbean.