Scientific Training Unit

Convention Center

Agrobiodiversity

Learning to Innovate

Land Degradation

· Genetic correlations among key traits for a scientifically based Selection Index

· Evaluation of genotype by environment interactions in cassava

· Establishment procedures for the tropical legume shrub Cratylia argentea

· Floral biology of the tropical amphicarpic legume Centrosema rotundifolium

· Morphological and agronomic characterization of a germplasm collection of a selected tropical legume

· Patterns of genetic diversity in cultivated plans of the Neotropics, according to human factors (domestication, farmers' management, role of gender), past and current

· Approaches for reducing and post-harvest physiological deterioration (PPD)

· Evaluation of nutritional quality of cassava roots for Fe and Zn

· Valuation of nutritional quality of cassava roots for proteins

· Identification of germplasm entries, separation of duplicates, and definition of core collections

· Characterization and agronomic evaluation of germplasm for the user

· Control of genetic contamination and drift in preserved populations

. Multiplication and processing of Neotropical germplasm species; definition of orthodox and intermediate seed behaviour species

· Cryoconservation of tropical orthodox seed species

· Verifying the optimum viability of preserved seeds, classic procedures and non destructive tests

· Preserving in vitro germplasm of Neotropical species, over short- and long-term

· Cryoconservation of meristems of Neotropical species

· Integrating in vitro conservation collections and field genebank

· Integrating ex situ conservation with on-farm management, including cost analysis

· Computing techniques for germplasm bank managing, seed collections, in vitro and living collections

· Design, compilation and organization of information through databases and expert systems

· Managing social and environmental impacts of farm and watershed-level interventions

· Managing trade-offs and conflicts in Natural Resource Management (NRM)

· Generation of water in cloud forests located in upper catchments

· Sustainable use of water for guadua production in downstream riparian areas,

. Economic and environmental management of riparian guadua

· Exploration of potential options for impact such as drip irrigation, demand control and water harvesting.

· Physiological studies related to drought tolerance in cassava

· Inbreeding depression in cassava

· Development of a protocol for the production of doubled-haploids in cassava

· Vegetative propagation of the tropical legume shrub Flemingia macrophyll

· Genetic variability in natural populations according to their reproductive systems: gene flow, natural allogamy, apomixis, and environmental factors that influence them

· BGMV resistance for improved lines in the Americas

· Development of germplasm nurseries with potential donors of resistence to different rice pathogens

· Identification of new blast resistance genes in wild species of rice and unutilized germplasm within Oryza sativa

· Application of molecular markers in cassava breeding

· Implementation of a tilling system for detecting useful starch mutants

· Control over the flowering habits of cassava

· Breeding for higher yielding climbers adapted to lower elevations

· Diffusion of new bean varieties in Latin America through associations of farmer organizations

· Influence of market opportunity in the willingness to experiment on technologies

· Approaches for reducing post-harvest physiological deterioration (PPD)

· Participatory evaluation of the utility of hay and silage for smallholders

· Milk yields of cows supplemented with selected forages conserved as hay and silage in plastic bags

· Community enterprise development process to reach the women and marginalized members of the community

· Minimal resources needed to participate in community enterprise projects

· Enterprise development to empower women

· Implications of the project intra-household dynamics, whose voices dominate in the selection of enterprises, and technology development processes

· Fostering "win-win" market - natural resource management linkages

· Motivation of improved natural resources management strategies through closer farmer-market linkages

· Farmer investment in NRM through enterprise development

· Community enterprise development leading to further soil mining and vice versa

· Evaluation of genotype, product quality by environment interactions in coffee

· Evaluation of genotype by environment interactions in cassava

· Morphological and agronomic characterization of a germplasm collection of a selected tropical legume

· Patterns of genetic diversity in Neotropical cultivated plants and wild relatives according to geographic, ecological, and climatic gradients

· Analyses of high resolution low altitude aerial images to improve participatory on-farm experiments

· Developing weather-based crop insurance concepts

· Dynamic conservation of natural parks in situ and compilation of germplasm for conservation ex-situ

· Identification of areas and essential parameters for in situ conservation

· Identification of environmentally and socially sensitive areas within an integrated watershed management context

· Analyses of long-term vegetation satellite imagery to improve water management in upper catchments

· Identification of resistance to pests from wild relatives of cassava

· Host resistance incorporated in elite cassava genotypes

· Genetic variability in pathogens and pests associated with Neotropical cultivated plants and their wild relatives (co-evolution)

· Development and deployment of IPM systems for management of whiteflies and thrips affecting beans and snap beans

· Bean root rot disease management in Uganda (NEW)

· Identify molecular markers associated to tolerance to sheath blight

· Evaluation of genetically modified cassava on the development and survival of the cassava hornworm Erynnis ello

· Identification and evaluation of homoptera species as possible vectors of cassava Frogskin Disease (CFSD)

· Increased use and sustainability of plant resistance to diseases

· Cassava roots with high levels of iron and resistance to Root Rot

· Biological control of white flies

· Development and formulation of biological pesticides for integrated pest management in cassava

. Minimal designs of on-farm experimentation to foster innovation

· Functional adaptation of farmer experimentation from pilot sites to new sites

· Factors influencing the partnership processes

· Benefit/costs of maintaining partnerships

· Integration of decision support tools, simulation modeling, and optimization models, to develop improved productivity management options with farmers

· Information and technical support needed by small-scale producers to make well informed decisions

· Role played by community-based participatory monitoring and evaluation systems in empowering communities, strengthening group organization, and improving information processes for better decision-making

· Enabling Rural Innovation framework as an effective mechanism for reaching women and the poor

· Strengthening of the local capacity in integrated watershed management science through the involvement of local youth in water research

· Indigenous technical knowledge for sustainable land management