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July 18, 2008
Source:
CropBiotech Update
A workshop on “Molecular Breeding
Capacity Building” highlighting the use of modern molecular
breeding techniques in plant breeding in Africa, was held at the
Biosciences eastern and central Africa (BecA) Hub and the
International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) in Nairobi.
It was attended by 22 plant breeders from several countries in
Africa. The objectives were to identify the opportunities and
constraints for applying marker assisted selection (MAS) in
national and international plant breeding programs in Africa;
and to strengthen Maize and Sorghum Molecular Breeding Community
of Practices (CoP) in Africa. Among the issues identified
include access to germplasm, breeding materials, training
manuals and molecular markers. In addition, ways and means to
address these constraints were identified by the participants.
The workshop program included descriptions and discussion on
issues in molecular breeding including molecular markers and
genotyping systems; marker assisted breeding; genetic diversity
and association mapping; and breeding informatics. It is hoped
that the theoretical training on MAS will bridge the gap between
molecular biologists and conventional plant breeders, resulting
in better communications.
The workshop was organized by three international agricultural
research centers including CIMMYT, IITA and ICRISAT, and the
BecA Hub with financial support from the Generation Challenge
Program and the Drought Tolerant Maize for Africa Project
sponsored by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the
Howard G. Buffett Foundation. Yunbi Xu of CIMMYT Mexico maize
molecular breeder chaired the organizing committee.
Further details about the BecA research platform are available
from s.kelemu@cgiar.org,
and on marker assisted capacity building workshop from
y.xu@cgiar.org or
s.hearne@cgiar.org. |
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