Cambridge, United Kingdom
April 20, 2009
Plant breeders and crop
geneticists from across the world have been in Cambridge for
unique training that could improve their chances of breeding
successful crop varieties.
At the heart of all plant breeding is the need to design and
analyse trials to rank varieties in order of merit, but a new
generation of biologists and plant breeders lack these basic
skills as they are rarely taught at universities and research
institutes.
The ‘Quantitative Genetics in Plant Breeding’ course, run
by the National Institute of
Agricultural Botany (NIAB), instructs delegates on the role
and application of statistical and quantitative genetics in
practical plant breeding programmes - anything from trial design
and analysis through to the role of modern computer software in
marker-assisted selection and association genetics. This is
back-to-basics for plant breeders - 21st century style.
“The future of plant breeding will be to combine the recent
advances in the understanding of plant genetics with an
increased use of the latest mathematical, quantitative and
statistical methods,” explains course tutor and NIAB
statistician Dr Ian Mackay.
“With developments in computing power and advanced software
plant breeders now have far more sophisticated methods of
analysis to improve the chances of breeding a successful
variety. But they need to be taught the practical application of
these methods in plant breeding programmes.”
It is only the second time that NIAB has run the two-week
intensive training course with application numbers far higher
than the number of places available. “This time we had 22
delegates mainly from the UK and EU countries, but also from the
USA, Canada and New Zealand. With so few places world-wide
offering this course NIAB looks set to run more courses in the
future,” says Dr Mackay.
The National Institute of Agricultural Botany (NIAB) is a
pioneering plant science organisation based at the heart of the
Cambridge science, technology and university communities and a
thriving UK agricultural industry. It has an internationally
recognised reputation for independence, innovation and
integrity. Founded in 1919, NIAB has over 80 years experience in
the agricultural and food sectors. The Institute employs 161
staff with the main headquarters in Cambridge and regional
offices at Headley Hall in North Yorkshire, Harper Adams in
Shropshire, Seale Hayne in Devon, HRI Kirton in Lincolnshire,
Monkhall in Hereford, Itchen Stoke in Hampshire and Wye in Kent.
For more information log onto
www.niab.com |
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