February 27, 2013

Source: World Vegetable Center newsletter: Fresh, 27 February 2013

Thailand’s National Science and Technology Development Agency invited AVRDC Cucurbit Breeder Narinder Dhillon to give a presentation on bitter gourd germplasm evaluation and breeding technology to the Seed Cluster Conference on 4 February 2013 at the Sirindhorn Science Home, Thailand Science Park, Pathum Thani, Thailand.

Narinder emphasized methods of characterization, evaluation and photo documentation of AVRDC's bitter gourd accessions, and also explained bitter gourd breeding techniques, including selection of parents for crossing programs and the optimum population size required during various stages of selection.

He noted that breeders must keep the interests of growers, distributors, retailers and consumers in mind as they select bitter gourd entries for preliminary and advanced yield trials.

Narinder also reviewed the Center’s bitter gourd breeding program with regard to identification of disease resistant lines and lines with potential for early high yield, and discussed techniques to enhance breeding efficiency and future global challenges in bitter gourd breeding. Conference participants represented multinational and local seed companies, and public and private institutions in Thailand, Holland and Israel.

Website: https://avrdc.org/

Published: March 1, 2013