Maclean et al. - 2002 - Rice almanac source book for the most important e

interspecific crosses and the development
of backcross populations. These
populations undergo quantitative trait
loci analysis and suitable isogenic lines
are produced for release as advanced
lines. Anther culture is used to speed up
the process.
4. Determination of the physiological basis
for yield enhancement and adaptation to
abiotic stresses. These traits are
characterized from wild rice and nutrient
uptake is investigated under low pH and
high Al conditions.
5. Developing marker-aided selection, part
of a long-term strategy to give rice
breeders another tool, allowing them to
incorporate even more traits into
enhanced gene pools.
Integrated crop management
The objective of this research is to develop
methodologies to decrease unit rice production
costs and environmental contamination.
1. For rice blast, the research focuses on
characterizing the pathogen and on
disease resistance, involving monitoring
genetic diversity of the blast pathogen,
testing breeding methods for improving
blast resistance, dissecting blastresistance
genes in highly resistant
cultivars, and using recurrent selection
for blast resistance.
2. For the rice sheath blight pathogen, the
research is on characterizing the
pathogen and developing methods for
screening for resistance. A transgenic
approach to control the pathogen is also
being investigated.
3. Rice lines with diversified resistance to
Tagosodes and to rice hoja blanca virus
(RHBV) are being developed in
collaboration with other CIAT projects
and national program breeders, who
evaluate rice germplasm for resistance.
Control of RHBV is attempted using
transgenic resistance strategies.
4. For the rice stripe necrotic virus
(RSNV), research involves studying its
transmission using the vector Polymyxa
graminis, developing control strategies,
and breeding for resistance to the virus.
5. Weed control is being investigated by
identifying traits for competitiveness
and their heredity and seeking
genotypes that emerge under weedsuppressing
flooding.
Enhancing regional research capacity
The objective of this research is to assure that the
needs of rice farmers are met. This is done
through training and working in a participatory
manner with farmers and our partners to develop
technologies that overcome specific constraints.
1. Participatory development of rice
varieties for the resource-poor farmers.
This involves rice gardens from which
farmers can select the varieties best
adapted to their needs. Also, resourcepoor
farmers participate in selecting
advanced lines from gene pools that
target the limitations that these farmers
experience.
2. The CIAT rice project works with
FLAR and national programs to solve
specific regional constraints.
3. Together with its partners, CIAT
develops and makes available training
materials and information.
International collaborative research
mechanisms at CIAT
CIAT is strengthening private and public
linkages and networking in the region’s rice
sector. To this end, the Center takes part, together
with IRRI, in the Caribbean Rice Industry
Development Network (CRIDNet) and in 1995
launched the Fund for Latin American Irrigated
Rice (FLAR) with producer associations from
Brazil, Colombia, and Venezuela. CIAT
continues to be very active in training local
scientists, particularly in germplasm-related and
integrated pest management topics.
FLAR was created as a mechanism to
mobilize public and private resources to maintain
the momentum of irrigated rice research in the
region. Currently, its members are CIAT and
representatives from 10 countries: Argentina,
Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba,
Guatemala, Panama, Uruguay, and Venezuela.
Other countries and international agencies are
encouraged to join the group. FLAR’s resources
come from fees paid by producers, millers, and/
or seed producers’ associations. The fee is based
on each country’s annual rice production.
The research domain of FLAR is germplasm
enhancement and crop management. FLAR’s
International rice research and development 57