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haploids, and innovative marker‐based approaches designed for quantitative trait improvement.
The latter include marker‐assisted recurrent selection (MARS) and rapid‐cycle genomic selection
(GS) to dramatically shorten breeding cycles and increase rates of yield gain under drought and
nitrogen stress conditions.
5. Tagged alleles with large effects on abiotic stresses, particularly nitrogen, drought, and heat, for use
by public and private breeders in marker‐assisted selection in varieties targeted for stress‐affected
environments. We will forge public–private partnerships for positional cloning and development of
breeder‐ready markers for large‐effect native‐trait alleles for these stresses.
6. Standard operating protocols, procedures and facilities established to phenotype maize germplasm
for resistance to major biotic stresses:
Phenotyping hubs for major biotic stresses developed.
Standardized phenotyping protocols for major biotic stresses of critical importance established
and published.
Well trained support staff capable of generating reliable data available to scientists, NARSs and
seed companies.
7. Molecular markers for the introgression of major genes/QTL conferring resistance to key biotic
stresses will be identified, developed, validated, and deployed:
Gene‐based or tightly linked markers associated with resistance to major biotic stresses
identified and delivered to breeders.
Markers for biotic stress tolerance routinely used to select in segregating generations in DTMA
and related breeding programs.
Genes for biotic stress tolerance introgressed into drought‐tolerant inbred lines.
8. The capacity of NARS and private‐sector scientists to conduct biotic stress screening and develop
multiple disease‐ and insect‐resistant maize germplasm in their breeding programs will be
strengthened.
9. Building on CIMMYT’s current public–private partnerships (Water‐Efficient Maize for Africa with the
African Agricultural Technology Foundation and Monsanto, and Improved Maize for African Soils
with Pioneer), humanitarian licenses for large‐effect (>10%) transgenic technologies identified and
sourced from private partners, introgressed into improved adapted germplasm, and validated in
confined field testing with national research system partners where the necessary regulatory
frameworks exist. Because of the extremely high cost of transgene development and deregulation,
transgenic approaches will be used when (i) highly promising events are identified in commercial
programs and (ii) partnerships can be formed to leverage the development pipelines and biosafety
and deregulation investments made by major seed companies. MAIZE will also strive to strengthen
close partnerships with selected countries in the developing world to enable establishment of biosafety
authorities and/or facilitating development of appropriate rules and regulations (as per
internationally accepted protocols) to guide field testing of transgenic maize. Support to weaker
national research systems, seed companies, and community‐based organizations to register,
promote, and disseminate stress‐tolerant varieties through:
Production of parental seed stocks in regional foundation seed units to enable rapid scale‐up of
seed production by national research systems, seed companies, and NGOs.
Availability of appropriate product information about improved varieties for demonstrations
and farmer education, so as to create a market demand for the new varieties.
Training in skills and strategies to effectively test, release, scale‐up, and market new varieties.
10. Institutional innovations, seed market information, and policy recommendations that accelerate the
diffusion of stress tolerant maize varieties into areas with a weaker private seed sector presence.
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