Download - Maize

Research and development partners
New breeding tools will be refined via collaboration between CIMMYT, IITA, leading advanced research
institutes, and selected national research systems and seed companies. The doubled haploid tropical
inducer and system development is being done in collaboration with the University of Hohenheim.
Genomic selection, high‐density genotyping, and high‐throughput DNA extraction protocols will be
developed and implemented in collaboration with Cornell University. Sequencing of AM panel resources
will be done in collaboration with the Beijing Genomics Institute. Clients for the outputs of this initiative
include NARSs and SMEs with applied maize breeding programs in the developing world.
Outcomes
Improved tools in use by a minimum of 15 national research and extension systems and small‐ and
medium‐sized companies in Africa, Latin America, and Asia.
Accelerating breeding gains in breeding programs of national research and extension systems and
small‐ and medium‐sized companies.
Key milestones
2011: Needs assessment of capacities of national research systems and small‐ and medium‐sized
companies; definition of the specifications for maize breeding tools with highest return to
investments given program size and education level.
2011: CIMMYT association mapping populations genotyped at high density; seed increased and single
database established.
2011: Multi‐parent synthetics initiated for GS proof‐of‐concept experiments.
2012: Integrated breeding program information management system completed and shared with
partners.
2012: Field variability measurement systems validated and used to reduce error variation in
phenotyping by CIMMYT, IITA and national research systems.
2013: High‐throughput tissue sampling and DNA extraction systems developed/assessed and
information shared with partners.
2013: Tropical haploid inducer with induction rate of >8% developed and shared with partners.
2013: MARS proof‐of‐concept experiments completed and gains from selection estimated.
2014: Confirmation of predictive power of breeding values estimated from high‐density genotypes.
2014: Bioinformatics pipeline for high‐density GBS marker data completed and shared with partners.
2014: High‐throughput phenotyping systems validated for their ability to increase genetic gains and
incorporated into CIMMYT and IITA breeding programs.
2015: GBS in routine use to genotype all fixed lines from the CIMMYT/IITA breeding programs at high
density.
2015: “Open‐source” molecular breeding programs deliver unique, genotyped DH lines to participating
national research systems and companies, who return phenotypic data for model adjustment.
2016: First cycle of CIMMYT genomic selection completed and progress estimated.
2016: AM panel lines sequenced.
Linkages to other SIs
SI 9 will deliver enabling tools and technologies for use in all breeding objectives stated under SIs 4–7,
and conduct proof‐of‐concept research within the breeding programs. The doubled‐haploid system
developed under this initiative will serve SI 4, SI 5, SI 6, and SI 7 in rapidly developing high‐potential lines
with new combinations of biotic/abiotic stress tolerance and nutritional quality. The effectiveness of
genomic selection will be initially validated in SI 4 breeding programs targeting drought‐prone and lowfertility
systems in Eastern Africa. GBS will be applied to genotype at high density all fixed lines
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