Principles of Plant Genetics and Breeding

454 CHAPTER 25
Table 25.2 The focus crops for research by the
Consultative Group on International Agricultural
Research (CGIAR).
Cereals Food legumes
Rice Chickpea
Wheat Cowpea
Maize (corn) Beans
Barley Lentil
Sorghum Pigeonpea
Millet Soybean
Roots, tubers, banana, plantain Oil crops
Cassava Coconut
Potato Groundnut (peanut)
Sweet potato
Yam
Banana, plantain
Research emphasis
CGIAR research addresses issues involving plants,
animals, soil, water, and policy, as they impact productivity
and the management of these natural resources
for the benefit of developing countries. The goals of
the research programs may be summarized as follows:
1 Poverty reduction. Contributing to food security
and poverty eradication in developing countries are
paramount goals of CGIAR research. Research is
conducted into food crops that are staples of developing
countries, to produce high-yielding and environmental
stress-resistant cultivars of high nutritive
value.
2 To improve the management of soil water and
nutrients, and the practice of forestry and agroforestry.
The goal of this research emphasis is to minimize
the use of agrochemicals and other practices
that are environmentally intrusive.
3 The promotion of biodiversity. To this end,
CGIAR embarks on the collection and maintenance
of plant genetic resources for its mandate plants.
4 The application of biotechnology. The goal is to
promote the judicious, safe, and ethical application of
appropriate biotechnology for the benefit of developing
countries.
Mandate crops
CGIAR scientists conduct research on cereals, roots,
tubers, banana, plantain, food legumes, and oil crops.
Other research areas are forestry, agroforestry, fisheries,
livestock, and water management. A brief overview of
research in selected crops is given here.
Wheat
Research in wheat is concentrated at CIMMYT and
ICARDA. About 9.4% (US$27.5 million) of the 2001
commodity investment budget of CGIAR was devoted
to wheat research. CIMMYT is considered the world
center for the breeding of bread wheat, durum wheat,
and triticale. Over 20 million hectares of the world’s
wheat are grown to cultivars developed at these CGIAR
research centers. New wheat growing areas have been
established in West Africa and North Africa. Cultivars
have been developed with traits such as dwarf stature,
disease resistance, efficient water and nutrient use, and
tolerance to environmental stress.
Maize
Research in maize is conducted at CIMMYT and IITA.
In 2001, maize research represented about 8.3%
(US$24.4 million) of the CGIAR commodity investment
budget. Major traits improved in maize are
drought resistance, yield, protein quality, and resistance
to maize streak and downy mildew.
Rice
Rice improvement is conducted at IRRI, ARC, and
CIAT. The 2001 commodity investment budget allocation
to rice research amounted to US$48.1 million,
representing 16.4% of the budget. The research focus
includes improving yield potential, developing hybrids
for the tropics, and pest resistance.
Barley
Barley research is conducted mainly at ICARDA. Over
100 barley cultivars have been developed for use in over
30 countries. Barley research allocation from the 2001
CGIAR commodity investment totaled US$3.9 million,
representing 1.3% of the budget.
Sorghum
CGIAR spent about 1.8% (US$5.3 million) of its commodity
investment budget on sorghum research, which
is conducted at ICRISAT, the world’s center for grain
sorghum research. The research objectives include developing
early maturing cultivars, and disease resistance
(e.g., to sorghum midge).