The road from basic genomics research to achieving impacts in routine plant breeding programs has been long, bumpy, and scattered with wrong turns and unexpected blockades. A new publication by CIMMYT molecular breeder/senior scientist Yunbi Xu provides a roadmap for how biotechnology can make plant breeding more efficient and lead to overall crop improvement.

Molecular Plant Breeding, published by CABI, is over 700 pages long and contains an integration of approaches and an overview of various plant improvement methods, such as molecular markers, gene mapping, and quantitative genetics. Dr. Norman E. Borlaug, visionary plant breeder and recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize for his role in the Green Revolution, and Dr Ronald L. Phillips, Regents Professor and McKnight Presidential Chair in Genomics, University of Minnesota, each contributed a foreword for the book. Also included in the book is a memoriam for Dr. Borlaug contributed by Thomas A. Lumpkin, CIMMYT Director General; Marianne Bänziger, Deputy Director General for Research and Partnerships; and Hans-Joachim Braun, Director of the Global Wheat Program.

Yunbi extends a heartfelt thanks to the many people who assisted him in this eight-year endeavor, including the eight CIMMYT co-workers who provided review expertise.

The CIMMYT community and friends across the globe mourn the loss of great maize breeder Hugo Salvador Córdova Orellana who died on 25 December 2009. Hugo spent 32 years with the center striving, and often times succeeding, to increase global food security.

In Hugo’s three decades with CIMMYT he drastically changed the world of maize in Central America. He contributed to the development and spread of improved maize varieties across millions of hectares; promoted and popularized quality protein maize (QPM); co-authored hundreds of papers; and was an inspiration to his students, staff, and the global agricultural community. In recognition of a great mind, persevering work ethic, and complete dedication to his calling, Hugo earned the title of CIMMYT Distinguished Scientist, a title held by only five other center members. Despite official retirement from CIMMYT in 2007, Hugo continued his work as a CIMMYT consultant until his death.

Hugo first arrived at CIMMYT in September of 1969 as a trainee in the Global Maize Program. He then spent several years with the National Agriculture School Santa Tecla in El Salvador, his native country, before returning to El Batán in 1975 as a maize post-doctorate. His work focused on maize breeding and agronomy for Central America and he played a major role in the development of the Regional Maize Program (PRM), a network of researchers from nine countries and CIMMYT that worked with support from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) to develop and spread improved maize varieties and crop management practices. An estimate in the mid-1990s credits Córdova and PRM members for adding USD $70 million annually to the value of Central American grain production.

In 1992 he joined the Tropical Lowland Maize Subprogram. An expert breeder with a tireless work ethic, Hugo helped develop over 70 inbred maize lines, which have been released in over 15 countries. It is estimated that at least 4 million hectares throughout the developing world are sown with maize varieties that at some point passed through Hugo’s hands.

Hugo became the coordinator of the Global Quality Protein Maize (QPM) Program in 1997. He helped develop several high-yielding QPM varieties and it is largely thanks to his efforts that 0.5 million hectares in Central American are sown with QPM, a type of enhanced maize that increases consumers’ protein intake and can help decrease malnutrition.

The passion Hugo had for his work was evident to all who knew him and was further highlighted by over 50 recognitions and awards. Many the awards were bestowed by Latin American governments who saw first-hand the benefits Hugo’s work had in their respective countries. Hugo leaves behind a wealth of knowledge: he co-authored hundreds of publications, mentored more than 60 graduate and undergraduate students, and coordinated or lectured in numerous training courses.

Condolences are offered to Hugo’s wife, América, and his children, Lucy and Hugo. Though Hugo is no longer with us, the seeds he planted, both in the ground and in our memories, will grow on.

At its Annual Business Meeting in Washington, DC, on 07-08 December 2009, the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) announced the selection of Uruguayan Carlos Pérez del Castillo as Chair of the new Consortium of CGIAR centers. Pérez del Castillo has served as special advisor on International Trade Negotiations to the President of Uruguay and permanent representative of Uruguay to the United Nations. He has also worked for the World Trade Organization (WTO) and carried out various consultancy and advising assignments with the Inter-American Development Bank, the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), and the Latin American Association for Integration (ALADI). In 1990 he was awarded “The Dr. Raul Prebisch Award in Economics” by the Association of Latin American and Caribbean Economists, and he is a permanent member of the Harvard University Trade Group. CIMMYT Board Chair Julio Berdegué chaired the Search and Selection Committ ee for the appointment.

Nearly 20 Mexican students from the Instituto Tecnológico Superior de San Miguel el Grande in Oaxaca visited CIMMYT El Batán on 01 December 2009. Hosted by the Global Conservation Agriculture (CA) Program, the students spent half a day at the center learning about CA practices, CIMMYT, and Norman Borlaug. The day included a tour of the germplasm bank and experimental fields. “Several of the students were from marginalized communities, and with training, they have the capacity to be CA promoters and technicians in these vital areas,” said Andrea Chocobar, a member of CIMMYT CA team. Also assisting in the event were Víctor Chávez Tovar, Caritina Durán, Ricardo Romero, and Humberto González.