Location: China

Nearly 600 participants representing all the wheat regions in China attended the 6th National Wheat Breeding and Genetics Conference in Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province. The conference ran from 28-31 March and was jointly organized by the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science (CAAS), the Yangzhou Agricultural Research Institute, and CIMMYT. The event included keynote presentations, a forum of young scientists, and oral presentations on yield potential, hybrid wheat, resistance to biotic and abiotic stress, and industrial quality.

China has experienced impressive progress in wheat breeding and management over the past several years. Though the country’s wheat area was reduced by nearly 22% in the past decade, the average yield increased almost 30%. In comparison, yield increases for rice were roughly 3% and for maize 5.5%. Two wheat varieties— Jimai 22 and Zhoumai 18—have yield potential over 10.5 tons per hectare and are the leading varieties in the major wheat areas. Significant progress has also been achieved in quality improvement.

Four wheat breeders were selected to receive the Zhuang Qiaosheng Award (named after Zhuang Qiaosheng, wheat breeder from CAAS and former CIMMYT Board member). They included Ma Yongan, who developed a leading variety Han 6172 from CIMMYT germplasm, and Yang Wuyun, who developed leading varieties from CIMMYT synthetic wheat. Also, six postgraduates were selected to receive the outstanding young scientist award. Notable attendees included Zhai Huqu, president of CAAS; Cao Weixing, vice governor of Jiangsu Province; Li Zhengsheng, well-known wheat geneticist; Cheng Shunhe and Richard Richards from Australia’s Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO); and Edward Souza from United States Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service.

The National Wheat Breeding and Genetics Conference is held every five years. CIMMYT has played a key role in organizing the conference in the years 2000, 2005, and 2010. The next conference will be held in Henan Province in 2015, hosted by the Henan Academy of Agricultural Science.

A team of 18 scientists coordinated by CIMMYT recently published a paper that explores genetic diversity among 770 inbred maize lines. “Molecular characterization of global maize breeding germplasm based on genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)” was published in the December print issue of Theoretical Applied Genetics.

“This paper is a clear example of strong international cooperation and it shows the importance of the well established network led by CIMMYT,” said Sidney Parentoni, co-author and maize breeder from Embrapa Maize and Sorghum, Brazil.

The collaborating scientists from five countries used 1,034 SNP markers to discover general molecular similarities and differences among select maize lines. This is done by looking at areas on DNA that are known to vary among members of the same species; for a SNP this refers to the difference of a single nucleotide. The work resulted in millions of new data point across the 770 maize lines.

“The published research provides significant new information for maize genetic improvement including germplasm classification, heterotic grouping, and genetic differences between tropical and temperate, yellow and white, and fl int and dent maize germplasm,” said Yunbi Xu, project leader and CIMMYT maize molecular breeder, adding that the use of so many lines and markers makes the 23-page publication the largest study of its kind. Another major CIMMYT contributor was Yanli Lu, the paper’s first author (pictured above). Lu is a CIMMYT consultant who will receive her Ph.D. from Sichuan Agricultural University of China next year.

The paper and research were made possible by the use of SNP markers previously identified by non-CIMMYT related authors. This work, along with recent publications in the magazine Science documenting an improved sequence of the maize genome and the first haplotype map of maize, is an essential asset to help maize breeders use diverse germplasm and begin to implement genome-wide selection.

“The availability of genotypic information and the rapidly falling cost of genotyping are paving the way for genome-wide molecular breeding for maize at CIMMYT,” said Gary Atlin, associate director of the Global Maize Program.

Two additional papers that further examine the selected inbred maize lines are currently in the works: one on association mapping and the other on linkage mapping.

A delegation of eight scientists from the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) and China Agricultural University (CAU), Beijing, arrived in Mexico on 28 November and traveled the following day to Ciudad Obregón. They spent three days touring the Yaqui Valley to learn about activities in CIMMYT’s northern Mexico conservation agriculture (CA) hub. On 01 December, they returned to El Batán to familiarize themselves with CA activities there, until their departure for China on 03 December. Their visit is associated with efforts to develop new collaborative activities between CIMMYT and relevant Chinese institutions to generate and promote locally-adapted CA cropping practices for major Chinese maize and wheat production systems.

 Pat Wall obtains ASA recognition

On 02 November 2009, the American Society of Agronomy (ASA) presented Pat Wall, director of CIMMYT’s global conservation agriculture program, with its “International Service in Agronomy Award” in recognition of two decades of work to adapt the principles of conservation agriculture for farmers in developing countries, especially resourcepoor smallholders. As a recipient of the award, Wall joins the ranks of giants such Norman E. Borlaug, Edwin J. Wellhausen, Sterling Wortman, Jack R. Harlan, Ernest W. Sprague, Gurdev S. Khush, Sanjaya Rajaram, Ronald P. Cantrell, and Rattan Lal. Congratulations, Pat

Zhonghu He selected for CSSA fellow

Zhonghu He, principal scientist of CIMMYT’s Global Wheat Program and country representative in China was selected for the 2009 Fellow of Crop Science Society of America (CSSA). The awarding ceremony was held on 3 November during the ASACSSA- SSSA International Annual Meeting in Pitt sburgh. Dr. He made signifi cant contributions in improving Chinese wheat quality, development and application of molecular markers, promotion of international and domestic collaboration, and training. He also received the most prestigious award from Chinese government in 2008 and CGIAR Regional Award in 2007.

Former-CIMMYT staff awarded

Former CIMMYT employee William Raun recently received the Eminent Faculty Award from Oklahoma State University (OSU) where he works as a regents professor in the department of plant and soil sciences. The award is given to university individuals for outstanding service to OSU. Raun, who continues to collaborate with CIMMYT, received the special recognition for his work with nitrogen use efficiency.

CIMMYT joins with members of the international development community to mourn the passing of Nobel Peace Laureate and renowned wheat scientist, Dr. Norman E. Borlaug, who died Saturday night at the age of 95 from complications from cancer, after an exemplary life dedicated to fighting hunger in developing countries.

Dr. Borlaug worked as a CIMMYT wheat breeder and research director for nearly four decades and was a CIMMYT scientist at the time he received the Nobel Peace Prize.

High-yielding wheat varieties and improved farming practices, first developed by Borlaug and his team in Mexico during the 1950s, were introduced into South Asia in the 1960s and may well be responsible for saving hundreds of millions of people from starvation. Known as the Green Revolution, Borlaug’s work gave rise to science-based agriculture in developing countries. Today, high-yielding, disease-resistant wheat varieties based on Dr. Borlaug’s pioneering work are grown on 80 million hectares (200 million acres) throughout the world.

Borlaug received the 1970 Nobel Prize for those achievements, and his success led to the establishment of a network of 15 international agricultural research centers, including CIMMYT.

Borlaug’s full-time employment at CIMMYT ended in 1979, although he remained a resident part-time consultant until his death. In 1984, he began a new career as a university professor, teaching one semester a year at Texas A&M University, which continued for 23 years. In 1986, he joined forces with former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and the Nippon Foundation of Japan, under the chairmanship of Ryoichi Sasakawa, to develop an African agricultural initiative. Over a 20-year period, the Sasakawa-Global 2000 agricultural program, as it is known, has been working in 15 African countries to transfer improved agricultural technology to several million small-scale farmers.

Borlaug was especially proud of his role in establishing the World Food Prize in 1986. This prize has grown in stature and is now considered the “Nobel Prize” for food and agriculture. Some 25 men and women have been recognized for their outstanding contributions to increasing the quantity, quality and availability of world food supplies. Based in Des Moines, Iowa, the World Food Prize Foundation has also developed outstanding educational programs to engage young people in world food issues.

Dr. Borlaug always considered himself to be a teacher, as well as a scientist. Today, several thousand men and women agricultural scientists from more than 50 countries are proud to say they were Norman Borlaug’s “students.”

Borlaug used his fame and influence to champion the cause of smallholder agricultural development around the globe. Over a 63-year career, he traveled tirelessly to more than 100 nations, visiting farmers and agricultural scientists in their fields. It is estimated that over his lifetime he personally spoke to more than 500,000 students and ordinary citizens, explaining the challenges and complexities of world food production.

Borlaug was voted a member of the academies of agricultural science of 11 nations, received 60 honorary doctorate degrees from those countries, and was honored by farmer and civic associations in 28 countries.

Of all the places that he visited, his beloved home was Mexico, and in particular, the irrigated Yaqui Valley in the state of Sonora, in northwest Mexico. “This is where I truly feel at home, and where I am at peace,” he would often say. The feeling was reciprocal. In Ciudad Obregón, in the heart of the Yaqui Valley, one of main streets is named after Borlaug, and hundreds have known him since they were born.

Although probably better known outside the United States—in Mexico, India, Pakistan, China and Latin America, Borlaug’s work has also been widely recognized in the USA. At the federal level, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the National Medal of Science and the Congressional Gold Medal, the nation’s highest civilian award.

CIMMYT was also home to Dr. Borlaug, who was known as a simple and charismatic figure, who spoke Spanish fluently and truly cared about people, greeting and chatting with researchers and field workers alike. His dedicated pragmatism and vision of applying science to benefit the poor live on as core values of CIMMYT and several other institutions with which he was closely associated.

Norm, as he liked be called, lived his life as a dedicated hunger-fighter, but one who was forever vigilant. As he said in his acceptance speech of the 1970 Nobel Prize: “…It is true that the tide of the battle against hunger has changed for the better…but ebb tide could soon set in, if we become complacent…”

We can think of no greater tribute to Norm than to carry on the work to which he dedicated his life: applying agricultural science for humanitarian benefits. Thus, he lives on in our hearts and, through our efforts, the work he began will also live on.

“Today we stand bereft of Borlaug’s physical presence, but not of his spirit or ideals,” says Thomas A. Lumpkin, CIMMYT Director General. “Norm once said: ‘I personally cannot live comfortably in the midst of abject hunger and poverty and human misery.’ Millions of small-scale farmers in developing countries today still practice low-input, subsistence agriculture, condemning them and their families to lives of poverty. They typically spend at least 70% of their income on food, and most are at risk of being malnourished. The world cannot be at peace until these people are helped to feed themselves and escape poverty.”

The CIMMYT family extends its condolences to the Borlaug family, who live in Texas, California and Iowa. He is survived by his son Bill, his daughter Norma Jean, five grandchildren, and several great grandchildren.

The Crop Science Society of America has selected He Zhonghu, CIMMYT principal scientist and country representative for the CIMMYT-China office, as a fellow in 2009 for his achievements in cultivar development, training, and especially in wheat quality testing methods and molecular markers. Zhonghu expressed his gratitude to CIMMYT distinguished scientist Ravi Singh for initiating the nomination, and to supporters Sanjaya Rajaram and Tony Fischer (former directors of the Wheat Program), senior scientist Peng Shaobing (International Rice Research Institute, IRRI), and to the CIMMYT community at large. “Thanks to all for your great support over these many years,” he said. “I am honored to serve CIMMYT.”

PhD student Xuecai Zhang from CIMMYT-China was recently awarded a 2009 fellowship from the International Fund for Agricultural Research (IFAR). Zhang was given USD 11,000 to work on the integration of marker-assisted recurrent selection (MARS) in conventional maize breeding at CIMMYT.

Headquartered in the USA, IFAR is a public nonprofit that recognizes and promotes scientific excellence involving the work of centers in the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) and their partners. It gives priority to professional development of scientists from Africa and South Asia.

This is the third year in a row that a scientist from CIMMYT-China has been granted an IFAR fellowship; in 2008, IFAR supported Changbin Yin to study the use of chromosome segment substitution lines in genetic study and plant breeding, and in 2007 Huihui Li was granted a fellowship for the genetic study of quantitative traits in breeding.

Mr. Zhong Chonggao, President of the Shandong Academy of Agricultural Science, visited El Batán on 13 January 2009. Mr. Qiu Ruor, Director, Crop Research Institute, accompanied him, along with Mr. Wang Liming, Director, Maize Research Institute; Mr. Ding Hanfeng, Director, High Technology Research Center; and Mr. Liu Jianjun, Professor, Crop Research Institute.

DG Tom Lumpkin first met with the delegation in his office. They also spoke with Kevin Pixley, Associate Director, Global Maize Program, and Hans Braun, Director, Global Wheat Program. “The delegation was particularly interested in co-operation on raising yield potential, improving disease resistance, and our research on genetically modified maize and wheat,” said Braun.

The Chinese government is sponsoring a 13-year project on genetically modified (GM) crops in the country, according to a spokesperson for the Ministry of Agriculture, who estimated the project will cost USD 3.5 billion. This information comes from Science magazine (number 5894, volume 321) which also stated that “Half [the money] is expected to come from local governments on whose land GM crops will be grown and from agricultural biotechnology companies.” The initiative involves 64 projects on GM rice, maize, wheat, and soy bean, and the Shandong Academy of Agricultural Science will be involved mainly in the project’s downstream work, including genetic transformation and evaluation of the performance of the transgenic plants in biosafety greenhouses and the field, according to Huixia Wu, CIMMYT wheat transformation specialist.

The delegation discussed collaboration opportunities in areas such as germplasm, molecular markers, genetic transformation and capacity-building. The group also visited conservation agriculture field experiments with Agronomist Ken Sayre and Cropping Systems Management Specialist Bram Govaerts, and met with Jonathan Crouch, Director, GREU, several GREU staff members, and El Batán researchers from China.

A joint wheat quality project between CIMMYT and the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) recently received a prestigious award from the Chinese government for research advances.The award, established in 1984, was presented in a ceremony on 9 January in Beijing’s Great Hall of People. Given to outstanding Chinese research programs, this year’s award was granted to 29 initiatives.
The wheat quality team was the only one in the area of agriculture and forestry. Project leader Zhonghu He and select leading scientists attended the ceremony where they met and shook hands with Chinese President Hu Jintao and Prime Minister Wen Jiaobao.

The wheat quality project, which collaborates with Capital Normal University and Shanxi Academy of Agricultural Science, boasts several major accomplishments. It has established a standardized quality testing system for products such as Chinese noodles, developed 22 functional markers and characterizations of Chinese wheat varieties, and published 120 research papers, including 54 papers in leading international journals in the area of crop genetics, breeding, and cereal chemistry. In addition, the project established a technique to separate storage protein and acid capillary electrophoresis for separation of high molecular weight glutenin subunits (HMW-GS), the cloning of six new genes for HMW-GS, and first report of illegitimate recombination for formation of HMW-GS.

Other accomplishments include the development of two core parents with an outstanding quality for pan bread making from CIMMYT wheats Yécora F74 and Saric F74 which contributed to the creation of 10 leading varieties that cover a total area of 8 million hectares, and the training of more than 50 postgraduates. Collaboration and support from CIMMYT cereal chemist Dr. Roberto Javier Peña, Dr. Craig Morris from USDA-ARS, Prof. Rudi Appels at Murdoch University, and Dr. Ken Quail at BRI, contributed to the work’s success.

Many of us living in Mexico know the brand name Maseca from the flour packages we see in the supermarket. Maseca is one of three brands owned by the Gruma corporation, which produces and markets flour and tortillas in the US, Europe, and China.
 A group from Maseca visited El Batán on 14 January, along with Dr. Pedro Brajcich, DG of the Mexican National Institute of Forestry, Agriculture, and Livestock Research (INIFAP), and Dr. Gricelda Vázquez, an important partner in maize quality research efforts from INIFAP. Dr. Julio Berdegué, chairman of the Board of Trustees and our DG, Tom Lumpkin, welcomed and accompanied the group during the visit.

CIMMYT has worked with Maseca in the past to quantify post-research losses in Mexico. “During the visit, they were interested in quality protein maize, the improvement of ‘criollos,’ and lab methods for quality analysis, among other topics,” says Kevin Pixley, associate director, CIMMYT Global Maize Program. (Criollos are maize landraces, or particular varieties that are farmer-selected and often highly adapted to specific areas). “We also talked about collaboration with INIFAP and CINVESTAV” (a postgraduate and research institution in Mexico), adds Pixley.

The Maseca delegation included Alfonso Cebreros, director of government relations; Guillermo Arteaga, deputy director biotechnology and innovation; Luis Manuel Rolón, manager, agricultural planning; Alfredo Morales Díaz, manager, central laboratory; and Montserrat González Torre, chief, biotechnology and innovation projects. Maseca imports about 80% of the wheat it uses for milling, says Javier Peña, wheat grain quality specialist. “They are interested in having new wheat varieties adapted to the Mexican highlands and central Mexico which suit their needs and will enable them to save on importation costs.” The group offered to help CIMMYT secure funding from the public and private sectors and also invited CIMMYT researchers
to visit their maize milling and processing plant as well as their wheat flour mill in Puebla to better understand food processing and maize and wheat quality needs.