Purpose
Subprogramme 3 (SP3) objectives are to validate candidate genes on genomic regions of interest in target environments and adapted germplasm, to optimise the various approaches of applying marker-assisted breeding, and to expand and support phenotyping. The Subprogramme aims to build teams to link research innovations to developing country breeding programmes, through work structured around four themes.

Overview and rationale

Summary of results in 2009
The first theme in SP3 focuses on characterisation to help understand the genetic basis of disease resistance and drought tolerance in GCP crops. Products include genomic regions associated with target traits, and prebreeding germplasm for delivery to breeders. In 2009, such products included groundnut backcross populations and introgression lines obtained through collaboration between Agropolis–CIRAD and Institut sénégalais de recherches agricoles (ISRA), Senegal. Theme 2 aims to develop and evaluate new breeding technologies. This included establishing a phenotyping network, developing simulation tools to facilitate the use of QTLs in MAS for several cereals and the implementation of a multi-crop effort to design and refine protocols for the evaluation of physiological and root architecture traits related to drought tolerance. The third theme seeks to validate alleles and markers in adapted germplasm, thereby adding value to existing GCP products. Achievements in 2009 included the introgression of tolerance to salinity and phosphorus deficiency in rice into adapted varieties in Bangladesh and Indonesia, respectively. The fourth and last theme promotes the application of molecular markers in breeding programmes, with increasing emphasis over time on abiotic stresses, especially drought. Highlights in 2009 included initiating MARS projects on sorghum and maize in Africa and Asia, respectively.

For summaries of SP3 results from previous years, as well as full reports on yearly progress, please see GCP’s Annual reports