Transforming Rice Breeding: Re-Designing the Irrigated Breeding Pipeline at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI)

Bertrand CY Collard; Glenn B Gregorio; Michael J Thomson; Rafiqul Islam; Georgina V. Vergara; Alice G. Laborte; Eero Nissila; Tobias Kretzschmar; Joshua N Cobb

doi:10.20900/cbgg20190008

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Transforming Rice Breeding: Re-Designing the Irrigated Breeding Pipeline at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI)

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Transforming Rice Breeding: Re-Designing the Irrigated Breeding Pipeline at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI)

Bertrand CY Collard, Glenn B Gregorio, Michael J Thomson, Rafiqul Islam, Georgina V. Vergara, Alice G. Laborte, Eero Nissila, Tobias Kretzschmar and Joshua N Cobb

Crop breeding, genetics and genomics, Vol.2019(1), e190008

22/07/2019

DOI: https://doi.org/10.20900/cbgg20190008

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Abstract

genetic gain

rapid generation advance (RGA)

breeding cycle

marker assisted selection (MAS)

breeding efficiency

Rice breeding of inbred varieties in the public sector has hardly changed in decades. This has been a cause for concern given that the current rate of yield improvement from new varieties is not considered to be adequate to meet future global demands for rice. In this article, we describe major changes to the irrigated breeding program and former plant breeding division at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) headquarters by incorporating modern concepts in plant breeding and practices used in the private sector. These activities were conducted primarily within a five-year research program called “Transforming Rice Breeding” funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. These changes were implemented with the specific objectives to increase the rate of genetic gain for yield and improve the effectiveness and efficiency of breeding operations. Key changes in the breeding program included implementing rapid generation advance, earlier multi-location trials, increased selection pressure for yield, an increase use of molecular breeding, and using variety product profiles. Regarding breeding operations, there was a concerted effort to streamline all processes and optimize logistics in order to make breeding like a “factory production line”. The Plant Breeding, Genetics and Biotechnology Division was re-organised into variety pipelines and trait research teams, with cross-cutting services to support all functions. Considerable benefits and dramatic improvements in efficiency were realized, that are expected to lead to a higher rate of genetic gain for yield in rice. These experiences are also highly relevant to many public sector plant breeding programs, especially in developing countries.

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Title: Transforming Rice Breeding: Re-Designing the Irrigated Breeding Pipeline at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI)
Creators: Bertrand CY Collard - NSW Department of Primary Industries
Glenn B Gregorio - University of the Philippines
Michael J Thomson - Texas A&M University
Rafiqul Islam - International Rice Research Institute
Georgina V. Vergara - International Rice Research Institute
Alice G. Laborte - International Rice Research Institute
Eero Nissila - International Rice Research Institute
Tobias Kretzschmar - Southern Cross University
Joshua N Cobb - International Rice Research Institute
Publication Details: Crop breeding, genetics and genomics, Vol.2019(1), e190008
Publisher: Hapres Limited
Grant note: This research was funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), Global Development Grant Number OPP1076488.
Identifiers: 991013104212402368
Copyright: Copyright © 2019 by the author(s). Licensee Hapres, London, United Kingdom. This is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Academic Unit: Science; Faculty of Science and Engineering
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article

Transforming Rice Breeding: Re-Designing the Irrigated Breeding Pipeline at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI)

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