Translating Rice Genomic Science to Breeding Applications and Practical Outcomes

Since 2005, IRRI took a strategic approach to use the USAID Linkage Program to support collaboration in rice functional genomics with US universities and institutions to address production problems.   This approach of concentrating resources into a single agenda has enabled us to capitalize on the rapid advances in plant genomics research in the US and to leverage support from USDA, NSF, and DOE. From 2005 to 2008, several collaborative projects have generated results of high scientific and practical value.  Specific cases include the cloning of submergence tolerance gene (Sub1) and rapid deployment of this gene in many flood-prone regions of the world. Marker-aided breeding has accelerated the introduction of Sub1A into adaptive rice varieties in South and Southeast Asia. As an example, submergence tolerant varieties are now widely adopted by farmers in India, reaching nearly 1 million hectares.  Similarly, studies of salinity tolerance have led to development of salinity tolerant varieties adapted for Bangladesh, Vietnam and India. From 2009 onwards, US-IRRI collaboration has focused on the development of a genetic diversity research platform to reveal genetic variation as a foundation for multiple applications in breeding.  Work includes SNP discovery, phenotype-genotype association analysis, and a bioinformatics pipeline to analyze and interpret molecular variation. Of special relevance to the Feed the Future initiative is to use this rice genetic diversity platform and multi-environment testing networks to explore trait/gene complexes for climate adaptation. The results could be of broad value to the development of cereal varieties resilient to climate change.