Sowing Unity: Cultivating First Joint Breeding Efforts In India

Joint discussion and collaborations to initiate joint crossing block design activities at ANGRAU breeders in RARS, Maruteru, and ARS, Bapatla, Andhra Pradesh. 

Influential mega varieties, mainly SWARNA and BPT 5204, have long dominated the Indian rice sector, as the main staying varieties of Indian rice production since the 1980s. These cultivars provide a reliable and high-yielding option for farmers nationwide. With a goal to replace these market-demanded mega rice varieties with more upgraded rice (climate-resilient, more productive, and late-duration maturity), the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) collaborated with the Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University (ANGRAU) on a transformative journey to start joint breeding efforts. The partnership aimed to have a shared vision of replacing these established mega varieties with new, high-yielding, and improved genotypes.

IRRI has been pivotal in disseminating improved germplasm to the NARES in India. Hence, for more future impacts and assured success to enhance the NARES partners’ capacity, the Rice Breeding Innovations (RBI) department, under the dynamic leadership of Dr. Hans Bhardwaj and Dr. Sankalp Bhosale, with support from the South Asia regional lead, Dr. Vikas Kumar Singh, and ICAR-Indian Institute of Rice Research (IIRR) Director, Dr. Raman Meenakshi Sundaram, IRRI initiated its first joint crossing block  at ANGRAU, Andhra Pradesh.

The primary goal to implement the rice breeding strategy to replace the mega rice variety, Swarna (MTU 7029) from Maruteru and Samba Mahsuri (BPT5204) from Bapatla, revealed challenges and gaps. From this, product profiles were prepared for Swarna and Samba Mashuri considering abiotic and biotic stresses requirements to enhance genetic gain beneficial to farmers. Among the issues tackled were the base population of the crossing program to identify the Swarna pool and Samba Mashuri pool grain segment and budget requirements to run the program. The Swarna and BPT 5204 medium slender market segment with grain quality characters and benchmark varieties were discussed.

The joint undertaking was an offshoot of a workshop initiated by Dr. Waseem Hussain from the RBI in IRRI headquarters and Dr. Mahender Anumalla from IRRI South Asia Hub. They worked with ANGRAU rice breeders and discussed the new pipeline target for the replacement of late maturity segment-medium slender segment of Swarna and BPT 5204, headed by Dr. T. Srinivas, Associate Director of Research, Dr. P.V. Satyanarayana, Director of Research, Dr. M. Girija Rani, Principal Scientist (Rice), and Dr B. Krishnaveni, Principal Scientist (GPBR) & Head. Further discussions and formulation of the plan on how to design the joint breeding and on knowledge sharing and capacity building ensued.

Interacting with ANGRAU-Director of Research, Dr. P.V. Satyanarayana, Associate Director of Research, Dr M. Girija Rani, Principal Scientist (Rice), Dr M. Sudha Rani, Principal Scientist (GPBR) & HOD, Dr J Dayal Prasad, Principal Scientist (GPBR), Dr Y Suneetha, Principal Scientist (GPBR) of Regional Agricultural Research Station, Regional Agricultural Research Stations (RARS), Maruteru and Dr B. Krishnaveni, Principal Scientist (GPBR)& Head, Dr T. Harita, Scientist (GPBR) of Agricultural Research Station (ARS), Bapatla.

The rice varietal display on various grain segments of the ANGRAU at RARS, Maruteru, and Bapatla signals a fruitful collaboration with ANGRAU. NARES partners seek expertise in optimizing breeding programs, harnessing modern tools, and accelerating improved rice variety development. As a key technical partner, IRRI will empower ANGRAU’s breeders and scientists, guiding them in implementing cutting-edge technologies for a brighter future in rice research and breeding.

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