IRRI-ICAR builds capacity on modern plant breeding through workshop on genomic predictions and data-driven crop breeding

The International Rice Research Institute and the Indian Council for Agricultural Research – Indian Institute of Rice Research (ICAR-IIRR) recently held an intensive 5-day workshop on “Fundamentals of Genomic Predictions and Data-Driven Crop Breeding,” offering participants an in-depth understanding of cutting-edge techniques in modern plant breeding.

Held at the IIRR campus in Hyderabad, India and facilitated by IRRI education and IRRI scientists led by Dr. Waseem Hussain and resource person Dr. Mahender Anumalla, in collaboration with IIRR representatives Director Dr. Raman Sundaram, Dr. C.N. Neeraja, Dr. P. Muthuraman, Dr. Jyothi Badri, and Dr. Kalyani Barbadikar, the workshop attracted researchers, professionals, and scholars seeking to enhance their knowledge in quantitative genetics and statistical genomics.

The workshop consisted of five modules, namely learning R Software and R Markdown, Fundamentals of Quantitative Genetics and Predictive Modeling, G x E Interactions Dissection in Predictive Breeding, Practical Implementation of Genomic Selection in Plant Breeding, and Breeding and Crossing Scheme Optimizations. A hands-on approach was a defining feature of the workshop, allowing participants to work with real-world datasets as they applied theoretical concepts to practical scenarios.

Over 40 attendees explored critical genomic selection strategies, focusing on advanced statistical models, including linear and mixed models, ridge regression, Bayesian methods, and kernel approaches. These tools provided a robust foundation for predictive breeding applications.

“The program’s success reflects a growing demand for knowledge in predictive breeding and genomic technologies, marking a significant step toward advancing agricultural research and innovation,” said Dr. Hussain. “We have received incredibly positive feedback from all who attended. Initially I believed this would be a beneficial training session, but it exceeded my every expectation. It's been a privilege to witness such enthusiastic participation and to see how we've made a meaningful impact on the knowledge and skills of the participants.”

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