This document summarizes the biotechnology and genetic improvement strategies of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA). It outlines IITA's strategic objectives which include enhancing genetic resources management, improving plant breeding efficiency, and monitoring biological systems. The strategies involve managing a germplasm bank, applying tools for genotyping and phenotyping, using transgenic approaches, and deploying improved crops. Recent accomplishments are noted such as releasing new cassava, cowpea, and maize varieties in multiple countries in partnership. Diagnostic tools for virus detection in yam were also developed. Upcoming workshops will focus on genetic improvement topics such as stress tolerance, data management, and private sector engagement.

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Biotechnology and Genetic Improvement
Robert Asiedu
25th November 2015
(R4D Week 2015)

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Biotechnology
and
Genetic Improvement
R4D Week 2015

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Strategic Objectives:
1. Enhancing the management,
characterization, and use of
plant genetic resources
2. Enhancing the efficiency and
effectiveness of plant breeding
3. Efficient diagnosis and
monitoring of biological systems
Biotechnology Strategy
Cryo Bank

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Genetic Improvement Strategy
Strategic Objectives
1.Increased yields of staple crops
2.Increased resilience of staple crops to biotic and abiotic
stresses
3.Increased nutrient density and suitability of staple crops to
new utilization pathways
4.Raised efficiency of breeding staple crops
5.Enhanced germplasm of staple crops and increased
potential of selected underutilized crops

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• Management and utilization of genetic resources
• Application of tools and methods for genotyping and
phenotyping
• Transgenic approaches
• Data capture and management systems
• Strengthening partnerships and capacity building
• Deployment of knowledge and products
Enabling resources and technologies

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Cassavabase:
A global open
access resource
All data available with Open Access with agreement to observe the
Toronto Protocol regarding use of unpublished data
Databases

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Regional Cassava Breeders’
Meeting – West Africa and DRC

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1. Integrated Genotyping Service and Support (IGSS) (BecA-
ILRI Hub)
2. Shared Industrial-Scale High-Throughput & Low cost
Genotyping Facility (ICRISAT )
3. Integrated Breeding Platform (including the Breeding
Management System)
4. Improving Breeding Program Effectiveness with the Breeding
Program assessment Tool (University of Queensland )
5. Genetic Gain Platform?
Other Initiatives

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Crop Country No. of Varieties Released with Partners
2013 2014 2015
Cassava Liberia - 3 -
Nigeria - 3 -
DRC 6 - -
Sierra Leone - 2 -
Tanzania - - 4
Uganda - - 2
Cowpea Nigeria - - 2
Sierra Leone - - 2
Burkina Faso 2 - -
Swaziland - - 6
Tanzania 2 - 2
Maize Benin - - 6
Ghana - - 5
Mali 2 6 -
Nigeria 5 4 4
Soybean Nigeria - 2 -
Sierra Leone - - 4
Zambia - - 2

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• Post-release
– Seed companies [maize]
– Community-based seed
production [cowpea, soybean,
maize]
– Outgrower schemes/
development agencies
– Bilateral projects [cassava
(5CP, Hplus, seed syst.
Nigeria), yam, cowpea, maize]

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Sensitive & Robust Virus Diagnostic Tools
DevelopedType Purpose Stage of development
Multiplex RT-PCR Simultaneous detection
of 3 RNA viruses
Completed
Direct Binding PCR Episomal yam
badnavirus detection
Validation
Antibodies for YMV,
YMMV and Badnavirus
ELISA, IC-PCR and
LFD based diagnostics
Validation
RT-LAMP and RPA On-site tool kit Validation & standardization
for on-site use
Single tube multiplex PCR RT-LAMP

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1. Sampling yam young vines 2. In vitro introduction
Meristem excision, culture and plantlet re-growth
(2 to 6 months)
Bulk propagation of meristem
cultures by nodal cuttings
(2 - 3 months)
Tuber planting in field or
screenhouse. Virus indexing and
selection for in vitro induction
(1 to 3 months)
3. In vitro nodal cultures
Virus indexing
Virus indexing by multiplex RT-
PCR on in vitro samples
(1 week)
Re-indexing for reconfirmation
(2 to 6 months)
4. Acclimatization for re-indexing
Bulk propagation of virus-free plants by in vitro nodal
cuttings or vine propagation
(2 to 4 months)
5. Selection of virus-free plants & bulking
Establishing clean seed stocks

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Temporary Immersion Bioreactor
Aeroponic System
•Circumvents dormancy period
•Links to vine propagation
•Perennial growth habit
•Pre-basic and basic seed production
Rapid Propagation

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• Crop breeding programs
• Phenotyping
– Stresses; GIS; Morphology; Nutritional & end-use quality
• Genotyping, Data Management & Mechanization
• Cross-cutting topics
– Private sector breeding; Delivery of products; Communication
• Satellite Meetings
– QTL, MAS, BMS
– Epigenetics and Gene Expression
– Breeding Values
Workshop on Genetic Improvement – Sept.

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Genebank data and information management system Marimagne Tchamba
Recent advances in phenotyping advanced drought
tolerant and striga resistant maize genotypes for
tolerance to combined drought and heat stress
Silvestro Meseka
Regeneration and genetic transformation of yam Rajesh Manoharan
Towards molecular breeding in banana: challenges and
opportunities working with perennial polyploid crops
Allan Brown
Enhancing proVitamin A in cassava breeding using new
tools
Elizabeth Parkes
Presentations

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Thank you