Wheat genetic resources in the post-genomics era: promise and challenges.

Background: Wheat genetic resources have been used for genetic improvement since 1876, when Stephen Wilson (Transactions and Proceedings of the Botanical Society of Edinburgh 12: 286) consciously made the first wide hybrid involving wheat and rye in Scotland. Wide crossing continued with sporadic attempts in the first half of 19th century and became a sophisticated scientific discipline during the last few decades with considerable impact in farmers' fields. However, a large diversity of untapped genetic resources could contribute in meeting future wheat production challenges. Perspectives and Conclusion: Recently the complete reference genome of hexaploid (Chinese Spring) and tetraploid (Triticum turgidum ssp. dicoccoides) wheat became publicly available coupled with on-going international efforts on wheat pan-genome sequencing. We anticipate that an objective appraisal is required in the post-genomics era to prioritize genetic resources for use in the improvement of wheat production if the goal of doubling yield by 2050 is to be met. Advances in genomics have resulted in the development of high-throughput genotyping arrays, improved and efficient methods of gene discovery, genomics-assisted selection and gene editing using endonucleases. Likewise, ongoing advances in rapid generation turnover, improved phenotyping, envirotyping and analytical methods will significantly accelerate exploitation of exotic genes and increase the rate of genetic gain in breeding. We argue that the integration of these advances will significantly improve the precision and targeted identification of potentially useful variation in the wild relatives of wheat, providing new opportunities to contribute to yield and quality improvement, tolerance to abiotic stresses, resistance to emerging biotic stresses and resilience to weather extremes.

Norman Borlaug: the man I worked with and knew.

Much has been written about Norman Borlaug the agricultural scientist and humanitarian whose achievements are recognized with many accolades; to add to those writings is a difficult task. This brief paper is an attempt to provide a personal perspective on Norman Borlaug that can come only from someone who has worked closely with him throughout his professional life. I have endeavored to recollect my early impressions of working with Borlaug as a wheat breeder in Mexico and to highlight his innovative approach to wheat breeding, as well as his views on global population and food security, fertilizers, organic agriculture, biotechnology, and conventional academia. His work ethic was instrumental in his vision for the international agricultural system as an instrument of change in the world. His spirit serves as a reminder to future agricultural scientists that the battle must be vigorously engaged and can be won.

Resultados de inoculaciones artificiales del 5to vivero de selección para resistencia a Tilletia indica Mitra / Results of artificial inoculations of the 5th screening nursery for resistance to Tilletia indica Mitra

Líneas avanzadas de trigo harinero (Triticum aestivum), trigo duro (T. durum), triticale (X Triticosecale), hibridaciones de T. aestivum con agropyron spp. y trigos hexaploides X triticale fueron evaluados en cuanto a su resistencia a Tilletia indica, el agente causal del carbón parcial del trigo. Las plantas fueron inoculadas artificialmente en embuche con una suspensión de esporidios en una concentración de 10,000/ml en tres fechas de siembra en el CIANO, cd. Obregón, Sonora, durante 1988-89. Los porcentajes de líneas con niveles de infección menores al 5 por ciento fueron 57.8 para trigos harineros, 82.6 para trigos duros, 83.6 para triticale, 60 la líneas derivadas de cruzas interespecíficas y 75 para líneas avanzadas producidas por la sección de desarrollo de germoplasma básica de CIMMYT. La media de infección del testigo susceptible fue de 75.4 por ciento