Mutation Breeding for Resistance to Striga Parasitic Weeds in Cereals for Food Security

The parasitic weeds Striga asiatica and S. hermonthica are major biological constraints to cereal production in most of sub-Saharan Africa and semi-arid tropical regions of Asia. Yield losses are mainly in maize, millet, rice and sorghum and most severe on marginal lands of subsistence farmers. The unique biology of Striga, tightly adapted to its crop hosts, limits control options. Because subsistence farmers either cannot afford or do not have access to inputs, host plant resistance is a vital part of Striga control. Resistance traits, however, are lacking in most cereal varieties sown in Striga prone areas. This CRP proposes the use of physical mutagenesis and associated screening technologies to broaden the genetic base of resistance. The project seeks to link cereal improvement programs in the Member States with Striga biologists and IAEA staff. This would combine expertise in screen house and laboratory screening to enhance mutation breeding to timely develop or adapt screening packages to generate novel sources of Striga resistance. Initial focus will be on sorghum and rice because of their importance to food security and amenability to mutation breeding techniques. Up to ten research contracts are expected to be awarded and five no-cost agreement holders from advanced laboratories and research institutes with recognized expertise in the targeted technologies will be invited to share their experience with the contract holders and contribute to the development and validation of the planned technical packages. In addition, it is foreseen that two technical contracts will be awarded for services in advanced areas such as marker development and advanced efficiency enhancing technologies and mutant characterization. Coordination and technical management will be handled by the scientific secretary in the Plant Breeding and Genetics Laboratory/Section.