Climate change is now largely accepted as a real and pressing global problem. The Intergovernmental panel on Climate Change (IPCC) considers four families of socio-economic development and associated emission scenarios known as Special Report on Emissions Scenarios: A2, B2, A1, and B1. Out of these; A1, the ‘‘business-as-usual scenario,’’ corresponds to the highest emissions of greenhouse gases and aerosol precursors, and B1 corresponds to the lowest, the other scenarios being intermediate between these two. It has recently been estimated that developing countries will bear 70-80% of the costs of climate change damage with agriculture being the most impacted sector. The main impacts of climate change on agriculture will most probably be experienced through higher temperatures (increase in minima and maxima), altered changes in rainfall patterns (in amount, spatial and temporal distributions), increased rates of evaporation, increased intensity and frequency of extreme events (floods and droughts), and raise of sea level affecting coastal areas where large quota of cultivated land are located (intrusion of salty water).
The responses that agriculture systems world wide can put in place to cope with the expected impact of climate change and to reduce the food insecurity range from institutional and policy levels to the best management practices and technology advancement. An important opportunity in terms of technology advancement is offered by the genetic improvement of crops that can adapt to the future climate conditions; i.e., “climate proofing” crops. Additionally, data collected from the selected crops: rice and common bean during the course of the CRP may be useful for a study of mathematical models for responses to high temperature in association with AquaCrop - FAO.
This CRP will focus on improving the grain yields of a major cereal (rice) and a grain legume (common bean) to high temperature stress in the face of climate change. These two crops are essential staples in the diets of millions of impoverish and vulnerable populations, and therefore any attempt in increasing their yields under high temperature stress could have a major and positive impact in terms of food security, improved health and income generation. The intent is to develop tools that allow plant breeders using mutation programs together with enhancing plant biotechnologies to develop improved crop varieties with higher and wider adaptability to temperatures variations as according to SRES predictions. Up to 10 research contracts are expected to be awarded and four no cost agreement holders from advanced laboratories with solid knowledge in the selected technologies and fields of expertise invited to share their experience with the contract holders. In addition, it is foreseen that 2 technical contracts will be awarded for services in identification and isolation of mutant genes in model crops using high throughput DNA technologies. Coordination and technical management will be handled by the scientific secretary in the Plant Breeding and Genetics Section.
To explore whole plant genetic variability and identify high yielding genotypes from existing natural and mutated germplasm of cereals (preferably rice) and nitrogen fixing grain legumes (preferably common bean) for adaptation to high temperature; establishing robust experimental protocols for physiological, genetic and molecular studies; use advanced biotechnology, bioinformatics and genomics tools for whole plant analysis and data visualization.
To facilitate technology transfer, sharing of genetic and knowledge resources (through electronic means, peer reviewed publications, workshops, training courses, field days) and foster networks between participating research groups and potential end users for their mutual benefit
(i) Development of hands on protocols and robust efficient screening techniques in rice that will help other scientist in MSs to fast screen mutant population/genotypes for heat stress temperature
(ii) Development of new germplasm through mutation breeding and assisted biotechnologies in rice and common bean
(iii) Release of new rice mutant variety with has better heat tolerance than local varieties
(iv) Development of new mutant lines which are pipeline to release and contribute food security in MSs with better adaptation to climate change
(v) Increased knowledge and experience to resilience for heat stress tolerance for current and future climate change
(vi) Dissemination of research results through lectures to the students, proceeding/presentations in conferences/workshops and about 40 scientific publications (papers, book and book chapters)
(vii) Dissemination of produced information under the CRP through outreach activities including trainings, farmers day, workshops, public exhibitions
(viii) Integration between mutation breeding and molecular genetics scientists in this CRP developed bi- and multi-lateral collaborations and facilitated sharing genetic and knowledge resources in different platforms
(ix) Productions pf PhD, MSc and BS thesis on research directly contributing to this CRP
(x) Contribute food security through better adapted climate change varieties
(xi) Enhanced R&D capacity on phenotypical, physiological and genotypical screening of mutant rice and bean for heat stress tolerance to better adapt on-going and future climate change scenarios
(xii) Enhanced public awareness about the importance of potential of plant mutation breeding for meeting resilience of climate change and global warming
Improving the delivery of knowledge /experience for meeting resilience of climate change and global warming.