Plant Breeding and Genetics
We assist FAO and IAEA Member States in the implementation of modern and competitive plant breeding programmes using radiation induced mutation and efficiency enhancing biotechnologies such as in vitro techniques, molecular markers and
genomics. The overall aim is to enhance food security through sustainable crop production using strategic fundamental and applied crops sciences research, technology transfer, capacity building, policy advice, and information management All efforts focus
on improving yield and quality by enhancing diversification and adaptability of crops for domestic use as well as for export markets hence contributing to income generation and socio-economic development.
Highlights
From the Lab to the Farm.
Rice mutation breeding has never been so rewarding in Viet Nam. Farmers from the Mekong Delta to the highlands have been benefiting from higher yields and better market prices thanks to the high quality of the mutant varieties. In highland areas, farmers began stopping deforestation since they
can now produce enough food on their land. Besides, dozens of local officials who helped disseminate these varieties are also rewarded with promotions to higher positions and the chief breeder was rewarded with national prizes in recognition. The plant breeding community in general benefits
from these achievements, as the Vietnamese government has recognized the usefulness of nuclear techniques and has approved a plan to launch a large-scale project on nuclear techniques in food and agriculture, under the 'Atoms for Peace' action. Mutant Rice Varieties are part
of the national poverty alleviation program. Full Story »
Protecting Wheat Harvests from Destruction.
Scientists are accelerating research into new varieties of wheat to identify those resistant to an aggressive fungus that is destroying harvests in African and Middle Eastern countries. An FAO/IAEA technical meeting brought together experts from 26 countries
on a global plan against the disease, known as "stem rust", or Ug99. Full Story »
Flowers Blooming - A follow-up.
In Thailand, a flower is more then an ornament; it is the country’s symbol and the main source of income for thousands of families. With the help of nuclear technology to bring new colours and shapes to ornamental flowers, the livelihoods of more than 500 farmers changed for the better.
Full Story »
Improvement of Drought Tolerance in Chickpea through Induced Mutations.
Under the umbrella of the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC), with the support of Technical Cooperation Projects (TCPs) and research networks (Coordinated Research Projects, CRPs) and hosted by the Nuclear Institute for Food and Agriculture (NIFA) in Peshawar (NWFP and FATA Provinces),
excellent work is being accomplished in terms of crop breeding, particularly in mutation breeding for sustainable increase in food security. Full Story »
Tanzania: Enhancing Crop Productivity through Radiation Technology.
Two mutant rice varieties, resistant to the rice yellow mottle virus (RYMV) were successfully released for cultivation in the inland of Tanzania and in the island of Zanzibar. They quickly gained farmer acceptance due to their high yield and quality characters. Full Story »
Juicy Tomatoes from Dry Cuban Soil.
Having in mind the need to grow tomatoes under low water input conditions, not only to save this valuable liquid, but also to diversify production in drought-affected areas, a Cuban tomato breeding programme using nuclear techniques has produced varieties that are being adopted by the farmers and have made possible the increase of tomato production in several areas of Cuba
with low input of water and fertilizers. Full Story »