Two years into the GRiSP Global Rice Phenotyping Network: Where do we stand? What’s in store?

An IRRI Seminar

By Michael Dingkuhn
Senior scientist, senior physiologist

1.15 - 2.15pm, 10 October 2013
Havener Auditorium

Abstract

The GRiSP Global Rice Phenotyping Network was initiated in 2011 to accelerate the discovery of useful genes and alleles for large-scale molecular breeding, with emphasis on traits related to abiotic stresses and yield potential. Field- and controlled environment-based phenomics experiments are ongoing in the Philippines, China, India, Senegal, Colombia, Brazil, and France. Laboratories in Australia and the U.S. also collaborate. All partners agreed to work on the same diversity panels and share data to enable genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Beyond the discovery of a wealth of new trait-locus associations, the network approach provides added value in terms of GxE and trait x trait interactions.

This seminar presents (1) the current status of work and some preliminary results; (2) examples of new phenomics methodologies developed, e.g., on lodging resistance, stem anatomy and chemistry, panicle structure, and phenology; and (3) a vision of how this work and related efforts will feed effectively into molecular breeding.

While the network’s current 3-year research program performs broad gene-mining at the subspecies level, a succeeding phase should probe deeper and enable a more direct integration with breeding. One option might be to move from diversity panels to multi-genitor recombinant populations.