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International plant breeders swap the field for the computer lab

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Cambridge, United Kingdom
April 20, 2009

Plant breeders and crop geneticists from across the world have been in Cambridge for unique training that could improve their chances of breeding successful crop varieties.

At the heart of all plant breeding is the need to design and analyse trials to rank varieties in order of merit, but a new generation of biologists and plant breeders lack these basic skills as they are rarely taught at universities and research institutes.

The ‘Quantitative Genetics in Plant Breeding’ course, run by the National Institute of Agricultural Botany (NIAB), instructs delegates on the role and application of statistical and quantitative genetics in practical plant breeding programmes - anything from trial design and analysis through to the role of modern computer software in marker-assisted selection and association genetics. This is back-to-basics for plant breeders - 21st century style.

“The future of plant breeding will be to combine the recent advances in the understanding of plant genetics with an increased use of the latest mathematical, quantitative and statistical methods,” explains course tutor and NIAB statistician Dr Ian Mackay.

“With developments in computing power and advanced software plant breeders now have far more sophisticated methods of analysis to improve the chances of breeding a successful variety. But they need to be taught the practical application of these methods in plant breeding programmes.”

It is only the second time that NIAB has run the two-week intensive training course with application numbers far higher than the number of places available. “This time we had 22 delegates mainly from the UK and EU countries, but also from the USA, Canada and New Zealand. With so few places world-wide offering this course NIAB looks set to run more courses in the future,” says Dr Mackay.

The National Institute of Agricultural Botany (NIAB) is a pioneering plant science organisation based at the heart of the Cambridge science, technology and university communities and a thriving UK agricultural industry. It has an internationally recognised reputation for independence, innovation and integrity. Founded in 1919, NIAB has over 80 years experience in the agricultural and food sectors. The Institute employs 161 staff with the main headquarters in Cambridge and regional offices at Headley Hall in North Yorkshire, Harper Adams in Shropshire, Seale Hayne in Devon, HRI Kirton in Lincolnshire, Monkhall in Hereford, Itchen Stoke in Hampshire and Wye in Kent. For more information log onto www.niab.com

 

 

 

 

 

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