Research and Corporate Profile Transforming Dryland
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12 | Research and Corporate Profile 2024
Research and Corporate Profile 2024 | 13
Research Specialties
As an international knowledge leader in dryland agri-food systems, our scientific expertise and non-partisan approach is
globally recognized as having produced world firsts and resulted in some of the most innovative solutions to overcoming
hunger, poverty, malnutrition and environmental degradation.
Genomics, Pre-breeding, and Bioinformatics
The Genomics, Pre-breeding, and Bioinformatics Cluster
utilizes leading technologies to enhance the precision and
efÏciency of breeding pipelines across all ICRISAT specialty
crops in Asia and Africa. The cluster leverages forward
and reverse genetics, as well as “omics” technologies, to
improve the understanding and utilization of crop genomes,
characterize pathogens and pests, and identify markers
associated with important traits.
Seed Systems
The Seed Systems Research Cluster addresses the
challenges within the seed sector in sub-Saharan Africa and
South Asia. The cluster strives to improve access to high-
quality seed and crop technologies, promote sustainable
and productive agriculture and establish functional value
chains for dryland crops, to ensure that high-quality seed is
available at the right time, scale and scope.
Crop Breeding
The crop breeding cluster works to bolster crop robustness,
nutritional value, and environmental sustainability. The
cluster aims to create enhanced versions of legumes,
cereals, and oilseed crops, which are vital for maintaining
food security in arid areas. Through ICRISAT's Rapid-Gen
Advancement Facility and top-tier phenotyping facilities,
combined with sophisticated data analytics and modeling
techniques, the cluster brings out superior crop varieties in
partnership with National Agricultural Research Systems.
These varieties are designed to combat the pressing
issues of hunger, poverty, malnutrition, environmental
degradation and climate change.
Crop Protection and Seed Health
The Crop Protection and Seed Health cluster devises
effective and environmentally sustainable methods for
managing crop diseases and pests. The approach includes
integrating traits resistant to diseases and pests into
our breeding programs, early detection and surveillance
of these threats, and formulating Integrated Pest and
Disease Management strategies. ICRISAT has a strong
track record in managing Aflatoxin, employing biological
controls against millet head miner, managing Striga, and
implementing early warning systems.
Accelerated Crop Improvement
Crop Physiology and Modeling
The Crop Physiology and Modeling Cluster is focused
on deciphering the complex interactions between crop
genotypes and their environment. Utilizing innovative
techniques and advanced technology such as LeasyScan
and the Lysimeter station, the cluster aims to accurately
define environmental parameters, develop pertinent
phenotyping approaches, and strengthen breeding efforts
for improved cultivar selection. The team is drawing upon
artificial intelligence and drone-based field phenotyping to
digitalize field and multi-location trials, thereby improving
data gathering and analytical processes.
Cell and Molecular Biology and Genetic
Engineering
The Cell Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering cluster
focuses on the development of innovative biotechnological
tools and precision genetic innovations to enhance the
breeding pipelines of ICRISAT’s focus crops, addressing
production constraints and important traits. Equipped
with a gene-editing lab, a tissue culture lab, as well as
metabolomics and proteomics labs, and complemented
by bioinformatics and computational biology capabilities,
the center is poised to forge groundbreaking solutions in
pursuit of global food security.
Genebank
Founded in 1972, the ICRISAT Genebank in India stands
as a leading entity committed to the preservation and
protection of crop genetic materials. The Genebank boasts
a remarkable repository of over 129,000 germplasm
samples collected from 144 countries. It plays a crucial
role in maintaining the genetic variety of 11 essential
crops, namely sorghum, pearl millet, finger millet, foxtail
millet, little millet, proso millet, barnyard millet, kodo
millet, chickpea, pigeonpea and groundnut. ICRISAT
also oversees regional Genebanks in Niamey (Niger)
and Bulawayo (Zimbabwe). In alignment with the
International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food
and Agriculture, ICRISAT facilitates the distribution of
germplasm via the Standard Material Transfer Agreement
(SMTA) at no cost, supporting research endeavors
worldwide.
For more - genebank.icrisat.org
The Accelerated Crop Improvement Program leads the development of ICRISAT’s efforts to improve dryland crop varieties
for Africa, Asia, and beyond. The Program employs advanced technologies and innovative approaches to develop improved
crop varieties with desirable traits such as increased yield, better nutritional quality, and enhanced resilience to biotic and
abiotic stresses.
ICRISAT’s areas of specialization include:
•
A deep understanding of the issues and challenges inherent in the drylands which exhibit some of the harshest
environments globally, that display consistently low human development outcomes and which pose profound
challenges to attaining the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
•
A focus on the most resilient, climate-smart and nutritious legumes and cereal crops critical to the drylands – chickpea,
pigeonpea, groundnut, sorghum, pearl millet, finger millet and small millets.
•
A collection of one of the broadest diversities of genetic resources of our specialty crops which are used to enhance the
crops with which we work.
•
Recognized world-class research across a wide array of specialties ranging from genomics, gene editing, modern crop
breeding, natural resource management, seed systems, climate-smart agriculture, digital solutions to informing policy
on improved markets and institutions.
•
A web / value chain approach with vast experience across agricultural production systems and food value chains.
•
A strong focus on delivery and innovations at scale.
Global Research Programs
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