Specific goal: Enhance the genetic diversity of ICRISAT crops through the introduction of genomic segments from wild species.

Outputs:

1. Hybrids and backcross germplasm between cultivated and wild species of chickpea, groundnut and pigeonpea.
2. Novel tetraploid germplasm in groundnut.
3. Molecular markers tagging genomic segments from wild species for enhanced pod borer resistance in chickpea and pigeonpea, and for Aspergillus flavus resistance in groundnut.

Scientists in the Global Theme on Biotechnology have developed effective techniques for the embryo rescue, culture and plant regeneration for chickpea, pigeonpea and groundnut. These provide options to develop intra- and inter-specific hybrids and backcross materials in each of these crop species. The program focuses on producing hybrids that require significant laboratory techniques (eg, embryo rescue, chromosome doubling), while more routine crossing of compatible species can be handled directly by other scientists. Inter-specific crosses in pigeonpea are being evaluated to provide additional genetic diversity, as the molecular evaluations have indicated extremely low levels of diversity within the cultivated species. In groundnut, specific attention is being given to producing “synthetic groundnut” germplasm. Being a tetraploid (AABB genome), it is feasible to cross the AA and BB genome groundnut species to “re-create” the conventional cultivated tetraploid species. Such an approach has been extremely successful in other polyploid species such as wheat, and would produce tremendous diversity for further backcrossing and selection for numerous traits of interest.

For further information, contact Dr N Mallikarjuna