rtb-naro collaborations

RTB-NARO Collaborations

Uganda| 3 October 2014

• Yona Baguma, PhD• Acting Deputy Director General Research Coordination, NARO

Plot 11-13,Lugard Avenue, P.O. Box 295, Entebbe, Ugandat: +256 (414) 320512, 320341/2 m: +256 (772) 930185, f: +256 (414) 321070Email: researchcoordination@naro.go.ug baguma1234@yahoo.com,

WHAT IS NARO?

• Apex body responsible for guidance and coordination of all agricultural research activities in the NARS in Uganda

• Nonprofit, national

• Old NARO established in 1992 (NAR Act 1992)• New NARO established in 2005 (NAR Act 2005)

• About 834 staff

• NARO 16 PARI Centres (7 NARIs & 9 Zonal)

• Research activities conducted by semi- autonomous PARIs coordinated by a NARO Council Secretariat

Biotechnology Applications to Combat Cassava Brown Streak

Disease• Aim: To develop and deploy new technologies to improve the

accuracy and efficiency of cassava breeding to address the cassava brown streak disease (CBSD) epidemic

• Duration: 1st Phase: 2009 to 2013; 2nd Phase 2014-2016

Key Achievements 36 new breeding materials that combine CBSD and CMD tolerance

developed Categorization of CBSD resistance/Tolerance Human capacity built for plant breeding: 2 MSc, 1 PhD.

Cassava Varieties and Clean Seed to Combat CBSD and

CMD (5CP)• Aim: To exchange and evaluate 25 elite cassava genotypes

among NARS in CBSD affected countries, and to monitor degeneration due to CBSD in elite cassava varieties

Duration: 2012 – 2016

Key Achievements

Uganda received the 24 best CBSD tolerant varieties from the region

Experiment to study degeneration due to CBSD planted NARS Breeding Programmes:

Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi & Mozambique

Double Haploid Breeding for Cassava Enhancement, Phase

IIAim: Development of robust protocols for generation of cassava double haploids

Duration: 2014 - 2017

Key Achievements

Androgenesis was undertaken primarily on two genotypes; all regenerated plantlets not haploid

Use of irradiated pollen tested at selected dosages; all regenerated plants not haploid

Sweetpotato Action for Health and Security in Africa (SASHA)

Aim: Building of capacity in biotechnology and biosafety, and development of WRSP Varieties and Breeding Lines

Duration: 2009-2014

Key Achievements

• Protocol optimised for regeneration of adventitious shoots based on thidiazuron (TDZ)

• Optimized genetic transformation protocol to transform Cv Kyebandula

• Attempted to pyramid natural host resistance and genetically engineered resistance by transgenic breeding; F1 plants confirmed parent to progeny transfer of transgene

• 2 PhD students completed their studies

Field Evaluation of Transgenic S/potato Expressing

siRNAse Protein For Resistance to SPVD

Achievements

Approval/Decision to conduct CFT granted by NBC 1st season evaluation completed, 2nd season planting done

Keeping Disease-free Sweetpotato Planting Material Closer To

Farmers

Established 60 Net Tunnels on 30 farms

Development and Dissemination of Biofortified Crops

9

Objective• Increase and/or introduce OFSP varieties in the

farming systems of Northern and Western Uganda for combating VAD.

2 OFSP varieties officially released and are being disseminated by H+

SPK004 / 2006 / 1136

NASPOT 12 O (24.7t/ha)

NASPOT 7 /2006 /292

NASPOT 13 O(38.4 t/ha)

Combating Banana Bacterial Wilt in Farming Communities

• Aim: Reduce the impact of BBW on farming communities in East and Central Africa using cultural methods

Key Achievements Fine tuned control package to incorporate single stem removal;

• Less laborious, No need for replanting; quick production recovery

• Used in TZ, DRC, Rwanda, Burundi and Kenya

Improved technology promotion;

• a combination of participatory and topdown approaches and effectively scaled out BBW control from village to regional level

• Reduced BBW prevalence from 42% to below 13% in 1 year in Ankole; with yield recovery worth US$ 54.4 million.

Development of banana bacterial wilt (BBW) transgenic resistance

• Aim: To develop and deploy bananas resistant to BBW to address the epidemic that is very destructive and rapidly spreading with no source of resistance for classical banana improvement.

• Duration: 2nd Phase 2012-2016

Key Achievements 6 lines immune to BBW already being further evaluated in CFT at

NARL; to be evaluated in 2 other locations in Bulindi and Mbarara. Over 100 lines of 2 popular cultivars of M9 (with background

resistance to black sigatoka and Fusarium wilt) and Nakitembe developed with stacked genes of hrap and pflp – batch has material for commercial release in 2020

Human capacity built in molecular breeding; 1 students being trained at PhD.

Banana Weevil and Nematode Transgenic Resistance

• Aim: To develop and deploy transgenic banana resistant for banana weevil and nematode resistance

• Duration: 2011-2015

Key Achievements Over 100 lines of Gonja and Nakitembe with resistance to both

weevils and nematodes developed and ready for screenhouse evaluation.

6 Embryogenic cell lines for Nakitmbe and 3 lines of Gonja developed

Development of Matooke Resistant To Black Sigatoka

• Aim: To develop and deploy matooke resistant for black sigatoka

• Duration: 2011-2015

Key Achievements 2 hybrids in AYT on farmers’ fields before release 3 promising hybrids in PYT at NARL and on farmers’ fields 2 segregating populations for Fusarium wilt and weevils

developed Over 400 accessions in Musa germplasm serving the ECA

region Diploids developed for further matooke improvement

Field evaluation of genetically modified potatoes for resistance to potato blight

disease caused by Phytophthora infestans at Kachwekano ZARDI

Aim: To evaluate two potato cultivars (Desiree and Victoria) over expressing the R genes; RB, Rpi-blb2 and Rpi-vnt1.1 in the field at Kachwekano, Kabale district in Uganda.

Duration: 2014-2016

Key Achievements•Greenhouse and field site contraction completed•Staff trained in Biosafety of CFTs•CFT application submitted to NBC•Mock trial with non-GM Desiree and Victoria cultivars completed

Considerations of Increased Visibility of RTB in NARO

• Work jointly with RTB to identify, pilot, launch and commercialize research products to the market, including strong aspects of value addition.

• Proposal to have NARO-Directors and Team Leaders attend RTB business and/or enterprise planning meetings.

• Placement of RTB staff at both NARO research institutes and headquarters to jointly plan and implement pre-selected activities together.

• Use of new genomics approaches (genotyping by sequencing, comparative genomics, QTL mapping and gene discovery) to develop new varieties with yield and durable resistance value.

• Joint effort in establishing functional seed systems for Cassava, Sweet potato, and Banana