Mission Icarda/Icrisat/Ciat/AARINENA

Transcription

1 Mission Icarda/Icrisat/Ciat/AARINENA Montpellier, Clermont-Ferrand, Dijon (29/03/09 03/04/09) Tentative summary Three strong ideas emerge from this mission: - There are a number of research questions in common to the CG centers, the biotechnology network of AARINENA and the whole of Inra-Cirad extended to its close partners (Montpellier SupAgro, Universities, IRD, CNRS ) - Promoting short and medium-term student and researcher exchanges between the two groups seems like an excellent opportunity. - Topics of common interest that have been underlined by the two groups seem to concern all the potential stakeholders and go beyond regional or thematic missions of any group, be it French establishments or International and Mediterranean institutions. 1. The possibilities of collaboration are varied, some, which were previously identified and in progress, have been reconfirmed during these visits, others were identified during the course of this mission: - There are indeed existing collaborations, particularly in the framework of Challenge Program Generation 1, involving research teams from all over the world (such on the French side as Brigitte Courtois and Dominique This 2 in Montpellier, Gérard Duc in Dijon), which are successful and have been so acknowledged by the two groups. However, they call for simplification, reinforcement, and facilitation, especially through the set up of a mechanism that targets promoting student exchanges (MSc, PhD), exchanges of young researchers (Post-doc) and above all exchanges of their advisors. - Certain crops are judged to be mandatory by the majority of the teams, for example Durum Wheat, Medicago truncatula and Chickpea. For some it is due to (i) the important place they occupy in human nutrition in the regions where these institutes intervene, Durum Wheat for temperate regions, hence for Icarda and Inra, Chickpea for Icrisat and India in particular, and for others it is due to (ii) work that has already been done and the results that have been capitalized upon, e.g. Medicago truncatula for Inra and the interest it generates as a study model. 2. The techniques, methods, tools and instruments used seem to be favorably shared between the CG centers on one hand and the whole of French teams on the other; however there seems to be a need to promote exchange of practices. - The protocols seem thus to be different at times, certain «pointers» were exchanged during the course of the mission, particularly between Rajeev Varshney (Icrisat) and the various Inra teams that were involved in the visit. 1 In which both Jean Christophe Glaszmann and Rajeev Varshney are each head of a programme. We believe that there is a strong Cirad-Icrisat axis around this CP. 2 Refer to the note presented by D. This at the end of this document (Annexe 4).

2 - The participants seem to be confronted with certain methodological questions/blockages which could be converted into topics of common research this point could be précised by Financial mechanisms that are functioning and those that need to be activated - The participants, both CG as well as the French, are linked to the same donors, the European Commission in particular, and there are cases of projects in which they are often involved together. It is probably this kind of project - (financed by the European Commission (EC) or l Agence National de la Recherche (ANR) - that should continue to support the major part of the research dealing with plant breeding and genetics - Agropolis Fondation (AF) seems like a particularly attractive and appropriate tool to finance complementary actions, particularly those concerning the Mediterranean region, on the questions considered to be a priority for the region as well as questions that could lead to the creation of new areas of expertise around the axis CGs/AARINENA/France - The names of other partners have been systematically mentioned during the different meetings. They are Wageningen (The Netherlands), IAM of Bari (Italy), 4. Three types of collaboration are conceivable - An exchange programme between our establishments, the CG centers and the biotechnology network of the AARINENA allowing short and medium term visits for Masters and PhD students 3 as well as senior researchers. Such a programme could be the object of a MoU which will rely on the capacities of Agropolis Fondation to mobilize visiting programmes for foreign researchers from the CWANA region. - Common proposals could be submitted to Agropolis Fondation through its call for proposals 2009 (deadline May 6), particularly as part of the ARCAD programme; exchanges are in process in order to finalize these proposals with teams from Montpellier and others from Clermont and Dijon, following the visits and in relation to the laboratories that are members of AF. This channel could rapidly lead to a concrete follow up of the visit 4. - More ambitious perspectives could be envisaged on problematic issues, though they need to be discussed between the research teams and the Scientific Directions of our establishments, on medium-term programmes such as improving the use of nitrogen in crop cycle, resistance to soil salinity, intermediate crops, etc 5. We can therefore imagine 2 or 3 big projects ( Flagship projects) between the French teams and those of the CG centers and the AARINENA which could be submitted for funding to the EC, the ANR, 3 The Young researchers seminar proposed by the FI4IAR and Agropolis Fondation, which will be held during the GCARD, could be a starting point for such a programme that involves PhD students. 4 In order to use this channel, certain terms of references of projects supported by AF need to be respected: interdisciplinarity, integrative dimension, open to universities from the South 5 Refer to the annexes to find details about other proposals presented during the wrap up meeting on April 3 in Montpellier.

3 Annexe 1. Michael Baum, Icarda On behalf of ICARDA and AARINENA Possible area for collaboration: INRA international, SupAgro, CIRAD, MoA on training (including MSc and PhD, exchange of visiting scientists) for the AARINENA region ARCAD project: Analysis of joint germplasm collection in Triticum species and rep. germplasm from the region Jacques David Enrichment of alleles in the genome, Development of genetic stocks using wild relatives Targeted choice of genes to investigate domestication Low input agriculture (organic breeding) Collaboration on Dia-Phen: a platform for high throughput phenotyping, High throughput phenotyping on components of complex traits using Infrared spectro-scopie: testing parent of mapping populations, cereals Francois Tardieu Collaboration on the physiological dissection of traits under water deficit condition in AARINENA region, Phenodyn plants: 380 plants, PhenoArch platform 1660 plants together (Lemma tech) Mathilde Causse, a research network on integrated horticulture Avignon Genetics and breeding of fruits and vegetables, Genetic and molecular bases of fruit quality, Marker-assisted selection in fruits; characterization of QTLs, genes of interest, Positional cloning for horticulture crops, NILs, fine mapping, targets: size and sugars,

4 Functional charcterisation Haplotype analysis Areas of collaboration with JJ Drevon UMR Eco& Sols, Functional ecology and Soil Biogeochemistry: Screening for salt tolerance, phospate uptake, nitrogen availability (faba bean, chickpea, bread wheat, durum) Explore research opportunities between wheats and legumes Areas of possible collaborations with the grain legumes group Dijon Faba bean (Group of Gerald Thompson): Shortening of population development for SSD Doubled haploid system initiated in chickpea, lathyrus Characterisation of genetic resource collection in faba bean (initiated with genotyping in GCP) Building and evaluating mass reservoir populations based on dominant nuclear male sterility as pre-breeding basis Breeding for winter types cold resistant Improving Bruchus tolerance of seeds Continuation of seed quality improvement (towards low vicine content varieties to improve poultry performance, and to solve the favism problem in human) Study the genetic determinism of seed protein composition other legumes, Quantitative proteomics for legume seeds-other legumes Dijon group have identified supernodulation nutants in peas and Medicago, these are homologous to supernodulation gene (clavata gene) in soybean, extend to chickpeas, lentils and faba beans Genomics research: SNP discovery in faba bean parents through using next generation sequencing technology and marker development. Clermont-Ferrand: Follow up on DH system in cereal: to develop DH system in durum wheat and improve current system in bread wheat

5 Exchange of durum- and bread wheat reference collections: landraces, Data analysis: 1 month training of an ICARDA staff Focus Identification of Germplasm Strategy (Figs) Catherine Feuillet Sequencing of 4B as part of a consortium (information available on the whole genome) as part of the IWGSC (International Wheat Sequencing Consortium) ): part of the chromosome in collaboration with Tuscia U.Italy, and Rothamsted, Uk, phenotyping of stress tolerance QTLs at ICARDA and AARINENA High throughput genotyping of SNPs, providing ICARDA parental lines for SNP detection New marker technology (Insertion site based polymorphism including data analysis and software): training, Developing Near Isogenic Lines and Trait Dissection C. Feuillet resource person for training activities, AARINENA network, Jacque Gouis Nutrient use efficiency across cereals Rhizotron (exchange experience with other root studies) Physiology of grain filling (remobilization): characterization of ICARDA lines The role of xylem Limagrain Collaboration with AGERI/ AARINENA on GMOs in wheat ICARDA material part of their sequencing panel Explore collaboration in marker-assisted selection Ongoing collaboration on synthetic wheats and FIGS across crops Interest in drought and heat, pest and disease resistance Broadening the scope of field phenotyping

6 Annexe 2. Rajeev Varshney, Icrisat Collaborative Research Projects Understanding the mechanisms of nitrogen acquisition in legumes (pea/medicago and chickpea) under water stress conditions ICRISAT and INRA Dijon UMRLEG (Richard Thompson, Christophe Salon, Judith Burstin, Anne-Sophie Voisin) would be pleased to develop a collaborative research project on above mentioned topic. While UMRLEG is interested in pea/medicago, ICRISAT (ICARDA may be interested as well) would undertake this project in chickpea by using comparative genetics, genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics and modeling approaches. Both institutes have appropriate germplasm collection, genomics and physiological facilities. (Possible donor-???) Enhancing nodulation capacity in grain legumes to improving nitrogen acquisition in under drought conditions ICRISAT would be interested to work with INRA UMRLEG on undertaking research on supernodulation in ICRISAT grain legumes. ICARDA/ CIAT may be an interested partner in this research. Grerard Duc will be a contact person. (Possible donor-???) Identification of QTLs/ genes implicated in the yield capacity of chickpea under infertile soils of Africa Joint Research Unit Functional Ecology and Biogeochemistry of Soils of Plant Health and Environment Division (SPE) of INRA based in SupAgro (contact person Jean-Jacques Drevon) has already made significant progress in identification of genes that are implicated in the yield capacity of common bean in Mediterranean soils. ICRISAT is very much interested to initiate a project with this group in chickpea. ICRISAT would be interested to use RIL or association mapping population for undertaking linkage mapping/ association genetics approach. (Possible donor- Agropolis Foundation) Leaf expansion studies in pearl millet under drought conditions ICRISAT (Crop Physiology- Vincent Vadez) may be interested to initiate study on pearl millet with group UMR INRA-SUPAGRO (contact person: Francois Tardieu). The group already have good experience on maize and rice. (Possible donor- Agropolis Foundation)

7 Post-docs/ PhD students ICRISAT would be interested to encourage the Post-docs/ PhD students to apply to Agropolis Foundation. We would be interested to get Post-doc/ PhD student engaged with Jean-Jacques Drevon. Staff can bring the reference collection/ mapping population of chickpea and can do the phenotyping under supervision of Jean-Jacques Drevon. PhD student may like to visit Dominique This for analyzing the allelic diversity data obtained under ADOC project of GCP for few weeks. MSc students/ teaching ICRISAT is already providing internship to Masters students of SupAgro for last two years. ICRISAT is interested to formalize this training procedure by getting MoU/ MoA signed between ICRISAT and SupAgro (Dominique This/ Jacques David). Similar kind of possibilities can be explored with UM 2 (Pascal Gantet, CIRAD). ICRISAT scientists can be recognized as Adjunct Faculty at SupAgro or UM2 and they can supervise Masters/ PhD student of these places. In the same way, the PhD students can work at ICRISAT and get degree from SupAgro. Links with ongoing proects Coordination on selecting candidate genes for sequencing reference collection of Medicago under ARCAD project. ICRISAT can undertake sequencing chickpea reference collection with the same set of candidate genes. (Contact person: Jean-Marie Prosperi) Shortening of legume population development (INRA-Dijon-UMR LEG- Sergio Ochatt)

8 Annexe 3. Manabu Ishitani, CIAT Possible area for collaborations for CIAT Area of collaboration: gene discovery for root traits by comparative genomics/proteomics analysis Area of research: genomics, proteomics, crop physiology, bioinformatics and genetics Possible traits: NUE and WUE Crops: legumes and cereals Way of collaboration: Develop a collaborative work with Dr. Thompson group at Dijon Outcome: gene marker development for legumes Area of collaboration: high-throughput phenotyping on components of complex traits using LamnaTech Area of research: crop physiology and modeling Possible traits: WUE, NUE and heat Crops: legumes and cereals Way of collaboration: training of a CIAT assistant to work for > 6 months in the laboratory of Dr. Tardieu group Outcome: Establishing a phenotyping platform at CIAT Area of collaboration: SNF and P uptake in legumes Area of collaboration: Crop physiology, molecular biology and breeding Possible traits: SNF and P uptake Crops: common bean Way of collaboration: Develop a collaborative work with Dr. Drevon group Outcome: identification of superior genotypes in beans

9 Annexe 4. Dominique This, SupAgro/Cirad TEACHING: The collaboration between the different institutions can promote students exchanges and teaching activities with different aspects : - Academic record /diploma in plant molecular breeding: Students and breeders from South Mediterranea can join existing master and phd degrees in Montpellier Agropolis. Montpellier SupAgro is proposing a master degree in plant breeding for Mediterranean and tropical crops (SEPMET). UMSF could propose master degrees in more basic research. SIBAGHE doctorate school (joined for UMSF and Montpellier SupAgro) can host applied phd projects in plant breeding for Mediterranean / tropical crops, and co-diplomation / co-direction is encouraged. French master and phd students getting specialized in plant molecular breeding may also wish to follow some academic modules proposed by South Mediterranean agricultural faculties as part of their cursus. This may be of interest for several agricultural faculties within the French Agronomic Consortium, beside Montpellier SupAgro. Exchanges between academic advisers will facilitate mutual knowledge of academic activities in the different countries. Action proposed: developing fellowships for theoretical part of master degrees including travel and studentship fees expenses. Financing short visits of academic supervisors. Funding, co-direction and co-diplomation for phd studies. Adjunct faculty positions proposed for some scientists with a strong involvement in student training and lectures giving. - Development and exchange of Teaching material (distance learning on plant breeding and applied genomics, specialized research schools). Several initiatives exist for distance learning (West African initiative in french, other initiatives by Egyptian partners in english ) and research schools are available to phd students. Action proposed: Develop a network for distance learning including Mediterranean and west African partners. Organize a workshop including West African partners - on distance learning for plant biotechnologies and breeding. Develop teaching modules (research schools) on applied genomics and innovation technologies in plant breeding. - Training in research labs: Training by research is part of the master and phd degrees. Montpellier Agropolis is one the largest French research community in plant breeding and plant biology, with a strong emphasis on Mediterranean and tropical crops. International and some national research centers also conduct excellent research activities in plant molecular breeding and pre-breeding. More and more French students from the agronomical faculties also wish to spend a sabbatical year (2 times six-monthes internships) in an international environment before their MSc graduation. The students can contribute efficiently to joined research projects, while training in plant breeding and developing international collaborations and friendly human relationships. Action proposed: Facilitate student exchanges between research / higher education institutions through fellowships and bench fees, targeted on joined research programs. Finance short visits of scientific supervisors to define collaborative projects and scientific priorities.

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