Genetic resources
Bringing landraces back home, 50 years later
Half a century earlier, scientists collected and preserved samples of maize landraces in Morelos, Mexico. Now, descendants of those farmers were able to get back their ancestral maize seeds and, with them, a piece of their family history.
Development of the Enterprise Breeding System well underway
Piloting the system in will begin in 2020, with more advanced functions to follow in the next three years.
Mexico wants to remain the maize nation
Source: Excelsior (26 Jan 2020)
CIMMYT germplasm bank samples are the basis for development of new maize seeds used in the MasAgro Program.
CIMMYT scientists join fellow experts in San Diego for world’s largest plant and animal genomics conference
Researchers share their work translating the latest molecular research into breeding solutions for better maize and wheat varieties.
The Future of Food – Food Substitute Pills
Source: Vice (21 Jan 2020)
Seed banks, like the one at CIMMYT’s headquarters in Mexico, are part of planning for the future of food.
Prevention is better than cure
Amos Alakonya talks pests, procedure, and why everyone should be concerned about seed health.
Drought Is Crippling Small Farmers in Mexico — With Consequences for Everyone Else
Source: Nexus Media (12 Dec 2019)
The CIMMYT germplasm bank preserves the seeds of maize varieties from all over the world, including landraces very valuable to farmers.
What is wheat blast?
Wheat blast is one of the most fearsome and intractable wheat diseases in recent decades. It spreads through infected seeds, crop residues as well as by spores that can travel long distances in the air, posing a major threat to wheat production in tropical areas.
Agricultural solutions to tackle humanity’s climate crisis
Science offers opportunity to curb greenhouse gas emissions related to agriculture and meet climate goals.