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Genetic resources

CIMMYT manages humankind’s most diverse maize and wheat collections. It starts with the seed. CIMMYT’s germplasm bank, also known as a seed bank, is at the center of CIMMYT’s crop-breeding research. This remarkable, living catalog of genetic diversity comprises of over 28,000 unique seed collections of maize and 150,000 of wheat.

CIMMYT is one of the largest public sector germplasm providers worldwide.
CIMMYT is one of the largest public sector germplasm providers worldwide.

From its breeding programs, CIMMYT sends half a million seed packages to 800 partners in 100 countries each year. With researchers and farmers, the center also develops and promotes more productive and precise maize and wheat farming methods and tools that save money and resources such as soil, water, and fertilizer.

Related research, conservation, and utilization are supported by three units: Seed Health, Biometrics & Statistics, and Data Management. Finally, the Seeds of Discovery (SeeD) project analyzes and documents maize and wheat biodiversity and facilitates its use in crop breeding to address current and future production challenges (more info).

Harnessing genetic resources for the nutrition and well-being of current and future generations.
Harnessing genetic resources for the nutrition and well-being of current and future generations.

CIMMYT’s germplasm research aims to:

  • Conserve, characterize, distribute and use genetic resources.
  • Safely distribute seed.
  • Promote scientific stewardship and ensure open-access to CIMMYT’s data and derived information.
  • Create quality, open-source software.
  • Develop and validate new tools and methods for gene mining and crop improvement.
  • Build capacity in all the above areas.

Contact

Profile image for Kevin Pixley

Kevin Pixley

Deputy Director General for Research (Breeding and Genetics), a.i., and Director of the Genetic Resources Program

Profile image for Rodelita Panergalin

Rodelita Panergalin

Program Manager

Team members

Profile image for Claudio César Ayala Hernández

Claudio César Ayala Hernández

Data Management Coordinator

Profile image for Juan Burgueño

Juan Burgueño

Biometrics and Statistics Unit Head

Profile image for Jose Crossa

Jose Crossa

Distinguished Scientist

Profile image for Maria Elena Campos Saucedo

Maria Elena Campos Saucedo

Project Administrator

Profile image for Kanwarpal S. Dhugga

Kanwarpal S. Dhugga

Principal Scientist

Profile image for Kate Dreher

Kate Dreher

Germplasm Curator

Profile image for Rogelio Ulises Gaona Ramirez

Rogelio Ulises Gaona Ramirez

Greenhouse Coordinator

Profile image for Sarah Hearne

Sarah Hearne

Principal Scientist

Profile image for Terence Molnar

Terence Molnar

Maize Breeder

Profile image for Carolina Paola Sansaloni

Carolina Paola Sansaloni

Wheat Germplasm Bank Curator & Genotyping Specialist

Profile image for Fernando Henrique Ribeiro Barrozo Toledo

Fernando Henrique Ribeiro Barrozo Toledo

Associate Scientist - Agricultural Statistics/Biometrics

Climate adaptation and mitigation
In the media

Source: Daily Monitor Online (29 May 2023)

CIMMYT and NaSARRI have partnered to strengthen seed systems for smallholder farmers of millet, sorghum, and groundnuts.

Environmental health and biodiversity
News

Securing biological diversity is a key mission for both organizations.

Climate adaptation and mitigation
News

CIMMYT participates in Climate Summit with an eye towards accelerating innovations.

Environmental health and biodiversity
In the media

Source: Smart Farmer Africa (16 May 2023)

Plant health experts met on May 12, International Day of Plant Health, to discuss and address the challenges facing plant health management capacity in the Global South.