Cereal Improvement Program 1992

Abstract

The cereal program has spent considerable time during the last year. Reviewing its objectives and determining its future directions. This is part of the medium term planning process in readiness for the External Program and Management Review which takes place in April-May 1993. We have concluded we need to continue to produce a range of germplasm with our different collaborators in the region, but we also need to move towards more specific adaptation to the very varied range of abiotic stresses encountered in the region. We will do this within the frame work of no increase, and a possible decrease in resources. Over the next few years we will move towards a greater emphasis on root problems, including root diseases, nematodes and nutrient toxicities. With our partners in the national programs we will test germplasm in earlier generations. This has already commenced and has several advantages. It will improve contacts with national programs and give national programs better targeted material. It will also increase their input into the choice of parents and progeny in our breeding projects and improve the level of specific adaptation in the material to local regional stresses.