Scientists Collaborate to Battle Brown Planthopper in Asia

Researchers from different countries gathered at the International Rice Research Institute to tackle different strategies that can be used to enhance resistance to brown planthopper (BPH) and BPH-transmitted viral diseases. BPH has caused  an epidemic  for the past 5 years in different South and Southeast Asian countries. Researchers that participated in the meeting came from China, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, and Japan.

After presenting the different BPH concerns and individual activities to address those concerns, the participants came up with a proposal to be submitted to the Global Rice Science for Partnership (GRiSP). The plans included use of marker-assisted backcross breeding, and other genomic tools. They aim to establish a knowledge-based fast-track breeding platform to develop breeding materials to be distributed to farmers.

Achim Doberman, Deputy director general for research of IRRI, challenged the researchers to come up with a more product-oriented approach in breeding varieties that would meet the demands of farmers and consumers.

Read the original article at http://irri.org/news-events/irri-news/partnership-to-achieve-brown-planthopper-bph-resistance-begins.