Introduction and utilization of CIMMYT wheat in China

Introduction and utilization of CIMMYT wheat in China (The Second Prize of National Science and Technology Progress in 2015) : This project was led by the Crop Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science (CAAS), and six provincial agricultural academies in Sichuan, Xinjiang, Yunnan, Gansu, Ningxia. Many CIMMYT scientists wereinvolved in this collaboration, including S. Rajaram, R. Singh, and Javier Pe?a.

The main achievements recognized by the award included: (1) 18,000 CIMMYT wheat accessions stored in Chinese gene banks; (2) adaptation of CIMMYT wheats to China through multi-locational trials and molecular markers; (3) breeding for multiple resistance to rusts and powdery mildew based on adult plant resistance; (4) development and extension of 45 CIMMYT-derived leading varieties; and (5) training of Chinese scientists.

CIMMYT and China started collaborating in the early 1970s, shuttle breeding to improve wheat disease resistance was initiated in the mid 1980s, and the CIMMYT-China Office was opened in 1997. More than 20 Chinese institutes have been involved in germplasm exchange and training.

Chinese wheat breeders have increasingly used CIMMYT breeding stocks to generate new wheat varieties, with CIMMYT germplasm contributing about 7% of the genetic material in Chinese wheat varieties during the past three decades and about 9% in recent years. More than 26% of all major wheat varieties released in China after 2000 contain CIMMYT germplasm. CIMMYT germplasm has contributed higher yield potential, rust resistance, and better quality to Chinese wheat. From 3.8 million to 10.7 million tons of added wheat grain worth between US$ 1.2 billion and US$ 3.4 billion (based on 2011 prices) have been produced thanks to the contributions of CIMMYT germplasm, as reported in “Impact of CIMMYT Wheat Germplasm on Wheat Productivity in China” authored by Jikun Huang and his colleagues at the Center for Chinese Agricultural Policy of the Chinese Academy of Science (CAS).

The Principal Researcher：HE Zhong-hu