ICRISAT Research Facilities

Transcription

1 ICRISAT Research Facilities ICRISAT Global Headquarters (India) The ICRISAT global headquarters is located in Patancheru near Hyderabad, Telangana, India. The research station offers an insight into the integration of agricultural sciences and research-fordevelopment activities across the whole value chain high end science using germplasm from the genebank, genomics laboratory, phenotyping and genetic engineering facilities, through to the agribusiness center, watershed management and crop production field experiments. The research station has a land area of 1,390 ha, of which 800 ha is arable. The experimental farm is representative of the dryland environment consisting of two major soil groups found in the semiarid tropics, the red alfisols (300 ha) and the black vertisols (500 ha) that allows testing of breeding lines and crop production systems in two different environments within one location. The arable areas in the two soil types are subdivided into irrigated and non-irrigated, sprayed and non-sprayed, and low and high fertility areas to represent low and high input environments. Normal rainfall at the ICRISAT campus is 800 mm per year. 1. Rainout Shelter (for drought screening experiments) and Lysimeter Facility The rainout shelter is a facility for screening of crop germplasm and breeding materials for drought tolerance so that rains do not interfere with the treatments. Crops can be grown here under real field conditions, and drought condition can be created for research work on drought-tolerant traits and how roots help dryland crops survive during dry periods within cropping seasons. 1

2 The Rainout Shelter has a lysimeter facility for phenotyping. Lysimeters are PVC tubes filled with soil to measure plant water use. ICRISAT s lysimetric facility has 2800 tubes of 1.2-m length and 20-cm diameter, and 1700 tubes with 2.0-m length and 25-cm diameter. These dimensions give the plants the soil depth and aerial spacing similar to field conditions. Lysimeters complement other phenotyping activities both in the field and in controlled environments. The lysimeter approach provides a bridge between field-based and laboratory-based research. It enables the collection of precise data on water consumption (quantities, timing) which are related to agronomic data (grain yield), and which provide information on traits that contribute to yield increase. Lysimeters at ICRISAT. 2. LeasyScan Phenotyping Platform LeasyScan is a high-throughput phenotyping platform acquired in 2014 designed to measure leaf area quicker so as to access the dynamics of leaf development and leaf conductance, traits that are the focus for plant drought adaptation. The high throughput computerized platform based on 3-D images allows scientists to analyze the phenotypes of plants in greater detail, and conduct large-scale screening of plants to be linked and integrated into genomics and breeding works to speed up the development of improved, drought-adapted crops. The LeasyScan platform uses the PlantEye scanner, a camera with a 45 degree angle that captures 3-D images. The highthroughput scanning equipment can scan 2

3 between 3200 to 4800 plots per 2 hours. Several algorithms then operate to extract leaf area, leaf angle, plant height, and average leaf area. The scanners measure pre-set areas (called sectors) of 65 cm width and either 40 cm or 60 cm length. A grid of barcodes throughout the platform allows re- boom. Their movements at a constant speedd and space above the pots have been two of the key setting scanner position in y and z directions. Eight scanners are mounted on topp of an irrigation considerations during the design of the platform. 3. The Center of Excellence in Genomics (CEG) Facility The Center of Excellence in Genomics (CEG)) breeding and research facility f caterss to the molecular breeding needs particularly of developing countries through its threee main activities: (1) applied genomics research and sequencing, (2) high quality marker genotyping services and capacity building in modern genomics, and (3) molecular breeding tools. It provides genotyping services on cost-to- next cost basis to all its partners, such as SSR, DArT and SNP genotyping platforms; p and MiSeq-based generation sequencing. These services are offered for all crops and from f clients coming from the NARS, private sector and research community across the globe. Recently, CEG acquired the Illumina HiSeq 2500 the world s most powerful p sequencer to analyze, store and share huge sequence data and make full utilization of modern genomics tools in breeding and research programs at ICRISAT and in other partner institutes in developing d countries of Asia and sub-saharan Africa. It is a high performance computational genome analysis (HPCGA) facility with two servers, each having 80 cores (total 160 cores), running on 1,0000 Gb and 5000 Gb RAM, respectively, with a total storage capacity of f 100 Tb. Inauguration of the new high performance computational genome analysis (HPCGA) facility f at CEG in Aprill Center of Excellence on Climate Change Research for Plant Protection The Center of Excellence on Climate Change for Plant Protection (CoE-CCRPP) strives to understand the effect of climate change variables on thee occurrencee and distribution of diseases and insect pests in chickpea and pigeonpea across geographical regions, study host x pathogen/pest x environment 3

4 interactions and the resistance to t pests and pathogens in resistant and susceptible cultivars. The key climate change variables considered are: (1) higher temperatures; (2) moisture extremes drought and flooding; and (3) elevated carbon dioxide. Specially created facilities such as open top chambers (OTC) and Free Air CO 2 Enrichment (FACE) are aiding the study of thee effects of elevated CO 2 levels on diseases and insect pests of chickpea c andd pigeonpea. 5. Insect Rearing Laboratory for Stem Borer and Pod Borer The insect rearing and bioassay facility f helpss research in entomology, crop improvement and biotechnology at ICRISAT. It provides nuclear insect cultures to national scientists. The constant availability of insect cultures helps in conducting insect bioassays in toxicology t and to evaluate transgenic plants, map populations, germplasm and segregate breeding materials for insectss throughout the year. Artificial diets have been developed to constantly rear some of the most damaging insects in grain legumes the legume pod borer (Helicoverpa armigera), beet armyworm (Spodoptera exigua) ) and tobaccoo leaf caterpillar (Spodoptera litura); and in cereals, the spotted stem borer (Chilo partellus) and the oriental armyworm (Mythimna separate). ICRISAT has a diverse collection of identifiedd insect pestss of its mandate crops and their natural enemies, in addition to insect fauna in/around the campus, which serves as a valuable reference collection. A digitized library and a DNA barcoding of all the insect specimens in an insect museum are in the planning stage. 4

5 6. Platform for Translational Research on Transgenic Crops The Platform for Translational Research on Transgenic Crops (PTTC) was w established to facilitate a collaborative and coordinated approach for the translation of existing genetic engineering technologies to the development of transgenic crop varieties, which can efficiently be taken through product development to commercialization. PTTC provides completee pipeline solutions for effective development of transgenic products and their delivery. It also servess as a facility y of referencee to strengthen national, regional and international linkages and collaborations in transgenic research and development, exchange of materials andd information, and to support training, consultation and technology commercialization. PTTC features state-of-the-art the following: facilities for transgenic crop development on an area of 50,000 square feet, comprising High-throughput transformation facility Molecular biology laboratory Analytical laboratory Plant Pathology & virology laboratory Insect-rearing bioassay facilities Biosafety Level 2 greenhouses Regular greenhouses 5

6 7. Decentralized Wastewater Treatment System for Safe Reuse in Agriculture A The wastewater treatment system constructed at the ICRISAT campus comprisess a solar power- operated water pump to lift the wastewater, an elevated tank to hold the untreated wastewater, constructed wetlands, and a storage tank to store treated wastewater. Field trials are planned with the objective of assessing the impact of wastewater reuse for irrigation on crop yield, quality, and soil health. Low cost, simple technology and minimal maintenance are some of the features of this system. It is also being developed as a business model for rural areas. 8. Controlled Environment There are 15 glass houses/poly houses and net houses at the ICRISATT headquarters. Pot experiments are conducted in the green houses under controlled temperature, humidity and light conditions. Some of the glass houses are especially designed for biotechnology work. w 9. Rainwater Harvesting Facility A unique system that has been adopted at the station is the collection of rainwater from the roof of glass/ green houses. From a 5000 square meter roof, pure rainwaterr is collected and stored in i two underground tanks (2 million liters of rainwater). This is very low in salt s content (10-20 ppm) ) as compared to that of bore well water (up to 450 ppm salt). Rainwaterr is deionizedd and used in laboratories and glass houses for experiments. This system of rainwater conservation saves the institute about USD 1100 a month. 6

7 10. ICRISAT Genebank The ICRISAT Genebank serves as a world repository for the collection of germplasm of the institute s five mandate crops sorghum, pearl millet, chickpea, pigeonpea and groundnut; and six small millets finger millet, foxtail millet, little millet, kodo millet, proso millet and barnyard millet. With over 121,500 germplasm accessions assembled from 144 countries, it is one of the largest international genebanks. Several landraces now conserved at the ICRISAT genebank have disappeared from their natural habitats in Africa and Asia. The collection serves as insurance against genetic erosion and as a source of resistance to diseases and pests, tolerance to climatic and other environmental stresses and improved quality and yield traits for crop improvement. The active collection of the genebank, stored at 4 C and 30% RH, is a basic source for distribution and utilization. The base collection is maintained at -20 C in vacuum packed aluminum foil pouches at 3-7% seed moisture content. Base collections ensure long-term viability of material (more than 50 years) as a security to the active collection. In addition, ICRISAT has committed to place the FAOdesignated germplasm (111,000 accessions) at the Svalbard Global Seed Vault in Norway as safety backup. The Seed Vault provides an insurance against the loss of seeds in genebanks, as well as a refuge for seeds in the case of large-scale regional or global crisis. 11. Plant Quarantine Laboratory Movement of seeds across countries is regulated as per Government of India (GoI) regulations. All research seeds imported by the institute or sent to other countries, are tested in the Plant Quarantine Laboratory, and cleared and certified by GoI officials. In the past 40 years, through the meticulous work in this laboratory, all samples coming in and out of the country have been cleared. 7

8 12. Arachis House ICRISAT maintains a huge collection of wild species of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea). These are important for the improvement of cultivated groundnuts. Many of these species do not flower or produce seeds in normal crop growing seasons in India, and have to be grown in this special facility. 13. Watersheds The watershed area is where strategic research on rainwater harvesting, conservation management as well as soil conservation and crop production is undertaken. This area is maintained without much movement of soil or changing the natural slopes. This area has black soil watersheds. Watershed-based crop production is a simple technology that makes it possible to grow two crops under rainfed conditions using suitable land and water management. This technology can produce 5 tons of crops per ha/year, which can feed 24 persons per ha/year, much higher compared with farmers practice which produces 1 ton/ha/year and can feed only 5 persons. This work is now being up-scaled in different locations. 14. Meteorological Laboratory Information on weather and climate is very important for agriculture. This met lab is a class A type, which is fully equipped to record all required weather parameters such as rainfall, temperature, soil temperature, humidity, sunshine hours and radiation, etc. essential for agricultural research. Some of the equipment are manually operated, while others are automatic devices. This weather data system is attached to the institute s computer network system and all data are available daily for researchers globally. 8

9 15. Agribusiness and Innovation Platform ICRISAT s Agribusiness and Innovation Platform (AIP) fosters public-private partnerships to bring science-based technologies, innovations, knowledge and products to the market for the benefit of smallholder farmers. AIP provides prototype innovation, knowledge and expertise, training and colocation to researchers and innovators; and guide entrepreneurs in fine-tuning the prototypes and taking them to market to minimize risk and help them succeed. It is composed of three flagship components: - Agribusiness incubation; - Innovation and partnership (in such areas as plant breeding, agricultural biotechnology); and - Product development of nutritional foods and food safety initiatives (NutriPlus Knowledge program). 9

10 16. Center of Excellence on ICT in Agriculture The Center of Excellence (COE) in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) innovations for Agriculture was launched in 2012 to integrate science, technology and value-chain approaches in the design and development of new and affordable ICT tools, platforms and methods. Some ICT solutions linking farmers with other agricultural stakeholders developed and tested by the COE include: Open data and knowledge solutions - KSIConnect ( shares information and educational video resources, faceto-face virtual training and learning sessions, and virtual expert-farmer interactions globally. - AgED Open Courseware platform ( offers research curriculum/learning opportunities to students, faculty members, extension agents, smallholder farmers etc. - Open Access Repository ( hold more than 8,163 publication records. - Open Data Repositories ( offers open data to global community (464 data files in more than 9 Dataverse with 59 studies available). ICT mediated extension systems and capacity building activities - The Green SIM project, an ICT mediated extension system (mobile and web apps, voice advisory services, participatory video extension methods) offering affordable technologies, knowledge solutions, quality inputs, credit and insurance at the doorsteps of smallholder farmers, anchored on public-private partnership and a sustainable business model. 10

11 ICRISAT West and Central Africa (WCA) Research Facilities ICRISAT Mali (Regional hub) ICRISAT Mali is the regional hub for West and Central Africa situated at Samanko approximately 10 km south of Bamako City. The station is a 124-hectare areaa equipped with the following facilities: Experimental fields Tractors and mechanized farm machinery Laboratories (for Aflatoxin testing and for the sorghum program on Striga) ) Nurseries, greenhousess and cold seed storage used for research and for hands-on training of field technical staff and partners, and Two conference rooms and a small library. It also hosts collaborative partners such as AGRA, The World Vegetable Center, ICRAF, and ILRI which conduct their respective research activities. ICRISAT Niger ICRISAT Niger, also known as the ICRISAT Sahelian Center (ISC), is located at Sadore approximately 45 km south of Niamey City. It has modern research facilities on a 500-hectare area, equipped with the following: Experimental fields (of which 15 hectares are under irrigation) and office space. Tractors and other farm machineries Chemistry laboratory (soil analysis and XRF machine for micronutrient content analysis) 11

12 Phytopathology laboratory (ELISA kit for aflatoxin test) Entomology laboratory Small biotechnology laboratory Regional gene bank Seed unit Lysimeter system Nurseries and greenhouses used for research as well as for hands-on training of field technical staff A conference room, training classrooms, video conference facilities, and A library is directly connected to the ICRISAT headquarters library in India, thus linking it to major professional databases (an electronic library is also available). A separate Training and Visitors Centre (TVC), a self-contained modern training/housing facility, is located approximately 5 km from the city center on the Burkina Faso road. ICRISAT-Nigeria ICRISAT Nigeria is located in Kano, Nigeria. Approximately 16 hectares of farm land were acquired within the premises of Bayero University Kano (BUK) for research purposes. Currently, the ICRISAT staff members are housed in temporary offices provided by the Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR) in Kano. A request has been made for office and laboratory space within the IAR premises in Kano, and the Federal Government of Nigeria will hopefully provide support for the construction. A farmers field day in Kano, Nigeria. Women farmers showing ICRISAT groundnut and pearl millet varieties. 12

13 ICRISAT Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA) Research Facilities ICRISAT Kenya (Regional hub) ICRISAT Kenya in Nairobi is the regional hub for Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA) with its office located at the World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) campus. Its Kiboko research station has a farm area of 11 hectares. There is a plan to request the Government of Kenya to allocate another 14 hectares in addition to the existing farmland. The facilities available include: Laboratories Genebank Seed storage Farm machineries Irrigation facilities (at both Kiboko and Alupe stations) ICRISAT Malawi At ICRISAT Malawi, land is allocated each year by the government, averaging around hectares per year. Experimental fields are available and are cultivated only in one season in rainfed condition. Also available are: Limited irrigation facilities Breeding, pathology and aflatoxin laboratories Basic farm machinery Cold rooms for short-term seed storage Green houses. ICRISAT Zimbabwe ICRISAT Zimbabwe in Bulawayo is located at the Matopos Research Station with 50 hectares of land, with 2 hectares in use. The Lucydale Research Station is 20 km from Matopos and has hectares of land, with 7 hectares in use. Also available are: Genebank Soil chemistry and physics laboratories Nutrition laboratory Irrigation equipment Seed storage and conservation facilities Glass houses Workshop and transport facilities. 13

14 ICRISAT Ethiopia The ICRISAT Ethiopia country office was established in 2013, and is situated at the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) campus. The office has access to meeting rooms, houses and hostel facilities available on the campus. Some research technicians are based at the Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR) stations at Debre Zeit and Melkassa. The Debre Zeit research station is the main center for chickpea improvement research and Melkassa is the hub for sorghum improvement work. The location is adequately equipped with required vehicles and other equipment for field research. 14