ICRISAT News

Forty-four sorghum scientists representing public and private institutions from Asia and the Americas visited ICRISAT headquarters to participate in a field day that had 2100 unique hybrid products and 5000 breeding lines of varieties on display.

Dr Sean Mayes, Research Program Director-Accelerated Crop Improvement, called for increased private-sector participation to take advantage of the benefits of the Sorghum Hybrid Parents Research Consortium (SHPRC).

He encouraged the participants to disseminate the benefits of SHPRC through their respective networks and to credit ICRISAT for its material when used in their released variety/hybrid.

ICRISAT carries out extensive multi-environment trials (METs) to test the productivity, adaptability and stability of sorghum. ​ Dr Mayes thanked the State Agricultural Universities (SAUs) and National Agricultural Research Services (NARS) for their support in conducting trials and sought increased engagement.

Dr C Aruna Reddy, Principal Scientist - Plant Breeding, speaking on behalf of the Director of the Indian Institute of Millets Research (IIMR), emphasized the importance of collaborative breeding research to stabilize sorghum-cropped areas given the decline in cultivation stemming from decreased consumption.

She called for greater focus on sorghum production from a commercial viewpoint and investing in value addition to the breeding products.

See https://pressroom.icrisat.org/icrisat-offers-7000-plus-unique-materials-for-sorghum-breeders-to-choose-from