PAG-XIV  Plant & Animal Genomes XIV Conference

January 14-18, 2006
Town & Country Convention Center
San Diego, CA


Workshop: Banana (Musa) Genomics

W5

Development of improved Musa germplasm and genomics resources through induced mutations: The FAO/IAEA Programme.

Manoela Miranda1 , Arsenio Toloza1 , Nicolas Roux1,2 , Chikelu Mba1 , Pierre J.L. Lagoda1

1  Joint FAO/IAEA Programme of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna/Seibersdorf, Austria
2  Present affiliation: International Network for the Improvement of Banana and Plantain (INIBAP), Parc Scientifique Agropolis II, 34397 Montpellier Cedex 5, France

Induced mutation is an effective way to increase genetic variability, and the Joint FAO/IAEA Programme is committed to developing resources using nuclear techniques to assist Musa improvement programs in the Member States. Increasing the genetic variability of the Musa germplasm to improve disease resistance will directly affect the state of food security in countries where bananas and plantains are important staple and cash crops. As a member of the Global Musa Genomics Consortium, our contribution is to generate molecular resources and increase genetic variability of Musa germplasm through induced mutations.
At the Agency’s laboratories, robust and easy-to-use PCR-based molecular markers have been developed for the banana genome along with early screening methodologies for resistance to the major banana pests and diseases (e.g. Black Sigatoka). Current Musa genomics-related activities include further development of molecular markers; end-sequencing, fingerprinting and sub-cloning of BAC clones; and the development and field testing of banana and plantain mutants. Activities that have been recently initiated include the production of an exhaustively characterized mutation grid (Calcutta 4, AA) for this crop that will be facilitated by a TILLING platform. Our presentation also discusses on-going networking activities aimed at the development of deletion mutants (Grande Naine, AAA); segregating populations for genetic mapping (A and B genome); gene discovery; development and deployment of genomics resources; germplasm development and exchange; and the enhancement of human and material capacity in Member States for sustainable agricultural production, as well as R&D activities on Musa genetic improvement and genomics.