Project Name
Pre-emptive chickpea pre-breeding for biotic stresses and germplasm enhancement for abiotic stresses

The project targeted by ICARDA and GRDC aims to Breeding lines emanated from Australian breeding program it result in Number of crosses with new sources of resistance as parent, yield advantage of elite lines over the existing cultivars, and number of improved varieties released for cultivation in target region. In the project implementation they do many activities as find New subsets (150-200) of chickpea accessions for each of biotic and abiotic stresses identified and assemble, new subsets from MS1 for FW, AB and BGM resistance in Tunisia and Ethiopian, new subsets identified in Milestone 1of viruses [Beet western yellows virus (BWYV), Chickpea chlorotic stunt virus (CpCSV), Alfalfa mosaic virus (AMV) and cucumber mosaic virus (CMV)] to achieve the output New genetic sources of resistance and tools for selection of biotic stress tolerance of relevance to Australian conditions (Ascochyta blight resistance, virus resistance) available, including exotic pests and diseases (Fusarium wilt, and Botrytis Grey Mould), as defined by the PBA chickpea breeding program. As well many activities was developed in different countries as Tunis, Ethiopia, Lebanon, others to find new subsets from MS1 phenotyped for: Cold tolerance in Terbol Annually at least 20 new sources of resistance/ tolerance better than Australian to achieve new sources of abiotic stress tolerance and tools for selection (salinity, drought, cold) relevant to chickpea growing area as defined by PBA breeders. Also the work include at least 40 new parental lines carrying novel sources of resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses selected, at least 40 new crosses with F4 generation selected from 40 populations developed under Milestone 7 and phenotyped under Milestone 8, genetic mapping and bi-parental QTL analysis of all mapping populations, annual update and deposition of all data in ICIS. All these techniques and technologies will be taught through meetings and conferences as suggested by GRDC. With this accomplished increased productivity (1.4) and increased resilience of the poor to climate change and other shocks (1.1). Thus contributing to poverty reduction (1)