1. Grains crop breeding in Australia has reached a major potential inflection point where new breeding technologies presents an opportunity to significantly improve the performance of new varieties. Development and adoption of these new breeding technologies will be crucial in delivering future step-change improvements in yield and other traits against a backdrop of climate change and increasing international competition.
The Australian Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) invests in RD&E to create enduring profitability for Australian grain growers. To help drive this new generation of breeding, the GRDC Board has approved a $20M investment in the development of an Accelerating Genetic Gain Strategic Initiative (AccGG SI). The AccGG SI seeks to capitalise on advancements made in crops such as maize and soybean through a strategic program of sustained investment in the accelerated development of advanced breeding technologies for wheat, barley and canola. The example of value created through the technical innovation of maize and soybean breeding programs and the challenge of increasing flow through of pre-breeding traits to breeding programs are primary drivers behind investment in the AccGG SI. A further driver for GRDC investment in facilitating Australian adoption of advanced breeding methodologies is to ensure the Australian grains industry remains internationally competitive in global grain markets.
The AccGG Strategic Initiative strongly aligns to GRDC’s 2023-2028 5-year RD&E investment plan, with the aim to Reach New Frontiers by Unlocking Plant Potential. Technologies delivered under this Strategic Initiative will create step change in the magnitude of yield improvements, reduce breeding cycle time and allow more traits to be incorporated into each variety (e.g. disease, yield stability). It will enable and accelerate the deployment of pre-breeding research outputs.
In 2023, a process of Global Engagement was undertaken to seek ideas as to priority areas of investment against the following themes:
- Theme A. Improved predictive breeding to manage genetic complexity. For example, applying crop models, improved imputation methods, optimum contribution selection and evolutionary computing.
- Theme B. Creating and using genetic diversity. For example, unlocking the potential of genome editing, improved transformation systems, improved trait introgression, and more effective use of wild relatives for Australian crop improvement.
- Theme C. Exploiting heterosis. For example, defining and optimizing heterotic groups for wheat and canola.
- Theme D. Developing accelerated breeding systems. For example, platform technologies such as cost-effective doubled haploids, apomixis, improved crossing efficiency and others.
From this process a number of priority areas were identified, two of which will be addressed through this multi-stage procurement. A multi-stage process has been chosen with longer timeframes for response development as to encourage applications including non-traditional partners, especially international and/or commercial partners.
EOI #1 Investment priority areas
GRDC is interested in hearing from potential partners to relation to the below priority areas. GRDC encourages responses from traditional and non-traditional partners; Australian and International organisations; public and private entities. A separate application is required for each priority area if entities wish to apply for both priority areas.
| Theme | Priority Area | Summary of the opportunity or constraint |
|---|
| B. Creating and using genetic diversity | B.3. Utilising the B genome diversity in canola | Canola, Brassica napus (AACC) is a crop derived from interspecific crosses between Brassica rapa (AA) and Brassica oleracea (CC). By contrast, Brassica juncea (AABB) and Brassica carinata (BBCC) originated from crosses between Brassica nigra (BB) and Brassica rapa (AA), and Brassica nigra (BB) and Brassica oleracea (CC), respectively. The B genome of Brassicas possess a number of desirable traits that would be of benefit to canola (AACC). However, integration of B genome genes into canola is difficult due to the genetic controls which prevent non-homologous pairing of chromosomes and the recombination which can occur. There is a need to develop innovative methods to integrate valuable segments of the B genome, without the instability and agronomic penalties that occur with the addition of the whole B genome. Target crops: Canola Indicative project size: medium four-year project |
| D. Developing accelerated breeding systems | D.2. Development and integration of breeder facing AI tools to maximise use of pre-breeding research outputs and improve breeding processes. | As the number of sources and types of breeding and pre-breeding information increase, there is an increased need for tools that allow quick access to accurate and useful information for breeder decisions. A new generation of AI tools have recently been developed that could be applied to this challenge to increase and accelerate the use of GRDC pre-breeding project outputs in Australian breeding programs. Target crops: Wheat, barley, canola
Indicative project size: small three-year project |
Note: Potential future multi-stage processes may cover other Priority Areas identified during the Global Engagement Phase of the Accelerating Genetic Gain Initiative.
2. The AccGG Strategic Initiative Investment Outcome is:
By 2029, new transformational genetic technologies are developed, evaluated in collaboration with Australian breeding programs, with the potential to increase the genetic gain for yield to at least 1% pa for wheat, barley and canola.
Grower Outcome: By 2039, transformational genetic technologies are implemented in Australian wheat, barley and canola breeding programs, with growers receiving improved varieties with an annual genetic gain in yield of at least 1%.
This outcome will be achieved across multiple projects under the Accelerating Genetic Gain Strategic Initiative.
