DURUM WHEAT GENOMICS AND BREEDING

The Expert Working Group on Durum Wheat Genomics and Breeding aims to bring together and synergize the activities of those stakeholders interested in promoting specific research actions focused on improving durum wheat productivity and quality and collaborations with the scientific community active in genomics of bread wheat.

Proposal
The proposal to establish an Expert Working Group on Durum Wheat Genomics and Breeding was submitted by Luigi Cattivelli (Agricultural Research Council (CERA), Italy) and Roberto Tuberosa (University of Bologna, Italy). The Research Committee endorsed the creation of an EWG on Durum Wheat Genomics and Breeding in July 2013.

Leadership
Chair: Luigi Cattivelli, Anna Maria Mastrangelo

Co-Chairs: Karim Ammar, Agata Gadaleta and Jemanesh Haile

Call for Experts
The call for experts will remain open during the EWG lifetime. Any expert wishing to participate in the Durum Wheat Genomics and Breeding Expert Working Group should complete the application form and send it via email to wheat(dot)initiative(at)julius-kuehn(dot)de.

mentorship programme

The mentorship programme aims to connect PhDs/research fellows (mentees) from regions with limited opportunities with senior researchers (mentors) working in an advanced laboratory who offer their knowledge to supervise the mentee’s research programme in collaboration with the local supervisor.

The mentorship is based on a research programme submitted by the applicant (mentee), approved by the local supervisor and shared with the mentors, the research programme can target any topic in durum wheat genomics and breeding and will be carried during a specific period of time (typically up to 3 years).

The supervision will be carried out through online interactions, but the EWG will provide the opportunity for in-person meetings between mentees and mentors:

  • in 2023 during the EWG meeting, planned to be held in October 2023;

  • in 2024, where an opportunity to apply for short term fellowships will be given allowing PhDs/research fellows to visit the mentor’ labs.

This programme does not provide direct funding to mentees. Should funding become available, a new selection process will be carried out on a case-by-case basis. Applications for the first cycle were taken until July, 30 2023.

Meetings

Past:

  • December 16, 2024 6TH VIRTUAL DURUM MEETING 16TH DEC 2024, Updates from the International Wheat Congress: a durum wheat perspective

  • September 21st 2024, Durum EWG meeting, prior to the International Wheat Congress in Perth, Australia

  • October 17-18th 2023, Durum EWG meeting, Bari “IS SUFFICIENT RESISTANCE TO FUSARIUM HEAD BLIGHT IN DURUM WHEAT TRULY ACHIEVABLE?”

  • May 10-11th 2023, 5th Virtual Durum Meeting (find the programme here)

Annual Reports