Center for Plant Molecular Breeding

Abstract

Pastures and sugarcane are economically important crops, with genetic complexities that restrict the availability of genomic resources and make the selection process slower and more complicated than in other important agricultural species. Food production and also bio-based resources face constant abiotic and biotic challenges, and sustainable practices and environmentally-friendly solutions are mandatory to attend the world demand of healthier food with less environmental impact. In such a scenario, the Center for Plant Molecular Breeding (CPMB) is a research network with focus on the selection and development of tropical forage grasses and sugarcane cultivars based on modern molecular tools, statistical methods, and efficient computational resources. With the general aim of developing genetic resources for increasing agricultural production, the CPMB is organized into four complementary Joint Research Actions (JRA): (i) Molecular Omics; (ii) High-Throughput Phenotyping; (iii) Modeling; and (iv) Data Science, which will be supported by a multidisciplinary research team involving scientists from the most prominent Brazilian teaching and research institutions (Unicamp, USP, IAC, Instituto Biológico, Embrapa and UFSCar/RIDESA) and also from renowned international institutions. Through a joint effort, we expect to provide disruptive advances and innovation in Brazilian agriculture, with unprecedented benefits to the sugarcane and cattle industries through increases in sugar and biomass production for feeding an increasing and well-known bioeconomy. Based on research excellence, state-of-the-art facilities and synergy among all areas of expertise, the CPMB will produce not only new methods and techniques but also new varieties with greater productive potential and capable of meeting the demands of contemporary societies, in a sustainable and multidisciplinary way. (AU)