ICARDA News

INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH IN THE DRY AREAS
P.O. Box 5466, Aleppo, Syria
Phone: (963-21) 2213433, 2213477, 2225112, 2225012
Fax: (963-21) 2213490, 2225105; E-mail: ICARDA@CGIAR.ORG
10 July 2003
For more information contact:S.Varma@cgiar.org
Major Research Breakthrough:
Five Hessian Fly Resistant Durum Varieties Released in Morocco
INRA-Morocco and ICARDA are proud to announce the official release, on 2 July 2003, of five durum wheat varieties (INRA 1804, 1805, 1807, 1808, and 1809) combining resistance to Hessian fly and tolerance to drought. Hessian fly (Mayetiola destructor) is an insect pest of durum and bread wheat responsible for severe reductions in production. In Morocco, the crop losses from Hessian fly infestations in the 200/03 cropping season could reach as much as US$200 million. The release and subsequent adoption of these Hessian fly resistant varieties is key to breaking the drought-Hessian fly cycle prevailing in many rainfed areas, and preventing crop failure.
Left: A durum field planted to a susceptible variety heavily damaged by Hessian fly. Right: A field planted to a new Hessian fly resistant variety being currently promoted through the IFAD/ICARDA/INRA IRDEN project.
     Durum wheat is known for its susceptibility to Hessian fly, especially in the Mediterranean region. Pioneering research in durum wheat improvement in the region led to the discovery of genetic resistance to Hessian fly that was successfully incorporated into durum germplasm along with drought resistance. The release of these varieties by the Moroccan national program will significantly boost durum production in the region.
     This research achievement is the result of years of patient and dedicated work on the part of researchers and technicians from INRA-Morocco, in close collaboration with ICARDA. Hessian fly resistance research was initiated on bread wheat during the mid-1980s through a USAID-MIAC-INRA project in Settat. The first attempt to develop Hessian fly resistant durum wheat was made in 1989 and has since been carried forward by a research team consisting of Dr Nsarellah Nasserlehaq, INRA durum breeder and National Coordinator of IRDEN Project (an IFAD-funded regional durum project) and Dr Sadia Lhaloui, entomologist, both based in Settat, Morocco. They were assisted in their work by Dr Miloudi Nachit, head of the joint ICARDA/CIMMYT durum program; Dr Mustapha El Bouhssini, entomologist at ICARDA and Dr Ahmed Amri, Regional Coordinator of the GEF/UNDP Biodiversity Project, based in Amman, Jordan, at ICARDA and both former INRA scientists.
     This accomplishment provides evidence that the sustained and strategic durum research collaboration between INRA-Morocco and ICARDA—strengthened by the implementation of two regional projects funded by IFAD's TAG program (WANADDIN and IRDEN)—is definitely bearing fruit. The research team is thankful to Dr Majid Slama (IFAD) and Dr E. Porceddu of Tuscia University for their continuous support.
     The challenge before us now consists in making these new varieties available for farmers to use. This is precisely the effort pursued through the IFAD-funded IRDEN project. Dr A. Belaid, coordinator of the IRDEN project is to be thanked for spearheading this new durum wheat type of research.
     The expected spillovers that will be induced by this scientific breakthrough call for a stronger and sustainable support to durum wheat research in the region that will promote the work of our scientists and institutions.

ICARDA's (www.icarda.org) mission is to improve the welfare of people and alleviate poverty through research and training in dry areas of the developing world by increasing production, productivity, and nutritional quality of food, while preserving and enhancing the natural resource base. ICARDA is a Future Harvest Center.
Back