rice paddy field in Asia photo:IRRI
The 2009 CGIAR Science Award for Outstanding Scientific Support Team went to the Irrigated Rice Breeding Team led by senior plant breeder Dr. Parminder Virk, at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI).
“About 70 percent of rice land worldwide is sown to modern varieties, and 75 percent of these have been derived from IRRI breeding materials—most of which have been developed by the Irrigated Rice Breeding Team,” commented Robert Zeigler, IRRI director.
Dr. Virk is also a member of the HarvestPlus rice breeding team at IRRI that is developing new rice varieties with more zinc to reduce zinc deficiency in countries where rice is a staple food crop.
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