Plant diseases, global food security and the role of R. Glenn Anderson

Figures & data

Fig. 1 Glenn Anderson, et al. India, ca. 1963. Left to right – Wayne Freeman, unknown, Norman Borlaug, Glenn Anderson, S. P. Kohli (Source: Rockefeller Foundation).

Fig. 2 Glenn Anderson in Bangladesh wheat field, ca. 1978 (Source: Hugo Vivar, CIMMYT).

Fig. 3 Number of wheat programme trainees in Mexico and their countries of origin, 1968–2007. (Source: Byerlee & Dubin, 2010).

Table 1. Evolution of types of international experimental wheat seed nurseries, 1960s–1980s.

Decade	Focus	Main nurseries added
1960s Pre-CIMMYT & early CIMMYT [1966]	Provide best available wheat germplasm to cooperating programmes with broad adaptation, high yield potential, and multiple disease resistance and test these qualities over time and space.	International Spring Wheat Yield Nursery; International Durum Yield Nursery; International Bread Wheat Screening Nursery; International Triticale Yield Nursery; International Triticale Screening Nursery.
1970’s CIMMYT era	Provide high yielding, broadly adapted, daylength insensitive, multiple disease resistant germplasm. Start of spring × winter wheat breeding programme. Earlier nurseries continue with additional ones as needs are determined. Specialty nurseries especially for disease resistance.	Crossing blocks; F2s Irrigated and Dryland; International Septoria Screening Nursery; Elite Spring Wheat Yield Trial; Regional Disease Trap Nursery.
1980s	As before but with additional adaptation for diverse environments. Designated as Mega-environments. Large UNDP programme on wheat for non-traditional, warmer climates.	Semi-Arid Wheat Screening Nursery; Acid Soils Wheat Screening Nursery; High Rainfall Wheat Screening Nursery; International Disease Trap Nursery; Karnal Bunt Screening Nursery.

Source: Modified from Byerlee & Dubin (2010).

Fig. 4 Number of international experimental wheat seed nurseries shipped in 1970’s-2000’s (Source: Byerlee & Dubin, 2010).

Byerlee D, Dubin HJ. 2010. Crop improvement in the CGIAR as a global success story of open access and international cooperation. Int J Commons. 4(1):452–480.

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