Onerice breeding framework: An end‐to‐end system to develop better varieties faster

• Published in: Crop science Vol. 65; no. 3
• Main Authors: Bhosale, Sankalp, Thathapalli Prakash, Parthiban, Kadaru, Suresh Babu, Hussain, Waseem, Dixit, Shalabh, Ali, Jauhar, Platten, John D., Islam, Md Rafiqul, Singh, Vikas Kumar, Murori, Rosemary, Ndayiragije, Alexis, Panchbhai, Ajay, Nayak, Swati, Dela Cruz, Princess, Demont, Matty, Bartholome, Jerome, Covarrubias‐Pazaran, Giovanny, Cobb, Joshua N., Bhardwaj, Hans
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.05.2025
• ISSN: 0011-183X; 1435-0653
• DOI: 10.1002/csc2.70087

Breeding in the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) system is an intricate process that integrates the contributions of market research, pre‐breeding, breeding, breeding operations, and seed systems. Therefore, a well‐defined framework is critical for the effective and efficient operation of a breeding program. The OneRice Breeding Framework developed at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) integrates these components, from initial market research to establish breeding goals, creating breeding strategies for improved product design and development, and swiftly testing and replacing products through effective seed systems. The framework represents a cutting‐edge breeding approach that offers comprehensive guidance on harnessing modern tools and technologies, including genomic selection, speed breeding, sparse testing, and so on. Additionally, the framework outlines strategies for systematically integrating novel genetic variation into elite breeding programs through pre‐breeding efforts. It is adaptable across different crops and is dynamic, allowing adjustments in the breeding program based on target objectives, resource availability, and tools. The OneRice Breeding Framework is a comprehensive end‐to‐end framework that integrates all the components to enhance genetic gains and develop and disseminate better products faster to address food, nutrition, and income security. Consequently, the OneRice Breeding Framework is the fundamental blueprint for modern rice (Oryza sativa) crop breeding. Core Ideas An end‐to‐end breeding framework is critical for the effective and efficient operation of a breeding program. Standardizes best practices and vocabulary for breeding rice and could serve as a model for other crops. Minimal breeding unit for a breeding pipeline is termed as “1X” where numbers at all the breeding steps are defined. The framework is a blueprint to increase genetic gain and address food, nutrition, and income security. Plain Language Summary The subject is related to global agriculture and how plant breeding plays an important role in addressing food security and feeding the growing population. Developing crop varieties in the international institutes is a very intricate process involving multiple components. This work is an effort to tackle the complexity by meaningfully integrating all the components to make the entire breeding process more effective and efficient. We have successfully developed and implemented an end‐to‐end framework to develop better crop varieties in short time. The framework leverages strong scientific principles and cutting‐edge technologies to achieve this. The framework enabled the rice breeding program to breed rapidly and replace the old varieties in farmers’ fields. It also serves as a blueprint for other crop breeding programs.