2024 IRRDB International Workshop on Rubber Tree Pan-Genomics and Breeding Technology Held in Hainan

On August 14-15, the 2024 IRRDB International Workshop on Rubber Tree Pan-Genomics and Breeding Technology, jointly organized by the Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences (CATAS) and the International Rubber Research and Development Board (IRRDB), was held in Sanya, Hainan. The conference was attended by notable figures such as Academician Li Jiayang of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Li Jihua, Vice President of CATAS and Director of the Rubber Research Institute, Liu Guodao, President of the Chinese Society of Tropical Crops, and Kosol Boonkong, Deputy Director-General of the Rubber Authority of Thailand.

The aim of this conference was to explore the latest advancements in rubber tree genomics in the era of Breeding 3.0 and their application in rubber breeding research. It also sought to promote the integration of molecular breeding with traditional breeding, advance rubber tree breeding research, and deepen scientific and technological cooperation on natural rubber between IRRDB, its member countries, and tropical regions worldwide. Keynote speeches were delivered by several experts, including Academician Li Jiayang, Professor Jin Shuangxia of Huazhong Agricultural University, Researcher Zhang Xingtan of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, IRRDB Fellow Ramli Bin Othman, and Researcher Hu Lisong of the Spice and Beverage Research Institute at CATAS. These speeches covered the genomics and breeding of various crops such as rubber grass, cotton, rubber trees, and coffee. Experts from six countries—China, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, India, and Sri Lanka—presented national reports on these topics. A total of 17 renowned scientists in the fields of genomics, molecular biology, and breeding shared their cutting-edge research progress and successful experiences regarding rubber tree genomics, genetic improvement, and breeding technology.

In recent years, CATAS has made significant progress in rubber tree genomics and genetic transformation technology research. The institute has continuously released multiple high-quality rubber tree reference genomes and successfully developed the first rubber tree genomic breeding chip, "Reyan No. 1," providing strong support for the accelerated breeding of new rubber tree varieties.

During the conference, representatives from IRRDB member countries held a roundtable meeting to discuss the establishment of a rubber tree pan-genome alliance and plans for cooperation in genomic breeding. They explored next steps in areas such as materials and data sharing and the development of breeding technologies.

IRRDB is one of the three major international organizations for natural rubber and is an academic, non-governmental organization with 22 member countries. In 1980, with approval from relevant authorities, CATAS officially joined IRRDB on behalf of China and has maintained close cooperation with IRRDB and its member countries for 45 years. Three experts from CATAS have consecutively received the IRRDB Research Gold Award. In 2020, the Hainan Provincial Government awarded IRRDB the Hainan Provincial International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Award in recognition of its outstanding contributions to the development of the natural rubber industry in Hainan.

This workshop, held in Hainan, will further promote cooperation between China and IRRDB as well as its member countries, expand scientific and technological cooperation on natural rubber with tropical regions worldwide, and enhance the quality and efficiency of the natural rubber industry. Over 90 experts from 13 government, scientific, educational institutions, enterprises, and associations across seven countries, including the Rubber Research Institute of India, the RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science (Japan), the Malaysian Rubber Board, the Myanmar Rubber Planters and Producers Association, the Rubber Authority of Thailand, Sumitomo Rubber Industries (Thailand), and the Vietnam Rubber Research Institute, attended the workshop.