Brazil: Genetic exchange of sesame and peanuts could strengthen Embrapa's ties with US research centers

The beginning of an inter-institutional articulation took place during a technical visit to cultivation areas in Texas and Oklahoma Researchers from Embrapa and from US research and teaching centers started the first discussions on a probable technical cooperation with the aim of sharing genetic material from sesame and peanut crops. The idea is that the Brazilian state-owned company has access to the American germplasm bank in order to expand its research with genetic improvement. The first bilateral negotiations in this regard began in September during a technical visit by Brazilians to the main growing areas in Texas and Oklahoma. "Our main interests are with sesame genetic materials with the potential for semi-indescence, which is the quality that guarantees that the seeds are retained in the fruits, to improve harvesting processes, and also to expand the range of cultivars with 'flavors' ' of differentiated oil", says the researcher from Embrapa Algodão, Nair Helena Arriel, ...