BULLETIN 1
Groundnut Breeding at ICRISAT Delivers Strong Yield Gains: Genetic Gain Assessment Reveals

ICRISAT; October 8 2025
With groundnut being central to food, nutrition and edible oil security, the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) has set a new benchmark in crop improvement by measuring Realized Genetic Gain (RGG) in its groundnut breeding program.
A recently published ICRISAT study confirms steady yield improvements in groundnut breeding over time, while also identifying opportunities to refine breeding strategies for faster progress.
The significant gains achieved in the past 2 decades demonstrate how genetic advancements are translating into higher on-farm yields, strengthening national and global food and nutrition security.
“What cannot be measured cannot be improved. Measuring the benefits of our breeding efforts is as important as developing breakthrough varieties.
Since 1976, ICRISAT’s groundnut breeding program has released over 240 improved varieties across 39 countries, benefiting millions of farming families across Asia and Africa. Notably, ICRISAT in partnership with NARS partners in India released the first high oleic acid cultivars, ICGV 15083 (Girnar 4) and ICGV 15090 (Girnar 5).
The study focused on two major market types of ICRISAT-bred groundnut, Spanish Bunch and Virginia Bunch and evaluated them for three key yield-related traits: pod yield, shelling percentage, and seed weight.
Conducted over a two-year period covering three to four growing seasons, testing ICRISAT-bred groundnut varieties since 1988, the research highlights the steady genetic progress achieved through ICRISAT’s breeding efforts.
The study recorded annual yield gains of about 27 kg/ha in medium-duration varieties and 25 kg/ha in late-maturing varieties, clear evidence of the groundnut breeding program’s consistent impact on productivity.
These results show that continuous improvement efforts are paying off. The study also found variations in the trait shelling percentage, pointing to opportunities for refining breeding strategies in that area.
Dr Janila Pasupuleti, Principal Scientist – Groundnut Breeding at ICRISAT, noted that while the results show a positive trend over the past two decades, there is a continued need to integrate advanced tools such as computed tomography and genomic selection in breeding.
Looking ahead, ICRISAT’s groundnut breeding program is advancing toward a data-driven breeding approach, combining genomic selection, modern phenotyping, data analytics, and machine learning.
This integrated strategy aims to fast-track the development of 'breakthrough groundnut varieties' that are not only high yielding but are nutritionally superior, stronger resistance to pests, diseases, and drought.
See https://pressroom.icrisat.org/groundnut-breeding-at-icrisat-delivers-strong-yield-gains-genetic-gain-assessment-reveals

 

BULLETIN 2
MIT Genetically Engineers Mice to Stop Lyme Disease Transmission

 

Figure: Photo Source: MIT Media Lab
Led by Associate Professor Kevin Esvelt, researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Media Lab's Sculpting Evolution group are pioneering groundbreaking research to combat Lyme disease. The initiative, called Mice Against Ticks, aims to reduce Lyme cases on Nantucket by genetically engineering wild white-footed mice to be immune to the infection.
In collaboration with Tufts epidemiologist Sam Telford, the team uses CRISPR gene editing technology to insert antibodies directly into mouse DNA. This approach creates what the researchers call a “heritable immunization,” which allows immunity to pass from one generation to the next. Unlike traditional vaccines, this method targets the disease cycle itself. If ticks feed on these immune mice, they can no longer carry Lyme bacteria.
Before lab work began, the researchers consulted Nantucket residents through multiple public meetings to ensure transparency and trust. “We need to do the science differently because we need to ensure that people have a voice, early enough, to actually influence the direction that the technology is developed,” Esvelt said. A controlled field trial on a private island will be the next step in this research.
For more information, read the article from MIT Media Lab.
See https://www.isaaa.org/kc/cropbiotechupdate/article/default.asp?ID=21547

 

SCIENTIFIC NEWS
Genome-Wide Identification, Characterization, and Expression Analysis of BBX Genes During Anthocyanin Biosynthesis in Mango (Mangifera indica L.)
Chengkun Yang, Muhammad Mobeen Tahir, Yawen Zhang, Xiaowen Wang, Wencan Zhu, Feili Li, Kaibing Zhou, Qin Deng, Minjie Qian
Biology (Basel); 2025 Jul 23; 14(8):919. doi: 10.3390/biology14080919.

 

  

 

Abstract
B-box (BBX) transcription factors are critical regulators of light-mediated anthocyanin biosynthesis, influencing peel coloration in plants. To explore their role in red mango cultivars, we identified 32 BBX genes (MiBBX1-MiBBX32) in the mango (Mangifera indica L.) genome using a genome-wide analysis. Phylogenetic and structural analyses classified these genes into five subfamilies based on conserved domains. A collinearity analysis revealed segmental duplication as the primary mechanism of MiBBX gene family expansion, with purifying selection shaping their evolution. A promoter analysis identified numerous light- and hormone-responsive cis-elements, indicating regulatory roles in the light and hormonal signaling pathways. Expression profiling in the 'Sensation' cultivar revealed organ-specific patterns, with several MiBBX genes showing higher expression in the peel than in the flesh. Many of these genes also consistently exhibited elevated expression in the peel of red-skinned cultivars ('Sensation' and 'Guifei') compared to yellow and green cultivars, suggesting their role in red peel pigmentation. Furthermore, postharvest light treatment of 'Hongmang No. 6' fruit significantly upregulated multiple MiBBX genes, suggesting their involvement in light-induced anthocyanin accumulation in red mango peel. These findings provide valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms governing light-regulated peel coloration in mango and establish a foundation for functional studies of MiBBX genes in fruit pigmentation.
See https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40906093/

  

FIGURE 2
Schematic representation of MiBBX chromosomal distribution and interchromosomal relationships. Gray lines depict all syntenic blocks across the mango genome, while red lines highlight collinear BBX gene pairs. Chromosome numbers are indicated at the base of each chromosome. The colors within the ring represent the varying levels of gene density, ranging from red to yellow. The farther the red line is from the center of the circle, the higher the gene density is.