Breeding Operations Unit
The Breeding Operations Unit delivers science-based, high-value support to researchers, partners, and clients across the scientific community. Services span the research cycle, from study design and field trials to data analysis, accelerating innovation and ensuring scientific rigor.
Clients gain access to modern facilities, skilled technical staff, and ISO-accredited labs that deliver timely, reproducible results. Capacity building is also supported through training and strategic partnerships.
Cross-Cutting Operations
CCO provides multidisciplinary personnel to support hybridization, trait introgression, rapid generation advancement, disease and pest screening, seed production and testing, warehousing, and internal manpower for research activities.
Seed Production
This service ensures the delivery of high-quality registered and certified seeds through standardized protocols and strict quality control. Seeds are produced with high genetic purity and viability, enabling partners and clients to confidently propagate preferred rice varieties for research, distribution, or commercial use.
Biotic Screening
This service evaluates rice lines for resistance to major pests and diseases using high-throughput
platforms under controlled and field conditions. This enables fast-tracking the development of resilient varieties with reduced chemical input needs.
Rapid Generation Advance
RGA shortens the breeding cycle by accelerating generation turnover from F2 to F6 using Single Seed Descent (SSD) and enables trait stabilization and selection within 1.5 years.
IRRI Service Laboratories
The IRRI Service Laboratories (ISL) provide analytical services for research, breeding, and quality assurance. Accredited under ISO/IEC 17025 and equipped with more than 70 validated methods, ISL conducts precise tests on rice grain, plant, soil, water, and DNA.
Grain Quality and Nutrition Services Laboratory (GQNSL)
GQNSL provides grain quality evaluation, analytical testing, and instrument support to researchers and industry clients. It assesses rice quality traits to enable breeding goals and supports market requirements. The lab analyzes plant tissues, grains, and soils using standardized methods to generate data for nutritional profiling, soil fertility, and crop management. Results are accurate, confidential, and compliant with international standards.
Genotyping Services Laboratory (GSL)
GSL offers complete genotyping services, from DNA extraction to marker-assisted selection, and coordination with accredited sequencing providers. Integrated with Breeding4Results (B4R) and GOBII, it streamlines workflows and enables breeders to use genotypic data efficiently for selection and varietal development.
Zeigler Experiment Station (ZES)
ZES is IRRI’s main site for field and greenhouse operations, supporting trait development, breeding trials, and agronomic experiments. It provides full- cycle technical support, from land preparation and crop protection to postharvest. The station also serves as a hands-on training site for students, partners, and visiting scientists. Field, equipment, and greenhouse rentals are available upon request.