International Vegetable Training Course

Course Title: Vegetable Breeding

Course aim

The course will provide participants with hands-on experience and expand their technical knowledge in tropical vegetable breeding. It also offers opportunities to build professional networks with fellow breeders and recognized experts in the field:

• Genetic diversity and resources at TVRC
• Genebank database management
• Seed production pipeline for small- and medium-scale entreprises
• Breeding schemes for tomato, chili, cucurbits, and okra
• Hybrid cultivar development using male sterility systems
• Plant-pathogen interactions
• DNA markers for vegetable breeding and pathogen/insect diagnosis
• Genetic diversity analysis (PCA) using genebank data
• DNA extraction and quality assessment
• Bulk segregant analysis
• RNA extraction
• PCR and gel result interpretation
• Marker design and group discussion

Training method

The course is taught by experts from the World Vegetable Center and Kasetsart University (Thailand). The instruction will be in English. Training methods include:

• Classroom features
• hands-on laboratory and field exercises
• Excursions to leading vegetable seed producers in Thailand

Participants will also take a pre-test and post-test to help assess their initial knowledge and evaluate their progress throughout the course.

Training Duration

Oct 26 – Nov 6, 2026

Training fee

The course fee is US$ 2,500, which includes training, accommodation, meals, local transportation, excursions, and local health insurance. Airfare and visa fees are not included. The organizers cannot provide scholarships or discounts.