The IAEA/RCA Regional Training Course on Application of Induced Mutations and Biotechnology for Crop Improvement will be held in Gannoruwa, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka in 4-15 August 2003.

Mutation techniques have been used as one of the most efficient new means in crop breeding in recent years. The total accessions of the mutant varieties officially registered in the FAO/IAEA Database are 2,252 by the year 2000. Younger scientists involved in the project need theoretical and practical knowledge for advanced mutation induction.

The main purpose of the course in to enhance the capability of scientists to handle the mutated population and utilization of the modern bio-techniques in crop improvement programme.

This course is expected to help improving technical knowledge, high-level management of the mutated population, mutational analysis, and familiarizing with the mutant spectrum. This training course will also impart the utilization of recently developed biotechnological approaches for improvement of the crops.