OLD S9: Plant Genetic Resources Conservation and Utilization

(Multistate Research Project)

Status: Inactive/Terminating

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SAES-422 Reports

Annual/Termination Reports:

[08/09/2019] [08/26/2020] [09/13/2021] [08/29/2022] [08/18/2023]

Date of Annual Report: 08/09/2019

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 08/12/2019 - 08/12/2019
Period the Report Covers: 10/01/2018 - 09/30/2019

Participants

Brief Summary of Minutes

Minutes Attachment:

S-009 2019 Minutes Full Version.pdf

Accomplishments

A total of 100,342 accessions of 1608 plant species representing 282 genera were maintained in the Griffin plant genetic resources collection. Over 85% of these accessions were available for distribution to users and over 97% were backed up for security at a second location. Bulk seed samples for 83,671 accessions were maintained at -18oC for long-term storage with seed of the remaining accessions stored at 4oC. A total of 46,676 seed and clonal accessions were distributed upon request to scientists and educators worldwide in calendar year 2018 and another 17,485 distributed in 2019 as of June 6, 2019. Sorghum, watermelon, and pepper were the most distributed crops. Long-term clonal maintenance of 188 wild peanuts, 435 warm-season grasses, and 96 bamboo accessions was continued in the greenhouse or field. Seven hundred and fifty-five (756) accessions of sweet potato were maintained in vitro (or in the greenhouse) and serially re-cultured, as necessary. Viability testing has been conducted on 86,687 accessions in total. Of those, 2121 seed inventories were pulled for viability testing in 2018 and 2275 so far for 2019. All of these activities ensure that the crop genetic resources at the Griffin location are safeguarded for future use in developing new cultivars and identifying novel traits and uses in our food and fiber crops. A total of 1451 plant samples were pulled for regeneration this season. Accessions of Pepper Mild Mottle Virus (PMMV) infected Capsicum spp. were increased in the greenhouse for production of virus free seed. Accessions of watermelon, pepper, and cucurbits were regenerated in the field and greenhouse in Griffin, GA. Accessions of various vegetable crops were regenerated and phenotyped in collaboration with USDA/ARS Parlier, CA, USDA/ARS Mayaguez, PR, Rijk Zwaan, HMClause, Bayer, and the World Vegetable Center. Thirty little bluestem accessions from recent collection trips were regenerated in Byron, GA and 435 clonal grasses are successfully regenerating in the greenhouse and field plots. Peanut accessions with low seed inventories were planted in Byron and a total of 411 accessions were shelled, cleaned, and submitted to the seed storage laboratory for processing to add to the national collection. A total of 77 newly regenerated accessions of 17 wild peanut species were submitted to the seed storage. Long-term clonal maintenance of the perennial peanut species, Arachis glabrata, and perennial peanut hybrids was continued in the greenhouses. These peanut genetic resources provide a valuable source of variability for plant breeders to use in the development of improved varieties. For seed regeneration of sweet potato wild species, five Ipomoea wild species accessions (PI 538280, PI 540726, PI 543822, PI 543831, and PI 561543) were planted in the greenhouses at Griffin and Puerto Rico. So far, over 850 seeds have been harvested at Griffin. Viability tests were also conducted on 285 lines of morning glory that had been stored over 30 years. Among them, 116 lines had over 10% viability. Based on this data, several of these sweet potato wild species will be added to the germplasm collection and made available for use in sweet potato breeding programs. The genetic relationship among certain of the cultivated species of Capsicum (pepper) remains unclear. This has hindered the development of a Capsicum core collection. Overlapping phenotypic characteristics have thwarted efforts to definitively assign all observed phenotypes to a specific taxon. Collaborative studies continue in an effort to develop and apply Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) techniques to define the boundaries (if they exist) of individual taxa. Many new species of Capsicum (pepper) have recently been described. However, much remains to be determined regarding the genomic relationships between these new identified species and the cultivated species. Work continues to identify and characterize unique genomic components of both. Approximately 200 accessions of pepper were genotyped for eventual selection of a core collection that will facilitate use of the germplasm collection by plant breeders. All species of Citrullus (watermelon) are monoecious – except one. The species of Citrullus most distantly related to the cultivated watermelon is dioecious, indicating an ancient shift from dioecy to monoecy. Work continues in an effort to identify the genetic/genomic basis for this shift as part of a broader pan-genomic characterization of the genus. Collaboration continues with ARS Charleston and the Cucurbit Coordinated Agricultural Project (CucCAP) regarding genotyping and phenotyping of Citrullus germplasm. Evaluation of the basis for insect resistance in the desert perennial vine (Citrullus ecirrhosus spp.), a relative of cultivated watermelon, continues in collaboration with USDA/ARS Oxford, MS and USDA/ARS Charleston, SC. Genomic studies in Citrullus (sex determination, general genomics). In a set of 38 cowpea accessions evaluated for biochemical and seed traits, the main components of variation within this set was attributed to anthocyanins, flavonols, 100 seed weight, seed pattern, and seed pattern color. Cluster analysis grouped the 38 cowpea accessions into five anthocyanin and flavonol groups. A group of 27 roselle accessions which were previously thought to be non-seed producers because of photo-period sensitivity were tested for viability. Percent viable ranged from 0 to over 80% for these roselle accessions and several exceeded 65%. The information obtained in these studies will provide plant breeders and scientists valuable biochemical variability data in cowpea and germination data in roselle for development of important cultivars as well as the identification of roselle genotypes which can produce high quality seed quantities. Fifty-two high oleic acid peanut accessions were grown in replicated field trials at three locations (Georgia, Florida, and New Mexico). Seeds were harvested and used for oil, fatty acid, and protein analysis. The 52 peanut lines were genotyped with FAD2A and FAD2B DNA markers. These DNA markers were developed to easily identify high oleic acid peanut varieties. The interaction between the different FAD2A and FAD2B genotypes with the environment was found to be significant and could alter the amount of oleic acid produced. The revealed interaction will be very useful to peanut breeders, farmers, and processors of peanut products for understanding and utilizing this important trait. In a separate study, 14 high stearic acid (C18:0) peanut accessions were planted in the field trials to determine if levels of stearic acid previously measured in long term storage peanut samples would be consistent in newly harvested seed. Significant differences between the freshly harvested and long term-stored peanut seed were identified. Additional germplasm characterizations performed at the location include 146 samples (104 cultivated peanut, 19 Desmodium, 9 lablab, and 12 Corchorus) measured for protein content and 44 samples (19 Desmodium and 25 Vigna) measured for flavonoid content. In collaboration with the University of Georgia and ARS Scientists in Lubbock, TX, 256 EMS-induced mutant sorghum lines were evaluated for low-phosphorous tolerance at the lab conditions. Ten high oleic acid sesame lines (M5-M6) were planted in the greenhouse in 2018 to confirm the high oleic trait identified in previous studies. State Reports Submitted in 2019 Alabama Charles Chen, Auburn University According to records provided by S-009, a total of 659 accessions were sent to Alabama from 2015 to 2018. In 2018, the requested germplasm covered 12 genera. They are grasses (warm season), hibiscus, okra, peppers, watermelon, eggplant, millets, and Gourds. The most requested crops were millets by Auburn University (Table 1). The recipients of required germplasm were university scientists, consultants, seed companies, gardeners and citizens of Alabama (Table2). The largest number of accessions was requested by Dr. Scott McElroy at Auburn University for millets (45 accessions), following by Dr. Mckain from the University of Alabama for grasses (34 accessions), Mr. Pounders from Innovative Plants for Okra (21 accessions), and Dr. Srinivasa Mentreddy from Alabama A&M University for Hibiscus (12 accessions). Three individuals in AL required germplasm for gourds, peppers, watermelon, and eggplant. In addition to the records provided by S-009, the peanut breeding program by Dr. Charles Chen at Auburn University is maintaining the purified accessions of the U.S. peanut mini-core collection (104 accessions). Dr. Chen distributed the seeds of the U.S. peanut mini-core collection to Dr. Phat Dang at USDA-ARS National Peanut Research Lab, Dawson GA for phenotyping of drought tolerance in rainout shelters in 2018 again. Table 1. Required Accessions by Genus in 2018 CROP GENUS TOTAL Okra Abelmoschus 23 Grasses (warm season) Andropogon 8 Peppers Capsicum 3 Grasses (warm season) Chrysopogon 4 Watermelon Citrullus 4 S9 - Millets Eleusine 45 Hibiscus Hibiscus 12 Gourds Lagenaria 1 Grasses (warm season) Miscanthus 14 Grasses (warm season) Schizachyrium 15 Eggplant Solanum 2 Grasses (warm season) Themeda 4 Table 2. Required Accessions by Recipients   Year University Public Service/Primary Education Private Sector Total 2015 151 1 5 157 2016 65 2 21 88 2017 267 1 10 278 2018 103 1 32 136 Sub-Total 586 5 68 659 Florida Kevin Kenworthy, University of Florida The state of Florida was very active in 2018 for plant genetic resources distribution. According to records provided by S-9, 31 different individuals requested materials from 32 different genera of plants and a total of 752 PIs distributed. Affiliation of individuals obtaining materials included University of Florida scientists, USDA scientists, private research organizations, private citizens, and public schools. Most individuals who responded to a request for information indicated a high level of satisfaction with materials provided and appreciation for the availability of the germplasm. Georgia Soraya Leal-Bertioli, University of Georgia During 2018, 98 requests for plant germplasm were made to the S-009 unit by citizens of Georgia. As a result of these requests, S-009 provided 3,438 plant accessions. The recipients were University scientists (3,231 accessions), USDA scientists (186), seed companies (8), and gardeners/citizens of Georgia (11). The most requested crops were peanut (2689 accessions), Ricinus communis (144) sorghum (136), Lespedeza spp. (136) and Desmodium spp. (225). The University of Georgia maintains strong emphasis on plant breeding and continues to expand its advanced molecular biology programs. The Institute of Plant Breeding, Genetics, and Genomics at UGA currently has 42 total faculty members, being 27 full faculty from various departments (Crop and Soils Science, Plant Pathology and Horticulture), five adjunct faculty, seven affiliated members from the USDA and three emeritus members. The main mission of the Institute is to develop improved plant cultivars from agronomic and horticultural species of importance to Georgia, the U.S., and worldwide. Faculty is also engaged in training graduate students and the graduate program currently has 45 students (19 MS and 26 PhD), as well as many research scientists, and post-docs involved in various aspects of plant improvement. These programs supply new crop cultivars and associated technologies to our agricultural sector and rely heavily upon the plant materials maintained within the S-009 unit. UGA currently has active cultivar development programs in soybean, peanut, small grains, cotton, turfgrass, forages, blueberry, pecan, grape, pepper, peach, watermelon, and numerous ornamental crops that frequently utilize the plant genetic resource collections. These cultivar development programs released seven cultivars or crop germplasm lines during 2018-19 (Table 1). Research programs in crop science, horticulture, plant pathology, entomology and other disciplines continue to utilize the genetic resources of the S-009 unit in both basic and applied research projects designed to address the needs of Georgia and U.S. agriculture. Numerous projects are currently underway involving the S-009 germplasm The S-009 unit remains a critical component of our research, cultivar development and student training programs in Georgia. Table 1. Cultivar and Germplasm Releases from UGA Breeding Programs in 2018-2019. Cultivar Name Main Breeder Date of Release TC458 Centipedegrass Dr. Wayne Hanna 2-7-19 Ga. 8-1-338 Muscadine Grape (RubyCrisp) Dr. Patrick Conner 8-14-18 Blueberry Selection TH-920 Dr. Scott NeSmith 1-3-19 Blueberry SelectionTH-889 Dr. Scott NeSmith 1-3-19 Wheat TX-EL2 (GA 06343-13E2 ) Dr. Jerry Johnson 3-12-18 Wheat GA 08535-15LE29 Dr. Mohamed Mergoum 8-29-18 'Georgia-18RU' Peanut Dr. William Branch 8-13-18 Guam Mari Marutani, University of Guam 1. Evaluation of germplasm adaptation to Guam’s climate 1.1 Sorrel or Roselle, Hibiscus sabdariffa: Ten (10) accessions of Hibiscus sabdariffa, sorrel or roselle, were evaluated for field performance at Guam Agricultural Experiment Station during late March to December 2018. There were eight lines of H. sabdariffa var. sabdariffa: PI 256039 (Bangladesh), PI 265319 (Cuba), PI 273389 (Taiwan), PI 275414 (Poland), PI 286316 (Ghana), PI 291128 (Ghana), PI 500706 (Zambia), PI 500713 (Zambia), and PI 500724 (Zambia), and two lines of H. sabdariffa var. altissima: PI 275413 (Senegal) and PI 286316 (Ghana). All but one accession (PI 286316) were short day plants and began producing calyxes between late October to early November. PI 286316 produced calyxes in August, 74 days after transplant. On Guam, H. sabdariffa are susceptible to general herbivore damage as seedlings, but are generally resistant upon reaching maturity. The only major pests of mature plants were mealybugs (family Psuedococcidae). H. sabdariffa were also be prone to parasitism from dodder plants (Cuscuta sp.). H. sabdariffa are also prone to iron deficiencies in calcareous soils with high pH. During the experiment, iron chelate was applied monthly. Two accessions, PI500706 and PI 265319, produced more calyx and tolerant to pests. 1.2 Zucchini (Cucurbita pepo) Two field trials were conducted to study performance of commercial zucchini cultivars in Guam cobbly clay soil. The first trial tested five (5) different cultivars from December 20, 2017 to February 15, 2018, with incorporation of compost and using organic pesticides including Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki), neem (Azadirachta indica) oil extract, and garlic and chili pepper extracts. Plants grew very rapidly with broad leaves to cover over adjacent plants. However, there was a rapid decline of plants due to high occurrence of powdery mildew. Cultivar ‘Tigress’ performed the best, followed by ‘Partenon,’ ‘Cue Ball,’ and ‘Eight Ball’. ‘Lucky 8’ had the poorest yield. Three cultivars were tested with a conventional method during December 22, 2017 - March 1, 2018. Cv. Tigress produced more fruits than ‘Partenon’ and ‘Eight Ball.’ A copper hydroxide was applied to control powdery mildew fungus and neem oil was used to control insect pests. Field was terminated due to high pressure of a virus, possibly zucchini yellow mosaic virus. ‘Tigress’ was the best cultivar in both trials. 1.3 Green edamame soybean (Glycine max) Three edamame soybean cultivars, ‘Midori,’ ‘Biel’ and ‘Karikachi,’ were evaluated in Guam cobbly clay soil (pH 7.5) from January 26 - April 20, 2018. The total weight of harvested pods/plant was 128g (‘Midori’), 117g (‘Biel’) and 77g (‘Karikachi’). The number of pods harvested per plant was 52 (‘Midori’), 57 (‘Biel’) and 40 (‘Karikachi’). Cultivar ‘Karikachi’ had the least yield while ‘Midori’ consistently yielded over 90% large two and three-seeded pods and appeared to adapt to Guam’s climate. 1.4 Kale (Brassica oleracea var. sabellica) Four (4) kale cultivars, ‘Beira,’ ‘Scarlet,’‘Starbor’ and ‘Redbor’ were examined in Guam cobbly clay soil (pH=7.5) from April 3 - June 7, 2018 at University of Guam Horticulture campus field by Extension Horticulturist, Joseph Tuquero. Harvested plants were measured for fresh weight and labeled as marketable or non-marketable. Approximately 17% of plants in the whole trial plots were affected by cabbage webworm (Hellula undalis). Cultivar ‘Beira’ yielded more than other cultivars while ‘Scarlet’ had the poorest growth. ‘Redbor’ had the least insect damage. 1.5 Cucumber (Cucumis sativus) Extension Pathologist of the University of Guam, Dr. R. Schlub, conducted an evaluation of 22 commercial cucumber cultivars for their severity of leaf spot symptom inoculated by anthracnose (Colletrotrichum sp.) using distal image analysis. It was determined that ‘Summer Top,’ ‘Olympia (trd),’ ‘Olympia,’ ‘Blessing,’ ‘Poinsett76,’ ‘Soarer’ and ‘TI-09E’ were resistance cultivars, while susceptible cultivars included ‘Early Triumph,’ ‘Tasty King’ and ‘Turbo.’ Cultivars Among cultivars currently grown by Guam growers, ‘Blessing,’ ‘Soarer’ and ‘Summer Top’ were more resistant to the disease. 2. Acquisition and conservation of plant germplasms 2.1 Sweetpotato, Ipomoea batatas: Fifteen (15) in-vitro sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas) germlines have been maintained in tissue culture laboratory of Horticulture Unit at the University of Guam: PI 531122 (Jewel, Peru), PI 531126 (Vilca, Romero, Peru), PI 531131 (Camote Morado-1, Peru), PI 531149 (Amarilo local, Peru), PI 531150 (Lurin, Peru), PI 531154 (Corazon de Huarango, Peru), PI 531168 (Morado de Cante), PI 538289 (Morado, Peru), PI 566613 (Beauregard, US, Louisiana), PI 573297 (Purple, Myanmar), and PI 573322 (85016-100 Tonga). PI 645582 (Okinawa Purple), ‘Stokes’ and ‘Liberty.’ 2.2 Chili pepper (Capsicum spp.) Local lines ‘Guafi’ and ‘Barcinas’ were grown to produce seeds at Guam Agricultural Experiment Station Yigo field. 2.3 Winged bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus) One line of day-neutral line was obtained from a local farmer and planted at Guam Agricultural Experiment Station Yigo field for seed collection. 2.4 Guam white field corn (Zea mays) Local line of field corn was planted at Guam Agricultural Experiment Station Yigo field for seed collection. b. Outcomes / Impact: The search for new germlines and commercial cultivars with heat tolerance and pest resistance will assist growers in choosing locally adapted vegetable crops to promote their farming operation in Guam. Kentucky Tim Phillips, University of Kentucky Germplasm requests for material housed at Griffin and sent to requesters in Kentucky during 2018 saw a small increase over 2017 in number of accessions. A total of 48 accessions in total were sent to three individuals in Kentucky in 2018. These include 9 accessions of sweet potato (to Dr. Aardra Kachroo, University of Kentucky, Plant Pathology), 4 grass and 24 okra accessions (to Tim Phillips, University of Kentucky, Plant and Soil Sciences), and 11 accessions of Capsicum (to Brandywine Seed Farm, LLC.) The accessions obtained by Tim Phillips were used in a small-scale okra breeding project. In 2018 F1s from a 15-parent diallel cross were identified and F2 seed was harvested for selection in 2019. One grass accession was used in teaching a grass taxonomy class, with the three Digitaria accessions being used to search for endophytic fungi. The following table summarizes numbers of accessions from Griffin sent to Kentucky during 2009- 2018: Recipient Year Univ. of KY Other KY Univ. Private/other Total 2009 38 1 30 69 2010 4 25 4 33 2011 83 0 11 94 2012 66 3 17 86 2013 29 160 32 221 2014 27 31 59 117 2015 43 66 217 326 2016 177 70 (APSU) 8 255 2017 0 0 8 8 2018 37 0 11 48 Louisiana Don LaBonte, Louisiana State University Sorghum bicolor germplasm was requested and screened in laboratory, greenhouse and field experiments to evaluate levels of resistance of plant introductions to Melanaphis saccharis, sugarcane aphid. There were a number of very susceptible plant introductions identified and several with moderate levels of resistance. A poster was presented at the Entomology Society of America, Southern branch. This represents on-going work as accessions are requested each season. Various pepper and watermelon accessions were requested to be used in grafting experiments. The dallisgrass seed I obtained from the USDA-ARS germplasm repository was used for comparison of growth characteristics with dallisgrass germplasm developed by the Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station. Several varieties of sweetpotato were granted protection in the European Union under Community Plant Variety Rights. Varieties can be attributable to a gene pool emanating from S-9 sweetpotato accessions. The certificates will be issued in 2019. Seven sweetpotato varieties were submitted for U.S. Plant Patent rights in 2018. These also have parentage attributable to S-9 sweetpotato accessions. Mississippi Brian Baldwin, Mississippi State University Germplasm requested from GRIN during 2018-2019 were used for various personal, research and extension activities. During this period seven requests were made from the S-009 Unit by six entities in Mississippi. Of the seven requests, four were made for personal use. USDA-ARS at Poplarville makes okra requests annually. Hibiscus accessions received from Griffin were planted in greenhouse and will be used in crosses to generate interspecific hybrids to introgress adaptation traits into H. syriacus. Also, seeds will be harvested from a single plant and soaked in oryzalin to induce the polyploidy levels. Tetraploid accessions and interspecific hybrids will be evaluated to select plant(s) with winter-hardness and wide adaption to prevalent conditions in southeastern United States. Baldwin’s subterraneum clover request was for educational purposes at the American Forage and Grasslands Conference. The Ipomoea batatas slip requested is being used for virus screening at Pontotoc Research Station Mississippi State University. Presentations were made at Miss. Academy of Sciences in June 2019. Efforts to improve warm- and cool-season native grasses for forage, habitat and reclamation have moved forward. Selection for rapid germination of five warm-season native grasses (lowland and upland switchgrass, Panicum virgatum; big bluestem, Andropogon gerardii; indiangrass, Sorghastrum nutans and little bluestem, Schizachyrium scoparium) have been successful; three other species are still undergoing selection (Eastern gammagrass, Tripsacum dactyloides; purpletop, Tridens flavus and beaked panicum, Panicum anceps). Examiners have approved the lowland switchgrass variety ‘Expresso’ (syn ‘Espresso’), and issuance of the PVP (#201800200) is pending. The upland short-statured switchgrass variety ‘Robusto’ has been submitted for PVP examination; the other three will follow in June. Breeder’s seed of the five entries has been delivered to Roundstone Native Seed, LLC. (Upton, KY and Live Oak, FL). Foundation fields have been established. Spring, 2020 will initiate the generation of Registered seed increase. ‘Tusca’ is a cultivar of lowland switchgrass selected from ‘Alamo’ (USDA NRCS, Knox City, TX) for resistance to the herbicide imazapic. Plant patent has been applied for and published (https://patents.google.com/patent/US20190014734A1/en ). Additional screening to determine if selection for Tusca conferred cross-resistance to similar ALS-inhibiting herbicides was conducted. Five ALS-inhibiting herbicides including; imazapic (IPIC), imazamox (IMOX), imazapyr (IPYR), imazethapyr (ITHR), and metsulfuron methyl (MSUL), were tested on Alamo , Tusca, and wild-type johnsongrass [Sorghum halepense (L) Pers.] at five rates (25, 50, 75, 100, and 125% of the label rate) plus an untreated control, under laboratory and greenhouse conditions. Johnsongrass was used as a reference species to confirm efficacy of herbicide treatments. Six replications of 25 seed of both cultivars and johnsongrass were screened for response to herbicide treatment at germination as well as the 3-leaf stage. Mean germination percentage for untreated Tusca, Alamo, and johnsongrass were 71.5, 24.8, and 40.8, respectively. Compared to controls, mean germination percentage of Tusca remained >50% at all rates of ITHR and IMOX, whereas ITHR decreased germination of Alamo to <25% and IMOX to <50%. While Tusca shows some improved resistance to IPIC at germination, greater resistancetolerance was found to ITHR, IPYR, and IMOX, whereas mean germination percentage of Alamo was significantly reduced by all treatments. North Carolina Tom Stalker, North Carolina State University Germplasm introduction from the Southern Regional Station is an important component of the plant breeding efforts at NC State University. Plant breeders in Crop and Soil Sciences, Horticulture and Forestry conduct research on strawberry, blueberry, brambles, tree crops, ornamentals, maize, soybean, peanut, cotton, tobacco, small grains, turfgrasses, sweet potato, cucurbits, and other crops. Breeding efforts largely concentrate on improving disease and insect resistance, abiotic stress resistance, and quality factors into improved breeding lines and cultivars with high yields. Wild species are important components of the wheat, peanut, cotton, grasses, and several other programs. Because of the diversity of warm and cool season crops grown in North Carolina, research programs cooperate with several different regions. The Plant Breeding Consortium is comprised of 33 faculty in the Crop and Soil Sciences, Horticulture Sciences, Entomology and Plant Pathology, and Forestry Departments. The consortium supports the graduate program as well as plant breeding projects as a funding source. The college is currently interviewing candidates for a Consortium Director. In addition to germplasm and cultivar development, the Plant Pathology Department manages a micro-propagation unit to assure that strawberry and sweet potato germplasm and root stocks are virus free. This unit is critical for maintaining disease-free cultivars in North Carolina. Several personal changes have occurred during the past year, including the retirements of Dr. Tom Stalker, who conducts interspecific hybridization research with peanut, and Dr. Ron Qu, who conducts genetic research with grass species. The status of these positions for replacement is unknown. Two hundred thirteen samples were sent to North Carolina from the S-009 unit during 2018, including cucurbits, grasses, okra, pepper, specialty legumes, and watermelon, castor, Vigna, sorghum, millets, sweet potato, Hibiscus, clover, gourds, guar, and peanut. The Arachis species collection at NC State University is maintaining about 560 accessions and the Nicotiana cultivated and wild species are maintained. Seeds are distributed nationally and internationally from both collections, including accessions of peanut species to the S-009 Unit. In addition, maize germplasm is evaluated for adaptability under short days and a conversion program is in progress to convert South American types to North America. Germplasm efforts concentrate on all phases of research related to plant breeding from collection and preservation of species collections, genetics, molecular genetics, and cultivar development. Both laboratory and field programs are being conducted at the main NC State University campus and at 16 other locations across the state of North Carolina. Breeding efforts are making progress toward utilizing genetic resources supplied by the S-009 unit by incorporating genes conferring abiotic and biotic stress tolerance. Several programs are evaluating wild species and plant introductions, including grasses and peanut. One hundred forty Arachis species accessions were planted in a field nursery and additional plants of Arachis accessions are being propagated in the greenhouse for seed increase. The wheat, peanut, cotton and grass breeding programs are transferring genes from wild species into cultivated germplasm and then evaluating progenies for disease resistance, agronomic traits and yield potential. Population development for genetic characterization is important to improve many of the NC crops. For example, the cotton program is developing Nested Association Mapping populations. A high-density genetic map of St. Augustinegrass that includes 2,000 SNP markers was developed by the grass breeding program and being used to evaluate drought and freeze tolerance. Mapping population of strawberry screened in field and phytotron for resistance to two types of anthracnose (Collectotrichum acutatum and C. gleospoiroides). Additional mapping populations are being developed in peanut, maize and wheat. Cultivars and breeding lines released 1. Cultivars Mountain Regina: A hybrid tomato released for tomato mosaic virus, tomato spotted wilt virus, fusarium wilt and root knot nematode resistance in 2018. Mountain Crown: A hybrid tomato released for late blight tomato mosaic virus, and tomato spotted wilt virus resistance, and its large and smooth fruit quality in 2018. Mountain Bebe: A hybrid tomato released for late blight resistance (combining Ph-2 and Ph-3 genes), fusarium wilt race 3 and tomato spotted wilt virus resistance in 2018. NC 1 Plum: Plum tomato breeding line released for its tomato mosaic virus resistance in 2018. NC 7 Grape: Grape tomato breeding line released for large-fruits combined with fusarium wilt race 3 and tomato spotted wilt resistance in 2018. NC 8 Grape: Grape tomato breeding line combines excellent fruit quality and late blight (Ph-2 and Ph-3 genes) resistance in 2018. Stevia clones (31): NC-1101, NC-1103, NC-1104, NC-1105, NC-1106, NC-1107, NC-1108, NC- 1109, NC-1110, NC-1111, NC-1112, NC-1113, NC-1114, NC-1116, NC-1117, NC-1118, NC-1119, NC-1120, NC-1122, NC-1123, NC-1124, NC-1125, NC-1126, NC-1127, NC-1128, NC-1129, NC- 1130, NC-1131, NC-1132, NC-1133, and NC-1134 NC-1 tall fescue was developed jointly by North Carolina State University and Blue Moon Farms LLC. (Lebanon, OR) as a synthetic cultivar improved for summer stress tolerance. NC-1, trade name 'Tara', will be commercially available this spring for landscape use in the transition zone of the United States. Strawberry cultivars (2): NCS 10-156 as 'Rocco' and NCS 10-038 as 'Liz' 2. Germplasm lines Maize lines (4) release NC524, NC526, NC528, and NC530. NC 524 traces back to materials salvaged from the closing of the SC corn breeding program and was derived from NC320, a SC76 derivative. NC 526 was derived from 258 x (296 x 258). 258 was a Don Thompson line used in several pretty successful commercial hybrids. It was derived from TZ = I14 x I18 from McNair crossed to [(248 x 246) x C103]. 248 and 246 were GT112 derivatives. The McNair lines were derived from Coker hybrid 811A x C103 and were themselves the female parent of McNair 300. NC296 is a white, temperate-adapted, all-tropical line. NC 528 was derived from 320 x 105.155 x TZ; 105x155 was a cross of two temperate-adapted, all-tropical lines. NC 530 is derived from a backcross of 492 to Pioneer 3737. 492 was derived from 258 x 296. P3737 was a rare non-Stiff-Stalk hybrid widely used for Ex-PVP development. Gametophytic maize lines from Mexican accessions have been developed; one, 1222-2, from Jal78 has been released to public. Cotton germplasm lines (8): NC18-07, NC18-08, NC18-09, NC18-10, NC18-11, NC18-12, NC18- 13, and NC18-14 Oklahoma Yanqi Wu, Oklahoma State University In the last reporting period 1,093 plant accessions maintained at the USDA ARS Plant Genetic Resources Conservation Unit at Griffin, GA were distributed to organizations and individuals in Oklahoma. The requested plant germplasm in 2018 included peanuts (Arachis spp.), clovers (Triforlium spp.), sorghum (Sorghum spp.), bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon), legume (Aeschynomene americana), Texas signalgrass (Urochloa texana), peppers (Capsicum annuum), watermelon (Citrullus lanatus), and millet (Cenchrus americanus) species. Receivers of the plant accessions include researchers at USDA-ARS laboratories, Oklahoma State University, Noble Research Institute, and residents in the state. Puerto Rico Diego Viteri, University of Puerto Rico Citrus Mexican lime (ML) [Citrus aurantifolia (Christm.) Swingle], Clementina fine mandarin (CFM), (Citrus reticulata L.), and Campbell Valencia orange (CVO) [Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck], grafted in Swingle, HRS 812, and HRS 897 rootstocks were evaluated for their morphological characteristics and the presence/absence of Citrus Greening (CG). Tree height and shoot width for ML and CFM were ~1.75 m/75 mm and ~ 2.0 m/63.7 mm, respectively. While for CVO, lower height was found when grafted in Swingle (1.28 m) versus the two HRS rootstocks (~1.75 m). In terms of CG, a total of 53 trees of 107 experimental trees tested positive (17 for ML: 9-HRS 812, 3-HRS 897, 5-Swingle; 16 for CFM- 5 Swingle, 6-HRS 812, 5- HRS 897 and 20 CVO- 8 HRS 812, 7 Swingle and 5- HRS 897) plus two trees are dead (1 ML-Swingle and 1 CVO-HRS 897). Forages Planting systems (PS) of crotalaria (Crotalaria juncea L.), pearl millet (Pennisetum americanum L. Leeke) and mixture effects on dry matter yield (DMY), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF) and lignin (L) were evaluated, when harvested at 49 and 63-d after planting. Pearl millet, crotalaria and mixture averaged 4.8, 1.2, and 6.3 Mg/ha, respectively at 63-d. Crude protein averaged 8.2, 18.7, 8.2, while L averaged 4.8, 7.9, 6.0%, for pearl millet, crotalaria and mixture, respectively. Also, there was a significant difference between harvest day for CP, averaging 13.9 and 9.5% at 49 and 63-d, respectively. Crotalaria when harvested at the 49 and 63-d presented 39.3 and 49.7 for NDF and 31.7 and 40.0% for ADF, at 49 and 63-d, respectively. In conclusion, DMY was increased in mixtures, and NDF and ADF values were indicative of quality hay. Legumes Pigeon pea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Mill.], common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), and cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] genotypes were evaluated against Macrophomina phaseolina (Tassi) Goidanich isolates PRI16 and PRI18 in the greenhouse. A 195, 'PC 50', PRA 154 and PRA 155 common beans had partial resistance (mean disease scores from 4 to 6) to both isolates; while I-8-3-4 and ICP 6915 pigeon peas and PI 339623 and PI 293570 cowpeas were resistant (scores ? 3) to PRI16. Also, ‘Badillo’ and ‘PC 50’ had one recessive and two recessive genes conferring resistance to PRI16 isolate, respectively. While one dominant gene conferred resistance to the same isolate in the A 195/‘PC 50’ population. Other genetics studies showed that one dominant gene controlled the presence of purple stripes on the flower standard in ‘Badillo’/PR1144-5 and 92BG-7/'Verano' common bean populations. In regard to the agronomic performance of pigeon pea, ‘ICP 7035’ and ‘Lázaro’ had the higher seed- yield values (526.0 and 696.5 kg/ha, respectively) compared to ICP 13207 (299.2 kg/ha) and ‘Pinto Original’ (240.8 kg/ha) in Isabela Research Substation. ‘Guerrero’ (1668.7 kg/ha), ICP 7193 (1537.4 kg/ha), ‘Pinto Berrocales’ (1425.9 kg/ha), ‘Pinto Original’ (1329.1 kg/ha), and ‘Super Pinto’ (1355.9 kg/ha) had higher yield in Lajas. Root crops and Musa spp. genotypes The four apio (Arracacia xanthorrhiza Bancroft), 29 cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz), 30 sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.), and 22 yam (Dioscorea spp.) accessions were renovated in Corozal and Isabela Research Substations. Also, the 43 Musa spp. genotypes were conserved and maintained at Corozal. South Carolina Richard Boyles, Clemson University I. Germplasm Received from the Plant Genetic Resources Conservation Unit, Southern Regional Plant Introduction Station, Griffin, GA: The following list of germplasm was received, representing 17 different researchers or individuals in SC during the 2018-2019 period. Genus # of accessions Abelmoschus 121 Arachis 215 Capsicum 30 Citrullus 104 Ipomoea 111 Sesamum 2 Sorghum 44 Vigna 210 Total 837 II. Germplasm Uses Very few requests (n=2) were made from individuals outside of the state and federal research programs. A total of 153 accessions across three genera (Capsicum, Citrullus, and Ipomoea) were requested by USDA-ARS scientists, primarily for horticultural research evaluation. Requests for large numbers of accessions from state institutions were primarily made by Clemson University research programs. Important crop species requested by Clemson scientists included lentils (cowpea and mungbean), okra, peanut, and sorghum. Okra, peanut, accessions were requested to evaluate seed under organic conditions to identify potentially valuable germplasm for smallholder farming. Other requests were made to evaluate diverse germplasm for resiliency (abiotic and biotic), reduced allergenicity (peanut), and regional adaptation. Tennessee Virginia R. Sykes, University of Tennessee ASTERACEAE Project Title: Phylogeny and divergence of the sunflower family Personnel: Jennifer R. Mandel Institution: University of Memphis Objective: 1) Reconstruct a robust backbone phylogeny for the Compositae to more fully resolve the evolutionary relationships among its major lineages in order to more precisely identify ancient gene duplication events. Approach: We have utilized Hyb-Seq, as well as in silico mining of publicly available transcriptome data to reconstruct the most comprehensive phylogeny of the Sunflower Family to date. We used genomic data from more than terminals to estimate evolutionary relationships, the timing of diversification(s), and biogeographic patterns. Lines Helianthus annuus L. PI 603989 Helianthus argophyllus Torr. & A. Gray PI 435623 Helianthus niveus spp. tephrodes (A. Gray) Heiser PI 613758 Heliopsis helianthoides (L.) Sweet Ames 10809 Tithonia rotundifolia (Mill.) S.F.Blake PI 545684 Porophyllum ruderale spp. macrocephalum (DC.) Cronquist Ames 20101 Carthamus tinctorius L. PI 592391 Centaurea benedicta (L.) L. PI 311739 Taraxacum kok-saghyz Rodin W6 35156 Baccharoides anthelmintica (L.) Moench Ames 1281.1 Centrapalus pauciflorus (Willd.) H. Rob. PI 312852 CORN Project Title: Breeding maize lines with exotic/new germplasm Personnel: Dennis West1, Matt Krakowsky2 Institution: 1Dept. of Plant Sciences, Univ. of Tennessee, 2USDA and NCSU Objective: Develop improved maize germplasm for the southern region. Approach: Early generation lines from the Germplasm Enhancement of Maize (GEM) project, expired PVP lines, and other germplasm obtained from the North Central Regional Plant Introduction station maize collection are crossed with elite adapted lines. Progeny from crosses are advanced by traditional breeding methods, to develop new maize parental lines. In 2019 we obtained the following maize germplasm from the NPGS for inclusion in our maize breeding project: 1. Lines from the GEM project; GEMS-0303 GEMS-0304 GEMS-0305 GEMS-0306 GEMS-0307 GEMS-0308 GEMN-0309 GEMN-0310 GEMS-0311 GEMS-0312 2. Expired PVP lines; PH42B 1. WQCD10 WKBC5 FBPL F298W 01IZB2 01IBH10 GRAIN AMARANTHS AND LEGUMES Project: Biotechnology Assisted Breeding of Grain Amaranths and Legumes Personnel: Matthew W. Blair ; Students: Xingbo Wu and Ranjita Thapa Institution: Tennessee State University, Nashville 37209 Germplasm Used: The core collection of 260 USDA grain amaranths were evaluated for agro- morphological characteristics resulting in the publication by the M.S. student Ranjita Thapa and were also genotyped using GBS (Genotype by Sequencing) technology resulting in a second publication by PhD student X. Wu. Results obtained: Over the course of three years the genotypes were selected for adaptation and grain yield on the TSU experimental farm. The result has been the selection of four accessions as potential varieties for the state which have been tested in strip trials with direct seeding and semi-mechanized harvesting. PISTACHIO Project: Genetic diversity and evolution of the Pistacia genus Personnel: Marcin Nowicki, Postdoctoral Research Associate; Sarah L. Boggess Research Coordinator; Robert N. Trigiano, Institute Professor Institution: Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Univ. of Tennessee Objective: Develop plastidic genome sequences for Pistacia species, to infer the genus evolution Approach: A total of 33 pistachio branches with green healthy leaves (14 species total, variable number of accessions) and an outgroup accession (Schinus molle) were obtained from USDA-GRIN. This project aimed to use gradient centrifugation for isolation of intact chloroplast, followed with plastidic total DNA isolation, for next-generation sequencing. The accrued genomes would be assembled based on the available plastidic genomes (NCBI), for later comparisons of the genus phylogeny and evolutionary reticulations. This would also gain access for fast genotyping tool, in places the species-specific SNPs occurred, that would allow for PCR and restriction-driven distinction of species. Need for and application of such a tool was evidenced by us in a service developed for pistachio-breeding companies. The project awaits financing through an external grant (declined in the PRC2018 application). SOYBEAN Project Title: Germplasm Resources for Enhancing Soybean Seed Yield and Disease Resistance Personnel: Vince Pantalone, Professor; Chris Wyman, Research Associate; Rachel Fulton, Research Associate; Mia Cunicelli, Research Associate; Ronald Moore, Graduate Research Assistant Institution: Department of Plant Sciences, Univ. of Tennessee Objective: Develop elite soybean lines through germplasm resources Approach: 1) Release of glyphosate herbicide resistant cultivar TN16-510R1 1) The off-patent version of the Roundup Ready transgene, provides less expensive seed costs in comparison with many GMO varieties currently available from leading companies. TN16- 510R1 is a BC4 derivative of Ellis (Pantalone et al., 2017) soybean cultivar CV-523, PI 680630. TN16-510R1 has shown high yields and has resistance to stem canker and resistance to southern root knot nematode. 2) Release of high yielding high meal protein cultivar TN15-5007. TN15-5007 has the pedigree Osage x TN10-4409, where TN10-4409 has the pedigree 5601T x S97-1688 where 5601T is the registered cultivar CV-441 published in: Pantalone, et al. (2003). S97-1688 is the registered germplasm line GP-300 published in: Anand et al. (2004) and Osage is the registered cultivar CV-495 published in: Chen, et al. (2007). The goal was to bring together high yielding germplasm lines with high protein. TN15-5007 yields equivalent to high yield check cultivars and produces ultra-high 50.5% meal protein. 3) Cross of PI 437654 × PI 88788 made in 2018. Target is to improve DNA copy number for soybean cyst nematode (SCN) 4) Cross of PI 437654 × PI 438489B made in 2018. Target is to improve copy number for SCN. 5) Cross of Fayette × PI 437654 made in 2018. Target is to improve copy number for SCN. 6) Cross of Ellis × PI 437654 made in 2018. Target is to improve copy number for SCN. 7) Cross of Ellis × Fayette made in 2018. Target is to improve copy number for SCN. 8) Registration of soybean cultivar TN11-5140 and deposit to GRIN (Smallwood and Pantalone, 2018). TN11-5140 is the registered cultivar CV-525, PI 685014. This high yielding high oil cultivar with high meal protein is now a USDA high yield check cultivar performing very well in the Southern Uniform Testing Program. It is derived from the registered cultivar ‘5601T’ CV-441, PI 630984. 9) EMS treatment of germplsm line JTN-5203 GP-393, PI 664903 led to mutations with variability for soybean protein, oil, fatty acid composition, plant height, plant architecture, and other traits (Espina, et al., 2018). 10) A population developed from the registered cultivar 5601T CV-441, PI 630984 showed a wide distribution for yield, protein, and oil concentration, leading to favorable selections (Wiggins et al, 2018a). 11) A set of near isogenic lines (NILS) developed from the registered cultivar 5601T CV-441, PI 630984 showed that backcrossing was a useful method in transferring two genes governing the low phytate trait and tested the stability of that trait over multiple environments. (Wiggins et al., 2018b). SUNFLOWER Project: Genetic diversity of the Helianthus genus Personnel: Marcin Nowicki, Postdoctoral Research Associate; Sarah L. Boggess, Research Coordinator, Marzena Nowakowska, Postdoctoral Research Associate; Logan C. Houston, Undergraduate Research Assistant; Robert N. Trigiano, Institute Professor Institution: Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Univ. of Tennessee Objective: Evaluate sunflower germplasm for genetic diversity using nuclear and cytoplasmic microsatellites Approach: A total of 45 sunflower germplasm seeds (9 species, 5 accessions each) were obtained from USDA-GRIN. After germination in moist filter paper in Petri dishes, the seedlings were frozen for gDNA extraction using a commercial kit. The samples were then genotyped using PCR over 35 SSRs developed for H. annuus, and 35 SSRs developed for H. verticillatus. Cytoplasmic markers (SSRs developed from plastidic and mitochondrial genomes) were also investigated. PCR products were then analyzed using an advanced capillary electrophoresis system, and sized with accuracy of 2 bp. The GRIN germplasm was a part of a bigger collection of over 50 species of Helianthus, and the investigation of the total collection is ongoing. The subsequent data analyses will follow our customary array of population genetics tools, to infer on the genus genetic richness and evolution. TOBACCO AND POTATO Project: Phytosensors 2.0 Personnel: Neal Stewart Institution: Department of Plant Sciences and Center for Agricultural Synthetic Biology, University of Tennessee Objective: The project is funded by DARPA as part of their Advanced Plant Technologies program, which will develop engineered plants as environmental sense-and-report devices, which respond to various stimuli. Most of the project focuses on using potato as a chassis organism, but also includes tobacco. The team is performing synthetic biology and biotechnology experiments with the germplasm. Approach: The following germplasm was received from GRIN. Tobacco USDA GRIN Nicotiana Germplasm Collection, Raleigh N.C. Nicotiana tabacum Accession Plant name PI 552432 TC 90 Potato USDA GRIN Potato Introduction Station, Surgeon Bay, Wisconsin Solanum tuberosum Accession Plant name PI 681076 Diamante PI 515921 Granola AV 18 Katahdin AV 2 Atlantic Solanum berthaultii Accession Plant name PI 310926 UGN 4561 PI 473337 HHCH 4727 PI 473340 HHCH 4746 PI 558035 LAP 32084-2 PI 597733 SFVU 6503 PI 604212 BER 39 Texas Gerald R. Smith, Texas A&M University The Sorghum Genetics and Translational Genomics program, under the Sorghum CRIS Project at Plant Stress & Germplasm Development Unit (PSGD), Cropping Systems Research Laboratory (CSRL), USDA-ARS, located in in Lubbock Texas requested and received 193 sorghum accessions from the active collection of Genetic Resource Information Network (GRIN) via the Plant Genetic Resource Conservation Unit at Griffin, GA. We received ~ 100 seeds of each accession in November/December, 2018. The timely and efficient distribution of seed materials by GRIN/PGRCU is greatly appreciated and we were able to include the materials in the 2019 winter nursery in Puerto Rico for seed increase. Following the 2019 PR seed increase and preliminary agronomic evaluation, the accessions are now in use for phenotyping for root diversity and chilling (cold) response under controlled conditions at PSGD, CSRL, Lubbock. These accessions were also planted in the 2019 Summer Nursery of the Sorghum Genetics and Translational Genomics program for agronomic evaluation of phenology, and agronomic traits. The diversity data from these accessions with be used for Genome Wide Association Studies (GWAS) to identify genome regions associated with favorable root phenotype(s) during cold stress in sorghum. Miscanthus sinensis germplasm was received and used at TAMU as a colony plant to rear sugarcane aphids. Dr. M. Meeks at TAM AgriLife acquired vegetative clones of several bermudagrass accessions and initiated experiments in turfgrass breeding and ploidy manipulation. Dr. R. Jessup, TAMU College Station, has initiated a phenotyping program on warm season grasses for the presence of terpenoids with pest repellent activity. Advanta seeds in College Station, TX screened sorghum accessions for pest resistance, including sugarcane aphid, powdery mildew, fusarium head blight and charcoal rot. Drought tolerance and lodging resistance are also of interest in this program. Other commercial sorghum breeding programs evaluated sorghum accessions for agronomic traits and used accessions in test crosses and in the development of parental lines. Evaluation of forage cowpea accessions continued at TAM AgriLife, Overton. Crosses were made to enhance southern root-knot nematode resistance and F1 and F2 generations evaluated. U.S. Virgin Islands Thomas W. Zimmerman, University of the Virgin Islands The University of the Virgin Islands Agricultural Experiment Station is still recovering from devastating category 5 hurricane Maria. Destroyed greenhouses have not yet been replaced. However, research continues as possible. Sorrel, Hibiscus sabdariffa, hybrids were evaluated in a fall and spring planting. A spring planting provides a natural selection for non-photoperiodic lines. Controlled crosses among Caribbean varieties and African varieties (obtained through USDA Germplasm Repository, Griffin, GA). Planting selected seed in the fall allows all to flower and fruit going into the short day photoperiod of winter. However, a February planting inhibits the photo-sensitive lines from flowering and fruiting from April - June. Selection then is possible for the day-neutral characteristic and seed is obtained. A new day-neutral variety has been developed with the desired characteristics which resulted from crosses among USDA PA#274245 and 291128 from Nigeria and Ghana, respectively and ‘Black Trinidad’ and ‘St Kitts Day-Neutral’. Presently in the F9 generation and ready for release. Virus-free sweetpotato plants were lost from the tissue culture collection following hurricane Maria. Only a couple hybrids survived post-Maria recovery. Four lines of Jicama were established and being evaluated for tuberous root development over time and influence of flowering and seed pod developments tuberous root growth and production. Also, the need for trellising this climbing bean is being evaluated. Germplasm obtained from USDA Hibiscus sabdariffa 8 Pachyrhizus erosus 3 Psophocarpus tetragonolobus 35 Virginia Bastiaan Bargmann, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Several institutions in Virginia have used germplasm provided by the S-009 project over the last five years for educational purposes as well as differing lines of research, some with promising results that are expected to lead to publications in the near future. Moreover, two articles were reported to have been published in the last year, listed below. Diatta et al., based out of Virginia Tech, have used mungbean (Vigna radiata) for yield analysis to test the effects of soil quality as well as intercropping with millet. The Mehl lab, at Virginia Tech Tidewater AREC, has used sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) obtained from the S-009 project for pest-management studies and expects to publish that work later in 2019. The Zhao lab, at Virginia Tech, is using pepper germplasm (Capsicum annuum, Capsicum baccatum, Capsicum baccatum var. pendulum, Capsicum chinense, Capsicum frutescens, Capsicum pubescens) for plant-pathogen interaction studies and tissue culture. There were multiple users for whom the recorded contact information was no longer valid and attempts at communication were not successful.

Publications

Anciro, A., J. Mangandi, S. Verma, N. Peres, V.M. Whitaker and S. Lee. 2018. FaRCg1: a quantitative trait locus conferring resistance to Colletotrichum crown rot caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides in octoploid strawberry. Theoretical and Applied Genetics 131:2167-2177. Bhattarai, K., S. Sharma, and D.R. Panthee. 2018. Diversity among modern tomato genotypes at different levels in fresh-market breeding. International Journal of Agronomy. 2018: 15; Article ID 4170432. Boyles, R.E., Z.W. Brenton, and S. Kresovich. 2019. Genetic and genomic resources of sorghum to connect genotype with phenotype in contrasting environments. The Plant Journal 97:19-39. Carvalho PASV, Brasileiro ACM, Leal-Bertioli S, Bertioli D, Silva JP, Agostini-Costa TS, Gimenes MA. 2017. Coupled transcript and metabolite identification: insights on induction and synthesis of resveratrol in peanut, wild relatives and synthetic allotetraploid. Genetics and Molecular Research 16 (3). doi: 10.4238/gmr16039802. Charles, I, TW Zimmerman 2019. Using Floral Bud Length to Predict Sorrel Harvest Date. Agricukture Research Directors Symposium. March 30 – April 3, 2019, Jacksonville, FL. Chhetri, M., C. Fontanier, J.Q. Moss, Y.Q. Wu, and K. Koh. 2019. Turf performance of seeded and clonal bermudagrasses under varying light environments. Urban Forestry and Urban Greening. 43 (2019): 126355. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2019.05.017. Chu Y, C.C. Holbrook, T.G. Isleib, M. Burow, A. K. Culbreath, B. Tillman, J. Chen, J. Clevenger, and P. Ozias-Akins (2018) Phenotyping and genotyping parents of sixteen recombinant inbred peanut populations. Peanut Science: January 2018, Vol. 45, No. 1, pp. 1-11. Clevenger J, Chu Y, Chavarro C, Botton S, Culbreath A, Isleib TG., Holbrook CC, Ozias-Akins. Peggy. 2018. Mapping Late Leaf Spot Resistance in Peanut (Arachis hypogaea) Using QTL-seq Reveals Markers for Marker-Assisted Selection. Frontiers in Plant Science 9:83. Clevenger J, Bertioli DJ, Leal-Bertioli SCM, Chu Y, Stalker HT, Ozias-Akins P. 2017. IntroMap: A Pipeline and Set of Diagnostic Diploid Arachis SNPs as a Tool for Mapping Alien Introgressions in Arachis hypogaea. Peanut Science. 44:66–73. Cooper, E.A., Z.W. Brenton, B.S. Flinn, J. Jenkins, S. Shu, D. Flowers, F. Luo, Y. Wang, P. Xia, K. Berry, C. Daum, A. Lipzen, Y. Yoshinaga, J. Schmutz, C. Saski, W. Vermerris, and S. Kresovich. 2019. A new reference genome for Sorghum bicolor reveals high levels of sequence similarity between sweet and grain genotypes: implications for the genetics of sugar metabolism. BMC Genomics 20:420. Crane, M., T. C. Wehner and R. P. Naegele. 2018. Cucumber cultivars for container gardening and the value of field trials for predicting cucumber performance in containers. HortScience 53: 16- 22. Dia, M., T. C. Wehner, G. W. Elmstrom, A. Gabert, J. E. Motes, J. E. Staub, G. E. Tolla and I. E. Widders. 2018. Genotype X environment interaction for yield of pickling cucumber in 24 U.S. environments. Open Agriculture 3: 1-6. Diatta, A.A., W.E. Thomason, O. Abaye, L.J. Vaughan, T.L. Thompson, M. Lo, B.K. Chim, and S. Bateman. 2018. Inoculation and soil texture effects on yield and yield components of mungbean. Journal of Agricultural Science, 10(9). DOI:10.5539/jas.v10n9pxx Diatta, A.A., O. Abaye, W.E. Thomason, M. Lo, F. Guèye, A.B. Baldé, F. Tine, L.J. Vaughan, and T.L. Thompson. 2019. Effect of intercropping mungbean on millet yield in the Peanut basin, Senegal. Innovations Agronomiques 74:69-81 Dunne, J.C., T.D. Tuong, D.P. Livingston, W.C. Reynolds, and S.R. Milla-Lewis. 2018. Field and laboratory evaluation of bermudagrass (Cynodon spp.) germplasm for cold hardiness. Crop Sci. 59: 392-399. doi: 10.2135/cropsci2017.11.0667. Espina, M.J., C.M. Sabbir Ahmed, A. Bemardini, E. Adeleke, Z. Yadegari, P. Arelli, V. Pantalone, and A. Taheri. 2018. Development and phenotypic screening of an ethyl methane sulfonate mutant population in soybean. Frontiers in Plant Sci. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2018.00394. Ganjegunte, G., A. Ulery, G.H. Niu, and Y.Q. Wu. 2019. Soil organic carbon balance and nutrients (NPK) availability under treated waste water irrigation for bioenergy sorghum production in an arid ecosystem. Archives of Agronomy and Soil Science 65:345-359, doi: 10.1080/03650340.2018.1503414 Grimes, S.J., T.D. Phillips, V. Hahn, F. Capezzoni and S. Graeff-Honninger. 2018. Growth, yield performance and quality parameters of three early flowering chia (Salvia hispanica L.) genotypes cultivated in Southwestern Germany. Agriculture 8(10): 154 (20 pages) https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture8100154 Guner, N., L. A. Rivera-Burgos, and T. C. Wehner. 2018. Inheritance of resistance to Zucchini yellow mosaic virus in watermelon. HortScience 53: 1115-1118. Guner, N., Z. Pesic-VanEsbroeck, L. A. Rivera-Burgos and T. C. Wehner. 2019. Screening for resistance to Zucchini yellow mosaic virusin the watermelon germplasm. HortScience 54: 206- 211. Guner, N., Z. Pesic-VanEsbroeck, L.A. Rivera-Burgos, and T.C. Wehner. 2018. Inheritance of resistance to Papaya ringspot virus-watermelon strain in watermelon. HortScience 53(5):1-4. Hancock, W, S Tallury, T Isleib, Y Chu, P Ozias-Akins, and HT Stalker. 2019. Introgression analysis and morphological characterization of an Arachis hypogaea x A. diogoi interspecific hybrid derived population. Crop Science 59:1-10 doi: 10.2135/cropsci2018.07.0461 2018. Hanna, Wayne. W., Brian M. Schwartz, Ann R. Blount, Gary Knox and Cheryl Mackowiak. 2018. ‘PP-1’ Ornamental perennial Arachis. HortScience vol. 53(11) p. 1715-1718. dol: 10.21273/HORTSCI13402-18. Holloway, H.M.P., X. Yu, J.C. Dunne, B.M. Schwartz, A.J. Patton, C. Arellano, and S.R. Milla- Lewis. 2018. A SNP-based high density genetic linkage map of zoysiagrass (Zoysia japonica) and its use for the identification of QTL associated with winter hardiness. Mol. Breed. 38: 10. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11032-017-0763-0 Ibrahim, Amir, M.H., Rex Herrington, Russell Sutton, Brian Simoneaux, Stephan A. Harrison, Ann R. Blount, Paul Murphy, Ron D. Barnett, Esten Mason, Md A. Babar, Robert W. Duncan, Jackie Rudd, Geraldine Opena, Lloyd R. Nelson, Dennis R. West, Marty L. Carson, Jason Baker, Dirk B. Hays, Jerry W. Johnson, Mohamed Mergoum and Myron O. Fountain. 2018. Registration of ‘TAMO 411’ Oat. J. Plant Reg. Vol. 12(2) p. 186-189. Jing Li, Yueyi Tang, Alana Jacobson, Phat Dang, Xiao Li, Ming Li Wang, Austin Hagan, and Charles Chen. 2018. Population structure and association mapping to detect QTL controlling tomato spotted wilt virus resistance in cultivated peanuts. The Crop Journal 2018, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cj.2018.04.001. Kandel R, C.Y. Chen, C.R. Grau, A.E. Dorrance, J.Q. Liu, Y. Wang, and D. Wang. 2018. Soybean Resistance to White Mold: Evaluation of Soybean Germplasm under Different Conditions and Validation of QTL. Frontiers in Plant Science. DOI:10.3389/fpls.2018.00505. Kantor M, Levi A, Thies J, Guner N, Kantor C, Parnham S, Boroujerdi A. 2018. NMR Analysis Reveals a Wealth of Metabolites in Root-Knot Nematode Resistant Roots of Citrullus amarus Watermelon Plants. JOURNAL OF NEMATOLOGY 3(50): 303. Kaur, B., J. Bacheler, L. Zhu, H. Fang, D.T. Bowman, and V. Kuraparthy. 2018. Screening germplasm and quantification of components contributing to thrips tolerance in cotton. Journal of Economic Entomology, toy201, https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toy201. Kimball, J.A., T.D. Tuong, C.A. Arellano, D.P. Livingston III, and , S.R. Milla-Lewis. 2018. Linkage analysis and the identification of quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with winter survival and turf quality traits in St. Augustinegrass. Mol. Breed. 38:67. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11032-018- 0817-y Kronberga SL, ZellerbW, Waghorn GC, Grabber JH, Tierril T, Liebig MA. 2018. Effects of feeding Lespedeza cuneata pellets with Medicago sativa hay to sheep: Nutritional impact, characterization and degradation of condensed tannin during digestion. Animal Feed Science and Technology. 245:41- 47 Li, M., H. An, R. Angelovici, C. Bagaza, A. Batushansky, L. Clark, V. Coneva, M. Donoghue, E. Edwards, D. Fajardo, H. Fang, M. Frank, T. Gallaher, S. Gebken, T. Hill, S. Jansky, B. Kaur, P. Klahs, L. Klein, V. Kuraparthy, J. Londo, Z. Migicovsky, A. Miller, R. Mohn, S. Myles, W.C. Otoni, J.C. Pires, E. Rieffer, S. Schmerler, E. Spriggs, C.N. Topp, A.V. Deynze, K. Zhang, L. Zhu, B. M. Zink and D.H. Chitowood. 2018. Persistent homology defines a leaf morphospace: towards discerning constraint from selection. Frontiers in Plant Science 19: 553. Mandel, J.R., R.B. Dikow, C.M. Siniscalchi, R. Thapa#, L.E. Watson, V.A. Funk. (2019) A fully resolved backbone phylogeny reveals numerous dispersals and explosive diversifications throughout the history of Asteraceae. PNAS. Mason, R.E. Mason, J.W. Johnson, M. Mergoum, R.G. Miller, D.E. Moon, J.F. Carlin, S.A. Harrison, M.A. Babar, P. Murphy, A.M.H. Ibrahim, R. Sutton, and A.R. Blount. 2018. ‘AR11LE24’, a soft red winter wheat adapted to the mid-south region of the USA. J. Plant Reg. Vol. 12 no. 3, p.357-361. Nascimento EFMB, Santos BV, Marques LOC, Guimarães PM, Brasileiro ACM, Leal-Bertioli SCM, Bertioli DJ. Araujo ACG. 2018. A study of the genome structures of Arachis hypogaea and an induced Arachis allotetraploid using molecular cytogenetics. Comparative Cytogenetics. 12:111-140. Noh, Y.H., Y. Oh, J. Mangandi, S. Verma, J.D. Zurn, Y.T. Lu, Z. Fan, N. Bassil, N. Peres, G. Cole, C. Acharya, R. Famula, S. Knapp, V.M. Whitaker and S. Lee. 2018. High-throughput marker assays for FaRPc2-mediated resistance to Phytophthora crown rot in octoploid strawberry. Molecular Breeding 38:104. Pantalone, V. and C. Smallwood. 2018. Registration of ‘TN11-5102’ soybean cultivar with high yield and high protein meal. J. of Plant Regist. 12:1-5. Pantalone, V., C. Smallwood, B. Fallen, C. Nyinyi Hatcher, and P. Arelli. 2018. Registration of ‘TN09-008’ soybean cyst nematode–resistant cultivar. J. of Plant Regist. 12:309-313. Panthee, D.R., J.P. Kressin, and A. Piotrowski. 2018. Heritability of flower number and fruit set under heat stress in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.). HortScience; 53, 1294-1299. Paudel L, Clevenger J, McGregor C. 2019. Chromosomal Locations and Interactions of Four Loci Associated With Seed Coat Color in Watermelon. Frontiers in Plant Science. 10:788 Salinas, N., S. Verma, N.A. Peres and V.M. Whitaker. 2018. FaRCa1: A major subgenome-specific locus conferring resistance to Colletotrichum acutatum in strawberry. Theoretical and Applied Genetics https://doi.org/10.1007/s00122-018-3263-7 Schwartz, B. M., W.W. Hanna, L.L. Baxter, P.L. Raymer, F.C. Waltz, A.R. Kowalewski, A. Chandra, A.D. Genovesi, B.G. Wherley, G.L. Miller, S.R. Milla-Lewis, C.C. Reynolds, Y. Wu, D.L. Martin, J.Q. Moss, M.P. Kenna, J.B. Unruh, K.E. Kenworthy, J. Zhang, and P. Munoz. 2018. ‘DT-1’, a drought-tolerant triploid turf bermudagrass. HortScience53:1711-1714. doi: 10.21273/HORTSCI13083-18. Sheflin, A.M. D. Chiniquy, C. Yuan, E. Goren, I Kumar, M. Braud, T. Brutnell, A.L. Eveland, S. Tringe, P. Liu, S. Kresovich, E.L. Marsh, D.P. Schachtman, J.E. Prenni. 2019. Metabolomics of sorghum roots during nitrogen stress reveals compromised metabolic capacity for salicylic acid biosynthesis. Plant Direct 3: e00122. Smallwood, C., B. D. Fallen, and V. R. Pantalone. 2018. Registration of ‘TN11-5140’ Soybean Cultivar. J. of Plant Regist. 12:203-207.Sun, Y., G. Niu, G. Ganjegunte, and Y.Q. Wu. 2018. Salt tolerance of switchgrass cultivars. Agriculture 8: 66-77. Thapa R. and M.W. Blair. (2019) Agronomy Journal. Tirado-Corbalá, R., Rivera-Ocasio, D., Segarra-Carmona, A., Román-Paoli, E., and González, A. 2018. Performance of two citrus species grafted in different rootstocks in presence of Huanglongbing in Puerto Rico. Horticulturae 4:38. DOI:10.3390/horticulturae4040038 Tonnis, B., M.L. Wang, S. Tallury, V. Tishchenko, and H.T. Stalker. 2019. Identification of a mutant from Arachis veigae with enhanced seed oleic acid content. Appl Biol Chem 62:9 https://doi.org/10.1186/s13765-019-0420-x Viteri, D.M., and Linares, A.M. 2019. Inheritance of ashy stem blight resistance in Andean common bean cultivars ‘Badillo’ and ‘PC 50’ and genetic relationship between Andean A 195 and ‘PC 50’. Euphytica 215:12. DOI:10.1007/s1068 Wang M.L. C.Y. Chen, Brandon Tonnis, David Pinnow, Jerry Davis, Yong-Qiang Charles An, and Phat Dang. 2018. Changes of Seed Weight, Fatty Acid Composition, and Oil and Protein Contents from Different Peanut FAD2 Genotypes at Different Seed Developmental and Maturation Stages. J. Agric. Food Chem. DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.8b01238. Wang, X., K. Bao, U. K. Reddy, Y. Bai, S. A. Hammar, C. Jiao, T. C. Wehner, A. O. Ramírez- Madera, Y. Weng, R. Grumet and Z. Fei. 2018. The USDA cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) collection: genetic diversity, population structure, genome-wide association studies, and core collection development. Horticulture Research 5: 64-77. Wang, Y., J. Tan, Z. Wu, K. VandenLangenberg, T.C. Wehner, C. Wen, X. Zheng, K. Owens, A. Thornton, H.H. Bang, E. Hoeft, P.A.G. Kraan, J. Suelmann, J. Pan, and Y. Weng. 2018. STAYGREEN STAY HEALTHY a loss of susceptibility mutation in the STAYGREEN gene provides durable broad spectrum disease resistances for over 50 years of US cucumber production. New Phytologist 2018: 1-16. Wang, Y., K. VandenLangenberg, C. Wen, T. C. Wehner and Y. Weng. 2018. QTL mapping of downy and powdery mildew resistances in PI 197088 cucumber with genotyping-by-sequencing in RIL population. Theor. Appl. Genet. 131: 597-611. Wiggins, B., S. Wiggins, M. Cunicelli, C. Smallwood, F. L. Allen, D. R. West, and V. R. Pantalone. 2018a. Genetic Gain for Soybean Seed Protein, Oil, and Yield in a Recombinant Inbred Line Population. J. Am. Oil Chem. Soc. Wiggins, S. J., C. Smallwood, D. R. West, D. A. Kopsell, C. E. Sams, and V. R. Pantalone. 2018b. Agronomic Performance and Seed Inorganic Phosphorus Stability of Low Phytate Soybean Line TN09-239. J. Am. Oil Chem. Soc. 95:787-796. Wu, S., Wang, X., Reddy, U., Sun, H., Bao, K., Gao, L., Mao, L., Patel, T., Ortiz, C., Abburi, V. L., Nimmakayala, P., Branham, S., Wechter, P., Massey, L., Ling, K.-S., Kousik, C., Hammar, S. A., Tadmor, Y., Portnoy, V., Gur, A., Katzir, N., Guner, N., Davis, A., Hernandez, A. G., Wright, C. L., McGregor, C., Jarret, R., Zhang, X., Xu, Y., Wehner, T. C., Grumet, R., Levi, A. and Fei, Z. (2019) Genome of ‘Charleston Gray’, the principal American watermelon cultivar, and genetic characterization of 1,365 accessions in the U.S. National Plant Germplasm System watermelon collection. Plant Biotechnol. J., https://doi.org/10.1111/pbi. 13136 Wu X and M.W. Blair (2018) Frontiers in Plant Science. Xiang, M.Y., J.Q. Moss, D.L. Martin, and Y.Q. Wu. 2018. The Salinity tolerance of seeded-type common bermudagrass cultivars and experimental selections. HortTechnology 28:276- 283. doi: 10.21273/HORTTECH03975-18. Yan, Z., A. Pérez-de-Castro, M.J. Díez, S.F. Hutton, R.G. Visser, A.M. Wolters, Y. Bai, J. Li. 2018. Resistance to Tomato yellow leaf curl virus in tomato germplasm. Front. Plant Sci. 9:1198. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2018.01198. Yang, L., Y.Q. Wu, J.Q. Moss, S. Zhong, and B. Yang. 2018. Molecular identification and characterization of seeded turf bermudagrass cultivars using simple sequence repeat markers. Agronomy Journal 110:2142-2150. doi:10.2134/agronj2018.01.0068 Yu, X., J.A. Kimball, and S.R. Milla-Lewis. 2018. High density genetic maps of St. Augustinegrass and applications to comparative genomic analysis and QTL mapping for turf quality traits. BMC Plant Biology. 18: 346. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-018-1554-4. Ye Chu, Peng Chee, Albert Culbreath, Tom G. Isleib, Corley C. Holbrook, PeggyOzias-AkinsMajor QTLs for resistance to early and late leaf spot diseases are identified on chromosomes 3 and 5 in peanut (Arachis hypogaea). bioRxiv 567206; doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/567206 Zhu, L. §, P. Tyagi, B. Kaur and V. Kuraparthy. 2019. Genetic diversity and population structure in elite and landrace accessions of Upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum). Journal of Cotton Science 23:1–10. Zifan Zhao, Yu-Chien Tseng, Ze Peng, Yolanda Lopez, Charles Y. Chen, Barry L. Tillman, Phat Dang, and Jianping Wang. 2018. Refining a major QTL controlling spotted wilt disease resistance in cultivated peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) and evaluating its contribution to the resistance variations in peanut germplasm. BMC Genetics (2018): 19:17. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12863-018-0601-3. Non-referred Publications Cevallos, P., Giraldo, M.C., Feliciano, M., and Millett, S. 2018. Maximizing the production of Arracacia xanthorrhiza disease-free propagation material by the combination of lighting and a temporary immersion bioreactor system (TIBs)”. The 18th Triennial Symposium of International Society for Tropical Root Crops (ISTRC) at the International Center for Tropical Agriculture CIAT, Colombia. October 22-25, 2018. Chargualaf, R.G., Tuquero, J. and M. Marutani. 2019. Agricultural Research Technical Report: 2016-2018 Vegetable Cultivar Trials on Guam. Agriculture and Life Sciences Division, College of Natural & Applied Sciences, University of Guam. 26p. Giraldo, M. C. 2018. Prácticas culturales de manejo integrado para el control eficaz de la pudrición del cormo de apio. Boletín 1/ 2018. Empresa de Farináceos. Mayo 2018. Giraldo, M.C. 2018. Estado de la Investigación y de la Producción de Arracacha en Puerto Rico. IX Encuentro Nacional de Arracacha (IX ENMS) y I Encuentro Latinoamericano de Arracacha (I ELAA) Mayo 7-10, 2018. Pouso Alegre e Senador Amaral, Minas Gerais, Brasil. Giraldo, M. C. 2018. Procesamiento de material de propagación para la siembra de batata, Ipomoea batatas. Boletín 3/ 2018. Empresa de Farináceos. Diciembre 2018. Giraldo, M.C., Cathme, M., Chavarría-Carvajal, J. A., Macchiavelli, R., and González-Vélez, A. 2018. The causal agent and methods for the control of apio (Arracacia xanthorrhiza Bancroft) corm rot disease in Puerto Rico. The 18th Triennial Symposium of International Society for Tropical Root Crops (ISTRC) at the International Center for Tropical Agriculture CIAT, Colombia. October 22-25, 2018. Harrison M.L., Bradley V.L., Casler M.D. (2019) Native Grass Species for Forage and Turf. In: Greene S., Williams K., Khoury C., Kantar M., Marek L. (eds) North American Crop Wild Relatives, Volume 2. Springer, Cham. Sarmiento, L., Linares, A. M., and Viteri, D. M. 2018. Response of pigeon pea genotypes to pod- borer and evaluation of their agronomic performance in Puerto Rico. International Annual Meeting of Crop Science Society of America, USA. (https://scisoc.confex.com/scisoc/2018am/meetingapp.cgi/Paper/111147). Tuquero, J. and G. Takai. 2018. Winged bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus) Varieties for Guam Food Plant Production FPP-06. Agriculture and Life Sciences Division, College of Natural & Applied Sciences, University of Guam. 6p. Viteri, D.M., Linares, A.M., and Urrea, C.A. 2019. Effect of multiple inoculations of an aggressive Macrophomina phaseolina isolate for screening common bean genotypes under high temperatures. Annual Report of the Bean Improvement Cooperative 62:17-18. Viteri, D.M., Linares, A.M., and Soto, C. 2019. Inheritance of the presence of purple stripes located at the external surface of the flower standard and its relationship with seed coat color in ‘Badillo’/PR1144-5 common bean population. Annual Report of the Bean Improvement Cooperative 62:107-108. Viteri, D.M., and Linares, A.M. 2018. Inheritance of ashy stem blight resistance in A 195/‘PC 50’ and ‘PC 50’/‘Othello’ common bean crosses. International Annual Meeting of Crop Science Society of America, USA. https://scisoc.confex.com/scisoc/2018am/meetingapp.cgi/Paper/111148 Viteri, D.M. 2018. Genetics for resistance to ashy stem blight and white mold in ‘PC 50’/‘Othello’ and A 195/‘Othello’ common bean populations. 11th International Mycologist Congress. San Juan, Puerto Rico. [http://ut.suagm.edu/sites/default/files/uploads/pdf/IMC-2018-Abstract-Book-071618.pdf (page 51)] Viteri, D.M. 2018. Selecting grain legume genotypes with resistance to ashy stem blight by the cut- stem method. Agrotechnol 7: 12 (DOI: 10.4172/2168-9881-C1-029). (12th International Conference on Agriculture and Horticulture, Sydney-Australia) Zalesny RS Jr, WL Headlee, G Gopalakrishnan, EO Bauer, RB Hall, DW Hazel, JG Isebrands, LA Licht, MC Negri, EG Nichols, DL Rockwood, and AH Wiese. 2018. Ecosystem services of poplar at long-term phytoremediation sites in the Midwest and Southeast, United States. : Sustainable Production of Fuels, Chemicals, and Fibers from Forest Biomass (Zhu J et al.). p. 27- 63. http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/bk-2011-1067.ch002 Plant Patents LaBonte, D., C.A. Clark, and V. Primomo. 2018. Sweetpotato plant named ‘V12B.445’. U.S. Plant Patent 29,941 P3.

Impact Statements

Date of Annual Report: 08/26/2020

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 08/26/2020 - 08/26/2020
Period the Report Covers: 10/01/2019 - 09/30/2020

Participants

S-009 Members Present:
Administrative Advisor (University of Georgia) Bob Stougaard, bob.stougaard@uga.edu
Alabama (Auburn University) Charles Chen, cyc0002@auburn.edu
Florida (University of Florida) Kevin Kenworthy, kkenworthy@ifas.ufl.edu
Georgia (University of Georgia) Soraya Bertioli, sbertioli@uga.edu
Louisiana (Louisiana State University) Don LaBonte, dlabonte@agcenter.lsu.edu
Mississippi (Mississippi State University)* Brian Baldwin, bsb2@msstate.edu
Puerto Rico (University of Puerto Rico)* Vivian Carro-Figueroa, Pablo Morales-Payan
Martha Girlaldo, martha.giraldo@upr.edu
South Carolina (Clemson University) Rick Boyles, rboyles@clemson.edu
Stephen Kresovich, skresov@clemson.edu
Tennessee (University of Tennessee) Virginia Sykes, vsykes@utk.edu
Texas (Texas AgriLife Research) John Cason, j-cason@tamu.edu
Virginia (Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State Univ) Bas Bargmann, bastiaan@vt.edu

*Not listed as participant in NIMSS

Plant Genetic Resources Conservation Unit Members Present:
Melanie Harrison, melanie.harrison@ars.usda.gov
Shyam Tallury, shyam.tallury@ars.usda.gov
Ming Li Wang, mingli.wang@ars.usda.gov
Tiffany Field, tiffany.fields@usda.gov
Brad Morris, brad.morris@usda.gov
Bob Jarret, bob.jarret@ars.usda.edu

Other Attendees
USDA, Office of National Programs Peter Bretting peter.bretting@usda.gov

Brief Summary of Minutes

Welcome and Overview

– Rick Boyles

The meeting was called to order on Aug. 26, 2020 at 8:05 am by S-009 Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) Chair Richard Boyles. Richard Boyles presented an introduction discussing current challenges facing agriculture due to changing environmental conditions and the importance of the S-9 committee in helping to address those challenges. The mission and meeting goals were presented as following:

Mission: Report on the regional utilization of plant genetic resources maintained by the S-009 (PGRCU) to increase awareness of outreach and impact and foster improvements to pant genetic resource conservation.

Meeting Goals:

1.) Increase interaction among committee members and the S-009 team

2.) Discuss ongoing challenges and participate in ‘thought-provoking’ dialogue

What challenges exist for the PGRCU?

How can representatives promote the S-009 unit to our constituents?

3.) Provide a detailed state report on the trending utilization of accessions to the S-009 team and committee

Can we dive deeper?

Introductions – past, present, and new members

- Melanie Harrison

Melanie Harrison introduced herself and participants from the unit. State representatives then introduced themselves. The following changes in committee membership were noted: Hamid Ashrafi (NCSU) replaces Tom Stalker (retired). Vivian Carro-Figueroa (UPR) replaces Diego Viteri-Dillon (permanent replacement TBD).

Approval of 2019 Minutes

- Rick Boyles

Boyles presented minutes with summary of debate from last year on proper function of the S-009 RTAC. Comments are summarized as follows: Bertioli: We do not have expertise to advise curators on how the money is spent. In the past, members did not seem to have any type of advisory role, just expected to present report of state utilization. We need more guidance on how to execute desired functions of state representative role. Boyles: Would like input from curators as to what they would like from the state reps. Needs to be discussed in more detail. Request move discussion to later in the meeting. Bas made a motion to approve the minutes from the 2019 TAC Annual Meeting. Sykes seconded. None opposed. Passed

Nominations for 2021 officers and meeting location

- Rick Boyles

Boyles presented a poll for members to vote for the incoming secretary position. Bertioli received the most votes. She agreed to serve. Boyles moved to accept Bertioli as incoming secretary. Baldwin seconded. None opposed. Passed. Sykes moved from secretary to chair for 2021.

Sykes offered to host at UT Knoxville in 2021. Boyles passed along that Gerald offered TX to host in 2022. Boyles asked about PGOC – Plant germplasm operating committee. Bretting said they meet every 5 yrs with technical advisory committees. Last meeting was in Ft. Collins, CO in 2016. Bretting will look into if and when PGOC meeting will occur and if technical advisory committees will be invited since 2020 would be the 5^th year. Not sure if funds available for travel and prep. Boyles made a motion to host in Knoxville, TN unless participation in PGOC joint meeting a possibility. Bretting seconded. None opposed. Passed.

“Genetic Resources: The Long Road Behind and Ahead”

- Stephen Kresovich

Summary:

Career focus: characterizing and producing genetic and genomic resources

Questions
- How do you measure quality of collection?
- What does germplasm contribute to science and society?

Early part of career spent in characterizing diversity using molecular techniques

Switched from focus on conservation to utilization

Current approach – transdisciplinary
- Genomics
- Phenomics
- Sensors
- Data analytics
- Robotics
- Cloud Computing

Building Community Resources
- Grain Sorghum Association Panel (GSAP)
  - Agronomic screening with a genetics basis (every entry is genotyped)
  - Significant number of agronomic and compositional traits collected over multiple locations over the past decade – manuscript cited more than 270 times
- Bioenergy Association Panel (BAP)
  - Among the 50 yield-related traits and compositional components assessed, significant differences were noted for most traits
- Carbon Partitioning Nested Association Mapping (NAM) Populations
- Hybrid diversity panel
  - Predicting hybrid yield from inbred genomic data
  - Can we identify genomic pockets that associate with heterosis?
- Significant amount of resources required to build these resources
- Where does the money come from to build community resources?
- Cost more to develop but also more likely to be utilized

Future
- Adding value to seed in plant germplasm collection
  - Examples
    - Using genotyping to understand how flavor has been lost in modern tomato – genetic erosion (Tieman et al. 2017)
    - Tomato pan-genome (Lei Gao et al. 2019)
      - Identified 5,000 additional genes beyond reference genome
      - Types of genes
        
        Core (all accessions have that gene)
        
        Softcore (in 99% or more accessions)
        
        Shell (in 1-99% of accessions)
        
        Cloud (in single accession)
      - What does pan-genome cost?
        
        ~$250 per accession, may need 400 or more accessions
        
        Costs will continue to go down
        
        Not a big investment considering value
        
        Will provide stronger integration of population quantitative an evolutionary genomics for crop improvement, studies of genetic diversity, effectiveness of conservation, improved breeding, and additional genetic insights
      - Don’t recommend sequencing everything, but do use to answer important biological questions
    - Vision for the future: Coordinated Plant Cartography - Linking diversity in the genome with in situ and ex situ genetic resources
      - Stay current
      - Know the important biological questions
      - Need renaissance mindset

Questions/Discussion

Have we saturated germplasm collections and need to focus on better explaining what we have or should we focus on expanding?
- Depends on collection. Some well represented, others not.
- Peter Bretting, working on this question nationally. Should come out with report by end of fiscal year.

“The National Plant Germplasm System: 2020 Status, Prospects, and Challenges”

- Peter Bretting

Summary

Collections
- Most collections associated with land grant university location
- Just under 600,000 accessions. Pretty stable at this point, about 0.5% per year. Most growth in genetic stocks.
- Focus on developing genomic data
- Acquisition of horticultural crops greater than growth of agronomic

Requests
- 40 – 50% of collection requested each year
- Varies by crop, soybean very high
- Mostly requested by state land grant researchers
  - 2/3 to 3/4 goes to public, remaining the private
  - 2/3 to 3/4 are domestic, remaining international
- Effects of covid
  - International shipments mostly ceased
  - GRIN-Global functioning normally
- Budget
  - 5% increase to ARS proposed by house
  - 2019 budget was higher than previous years, but deflated budget (adjusted for purchasing power, purchasing power has mostly decreased since 2002
- Key challenges
  - How to we handle increased demand with decreased purchasing power?
  - Wave of personnel retirements
  - Developing and applying cryopreservation for clonal germplasm
  - Developing BMP for managing accessions
  - Acquiring and conserving additional germplasm, especially of crop wild relatives
- Priorities
  - Maintenance
  - Regeneration
  - Documentation and Data Management
  - Acquisition
  - Distribution
  - Characterization
  - Evaluation
  - Enhancement
  - Research in support of the preceding priorities
- Plant genetic resource management training initiative
  - Distance-learning workshop and publication developed
    - Designed for training new employees and to pique college student interest
  - Instruction e-book under development
- Budget increases in FY 2019
  - Coffee (1.9 million)
  - Citrus (1 million)
  - Hemp (500,000)
- NPGS video
  - swamped with non-research requests. Needed new tactic for discouraging these and better explaining to the general public how these resources are used and can benefit society

“Report from SAAESD & National Plant Germplasm Coordinating Committee”

- Bob Stougaard

Summary

Southern Ag Experiment Station Directors expecting 5 – 15% budget cut for next fiscal year due to covid

NPGCC, Melanie Harrison will be moving into a position on the NPGCC

PGRCU Annual Update and Group Discussion

- Melanie Harrison

Summary

PGRCU second largest site in NPGS, currently over 100,000 accessions

Past S-009 reports and minutes now all available online

Project plan and members on NIMSS site
- Includes guidelines for committees
- Role according to guidelines is as advisory committee to make sure on track in project plan
- Melanie files official report to Bob Stougaard within 60 days of meeting which compiles state reports. This is put into NIMMS.

Employees
- Eight S-009 positions with UGA and 16 federal positions. Currently have 3 vacant positions. No part-time employees this year because of covid.

Collection
- 86% of accessions available for distribution and 97% safely backed up
- Approximately 88% inventory in -18 C
- 16,275 seed and clonal accessions distributed upon request Oct. 2019 – Aug. 2020.
- 100,081 accessions representing 286 genera and 1602 species as of Aug. 2020.

Characterization efforts
- Image and basic descriptor data to be collected during regenerations
- Characterization studies in jute, basella, butterfly pea, peanut, sorghum, loofah, and okra
- Virus testing in vegetable collection
- Shyam Tallury received grant for developing diagnostic tools for detection of Peanut Clump Virus and Indian Peanut Clump Virus
- USDA grant awarded to University of Arkansas to characterize Vigna germplasm for drought tolerance

Regeneration update
- In 2019, 2993 accessions pulled for regeneration
- On campus regenerations mostly postponed in 2020 due to pandemic, late summer plantings possible for a few crops

Other updates
- Multiple facility updates
- Updating crop vulnerability statements for peanut and forage and turfgrass
- Vigna Crop Germplasm Committee moved from regional meeting to tri-society resulted in increased participation

Outreach
- NPGS video series filmed in Griffin
- Mentorship program (canceled in 2020)
- No tours since pandemic
- Updated website

Questions/Discussion

Chen: How did covid affect field work?
- Harrison: No spring planting, employees are back and late season plantings are happening

Boyle: Where is collection backed up?
- Harrison and Bretting: Fort Collins, CO and Svalbard

Chen: At what category are the vacant curator positions going to be advertised?
- Bretting: Most curator positions category 4
- Melanie: Grade level for cat 4 has increased to make these positions more desirable

Boyles: With growth of breeding programs in developing countries, do you anticipate an increase in international requests moving forward? Is that going to be a challenge in terms of workload
- Bretting: In the past, have seen increase in requests from countries transitioning from developing to developed (i.e. China, India, Latin American countries). Haven’t seen as many lately. Quite a few requests from Europe. Currently, seeing across the board increases in developed and developing countries. New group of customers and stakeholders in the genomics community appears to be driving the increased demand.
- Harrison: Have not seen increase in sorghum and millet
- Morris: Seeing increase in foreign distribution in sesame

Chen: Crispr and mutation material, will that go into germplasm collection?
- Harrison: Capable of handling material, need to consider if it will be of value to the community, don’t do seed increases, once all distributed, do not regenerate
- Tallury: Must agree to be freely distributed

Giraldo: Are their curators working with root crops, specifically taro?
- Bretting: Check with Hilo and Puerto Rico stations.

PGRCU Annual Update and Group Discussion

- Boyles

Participation

Boyles showed information available on S-009 group on NIMSS website. Have to go through experiment station director to get added to S009 group in NIMSS.

Chen: some of state representative on NIMSS don’t participate. Harrison: not sure how to handle that. Kenworthy: May be travel issues, mostly western representatives not coming for ½ day meeting. Boyles: should we offer zoom as an option every year as a hybrid in-person, virtual participation? Liu: I am the new rep from Texas, I joined because my institution had an equipment fund available and must be on multi-state to apply. Sykes: We should do a better job of communicating to members that they can request travel funds from their university rather than relying on University administration to let people know they have a pool of funding specific to multi-state project meetings.

Request for Curator Input for Coming Year

Tallury: Would like to see more state reports with data attached so it can be added back to GRIN global. Sykes: Should we follow up with folks to see if they would be willing to provide dataset when developing state reports?

Sykes: Should state report include material not distributed from Griffin? Harrison: only include material distributed from Griffin. Could bring up at PGOC whether we should include material requested from other locations.

State Reports

State reports were given by all present state representatives.

Adjourn

Meeting was adjourned at 12:30 pm.

Minutes Attachment:

S-009 2020 Report FINAL.pdf

Accomplishments

Publications

Impact Statements

Date of Annual Report: 09/13/2021

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 08/10/2021 - 08/10/2021
Period the Report Covers: 07/01/2020 - 08/03/2021

Participants

S-009 Members Present:
Administrative Advisor (University of Georgia) Bob Stougaard, bob.stougaard@uga.edu
Alabama (Auburn University) Charles Chen, cyc0002@auburn.edu
Georgia (University of Georgia) Soraya Bertioli, sbertioli@uga.edu (Secretary)
Kentucky (University of Kentucky) Tim Phillips, tphillip@uky.edu
Mississippi (Mississippi State University) Brian Baldwin bsb2@pss.msstate.edu
North Carolina (North Carolina State University) Carlos Iglesias, caiglesi@ncsu.edu
Oklahoma (Oklahoma State University) Yanqi Wu, yanqi.wu@okstate.edu
Puerto Rico (University Puerto Rico) Carlos Flores, carlos.flores3@upr.edu
South Carolina (Clemson University) Rick Boyles, rboyles@clemson.edu
Tennessee (University of Tennessee) Virginia Sykes, vsykes@utk.edu (Chair)
Texas (Texas AgriLife Research) John Cason, j-cason@tamu.edu
Plant Genetic Resources Conservation Unit Members Present:
Melanie Harrison, melanie.harrison@usda.gov
Shyam Tallury, shyam.tallury@usda.gov
Ming Li Wang, mingli.wang@usda.gov
Tiffany Field, tiffany.fields@usda.gov
Brad Morris, brad.morris@usda.gov
Bob Jarret, bob.jarret@usda.edu
Nicholas Stigura, nicholas.stigura@usda.gov
Brandon Tonnis, brandon.tonnis@usda.gov
Other Attendees
Peter Bretting (USDA, National Program Leader), peter.bretting@usda.gov
Stephen Kresovich (National Genetic Resources Advisory Council), skresov@clemson.edu

Brief Summary of Minutes

Minutes Attachment:

S-009 2021 Meeting minutes.pdf

Accomplishments

A large and highly diverse set of plant germplasm was preserved and distributed to scientists, educators, and plant breeders. A total of 102,245 accessions of 1602 plant species representing 25 genera were maintained in the Griffin plant genetic resources collection. Over 86% of these accessions were available for distribution to users and over 94.5% were backed up for security at a second location. A total of 16,275 seed and clonal accessions were distributed upon request to scientists and educators worldwide between October 1, 2020 and July 14, 2021. Sorghum, cowpea, watermelon, and sesame were the most distributed crops. Clonal collections were continually maintained and distributed to stakeholders. Clonal collections include warm-season grasses, bamboo, Chinese water chestnut, perennial peanut, and sweet potato. Preservation methods include tissue culture, field plots, greenhouse plants, and hydroponics. Fifteen accessions of sweet potato were sent to USDA-ARS, Fort Collins, CO for cryopreservation. These activities ensure that the crop genetic resources at the Griffin location are safeguarded for future use to develop new cultivars and identify novel traits and uses in our food and fiber crops. Although on site regeneration were greatly reduced at the beginning of 2020, late season plantings and collaborator regenerations led to successful regeneration of many crops including wild peanut (Griffin, GA), sorghum and millet (USDA-ARS, Puerto Rico) and vegetable crops (USDA,ARS, Parlier, CA; Rijk Zwaan; Vilmoran; HM Clause; Curry Seed and Chile Company and the World Vegetable Center). This season, regenerations planted include vegetables (605), peanut (639), miscellaneous crops (11), industrial crops (52), legumes (47), clover (26), grasses (39) and okra (70). Of these, 86 wild peanuts (35 different species) were planted in the greenhouses for replenishment of fresh seeds while 435 cultivated peanuts and 154 cowpeas were planted in field plots for regenerations Georgia. Another 50 cowpeas were sent for regeneration in St. Croix. A collaborative research project with Texas and A&M University and Texas Tech University on drought tolerance in peanut was completed. Over two crop seasons, twelve interspecific hybrid derived germplasm lines from the national peanut collection along with three peanut cultivars as controls were evaluated under a rainout shelter for drought in Griffin. None of them performed better than the cultivated control peanuts for overall drought tolerance. New funding was obtained from the National Plant Disease Recovery System for a collaborative project with the University of Georgia-Tifton to develop molecular diagnostic tools for the detection of peanut clump virus and the Indian peanut clump virus. These diagnostic tools are needed to screen new peanut germplasm entering the country. With partial support from the National Peanut Board, a new collaborative research project was initiated with USDA, ARS, Stoneville, MS, bioinformatics laboratory and the Hudson Alpha Institute, Huntsville, AL, to analyze the wild peanut genome. Increased knowledge of the wild peanut genome will enable peanut breeders to more efficiently cross wild peanut with cultivated peanut. This allows new peanut varieties to be developed with desirable traits originally found in the wild peanut. Collaboration continues with USDA,ARS, Charleston, SC to cross wild species related to watermelon with cultivated watermelon species. Wild species provide a unique source of important traits for introduction into cultivated crop species. Large portions of the pepper collection were screened for the presence of Tobamoviruses (ToBRFV) and pospiviroids. The presence of viruses or the lack of knowledge concerning the presence or absence of viruses in germplasm hinders the ability to distribute germplasm and can result in the unintentional distribution of plant pathogens. Collaborative studies continue with Baylor College of Medicine to use Next Genome Sequencing to define genetic relationships in pepper and to examine evolution in wild pepper species. Information gained will help plant breeders more efficiently make crosses between cultivated and wild pepper with hopes of bringing new traits into the crop. Collaborative efforts to identify and characterize novel uses of capsinoids in pepper are on- going. Capsinoids, the substance that gives peppers their hot pungent flavor, has been shown to be an important nutraceutical compound with many potential health benefits. A nutraceutical and health forage evaluation of several Desmodium species was completed in collaboration with Ft. Valley State University. Crude protein levels averaged 23% in two Desmodium species and all Desmodium species had in vitro true digestibility ranging from 80-87%. There were species differences in flavonoid content and high protein precipitable phenolics as well as high total phenolics in one of the species. This encourages the potential use of these Desmoidum species for nutraceutical livestock forages. In collaboration with Tuskegee University, 580 individual peanut seeds were analyzed for fatty acid composition. The overall project goal is to develop genetic tools for peanut breeders to increase the level of the healthy fat, oleic acid, in peanut seeds. With University of Florida collaborators, six peanut lines were measured for protein content as the first step to identify genes for nitrogen-fixation by peanut root nodulation. In collaboration with USDA-ARS, Tifton, GA, 23 breeding lines were analyzed for fatty acid composition. The aim of the project is to develop new peanut cultivars with both improved disease resistance and seed nutrition quality. A total of 50 peanut samples were measured for protein content, oil content, fatty acid composition, and sugar content as part of a joint seed sprout project with the University of Georgia. The goal of the project is to develop peanut varieties with improved nutritional properties in sprouted product used for human consumption. Additionally, 18 germplasm accessions (3 accessions x 6 botanical varieties) were planted for two years (2019 and 2020) with two replicates. Protein content, oil content and fatty acid composition were measured in these samples. Flavor components will also be measured. The goal is to detect genetic variation in flavors among the botanical varieties and provide useful genetic materials to breeders for development of peanut varieties.

Publications

Peer-Reviewed Publications Aryal, P., and L.E. Sollenberger. 2021. Growth temperature and rhizome propagule characteristics affect rhizoma peanut shoot emergence and biomass partitioning. Agron. J. 113:335–344. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/agj2.20486">https://doi.org/10.1002/agj2.20486</a> Aryal, P., L.E. Sollenberger, M.M. Kohmann, L.S. da Silva, K.D. Cooley, and J.C.B. Dubeux, Jr. 2021. Plant growth habit and nitrogen fertilizer effects on rhizoma peanut biomass partitioning during establishment. Grass and Forage Sci. (in press). <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/gfs.12519">http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/gfs.12519</a> Aryal, P., L.E. Sollenberger, M.M. Kohmann, L.S. da Silva, E.M. Shepard, K.D. Cooley, D.L. Rowland, and J.C.B. Dubeux, Jr. 2020. Rhizoma peanut genotype and planting date affect biomass allocation patterns and establishment performance. Crop Sci. 60:1690–1701. <a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.1002/csc2.20142">https://dx.doi.org/10.1002/csc2.20142</a> Ballén‐Taborda C, Chu Y, Ozias‐Akins P, Timper P, Jackson SA, Bertioli DJ and Leal‐Bertioli SCM. 2021. Validation of resistance to root‐knot nematode incorporated in peanut from the wild relative Arachis stenosperma. Agronomy Journal. https://doi.org/10.1002/agj2.20654 Basak, S., McElroy, J., Brown, A., Gonçalves, C., Patel, J., & McCullough, P. 2020. Plastidic ACCase Ile-1781-Leu is present in pinoxaden-resistant southern crabgrass (Digitaria ciliaris). Weed Science, 68(1), 41-50. doi:10.1017/wsc.2019.56 Billman, Eric D., Jesse I. Morrison, and Brian S. Baldwin. 2020. Breeding a heat-tolerant annual ryegrass for earlier fall planting in the southeastern United States. Crop Sci. 60(2):830-840. <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/csc2.20078">http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/csc2.20078</a> Boatwright, J.L., Brenton, Z.W., Boyles, R.E., Sapkota, S., Myers, M.T., Jordan, K.E., Dale, S.M., Shakoor, N., Cooper, E.A., Morris, G.P. and Kresovich, S. 2021. Genetic characterization of a Sorghum bicolor multiparent mapping population emphasizing carbon-partitioning dynamics. G3: Genes | Genomes | Genetics 11:p.jkab060. Bock, C.H., Alarcon, Y., Conner, P.J. et al. 2020. Foliage and fruit susceptibility of a pecan provenance collection to scab, caused by Venturia effusa. CABI Agric Biosci 1, 19. https://doi.org/10.1186/s43170- 020-00020-9 Boyd, A., McElroy, J., McCurdy, J., McCullough, P., Han, D., & Guertal, E. 2021. Reducing topramezone injury to bermudagrass using chelated iron and other additives. Weed Technology, 35(2), 289-296. doi:10.1017/wet.2020.110 Brenton, Z.W., Juengst, B.T., Cooper, E.A., Myers, M.T., Jordan, K.E., Dale, S.M., Glaubitz, J.C., Wang, X., Boyles, R. E., Connolly, E. L., Kresovich, S. 2020. Species-specific duplication event associated with elevated levels of nonstructural carbohydrates in Sorghum bicolor. G3: Genes | Genomes | Genetics 10:1511-1520. Che, P., Chang, S., Simon, M.K., Zhang, Z., Shaharyar, A., Ourada, J., O’Neill, D., Torres-Mendoza, M., Guo, Y., Marasigan, K.M., Vielle-Calzada, J.-P., Ozias-Akins, P., Albertsen, M.C. and Jones, T.J. 2021. Developing a rapid and highly efficient cowpea regeneration, transformation and genome editing system using embryonic axis explants. Plant J, 106: 817-830. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1111/tpj.15202">https://doi.org/10.1111/tpj.15202</a> Chhetri, M., C. Fontanier, J.Q. Moss, and Y.Q. Wu. 2021. Effect of combined shade and drought stress on bermudagrass turf. International Turfgrass Society Research Journal. 1-11. DOI:10.1002/its2.68. Chu Y, David Bertioli, Chandler M Levinson, H Thomas Stalker, C Corley Holbrook, Peggy Ozias- Akins. 2020. Homoeologous recombination is recurrent in the nascent synthetic allotetraploid Arachis ipaënsis × Arachis correntina4x and its derivatives, G3 Genes|Genomes|Genetics, Volume 11, Issue 4, April 2021, jkab066, <a href="https://doi.org/10.1093/g3journal/jkab066">https://doi.org/10.1093/g3journal/jkab066</a> Cobb, A., E. Duell, K. Haase, R. Miller, Y.Q. Wu, and G. Wilson. 2021. Utilizing mycorrhizal responses to guide selective breeding for agricultural sustainability. Plants, People, Planet. DOI: 10.1002/ppp3.10200. Cooley, K.D., L.E. Sollenberger, A.R. Blount, L.S. da Silva, M.M. Kohmann, P. Aryal, J.C.B. Dubeux Jr., and M.L. Silveira. 2019. A modified ingrowth core to measure root-rhizome accumulation of perennial forage species. Agron. J. 111:3393-3397. <a href="https://doi.org/10.2134/agronj2019.01.0051">https://doi.org/10.2134/agronj2019.01.0051</a> Cooley, K.D., L.E. Sollenberger, M.M. Kohmann, A.S. Blount, J.C.B. Dubeux, Jr., M.L. Silveira, L.S. da Silva, and P. Aryal. 2020. Rhizoma peanut herbage and root-rhizome responses to extended regrowth periods. Crop Sci. 60:2802–2813. <a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.1002/csc2.20236">https://dx.doi.org/10.1002/csc2.20236</a> Cruet-Burgos Clara, Hugo E Cuevas, Louis K Prom, Joseph E Knoll, Lauren R Stutts, Wilfred Vermerris, Genomic Dissection of Anthracnose (Colletotrichum sublineolum) resistance response in sorghum differential line SC112-14. 2020. G3 Genes|Genomes|Genetics, Volume 10, Issue 4, 1 April 2020, Pages 1403–1412, <a href="https://doi.org/10.1534/g3.120.401121">https://doi.org/10.1534/g3.120.401121</a> Dareus, R., Porto, A.C.M., Bogale, M., DiGennaro, P., Chase, C.A. and Rios, E.F., 2021. Resistance to Meloidogyne enterolobii and Meloidogyne incognita in Cultivated and Wild Cowpea. HortScience, 1(aop), pp.1-9. Dareus, R, Acharya, JP, Paudel, D, de Souza, C, Gouveia, B, Chase, C, DiGennaro, P, Mulvaney, M, Koenig, R, E.F. Rios. 2021. Phenotypic Characterization of the UC-Riverside Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) Mini-Core Collection for Phenological and Agronomic Traits in Florida. Crop Sci. 1-13 https://doi.org/10.1002/csc2.20544 Devos Katrien, Bennetzen, Jeff, Missaoui, Ali, and Schliekelman, Paul. 2020. Unraveling the genetics of two key biomass traits that differentiate upland and lowland tetraploid switchgrass ecotypes, colonization by mycorrhizal fungi and frost tolerance. United States: N. p., 2020. Web. doi:10.2172/1735505 Díaz-Pérez, J., K. St. John, S.U. Nambeesan, M.Y. Kabir, J.A Alvarado-Chávez and J Bautista. 2020. Bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) plant growth and fruit yield as affected by colored shade nets Acta Horticulturae. DOI: 10.17660/ActaHortic.2020.1268.38. Gao D, Araujo, ACG, Nascimento, EFMB, Chavarro, MC, Xia H, Jackson, SA, Bertioli DJ, Leal-Bertioli SCM. 2021. ValSten: a new wild species derived allotetraploid for increasing genetic diversity of the peanut crop. Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution. 68(5):1-15. doi.org/10.1007/s10722-020-01076-2 Garcia, L., J.C.B. Dubeux, Jr., L.E. Sollenberger, J.M.B. Vendramini, N. DiLorenzo, E.R.S. Santos, D.M. Jaramillo, M. Ruiz-Moreno. 2021. Nutrient excretion from cattle grazing nitrogen-fertilized grass or grass-legume pastures. Agron. J.). <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/agj2.20675">https://doi.org/10.1002/agj2.20675</a> Gimode, W., Bao, K., Fei, Z. , McGregor C. 2021. QTL associated with gummy stem blight resistance in watermelon. Theor Appl Genet 134, 573–584. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00122-020-03715-9 Gimode, W., Clevenger, J. & McGregor, C. 2020. Fine-mapping of a major quantitative trait locus Qdff3- 1 controlling flowering time in watermelon. Mol Breeding 40, 3. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s11032-019-1087-z">https://doi.org/10.1007/s11032-019-</a> <a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s11032-019-1087-z">1087-z</a> Godwin, C., T. Fang, and Y.Q. Wu. 2021. Genetic identity and diversity among experimental selections and cultivars of vegetatively propagated turf bermudagrass as assessed with SSR Markers. International Turfgrass Society Research Journal. 1-10, DOI: 10.1002/its2.29. Gopinath, L., J.Q. Moss, and Y.Q. Wu. 2021. Evaluating the freeze tolerance of bermudagrass genotypes. Agrosystems, Geosciences, & Environment. DOI: 10.1002/agg2.20170. Govindarajulu R, Ashley N Hostetler, Yuguo Xiao, Srinivasa R Chaluvadi, Margarita Mauro-Herrera, Muriel L Siddoway, Clinton Whipple, Jeffrey L Bennetzen, Katrien M Devos, Andrew N Doust, Jennifer S Hawkins. 2021. Integration of high-density genetic mapping with transcriptome analysis uncovers numerous agronomic QTL and reveals candidate genes for the control of tillering in sorghum, G3 Genes|Genomes|Genetics, Volume 11, Issue 2, February 2021, jkab024 Grey, T., Hurdle, N., Rucker, K., & Basinger, N. 2021. Blueberry and blackberry are tolerant to repeated indaziflam applications. Weed Technology, 1-5. doi:10.1017/wet.2021.14 Grossman, A.Y.; Andrade, M.H.M.L.; Chaves, A.L.A.; Mendes Ferreira, M.T.; Techio, V.H.; Lopez, Y.; Begcy, K.; Kenworthy, K.E.; Rios, E.F. 2021. Ploidy Level and Genetic Parameters for Phenotypic Traits in Bermudagrass (Cynodon spp.) Germplasm. Agronomy, 11, 912. <a href="https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11050912">https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11050912.</a> Guo, J., Khan, J., Pradhan, S., Shahi, D., Khan, N., Avci, M., Mcbreen, J., Harrison, S., Brown-Guedira, G., Murphy, J.P., Johnson, J., Mergoum, M., Esten Mason, R., Ibrahim, A.M.H., Sutton, R., Griffey, C., Babar, M.A. 2020. Multi-Trait Genomic Prediction of Yield-Related Traits in US Soft Wheat under Variable Water Regimes. Genes, 11, 1270. <a href="https://doi.org/10.3390/genes11111270">https://doi.org/10.3390/genes11111270</a> Harrelson B, Ghimire B, Kemerait R, Culbreath A, Li Z, Severns P, Buck, J. 2020. Assessment of quinone outside inhibitor sensitivity and frogeye leaf spot race of Cercospora sojina in Georgia soybean. Plant Disease 10.1094/PDIS-02-21-0236-RE Harris-Shultz, K, Knoll, J, Punnuri, S, Niland, E, Ni, X. 2020. Evaluation of strains of Beauveria bassiana and Isaria fumosorosea to control sugarcane aphids on grain sorghum. Agrosyst Geosci Environ. 2020, 3:e20047. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/agg2.20047">https://doi.org/10.1002/agg2.20047</a> Harris-Shultz, K. R., Hayes, C. M., & Knoll, J. E. 2019. Mapping QTLs and Identification of genes associated with drought resistance in sorghum BT - Sorghum: Methods and Protocols (Z.-Y. Zhao & J. Dahlberg, Eds.). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-9039-9_2 Hisam Al Rabbi SM, Ajay Kumar, Sepehr Mohajeri Naraghi, Suraj Sapkota, Mohammed S. Alamri, Elias Elias, Shahryar Kianian, Raed Seetan, Ali Missaoui, Shyam Solanki and Mohamed Mergoum. 2021. Identification of Main-Effect and Environmental Interaction QTL and Their Candidate Genes for Drought Tolerance in a Wheat RIL Population Between Two Elite Spring Cultivars Front. Genet., 17 June 2021. <a href="https://doi.org/10.3389/fgene.2021.656037">https://doi.org/10.3389/fgene.2021.656037</a> Hisam Al Rabbi SM, Ajay Kumar, Sepehr Mohajeri Naraghi, Suraj Sapkota, Mohammed S. Alamri, Elias Jaramillo, D.M., J.C.B. Dubeux Jr., L. Sollenberger, C. Mackowiak, J.M.B. Vendramini,DiLorenzo, L.M.D. Queiroz, E.R.S. Santos, L. Garcia, M. Ruiz-Moreno, E. van Santen. 2021. Litter Mass, Deposition Rate, and Decomposition in N-Fertilized or Grass-Legume Grazing Systems. Crop Science <a href="https://10.0.3.234/csc2.20475">https://10.1002/csc2.20475 </a>61:2176-2189. Hurdle, N., Grey, T., McCullough, P., Shilling, D., & Belcher, J. 2020. Bermudagrass tolerance of indaziflam PRE applications in forage production. Weed Technology, 34(1), 125-128. doi:10.1017/wet.2019.76 Jaramillo, D.M., J.C.B. Dubeux Jr., L.E. Sollenberger, J.M.B. Vendramini, C.L. Mackowiak, N. DiLorenzo, L. Garcia, L.M.D. Queiroz, E.R.S. Santos, B.G.C. Homem, F. van Cleef, M. Ruiz-Moreno. 2021. Water Footprint, Herbage, and Livestock Responses for N-Fertilized Grass and Grass-Legume Grazing Systems. Crop Sci. <a href="http://doi.org/10.1002/csc2.20568">http://doi.org/10.1002/csc2.20568 </a>. Kabir, M., Díaz-Pérez, J., Nambeesan, S. U. 2020. Effect of shade levels on plant growth, physiology, and fruit yield in bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) Acta Horticulturae DOI: <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2020.1268.42">10.17660/ActaHortic.2020.1268.42</a> Knoll J, William F. Anderson, Ali Missaoui, Anna Hale, Wayne W. Hanna. 2021. Biomass production and stability of five energycane cultivars at two latitudes in Georgia Agrosyst Geosci Environ. 4:e20146. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/agg2.20146">https://doi.org/10.1002/agg2.20146</a> Lamon, Samuele Ye Chu Larissa A. Guimaraes David J. Bertioli Soraya C. M. Leal-Bertioli João F. SantosIgnácio J. Godoy Albert K. Culbreath C. Corley Holbrook Peggy Ozias-Akins. 2021. Characterization of peanut lines with interspecific introgressions conferring late leaf spot resistance. Crop Science. 61: 1724– 1738. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/csc220414">https://doi.org/10.1002/csc220414</a> Legendre, R., Kuzy, J. & McGregor, C. Markers for selection of three alleles of ClSUN25-26-27a (Cla011257) associated with fruit shape in watermelon. Mol Breeding 40, 19 2020. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11032-020-1104-2 Levinson, C.M., K.M. Marasigan, Y. Chu, H.T. Stalker, C.C. Holbrook, X. Ni, W.P. Williams, P. Ozias- Akins. 2020. Resistance to fall armyworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) feeding identified in nascent allotetraploids cross-compatible to cultivated peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.). Peanut Science 1 November 2020, 47 (3): 123–134. doi: <a href="https://doi.org/10.3146/PS20-13.1">https://doi.org/10.3146/PS20-13.1</a> Lovell, J.T., Bentley, N.B., Bhattarai, G. Conner, P.J. et al. 2021. Four chromosome scale genomes and a pan-genome annotation to accelerate pecan tree breeding. Nat Commun 12, 4125. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-24328-w">https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-24328-w</a> Lovell, J.T., MacQueen, A.H., Mamidi, S. Knoll, J. et al. 2021. Genomic mechanisms of climate adaptation in polyploid bioenergy switchgrass. Nature 590, 438–444. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-020-03127-1">https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-020-</a> <a href="https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-020-03127-1">03127-1</a> Lwe, Z.S.Z., Welti, R., Anco, D., Naveed, S., Rustgi, S., Narayanan, S. 2020. Heat stress elicits remodeling in the anther lipidome of peanut. Scientific Reports 10:22163 Massa AN, Bressano M, Soave JH, Buteler MI, Seijo G, Sobolev VS, Orner VA, Oddino C, Soave SJ, Faustinelli PC, de Blas FJ, Lamb MC, Arias RS. 2021. Genotyping tools and resources to assess peanut germplasm: smut-resistant landraces as a case study. PeerJ 9:e10581 <a href="https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.10581">https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.10581</a> Meru, G. and McGregor, C. 2020. Effect of Various Soil Media on Disease Severity of Fusarium Wilt in Watermelon. American Journal of Plant Sciences, 11, 1890-1898. doi: <a href="https://doi.org/10.4236/ajps.2020.1112135">10.4236/ajps.2020.1112135.</a> Mural, R.V., Grzybowski, M., Miao, C., Damke, A., Sapkota, S., Boyles, R.E., Salas Fernandez, M.G., Schnable, P.S., Sigmon, B., Kresovich, S., Schnable, J.C. 2021. Meta-analysis identifies pleiotropic loci controlling phenotypic trade-offs in sorghum. Genetics 218:iyab087. Nair S, S.K. Braman, P. Raymer. 2021. Susceptibility of Zoysiagrasses to the Fall Armyworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Journal of Entomological Science 56 (1): 24–31. doi: <a href="https://doi.org/10.18474/0749-8004-56.1.24">https://doi.org/10.18474/0749-8004-56.1.24</a> Otyama P.I., Roshan Kulkarni, Kelly Chamberlin, Peggy Ozias-Akins, Ye Chu, Lori M Lincoln, Gregory E MacDonald, Noelle L Anglin, Sudhansu Dash, David J Bertioli, David Fernández-Baca, Michelle A Graham, Steven B Cannon, Ethalinda K S Cannon. 2020. Genotypic Characterization of the U.S. Peanut Core Collection, G3 Genes|Genomes|Genetics, Volume 10, Issue 11, 1 November 2020, Pages 4013–4026, <a href="https://doi.org/10.1534/g3.120.401306">https://doi.org/10.1534/g3.120.401306</a> Paudel, D., Dareus, R., Rosenwald, J., Munoz-Amatriain, M. and Rios, E.F., 2021. Genome-wide association study reveals candidate genes for flowering time in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata [L.] Walp). Frontiers Genetics. <a href="https://doi.org/10.3389/fgene.2021.667038">https://doi.org/10.3389/fgene.2021.667038</a> Price, A., Nichols, R., Morton, T., Balkcom, K., Grey, T., & Li, S. 2021. Effect of cover-crop biomass, strip-tillage residue disturbance width, and PRE herbicide placement on cotton weed control, yield, and economics. Weed Technology, 35(3), 385-393. doi:10.1017/wet.2021.8 Qi P, Pendergast TH, Johnson A, Bahri BA, Choi S, Missaoui A, Devos KM. 2021. 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Plant Regist. 2021, 15: 285– 289. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/plr2.20125">https://doi.org/10.1002/plr2.20125</a> Brown, N, Branch, WD. Registration of Albino-Virescent Leaf peanut genetic stock. J. Plant Regist. 2020, 14: 460– 463. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/plr2.20038">https://doi.org/10.1002/plr2.20038</a> Brown, N, Branch, WD. Registration of Revolute-Leaf peanut genetic stock. J. Plant Regist. 2020, 14: 464– 466. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/plr2.20062">https://doi.org/10.1002/plr2.20062</a> Brown, N, Branch, WD. Registration of Spear-shaped Leaf peanut genetic stock. J. Plant Regist. 2020, 14: 457– 459. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/plr2.20033">https://doi.org/10.1002/plr2.20033</a> Chen, P, Shannon, G, Scaboo, A, et al. Registration of ‘S14-15146GT’ soybean, a high-yielding RR1 cultivar with high oil content and broad disease resistance and adaptation. J. Plant Regist. 2020, 14: 35– 42. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/plr2.20018">https://doi.org/10.1002/plr2.20018</a> Chen, P., G. Shannon A. Scaboo M. Crisel S. Smothers M. Clubb S. Selves C. C. Vieira M. L. Ali D. Lee T. Nguyen Z. Li M. G. Mitchum J. Bond C. Meinhardt M. Usovsky S. Li A. Mengistu R. T. Robbins. ‘S13-1955C’: A high-yielding conventional soybean with high oil content, multiple disease resistance, broad adaptation. J. Plant Regist. 2021, 15: 318– 325. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/plr2.20112">https://doi.org/10.1002/plr2.20112</a> Ibrahim, AMH, Sutton, R, Johnson, JW, et al. Registration of ‘GA06343-13E2 (TX-EL2)’ Soft Red Winter Wheat. J. Plant Regist. 2021, 15: 107– 112. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/plr2.20031">https://doi.org/10.1002/plr2.20031</a> LaBonte, D. 2020. Sweetpotato plant named ’LA17-31’. U.S. Plant Patent 32,020. LaBonte, D. 2020. Sweetpotato plant named ’LA17-120’. U.S. Plant Patent 31,968. LaBonte, D. 2020. Sweetpotato plant named ’LA17-40’. 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Impact Statements

Date of Annual Report: 08/29/2022

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 08/16/2022 - 08/17/2022
Period the Report Covers: 07/01/2021 - 08/01/2022

Participants

Administrative Advisor (University of Georgia), Bob Stougaard, bob.stougaard@uga.edu; NIFA Representative, Christian Tobias, Christian.tobias@usda.gov; Alabama (Auburn University), Charles Chen, cyc0002@auburn.edu; Georgia (University of Georgia), Soraya Bertioli, sbertioli@uga.edu (Chair); Guam (University of Guam), Mari Marutani, marutani@guam.uog.edu; Louisiana (Louisiana State University), Don LaBonte, dlabonte@agctr.lsu.edu; North Carolina (North Carolina State University) Carlos Iglesias, caiglesi@ncsu.edu (Secretary); Oklahoma (Oklahoma State University), Yanqi Wu, yanqi.wu@okstate.edu; Puerto Rico (University of Puerto Rico) Carlos Flores, carlos.flores3@upr.edu; South Carolina (Clemson University), Rick Boyles, rboyles@clemson.edu;
Tennessee (University of Tennessee), Virginia Sykes, vsykes@utk.edu; Texas (Texas A&M University), John Cason, j-cason@tamu.edu; Virgin Island (University of the Virgin Islands), Thomas Zimmerman, tzimmer@uvi.edu; Virginia (Virginia Tech University), Bastiaan Bargmann, bastiaan@vt.edu

Plant Genetic Resources Conservation Unit Members Present:

Melanie Harrison, melanie.harrison@usda.gov; Shyam Tallury, shyam.tallury@usda.gov; Ming Li Wang, mingli.wang@usda.gov; Tiffany Field, tiffany.fields@usda.gov; Brad Morris, brad.morris@usda.gov; Bob Jarret, bob.jarret@usda.edu;
Brandon Tonnis, brandon.tonnis@usda.gov; Mylee Mobley, mylee.mobley@usda.gov; Sarah Moon, sarah.moon@usda.gov; Mandy Brooks, Amanda.brooks@uga.edu; Luke Doss, luke.doss@uga.edu; Angie Lewis, alew71@uga.edu

Other Attendees

Peter Bretting (USDA, National Program Leader), peter.bretting@usda.gov; Sachin Rustgi, (Clemson University), srutsgi@clemson.edu; Mark Hopkins, mark.hopkins@uga.edu; Jeff Brady (TAMU), jeffbrady@tamu.edu; Shuyo Liu (TAMU), sliu@ag.tamu.edu; Maegan Delfin, University of Guam; David Bertioli, bertioli@uga.edu; Guillermo Seijo, Universidad del Noreste, Argentina; Manuel Manthi, University of Georgia

Participants Attachment:

2022 S-009 Committee Meeting minutes.pdf

Brief Summary of Minutes

Welcome and Introductions

The meeting was called to order on Aug. 16, 2022 at 1:00 pm EDT by S-009 Regional Technical Advisory Committee (RTAC) Chair Soraya Bertioli. Participants introduced themselves. Dr. David Buntin (Interim Assistant Provost and Director for the UGA-Griffin Campus) welcome the participants to the UGA-Griffin Campus. Dr. Buntin highlighted the fact that the Griffin site is fully integrated into the UGA system and that the USDA is an integral part of the activities developed at the site.

Presentations

After introductions, there were four update presentations by Peter Bretting, Christian Tobias, Bob Stougaard and Melanie Harrison:

Peter Bretting - made a presentation about “The National Plant Germplasm System: 2022 Status, Prospects and Challenges”. He gave a yearly update about the status of the system, summarizing the successes and key challenges for the NPGS. He mentioned the long-term partnership between USDA and the Land Grant University system when it comes to germplasm collections work and in particular the partnership between USDA and UGA-Griffin. He also referred to the increase of number of NPGS accessions maintained (recently passing the 600,000 mark), and the higher number of distributions (225,000). He talked about the effects of COVID regarding a dip in the distribution of accessions (-20%), and the difficulties in hiring and training people for open temporary jobs. The latest growth in terms f collections relate to horticultural crops, with two new collections recently initiated. The increase in workload and operational costs has not been accompanied with a parallel increase in resources. This past fiscal year there was a budget increase to get it close to $50 M. However, when that budget is expressed in constant dollar terms (2012), it only represents about $35M, and a slow but consistent decrease in real funding. Some of the most prominent budget increases were in support of small grains (+$190k); Vaccinium (+$150k); hemp (+$1, 350k); and pecans (+$400k).

The need to avoid contaminations and ensure trueness of type for new ex-PVP/off-patent materials, as well as for wild species which are usually cross pollinated, add to the workload under limited resources and support.

Dr. Bretting announced that a new hardiness zone map would be released by 2024. He also talked about the online 3-credit course “Plant Genetic Resources: Genomes, Genebanks, and Growers” offered by the Colorado State University (http://pgrcourse.colostate.edu). This course was developed by Gayle Volk (ARS-Ft. Collins, CO) and Patrick Byrne (Colorado State University-Ft. Collins, CO). He also referred to several educational materials within what is called GRIN-University, including posters that can be downloaded. The course can be accessed by anyone interested in expanding the knowledge about genetic resources. Students from other universities can also enroll for a grade alternative.

Answering the question about how well has it been publicized, Dr. Bretting said that it has been announced at several professional meetings, but it would help if this committee and other attendants to this meeting collaborate in spreading the word.

Christian Tobias (NIFA). Delivered a report from the USDA, National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). In 2020, NIFA lost close to 80% of its personnel due to the move of its main office to Kansas City.

The focus in the last two years has been in rebuilding the organization. NIFA represents one of the main sources of support for plant science related competitive projects. NIFA awards involving genera covered by the PGRCU amounts to close to $30M. Dr. Tobias talked about the open call in Plant Breeding for Agricultural Production (A1141) with a deadline of Sept 22. The priority for that call is to improve productivity with emphasis on the priorities set by the USDA Plant Breeding Roadmap. Regular grants have a ceiling of $650k, which goes up to $800k for certain types of partnerships. Coordinated public- private innovation networks could be granted up to $1 million for a period of 5 years, to address grand challenges in a multi-institution setup.

Dr. Tobias talked about a new opportunity in Conventional Plant Breeding for Cultivar Development (A1143). This initiative will support research in later stages of cultivar development, so that much needed improved materials could find their way to farmers’’ fields; with special emphasis to locally and regionally adapted cultivar releases. The proposals should not exceed $500k for a period of 3-5 years, or $300k for seed grants. The deadline is also Sept 22.

Dr. Tobias also shared some infographics that could be used for outreach regarding breeding success using germplasm resources: https://www.nrsp10.org/PBCC_plant_breeding_outputs

Dr. Tobias also talked about the Agricultural Genomes to Phenomes Initiative (AG2PI), which is under his responsibility, and aims at studying agricultural significant crops and animals in production environments, filling gaps in genetics and phenomics in support of future improvements.

Most of the questions centered on the Conventional Plant Breeding for Cultivar Development call. A given PI can submit proposals to different programs, but not multiple proposals within the same program. This particular program does not seem to favor opportunities for renewal, except for no-cost extensions.

Bob Stougaard – reported on the Southern Association of Agricultural Experiment Station Directors (SAAESD) and the National Plant Germplasm Coordinating Committee. Budget was approved to hire half FTE for Administrative Support ($61k).

There is a requirement for mid-term reviews for projects, two years before termination. Several projects will expire at the end of 2023 including the one supporting the S-009 committee. A proposal will be submitted by Sept 30.

Input from this group is needed to decide if the cotton winter nursery will continue to be supported at the level of $35k/yr. The question is why cotton and not other crops? This support has been ongoing for the last 50-60 years.

Some commodity groups are adding clauses to funded projects that will allow them to own the IP that is generated. This could set up a precedent. The National Ag Law Center will be consulted.

Regarding the PGSC meeting report, plant breeding has evolved considerably in the last years towards the molecular side. There number of plant breeders is stable but with shift towards specialty crops and away from row crops. For some universities, maintaining fully functional breeding programs is putting a lot of pressure on their resources. Equipment update is desperately needed.

Regarding the NPGS Potato Genetic Resource Collection, it will be moved to a new facility to be built at UW-Madison after $38M were appropriated by Congress for its construction. This will put the Potato Collection on a good footing, in spite of announcing the suspension of $135K in support from the NRSP-6, which will be balanced by eliminating two current positions.

Melanie Harrison – gave an overview on “PGRCU Annual Update”. The presentation described the history of PGRCU, that started in 1949 at UGA, Griffin campus, as a collaborative effort between USDA and the Southern State Agricultural Experiment Stations (S-009), with 811 accessions. Now it is the second largest site with 102,000 accessions. 87% of accessions are available for distribution and 95% is backed at Fort Collins. Almost 52,000 accessions were distributed in 2021; a significant increase from 2020 when distribution experienced a dip due to COVID. 87% of the collection is maintained at -18C, and germination tests are routinely done.

The program is supported by 16 FTE’s from ARS and 7.5 FTE’s from UGA (23.5 FTE’s), which represents a significant drop from the highest FTE pick (39). Workload in terms of germplasm maintenance, distribution, research, etc. has significantly increased; yet, the smaller group has been able to deliver.

Regeneration of vegetable collection seed is done with the support from some seed companies.

Virus indexing for some key collections (i.e. eggplant, pepper) has been conducted with support from the National Program for Plant Disease Recovery. Specific examples of the work done at Griffin were presented like maintenance of roselle germplasm, with several accessions being photoperiod sensitive. Increases of switchgrass (a cross-pollinated species) are managed in a reduced space thanks to isolation barriers from sun hemp plants. Considerable work has been done in characterizing germplasm (sesame and legumes for antioxidants; grasses for essential oils; etc.).

Curatorial activity reports for the major genera (Arachis, Vigna, Ipomoea, Vegetables, Industrial Crops, Legumes, Grasses, and Sorghum) were presented, with significant amount of work regarding acquisition, regeneration, evaluation and distribution.

Dr. Harrison described some upgrades on equipment and buildings. Existing cold storage will be renovated this year, and LED lights were installed in one greenhouse to support wild peanut regeneration. A new land lease agreement was signed for 14 acres for regenerations, with UGA.

Considerable outreach activity took place during the past year (tours, updated website, gathering success stories, etc.).

State Reports

Representatives summarized the state activities, numbers of requests, distributions, utilization, acquisition strategies, and, in some cases, reported publications, cultivar releases, germplasm releases and patents – (Alabama, Georgia, Guam, Louisiana, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virgin Islands, and Virginia).

Some highlights from the State reports:

Overall, Sorghum accessions dominated the requests for the reported period (close to 50%).

A larger number of publications out of Georgia

Large screening effort for Guava Root nematode in

Introduction and evaluation of roselle (Hibiscus) in

Okra breeding efforts in North Carolina

Work in tropical crops in Puerto Rico

Characterization for reduced allergenicity in peanuts in South Carolina

Work done in Hibiscus in Virgin Island

Afternoon – general business

Welcome and Overview by Soraya Bertioli, S-009 Chair

Review and approval of the 2021 Minutes. Bas Bargmann motion for approval; Carlos Iglesias second. The 2021 minutes were

Guidelines for S-009 Committee Governance.

Presented by Dr. Bob Stougaard. The guidelines were well received by the participants. Under the new governance structure, we will move from a Chair/Secretary system to a Chair/Chair-elect/Secretary system. Those posts are to serve 1-yr terms, with the possibility to be re-elected for another year. Dr. Virginia Sykes made a motion to approve the new governance structure; Dr. Thomas Zimmerman second. The motion was approved. In transitioning to the new structure, Dr. Soraya Bertioli will remain as Chair for one more year. Dr. Carlos Iglesias will move from Secretary to Chari-elect; and Dr. Yanqi Wu was elected new Secretary with Dr. Rick Boyles motioned to approve and Dr. Charles Chen seconded.

Nominations for 2023 meeting location

Dr. Soraya Bertioli proposed to maintain the hybrid format for future meetings (in person + Zoom option for those wanting to participate remotely). The group approved this proposal. The group discussed the value of in person visits to gain more insights of the work done by different programs. The venue for each yearly meeting will be decided in the prior year’s meeting. As for 2023, the S-009 Committee meeting will be held in Raleigh, NC (NCSU), and it could happen during the weeks of July 24^th or July 31^st, 2023. A survey poll will be sent soon to set the date that is most convenient for the group.

The group discussed the possibility to meet outside the region and/or the most frequent meeting venues. Having the meeting in the DC area in 2024 will be explored (USDA, Beltsville, MD). The idea seems to be favored by all presents.

Dr. Soraya Bertioli adjourned the meeting.

Technical presentations

In the morning of Aug 17, 2022, the Committee attended three excellent presentations related to the status of germplasm resources in key species, highlighted research, and potential uses of germplasm. The presentations were the following:

“The status of collection, characterization and use of wild peanut in Argentina, the center of origin of the ”

Guilermo Seijo, Professor of Genetics, Northeast University, Argentina

“'Where would agriculture be without wild species?'”

Mark Hopkins, Paraprofessional, University of Georgia, Soraya Leal-Bertioli Lab

“Looking Wild: Using Crop Wild Relatives for Loci and Allelic Variation Associated with Fruit Size and Shape in Watermelon.”

Samuel Manthi, Doctoral Student, University of Georgia, Cecilia McGregor Lab

Minutes Attachment:

S-009 2022 Annual Report NIMSS v3.pdf

Accomplishments

A large and highly diverse set of plant germplasm was preserved and distributed to scientists, educators, and plant breeders. A total of 103,176 accessions of 1602 plant species representing 281 genera were maintained in the Griffin plant genetic resources collection. Over 87% of these accessions were available for distribution to users and over 94% were backed up securely at a second location. A total of 51,773 seed and clonal accessions were distributed upon request to scientists and educators worldwide in 2021. Sorghum and cowpea were the most distributed crops. Clonal collections were continually maintained and distributed to stakeholders. Clonal collections include warm-season grasses, bamboo, Chinese water chestnut, perennial peanut, and sweet potato. Preservation methods include tissue culture, field plots, greenhouse plants, and hydroponics. A total of 2,590 accessions were sent to curators for regeneration. Collaborator regenerations led to successful regeneration of many crops including wild peanut (Griffin, GA), sorghum and millet (USDA-ARS, Puerto Rico) and vegetable crops (USDA-ARS, Parlier, CA; Rijk Zwaan; Vilmoran; HM Clause; Curry Seed and Chile Company). These activities ensure that the crop genetic resources at the Griffin location are safeguarded for future use to develop new cultivars and identify novel traits and uses in our food and fiber crops. The collaborative project with researchers at the University of Georgia-Tifton Campus to develop molecular diagnostic tools for the detection of peanut clump virus and the Indian peanut clump virus with funding support from the National Plant Disease Recovery System (NPDRS) was completed. Molecular diagnostic assays were developed and standardized for the detection of these two viruses. Protocols were shared with USDA-Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) for validations. These diagnostic tools are needed to screen new peanut germplasm entering the country. With partial support from the National Peanut Board, Peanut Research Foundation and NIFA, the genetic characterization of all species of the section Arachis has been completed. This is aiding the positive identification of species and accessions. As a second phase, the production of peanut-compatible allotetraploids is being done in a systematic fashion to unlock wild alleles for the peanut breeding. A dedicated collection of peanut-compatible wild derived germplasm will be created. CRISPR gene editing is a new technology to precisely modify traits for crop improvement. Collaboration continued with Tuskegee University on a gene editing project for peanut with hopes of increasing the health beneficial oleic acid content. In collaboration with ARS researchers in Tifton, GA, fatty acid composition was determined in 349 recombinant inbred lines (RIL) from the peanut MAGIC population. This population has parents with high oleic acid content and resistance to both leaf spot and the tomato spotted wilt virus. The goal of the project is to develop peanut germplasm lines with both the high oleic acid trait and disease resistance. In collaboration with the University of Georgia wild peanut lab, three elevated oleic acid lines were identified in populations developed from a synthetic tetraploid peanut. This facilitates the introduction of traits from wild peanut species into cultivated peanut for the development of improved peanut varieties. With the same research group, 100 wild peanut accessions were genotyped with a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array. The collected seeds will be assayed for seed quality traits including oil and protein content, fatty acid composition, and resveratrol content. The purpose is to associate nutritional quality traits with the SNP markers for use in marker-assisted breeding. Collaboration continues with ARS researchers in Charleston, SC to cross the wild species related to watermelon, Citrullus ecirrhosus, with cultivated watermelon species. This species is being evaluated for resistance to root knot nematodes which are a problem in watermelon production areas in the southeastern United States. A new source of resistance could be used to develop improved watermelon varieties. A collaborative study was initiated with the University of Houston Medical Center and the University of Georgia to determine the genomic basis for sex determination in watermelon. Understanding how chromosome evolution in the genus occurred can be used to better understand the evolution of agriculturally important genes. Pepper accessions were screened for the presence of Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus. The presence of viruses or the lack of knowledge concerning the presence or absence of viruses in germplasm hinders the ability to distribute germplasm and can result in the unintentional distribution of plant pathogens. Collaborative efforts with ARS researchers in Stoneville, MS to identify and characterize novel uses of bioactive compounds in pepper including capsinoids continued. Capsinoids, the substance that gives peppers their hot pungent flavor, has been shown to be an important nutraceutical compound with many potential health benefits. Glactomannan (gum) concentration was measured in twelve guar accessions using High Performance Liquid Chromatography. Due to its high viscosity, guar gum is a popular polymer used in oil well drilling for hydraulic fracturing and in the food industry as a stabilizer for frozen and baked foods and a thickener for salad dressing. Identification of guar accessions high in gum concentration is useful in the development of guar varieties with improved commercial traits.   State Reports Submitted in 2022 Alabama Charles Chen, University of Alabama According to records provided by S-009, a total of 635 accessions were mailed to Alabama from 2019 to 2021. In 2021, the requested germplasm covered 8 genera, They are Okra, Peanut, Peppers, Sweet potato, Watermelon, Cucumber, Legume, Eggplant, and Cowpea. The most requested crop was sweet potato by Tuskegee University.  The recipients of requested germplasm were university scientists, consultants, seed companies, gardeners and citizens of Alabama. The largest number of accessions was requested by Dr. Egnin, M at Tuskegee University for sweet potatos (15 accessions), and by Dr. Josh Clevenger from HusdonAlpha institute for Biotechnology for bambara bean (15 accessions), following H. Mcbrayer from the Alabama Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association for watermelon ( 4 accessions), A total of 7 individuals in AL required germplasm. Community Garden for Nolan and Zora Jean required peppers, cucumber, eggplant, cowpea, okra and watermelon. Arkansas – No report submitted Florida – No report submitted Georgia Soraya Leal-Bertioli, University of Georgia In the state of Georgia, 50 requests for plant germplasm were made to in 2021. As a result of these requests, S-009 provided 781 plant accessions. The recipients were University scientists (677 accessions/1089 accessions in previous reporting period), USDA scientists (93/164 in previous reporting period), and US individuals with no affiliation (11/16 in previous reporting period). The most requested crop was sorghum (624 accessions). The University of Georgia maintains strong emphasis on plant breeding and continues to expand its advanced molecular biology programs. The Institute of Plant Breeding, Genetics, and Genomics at UGA currently has 50 total faculty members, being 30 full faculty (one starting in 2021: Robin Buel) from the departments of Crop and Soils Science, Plant Pathology and Horticulture, six adjunct faculty, eight affiliated members from the USDA (one starting in 2021: Nino Brown), and three emeritus members. The main mission of the Institute is to develop improved plant cultivars from agronomic and horticultural species of importance to Georgia, the U.S., and worldwide. UGA currently has active cultivar development programs in soybean, peanut, small grains, cotton, turfgrass, forages, blueberry, pecan, grape, pepper, peach, watermelon, and numerous ornamental crops that frequently utilize the plant genetic resource collections. These cultivar development programs released 14 cultivars and 12 plant registrations between Aug 2021- Jul 22. In addition to that, 18 Plant Patents and six PVPs were granted between Aug 2020- Jul 21. Faculty is also engaged in training graduate students and the graduate program currently has 51 students (20 MS and 31 PhD), and post-docs involved in various aspects of plant improvement. These programs supply new crop cultivars and associated technologies to our agricultural sector and rely heavily upon the plant materials maintained within the S-009 unit. The 54 publications produced in the period 2021-2022 (listed below) demonstrate the importance of this germplasm for education and advancement of science. Twenty-five of these publications had the participation of IPBGG graduate students, demonstrating the emphasis of personnel development given by the Institute. Research programs in crop science, horticulture, plant pathology, entomology, molecular biology and other disciplines continue to utilize the genetic resources of the S-009 unit in both basic and applied research projects designed to address the needs of Georgia and U.S. agriculture. The S-009 unit remains a critical component of our research, cultivar development, innovation and student training programs in Georgia. Guam Mari Marutani, University of Guam Hibiscus sabdariffa Field Trial 2021: Nine Hibiscus sabdariffa accessions originally obtained from the USDA-ARS S9 Unit at the University of Georgia were evaluated for their field performance and phytochemical analysis of calyxes and leaves by transplanting 3-week-old seedlings on February 12, 2021.  Accessions included: PI 256039, PI 265319, PI 273389, PI 275413, PI 275414, PI 291128, PI 500706, PI 500713, and PI 500724.  Plants were irrigated twice daily for 20 min using a drip irrigation system.  The field was weeded, and pesticides were applied as needed. Plants were fertilized weekly with 20-20-20 (NPK) and bi-weekly with iron chelate.  All plants had a long period of vegetation stage as they were short-day plants.  Some accessions produced calyxes only in November and December.  Since this growing period coincided with rainy season, most plants were severely infested with a fungal disease, Fusarium wilt, and this field experiment was terminated without recording the plant growth data. The same Hibiscus sabdariffa accessions were planted again on September 20, 2021. Plants are now being cultivated for collection of leaves and calyxes to determine their phytochemical properties.  In preliminary studies, mature leaf samples were examined for the presence of seven flavonoids by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and the results indicated that all accessions except PI 273389 and PI 500724 contained cyanidin 3-sambubioside, cyanidin 3-glucoside, delphinidin 3-sambubioside, delphinidin 3-glucoside, protocatechuic acid, chlorogenic acid, and quercetin. Ipomoea batatas Two field studies were conducted to evaluate 21 sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas) accessions (S-9 and local lines) in Guam cobbly clay soil at the Guam Agricultural Experiment Station Yigo farm during the rainy season from July to December 2020, and the dry season from January to May 2021.  There were ten plants per plot in a randomized complete block design with four blocks.  Rooted stem cuttings were transplanted in the field on January 13, 2021, for the dry season trial. The field was irrigated by a drip irrigation system and was fertilized by injecting a 20-20-20 (NPK) weekly for 12 weeks. Mulch was applied onto the sweet potato mounds to reduce crop-weed competition during the early stages of growth using ironwood (Casuarina equisetifolia) needles. Weeding was performed as needed.  Plant and storage root characteristics were determined according to the International Board for Plant Genetic Resources (IPGR). For inflorescence data, not all the sweetpotato cultivars and replications were flowering at 45 days after transplanting. In the trial of January to May 2021, eight accessions (Accession code: PI 653844 (cv. Liberty), Stokes, SP15-0001, SP16-0003, SP16-0004, SP16-0007, SP20-0009, SP20-0010) flowered at 45 days after planting.  Three growth types were recognized: eight accessions showed the growth type as semi-erect plant; eight accessions had a spreading plant type; and five were extremely spreading type. For production of storage roots, during the growing season of July to December 2020, only four accessions (PI 531149 (Amarillo Local), SP16-0004, SP20-0008, SP20-0009) produced mature storage roots during the growing season from January to May 2021, all accessions produced storage roots. Ten accessions produced a low yield, five accessions produced a moderate yield, and six accessions produced a high yield. Most accessions had storage roots with dark purple to purple skin and a cream-colored flesh.  Two accessions had light orange flesh color, and one accession exhibited purple pigmentation in the flesh. Kentucky Timothy Philips, University of Kentucky In 2021 a record low number of accessions from S9 was shipped to Kentucky addresses. Only four accessions (3 sorghums and one pumpkin) were requested by two people. Parker Camp is affiliated with the University of Kentucky through a startup company, Red Leaf Biologics. They produce novel, stable anthocyanin plant dyes from mutant sorghum lines. The recipient of the pumpkin accession did not respond to an email requesting how it was used. In 2020 a total of 159 accessions were shipped to six Kentucky addresses. These include a Ph.D. Anthropology student, a Cannabis/CBD company, and two university faculty members (University of Kentucky and Austin Peay State University which is in Tennessee but on the border of Kentucky and the request of several millet species resides in Kentucky. A few small vegetable farmers have requested several accessions of pepper, watermelon, okra, and pumpkin in recent years. Perhaps decline in accessions requested from Kentucky residents is due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and more accessions will be shipped to Kentucky soon. Louisiana Don Labonte, Louisiana State University A sweetpotato variety was released in 2021 “Vermillion”. This variety has a red-purple skin and represents a complement to the “Diane” variety. “Vermillion” has better storing properties than “Diane” but does have slightly less yield. Sweetpotato germplasm requests from the S-9 repository serve two purposes: 1) in search of a source of resistance to specific diseases, and 2) to evaluate resistance to diseases of germplasm in the collection to assist the curator in expanding the information in the characterization database.  Specifically, we have requested germplasm to search for a source of resistance for the recently re-emerged black rot pathogen, Ceratocystis fimbriata, and for the recently introduced guava root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne enterolobii. USDA-APHIS-PPQ has a significant number of requested accessions now being processed for ultimate release. Research on Periglandula fungal symbiosis with Ipomoea (morning glory) species was conducted. Seeds of several Ipomoea species from GRIN were tested for infection by the symbiotic Periglandula fungus including I. graminea, I. hildebrandtii and I. parasitica. The Ipomoea seeds was infected. The peanut variety was ordered to conduct the North Carolina Differential Host Test for identification of southern root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) race. The original publication used ‘Flo-runner’ as the peanut variety, but this is no longer available. Tiffrunner (PI644011) can be used in place of Florunner for nematode race characterization. Mississippi Brian S. Baldwin, Mississippi State University In 2021 scientists (and a resident) of the State of Mississippi requested and received 420 germplasm accessions; 376 were Sorghum bicolor, 21 turf of six species, 13 peanut, eight of two pepper species, and one hibiscus. Sorghum bicolor germplasm was used for (environmental) stress physiological experiments lead by Dr. K. Raja Reddy at the Soil-Plant-Atmosphere Research facility at Mississippi State University. Turf species were composed of six species: centipedgrass (Eremochlaoa ophiuroides), carpetgrass (Axonopus spp.), and bermudagrass (Cynodon spp.).  All species were part of the larger turfgrass breeding program lead by Dr. Hongxu Dong at Mississippi State University.  Species were evaluated for suitability for incorporation into the turfgrass breeding program and herbicide and insecticide tolerance. Peanut accessions were requested by Dr. Wang at the USDA Natural Products Center in Oxford, MS for lipid analysis and composition.  The ultimate purpose of her research is to identify specific naturally occurring lipids for commercial exploitation.  Dr. Zuweller is the new peanut research and extension faculty member at the University.  His work is just getting underway.  Requested germplasm is being used as checks for experiments on defoliation, yield and pegging due to soil conditions. The five Capsicum annum and three C. chinense accessions were requested and sent to a private entity (D. Riser) with no research affiliation. Hibiscus species have been used extensively by Dr. Sakhanokho at the USDA facility in Poplarville for varietal development, disease screening and physiological experiments. North Carolina Carlos Iglesias, North Carolina State University Over the past three years (2019 – 2021), institutions in North Carolina requested 1226 accessions from the PGRC unit at Griffin. Of these, 547 were requested in 2021, 262 in 2020, and 417 in 2019. We received use reports for 72% of the accessions (877 of them).  The five largest number of accessions requested by genus was: Sorghum (625); Lagenaria (180); Abelmoschus (151); Vigna (69); and Arachis (38); representing 87% of the total number of accessions requested by institutions in North Carolina. The host range of MMV (maize mosaic virus) and its plant hopper insect vector, Peregrinus maidis was tested with a small number of species of grassy and broadleaf weeds and agronomic crops.  Controlled dispersal experiments in cages designed to approximate maize in proximity to perennial and annual weedy grass species demonstrated host specificity of the virus and vector.  Seed from Panicum virgatum and Sorghum bicolor subsp. bicolor were obtained from GRIN S9 to use as weedy species in the host range assays (Dr. Lahre). Citrillus germplasm was used to isolate high-quality DNA to perform RenSeq approach to identify genes that codes for NLR type receptors on plant genomes. Drs. Salcedo and Quesada are analyzing the data and we are planning to release data and publications early 2023. Also, Citrullus germplasm was used to introgress disease resistance into elite watermelon populations, and was also used in disease screening studies by Dr. Wehner’s lab.  The same lave requested Lageneria germplasm to evaluate seedling traits and chilling tolerance.  The studies were published in 2020 and 2021 Germplasm samples were used in a genetic study examining the species relationships among sweetpotato wild relatives: Ipomoea cynanchifolia and Ipomoea trifida. The leaf transcriptome was sequenced, along with several other Ipomoea taxa; these two samples were used to as representative species in the study. The study was focused on characterizing a taxon that was not previously described to be found in North America – Ipomoea grandifolia. Ipomoea cynanchifolia clusters with Ipomoea grandifolia, as consistent with other studies. Ipomoea trifida appears to be distantly related to Ipomoea grandifolia. Arachis germplasm was used to validate seed sources already in the North Carolina State University peanut germplasm collection by Drs. Dunne and Andres. The following studies required the validation of the peanut germplasm lines reported in S9 over the past 1 to 3 years: <ol> <li>Recombinant Inbred Lines (RIL) populations for the improvement of folate content in peanut:</li> <li>Whole-genome sequencing of wild species derived peanut germplasm for molecular marker development and marker-assisted selection:</li> </ol> In St. Augustinegrass (Stenotaphrum secundatum), previous work at NCSU identified PI 410353 among others as resistant to grey leaf spot disease (Carbajal et al, 2020), as well as PI 365031 and 289729 among others as resistant to the southern chinch bug (Milla-Lewis et al 2017). The Turfgrass lab continues to works with these PIs to 1) breed for resistance to these traits, and 2) identify QTL underlying these traits in order to develop marker-assisted selection programs. Additionally, as part of a Specialty Crop Research Initiative grant genomics objective, we are interested in looking at allelic diversity in a broad range of germplasm for disease resistance as well as drought tolerance. All St. Augustinegrass PIs currently held in GRIN will be included in this study. Okra  (Abelmoschus esculentus) accessions were introduced in North Carolina to start the okra breeding program by the Plant Breeding Graduate Student Club at NCSU. Generations of multiplication and observation have been conducted in greenhouse and field, including some practice crossings. Field observations and selections were made in the field during 2021.  Selections are being grown in 2022.  The target is to develop okra varieties that combine different flower and pod colors as ornamental types . Okra accessions were also acquired by the Utopian Seed Project (USP).  One promising variety has been Puerto Rico Evergreen. Selections were made from this population and released seeds through Southern Exposure Seed Exchange this year as Puerto Rico Everblush.  The USP worked with the higher oilseed content accessions. Crosses were made in 2021 and the top 10 F1s were selected to grow out this year. Next year USP will grow the F2s and begin selection for higher oil content material.  The USP has also evaluated accessions from other species of the genus Abelmoschus. USP is especially interested in tropical A. manihot subsp. manihot and A. caillei. Thirty accessions of Bambara groundnuts (Vigna subterranean) were introduced and increased in greenhouse this past Spring (2022).  The goal is to evaluate the potential adaptation of the specie as an alternative crop for peanut growers in North Carolina.  The main target is the alternative protein market, given that there are already companies developing protein products based on Bambara groundnuts in Asia.  NCSU also received 200+ accessions from IITA (Nigeria).  The intent is to evaluate both collections in the field during the summer of 2023. Dr. Doherty’s lab used Sorghum bicolor for analysis of early-season chilling tolerance. RNA was sampled for RNA-Seq analysis, which has been submitted, but not completed yet and are performing validation studies on these lines. The study will evaluate how the transcriptional machinery varies based on the time of day using Western Blots. First manuscript to be submitted in the next month. Dr. Horn’s lab acquired seeds from two S9-provided germplasm including Ipomoea alba and Psophocarpus tetragonolobus. These plants were chosen due to high amounts of unusual fatty acids, i.e., hexadecenoic and octadecenoic acids, according to published sources curated in PlantFAdb. (<a href="https://plantfadb.org">https://plantfadb.org</a>). These seeds were acquired as part of a larger survey of unusual fatty acids in seeds. Unfortunately, this project was temporarily abandoned due to the pandemic, which led to limited personnel and funds. The seeds are still in our possession and may be analyzed in the future as part of other funded projects. Dr. Hornstein’s lab ordered a wide range of germplasm (Abelmoschus, Cenchrus, Digitaria, Eleusine, Macrotyloma, Ricinus, Sesamum, Sorghum, Vigna) intended to test a new method of plant transformation with greater robustness across species and cultivars; unfortunately, that project was stalled by the pandemic and has not restarted. Dr. Alvarez-Rellan’s lab has used a collection of Sorghum accessions for studies on understanding metabolic adaptations to environmental stresses. They are currently performing genetic mapping of metabolic traits with these materials. Accession PI 564163 Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench subsp. Bicolor was included in the project: “Comparative genomic and spatial analysis of DNA replication in maize and sorghum”. Dr. Hanley-Bowdoin’s lab extensively studied DNA replication dynamics in maize root tips and now plan to generate comparable data in Sorghum. The supplied Sorghum seed has been used to bulk up seeds stocks for future experiments and for some small scale optimization experiments including developing seedling germination and root tip harvesting protocols, and protocols for labeling root tip cells in S-phase with a thymidine analog, Ethynyl deoxyuridine, for future flow cytometry and NGS sequencing experiments.    Oklahoma Yanqi Wu, Oklahoma State University Plant germplasm users in Oklahoma requested a total of 2,374 accessions maintained at the USDA ARS Plant Genetic Resources Conservation Unit at Griffin, GA in this reporting period. The Oklahoma users included scientists at Oklahoma State University, USDA ARS laboratories, Noble Research Institute, Oklahoma University, and private business, and farmers. The requested plant germplasm included peanuts (Arachis spp.), clovers (Trifolium spp.), sorghum (Sorghum spp.), grasses (Cenchrus spp., Zoysia spp., Axonopus spp., Panicum virgatum), cowpea (Vigna spp.), watermelon (Citrullus lanatus), pepper (Capsicum annuum), white morning glory (Ipomoea spp.), etc.  The number of requested germplasm in 2022 (2,374) is much larger than that in 2020 (981) and 2021 (872). It is not easy to know how these requested germplasm were used. However, many of the germplasm requested by scientists were used in their scientific investigations. Puerto Rico Carlos Flores Ortega, University of Puerto Rico Legumes  Registration approval in the AES Variety Committee of PR1654-7 red mottled bean germplasm line. PI: Dr. James S. Beaver. Bean golden yellow mosaic virus (BGYMV), Bean common mosaic virus (BCMV), Bean common mosaic necrosis virus (BCMNV) and common bacterial blight (CBB) caused by Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. phaseoli (Smith) Vauterin et al. are important diseases of dry beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in the Caribbean. The development of dry bean cultivars and germplasm having enhanced levels of resistance to these, and other diseases and pests is an important goal of the University of Puerto Rico (UPR) and other dry bean breeding programs in the Caribbean. PR1654-7 is a multiple virus and CBB resistant red mottled bean germplasm line adapted to the humid tropics that was developed and released cooperatively in 2021 by the UPR Agricultural Experiment Station, the Instituto Dominicano de Investigaciones Agropecuarias y Forestales and the USDA-Agriculture Research Service. PR1654-7 possesses the bgm-1 gene for resistance to BGYMV and the I and bc-3 loci that confer resistance to BCMV and BCMNV, respectively, and the SAP 6 QTL for resistance to CBB. PR1654-7 produced a mean seed yield of 1,597 kg ha-1 in eight trials planted in Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and Haiti which was comparable to the check line PR1146-138. PR1654-7 has a commercially acceptable red mottled seed type and should serve as a useful source of resistance to BGYMV, BCMV, BCMNV and CBB for Andean beans produced at lower altitudes in the tropics. Evaluation and breeding continue in agronomic performance of common and tepary bean genotypes and their response to ashy stem blight in the southern coastal zone of Puerto Rico. PI: Dr. Diego Viteri. Forages Evaluation and breeding continue in Tropical forage legume and grass.  Genotypes evaluation and maintenance for the different agro‐ecosystems of Puerto Rico and Caribbean Zone are extremely important due to the necessity to increase the local forage consumption principally in the milk industry due to the high cost of imported grains. PI: Dr. Elide Valencia. Fruits  Passion fruit (Passiflora edulis) accessions evaluation continues. A new trellis supported infrastructure was constructed at the Isabela AES. A second year of evaluation will be necessary to evaluate accessions difference in vine thickness and vigor. PI: Dr. Pablo Morales Payan Quenep (Quenepa) (Melicoccus bijugatus) Evaluation consist of 18 quenepa clones being carried out to culminate the Phenotypic description, morphology, and production evaluation in the Juana Diaz AES collection. Final Report will be submitted this year 2022-2023. Citrus After the Hurricane Irma and Maria in 2017, Citrus plantations were one of the most affected and difficult to recuperate in the Island. Special care was taken by Scientist to secure and protect the accessions considered historically important genetic resources for the citrus production in the Southern Region and worldwide. Today accessions are secure and protected in a screen house in Adjuntas AES located in the central mountain region of the Island. Maintenance and propagation of citrus germplasm pest free continues and secure by replicates in Corozal and Isabela AES. Citrus rootstocks and scion’s evaluation continues at different locations. Great farmers interest for establishing new citrus plantations has been observed in the las three years. PI: Dra. Rebecca Tirado. The Department of Agriculture of Puerto Rico incentives farmers to establish new plantations only CTV free. Banana and Plantain Evaluation, maintenance, and reproduction of recommended plantain (AAB) to farmers continues at the Corozal AES. Collection was renovated in June 2022 with 18 accessions, including two new entries, Curare and FHIA20. The banana (AAA) collection was renovated in June 2020 with 26 accessions. The accession FHIA02, a Black Sigatoka resistant variety, is being evaluated for its response to nematodes. PI: Dra. Martha Giraldo. Root Crops The Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas), Tanier (Xanthosoma sagittifolium), Yam (Dioscorea spp.) and Cassava (Manihot esculenta) were renovated in August 2021 at the Isabela and Corozal AES. Root germplasm requests by farmers are increasing.  PI: Dra. Martha Giraldo. Coffee The Adjuntas Agricultural Experiment Station have been working in the introduction, increase, evaluation, conservation, and distribution of coffee varieties with major characteristics with potential for the coffee production in the Island for more than sixty years. In 1994, two main varieties, “Limani” and “Fronton”, displayed rust (Hemileia vastatrix) tolerance and superior organoleptic characteristics than the commercial varieties, were released by the AES. This varieties came into Puerto Rico in a group of approximately a dozen of cultivars and advance genotypes claimed as coffee rust resistant from the “Instituto Agronómico de Campiñas” – Brasil in 1982. This genetic material was included in the Puerto Rico collections under study. Two superior genotypes were selected and named as “Limaní” and “Fronton”. Limaní, comes from LC-1665= Villa Sarchi x Hibrido Timor HdT CIFC 832/2 better known as Sarchimor and Fronton comes from LC-1661-1= Caturra x Hibrido Timor CIFC 832/1 better known as Catimor. The Coffee Rust (Hemileia vastatrix Berk y Broome was reported in Puerto Rico in 1989. Limaní and Fronton were releases in 1994 with the local names. As a result of the DNA research performed in 2021, the AES has a genetic data base of the 36 accessions conserved in the coffee collection as coffee rust-resistant material. Limani variety has four (4) unique genotypes and Fronton variety has one (1) unique genotype with different genetically stable promising rust resistant characteristics. This promising material was selected to extend the study at field level at the AES, Adjuntas. Seeds are under germination and will be transplanted to plastic pots in October 2022. Plants will remain in a plant nursery for approximately 9 months before establishing the field plots for the morphological and phenological evaluation. This will take four years.  Rust resistant traits, yield and quality of coffee will also be recorded. The propagation and distribution of Var. Limani and Fronton was reestablished since 2021.  PI: Prof. Carlos A Flores Ortega. South Carolina Richard Boyles, Clemson University Germplasm Received from the Plant Genetic Resources Conservation Unit, Southern Regional Plant Introduction Station, Griffin, GA: Germplasm from five genera was received that represented 10 different research requests in SC during the 2021 calendar year. The number of individual 2021 germplasm requests were down again by nearly 50% (10 from 19) from 2020; yet, the total number of accessions increased again, this time by over 50% (1,428 from 926). A trend of fewer, but larger requests has arisen in recent years. This trend seems to also focus on select genera that are being actively evaluated by USDA and academic scientists.  Results were dominated by large requests in pepper, sorghum, and sweet potato. For sorghum, two large requests were made by Clemson University scientists in the Boyles Cereal Grains Breeding and Genetics Lab (432 accessions) and Sekhon Genetics and Biochemistry Lab (367). The Boyles Lab requested a RIL population from the larger RTx430 NAM population developed by Kansas State University for characterization and genetic mapping of resistance to fall armyworm (USDA NIFA AFRI grant no. 2019-05269). The sorghum accessions requested by the Sekhon Lab were selected for a continued evaluation of genetic and physiological diversity for field senescence and stalk strength. Peanut accessions were requested by the Rustgi Lab at the Clemson Pee Dee Research and Education Center in Florence to 1) test genotypes for immunogenic seed protein content (PI261942, PI276235, PI270806, PI290620, and PI587093) to breed reduced-immunogenicity peanut genotypes as a source of affordable oral immunotherapy and 2) validate the embryogenic potential of selected peanut genotypes (PI478787 and PI587093) evaluate their potential as an explants source for genome editing and genetic transformation studies. Dr. William Rutter at the USDA-ARS Vegetable Lab in Charleston requested and received 274 accessions (59 Solanum species and 215 Capsicum species) to screen for root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne enterolobii) resistance as M. enterolobii is a serious pest of many vegetable crops, with no known sources of resistance to this nematode in any solanaceous vegetables. Any resistance found in these PIs will be incorporated into new pepper or eggplant lines that will serve as valuable management tools for growers in tropical and sub-tropical regions around the world where M. enterolobii is a problem. Dr. Phil Wadl at the USDA Vegetable Lab requested 258 sweet potato accessions to also evaluate for resistance to root-knot nematodes as well as measure agronomic performance and level of resistance to fungal diseases. Tennessee Virginia Sykes, University of Tennessee Over the past three years (2019 – 2021), 311 accessions were requested from the PGRC unit at Griffin by individuals in Tennessee. Of these, 201 were requested in 2021, 23 were requested in 2020, and 87 in 2019. Material was requested from 11 genera: Abelmoschus (11), Capsicum (5), Citrullus (4), Cucurbita (3), Desmanthus (1), Indigofera (33), Panicum (1), Solanum (2), Sorghum (3), Trifolium (55), and Vigna (192). Most accessions requested in 2021 (246 out of 311) were from public universities, including the University of Tennessee and Tennessee State University. No publications or germplasm/variety releases related to these accession requests have been reported since the last S-009 report in 2021.   Texas Gerald R. Smith, Texas A&M University Multiple Texas seed companies evaluated sorghum germplasm for disease and insect tolerance, forage production, forage quality and other traits.  These private breeding programs are looking at both grain and silage sorghums for sugarcane aphid tolerance, disease resistance and resistance to lodging. Evaluation and breeding continues on forage and multi-use cowpea for Texas. Evaluation of breeding lines and PI lines of cowpea continued at Texas A&M AgriLife, Overton.  A new forage cowpea cultivar , ‘Giant’, was released by Texas A&M AgriLife Research. Elite lines from crosses between high seed yield lines and ‘Ace’ forage cowpea were advanced and entered into experimental line seed increases.  Germplasm lines of black gram were evaluated for root-knot nematode resistance with most lines noted as very susceptible.  Research on cowpea and guar continues at Texas A&M AgriLife, Vernon, TX. Six cultivars of vegetable cowpea were evaluated at Pleasanton, TX by a private seed company.  The company’s internal research objective was to utilize the germplasm PI lines to increase seed stock for purity while comparing to internal seed lots. The cultivars included were Coronet, Zipper Cream, Texas Cream 40, Mississippi Silver, Cream 12 and Pinkeye Purple Hull-BVR. U.S. Virgin Islands – No report submitted Virginia Bastiaan Bargmann, Virginia Tech Several institutions in Virginia have used germplasm provided by the S-009 project over the last three years for educational purposes as well as differing lines of research, some with promising results that are expected to lead to publications in the near future. There were no publications reported in the last year. Of the 21 Virginia users, we had a response from six, two email addresses were no longer in use, and 13 did not respond after repeated solicitation. Dr. Sierra Beecher at Virginia Commonwealth University used Panicum amarum seeds to look at germination rates in an educational setting. Dr. Harbans Bhardwaj at Virginia State University used Phaseolus, Vigna, and Vicia germplasm in Virginia to evaluate preliminary production potential of these crops. Reece Crump (affiliation unknown) wanted to use Cuscuta indecora and Cuscuta pentagona seeds for a breeding experiment with native parasitic plants in the area but reported difficulties in getting them to germinate. Edmund Frost at Common Wealth Seed Growers used squash, cucumber and watermelon seeds to include in research trials, which are focused on identifying and creating varieties that have exceptional adaptation for Virginia and for the Southeast and mid-Atlantic regions more broadly. David Lawson at MountainRose Vinyard used grapes from UC Davis to test long term viability of several varieties for use in winemaking in his local region of the state. Dr. Bingyu Zhao at Virginia Tech evaluated the disease resistance and flowering time phenotype of requested Capsicum germplasms.

Publications

Peer Reviewed Publications Ackerman AJ, Wenndt AJ, Boyles RE (2021). The sorghum grain mold disease complex: Pathogens, host responses, and the bioactive metabolites at play. Frontiers in Plant Science, 12, 893. Adeleke IA, Kavalappara SR, Torrance T, Bennett JE, McGregor C, Srinivasan R, Bag S. First report of watermelon crinkle leaf-associated virus 1 naturally infecting watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) in Georgia, USA. Plant Disease, 106(8), pp. 2273. Andreason SA, Olaniyi OG, Gilliard AC, Wadl PA, Williams LH, Jackson DM, Simmons AM, Ling KS (2021). Large-scale seedling grow-out experiments do not support seed transmission of sweet potato leaf curl virus in sweet potato. Plants, 10(1). <a href="https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10010139">doi:10.3390/plants10010139</a> Ballén-Taborda C, Chu Y, Ozias-Akins P, Holbrook CC, Timper P, Jackson SA, Bertioli DJ, Leal- Bertioli SCM. 2022. Development and genetic characterization of peanut advanced backcross lines that incorporate root-knot nematode resistance from Arachis stenosperma. Frontiers in Plant Science doi: 10.3389/fpls.2021.785358. Ballén-Taborda, C, Chu, Y, Ozias-Akins, P, Holbrook, C C, Timper, P, Jackson, S A, Bertioli, D J, & Leal-Bertioli, SCM. 2021. Development and genetic characterization of peanut advanced backcross lines that incorporate Root-Knot Nematode resistance from Arachis stenosperma [Original Research]. Frontiers in Plant Science, 12. <a href="https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2021.785358">https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2021.785358</a> Beaulieu, Wesley T., Daniel G. Panaccione, Quynh N. Quach, Katy L. Smoot and Keith Clay. 2021. Diversification of ergot alkaloids and heritable fungal symbionts in morning glories. Communications Biology 4:1362 | https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-021-02870-z | <a href="http://www.nature.com/commsbio">www.nature.com/commsbio.</a> Bertioli DJ, Clevenger J, Godoy IJ, Stalker HT, Wood S, Santos JF, Ballén-Taborda C, Abernathy BL, Azevedo V, Campbell J, Chavarro C, Chu Y, Farmer AD, Fonceka D, Gao D, Grimwood J, Halpin N, Korani W, Michelotto MD, Ozias-Akins P, Vaughn V, Youngblood C, Moretzsohn MC, Wright. GC, Jackson SA, Cannon SB, Scheffler SB, Leal-Bertioli SCM. 2021. Legacy genetics of Arachis cardenasiiin the peanut crop shows the profound benefits of international seed exchange. PNAS. 118 No. 38 e2104899118. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2104899118. Bertioli DJ, Clevenger J, Godoy IJ, Stalker HT, Wood S, Santos JF, Ballén-Taborda C, Abernathy BL, Azevedo V, Campbell J, Chavarro C, Chu Y, Farmer AD, Fonceka D, Gao D, Grimwood J, Halpin N, Korani W, Michelotto MD, Ozias-Akins P, Vaughn V, Youngblood C, Moretzsohn MC, Wright. GC, Jackson SA, Cannon SB, Scheffler SB, Leal-Bertioli SCM. 2021. Legacy genetics of Arachis cardenasiiin the peanut crop shows the profound benefits of international seed exchange. PNAS. 118 No. 38 e2104899118. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2104899118. Bertioli DJ, Gao D, Ballen-Taborda C, Chu Y, Ozias-Akins P, Jackson SA, Holbrook CC & Leal-Bertioli SCM. 2021. Registration of GA-BatSten1 and GA-MagSten1, two induced allotetraploids derived from peanut wild relatives with superior resistance to leaf spots, rust and root-knot nematode. Journal of Plant Registrations. 2021:1-7. https://doi.org/10.1002/plr2.20133. <a href="https://www.gri.msstate.edu/people/bio.php?d=3687">Bheemanahalli, R., </a>Wang, C., Bashir, E., Chiluwal, A., Pokharel, M., Perumal, R., Moghimi, N., Ostmeyer, T., Caragea, D., & Jagadish, S. V. K. (2021). Classical Phenotyping and Deep Learning Concur on Genetics of Stomatal Density and Area in Sorghum. Plant Physiology. 183(3), 1562-1579. <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/plphys/kiab174">DOI:10.1093/plphys/kiab174.</a> Boatwright JL, Sapkota S, Jin H, Schnable JC, Brenton Z, Boyles RE, Kresovich S (2021). Sorghum Association Panel whole-genome sequencing establishes cornerstone resource for dissecting genomic diversity. The Plant Journal: For Cell and Molecular Biology, 111(3), 888–904. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1111/tpj.15853">https://doi.org/10.1111/tpj.15853</a> Boyles RE, Ackerman AJ, Kresovich S (2022). Traits and underlying genetics important for low‐input organic sorghum production. Crop Science, 62(2), 753–766. Catto MA, Shrestha A, Abney MR, Champagne DE, Culbreath AK, Leal-Bertioli SCM, Hunt BG, Srinivasan R. 2021. Defense-related gene expression following an orthotospovirus infection is influenced by host resistance in Arachis hypogaea. Viruses 13, 1303. <a href="https://doi.org/10.3390/v13071303">https://doi.org/10.3390/v13071303</a> Cantrell, C.L., Jarret, R.L. 2022. Bulk process for enrichment of capsinoids from capsicum fruit. Processes. 10(2):305. https://doi.org/10.3390/pr10020305. Carbajal, E.M., Ma, B., Zuleta, M.C., Reynolds, W.C., Arellano, C., Tredway, L.P. and Milla-Lewis, S.R. 2020. Identification of sources of resistance to gray leaf spot in Stenotaphrum germplasm. Crop Sci. 61(5): 3069-3079 doi: 10.1002/csc2.20371 Chen, W.L., Y.Q. Wu, F.B. Fritschi, and T.E. Juenger. 2021. The genetic basis of the root economics spectrum in a perennial grass. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 118(47):e2107541118. DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2107541118. Chiluwal, A., R. Perumal, H. P. Poudel, K. Muleta, T. Ostmeyer, L. Fedenia, M. Pokharel, S. R. Bean, D. Sebela, R. Bheemanahalli, H. Oumarou, P. Klein, W. L. Rooney, S. V. K. Jagadish. 2022. Genetic control of source-sink relationships in grain sorghum. Planta 255:40. Chu Y, Bertioli D, Levinson CM, Stalker HT, Holbrook CC, Ozias-Akins P. 2021. Homoeologous recombination is recurrent in the nascent synthetic allotetraploid Arachis ipaënsis × Arachis correntina4x and its derivatives. G3 11. https://doi.org/10.1093/g3journal/jkab066 Dan, C., H. Dong, S. Bai, and Y.Q. Wu. 2022. Mapping QTLs for spring green-up, plant vigor and plant biomass in two lowland switchgrass populations. Molecular Breeding. 42: 27. DOI: 10.1007/s11032-022- 01296-7. Dang, P.M., M.C. Lamb, and C.Y. Chen, 2021. Association of differentially expressed R‑gene candidates with leaf spot resistance in peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.). Molecular Biology Reports. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s11033-020-06049-3">https://doi.org/10.1007/s11033-020-06049-3.</a> de Blas, F.J., Bruno, C.I., Arias, R.S. et al. Genetic mapping and QTL analysis for peanut smut resistance. BMC Plant Biol 21, 312 (2021). <a href="https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-021-03023-4">https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-021-03023-4</a> Gopinath, L., D.L. Martin, J.Q. Moss, Y.Q. Wu, S. Yu and J. Underwood. 2021. Sod tensile strength, handling Quality and their Inter-relationship for thirty-nine bermudagrasses. HortTechnology. DOI: 10.21273/HORTTECH04893-21. Elias M. Elias, Shahryar Kianian, Raed Seetan, Ali Missaoui, Shyam Solanki and Mohamed Mergoum. Identification of Main-Effect and Environmental Interaction QTL and Their Candidate Genes for Drought Tolerance in a Wheat RIL Population Between Two Elite Spring Cultivars Front. Genet., 17 June 2021 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fgene.2021.656037 Gonzales M, Kemerait Jr. R, Bertioli D, Leal-Bertioli S. 2022. Wild-derived neotetraploids show strong resistance to peanut Early and Late Leaf Spots. Plant Disease. Jun 24. doi: 10.1094/PDIS-03-22-0721-RE. Epub ahead of print. Ibrahim, AMH, Sutton, R, Johnson, JW, et al. Registration of ‘GA06343-13E2 (TX-EL2)’ Soft Red Winter Wheat. J. Plant Regist. 2021, 15: 107– 112. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/plr2.20031">https://doi.org/10.1002/plr2.20031</a> Katuwal, K.B., D. Jespersen, U. Bhattarai, A. Chandra, K. Kenworthy, S. Milla-Lewis, B. Schwartz, Y.Q. Wu, and P. Raymer. 2022. Multi-locational screening identifies new drought tolerant warm-season turfgrasses. Crop Science. DOI: 10.1002/csc2.20726. Ke Y, Podio M, Conner J, Ozias-Akins P. 2021. Single-cell transcriptome profiling of buffelgrass (Cenchrus ciliaris) eggs unveils apomictic parthenogenesis signatures. Sci. Rep. 11:1-17. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-89170-y">https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-89170-y.</a> Laxman Adhikari, Rudra Baral, Dev Paudel, Doohong Min, Shiva O. Makaju, Hari P. Poudel, Janam P. Acharya, Ali M. Missaoui, Leal-Bertioli SCM, Nascimento Eliza FMB, Chavarro MCF, Custódio AR, Hopkins MS, Moretzsohn MC, Bertioli DJ, Araujo, Ana Claudia G. 2021. Spontaneous generation of diversity in Arachis neopolyploids (A. ipaënsis x A. duranensis)4x replays the early stages of peanut evolution. G3 Genes|Genomes|Genetics. jkab289, https://doi.org/10.1093/g3journal/jkab289 Levinson C, Chu Y, Luo X, Stalker HT, Gao D, Holbrook CC, Ozias-Akins P. 2021. Morphological and reproductive characterization of nascent allotetraploids cross-compatible with cultivated peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.). Genet Resourc Crop Evol https://doi.org/10.1007/s10722-021-01161-0 Levinson CM, Bertioli D, Chu Y, Hopkins M, Leal-Bertioli SCM, Stalker HT, Gao D & Ozias-Akins P. 2021. Development and applications of KASP markers distinguishing A- and B/K-genomes of Arachis. Euphytica 217, 196. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10681-021-02923-8 Levinson CM, Antepenko E, Leal-Bertioli SCM, Chu Y, Culbreath AK, Stalker HT, Gao D, and Ozias- Akins P. 2021. Resistance to rust (Puccinia arachidis Speg.) identified in nascent allotetraploids cross- compatible with cultivated peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.). Peanut Science. https://doi.org/10.3146/PS21- 4.1 Luckew, A., Meru, G., Wang, Y., Mwatuwa, R., Paret, M., Carvalho, R., Kalischuk, M., Ribeiro da Silva,L. B., Candian, J., Dutta, B., Srinivasan, R., Kavalappara, S. R., RRD, N. C. K., Bag, S., & McGregor,(2022). Field Evaluation of Cucurbita Germplasm for Resistance to Whiteflies and Whitefly- transmitted Viruses, HortScience, 57(2), 337-344. LaBonte, D, C.A. Clark, T.S. Smith, A.Q. Villordon, and C.S. Stoddard. 2021. ‘Vermillion’ Sweetpotato. HortScience 56:978-981. Massa, A.N., Arias De Ares, R.S., Sorensen, R.B., Sobolev, V., Tallury, S.P., Stalker, T.S., Lamb, M.C. 2021. Evaluation of leaf spot resistance in wild arachis species of section arachis. Peanut Science. 48(2):68-75. <a href="https://doi.org/10.3146/PS20-25.1">https://doi.org/10.3146/PS20-25.1.</a> Meagher Jr, R.L., Nagoshi, R.N., Fleischer, S.J., Westbrook, J.K., Wright, D.L., Morris, J.B., Brown, J.T., Rowley, A.L. 2022. Areawide management of fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), using selected cover crop plants. CABI Agriculture and Bioscience (CABI A&B). 3:1. https://doi.org/10.1186/s43170-021-00069-0. Moor, J. C., J. Gore, A. L. Catchot, D. R. Cook, W. Crow, D. M. Dodds, J. M. Sarver, T. B. Towles, B. Zurweller. 2021. Effects of imidacloprid and acephate for tobacco thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) management on flumioxazin injured peanut. Peanut Science 48(1):6-14. Morris, J.B. 2022. Multivariate analysis of butterfly pea (Clitoria ternatea L.) genotypes with potentially healthy nutraceuticals and uses. Journal of Dietary Supplement. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1080/19390211.2021.2022821">https://doi.org/10.1080/19390211.2021.2022821</a> Morris, J.B., Tonnis, B.D., Wang, M.L., Bhattari, U. 2022. Genetic diversity for quercetin, myricetin, cyanidin, and delphinidin concentrations in 38 blackeye pea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.) genotypes for potential use as a functional health vegetable. Journal of Dietary Supplement. https://doi.org/10.1080/19390211.2022.2077881. Munoz-Rodriguez, P., Wells, T., Wood, J., Carruthers, T., Anglin, N.L., Jarret, R.L., Scotland, R. 2022. Discovery and characterisation of sweetpotato’s closest tetraploid relative. New Phytologist. 234:1185- 1194. https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.17991. Napier, J.D., P.P. Grabowski, J.T. Lovell, J. Bonnette, S. Mamidi, M.J. Gomez-Hughes, A. VanWallendael, X. Weng, L.H. Handley, M.K. Kim, A.R. Boe, P.A. Fay, F.B. Fritschi, J.D. Jastrow, J. Lloyd-Reilley, D.B. Lowry, R. Matamala, R.B. Mitchell, F.. M. Rouquette, Y.Q. Wu, J. Webber, T. Jones, K. Barry, J. Grimwood, J. Schmutz, & T.E. Juenger. 2022. A generalist-specialist tradeoff between switchgrass cytotypes impacts climate adaptation and geographic range. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2118879119. Patel, J.D., Wang, M.L., Dang, P.M., Butts, C.L., Lamb, M.C., Chen, C.Y. 2022. Insights into the genomic architecture of seed and pod quality traits in the U.S. peanut mini-core diversity panel. Plants. 11(7):837. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11070837. Razar RM, Qi P, Devos KM, Missaoui AM. Genotyping-by-Sequencing and QTL Mapping of Biomass Yield in Two Switchgrass F1 Populations (Lowland x Coastal and Coastal x Upland). Front Plant Sci. 2022 May 19;13:739133. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2022.739133. PMID: 35665173; PMCID: PMC9162799. Rustgi S, Alam T, Jones ZT, Brar AK, Kashyap S (2022) Reduced-immunogenicity wheat and peanut lines for people with foodborne disorders. Chemistry Proceedings 10(1):67. Rustgi S, Kakati JP, Jones ZT, Zoong Lwe ZS, Narayanan S (2021) Heat tolerance as a function of membrane lipid remodeling in the major US oilseed crops (soybean and peanut) Journal of Plant Biochemistry and Biotechnology 30:652–667. Rutter WB, Wadl PA, Mueller JD, Agudelo P (2021). Identification of sweet potato germplasm resistant to pathotypically distinct isolates of Meloidogyne enterolobii from the Carolinas. Plant Disease, 105(10), 3147–3153. Sakhanokho, H.F., Islam-Faridi, N., Babiker, E.M., Smith, B.J. 2021. Micropropagation of Hibiscus moscheutos L. ‘Luna White’: Effect of growth regulators and explants on nuclear DNA content and ploidy stability of regenerants. In Vitro Cellular and Developmental Biology - Plants. doi.org/10.1007/s11627-021-10209-w. Sari, N; Silverman, E; Reiland, D; and Wehner, T. 2020. Effects of cold duration on chilling injury in Lagenaria germplasm. HortScience 55(10):1551-1557. Sari, N; Silverman, E; Reiland, D; and Wehner, T. 2021. Seed characterization and relationships between seed and cotyledon properties in Lagenaria spp. Accessions. HortScience 56(2):185-192. Smith, G.R. and F.M. Rouquette, Jr. 2022. TX-BHS berseem clover germplasm. J. Plant Reg. 16:410- 416. Thavarajah D, Lawrence TJ, Powers SE, Kay J, Thavarajah P, Shipe E, McGee R, Kumar S, Boyles RE (2022). Organic dry pea (Pisum sativum L.) biofortification for better human health. PloS One, 17(1), e0261109. Van der Laat, R., Dale, A.G., Arellano, C., and Milla-Lewis, S.R. 2021. Variation in southern chinch bug (Blissus insularis) survival and damage on St. Augustinegrass germplasm. Intl. Turfgrass Soc. Res. J. https://doi.org/10.1002/its2.67 Wadl PA, Williams III LH, Horry MI, Ward BK (2022) Evaluation of 12 sweet potato clones in coastal South Carolina for yield and insect resistance using organic and conventional Cultural Practices, HortTechnology, 32(3), 253-262. <a href="https://journals.ashs.org/horttech/view/journals/horttech/32/3/article-p253.xml">https://journals.ashs.org/horttech/view/journals/horttech/32/3/article-p253.xml</a> Wang, M.L., Wang, H., Zhao, C., Tonnis, B.D., Tallury, S.P., Wang, X., Clevenger, J., Guo, B. 2021. Identification of QTLs for seed dormancy in cultivated peanut using a recombinant inbred line mapping population. Plant Molecular Biology Reporter. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11105-021-01315-5. Wang, X., Chen, C. Y., Dang, P., Carter, J., Zhao, S., Lamb, M. C., Chu, Y., Holbrook, C., Ozias- Akins, P., Isleib, T. G., & Feng, Y. (2022). Variabilities in symbiotic nitrogen fixation and carbon isotope discrimination among peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) genotypes under drought stress. Journal of Agronomy and Crop Science, 00, 1– 14. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1111/jac.12619">https://doi.org/10.1111/jac.12619</a> Wang, X., X. Yang, Y. Feng, P. Dang, W. Wang, R. Graze, J. Clevenger, Y. Chu, P. Ozias-Akins, C. Holbrook , and C. Chen*. 2021. Transcriptome profile reveals drought induced genes preferentially expressed in response to water deficit in cultivated peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.). Frontiers in Plant Science: 12:645291. https://doi:10.3389/fpls.2021.645291 . LOG: 383079 York, L. M., Cumming, J. R., Trusiak, A., Bonito, G.,  von Haden, A. C.,  Kalluri, U. C.,  Tiemann, L. K., Andeer, P. F., Blanc-Betes, E., Diab, J. H., Favela, A., Germon, A., Gomez-Casanovas, N., Hyde, <ol start="20028"> <li>A., Kent, A. D., Ko, D. K., Lamb, A., Missaoui, A. M., Northen, T. R., … Yang, W. H. (2022). Bioenergy Underground: Challenges and opportunities for phenotyping roots and the microbiome for sustainable bioenergy crop production. Plant Phenome Journal, 5: e20028. https://doi.org/10.1002/ppj2.20028</li> </ol> Yu, X., Mulkey, S.E., Ma, B.Y., Arellano, C., Zuleta, M.C. Reynolds, W.C., and Milla-Lewis, S.R. 2020. Resistance to gray leaf spot in St. Augustinegrass: Characterization and QTL mapping. Plant Disease 104(11): 2799-2806. <a>https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-04-20-0905-RE</a> Germplasm Releases and Patents Registration of ‘MSB-264’ and ‘MSB-285’ bermudagrasses. Journal of Plant Registrations, 16, 185– 197. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/plr2.20218">https://doi.org/10.1002/plr2.20218</a> Eggplant ‘Ideal’: Open-pollinated local cultivar in Guam. Okra, Puerto Rico Everflush, released by the Utopian Seed Project though the Southern Exposure Seed Exchange in early 2022. Smith, G.R. 2021. Ace Forage Cowpea. PVP Registration Certificate. PVP#201900266 Zoysiagrass (XZ 14069, commercial name LOBOTM) and one St. Augustinegrass (XSA 11377, commercial name TBA) cultivars were released in spring of 2022.  Other Publications Chieriel Desamito, Shaylin Salas, Caleb Escalara, and Mari Marutani. 2021. Eggplant ‘Ideal’: Open- pollinated local cultivar in Guam. Agriculture and Life Science Division College of Natural and Applied Sciences, University of Guam. Technical Report. Factsheet 2021-01. 6p. Dilovan K. Yahya and Ahmad N. Aziz. 2022. Whole Genome Amplification and Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms from Sweet Sorghum Microspores. Submitted to Graduate School of Tennessee State University (Nashville, TN) in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science. Marutani, Mari, Seanne Clemente, Karen Bacalia, Emmanuel Santos, Shashikant Kotwal, Greciella Valerio, Jester Calalang, Nathan Sala, Maegan Delfin, Chieriel Desamito, and Michael A. P. Fernandez. 2021. Phytochemical Analyses of Horticultural Crops: Application of High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Agriculture and Life Science Division College of Natural and Applied Sciences, University of Guam. Technical Report. Factsheet 2021-02. 25p Mariod, A., Jarret, R.L. 2022. Antioxidant, antimicrobial and antidiabetic activities of Citrullus colocynthis seed oil. In: Mariod, A., editor. Multiple Biological Activities of Unconventional Seed Oils. London, UK: Academic Press. p. 139-146. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-824135-6.00005-2">https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-824135-6.00005-2</a>

Impact Statements

Germplasm distributed by researchers of this project resulted in numerous publications, plant variety releases, and patents as detailed in the state reports provided by the S-009 State Representatives. The state reports are provided below to document this impact. The reports have been abbreviated to comply with formatting requirements in NIMSS. Full state reports, including tables, can be found at https://www.ars.usda.gov/southeast-area/griffin-ga/pgrcu/docs/s-009-annual-reports-and-minutes/.

Date of Annual Report: 08/18/2023

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 07/26/2023 - 07/26/2023
Period the Report Covers: 09/01/2022 - 08/01/2023

Participants

S-009 Regional Technical Advisory Committee
Minutes of Annual Meeting July 26, 2023

S-009 Members Present:

NIFA Representative Christian Tobias, Christian.tobias@usda.gov
Alabama (Auburn University) Charles Chen, cyc0002@auburn.edu
Florida (University of Florida) Kevin Kenworthy, kenworth@ufl.edu
Georgia (University of Georgia) Soraya Bertioli, sbertioli@uga.edu (Chair)
Louisiana (Louisiana State University) Don LaBonte, dlabonte@agctr.lsu.edu
Mississippi (Mississippi State University) Brian Baldwin bbaldwin@pss.msstate.edu
North Carolina (North Carolina State University) Carlos Iglesias, caiglesi@ncsu.edu
Oklahoma (Oklahoma State University) Shuhao Yu, shuhao.yu@okstate.edu
Puerto Rico (University of Puerto Rico) Carlos Flores Ortega, carlos.flores3@upr.edu
South Carolina (Clemson University) Rustgi Sachin, srutsgi@clemson.edu
Tennessee (University of Tennessee) Virginia Sykes, vsykes@utk.edu
Texas (Texas A&M University) Gerald Smith, gerald.smith@ag.tamu.edu

Plant Genetic Resources Conservation Unit Members Present:

Tiffany Fields, tiffany.fields@usda.gov
Melanie Harrison, melanie.harrison@usda.gov
Bob Jarret, bob.jarret@usda.edu
Sylvia Jones, sylvia.jones@usda.gov
Sarah Moon, sarah.moon@usda.gov
Brad Morris, brad.morris@usda.gov
Nick Stigura, nicholas.stigura@usda.gov
Shyam Tallury, shyam.tallury@usda.gov
Brandon Tonnis, brandon.tonnis@usda.gov
Phiffie Vankus, phiffie.vankus@usda.gov
Ming Li Wang, mingli.wang@usda.gov

Other Attendees:

Peter Bretting (USDA, National Program Leader), peter.bretting@usda.gov
Brian Irish (USDA, Prosser, WA), brian.irish@usda.gov

Brief Summary of Minutes

Participants and Minutes:

https://www.ars.usda.gov/southeast-area/griffin-ga/pgrcu/docs/s-009-annual-reports-and-minutes/

The meeting was called to order on July 26, 2023 at 8:30 am EDT by S-009 Regional Technical Advisory Committee (RTAC) Chair Dr. Soraya Bertioli.

Report from the National Program Staff; Peter Bretting, National Program Leader, USDA-ARS

Number of NPGS Germplasm

Demand for NPGS Germplasm 2013-2022

ARS National Plant Germplasm System Budget reached 52 Million

Even though the budget we have seen a down turn due to strong inflation turns in 2021 and 2022

Key Challenges to NPGS

Peter listed the priorities for Plant Germplasm with Acquisition and Maintenance at the top of the list. Without maintenance all the other priories are moot

NPGS Personnel Transitions

Training 3 Credit hour Colorado State online course Plant Genetic Resources: Genomes, Gene banks, and Growers was taught Aug.-Sept 2022 and will be taught again next month. http://pgrcourse.colostate.edu. Grin-University. https://grin-u.org/

Adapting to global warming. NPGS conducted an analysis on global warming affecting NPGS. Crop Science article published 25 May 2023

Budgetary Increases FY22
1. Pecan PGGR $600,000 College Station Tx
2. Coffee PGR $250,000 Hilo, HI
3. Pulse PGR $100,000 Pullman, WA
4. Pulse PGR$100,000 Urbana, IL

Dr. Peter Bretting stated for genetically modified material, the main focus is on testing and documentation to ensure trueness to type for genetic material.

Report from the USDA, National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA); Christian Tobias - National Program Leader, Institute of Food Production & Sustainability

Christian gave a presentation on the overview and updates of NIFA
1. S9 NIFA Reps
  1. Jessica Shade
  2. Christian Tobias
2. NIFA Update
  1. Leadership
    1. Director Manjist Misra Appointed May 6
    2. Associate Director for Programs Director Dionne Toombs
  2. Grants Modernization Initiative
    1. Replacing end of life systems
  3. USDA Plant Breeding Roadmap FY 2021-2026
    1. Public Cultivars
    2. Whole Breeding Cycle
    3. Improved effectiveness
    4. Incorporating Stakeholder Feedback integration
    5. Prepare for future.
  4. S9- Relevant Competitive Funding 2019-Present
    1. Sorghum has highest percentage of funds, followed by Sweet potato, cucurbit, peanut, switchgrass, pepper, and watermelon
  5. Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI)
    1. Three RFAs Published every two years.
  6. Considerations for AFRI-FAS Fy2023 300 million
  7. Non AFRI programs
    1. AG2PI Agricultural Genomes to Phenomes Initiative
    2. Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI)
  8. Questions
    1. Sustainable ag programs with global warming do you think initiative to identify new crops. A. No specific programs on new crops.
    2. What kind of innovation do you want to see in a proposal? Charles Chen
      1. Cultivar release in the period of the award
      2. Plan for intellectual property and commercialization

Report from the SAAESD & National Plant Germplasm Coordinating Committee; Bob Stougaard – Assistant Dean of Research, UGA, CAES and S-009 Administrative Advisor

Dr. Stougaard was unavailable due to schedule conflict. Melanie Harrison shared that he wanted mentioned that 1) the Southern Association of Experiment Station Directors voted to give the S-009 project an increase to cover costs of the across-the-board salary raise for University of Georgia employees and 2) the S-009 new project proposal has been approved.

Melanie Harrison, Research Leader, USDA-ARS-PGRCU; Plant Genetic Resources Conservation Unit Annual Update. All Curators Participated in Presentation.

PGRCU Overview
1. Established 1949
2. Southern Plant Introduction Station

Crops Maintained in Griffin

Numbers 104,831 accessions of 1596 Species and 279 genera

Sorghum and Millet Collections (Dr. Melanie Harrison)
1. Sorghum and Millet Regeneration

Characterization Lab and Sweet Potato Curation (Dr. MingLi Wang)
1. Comparison of Plant morphology between sesame control and mutant lines at high generations
2. Comparison of oleic and linolic acids between sesame control and mutant lines
3. Comparison of oil content between cultivated peanut and wild species accessions

Special Purpose Legumes (Dr. Brad Morris)
1. Legumes acquired from Al Kretchmer’s (University of Florida)
2. Hydroponics Advantages – Fewer pests, less space utilized while maximizing seed/corm production, less water needed.
3. Characterization and Evaluations for Desmodium, Guar, and Sesame
4. Characterization and Evaluations for Roselle

Peanut and Vigna Curation (Dr. Shyam Tallury)
1. Germplasm Acquisition 29 Accession of 14 Wild Species in 2022 from Dr Charles Simpson
2. Germplasm Regeneration
  1. Cultivated 559 submitted.
  2. 610 Cultivated Planted

Wild Species 104 accessions submitted.

Wild Species 112 planted

Peanut Germplasm Characterization and Evaluations

Germplasm Regenerations

Vigna Germplasm Characterization and Evaluations

Vegetable Curation (Dr. Bob Jarret)
1. Citrullus Regeneration
  1. 5 Year agreement with HM Clause (500 Accessions to be regenerated)
    1. 60 Accessions received and planning on over 100 accessions later this year
  2. Abelmoschus Regeneration
    1. 3 Year Agreement with HM Clause (750 Accessions to be regenerated
      1. Previous 5 year agreement ended and renewed with 3 year agreement
      2. Possible 1000 accessions agreement with HM Clause
    2. Capsicum Regeneration
      1. Agreement with Curry Chili and Seed (1000 Capsicum accessions to be regenerated)
    3. Cucurbit Regenerations
      1. Agreement with Rijk Zwaan to Regenerate Cucurbita moschata and Lagenaria siceraria accessions (500/250 accessions respectively)
        
        Currently in year 5
      2. Facilities Update
        
        Main Cold Room renovated this year including new cooling system and dehumidification system.
        
        New greenhouse benches were installed in grass greenhouse.
        
        Discussed Tornado damage January 2023. Damage to greenhouses, pumphouse, and fencing at Westbrook was significant. ARS Headquarters and Area Office have provided funding for repairs. The repair project is expected to commence this fall.
      3. Discussed Outreach Program

State Reports

Representatives summarized the state activities, numbers of requests, distributions, utilization, acquisition strategies, and, in some cases, reported publications, cultivar releases, germplasm releases and patents – (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas). Highlights overall fewer requests than usual. State reports can be found in the annual report.

Alabama (Charles Chen)

Arkansas (not present)

Florida (Kevin Kenworthy)

Georgia (Soraya Bertioli)

Guam (not present)

Kentucky (not present)

Louisiana (Don Labonte)

Mississippi (Brian Baldwin)

North Carolina (Carlos Iglesias)

Oklahoma (Shuhao Yu)

Puerto Rico (Carlos Flores Ortega)

South Carolina (Sachin Rustgi)

Tennessee (Virginia Sykes)

Texas (Gerald Smith)

Virgin Islands (not present)

Virginia (not present)

Business Meeting

2022 minutes were already approved via email last year, so a vote was needed today.

Current Chair-Elect Carlos Iglesias will move up to Chair for 2024.

Kevin Kenworthy was nominated Chair Elect for 2024 and Shuhao Yu was nominated Secretary for 2024. Both accepted nominations.

Gerald Smith motioned for nominations to be closed, Soraya Bertioli seconded. All voted in favor. Since there was only one nomination per office, nominees were accepted as elected officers.

Meeting location for 2024 will be North Carolina to be hosted by Carlos Iglesias. He stated that he would send out poll to determine date of the meeting.

Open Discussion

Brian Irish introduced himself as curator from Prosser, WA who is on shadow assignment of NPL Peter Bretting. Dr. Irish asked a few questions about regeneration agreements with private companies that Bob Jarret had for okra and cucurbit regeneration. Response: Dr. Jarret has established agreements with private companies due to the crops being hard to regenerate. No funding involved. RL encourages these types of agreements as it helps us to regenerate difficult crops that we do not have the resources to regenerate ourselves.

Dr. Harrison asked committee members to help promote the NPGS by citing source of germplasm in peer-reviewed publications and promoting importance of germplasm when meeting with stakeholders. If you have success stories, please send them to us and we can put on our website and share information during tours. Next year will be our 75^th Anniversary and will be happy to host a tour for graduate students and other stakeholder groups.

Dr. Bertioli mentioned root-knot nematode resistance from the wild relative Arachis cardenasii is a great example of a success story in peanut.

Brian Irish stated success stories can be shared on GRIN University

Dr. Bertioli Adjourned the meeting at 11:23 am

Accomplishments

Accomplishments The following is a summary of the last five years of work accomplished by the S-009 project to be completed in October, 2023. A total of 104,831 accessions of 1,596 plant species of 269 genera were maintained in the Griffin plant genetic resources collection. This is an increase of 5417 accessions since 2018.  Over 88% of accessions were available for distribution to users and more than 94% were backed up for security at the National Laboratory for Genetic Resources Preservation in Fort Collins, CO. Bulk seed samples for 91,542 accessions were maintained at -18oC for long-term storage with seed of the remaining accessions stored at 4oC. During the five years of the project, a total of 199,973 seed and clonal accessions were distributed upon request to scientists and educators worldwide.  A total of 13,122 inventories were pulled for regeneration. A total of 162 wild peanuts, 455 warm-season grasses, and 96 bamboo accessions was preserved in the greenhouse or field plots; and 618 sweet potato accessions were maintained in vitro. Germination testing has been conducted on 92,750 accessions in total.  Of those, 17,528 seed inventories were pulled for viability testing during the project period with 6,444 accessions being newly tested.    Hydroponic systems including aeroponics, drip irrigation, and nutrient film techniques are useful for rescuing low viable and low seed producing plants. Since some of the legumes, grasses, industrial, and miscellaneous crops contain several accessions ranging in size and have inadequate seed viabilities and quantities, these hydroponic systems have been used to successfully regenerate plants and seeds from these types of accessions.  In addition to the extensive distribution, regeneration, and testing of germplasm made possible by the project over the past five years, numerous characterization and evaluation projects were completed this year as listed below.   Based on screening of the USDA cultivated peanut germplasm collection, 200 accessions were selected to represent extremes of four traits including oil content, 100-seed weight, palmitic acid, and stearic acid (50 accessions per trait).  These accessions were planted in Byron, Georgia in 2022. Seeds from 191 of these accessions were harvested and will be evaluated for these four traits in the lab this year. The same 200 accessions will be planted at Byron again in 2023. After two years’ experiments, the results will be reported and published. The main goal of this effort is to compare the results from screening the peanut seeds maintained in long term storage with freshly grown peanuts from the field.   In collaboration with University of Georgia researchers, 100 peanut wild species accessions were previously genotyped with a Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) array. These 100 accessions were planted in the screen house and fresh seeds (2 reps per accession) were collected in 2022. Seed quality including oil and protein content, fatty acid composition, and tocopherol will be measured this year. The newly collected seed quality trait data and SNP array data will be used for Genome Wide Association Studies (GWAS).   Other biochemical characterizations of germplasm include measurement of galactomannans in ten guar accessions and fatty acids in 78 sesame lines. Research identifying variation for galactomannan content in guar is important for functional health food and supplement areas. Galactomannan is a natural source of soluble fiber beneficial to human health especially partially hydrolyzed guar gum which has been shown and used for improving digestive problems.   Ongoing collaborative peanut and cowpea evaluation projects include evaluation and identification of peanut smut resistance in the U.S. peanut minicore collection with ARS collaborators from Stillwater, Oklahoma; development of a genetic catalog of USDA peanut germplasm collection in collaboration with researchers from the University of Georgia, Tifton, Georgia and HudsonAlpha Institute, Huntsville, Alabama; biological nitrogen fixation efficiency in cowpea with collaborators from Texas A&M AgriLife Research, Vernon, Texas; and seed mineral concentration in cowpea using GWAS and Genomic prediction tools with collaborators from Texas A&M AgriLife Research, Vernon, Texas. Ongoing evaluation of vegetable germplasm includes research evaluating the effect of chemical agents used to inactivate plant viruses on seed viability and germination; characterizing the molecular basis for sex determination in a watermelon related dioecious species; investigation of capsaicin as extracted from pepper on induced hypothermia; and crop systematics and assessment of genetic diversity in the germplasm of several vegetable crops.   A project continued with Pride Road, LLC for the identification of seed and calyx production from nine roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) accessions originally selected from 28 tested roselle genotypes. Some of these may produce sufficient mature seed and be useful for jam, chutney, and tea products from calyces which will be developed by Pride Road, LLC. Also, the development of an ornamental roselle cultivar continued. This will be the 4th year of selections from an original mixed sample roselle genotype for ornate purple, red, and bronze foliage and plant size.   Impacts Germplasm distributed by researchers of this project resulted in numerous publications, plant variety releases, and patents as detailed in the state reports provided by the S-009 State Representatives. State reports submitted by S-009 State Representatives can be found in the full S-009 Annual Report at <a href="https://www.ars.usda.gov/southeast-area/griffin-ga/pgrcu/docs/s-009-annual-reports-and-minutes/">https://www.ars.usda.gov/southeast-area/griffin-ga/pgrcu/docs/s-009-annual-reports-and-minutes/</a>