NE2210: Improving Forage and Bioenergy Crops for Better Adaptation, Resilience, and Nutritive Value

(Multistate Research Project)

Status: Active

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SAES-422 Reports

Annual/Termination Reports:

[07/18/2023] [08/19/2024]

Date of Annual Report: 07/18/2023

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 06/23/2023 - 06/23/2023
Period the Report Covers: 06/27/2022 - 06/23/2023

Participants

Charlie Brummer (UCD), Virginia Moore (Cornell), Rebecca Brown (URI), Heathcliffe Riday (USDA), Neal Wepking (USDA), Xu Zhanyou (USDA), Ali Missaoui (UGA), Tim Phillips (KY), Yousef Papadapoulos (Agri Canada), Kathleen GLover (Agri Canada), Mike Peel (USDA, virtual), Annie Classens (Quebec, virtual), Nancy Jo Ehkle (UMN, virtual), Hari Poudel (virtual)

Brief Summary of Minutes

Our meeting followed the outline of our various activities:

1.1 Developing regionally adapted, resilient alfalfa germplasm pools. Cooperating locations: AES: Cornell Univ., Univ. Florida, Univ. Vermont, and Univ. California, Davis [co-lead]; USDA-ARS: Logan, UT and Madison, WI [co-lead]; AAFC: Québec, QC, Saskatoon, SK

Charlie presented on activities at UC Davis to develop germplasm pre-breeding pools. These are focused on southern breeding pools, with field sites at Davis CA Stockton CA and Prosser Wa. THis is funded by alfalfa seeds and forage. Mike and Ginny and Heathcliffe all added to the discussion, as they handle the northern adapted germplasm pools. The Utah, Toulame Lake (Ca) and Ithaca New York sites have harvested year 1. Nova Scotia has selected matching material, Annie had connection difficulties. The project is generally making headway, with ongoing phenotyping at all participating sites. There was an extended discussion of finding new funding.

Xu led a conversation of genotyping of alfalfa germplasm, which is being done by DART-SEQ through breeding insight. Brian Irish is going work on characterizing PI accessions in the National Plant Germplasm System.

1.2. Evaluating annual cover crops for regional adaptation and climate resilience and mitigation. AES: Cornell Univ. [Lead], Univ. Rhode Island; Univ. Vermont, AAFC: Truro, NS.

Ginny and Heathcliffee discussed ongoing activities in the cover crop breeding network, including work on overwintering peas, hairy vetch, and minor clovers. This has been supported by a NIFA OREI and SAS CAP. Discussion included ways to bring in folks not part of this grant. There is some interest in using tricot methods on farmers to be more participatory. Ginny also discussed an unfunded NE SARE proposal. von Wettberg discussed msc work of UVM student Emmanuel Brefo.

1.3. Developing switchgrass germplasm with improved fungal pathogen resistance. Cooperating locations: AES: Cornell Univ. [lead], Mississippi State Univ., Rutgers Univ., South Dakota State Univ.; USDA-ARS: Madison, WI.

This was skipped due to the participants not being present.

1.4. Developing resilient cool-season grasses adapted to variable climatic conditions. Cooperating locations: AES: Cornell Univ.; South Dakota State Univ.; Univ. California, Davis; Univ. Kentucky, and Univ. Minnesota; USDA-ARS: Logan, UT [co-lead] and Madison, WI; AAFC: Québec, QC and Saskatoon, SK [co-lead].

Mike, Bill, and ANnie discussed funded work in this aim in Canada. Tall fescue, orchardgrass, and timothy are the foci. They are moving quickly towards a complete manuscript. Yousef is doing related work on mixing grasses and timothy.

Heathcliffe also discussed work in this aim on the US. This objective is moving more slowly than others due to it being funded on the Canadian side.

1.5. Determining the extent of genetic variability of CT among currently available birdsfoot trefoil cultivars and elite lines. Cooperating locations: AES: Cornell Univ., Univ. Rhode Island; Univ. Vermont USDA-ARS: Logan, UT and Madison, WI; AAFC: Truro, NS [lead].

Yousef and Rebecca both gave presentations on progress. Condensed tannin characterization is back on schedule after pandemic delays. The URI field trial is largely wrapped up, after two successful seasons but increasing amounts of weed growth.

1.6. Evaluating Miscanthus for forage and bioenergy across warm season locations. AES: Univ. Mississippi [co-lead], Univ. Illinois [co-lead].

This activity was skipped due to the absence of participants.

1.7 We added a new objective, 1.7. THis is on breeding for intercropping. This is based on funding Ginny Moore, Heathcliffe Riday, and Brandon Schlautman at the Land Institute have for breeding alfalfa to pair with kernza. Non-participatn Jean-Luc and others are doing similar work to breed oats and peas for co-cultivation. This aim will be expanded next year.

Understanding genotype by environment interactions across multiple forage species

Comments: Cooperating locations: AES: Auburn Univ., Cornell Univ., Mississippi State Univ., Rutgers Univ., South Dakota State Univ., Univ. California, Davis, Univ. Florida, Univ. Georgia, Univ. Kentucky, Univ. Minnesota, Univ. Rhode Island, Univ. Tennessee; Univ. Vermont; USDA-ARS: Logan, UT and Madison, WI; AAFC, Lethbridge, AB, Québec, QC, Saskatoon, SK, and Truro, NS.

Ali Missaoui led the discussion on this topic. It is moving towards a publication on G*E across sites. It is waiting for data from one or two sites.

Minutes Attachment:

NE 2210 Annual meeting.docx

Accomplishments

<ul> <li>Short-term Outcomes: Our project links together most public sector forage breeders in North America, creating a training environment that is beneficial to our field.  Our work is also pushing forward the adoption of cover cropping, a sustainability practice that has increased from near zero percent of farmland to over 5% of farmland.</li> <li>Outputs: Switchgrass and miscanthus cultivars are under institutional approval at Mississippi state.  Alfalfa varieties are under approval at ARS, U Florida, and UC Davis.  Among Canadian partners, alfalfa, trefoil, and cool season grass cultivars are moving towards approval.</li> <li>Activities: We have 6 collaborative activities that are moving forward, as multisite trials on 1) alfalfa 2) cool season grasses 3) birds foot trefoil 4) Miscanthus 5) switchgrass 6) cover crops and 7) genotype by environment interactions.</li> <li>Milestones: A key milestone will be the distribution of alfalfa breed-breeding pools to move sites in 2024, and the expansion of switchgrass plantings in 2024.</li> </ul>

Publications

von Wettberg EJ, Brefo E, Hart J, Kretzler B. Disease issues for grain legumes in Northeastern North America.  Invited chapter in Next Generation Breeding approaches for designing disease resistant legumes crops.  Eds. U. Jha, Sharma K, Nayyer H, von Wettberg EJ and KHM Siddique.  Invited submission, In Press. Laverick M, von Wettberg EJ, An ethnobotanical review of tuberous legumes as viable crops in Vermont. Invited chapter in Crop Wild Relatives for Legumes crops. Eds. U. Jha, Sharma K, Nayyer H, von Wettberg EJ and KHM Siddique.  Invited submission, In Press. Khan MK, Pandey A, Athar T, Hamurcu M, Gezgin S, Sassi G2, Kahraman. A, von Wettberg EJ. 2022. Current trends in genetic enhancement of legumes in the genomics era for a sustainable future. In: Advances in Legumes for Sustainable Intensification. Academic Press, Elsevier. p533-552. <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780323857970000276">https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780323857970000276</a> Delaney-Studer S, von Wettberg EJ, Towards the next angiosperm revolution: agroecological food production as a driver for biological diversity.  Elementa, special topic on “'<a href="https://online.ucpress.edu/elementa/pages/new_pathways_to_sustainability_in_agroecological_systems">New Pathways to Sustainability in Agroecological Systems</a>” In Press Renzi JP, Brus J, Coyne C, Berger J, von Wettberg EJ, Nelson M, Ureta S, Hernández F, Smýkal P. 2022. How could the use of crop wild relatives in breeding increase the adaptation of crops to marginal environments? Frontiers in Plant Science. V13 <a href="https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2022.886162">https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2022.886162</a>

Impact Statements

Key milestones met in the last year include multi-site phenotyping of alfalfa pre-breeding pools built from accessions in US National Plant Germplasm System. Molecular genetic characterization of these pools has also moved forward in the past year. Key milestones for work on birdsfoot trefoil have characterized genotype by environment variation in condensed tannin profiles. Site specific results have shown the impact of weeds on stand persistence. Key milestones on forage grasses include the development of publications, and tools for the genetic characterization of these underutilized grasses. Indicators include movement towards registering alfalfa and miscanthus varieties from several participating universities. Other positive indicators include new associated grants received, such as NIFA funding to Ginny Moore for breeding alfalfa for compatibility with the perennial grain Kernza.

Date of Annual Report: 08/19/2024

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 06/23/2024 - 06/26/2024
Period the Report Covers: 06/15/2023 - 06/24/2024

Participants

Ginny Moore, Cornell University
Marnin Wolf, Auburn University
Ali Missaoui, University Georgia Athens
Joe Galliger, USDA Corvallis
Hari Poudel, Alberta
Tim Phillips, University of Kentucky
Brian Baldwin, Mississippi State University
Debbi Samac, USDA St. Paul
Mike Peal, USDA ARS Logan UT
Nancy Jo Ehlke, University of Minnesota
Iliatchin Gu, University of Minnesota
Neal Tilhou, USDA ARS
Heathcliff Riday, USDA ARS Madison WI
Craig Beil, with Breeding Insights
Mung Lin, also with Breeding Insights
Lisa Kissing Kucek USDA ARS Madison WI
Edwin Ridell, Portland Oregon
Zhongyou Xu, USDA ARS St. Paul
Charlie Brummer, University of CA- Davis
Creen King, University of CA-Davis
Scott Newell, University of WI - Extension
Joel Robbins, Oregon
Cesar August Medina Culma, – U Minn
Brian Irish, USDA ARS Pullman WA

Virtual participants:
Rebecca Brown, University of Rhode Island
Yousef Popadopoulos, Agic. And Agri-Food Canada (Truro, Nova Scotia)
Karl Glover, Soth Dakota State University
Eric von Wettberg, University of Vermont

Brief Summary of Minutes

Alfalfa Populations – lead by Brummer, Moore and Riday primarily. Making synthetics of four populations. 2021 first sets of selection for northern group sent out. Syn₁ seed for testing to multiple sites.

Breeding Insights made genetic maps and predictive models for performance of a number of traits. Models so far have relatively high R-values

Need tissue samples (3 trifoliates from each plant – freeze dried) to come back to Breeding Insights.

Peal (Logan, UT) sent is lines to Brummer.

Tissues samples needed from Quebec and Lethbridge.

Cornell has submitted materials.

St. Paul (Xu) has sent materials but has additional material.

Brian Irish needs seed for generation of additional populations

Those who haven’t sent materials, make selections while maintaining the four germplasm pools.

2020 nurseries – collect data, collect tissue, maintain, seed at each site.

Plan on sending seed to Brian Irish in 2026.

New Materials to Irish in 2027

Question – can we pool sward data – is there value?

AOSCA varieties?

Cesar Medina Culma shared slide on pre-breeding of the four north alfalfa groups and check populations. Siberia is the most different group. Six traits are monitored – survival, plant architecture, leaf hopper resistance, yield, fresh weight. GWAS data presented for leaf hopper, freshweight, yield

These models are similar to the Holstein model already in use.

Brummer and Irish have southern germplasm pools (2-3 lbs) to be used at various locations. Among the southern germplasm, the South American non-dormant germplasm is completely different from other germplasm pools.

Trefoil report – Popadopoulos – captured on Zoom.

Cover crops – Moore participating with Brown and Bishop-von Wettberg on survival and winter hardiness for winter pea in USDA zones 3-6. Cover Crop Breeding Network (https://www.covercropbreeding.com/) especially looking for cereal rye cropping sites – single row for coverage and allelopathy. Mentioned that several western sites had very low yields of cereal rye depending on when they shut off the water. Mentioned that cereal rye as a cover crop is a weed issue in wheat production areas. Baldwin reported successful selection for the removal of secondary seed dormancy in crimson clover allowing for earlier seed germination and cover crop establishment in the South.

Switchgrass – work concluded. The release of Tusca (imazapyc resistant), Espresso and Robusto (removal of seed dormancy for rapid germination lowland and upland types, respectively) from Mississippi State University. Mike Casler’s germplasm has undergone 3 cycles of selection for increased yield. Some smut research continuing at University of Georgia Athens (Porcha Smith).

Cool Season Grasses

Joel Robbins reported on meadow brome, orchardgrass, timothy, tall fescue collaborative work taking place in Utah, Saskatchewan, Quebec, and Alberta. The effect of water-soluble carbohydrates on winter hardiness. Selections for synthetics for forage quality aspects this fall.

Tall fescue – Cornell, northern site. Developed in GA, looking for G x E assessment.

Condensed tannins – Popadopoulos – results presented at Plant Canada Conference.

Miscanthus – new triploid giant miscanthus germplasm development under way, with testing at University of Illinois, Alabama State University and Mississippi State University

Alfalfa trial going in at Tulee Lake CA. Potential grass, alfalfa clover trials at Cornell (red clover trials initiated every year. Isoflavones found in red clover being assessed. Cereal rye as cover crop going in this fall – call for test sites?

Kissing Kucek establishing crimson clover test this fall. Looking to establish a data base from the cover crop test of this group with 2 or more varieties. Suggestion was made to search for extension variety trials that might be up online.

Brian Irish speaking about Crop Germplasm Committees (CGC) – Specialty crops still has some funds. No funds left for forage legumes. Funding expansion request is in for Senate action. Road map for industry to go to Congress and push for additional funding. ASTA (American Seed Trade Association) looking for funds to keep or get viability of germplasm-stored seed back. Irish pushing to organize the meeting of CGC.

Presentation by Craig Biel (Breeding Insights) They are a USDA-ARS funded entity to support ARS with service and technology transfer models. Especially for plant materials that are tetraploid or hexaploidy. Their inception was in 2018. The are working extensively with alfalfa, some red clover and cover-crops. Markers are $12/sample for genotyping, DNA extraction and typing $2.50/sample. The farthest along is alfalfa, with all genotyping using the same marker system (3,000 marker panel system for alfalfa).

Question raised as to whether we/they could access the Noble Foundation alfalfa germplasm. Brummer believes most of the material was returned to the companies that provided it.

Question raised, has any effort been made by Breeder Insights for the cool season grasses? – some work with tall fescue, orchardgrass, meadow brome, perennial ryegrass and annual ryegrass.

New Ideas and issues worth mentioning:

Universities are cutting forage variety trials. Is there a better model? Neal Tallue working on submitting a centralized model of variety testing. Similar to the Canola trial model? Or the N-TEP model (though this is industry funded).

Perhaps pursue satellite imaging for estimating forage yield and species makeup.

In hairy vetch, NDVI and Height give a estimation of biomass (early season, just NDVI is sufficient), after 100% coverage, height is needed.

Apps for species composition in cover crops and forages.

G x E x M (Genotype x Environment x Management)

Intercropping – Wolf – Auburn – a project of crimson clover and oat.

Minnesota has a projection of oat and pea – pea is the cash crop. Also, Nova Scotia, Quebec, and Kentucky.

Next year’s meeting University of Kentucky, Lexington, Tim Phillips host. Jesse Morrison (Mississippi State University) secretary.

Accomplishments

Short term outputs include alfalfa populations being sent to multi-site trials.     Outputs include the release of switchgrass varieties by Mississippi State.  The release of Tusca (imazapyc resistant), Espresso and Robusto (removal of seed dormancy for rapid germination lowland and upland types, respectively) from Mississippi State University.    Activities include alfalfa population screening, birdsfoot trefoil selection, forage and biomass grass selections, and cover crop evaluation.   Milestones include the development of triploid Miscanthus germplasm.

Publications

Mastreta A, Tobin D, Bellon M, von Wettberg EJ, Cibrian A., Wegier A, Monroy-Sais A, Galvez-Reyes N, Ruiz-Arocho J, Chen YF. 2024. Human management of ongoing evolutionary processes in agroecosystems, Plants People Planet.  <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/ppp3.10521">https://doi.org/10.1002/ppp3.10521</a>   Marques, E., Bueno E., Kerwein L, and von Wettberg E. (2024). Improving rotational partners: Intraspecies variation for pea cover cropping traits. Agrosystems, Geosciences, and Environment. 7. e20490. DOI: 10.1002/agg2.20490   Delaney-Studer S, von Wettberg EJ, Towards the next angiosperm revolution: agroecological food production as a driver for biological diversity. 2023 Elementa, special topic on “'<a href="https://online.ucpress.edu/elementa/pages/new_pathways_to_sustainability_in_agroecological_systems">New Pathways to Sustainability in Agroecological Systems</a>” <a href="https://online.ucpress.edu/elementa/">https://online.ucpress.edu/elementa/</a> article/11/1/00134/197385/Toward-the-next-angiosperm-revolution

Impact Statements

Release of Switchgrass varieties helps biofuel industry.