NC_OLD7: Conservation, Management, Enhancement and Utilization of Plant Genetic Resources

(Multistate Research Project)

Status: Inactive/Terminating

Project Menu

SAES-422 Reports

Annual/Termination Reports:

[09/27/2002] [10/30/2004] [03/24/2006] [03/24/2006] [09/15/2006]

Date of Annual Report: 09/27/2002

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 07/23/2002 - 07/24/2002
Period the Report Covers: 07/01/2001 - 06/01/2002

Participants

Johnson, Burton (Burton.johnson@ndsu.nodak.edu) - ND / NDSU; Baltensperger, David (dbaltensperger1@unl.edu) - NE / U of NE; Rife, Rife (crife@oz.oznet.ksu.edu) - KS / KSU; Francis, David (francis.77@osu.edu) - OH / OSU; Widrlechner, Mark (isumw@iastate.edu) - NCRPIS USDA; Iezzoni, Amy (iezzoni@msu.edu) - MI / MSU; Block, Charles (ccblock@iastate.edu) - NCRPIS USDA; Millard, Mark (mjmillar@iastate.edu) - NCRPIS ISU; Hokansan, Stan (hokan017@umn.edu) - MN / U of MN; Luhman, Rick (rlluhman@iastate.edu) - NCRPIS ISU; Burke, Lisa (lburke@iastate.edu) - NCRPIS USDA; Reitsma, Kathy (kreitsma@iastate.edu) - NCRPIS ISU; VanRoekel, John (Bill) (beevr@iastate.edu) - NCRPIS USDA; Brummer, Charlie (brummer@iastate.edu) - IA / ISU; Boe, Arvid (arvid_boe@sdstate.edu) - SD / SDSU; Isbell, Terry (isbellta@ncaur.usda.gov) - USDA NCAUR; Bretting, Peter (pkb@ars.usda.gov) - USDA NPS; Brenner, David (dbrenner@iastate.edu) NCRPIS ISU; Hymowitz, Theodore (soyui@uiuc.edu) - IL / U of IL; Gardner, Candice (gardnerc@iastate.edu) NCRPIS USDA; Blaylock, June (djb@ars.usda.gov) - USDA OTT; Janick, Jules (janick@hort.purdue.edu) - IN / Purdue;

Brief Summary of Minutes

The 2002 NC-7 RTAC was chaired by Burton Johnson of North Dakota State University. Charlie Rife, Kansas State University, served as secretary. ISU Assoc. Dean Gerald Miller represented ISU Dean of Agriculture Catherine Wotecki, and informed the group that NC-7 project renewal was approved for period 09-01-2002 through 08-31-2007. Cathy Good provided an overview of NIMSS, the National Information Management and Support System. The project coordinates with the administrative advisor to insure that information is kept up to date. We were informed that IFAFS authorized new support at the level of $130 million (M) in 2003, $140 M in 2004, $160 M in 2005, and $200 M in 2006. Terry Isbell from USDA-NCAUR, Peopria, IL, presented a research view of the utilization lab and its collaborative research on properties of oils, proteins, and starch. Crops covered included Lesquerella, Lepidium campestris (pepper grass), Cuphea, meadow foam, and work with glucosinolates as anti-oxidants. Nomination and committee designees included David Francis, Arvid Boe, and Burton Johnson. Resolution committee designees included Theodore Hymowitz, Jules Janick, and David Baltensperger.

Peter Bretting provided information on the status of the FAOS International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, and sought RTAC member comments and feedback. After some discussion, RTAC members voted to support the Secretary of Agricultures use of maximum negotiating ability in the treaty process, thereby recommending the USA become a party to the treaty. Dr. Bretting also led a discussion of how plant germplasm from PI stations has impacted crop improvement, and how this could be documented. The RTAC approved a resolution that the USDA review the broad impact of the US germplasm program on crop improvement, food security, and agricultural research.

NCRPIS curatorial reports were given by Mark Widrlechner, horticulture; Kathy Retisma, vegetables; Rick Luhman, brassica and network administration; Mark Millard, maize; Dave Brenner, amaranth, celosia, legumes, perilla, quinoa, spinach and umbels; C. Gardner for Mary Brothers, sunflowers; Charles Block, plant pathology.

C. Gardner summarized staffing and facilities changes, and needed positions to support NCRPIS objectives. The priority order for new positions included a network IT manager, a medicinal/nutriceutical plant curator, and a pollinator biologist. The new NIH grant to ISU and UI contains funds for a support person to develop Echinacea and St. Johns-wort collections at NCRPIS. RTAC members unanimously supported development of a federal IT management position. Sources of funding for a pollinator biologist were not identified.

The 2003 NC-7 RTAC meeting will be held in Wooster, OH in August; David Francis will serve as Secretary, and Charlie Rife will serve as Chair.

Accomplishments

The past years accomplishments by the NCRPIS can be summed up in three areas 1) germplasm acquisition, management, evaluation and characterization, 2) development of infrastructure to support germplasm management, and 3) development of collaborations to support current and future research. 1. In the area of germplasm management, viability testing capacity was greatly enhanced by the addition of new germination chambers and a new 0.5 FTE technician. The backlog of viability testing for maize was eliminated, and a total of 6,420, or 14% of our accessions. A testing goal of 10% of the collection holdings annually is necessary to maintain a 10 year viability testing cycle. Approximately 1,400 accessions were cultivated for regeneration, with a predicted success rate of over 90%. The number of accessions backed up at the National Center for Germplasm Resource Preservation (NCGRP) in Ft. Collins increased to 74% in 2002. Over 12,000 data points of evaluation and characterization data were loaded into GRIN, the Germplasm Resource Information Network, and made available to the public. Over 4,500 digital images were recorded of plants and seeds. 2. An intensive effort to automate the process of capturing, manipulating, managing image files and transferring them to GRIN is underway. File naming protocols were establish, and protocols partially developed to enable student employees to perform needed actions on image files. Completion of this process is anticipated in 2004, and is contingent on securing appropriate software development resources. Once complete, a second software project is planned to capture biometric information from images. A network firewall system was designed to secure our IT systems from attack, and submitted for procurement. HOBO and Palm Pilot technology was acquired for constant monitoring of our new dryers; this technology is completely portable and interfaces with a PC to provide a graphic display of environmental conditions to which it has been exposed. These will also be useful for monitoring greenhouse environmental qualities. 3. The incorporation of the GEM (Germplasm Enhancement of Maize) unit under the PI umbrella has provided opportunity to develop non-destructive technology to evaluate quality traits in crops other than maize. Efforts are underway to develop moisture calibrations using NIR (Near Infra-red Spectroscopy) for sunflowers and Cuphea, and for protein and starch composition in amaranth. Our horticulturist, Mark Widrlechner, published results of collaborative research with researchers from Iowa State University, Michigan State University, North Carolina State, and the Ukraine on woody ornamental research, the role of environmental analogs in adaptation, and geographic assessments of the risks of naturalization by non-native woody plants in the upper midwest. Our amaranth curator, David Brenner, published collaborative research with David Baltensperger of the Univ. of Nebraska on amaranth crop development. Our vegetable curator, Kathy Reitsma, published collaborative research designed to test core collections in cucumber using a variety of data sources. All of these efforts contribute to our understanding of how germplasm can be used for varietal development and improvement, and provide unique, useful traits. Accomplishments of non-NCRPIS, NC-7 investigators are extensive, broad, and provide significant impact. Although uncertain how to apportion these land-grant researchers efforts to NC-7 or other project resources, the following are included and cited (this list is not inclusive of all RTAC member institutions): Jules Janick of Purdue University, IN, has contributed extensively to research on Arugula, a leafy vegetable, by acquiring germplasm and by evaluating its economic potential. Amy Iezzoni, of Michigan State University, has made publicly available the fingerprinting results for 59 cherry accessions in the NPGS collection. These will be a valuable resource for germplasm curators interested in verifying accession identity and identifying novel types within their own collections. Theodore Hymowitz, of the University of Illinois, has completed a molecular phytogenetic study of 15 genera of the subtribe Glycininae; germplasm used in the study was donated by 11 institutions. The results illuminate the relationships between Teramnus, Glycine, Amphicarpaea, and Pueraria. Budgetary resources: ARS funding for FY02 was $1,791,266, and NC-7 provided resources of $532,522. The NC-7 funds support 12 ISU employees that include Curators, Agricultural Specialists, our Farm Superintendent and his support staff, and some operating costs. Federal funds supported 20 permanent USDA staff in FY02, including three scientists, technicians, support and administrative staff, approximately 26 student labor FTEs, and the bulk of operational expenses. A minimum of $400,000 is required annually to support operational activities at the station. Federal salary costs erode operational funding at a historical rate of approximately 8% per year; ARS funding is adequate for the next five years, given existing budgets and staffing; additional positions will require external funds. NC-7 funds available for operating costs are trending downwards due to flat budgets and modest salary growth. ARS funding increases since 1999 have made a tremendous difference in our ability to implement new technology, to improve outputs and their quality. In 1993, ARS funds provided $1,272,300 to the NCRPIS while NC-7 funds provided $448,600. In 1999, resources were essentially unchanged and staffing cuts were projected in 2000 without additional resources. Due to the successful efforts of stakeholders who convinced Congress that additional resources were needed to support the National Plant Germplasm System, the resource picture is substantially improved.

Publications

Abel, C.A., Pollak, L.M., Salhuana, W., Widrlechner, M.P., Wilson, R.L. Registration of GEMS-0001 maize germplasm resistant to leaf blade, leaf sheath, and collar feeding by European Corn Borer. Crop Science. 2002. 41: 1651-1652. D.M. Brenner, D.D. Baltensperger, C.C. Block, R.L. Myers, and I.Simon. Amaranth: Progress and problems. Abstract and oral presentation, p. 31. In Nov. 10-13, 2001. Abstracts, 5th National Symposium, New crops and new uses: Strength in diversity. Atlanta, GA. D.M. Brenner. Regenerating Germplasm: Some methods used with Amaranthus and other Crops at the North Central Regional Plant Introduction Station. November 14, 2001. Oral presentation, Plant Genetic Resources Conservation Unit, Griffin, GA. Graves, W.R., Kroggel, M.A., Widrlechner, M.P. Photosynthesis and shoot health of five birch and four alder taxa after drought and flooding. Journal of Environmental Horticulture. 2002. 20: 36-40. Norris, W.R., Widrlechner, M.P., Lewis, D.Q., Thompson, J.D., Pope, R.O. More than a century of change in the Ames, Iowa flora (1859-2000). Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science. 2001. 108: 124-141. Reitsma, K. R. and M. P. Widrlechner. 2002. Daucus in the USDA Germplasm Collection. Carrot Country 9 (3): in press. Staub, J. E., F. Dane, K. Reitsma, F. Fazio, and A. Lopez-SesJ. 2002. The Formation of Test Arrays and a Core Collection in Cucumber Using Phenotypic and Molecular Data. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 127(4): 558-567. Widrlechner, M.P. The role of environmental analogs in identifying potentially invasive woody plants in Iowa. Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science. 2001. 108: 158-165. Widrlechner, M.P., McKeown, K.A. Assembling and characterizing a comprehensive Echinacea germplasm collection. Poster Abstract N-38, Abstracts of the 5th National Symposium on New Crops and New Uses: Strength in Diversity, Atlanta, GA, 10-13 November 2001, p. 129. Widrlechner, M.P., Schutzki, R.E., Yukhnovsky, V.Y., Sviatetsky, V.V. Collecting landscape trees and shrubs in Ukraine for the evaluation of aesthetic quality and adaptation in the north central United States. FAO/IPGRI Plant Genetic Resources Newsletter. 2001. 126: 12-16. Widrlechner, M.P., Iles, J.K. A geographic assessment of the risk of naturalization of non-native woody plants in Iowa. Journal of Environmental Horticulture. 2002. 20: 47-56. Lee, J. and T. Hymowitz. 2001. A molecular phylogenetic study of the subtribe Glycininae (Leguminosae) derived from the chloroplast DNA rps16 intron sequences. American J. of Botany 88:2064-2073. Morales, M. and J. Janick. 2002. Arugula: A promising specialty leaf vegetable. P. 418-423. In: J. Janick and A. Whipkey (eds.) Trends in new crops and new uses. ASHS Press, Alexandria, VA. Owens, C.L., J.F. Hancock. M. Thomashow, and A.F. Iezzone. 2002. CBF-1 orthologs in sour cherry and strawberry and the heterologous expression of CBF1 in strawberry. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 127:489-494. Hauck, A., A. Iezzoni, H. Yamane, and R. Tao. 2002. Self-compatibility and incompatibility in tetraploid sour cherry (Prunus cerasus L.) Sexual Plant Reproduction 15:39-46. Struss, D., M. Boritzki, R. Karle, and A.F. Iezzoni. 2002. Microsatellite markers differentiate eight Giessen cherry rootstocks. HortScience 37:191-193. Yamane, H. R. Tao, A. Sugiura, N.R. Hauck, and A.F. Iezzoni. 2001. Idnetification and characterization of S-RNases in tetraploid sour cherry (Prusus cerasus). Jour. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 126:661-667. Huck, N.R., A.F. Iezzoni, H. Yamane, and R. Tao. 2001. Revisiting the S-allele nomenclature in sweet cherry (Prunus avium) using RFLP profiles. Jour. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 126:654-660. Cantini, C., A.F. Iezzoni, W.F. Lamboy, M. Bortizki, and D. Struss. 2001. DNA fingerprinting of tetraploid cherry germplasm using simple sequence repeats. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 126:205-209. Eghball, B., J. E. Gilley, D. D. Baltensperger, and J. M. Blumenthal. 2002. Long-Term Manure and Fertilizer Application Effects on Phosphorus and Nitrogen in Runoff. Trans. of the ASAE 45(3):687-694. Univ. of Nebraska Agr. Res. Div. Paper No. 13289. Rife, C.L., D.L. Auld, H.D. Sunderman, W.F. Heer, D.D. Baltensperger, L.A. Nelson, D.L. Johnson, D. Bordovsky, and H.C. Minor. 2001. Registration of ‘Wichita‘ Rapeseed. Crop Sci. 41(1):263-264. Rife, C., G. Warman, and W. Heer. 2001. 2000 Great Plains Canola Research. Report of Progress 862. Kansas Ag. Exp. St. Manhattan. (AES# 01-184-S) Rife, C. 2002. Winter Canola can help spread risk: Results from the 2000-2001 National Winter Canola Variety Trial. Canola Grower. 4:1:12-17. (AES# 02-226-T) Rife, C.L. 2002. United States National Winter Canola Variety Trials. In Book of Abstracts. 13th Crucifer Genetics Workshop. Davis, CA. Page 118. Rife C.L. and H. Zeinali.. 2003. Cold Tolerance in Oilseed Rape over Varying Acclimation Durations. Crop Sci. 43:96-100. (AES# 02-262-J) Rife, C.L. and C. Labarge. 2002. Variability in Vernalization Requirement of Oilseed Rape. In Annu. Meet. Abs. Amer. Soc. Agron. Rife C., R. Aiken, R. Auld, R. Bacon, D. Baltensperger, U. Bishnoi, H. Bhardwaj, D. Bordovsky, E. Christmas, S. Conley, P. Evans, J. Fisher, R. Freed, W. Heer, K. Janssen, J. Johnson, J. Johnson, J. Kelly, J. Klein, R. Kochenower, J. Krall, K. Kusel, K. Larson, J. Long, L. Nelson, P. Raymer, M. Schmidt, F. Schweissing, R. Smoot D. Starner, M. Witt, 2003. 2002 National Winter Canola Variety Trial. Departmental Report. Kansas Ag. Exp. St. Manhattan. 58 pp. (AES# 03-214-D) Rife, C. 2002. Winter Canola can help spread risk: Results from the 2000-2001 National Winter Canola Variety Trial. Canola Grower. 4:1:12-17. (AES# 02-226-T) Rife, C.L. 2002. United States National Winter Canola Variety Trials. In Book of Abstracts. 13th Crucifer Genetics Workshop. Davis, CA. Page 118. Rife, C.L. and C. Labarge. 2002. Variability in Vernalization Requirement of Oilseed Rape. In Annu. Meet. Abs. Amer. Soc. Agron

Impact Statements

NCRPIS and NC-7 researchers efforts contribute to the National Plant Germplasm System, a national acquisition and management program of plant germplasm valued for agricultural, horticultural, environmental, medicinal and industrial uses in the NCR and through the U.S.
Plant germplasm resources numbering over 47,100 accessions of over 1,700 plant species continue to be conserved and made available to the research public. Over 70% of the collections are currently available and 74% backed up in long-term storage.
By providing well-characterized, well-documented germplasm to researchers for a wide array of purposes, we encourage and support the use of a broad diversity of germplasm to reduce crop genetic vulnerability. The value of germplasm is greatly enhanced by high-quality associated information, which enables researchers to better target their efforts and use their resources more effectively, hence contributing to a secure, sustainable economy.
The work of NCRPIS and NC-7 scientists to ascertain plant-environment interactions, genetic character, and the nature of plant genetic diversity contributes to our understanding of characteristics which are conducive to adaptation.
By participating in scientific and educational meetings, hosting a wide array of visitors seeking education on plant genetic resources, and publishing our work in a peer-reviewed publications, we strive to educate students, scientists and the general public regarding plant germplasm resource issues.

Date of Annual Report: 10/30/2004

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 06/22/2004 - 06/23/2004
Period the Report Covers: 01/01/2003 - 12/01/2003

Participants

C.A. Gardner, IA;
*T. Hymowitz, IL; *D. Sleper, MO;
*J. Janick, Chmn., IN;
*D. Baltensperger, NE;
*C. Brummer, IA ;
*B. Johnson, ND;
*C. Rife, KS;
*D. Francis, OH;
*A. Iezzoni, MI;
*A. Boe, SD;
*S. Hokanson, MN;
*W. Trac, WI

*Voting members

;

* P. Bretting, ARS National Program Staff, Germplasm;
* E. Garvey, ARS Plant Exchange Office;
A. Hewings, ARS Area Director, Midwest Area;
A. Thro, Cooperative State Research, Education, and
Extension Service;
*T. IsbellNational Center for Agric. Util. Research;
*H. ShandsNational Center for Genetic Resources Preservation;

Brief Summary of Minutes

ACTIVITIES PLANNED FOR 2004:

Germplasm acquisition, maintenance, distribution, characterization, evaluation, and enhancement continued at the NCRPIS according to programmatic refinements suggested by the 2001 and 1993 NCRPIS Program Review Teams. The NC-7 Project revisions and request for renewal must be considered in 2002. We continue to strive to be the best management site for seed-propagated germplasm in the world. Extant programs in molecular-marker and digital image-management technologies will continue to be refined and amplified. Substantial resources will continue to be devoted to managing and enhancing the quality of information associated with the germplasm accessions.

Minutes Attachment:

Attachment

Accomplishments

PROGRESS OF WORK AND PRINCIPAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS: A. Objective 1 - Cooperate and participate as a key element in the NPGS, a coordinated national acquisition and management program for plant germplasm valuable for agricultural, horticultural, environmental, medical, and industrial uses in the North Central Region and the U.S. In this role, promote cooperation among elements of the NPGS, and the SAESs of the North Central Region. <ol><li>The North Central Regional Plant Introduction Station (NCRPIS) now maintains more than 47,500 germplasm accessions, more than 450 of which were newly acquired during 2003. <li>About 1,530 germplasm accessions were cultivated for regeneration in Ames, IA, Salinas, CA, Fargo, ND, Parlier, CA, Ponce, PR, Kauai, HI, and St. Croix, Virgin Islands to make this germplasm available to the scientific community. Over 1,500 accessions were regenerated, many using insect pollinators in cages.</ol> B. Objective 2 - Conserve seed or vegetative stock of more than 1800 plant species. <ol><li>The seed viability of more than 3,900 accessions (8% of our collections) was tested. 2003 marks the first time that the maize collections 5-year viability testing schedule was fully achieved. <li>More than 760 accessions were "backed-up" in long-term storage at the National Center for Germplasm Preservation in Ft. Collins, CO (formerly known as the National Seed Storage Laboratory). About 76% of all NCRPISs accessions are now backed up. <li>The NCRPIS's germplasm regeneration program received valuable assistance from seed companies. Sakata Seeds helped regenerate spinach accessions, and Pioneer Hi-Bred assisted with maize regenerations. Golden Harvest provided contracted nursery facilities in Ponce, PR.</ol> C. Objective 3 - Within the North Central Region, throughout the U. S., and internationally, encourage the use of a broad diversity of germplasm by evaluating germplasm for specific desirable traits and disseminating this information through the GRIN database. <ol><li>The NCRPIS staff evaluated approximately 3,260 accessions during 2003, recording over 5,100 observations. <li>Maize and sunflower accessions were evaluated for host-plant resistance to insects and diseases. The third year of a three-year program to screen the maize collection for disease resistance by public and private collaborators was completed. These data provide information on sources of resistance to multiple foliar diseases. <li>Maize, millets, sunflowers, Brassica, amaranth, potential ornamentals, and Cuphea were evaluated for general agronomic or horticultural value. <li>Molecular marker data and biochemical data were collected on the Coriandrum collection. <li>The maize curator collaborated with DOE researchers to evaluate stover from maize germplasm for energy production, in conjunction with biofuels and bioenergy research projects. <li>Twelve accessions of new landscape plants were placed in long-term evaluation at 26 sites in the North Central Region, with additional plants provided to arboreta and botanic gardens. <li>An additional 7,000 digital images of plants, flowers and seeds were recorded for use in characterizing accessions; these are made available in the GRIN database. <li>An internal team has developed a database of nutriceutical and medicinal plant species references for use in assisting development of key collections within the NPGS. </ol> D. Objective 4 - Develop infrastructure and conduct research that enhances project effectiveness. <ol><li>Following an in-house data information process review in 2000, new Oracle forms and reports were developed to address new pathogen data entry, monitoring of taxonomic nomenclature changes related to NC-7 accessions, annual statistics for station reporting requirements, and other miscellaneous items. <li>A planting of 20 accessions of mixed Helianthus and Compositae species maintained by NCRPIS was used to assess floral visitation by native insect pollinators. This is one component of a project to develop alternative pollinator insect species for use in seed regeneration. <li>Research to understand chalcid insect infestation and provide a protocol, ie storage in liquid nitrogen) to eliminate this pest from stored samples of infested seed was initiated on coriander seed lots produced in Ames in 2002. <li>Research continued comparing use of honeybees, two species of alfalfa leaf cutter bees and flies with pollination of wild Cucumis regenerations in cages in greenhouse environments completed. <li>Analysis of the geographic distribution of wild Helianthus collections and their resistance reactions to downy mildew was completed. <li>Important infrastructure projects included initiation of a $320,000 access security system to protect NCRPIS infrastructure, staff, and the germplasm collections.</ol> E. Objective 5 - By attaining the preceding objectives, and by educating scientists and the general public regarding plant germplasm issues and utilization, to reduce crop genetic vulnerability and foster the development of new crops and improved cultivars of established crops.<ol> <li>More than 17,000 seed packets of over 11,600 accessions were distributed to researchers in the U.S. (ca. 76% of the total) and abroad (ca. 24% of the total) for use in breeding, evaluation, and characterization programs. <li>The decision was made to transfer the oilseed Cuphea collection internally to M. Brothers, who currently curates the sunflower and flax collections. This consolidates the non-Brassica oilseed crops under one curator. <li>Transfer of the GEM Project from the USDA Corn Insects and Crop Genetics Unit to the NCRPIS unit was made for fiscal year 2002. Our goal is to achieve synergy between the maize germplasm curation project, the GEM Project, and other maize researchers on the ISU campus. </ol>

Publications

PUBLICATIONS ISSUED OR MANUSCRIPTS APPROVED DURING THE YEAR: NCRPIS Staff: Correll, J.C., Irish, B.M., Koike, S.T., Schafer, J., and Morelock, T.E. 2003. Update on downy mildew and white rust on spinach in the United States. Proc. Of the Eucarpia Mtg on Leafy Veg. Genetics and Breeding. Noordwijkerhourt, The Netherlands. Eucarpia p 49-54. Jane, J., Yoo, S., Wong, K., Duvick, S.A., Gardner, C.A. 2003. Structures of amylopectin and starch granules-how are they synthesized? Applied Glycoscience. V. 50. pp. 167-172. Millard, M., Burke, L.A., Widrlechner, M.P. 2003. The North Central Regional Plant Introduction Stations Southwestern Maize Collection An historical perspective. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting Abstracts. CD-Rom. Madison, WI. Seiler, G.J., Brothers, M.E. 2003. Exploration for wild Helianthus Anomalus and H. Deserticola in the desert Southwest USA. http://www.sunflowernsa.com/research_statistics/research_workshop/documents/90.pdf Proceedings Sunflower Research Workshop. Towill, L.E., Widrlechner, M.P. 2003. Cryopreservation of willow species using winter vegetative buds. American Society for Horticultural Science. 38#5. 735-736. Weldekidan, T., Hawk, J.A. 2003. Inbred line development and evaluation in GEM breeding populations. Proc. 58th NE Corn Improvement Conference (NEC29), Ottawa, Canada. Widrlechner, M.P., Burke, L.A.. 2003. Analysis of germplasm distribution patterns for collections held at the North Central Regional Plant Introduction Station, Ames, Iowa, USA. Genetic Resources & Crop Evolution. V. 50. P. 329-337. Widrlechner, M.P., McKeown, K.A. 2002. Assembling and characterizing a comprehensive Echinacea germplasm collection. Janick, J., Whipkey, A. Editors. ASHS Press, Alexdandria, VA. Trends in New Crops and New Uses. National Symposium New Crops. P. 506-508. Yukhnovskiy, V.Y., Sviatetskiy, V.V., Widrlechner, M.P., Schutzki, R.E. 2003. Biodiversity of the forest component of the forest-agricultural landscape. Fenix. V 4(1-2). Pp. 70-75. Xu, W., Blanco, M.H. 2003. Mining Genes from tropical maize germplasm to improve drought tolerance and corn earworm resistance. Meeting abstract. P. 74-75. NC-7 Project Research Publications: Illinois: Hymowitz,T., Hsieh, J.S. Fall 2002. The use of Glycine tomentella Hayata on the islet of Kinmen (Quemoy). Econ. Bot.. Bronx, N.Y. New York Botanical Garden. v. 56 (3) p. 287-289. Bodner,C.C. and T.Hymowitz.2002. Ethnobotany of Pueraria species.In Pueraria: The genus Pueraria .pp 29- 58.W.M.Keung (ed.). Taylor and Francis,London. Zou,J.J.,R.J.Singh,J.Lee,P.B.Cregan,and T.Hymowitz.2003.Assignment of molecular linkage groups to the soybean chromosomes by primary trisomics.Theor.Appl.Genet.107:745-750. Indiana: Janick, Jules, Whipkey, Anna. 2002. National Symposium NEW CROPS and NEW USES: Strength in Diversity (5th edit.) Atlanta, Ga. American Society for Horticultural Science. ASHS Press, Alexandria, VA. Trends in new crops and new uses. 599 p. Iowa: Casler, M.D., Barker, R.E., Brummer, E.C., Papadopolous, Y.A., Hoffman, L.D. 2003. Selection for orchardgrass seed yield in target vs. nontarget environments. Crop Sci. 43 (2). P. 532-538. Casler, M.D., Peterson, P.R., Hoffman, L.D., Ehlke, N.J., Brummer, E.C., Hansen, J.L., Mlynarek, M.J., Sulc, M.R., Henning, J.C., Undersander, D.J., Pitts, P.G. 2002. Natural selection for survival improves freezing tolerance, forage yield, and persistence of Festulolium. Crop Sci. 42 (5) P. 1421-1426. Brummer, E.C., Moore, K.J., Bjork, N.C. 2002. Agronomic consequences of dormant-nondormant alfalfa mixtures. Agron J. 94 (4) P. 782-785. Cox, T.S., Bender, M., Picone, C., Van-Tassel, D.L., Holland, J.B., Brummer, E.C., Zoeller, B.E., Paterson, A.H., Jackson, W. 2002. Breeding perennial grain crops. Crit. Rev. Plant Sci. 21 (2) p. 59-91. Kansas: Rife, C.L., Zeinali, H. 2003. Cold tolerance in oilseed rape over varying acclimation durations. Crop Sci. 43 (1) P. 96-100. Rife, Charlie. 2002. 2001 national winter canola variety trial. Kansas State University, Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service. 40 p. Michigan: Adams, G.C., Surve-Iyer, R.S., Iezzoni, A.F. 2002. Ribosomal DNA sequence divergence and group I introns within the Leucostoma species L. cinctum, L. persoonii, and L. parapersoonii sp. nov., Ascomycetes that cause Cytospora canker of fruit trees. Mycologia 94 (6) p. 947-967. Owens, C.L., Thomashow, M.F., Hancock, J.F., Iezzoni, A.F. 2002. CBF1 orthologs in sour cherry and strawberry and the heterologous expression of CBF1 in strawberry. J. Am. Soc. Hortic. Sci. 127 (4) p. 489-494. Burnham, K.D., Dorrance, A.E., Francis, D.M., Fioritto, R.J., St-Martin, S.K. 2003. Rps8, a new locus in soybean for resistance to Phytophthora sojae. Crop Sci. 43 (1) p. 101-105. Minnesota: Forsline, P.L., Aldwinckle, H.S., Dickson, E.E., Luby, J.J., Hokanson, S.C. 2003. Collection, maintenance, characterization, and utilization of wild apples of Central Asia. Hortic. Rev. 29 p.1-61. Black, B.L., Enns, J.M., Hokanson, S.C. 2002. A comparison of temperate-climate strawberry production systems using eastern genotypes. Hort. Technology. 12 (4) p. 670-675. Maas, J.L., Couin, C.C., Hokanson, S.C., Hartung, J.S. 2002. Strawberry parent clones US 4808 and US 4809 resistant to bacterial angular leafspot disease caused by Xanthomonas fragariae. Hort. Science. 37 (4) p. 716-717. Missouri: Anand, S.C., Shannon, J.G., Wrather, J.A., Arelli, P.R., Sleper, D.A., Young, L.D. 2002. Registration of S96-2692 soybean germplasm line resistant to three soybean nematodes. Crop Sci. 42 (5) p. 1753-1754. Roberts, C.A., Spiers, D.E., Karr, A.L., Benedict, H.R., Sleper, D.A., Eichen, P.A., West, C.P., Piper, E.L., Rottinghaus, G.E. 2002. Use of a rat model to evaluate tall fescue seed infected with introduced strains of Neotyphodium coenophialum. J. Agric. Food Chem. 50 (20) p. 5742-5745. Nebraska: Baenziger, P.S., Moreno-Sevilla, B., Graybosch, R.A., Krall, J.M., Shipman, M.J., Elmore, R.W., Klein, R.N., Baltensperger, D.D., Nelson, L.A., McVey, D.V. 2002. Registration of 'Wahoo' wheat. Crop Sci. 42 (5) p. 1752-1753 Guillen-Portal, F.R., Baltensperger, D.D., Nelson, L.A., Frickel, G. 2002. Assessment of hard red winter wheat F2 and F3 hybrids for the Nebraska Panhandle. Commun. Soil Sci. Plant Anal. 33 (5/6) p. 963-972. North Dakota: Johnson, B.L., Henderson, T.L. 2002. Water use patterns of grain amaranth in the northern Great Plains. Agron. J. 94 (6) p. 1437-1443. South Dakota: Boe, A. 2003. Genetic and environmental effects on seed weight and seed yield in switchgrass. Crop Sci. 43 (1) p. 63-67. Wisconsin: Dickert, T.E., Tracy, W.F. 2002. Heterosis for flowering time and agronomic traits among early open-pollinated sweet corn cultivars. J. Am. Soc. Hortic. Sci. 127 (5) p. 793-797. Revilla, P., Malvar, R.A., Butron, A., Tracy, W.F., Abedon, B.G., Ordas, A. 2002. Response to selection for the timing of vegetative phase transition in a maize population. Crop Sci. 42 (5) p. 1471-1474.

Impact Statements

The NCRPIS conserves the genetic diversity of about 1,800 plant species as sources of genes for improvement of eight major and many minor crops, for the development of new crops and new uses for food, feed, fiber, medicinal and industrial purposes, and for basic research on the nature of biodiversity.
The NCRPIS continues to distribute 10,000-20,000 packets of seed annually to researchers worldwide. This germplasm is evaluated for its utility in broadening the genetic base for many existing and potentially new crops.
Evaluation programs at the NCRPIS continue to identify potential germplasm sources of high-value traits, host-plant resistance to abiotic and biotic stresses, and pollinator insects of value for germplasm maintenance activities.
International cooperation between genetic resource programs in Canada, Madagascar, India, Australia, Palestine, Poland, Germany, China, Japan, Kenya, North Korea, Great Britain, and Argentina has been reinforced via visits to the NCRPIS by scientists and World Bank officials from those countries. NCRPIS staff traveled to the United Kingdom to establish contacts with international Brassica germplasm researchers.
Integration of the GEM Project strengthens our capacity to support germplasm enhancement efforts associated with use of the maize collections, strengthens ties with the research user community, and hopefully will serve as a model in the future for GE efforts in other crops.

Date of Annual Report: 03/24/2006

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 06/04/2004 - 06/05/2004
Period the Report Covers: 01/01/2004 - 12/01/2004

Participants

Baltensberger, David, Univ. of Nebraska, dbaltensperger@unl.edu;
Boe, Arvid, South Dakota State Univ., arvid_boe@sdstate.edu;
Bretting, Peter, USDA-ARS-NPS, pkb@ars.usda.gov;
Brummer, Charlie, Iowa State Univ., brummer@iastate.edu;
Gardner, Candice, USDA-ARS, NCRPIS, gardnerc@iastate.edu;
Hokanson, Stan, Univ. of Minnesota, hokan017@umn.edu;
Hymowitz, Ted, Univ. of Illinois, soyui@uiuc.edu;
Iezzoni, Amy, Michigan State Univ.,Iezzoni@msu.edu;
Isbell, Terry, USDA-ARS-NCAUR, isbellta@ncaur.usda.gov;
Janick, Jules, Purdue Univ., janick@purdue.edu;
Johnson, Burton, North Dakota State Univ., burton.johnson@ndsu.nodak.edu;
Nelsen, Terry, USDA-ARS-MWA, nelsent@mwa.ars.usda.gov;
Reitsma, Kathy, Iowa State Univ., NCRPIS, kreitsma@iastate.edu;
Thro, Ann Marie, USDA-CSREES, athro@csrees.usda.gov;
Tracy, Bill, Univ. of Wisconsin, wftracy@wisc.edu;
Widrlechner, Mark, USDA-ARS, NCRPIS, isumw@iastate.edu;
Wintersteen, Wendy, Iowa State Univ., wwinters@iastate.edu

Brief Summary of Minutes

Day One
8:05 Welcome by Martin Beutler, Station Director

8:15 Vegetation & geomorphology of the Black Hills by James Johnson

10:00 Stan Hokanson called the meeting to order

1. Tracy moved last years minutes be approved David Baltensberger seconded. Unanimous approval of minutes
2. No additions to agenda
3. Resolutions committee Janick & Hymowitz
4. Nominations committee Tracy, Iezzoni, Burton
5. Introductions
6. Associate Dean Wendy Wintersteen representing Dean Wotecki

Stressed the following points.
·Importance of demonstrating impact and accountability
·Need to let our administrators know the importance of NC-7.
·Keep the directors informed.
·Important to get reports on NIMS

The committee agreed that it is important to continue annual meetings. We need to document successes that come from the work in our States.

Tracy moved that committee members be sent a list from the station on what was ordered from each state Ag Experimental Station so that success stories could be identified. Brummer seconded. Motion passed unanimously

·Midterm review this fall. Candice needs the information soon
·Only two or three sentences are needed.
·Collaboration and Impact needs to be demonstrated.
·It was suggested that the project renewal be for longer than five years. The committee members endorsed this.

7. Peter Bretting report (included)
8. Terry Nelson report
9. Ann Marie Thro report
·Explained USDA research funding
·Collaboration and impact
·Proposals a) Homeland Security is important; b)Trade, competition, consumer driven ag.
·Non technical summaries are very important in proposals

10. Terry Isbell report
Running out of space for germplasm stock, will discard. Committee felt this was not a problem as the material was backed up elsewhere

Day Two

·Tracy moved that NC-7 should offer to host joint TAB meeting in Ames, Iowa in 2006. Brummer seconded. Approved meeting should be in the first two of weeks in August in 2006.
·Tracy offered to host a meeting in Madison, Wisconsin in 2005 contingent on 2006 Ames Iowa.

Nominations:
Amy Iezzoni was nominated for secretary in 2005
Bill Tracy was nominated for chair in 2005.
Nominations approved unanimously.

11. Candice Gardner NCRPIS report
·Discussed budget
·Greenhouse initiative increased greenhouse space needed to carry out mission.

12. Mark Widrlechner NCRPIS report
13. Mark Widrlechner OPGC report
14. Kathy Reitsma NCRPIS vegetable curator
15. Budget Presented by Candice Gardener
Baltensberger moved to recommend budget as proposed, seconded by Tracy. Motion approved unanimously.
The committee recognizes the budget constraints the Deans face.
16. Old Business?
Update on Beltsville building 580 situation?
·Building, office space, screenhouse are being used.
·Insufficient greenhouse space.
·Progress is slow but being worked on.
17. New business
Automated Seed order filling system discussed by Ted Hymowitz
Committee endorsed the idea of investigating such a system.

The mid-term review document summarizing accomplishments, impact statements and publications is saved under the meeting minutes file.

Minutes Attachment:

Attachment

Accomplishments

The mid-term review document summarizing accomplishments, impact statements and publications is saved under the meeting minutes file.

Publications

The mid-term review document summarizing accomplishments, impact statements and publications is saved under the meeting minutes file.

Impact Statements

Date of Annual Report: 03/24/2006

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 08/15/2005 - 08/16/2005
Period the Report Covers: 01/01/2005 - 12/01/2005

Participants

NC007 Participants:
*Baltensperger, David (daltensperger@unl.edu) U of NE;
*Boe, Arvid (arvid.boe@sdstate.edu) SDSU (represented by Karl Glover);
*Brummer, Charlie (brummer@iastate.edu)ISU (represented by Rich Hall);
*Francis, David (francis.77@osu.edu)OSU (absent);
*Hokanson, Stan (hokan017@umn.edu0)U of MN (absent);
*Hymowitz, Theodore (soyui@uiuc.edu) U of IL;
*Iezzoni, Amy (iezzoni@msu.edu) MSU (absent);
*Janick, Jules (janick@hort.purdue.edu)Purdue;
*Johnson, Burton (Burton.Johnson@ndsu.edu NDSU;
*Tracy, Bill (wftracy@wisc.edu) U of WI;
*Sleper, David (SleperD@missouri.edu) UMC (absent);
*Tuinstra, Mitch (drmitch@ksu.edu) KSU (absent);
*Wintersteen, Wendy (agdean@iastate.edu) ISU, Administrative Advisor;

Additional Participants:;
Gardner, Candice (gardnerc@iastate.edu) USDA-ARS / NCRPIS / IA;
Millard, Mark (mmillar@iastate.edu) NCRPIS / IA / ISU;
Widrlechner, Mark (isumw@iastated.edu) USDA-ARS / NCRPIS / IA;
*Isbell, Terry (Isbellta@ncaur.usda.gov) USDA-ARS-NCAUR / IL;
Nelsen, Terry (nelsent@mwa.ars.usda.gov)USDA-ARS / IL;
Thro, Ann Marie (athro@csrees.usda.gov) USDA-CSREES / DC (not represented);
*Bretting, Peter (pkb@ars.usda.gov) USDA-ARS-NPL / MD (sent report);
Bohning, Mark (mbohning@ars-grin.gov)USDA-ARS-DBMU / MD (sent report);
*Garvey, Ned (ngarvey@ars-grin.gov) USDA-ARS-PEO / MD (sent report);
*Shands, Henry (hshands@ars.usda.gov) USDA-ARS-NCGRP / CO (sent report);

* Indicates voting members.

Brief Summary of Minutes

Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting:
Ted Hymowitz (IL) provided a hardcopy summary of CGC committee functions, and noted that committee reports are not all current. Change of chairpersons and resulting loss of information challenges continuity. He recommended that CGC Chairs work diligently to provide information to the DBMU for posting.

ISU Ag College Interim Dean Wendy Wintersteen discussed the draft ESCOP Task Force Report on Plant Germplasm, and provided information on efforts to reactivate a National Committee on Plant Germplasm. Opportunities to demonstrate impact were discussed, including adding statements to the NCRPIS report of SAES impact activities, crediting NPGS entities for intellectual scholarly and material contributions, and publicizing widely released varieties derived from NPGS materials. Dean Wintersteen recommended that the writing committee of Baltensperger-Iezzoni-Gardner start early to draft the NC-7 Project Renewal documentation. She also presented drafts provided by CSREES liaison Ann Marie Thro on the Specialty Crops Regulatory Initiative and the Multi-state Coordinating Committee for Plant Breeding.

Ted Hymowitz and David Baltensperger (NE) discussed safety concerns resulting from development around the NCRPIS in Ames, and recommended adding appropriate signage during the field season to minimize risk.

Terry Isbell reported on the status of new crop research in Cuphea and Lesquerella and additions to the pilot testing plant in Peoria to improve research operations.

Candice Gardner (USDA-ARS-NCRPIS research leader) reported on technical accomplishments and efforts at the NCRPIS, including significant addition of medicinal plant germplasm and advances made in information capture and transfer, and presented a budget for consideration. She presented reports for Dave Ellis of the NCGRP, and for Peter Bretting, ARS NPL.

Mark Millard (NCRPIS Maize Curator, ISU) reported on corn project activities, including efforts to propagate an accession of Zea nicaraguensis which did not flower in the greenhouse last winter. He reported on testing of a method to treat tall tropical maize genotypes with plant growth regulators to try to improve regeneration and pollination efforts with these hard-to-manage accessions. During Marks presentation of advances in automation of imaging and image processing, Ted Hymowitz commented on the importance of imaging herbarium specimens and recommended that image processes be developed with this consideration in mind.

Mark Widrlechner (USDA-ARS-NCRPIS Horticulturist) presented reports for David Tay, OPGC; Ned Garvey, USDA-ARS NGRL/PEO on plant exploration and exchange program activities; Mark Bohning, USDA-ARS NGRL/DBMU on GRIN activities and efforts to improve downloading of information from GRIN.

David Baltensperger (NE) recommended that development of a distance education course for use of public GRIN be investigated.

Several TAC members requested that alternative speakers be considered for the joint RTAC meetings in 2006 to bring a new perspective to thinking about germplasm.

Terry Nelsen (USDA-ARS) indicated that the Urbana soybean germplasm research unit is investigating automated systems for handling seed orders, as are other sites.

Resolutions:
1. The NC-7 RTAC requested that the NGRL leader inform delinquent crop germplasm curators, CGC chairs, and DBMU staff of their obligations to update these reports and keep the GRIN database current.

2. Recommended that the DBMU staff post an ethics statement on their website to clarify confusion over whether curators should be credited as authors in papers derived from distributed germplasm, and that instructions on how to credit NPGS entities for contributions be developed.

3. Thank Gaylan Crim, ISU maize technician, for her dedicated service, upon her resignation to pursue new opportunities.

4. Extend sincere appreciation to our meeting host Dr. Bill Tracy, U of WI Department of Agronomy, for his outstanding hospitality, and to Dr. Irwin Goldman, Tom Wright, Judy Reith-Rozelle, Dan Johnson, Leah Vessilmars, Craig Grau, Dustan Eilert, Rob Kane, and Jerry Kermisk for their support of and participation in the 2005 NC-7 RTAC meeting.

Accomplishments

Some Accomplishments of the NCR members and Progress of Work: Illinois Theodore Hymowitz completed an evaluation of the soybean collection designed to identify accessions which do not produce the protein primarily responsible for allergenicity in humans, successfully identifying accessions which can be used to improve soybean varietal development to support human nutritional needs. Indiana Jules Janick at Purdue University is releasing a slow bolting arugula cultivar selected from Italian germplasm. This new cultivar, to be named 'Adagio' is slower to bolt (with vernalization) than current germplasm, and is very resistant to bolting when nonvernalized (i.e. late planting). Iowa Charlie Brummer is evaluating 100 yellow flowered alfalfa varieties for forage potential as part of a regional project at 5 locations (IA, UT, SD, ND, Quebec). An experiment was initiated to assess phylogenetic relationships among M. sativa taxa using up to 200 Plant Introductions (accessions). Reed canarygrass populations are also being developed using Plant Introduction germplasm. Michigan Amy Iezzoni is introgressing into commercial varieties of sour cherry resistance to the cherry leaf spot fungus. This resistance was identified in two wild Prunus species in the NPGS collections. Several advanced selections are under test in three test sites in Michigan. In addition, all the sweet cherry selections in the NPGS are being genotyped to determine their self-incompatibility alleles. This information is critical for germplasm utilization as the S-alleles determine what crosses are genetically compatible. Nebraska Research is being conducted by David Baltensperger to characterize various amaranth, forge grasses, proso and foxtail millet and to make data available on previous evaluations for waxy characteristics of proso millet (related to Project Objective #3). Evaluations of forage grasses, niger, camelina, canola, and brown mustard were and are being conducted at multiple environments to determine interaction with environments (relates to Project Objective #4). David Baltensperger gave oral presentations that reached more than 600 people on the role of plant introductions in the development of alternative crops for the region and the need for further plant exploration and long-term management of our germplasm resource (related to Project Objective #5). Basic phenology research was initiated to better characterize spring brassica varieties (Relates to Objective #6). North Dakota Crop research with the semi-domesticated crop cuphea focuses on defining critical information vital to the success of this newly emerging crop. Research led by Burton Johnson centers on defining crop growth and development, production guidelines for stand establishment, fertility, and pest and harvest management, all essential for successfully crop field management. Other new crops with similar evaluations include borage, camelina, and echium. Plant breeding efforts will be vital for reducing and eliminating agronomic deficiencies such as seed dormancy, low seedling vigor, and seed shatter common in cuphea and other new semi-domesticated crops. In this regard, the plant germplasm resources of the NCRPIS in Ames, Iowa and other genebanks will be extremely valuable. South Dakota There is a need in the northern Great Plains for cool-season grasses that can be harvested for hay in late spring and produce substantial amounts of stockpiled aftermath forage during late spring-early summer for use as pasture during mid to late summer. Fifty-five accessions of meadow foxtail (Alopecurus pratensis) are being evaluated at Brookings, SD for late-spring hay and stockpiled aftermath production. DM production of several European accessions was 3 Mg/ha from initial growth and 2 Mg/ha from stockpiled aftermath. The initial growth of meadow foxtail develops more rapidly than most other cool-season grasses, reaching anthesis by mid May in eastern SD, and if harvested for hay at that stage, the period of regrowth coincides with favorable moisture and temperature patterns. Several accessions have been identified, based on DM production and growth habit, for clonal selection and eventual synthetic cultivar development if forage quality evaluations are favorable. Accomplishments of the NCRPIS and Progress of Work: Objective 1 Cooperate and participate in the NPGS, a coordinated national acquisition and management program for plant germplasm valuable for agricultural, horticultural, environmental, medical and industrial uses in the North Central Region and the U.S. In this role, promote cooperation among elements of the NPGS, and the SAES of the North Central Region. 1. The NCRPIS now maintains 47,870 accessions, more than 150 of which were acquired during 2005. a. Oilseeds Curator Laura Marek collected under-represented native wild sunflower species from CA, AZ, WA, OR, CO and WY. b. Medicinal Plants Curator Joe-Ann McCoy collected St. Johns wort (Hypericum), Echinacea, and black cohosh (Actea racemosa) in OR, SC and GA. 2. About 1430 accessions were cultivated for regeneration (and 989 were harvested ) in Ames, IA, Salinas, CA, Parlier, CA, Ponce, PR, Kauai, HI, and St. Croix, Virgin Islands to make this germplasm available to the scientific community. Over 800 of these were grown in cages using insect pollinators. 3. Maize curator Mark Millard worked with Ed Buckler to determine via molecular testing which of the multiple seed sources of 90 of approximately 300 inbred lines from the Buckler-Goodman Diversity set of inbred lines were acceptable representatives of those inbred lines. This resulted in identification of 85 lines which will not need regeneration because their genetic profile matched lines previously increased to adequate quantities. 4. David Brenner traveled to the University of Illinois to copy passport data records from the Crop Evolution Laboratory, courtesy of Ted Hymowitz. Five-hundred-thirty-four accessions held at the NCRPIS have UI numbers; most of these were donated to the NCRIPS from the Crop Evolution Lab in the 1980s. Information associated with the accessions has been improved as a result of this effort, thus increasing their value. Objective 2 Conserve seed or vegetative stock of more than 1900 plant taxa and 330 genera. 1. Renovation of the seed viability testing lab was completed, including a new hood to reduce exposure to molds, new microscopy equipment, and improved work stations. The seed viability of 4,124 accessions was tested, or about 9% of the collection holdings. 2. Approximately 840 accessons were backed up in at the National Center for Genetic Resource Preservation (NCGRP) in Ft. Collins, CO; currently, 77% of the collection is backed up. 3. Seed storage personnel, led by Lisa Burke, stored 1,711 accessions and reviewed inventory counts of another 3,717 accessions. 5. The NCRPIS regeneration program was assisted by the following entities: a. Maize Dupont / Pioneer Hi-Bred in Kauai; Jim Shearl, Golden Harvest, Ponce, PR; Carlos Hernandez, C&H Farms, Ponce, PR; USDA-ARS, St. Croix, Virgin Islands. b. Daucus Rob Maxwell, Seminis Seeds, ID; Roger Freeman, Nunhems Inc. (formerly Sunseeds), OR. c. Spinacia Larry Gautney, Sakata Seed America, Inc., CA. d. Helianthus Maria Jenderek, USDA-ARS, Parlier, CA Objective 3 Within the North Central Region, throughout the U.S. and internationally, encourage the use of a broad diversity of germplasm to reduce crop genetic vulnerability. Through characterization and evaluation activities, provide information to enhance the value and utility of the collections 1. Internally, 2,048 accessions were observed and evaluated for various characteristics. Over 41,727 data point observations were loaded to the Germplasm Resource Information Network, or GRIN, database pertaining to 10,491 accessions. 2. Digital images were captured on 4,245 accessions, and over 1600 were transferred to GRIN, facilitated by new software development. 3. Maize was evaluated by our plant pathologist, Charlie Block, for Stewarts wilt, gray leaf spot, anthracnose, and other diseases as opportunities allowed. Dupont/Pioneer Hi-Bred Intl. tested a portion of the maize holdings in their ear mold screen trials in CA, and in corn rootworm resistance screening trials in IA. 4. Vegetable Curator Kathy Reitsma and Pathologist Charlie Block published an extensive evaluation of resistance to powdery mildew in the NPGS cucumber collection. 5. Pathologist Block quantified the feeding period required by corn flea beetles to acquire and transmit Pantoea stewartii in maize with ISU research collaborators. 6. Horticulturist Mark Widrlechner and coauthors compared seed-dormancy characteristics in wild and cultivated populations of Echinacea purpurea, documenting effects of repeated cultivation cycles in reducing seed dormancy, leading to this crops domestication. 7. Medicinal Plants Curator Joe-Ann McCoy continues to work to complete and release a database of nutriceutical and medicinal plant species references, and collection holdings to assist in development of key collections within the NPGS. 8. Distributions: a. Over 9,730 accessions were distributed (external to the NCRPIS) to 553 domestic recipients. Of 746 domestic orders, 341 were distributed to recipients in the NC CSREES region, 76 to the NE region, 197 to the S region, and 132 to the W region. b. Internationally, 5,582 accessions were distributed to 146 recipients (169 orders). c. Internal to the NCRPIS, 8,647 accessions were ordered for purposes including viability testing, observation, regeneration, phytosanitary testing, and backup. 9. Curator Brenner released two ornamental amaranth varieties for cut flower use, Pillar Orange and Pillar Red; these varieties do not shed seeds due to a rare trait the seed cases lack an abscission zone at the equator, thus remaining closed. Please see http://www.ag.iastate.edu/centers/cad/amaranth.html. Objective 4 Contribute to understanding of plant-environment interactions. 1. The NC-7 Horticultural Trial network evaluated five new accessions of trees and shrubs in 18 environments for adaptation, aesthetic, and growth habit, and made recommendations as to suitability of plants from past trials for landscape use or need for further evaluation. Much of the evaluation work is conducted by SAES personnel, and the evaluation data are used to match landscape plants with appropriate sites, and to inform us about the climatic and edaphic factors that influence woody plant adaptation. 2. Horticulturist Mark Widrlechner provided technical oversight for a team charged with developing the new US Plant Zone Hardiness Map. 3. Management of tropical maize germplasm in Ames, IA is challenging. As tropically adapted materials are moved north of their area of adaptation, daylength and other seasonal factor differences can result in very tall, spindly plants that are extremely difficult to pollinate, lodge or do not flower until the daylength shortens in September. Maize Curator Mark Millard initiated experiments with plant growth inhibitor compounds to determine if they can be used effectively to manage and regenerate plant germplasm in Ames. 4. Curator David Brenners Guinness World Record was published in 2005; his team grew the worlds tallest amaranth, using an accession of Amaranthus australis. Objective 5 Educate students, scientists and the general public regarding plant germplasm resource issues. Utilize outreach opportunities, publications and presentation targeted for scientific, industry, and popular audiences. 1. Tours were conducted for over 300 station visitors in 2005, including students of all ages, researchers, educators, and international agricultural officials. Tours were provided to 30 ISU students enrolled in the Botany 202 classes to educate them on the importance of germplasm collections. 2. Outreach activities included field days and classroom presentations in grade school and secondary school science classes by a variety of personnel. The Iowa Honey Producers meeting was held at the Plant Introduction Station in July. Over fifty honey producers were educated on the effectiveness of Russian Honeybees resistance to mites. 3. Research results were published in a variety of scholarly and peer-reviewed journals. Objective 6 Conduct research and develop institutional infrastructure needed to attain the preceding objectives efficiently and effectively. 1. Curator Reitsma and Program Manager Larry Lockhart implemented use of 15 x 40 x 5cages for pumpkin increase, a significant systems improvement which attempts to isolate plants from insect vectored diseases leading to improved plant survival and seed yields through the use of insect pollinators. 2. Acidovorax avenae subsp. citrulli, the causative agent of bacterial fruit blotch, is a pathogen affecting regeneration and distribution of pathogen free Cucumis germplasm. Vegetable Curator Kathy Reitsma and Pathologist Charlie Block initiated and successfully developed a system to limit splashing water droplets, a common means for distributing the bacteria to adjacent seedlings of Cucumis melo in the greenhouse. 3. IT Specialist Peter Cyr and Maize Curator Mark Millard successfully completed development of software to automate the capture of digital images and loading to the GRIN database. These tools greatly simplified the process for student workers and curators. 4. A new machine shed was constructed to house field equipment and free up space in an older machine shed for seed processing and storage activities. 5. Pathologist Block collaborated with researchers at ISU and the Univ. of GA to develop immuno-magnetic capture (IMS) and RT-PCR identification of Pantoea stewartii and Acidovorax avenae from intact, washed seeds. (To be published.) 6. Entomologists Steve Hanlin and Sharon McClurg have implemented use of non-stinging alfalfa leaf cutter (ALC) bees for use in regeneration of some species; the ALC have apparently been successful in pollination of Angelica, some Cucumis, Daucus, wild-type Helianthus, Melilotus, Ocimum and Potentilla.. Use of the non-stinging ALC is more cost effective than use of honeybees, and safer for workers who must be exposed to the insects. 7. Agronomist Dave Kovach, Brenner, McClurg, Hanlin, Widrlechner and Gardner collaborated to develop a method to ensure that coriander seeds are free of internal chalcid insect infestation. The method involved treating the seeds with liquid nitrogen, which kills the insects but does not damage seed viability. (To be published).

Publications

Impact Statements

Availability of new information about the traits, genetics, morphology and biology of plant genetic resources, coupled with availability of high quality, pest-free plant germplasm of known provenance facilitates the ability of researchers to selectively target and use plant genetic resources to achieve their objectives.
Use of improved methods to control, diagnose and detect seed-borne pathogens result in improved plant and seed health and enable unrestricted distribution of disease-free seed.
Diverse plant genetic resources provide opportunities for researchers to develop new crop resources, solutions for production issues, and for growers to more reliably produce crops and contribute to improved animal or consumer health, nutrition and well-being.

Date of Annual Report: 09/15/2006

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 06/05/2006 - 06/07/2006
Period the Report Covers: 08/01/2005 - 07/01/2006

Participants

NC007 Participants:

;*Baltensperger, David (dbaltensperger1@unl.edu) - NE / U of NE;
*Boe, Arvid (Arvid.Boe@sdstate.edu) - SD / SDSU;
Brand, Mark (mark.brand@uconn.edu) - CT / U of CT;
*Brummer, Charlie (brummer@iastate.edu) - IA / ISU;
*Francis, David (francis.77@osu.edu) - OH / OSU;
Hawk, James (jhawk@udel.edu) - DE / U of DE;
*Hokanson, Stan (hokan017@umn.edu) - MN / U of MN;
*Hymowitz, Theodore (soyui@uiuc.edu) - IL / U of IL;
*Iezzoni, Amy (iezzoni@msu.edu) - MI / MSU;
*Janick, Jules (janick@hort.purdue.edu) - IN / Purdue;
*Johnson, Burton (Burton.Johnson@ndsu.edu) - ND / NDSU;
Karban, Richard (rkarban@ucdavis.edu) - CA / UC Davis;
*Tracy, Bill (wftracy@wisc.edu) - WI / U of WI;
*Beuselinck, Paul (beuselinckp@missouri.edu) - MO / UMC;
*Tuinstra, Mitch (drmitch@ksu.edu) - KS / KSU;
*Wintersteen, Wendy (agdean@iastate.edu) - IA / ISU, Administrative Advisor
;

Additional Participants:

;
Brenner, David (dbrenner@iastate.edu) - NCRPIS / ISU / IA;
Cyr, Peter (pcyr@iastate.edu) - USDA-ARS-PIRU / NCRPIS / IA;
Gardner, Candice (gardnerc@iastate.edu) - USDA-ARS / NCRPIS / IA;
Marek, Laura (lmarek@iastate.edu) - NCRPIS / ISU / IA;
McCoy, Joe-Ann (joemccoy@iastate.edu) - NCRPIS / ISU / IA;
Millard, Mark (mmillar@iastate.edu) - USDA-ARS-PIRU / NCRPIS / IA ;
Reitsma, Kathleen (kreitsma@iastate.edu) - NCRPIS / ISU / IA;
Widrlechner, Mark (isumw@iastated.edu) - USDA-ARS-PIRU / NCRPIS / IA;
*Isbell, Terry (Isbellta@ncaur.usda.gov) - USDA-ARS-NCAUR / IL;
Nelsen, Terry (nelsent@mwa.ars.usda.gov) - USDA-ARS-MWA / IL;
Thro, Ann Marie (athro@csrees.usda.gov) - USDA-CSREES / DC;
*Bretting, Peter (pkb@ars.usda.gov) - USDA-ARS-NPL / MD;
Mowder, Jim (jmowder@ars-grin.gov) - USDA-ARS-DBMU / MD;
*Garvey, Ned (ngarvey@ars-grin.gov) - USDA-ARS-PEO / MD;
*Shands, Henry (hshands@ars.usda.gov) - USDA-ARS-NCGRP / CO;
Ellis, Dave (david.ellis@ars.usda.gov), - USDA-ARS-NCGRP / CO;

* Indicates voting members.

Brief Summary of Minutes

Minutes Attachment:

Attachment

Accomplishments

Connecticut (M. Brand) <ol type=1><li>Fruit production has been quantified for several popular Berberis thunbergii(Japanese barberry) cultivars using plants growing in landscape situations. We have found that significant differences exist between cultivars as far as how much fruit they produce, how well the seeds germinate and how vigorous the seedlings are. This work has been recently published in HortScience. We established a 3X replicated planting of over 40 cultivars of Japanese barberry and are evaluating fruit production, germination and seedling vigor. Fruit numbers range from 2000 fruits per plant to no fruit per plant depending on the cultivar. These findings suggest that it may be possible to identify some barberry genotypes that present a reduced risk of invasion and others that should be banned due to their high invasive potential. The preliminary results from this study are being published in American Nurseryman. <li>A 3X replicated planting of Euonymus alatus (burning bush) cultivars has been established and preliminary data has been gathered on fruit production of each cultivar. Large differences in fruit production appear to exist between cultivars, but none have proven to be completely sterile. Data collection will continue for 3 more years and germination and seedling vigor testing will begin this fall. <li>Escaped barberry in unmanaged areas are green leaved, so it is commonly believed that popular cultivated barberry forms cannot be responsible for establishment of invasive populations. We have grown seedlings from numerous purple-leaved cultivars and have proven that all purple-leaved forms produce large numbers of green-leaved offspring that are indistinguishable from other green barberry. We have also conducted studies looking at how shade influences expression of purple-leaved phenotype in barberry. We have demonstrated that genetically purple seedlings will appear green at shade levels above 70%, providing further evidence that green feral barberries in the woods could be coming from cultivated purple forms of the species. This work has been published in the Journal of Environmental Horticulture. <li>We have established 3X replicated plantings of Physocarpus opulifolius (eastern ninebark) cultivars that have purple and yellow foliage to evaluate them as potential native alternatives to invasive barberry. The planting contains 10 cultivars and we are quantifying foliage color with a Minolta colormeter and evaluating growth characteristics as well as powdery mildew resistance. A similar replicated planting of Aronia genotypes has been established to determine how suitable this native shrub is as a replacement for invasive burning bush. Ongoing evaluations of Aronia (chokeberry) include growth habit, fall foliage color, and fruit size, color and quantity. Nutraceutical characteristics may also be analyzed in the future. <li>In working toward the production of sterile triploid barberries and euonymus, we have been attempting to produce tetraploids of important cultivars using tissue culture as well as seeds. We have been successful at producing tetraploids of 3 barberry cultivars as well as green and purple seedlings. We have also produce tetraploids of one cultivar of burning bush as well as seedling material. These plants are being grown to flowering size to be used for crosses with diploids. <li>AFLP DNA fingerprinting of barberry is underway to looking at cultivar identification and to determine to what extent purple barberry cultivars have contributed genetics to invasive populations. We have processed samples from 7 invasive populations and 37 cultivars. Analysis of the data is underway and we are also developing a molecular identification key for the cultivars. It appears that some cultivars in the trade may be renames of other cultivars. <li>We have begun harvest of a study where seed from purple and green barberry plants has been sown in 5 different natural environments to determine how well purple seedlings establish and grow in comparison to the typical green form. This work is also looking at the effect of leaf litter and vegetation on establishment. <li>A mail survey of members of the Connecticut Nursery and Landscape Association was completed that determined industry preference for possible solutions to the sale and use of invasive plants. The nursery industry is supportive of marketing native alternative plants and development of genetically-altered sterile forms of invasive plants, but was strongly opposed to invasive plant taxation and bans of economically important invasive plants. This work is in press in HortTechnology.</ol> Delaware (J. Hawk) The University of Delaware (UDEL) Corn Breeding Program utilizes a broad diversity of maize germplasm available through the USDA-GEM Project, NCRPIS, and other sources to develop inbred lines with improved agronomic performance, enhanced disease and pest resistance, and improved grain quality traits. High yielding lines derived from GEM breeding crosses CUBA164:S1511b and DK212T:N11a10 were identified through multiple year testing and are being further evaluated and/or recycled to improve agronomic and disease performance. Grain composition analyses of DE6, derived from a tropical Brazilian hybrid crossed to inbred N11a, indicated high protein percent in kernels ranging from 16.1 to 19.4 compared to 12.0 to 12.9 percent for B73Ht. A collaborative study between UDEL and the USDA-Ames GEM Project indicated that DKXL212:N11a-139-1-1-1-1, developed at UDEL, had an above average amino acid index. A map-based cloning approach utilizing isogenic lines led to the discovery of Rcg1, a gene for anthracnose stalk rot (ASR) resistance. The Rcg1 gene conveyed ASR resistance in hybrid combinations over a diverse background of germplasm resulting in significantly lower disease symptoms and top dieback scores compared to DE811 isohybrids. The non-colinear nature of Rcg1 provides strong support for the conservation and utilization of exotic germplasm for discovering genes of economic importance. Illinois (T. Hymowitz) Evaluation of 16,266 Glycine accessions for production of the immunodominant human allergen P34 resulted in identification of Null P34 and low P34 expression lines, and the genetic basis was elucidated. The isolation and introgression of soybean lines with low allergen levels will provide the basis for soybean varietal develop programs to develop low allergen lines support human nutritional needs. Indiana (J. Janick) In 2006, Purdue University released "Adagio" arrugula based on Italian germplasm. Adagio was licensed to the Alf Christianson seed company. Work is progressing on selection for late blooming in Diplotaxis tenuifolia, known as wild arugula. Iowa State (C. Brummer) <ol type=1><li>We coordinated an evaluation of yellow-flowered alfalfa accessions in collaboration with USDA-ARS in Logan, UT; Ag and Agri-Food Canada, St. Foy, Quebec; South Dakota State Univ.; and USDA-ARS, Mandan, ND. <li>We are coordinating an evaluation of yellow-flowered alfalfa populations derived from a previous PI evaluation. Approximately 8 locations in the US and Canada are participating. <li>We are collaborating with Mike Casler, USDA-ARS in Madison, WI, and Jerry Cherney, Cornell, on an evaluation of native reed canarygrass collections. <li>We are evaluating selection nurseries of orchardgrass populations that are derived from plants selected out of a PI evaluation several years ago. <li>We made selections from a reed canarygrass nursery that was composed of the best PIs identified from a germplasm screening several years ago, in collaboration with Mike Casler.</ol> Kansas State (M. Stamm) The conservation, management, and utilization of plant genetic resources form the basis for harnessing genetic diversity to create and sustain agricultural production systems. Crop improvements depend on successfully utilizing genes found in germplasm collections such as those in the North Central Regional Plant Introduction Station (NCRPIS) in Ames, IA. The NC-7 project adds value to the germplasm stored at NCRPIS, encourages utilization of NCRPIS germplasm in cultivar development, and leads to an enhanced crop genetic pool. The Brassicaceae species housed at the NCRPIS are contributing to the accomplishments of the joint Kansas State University and Oklahoma State University canola breeding and production research program. The entire Brassica napus collection was seeded in the field at Manhattan, KS, in the spring of 2003 with the primary goal of determining spring or winter growth habit. Additional agronomic information was collected including taxonomy, flowering date, and heat and cold tolerance. Over the past several years, accessions from NCRPIS have been successfully integrated into the germplasm base needed to develop canola cultivars adapted to the southern Great Plains. These accessions are parent lines in breeding populations and canola-quality cultivars in the advanced stages of evaluation. This material will continue to be utilized and reevaluated over the coming years, and will help solve some of the problems associated with oilseed rape production on the Great Plains. B. napus not only has importance as a food-grade (canola) oil, but also as a feedstock for bio-based energy sources. The efficiency and productivity of our agricultural economy is based on our ability to refine cultivars, reduce inputs, manage production systems, establish markets, and create new end-uses to respond to challenging and ever-changing societal needs. The canola line KS7436, developed by Kansas State University, was accepted for germplasm release in the summer of 2006 by the K-State Field Crop Variety Review Committee. Seed of this variety will be housed at the NCRPIS in future months. KS7436 possesses a seed oil content of approximately 1 percent higher than 'Wichita' (PI612846). Michigan (A. Iezzoni) Cherry leaf spot caused by Blumeriella jaapii is the most prevalent disease of sour cherry (Prunus cerasus) in the U.S., requiring multiple chemical applications to control the fungus. Previously we had identified eight P. canescens derived sour cherry selections that were resistant to the sour cherry and sweet cherry (P. avium) isolates of B. jaapii. Tests in 2005 determined that these selections are not only resistant to the sweet and sour cherry leaf spot isolates, but also to isolates from chokecherry (P. virginiana), pin cherry (P. pensylvanica) and forest black cherry (P. serotina). This broadly-based resistance is particularly promising as the fungus is not able to sporulate on these selections and therefore the leaves do not yellow or abscise. As P. canescens (2n=3D2x=3D16) has half the number of chromosomes as sour cherry (2n=3D4x=3D32), it was necessary to find hybrid resistant selections that have the same chromosome number as sour cherry. Preliminary investigations indicate that two of these selections may be tetraploid meaning that they have the required fertility to produce a large number of progeny when crossed to sour cherry. Missouri (P. Beuselinck) Diverse maize genetic resources have been utilized to develop populations for mapping studies and analyses of genetic associations with traits. Use of association genetics analytical tools has supported investigations on the effects of domestication and/or selection on the allelic diversity of maize, and identification of candidate genetic loci. These research efforts may support varietal improvement efforts by ultimately increasing our understanding of the impact of genetic change (fine scale) on trait expression. Nebraska (D. Baltensperger) Forty-nine white-flowered sweetclover Melilotus alba Desr.) genetic stocks and N56, a yellow-flowered sweetclover (Melilotus officinalis (L.) Lam) genetic stock, were developed jointly by USDA-ARS and the Agricultural Research Division, Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, university of Nebraska-Lincoln and were jointly released. Waxy proso has been approved for release by cultivar release committee. Seed has been increased and should be available for commercial production in the spring. A new Canada wildrye cultivar will be released as well as several Canada wildrye germplasms that can be grown as source identified and tested cultivars. These germplasms and cultivars trace to plant collections that were made from remnant North American prairies sites in 1989. Germplasm releases of the native legumes, Partridge pea and Illinois bundle flower are pending. We have developed populations from more than 20 crosses that differ only in selection for waxy starch that will be valuable for genetic studies. We are releasing a new Niger thistle variety as well as canary seed germplasm and an amaranth variety this year. North Dakota (B. Johnson) Screening of nine new crop species was conducted near Prosper, ND. The new crops were adzuki bean [Vigna angularis (Willd.) Ohwi & Ohashi], mung bean [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek], borage (Borago officinalis L.), camelina (Camelina sativa L.), cuphea (Cuphea viscosissima Jacq. x C. lanceolata f. silenoides W.T. Aniton, line PSR23), echium (Echium plantagineum L.), evening primrose (Oenothera biennis L.), guar [Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub], and quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.). Borage, cuphea, echium, evening primrose, mung bean, and quinoa exhibited agronomic deficiencies related to stand establishment, plant lodging, late and prolonged flowering and maturity, seed shatter, low yield, and low harvest index. Adzuki bean and camelina produced moderate yields with few agronomic concerns. Crop modeling for cuphea seed development indicated physiological maturity required approximately 270 Celsius growing degree days post-anthesis. Seed treatment, fertility, and harvest management studies for cuphea are in the second field season. Impact: Screening of potential new crops is crucial for identifying those that show potential for future commercialization in various product sectors. This may require years or perhaps even decades in a new region. Such is the history of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.), dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.], and more recently canola (Brassica napus L.) in North Dakota. These were new crops 15 to 40 years ago, but they are now major crops grown in North Dakota and the surrounding region contributing to the states strong agricultural economy. Cuphea growth staging, and fertility and harvest management guidelines, are essential for successful cuphea production. Recent focus of oilseed crops as biofuels has increased due to uncertainty in crude oil availability from middle east countries. Consequently an emphasis on identifying biofuel crops (conventional and new) will become a large factor in the U.S. effort to become energy independent from foreign crude oil supplies. South Dakota (A. Boe) From 1998 through 2006, more than 180 PIs of yellow-flowered alfalfa (Medicago sativa ssp. falcata) were evaluated in transplanted rows at Aurora, South Dakota for forage production, growth habit, phenology, flower color, persistence, spread by rhizomes, and height. Considerable variation was found among PIs for all traits. Beginning in 2007, selections will be made among and within PIs for development of populations to be evaluated for improving rangelands and pastures in South Dakota. These selected populations will be compared with naturally selected strains from rangelands and elite grazing- and hay-type cultivars for survival and production in semiarid environments. It is expected that multiple genotypes from several PIs will be useful for cultvar development. From 2002 through 2004, more than 40 PIs of meadow foxtail (Alopecurus pratensis) were evaluated for forage production in transplanted at Brookings, South Dakota. Twenty-two randomly selected plants from 1 cycle of random mating of these PIs were established in a clonal nursery at Aurora, SD in 2006. Seed collected from these plants starting in 2007 will be used to establish half-sib family nurseries and small sward plots for evaluation of forage yield and quality, lodging resistance, and disease resistance. Broad- and narrow-sense heritabilities will be calculated to provide estimates of additive and non-additive gene action. Meadow foxtail is winterhardy and one of the first grasses to green up and reach anthesis in the northern Great Plains. It has potential to be harvested for hay in early June and the regrowth stockpiled for grazing during mid summer or during fall and winter. However, resistance to fungal pathogens and lodging need to be improved to protect palatability of stockpiled forage in the fall and winter. This population of meadow foxtail developed from PIs will provide important information on the palatability issue. The core collection of red clover was recently evaluated for frequency of the no-mark leaflet allele and phenotypic variation for seed color (Bortnem and Boe, 2002, 2003). The sixth cycle of phenotypic recurrent selection for no-mark leaflets and purple seed was completed in 2006. The resulting population will be registered as germplasm and seed will be available for genetic studies in 2007. Wisconsin (W. Tracy) In 2006 we screened germplasm from NCRPIS as well as other locations for resistance to MDMV, northern leaf blight (E. turcicum) and common rust (P. sorghi). We will probably release some virus resistant lines this fall or next spring. In 2005 we released 10 sweet corn inbreds derived in part from germplasm maintained by NCRPIS. We also used a collection of pointed pops from NCRPIS to study the origin of Country Gentleman, an important old inbred. The NCRPIS collection was also instrumental in a research on the origin of the sugary1 allele in sweet corn. Accomplishments of the NCRPIS and Progress of Work Objective 1 -- Cooperate and participate in the NPGS, a coordinated national acquisition and management program for plant germplasm valuable for agricultural, horticultural, environmental, medical and industrial uses in the North Central Region and the U.S. In this role, promote cooperation among elements of the NPGS, and the SAES of the North Central Region. <ol type=A> <li>The NCRPIS now maintains 48,314 accessions, 377 of which were acquired during the period 8/1/2005 - 7/31/2006. These included quinoa, wild and cultivated Helianthus, expired plant variety protected maize inbred lines, chicory, medicinal plants, Daucus and ornamentals. Seventy four percent of the collections are available. <ol type=1><li> Oilseeds Curator Laura Marek acquired 45 accessions of H. pumilus and one each of H. annuus and H. nuttallii ssp nuttallii; these were collected in Colorado and Wyoming in August, 2005 by Dr. Marek, Dr. Seiler, and Dr. Gulya. Three additional H. pumilus accessions from Colorado were collected by two cooperators and donated in August. Seven H. deserticola accessions were collected in Nevada in July 2005 by a cooperating BLM scientist and donated in August. One H. carnosus accession, collected by botanists from the Bok Historic Sanctuary in Florida, was donated in November 2005. The new sunflower accessions include twelve taxa, five of which previously had no accessions available for distribution. An increased interest by the sunflower research community in wild Helianthus germplasm has resulted in the CGC approved goal of acquiring accessions representative of the complete geographic distribution of all 66 Helianthus taxa. : Seven Brassica napus accessions originally received by the NPGS in 1985 and 1986 from Svalof Weibull AB, Sweden came off PVP protection in 2005 and were received from NCGRP. One Brassica napus still under CSR protection was received from the University of Idaho. One accession of Cuphea carthagenensis was collected in North Carolina by Dr. Joe-Ann McCoy during the fall of 2005. <li>Medicinal Plants Curator Joe-Ann McCoy, in collaboration with botanists, Dr. Chick Gaddy, Patrick McMillan, and Dr. Richard Porcher, coordinated a trip in September 2005 which resulted in 20 new accessions. This collection trip covered portions of western North Carolina and the coastal plains and Piedmont sections of South Carolina. The main emphasis of the trip was the collection of native Hypericum germplasm; Federally endangered Echinacea laevigata, was also collected. </ol type=1> <li>About 1,620 accessions were cultivated for regeneration (and 1,290 were harvested) in Ames, IA, Salinas, CA, Oregon, Parlier, CA, Ponce, PR, Kauai, HI, and St. Croix, Virgin Islands to make this germplasm available to the scientific community. Over 1030 of these were grown in cages using insect pollinators. </ol> Objective 2 -- Conserve seed or vegetative stock of more than 1900 plant taxa and 330 genera. <ol type=A><li> Over 1,620 accessions were grown for regeneration. One annual teosinte, the only active accession in NPGS of Zea nicaraguensis was made available. <li>The seed viability of 3,991 accessions was tested, or about 8% of the collection. <li>Approximately 964 accessions were backed up in at the National Center for Genetic Resource Preservation (NCGRP) in Ft. Collins, CO; 78% of the collection is now backed up. <li>Seed storage personnel stored 1,865 accessions and reviewed inventory counts of another 6,049. <li>The NCRPIS' regeneration program was assisted by the following entities: <ol type=1> <li>Maize - Dupont / Pioneer Hi-Bred in Kauai; ICIA, Ponce, PR; Carlos Hernandez, C&H Farms, Ponce, PR; USDA-ARS, St. Croix, Virgin Islands. <li>Daucus - Rob Maxwell, Seminis Seeds, ID; Roger Freeman, Nunhems Inc. (formerly Sunseeds), OR; Phil Simon, USDA-ARS, Madison, WI. <li>Spinacia - Larry Gautney, Sakata Seed America, Inc., CA. <li> Petroselinum - Phil Simon, USDA-ARS, Madison, WI. <li>Helianthus - Maria Jenderek, USDA-ARS, Parlier, CA.</ol></ol> Objective 3 -- Within the North Central Region, throughout the U.S. and internationally, encourage the use of a broad diversity of germplasm to reduce crop genetic vulnerability. Through characterization and evaluation activities, provide information to enhance the value and utility of the collections <ol type=A><li>Distributions: <ol type=1><li>7,272 accessions (12,514 items) were distributed (external to the NCRPIS) to 545 domestic recipients. Of 746 domestic orders, 341 were distributed to recipients in the NC CSREES region, 76 to the NE region, 197 to the S region, and 132 to the W region. <li>Internationally, 7,276 accessions (8,948 items) were distributed to 181 recipients (218 orders). <li>Combined external domestic and international distributions were made of 12,766 accessions (21,462 items) to 726 recipients. <li>Internal to the NCRPIS, 8,339 unique accessions were utilized viability testing, observation, regeneration, phytosanitary testing, and backup. </ol> <li>Internally, 1,826 accessions were observed and evaluated for various characteristics. Over 28,273 data point observations were loaded to the Germplasm Resource Information Network, or GRIN, database. <li>Digital images were captured on 4,050 accessions, and over 1,722 were transferred to GRIN, facilitated by new automated image capture and loading software. While newly captured images are transferred soon after capture, a backlog of older images require transfer. <li>The CDs of the Races of Maize Monograph Collection have been completed and will be sent out upon request by Curator Mark Millard. This version includes the Spanish version of the Races of Maize for Mexico, Raza de Maiz en México. <li> Curator Joe-Ann McCoy completed development of a database which catalogs cited medicinal uses of plant taxa from a variety of sources and availability from plant genetic resource collections. This database will be publicly available in fall of 2006. <li> Maize was evaluated by our plant pathologist, Charlie Block, for Stewarts wilt, gray leaf spot, anthracnose, and other diseases as opportunities allowed. Dupont/Pioneer Hi-Bred Intl. tested a portion of the maize holdings in their ear mold screen trials in CA, and in corn rootworm and Northern Leaf Blight resistance screening trials in IA. <li> D. Kovach, Agronomist, collaborated with SharonMcClurg of NCRPIS and Susan Stieve of OPGC to test the utility of x-ray digital imagery in estimating the degree of chalcid infestation in coriander seed. Correlations between results obtained via image analysis and fruit dissection were significant. They also demonstrated that use of liquid nitrogen treatment methods effectively destroy chalcids in coriander seed. <li> Preliminary experiments were conducted on breaking seed dormancy in wild Helianthus and Echinacea. Some promising results were seen for <iEchinacea seed using smoke water and GA3. However, these treatments were not promising for wild Helianthus seed. <li> Vegetable Curator Kathy Reitsma and Pathologist Charlie Block continue to monitor the effectiveness of the cage program in reducing the incidence of and/or delaying the transmission of squash mosaic virus and other insect vectored diseases in the cucurbits. <li>A 2-year observation planting of all available Cichorium accessions was direct seeded in the spring of 2006 so that the collection may be characterized and accession taxonomy verified. <li> Pathologist Block collaborated with researchers at ISU and the Univ. of GA to develop immuno-magnetic capture (IMS) and RT-PCR identification of Pantoea stewartii and Acidovorax avenae from intact, washed seeds. <li> Horticulturist Mark Widrlechner is developing descriptor lists for Calendula, a crop with ornamental, medicinal, and industrial uses, and for Potentilla. <li>Coriandrum germplasm evaluation project was conducted by P. Lopez which utilized AFLP-marker systems to study patterns of genetic diversity, and, with T. Isbell, USDA-NCAUR, IL, evaluated fatty-acid composition in its seed oils. <li> Curator Brenner released two ornamental amaranth varieties for cut flower use, Pillar Orange and Pillar Red; these varieties do not shed seeds due to a rare trait -- the seed cases lack an abscission zone at the equator, thus remaining closed. Please see <a href=3D"http://www.ag.iastate.edu/centers/cad/amaranth.html">http://= www.ag.iastate.edu/centers/cad/amaranth.html</a>. </ol> Objective 4 -- Contribute to understanding of plant-environment interactions. <ol type=A><li>The NC-7 Horticultural Trial network evaluated five new accessions of trees and shrubs in 18 environments for adaptation, aesthetic, and growth habit, and made recommendations as to suitability of plants from past trials for landscape use or need for further evaluation. These five accessions were also shared with 11 public gardens. Much of the evaluation work is conducted by SAES personnel, and the evaluation data are used to match landscape plants with appropriate sites, and to inform us about the climatic and edaphic factors that influence woody plant adaptation. <li>Horticulturist Mark Widrlechner provided technical oversight for a team charged with developing the new US Plant Zone Hardiness Map. <li>Given the serious threat caused by the introduction of Emerald Ash Borer to the North Central Region, additional attention is being given to collection and conservation strategies and regeneration of Fraxinus germplasm. <li> Management of tropical maize germplasm in Ames, IA is challenging. As tropically adapted materials are moved north of their area of adaptation, daylength and other seasonal factor differences can result in very tall, spindly plants that are extremely difficult to pollinate, lodge or do not flower until the daylength shortens in September. Maize Curator Millard and the GEM Project Coord., M. Blanco, conducted shading/daylength control field experiments to determine if height and time to flowering can be reduced to manage and regenerate plant germplasm in Ames. <li> V.M. Cruz completed research with associated molecular markers with reproductive life forms of annual and biennial Brassica napus. <li> V. Cruz determined that pollen flow occurs between regeneration cages of B. napus at a low frequency; resulting progeny fall within AOSCA seed purity standards.</ol> Objective 5 -- Educate students, scientists and the general public regarding plant germplasm resource issues. Utilize outreach opportunities, publications and presentation targeted for scientific, industry, and popular audiences. <ol type=A><li>Tours were conducted for over 300 station visitors in 2005, including students of all ages, researchers, educators, and international agricultural officials. Tours were provided to 30 ISU students enrolled in the Botany 202 classes to educate them on the importance of germplasm collections. <li> Outreach activities included field days and classroom presentations in grade school and secondary school science classes by a variety of personnel. The Iowa Honey Producers meeting was held at the Plant Introduction Station in July. Over fifty honey producers were educated on the effectiveness of Russian Honeybees resistance to mites. <li> Research results were published in a variety of scholarly and peer-reviewed journals.</ol> Objective 6 -- Conduct research and develop institutional infrastructure needed to attain the preceding objectives efficiently and effectively. <ol type=A><li>IT Specialist Peter Cyr and Maize Curator Mark Millard released a software application which automates the capture of digital images and loading to the GRIN database to all interested NPGS users; this tool greatly simplifies the processes and saves time. <li> P. Cyr developed a prototype Accession Performance Reporting system which enables genetic resource requestors to report on the quality of the materials, research findings and impacts via a web interface. <li>P. Cyr developed software applications which enable transfer of data from handheld PCs directly to GRIN, and enable curators to request pollinator insect addition/removal in regeneration cages and the entomology staff to monitor status of needed pollinator services. </ol>

Publications

Publications Attachment:

Attachment

Impact Statements

Availability of new information about the traits, genetics, morphology and biology of plant genetic resources, coupled with availability of high quality, pest-free plant germplasm of known provenance facilitates the ability of researchers to selectively target and use plant genetic resources to achieve their objectives.
Use of improved methods to control, diagnose and detect seed-borne pathogens result in improved plant and seed health and enable unrestricted distribution of disease-free seed.
Use of diverse plant genetic resources provides opportunities for researchers to develop new crop resources, solutions for production issues, and for growers to more reliably produce crops and contribute to improved animal or consumer health, nutrition and well-being, and stability of our agricultural production and economic systems.