Duration: 10/01/1998 to 09/30/2005

Administrative Advisor(s):

NIFA Reps:

Non-Technical Summary

Statement of Issues and Justification

Perform functions stated in title as designated National Plant Germplasm System genebank for potato.

JUSTIFICATION: Potato is the most important vegetable in the US and the 4th most important world crop after rice, wheat and corn. About 1.4 million acres are grown annually in the US for a production of 45.9 billion pounds, worth $2.43 billion in farm receipts (SR=$206 M, WR=$1501 M, NCR=$491 M, NER=$229M)(National Potato Council, Potato Statistical Yearbook, 1995). Potato chips had retail sales of $4.82 billion in 1995 (Snack Food Association, 1996 State-of-the-Industry Report). Potato is an increasingly popular component of the US diet (Appendix). Only wheat flour exceeds potato in per capita consumption. There is a virtually exploding export market for processed forms (Appendix). Thus improvements in the potato crop have a major impact on society and contribute to an agricultural system which is highly competitive in the global economy. NRSP-6 has an important role to play in the continued importance of potato in the US:

1. Genetic improvement in new potato varieties. Currently grown varieties are a relatively small and uniform group within a large and genetically diverse group of exotic potato species. Thus, NRSP-6 is needed to provide the "new blood" for future varieties with higher consumer acceptance qualities, less reliance on chemical inputs, greater resistance to stresses, and improved yields. This will contribute to a safe and secure food system resulting in healthy, well nourished children, youth, and families, greater harmony between agriculture and the environment, without sacrificing enhanced economic opportunities. Genes which confer resistances are a natural, biologically based pest management technology which contributes to a sustainable agriculture system. NRSP-6 stocks can provide value-added genes which may be incorporated through conventional breeding programs or molecular biology. The practical potential of the NRSP-6 genebank in this regard has expanded greatly with the increasing ease of characterizing and moving exotic genes through biotech.

2. Quarantine issues. Scientists who import potato germplasm must wait 1-2 years for the stocks to pass through quarantine. By preserving germplasm of interest at NRSP-6, the time and expense of quarantine testing is not duplicated, and US scientists can quickly obtain the materials needed for their research. Because potatoes can be easily contaminated with systemic and other pathogens, the US breeders and researchers need NRSP-6 to serve as a center for preservation and distribution of "clean" potato germplasm.

3. Preservation of biodiversity. Natural habitats in which potatoes grow are being increasingly disturbed, threatening the in situ genetic diversity. NRSP- 6 is needed to set collection priorities and organize expeditions, preserving unique germplasm before it is lost. NRSP-6 also is needed to coordinate with foreign agencies and the US plant introduction and quarantine offices for acquisition of valuable stocks from other genebanks.

4. Technology transfer. Data related to the identification, characterization and evaluation of samples must be gathered, organized and made available to users if genetic resources are to be efficiently used. NRSP-6 provides this service. The NRSP-6 germplasm resource is the linchpin for a broad, multidisciplinary multifaceted national program for potato genetic evaluation and improvement. Basic germplasm handling and manipulation research is shared through technology transfer to potato researchers worldwide. The NRSP-6 genebank also serves as a model for conservation of biodiversity, and staff regularly do educational outreach to schools and community groups.

Prerequisite Criteria

How is the NRSP consistent with the mission?

How does the NRSP pertain to a national issue?

Rationale

Priority Established by ESCOP/ESS

Relevance to Stakeholders

Implementation

Objectives

1. Introduce additional germplasm to expand genetic diversity contained in the US Solanum germplasm collection.
   
2. Classify accessions with species names which will serve as stable identifiers, and promote efficient utilization.
   
3. Preserve all NRSP-6 germplasm in secure, disease free, and readily available form according to best current technology and conduct research pursuant to improving that technology.
   
4. Distribute potato germplasm, associated data and advise to all researchers and breeders in a timely, efficient, and impartial manner.
   
5. Evaluate the collection for as many important traits as possible.
   
6. Collaborate with foreign potato genebanks for global database development, exchange of materials and technology, and free access of germplasm.
   

Projected Outcomes

Management, Budget and Business Plan

Integration

Outreach, Communications and Assessment

1. Plan (continue and expand the following initiatives)
   
   
   1. Audience and Visibility. The primary recipients of our service are breeders and the scientists doing research that supports breeding. We also serve researchers seeking to optimize germplasm management. Home gardeners and non-professional botanists are not turned away. We have a general educational outreach. For example, we provided free brochures to National Park and Monument visitors in AZ, NM, UT and CO, and routinely give tours, talks to public school classes and other groups, advice on germplasm use technology (e.g., on the web) or in personal correspondence associated with germplasm orders or cooperative research and evaluation projects.
      
      We attract publicity in popular media and communicate to scientists through published scientific research papers involving NRSP-6 germplasm. Create, maintain and distribute brochures. Make collaborative partnerships with high-profile national and international potato experts. Contribute to scientific meetings. Serve in leadership roles in potato research associations and journals. Establish an email group and website with which to keep in regular contact with germplasm users. Participate fully with GRIN. Pursue global outreach and awareness of NRSP-6 through involvement in the Association of Potato Intergenebank Collaborators (APIC). Give tours and talks to professional and non-professional visitors or groups and present posters at meetings. Maintain association with strong reputation of Department of Horticulture, UW-Madison. [See Appendix 1. for details of accomplishments and plan for promoting visibility of the NRSP-6 service].
      
      
   2. Engagement of stakeholders. NRSP-6 established an email group and offer stocks and services 3-4 times per year. We will continue to ask Potato Assn of America Breeding and Genetics section members for suggestions on how to improve service each year. Regional Tech reps annually poll germplasm recipients about satisfaction with service. As CGC chair, Project Leader must survey germplasm evaluation needs. We correspond meaningfully with recipients of each order to make sure their needs were completely met, ask for suggestions or other ways we could improve service [see Appendix 5 for details].
      
      
   3. Method to measure accomplishments and impacts. The most important documented evidence with which to measure impact is the advance of practical knowledge about germplasm reflected by formal research publications using NRPS-6 stocks and the presence of exotic germplasm in pedigrees of new cultivar releases (that practical knowledge transformed into a better crop). These milestones of progress are the fruits NRSP-6 distributions of germplasm to the states and regions documented in Appendix 6. Informal, but much more specific and timely is the individual feedback from germplasm recipients who often confirm that their work could not have been accomplished without the materials and advice they were provided.
      
      
   4. communication pieces. Locally generated brochures, web pages, poster at meetings. The "Southwest Potato" brochure as a deliberate effort to connect germplasm with concepts the popular audience already understands and cares about (anthropology, ecology, food). Clearly, the ultimate audience and stakeholder is the individual taxpayer and voter. The danger of doing excellent, important work but not communicating it in terms the public can understand has not escaped us. But while we probably are in the best position to think of points that promote our work, it takes a precious investment of time. Staff are already working at capacity to fulfill the basic work of the Project because budgets are tight. The most promising opportunities to address this problem are in the efficiency of the Internet, and being lucky enough to be invited to tell our story in widely distributed popular outlets like Agricultural Research magazine and various grower magazines.
      
      
   5. mechanisms for distribution of the results. Annual Report, notes of accomplishments and plans in preliminary pages of annual Budget Requests, and TAC meeting minutes are on the web. Technical, administrative, and other ad hoc advisors also receive a one-page monthly report composed of 10-12 bullets of news or accomplishment so that they can have current information about the course of the project, make suggestions and ask questions. Otherwise, IR-1/NRSP-6 has always had the philosophy that the best and only way to catch the attention of germplasm users, communicate effectively with them, and understand their needs is to become their peers by being germplasm users ourselves and vigorously participating in all aspects of the science. Example: Our work with tuber calcium and the example of CSREES/ARS/University cooperation in practical application of germplasm was reported in Agricultural Research Magazine, Business Week and other popular publications read by a broad professional and popular audience. The value of our work in developing gibberellin deficiency mutants was specifically mentioned in three of the four invited talks for the plenary symposium at the 2003 Potato Assn of America meeting: "Recent advances in the physiology of tuberization and dormancy."
   
   
   
2. Past successes (see Appendices 1, 5 and 6 for full details. Appendix 7 is CSREES Review Team's report of on-site review held June 30-July 2, 2004).
   

Projected Participation

View Appendix E: Participation

Literature Cited

Attachments

Land Grant Participating States/Institutions

MN, NY

Non Land Grant Participating States/Institutions

Agriculture and Agrifood Canada, APHIS-PPQ-CPHST, Midwest Area, NIFA, other:WI, USDA, USDA ARS, USDA-ARS, USDA-ARS Beltsville Agricultural Resarch Center, USDA, ARS