Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

Background:
The plant genetic resource (PGR) needs of the North Central Region have been supported for over 58 years through a joint partnership, designated as Multi-State Research Project NC-7, between the USDA, ARS, Plant Introduction Research Unit, Iowa State University and the other members of the North Central States Agricultural Experiment Station. The NC-7 Project has served as a major component of the National Plant Germplasm System, and its activities have significantly contributed to improved crop technology in the North Central Region, the U.S., and abroad, by providing plant genetic resources and associated information to scientists and educators. NC-7 Project researchers' participation results in development of new plant genetic resources for agricultural production in the U.S., and new information that supports agricultural research and production. The Multi-State Research Project meetings serve as an important vehicle for information exchange and feedback between participants, Administrative Advisor and genebank personnel. Accomplishments for 2007:

• The collection totals 48,493 accessions of with 73% available for distribution and 78% backed up at Ft. Collins, CO.
• In 2007, 450 new accessions were acquired, including Melilotus from Kyrgyztan, 124 maize lines including 63 from the Australian germplasm system, Helianthus from Spain, Australia and the southwestern U.S., Camelina sativa from Slovenia, Cucumis from China, Daucus from Tunisia, medicinal plants from the Republic of Georgia. Collection trips in the U.S. for Fraxinus, wild sunflower, wild Amaranthus sp. and spinach relatives all contributed to increasing the genetic variability of the U.S. collections for use in research.
• Over 2,580 accessions were assigned permanent PI numbers in 2007, the highest number of assignments in the past 12 years. Taxonomic re-identification was completed for 187 accessions. Sixty seven were nominated for inactivation, 17 of these due to duplication.
• Georeferencing of the wild Helianthus collection was completed.
• Original seed samples of the accessions are stored at -18 C to extend seed longevity, while the working collection is stored at 4 C.
• Viability tests were conducted on more than 2,600 accessions. Cryopreservation methods for willow were developed in collaboration with ARS investigators at the NCGRP in Ft. Collins, CO.
• A total of 22,261 items representing 10,328 accessions were distributed in 1,138 orders to 813 users worldwide in 2007. Approximately 35% were distributed internationally, and 65% to domestic researchers. Demand for Aronia was high, reflecting interest in the fruit's high antioxidant concentrations and use for uices and food products. Maize distributions increased over 2006, reflecting research for biofuel applications and health and nutrition. Echinacea and Prunella plant materials were provided for NIH-funded research on botanical dietary supplements at ISU. The largest single Brassicaceae distribution was sent to Australia for disease resistance and aluminum tolerance evaluation.
• Regeneration efforts in Ames and with collaborators resulted in 1,461 grown and 1,048 harvested.
• Over 6,560 accessions were grown for observation, evaluation and characterization for a wide array of descriptor information. About 35,140 observations were entered in the GRIN database, http://www.ars.grin.gov/npgs/, and 1,785 images were added to GRIN. Of these, the Amaranth project loaded over 13,150 descriptor notes, including Coriandrum and Amaranthus data.
• The Germplasm Enhancement of Maize Project released 21 S3 lines in 2007; for the period 2001-2007, 173 lines have been released. These lines have unique agronomic traits, pest resistance, or value-added grain characteristics and will be used to broaden the genetic diversity of temperate U.S. maize production.
• Additional accomplishments will be reported in the NC-7 annual report and minutes (http://www.ars.usda.gov/Main/docs.htm?docid=9641).

NC-7 Participant Accomplishments:

• University of California - Davis researchers found that when sagebrush plants were clipped to mimic damage from herbivores, that seed germination of neighboring plants was reduced. The mechanism by which this occurs is not well understood.
• University of Connecticut researchers published a treatise on the role of transformation in development of varieties for the horticultural and ornamental industries.
• University of Illinois researchers evaluated a variety of media for use as herbicide carriers for container-grown woody ornamentals, including rice hulls, leaf-waste pellets and pine bark.
• Iowa State University researchers and USDA collaborators released new maize germplasm derived from exotic germplasm sources; evaluated wild Helianthus species for resistance to sclerotinia stalk rot, identifying sources with a high degree of resistance; characterized flowering time of the spring and winter Brassica napus L. collection; developed real-time PCR assay for quantitative detection of the pathogens that cause Stewart's wilt and Diplodia ear rot of maize; improved methods for use of alfalfa leafcutting bees in plant genetic resource conservation applications; determined a protocol for hydration of Cuphea seeds that had been stored in liquid N in order to preserve their viability; and published findings that Echinacea species and alkamides inhibit prostaglandin E2 production in mouse macrophage cells.
• Kansas State researchers found that genome expansion in three hybrid sunflower species is associated with retrotransposon proliferation.
• University of Minnesota researchers published methods on culturing and long-term storage of virulent races of the rose blackspot pathogen, and evaluated results of storage methods; they determined rose pollen viability over time under varying storage regimes.
• University of Missouri researchers released a maize germplasm population CRW3(S1)C6 with resistance to western corn rootworm; released soybean germplasm lines with resistance to root knot nematodes, with resistance to soybean cyst nematode and with seed oil low in linolenic acid.
• North Dakota State University researchers invested phenomenon associated with development, physiological maturation, and fatty acid composition of Cuphea and borage, two new crops, and evaluated seeding date and performance of a variety of specialty oilseeds and gluten-free crops in ND.
• Texas A&M University researchers released new upland cotton cultivars with extra long staple length and improved fiber quality.
• University of Wisconsin researchers determined that reaction of sweet corn hybrids to common rust is related to the change from the vegetative to reproductive growth phase.

Financial Situation:
Significant accomplishments continue to be achieved; financial resources for this project are becoming a major concern. Since 2004, NC-7 funded ISU positions have decreased from 12 to 10. The number of full-time equivalents of student labor declined from 20 in 2006 to 17 in 2007 due to resource constraints (ARS and Hatch funding). NC-7 Budget Request:
Given the tough economic circumstances for all of the Agricultural Experiment Stations, a 10% increase in NC-7 Project funding was requested for FY2008, but was not possible; the budget remains at $522,980. Action Requested: Approval of NC-7 FY2008 Budget Request.
Action Taken: Budget was approved at $522,980 level for FY2007, a decrease from $528,262 in FY2006 due to a rescission. In FY2008, the budget remainas at $522,980.