Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

Background:
The plant genetic resource (PGR) needs of the North Central Region have been supported for over 59 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 2008:

• The collection totals 50,313 accessions of 1,666 species and 342 genera with 74% available for distribution and 79% backed up at Ft. Collins, CO. About 3,940 accessions were also backed up at the Svalbard Global Germplasm Vault.; Plant exploration in Turkmenistan provided new Cucumis melo accessions. Collection trips in the U.S. for ash, wild sunflower, wild Amaranthus sp. and spinach relatives all contributed to increasing the genetic variability of the U.S. collections for use in research.
• Original seed samples of the accessions are stored at -18 C to extend seed longevity, while the working collection is stored at than 4 C.
• Viability tests were conducted on 2,410 accessions. Methods to break dormancy in Actaea, Calendula, and Echinochloa were investigated. Cryopreservation methods for ash buds are being developed with ARS investigators at the NCGRP in Ft. Collins, CO.
• A total of 24,726 items representing 12,709 accessions were distributed in 1,243 orders to 908 users worldwide in 2008. Internally, 12,450 accessions were distributed in house for viability testing, observation, pathology tests, and backup; 2,410 were tested for viability.
• Regeneration efforts in Ames and with collaborators resulted in harvest of 1,113 accessions. Five different insect pollinators were used to assist in pollination of 809 accessions in 2008. Use of alfalfa leafcutter bees is now a significant part of the pollination services program, their use exceeding that of honeybees.
• Genetic diversity characterization of the Helianthus pumilis collection was initiated.
• Over 23,900 observations were entered in the GRIN database, extensive descriptor notes from a Coriandrum dissertation study, and large Daucus and Cichorium descriptor datasets. In addition, 963 digital images were loaded to GRIN. Over 4200 maize accessions were evaluated via NIRS for compositional data.
• A TaqMan real-time PCR assay was developed in collaboration with ISU Seed Science Center researchers for detection of Stenocarpella (Diplodia) maydis from maize seed. Evaluations for resistance to Sclerotinia stalk rot in wild sunflowers identified resistant Helianthus accessions from multiple wild species. Acidovorax avenae subsp. citrulli, the causal agent of bacterial fruit blotch, was recovered from 40 year old seed lots of melon and watermelons, the longest reported survival time and seed transmission for any bacterial plant pathogen from seed.
• The Germplasm Enhancement of Maize Project released 202 lines from 2001-2008 representing 25 maize races. 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 continue studies of herbivory defenses of Ceanothus velutinus and oaks to predation by a variety of herbivores, and traits or cues responsible for these defenses.
• University of Connecticut researchers published results using AFLP markers to identify and discriminate between Berberis thunbergii cultivars, inter-specific hybrids, and their parental species. Detecting the influence of ornamental Berberis thunbergii var. atropurpurea in invasive Berberis populations is of value in understanding the relationships between various cultivars that differ for invasive potential.
• University of Delaware researchers published results of comparisons of conventional, modified single seed descent, and double haploid breeding methods used in developing maize inbred lines from exotic germplasm used in GEM breeding crosses.
• Iowa State University researchers and collaborators investigated maize resistant starch composition; this is of value in developing products that do not increase glycemic index in diabetic individuals, and in weight control. Investigations of the bioactive components of Echinacea indicate they do influence the progress of infection in cell cultures. Long-term survival and seed transmission of Acidovorax avenae subsp. citrulli in melon and watermelon seed was confirmed, an important factor in better understanding how to preclude transmission of bacterial fruit blotch via seed distribution. Cucumis zambianus (Cucurbitaceae), a new species from northwestern Zambia, was described. Efforts to describe the phenotypic, biochemical, and molecular diversity in coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) germplasm were completed and published.
• Michigan State University researchers identified self-incompatibility (S) alleles in Latvian and Swedish sweet cherry genetic resources collections using PCR based typing.
• University of Minnesota researchers together with ISU/USDA colleagues published a monograph of Rubus, blackberries and raspberries.
• University of Missouri researchers completed genetic diversity assessment of wild soybean (Glycine soja Sieb. & Zucc) accessions from South Korea and other countries. Reaction of drought-tolerant soybean genotypes to Macrophomina phaseolina was evaluated.
• New Jersey researchers at Rutgers University evaluated the response of hazelnut progenies from known resistant parents to Anisogramma anomala, and characterized variability in Anisogramma populations.
• Ohio State University tomato researchers and collaborators presented results on studies of diversity of conserved genes in tomato, diversity of tomato from selected geographic regions, and digital phenotyping of color to assist in classification and selection for color.
• Texas A&M University researchers released new upland cotton cultivars with extra long staple length and improved quality, and conducted research on development of safflower as an oilseed crop for Texas and more broadly in the world.

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; another reduction is necessary in FY2010. Reductions provided technical support for germplasm distribution, field activities, and oilseeds curation. On the USDA-ARS side, fewer students have been hired in order to maintain financial resources for operations. Regenerations have been reduced for major crops with extensive labor requirements, such as maize, oilseeds, and vegetables. 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 FY2009, but is not possible for practical economic reality reasons. The budget remains at $522,980. Action Requested: Approval of NC-7 FY2009 Budget Request.
Action Taken: Budget was approved at $522,980 level.