Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

Meeting held at the University of Minnesota (St. Paul) on 18 June 2009. The group was welcomed by Nancy Ehlke (Department Head of the University of Minnesota Department of Agronomy and Plant Genetics) and Beverly Durgan (Dean of the University of Minnesota Extension and Director of the Minnesota Agriculture Experiment Station). Objective 1: Evaluate new plant characters and develop germplasm and cultivars with these characters to improve perennial forage species as livestock feed and biofuel uses to enhance rural vitality and promote more secure energy sources. 1.1 Alfalfa 1.1.1 Identification of traits useful for improving M. sativa ssp. falcata germplasm. Lead: Brummer, GA. Cooperating locations: AFCSF, NGPRL, SD, FRRL. Field work is finished. A post-doctoral research associate is analyzing the data, but they are waiting for data from Arvid Boe. They are hoping to write a manuscript this summer. 1.1.2 Genetics and improvement of naturalized alfalfa (M. sativa subsp. falcata). Lead: Boe, SD. Cooperating locations: GA, FRRL. Field work is completed and a population has been developed. 1.1.3 Breeding for resistance to alfalfa snout beetle in alfalfa. Lead: Viands, NY. Cooperating locations: other alfalfa researchers. This pest is spreading throughout NY. Five to six selection cycles have now been completed in several alfalfa populations under field conditions. Progress from selection is being evaluated under field conditions. Viands wants to release resistant material as soon as possible. 1.1.4 Developing alfalfa germplasm with potato leafhopper resistance from three diverse genetic sources. Lead: Viands, NY. Cooperating locations: IA (now GA), SD. PLH resistance has been found in Boes falcata materials. Crosses have been made other sources of resistance and work is ongoing to complete the second selection cycle. 1.1.6 Acid and Aluminum tolerance in tetraploid alfalfa. Lead: Acharya, AFCL. Cooperating locations: NY, AFCCH Phase I of research is completed. Phase II will be established next year (2010). Y. Papadopoulos: Materials have gone through a couple of cycles of selection and are now ready for wider testing. He wants to send some seed out this winter for wider testing. He also proposed a genetic study characterizing heritability using parent-offspring regression or half-sib families. Questions were asked concerning the effect of adding sulfate to lower soil pH. C. Brummer and Maria Monteros are interested in participating this project. 1.2 Birdsfoot trefoil 1.2.1 Rhizomatous birdsfoot trefoil for yield improvement. Lead: Riday, USDFRC. Cooperating locations: NY, SD, AFCCH. Crosses have been made and a trial will be put out next spring based on spaced-plant evaluations in sod. Riday asked for entries, including half-sib families, to be included in the trial. The trial will focus on vigor and persistence. In NY the fourth cycle of selection for the rhizomatous trait is being completed in a population developed by crossing Pardee trefoil to wild type germplasm with the rhizomatous trait. 1.2.2 Single-row plot evaluation of birdsfoot trefoil for vigor. Lead: Peel, FRRL. Cooperating locations: MN, NY, AFCCH, USDFRL. The study was delayed due to lack of winter seed production. He requested seed from participating locations, which he will package and distribute this year (2009). 1.3 Reed canarygrass (NARC): Collection and evaluation of naturalized reed canarygrass populations for biofuel and forage traits. Lead: Casler, USDFRC. Cooperating locations: IA (now GA), NY. The study has been completed and the publication is in review. There was extended conversation on the appropriate measurement of alkaloids. 1.5 Multiple species 1.5.1 Selection of fiber digestibility and cell wall pectin. Lead: Viands, NY. Cooperating locations: AFCSF, WI. Viands reported that a high pectin line has been released as an alfalfa cultivar.. Comparisons are being made to Vernal for weight gain in sheep. Michaud reported that time of day of harvest impacts carbohydrate levels more than selection in timothy. 1.5.2 Grass-grass and grass-forb mixtures for long-term sustainable biomass production. CoLeads: Ehlke, MN and Boe, SD. Cooperating location: MN. Several combinations of native forbs, grasses and legume polycultures are being compared for biomass/bioenergy production. N. Ehlke: A graduate student has started on the project. A. Boe: The South Dakota site started poorly, but is looking better. 1.6 Red Clover: To be developed: Marker-assisted selection. Lead: Riday, USDFRL. Cooperating locations: AFCNS, GA and European researchers. H. Riday: The population is still being developed  384 genotypes. He is seeking collaboration from Papadopoulos, IBERS and Japanese group. Selection will be based on vigor and persistence on a space-plant basis. D. Viands: Interested in working on the project. 1.7 White Clover: To be developed: Marker-assisted selection. Lead: Brummer, GA. Cooperating locations: USDFRC and NOBLE Foundation. C. Brummer: The population is still underdevelopment  384 genotypes. Collaborators include Ireland and IBERS and possibly New Zealand. The details are still being worked out. 1.8 Kura Clover: To be developed: Vigor and spreadability. Lead: Ehlke, MN. Cooperating locations: USDFRC, AFCCH, FRRL. Plans further delayed until 2010- Riday, Ehlke, Papadopoulos, and Peel. Group will discuss during the next meeting Objective 2: Build on previous research to evaluate additional breeding methods for improving yield and persistence of alfalfa, red clover, orchardgrass, and other forage species to make production agriculture more economical and sustainable. 2.1 Alfalfa 2.1.1 Comparison of mass, S1, and S2 selection in alfalfa. Lead: Michaud, AFCSF. Cooperating locations: AFCSK, AFCL, PSRUMN, NY. R. Michaud: Due to semi-retirement, he asked Viands to lead project. The third production year data from the trials to evaluate progress from selection should be complete this year. 2.1.2 Replicated clonal selection for improving forage yield of alfalfa. Lead: Viands, NY. Cooperating locations: AFCSF, GA, AFCL. D. Viands: The study has been planted in New York and Nova Scotia. It will be planted in Alberta next year. C. Brummer: Looking at markers on original parents and original cycle of selection. 2.2 Orchardgrass: 2.2.1 Clonal selection in orchardgrass for broad adaptation. Lead: Phillips, KY. Cooperating locations: GA, AFCL, AFCSF, AFCSK, SD. T. Phillips: A population of 400 genotypes is ready to be distributed as clones. The clones will go to B. Coulman for Canadian distribution. Distribution will occur this fall or in 2010. 2.2.2 Non-heading orchardgrass research. Lead: Casler, USDFRL. Cooperating locations: AFCNS, AFCL, AFCSF, AFCSK, FRRL, ID, MN, KY, WV, NY, Newfoundland. Yield will be collected for 2 years. Heading and panicle numbers will be collected for 3 years. He requested that samples be sent to him from locations involved in forage quality analysis. 2.3 Red clover: 2.3.1 Selection for general adaptation in red clover. Lead: Papadopoulos, AFCCH. Cooperating locations: NY, AFCL, AFCSF, AFCSK, SD, USDFRC. Y. Papadopoulos: Hopes that diallel crosses will result in sufficient seed to begin trials in 2011. 2.3.2 Selection for persistence in red clover using half-sib families. Lead: Riday, USDFRC. Cooperating locations: IA (now GA), SD, AFCCH. H. Riday: The field work is completed. There was no evidence of GxE interaction. He is preparing the manuscript. 2.4 RENEW Legume/Grass mixtures: Compatibility of legumes with various grasses. Originally trefoil and orchard grass. NEW Co Leads: Peel, and Robins at FRRL. Volunteered cooperating locations: USDFRC, AFCNS, GA, MN, NY, PSRUMN AFCCH, AFCL. M. Peel: Surprised to discover he was designated as the lead. Y. Papadopoulos: Preparing a manuscript on the topic. J. Lamb: New lead. 2.5 Red Clover for Biofuels: Lead: Papadopoulos. Evaluated Canadian cultivars--all have high ash content. 2.6 NEW Reed Canarygrass  Methods to improve forage yield Lead: Casler, USDFRC. Volunteered cooperators: AFCCH, AFCSF, AFCSK, GA, NY, SD. No discussion. Objective 3: Evaluate new experimental populations and cultivars of perennial forage species for characteristics necessary for breeders, seed companies, seed and forage producers, and crop consultants to make decisions on commercial use over large regions. 3.1 Alfalfa 3.1.1 Evaluation of new M. sativa subsp. falcata populations. Lead: Riday, USDFRC. Cooperating locations: AFCSF, AFCL, NGPRL, SD, FRRL, AFCSK, GA, NY. Data have been collected but not sent to Riday. A new trial will be established in 2-3 years with different lines. Further discussion in 2010 meeting. 3.1.2 Hybrid alfalfa yield evaluation. Lead: Riday, USDFRC Cooperating locations: NY, SD, IA, PSRUMN. Population hybrids (collaboration with Dairyland) - established in 2006 - evaluated in 07-08. No discussion in 2009. 3.1.3. Salt tolerance in alfalfa- (new  To be developed) Lead: Acharya AFCL Cooperating locations: FRRL. Y. Papadopoulos has a population developed by flooding the field with sea water, and S. Acharya has a populations developed using salt lab facility. Will be discussed further in 2010. 3.3 Multiple species 3.3.1 Biomass Alfalfa/Grass mixture evaluation. Lead: Lamb USDA-ARS, Cooperating locations SD, USDFRC. Compare monocultures and mixtures of two experimental biomass alfalfas, reed canarygrass, intermediate wheatgrass, and smooth bromegrass for biomass yield and quality. Plots were established in 2008. 3.3.2 NEW Evaluation of cultivars and germplasms under grazing. Co Leads: Riday and Casler, USDFRC. This project was removed from the list. 3.4 Meadow and hybrid bromegrass: Evaluation of meadow and hybrid bromegrass Lead: Coulman, AFCSK. Cooperating locations: AFCSF, AFCCH, SD, USDFRC. B. Coulman: Seed will be produced this year and distributed in 2010. Eleven entries will be included. There was some discussion about whether testing should include frequency of defoliation. 3.5 Red clover evaluation: 3.5.1 Lead: Papadopoulos, AFCCH. Cooperating locations: AFCSF (plowed), AFCSK, AFCL, NY, USDFRC, SD. Y. Papadopoulos: Results were presented in Texas in 2008. If a third year of data are collected, please send to Papadopoulos for the publication. 3.5.2 Red Clover Yield Stability: Lead: Riday. Cooperating locations: NY, others. Yield and stand data are being collected this year (first production year) from trials established in 2008 in WI and NY. 3.6 Tall Fescue 3.6.1 NEW Tall Fescue -Selection for persistence in the Southern Coastal plains Lead: Brummer, GA. Cooperating locations: Noble Foundation, KY, FRRL. C. Brummer: No differences were found during the first 2 years, and all entries died in the third year. Surviving plants will be used to generate a new population. REPORTS SHOULD BE SENT TO S. ACHARYA AND J. ROBINS ELECTRONICALLY. NEXT MEETING: Held in conjunction with NAAIC on July 26th in Boise ID. NAAIC meeting is scheduled for July 27-28, 2010. Host and Chair: Joseph Robins Secretary: To be determined. Combining this meeting with NAAIC and the Grass Breeders Planning Conference was discussed, and a decision will be made during the next meeting. The business meeting was followed by a field tour of the University of Minnesota forage program. The group thanked Nancy Ehlke and Jo-Ann Lamb for the excellent hosting of this NE1010 meeting.

Objective 1: (1) Useful traits have been identified in Medicago sativa ssp. falcata, and germplasms are currently under multi-location evaluation; (2) Snout beetle resistant alfalfas have been produced and are currently being evaluated in the field; (3) Potato leaf hopper resistant alfalfa populations have been developed; and (4) alfalfa populations with increased pectin concentration have been created and a cultivar released. Objective 2: (1) Selection methods for increased yield in alfalfa are currently under multiple site evaluation; (2) Red clover populations with improved persistence are currently under evaluation at multiple sites; (3) Selections for non-flowering orchardgrass are currently under evaluation at several locations in the U.S. and Canada. Objective 3: (1) Selection of meadow and hybrid bromegrass are currently under seed increase, and all populations will be established in 2009 at five locations; (2) improved red clover populations for general adaptation are currently being evaluated across the U.S. and Canada.

Hansen, J.L., H. Mayton, P. Salon, J. Crawford, C. Watkins, and D. R. Viands. 2008. Evaluation of perennial warm season grasses for use as bioenergy feedstock. NE Branch Amer. Soc. Agron. 13-16 July 2008. Montreal, Canada. Plants and Soils:57. Hansen, J.L., D.R. Viands, R. Deubler, J. Neally, E. Thomas, J. Yaeger, M. Davis, and J.K. Waldron. 2008. New York 2006 alfalfa variety trial results. Forage and Grazinglands. http://www.plantmanagementnetwork.org/sub/cm/trials/2006/alfalfa/Hansen.xls Hansen, J.L., D.R. Viands, R. Deubler, J. Neally, E. Thomas, J. Yaeger, M. Davis, and J.K. Waldron. 2008. New York 2007 alfalfa variety trial results. Forage and Grazinglands. http://www.plantmanagementnetwork.org/sub/cm/trials/2007/alfalfa/Hansen.xls Hansen, J.L., D.R. Viands, J.K. Waldron, M. Hall, J. Losey, D. Johnson, and J. Hanchar. 2008. Reducing potato leafhopper (PLH) impacts on alfalfa through PLH-resistant cultivars intercropped with perennial forage grass. North Amer. Alfalfa Improv. Conf., 1-4 June 2008. Dallas, TX. http://www.naaic.org/Meetings/National/2008meeting/proceedings/proceedings2008.htm Hansen, J.L., J.K. Waldron, J. Losey, D.R. Viands, and J. Hanchar. 2008. Agronomics and economics of potato leafhopper (PLH)-resistant alfalfa intercropped with perennial forage grass for PLH control. NYS Integrated Pest Mgt. Project Repts. 2007-2008. NYS IPM Pub. No. 506. 110-125. Papadopoulos, Y.A., R. Michaud, A. Bertrand, B. Coulman, S.N. Acharya, S. Bittman, D. Viands, H. Riday, A. Boe, S.A.E. Fillmore, and Y. Castonguay. 2008. Response to selection under controlled environment versus natural selection in diverse regions across Canada. North Amer. Alfalfa Improv. Conf., 1-4 June 2008. Dallas, TX. http://www.naaic.org/Meetings/National/2008meeting/proceedings/proceedings2008.htm Papadopoulos, Y.A., B. Coulman, R. Michaud, S.N. Acharya, S. Bittman, D. Viands, H. Riday, A. Boe, T. Phillips, M. D. Casler, and S. A. E. Fillmore. 2008. Forage breeding and new varieties. Abstr. Can. J. Plant Sci. 88: 732. Papadopoulos, Y.A., B. Coulman, R. Michaud, S.N. Acharya, S. Bittman, D. Viands, H. Riday, A. Boe, T. Phillips, M. D. Casler, and S. A. E. Fillmore. 2008. Forage breeding and new varieties. Proc. 41st Biennial Atlantic Agron. Workshop. (invited presentation). Organized by Can. Soc. of Agron. at the Rodd Charlottetown Hotel, Charlottetown, PEI. Papadopoulos, Y.A. S. Todd, K.B. McRae, S.A.E. Fillmore. 2008. (Abstract). The identification of perennial ryegrass and 'Festulolium' cultivars adapted for production in Atlantic Canada. Can. J. Plant Sci. 88: 732-733. Riday, H., S. Wagner, D. Viands, J. Lamb, D. Meyer, M. Smith, E.C. Brummer, and A. Boe. 2008. Sativa by falcata alfalfa hybrid variety trials. North Amer. Alfalfa Improv. Conf., 1-4 June 2008. Dallas, TX. http://www.naaic.org/Meetings/National/2008meeting/proceedings/proceedings2008.htm Tecle, I.Y., J. L. Hansen, A.N. Pell, and D.R. Viands. 2008. Divergent phenotypic selection for alfalfa cell wall fractions and indirect response in digestibility. Can. J. Plant Sci. 88:891-898. Viands, D.R., J.L. Hansen, E.M. Thomas, and J.L. Neally. 2007. Registration of ReGen alfalfa. J. Plant Registrations 1:106. Waldron, B.L., J.G. Robins, K.B. Jensen, and M.D. Peel. 2008. Predicted efficiency of spaced plant selection to indirectly improve tall fescue sward yield and quality. Crop Sci. 48:443-449. Jensen, K.B., B.L. Waldron, J.G. Robins, T.A. Monaco, and M.D. Peel. 2008. Breeding meadow bromegrass for forage characteristics under a linesource irrigation design. Can. J. Pl. Sci. 88:695-703. Robins, J.G., K.B. Jensen, M.D. Peel, and B.L. Waldron. 2009. Establishment of warm-season grasses in summer and damage in winter under supplementary irrigation in a semi-arid environment at high elevation in western United States of America. Grass and Forage Science. 64:42-48. Peel, M.D., K.H. Asay, B.L. Waldron, K.B. Jensen, J.G. Robins, and I.W. Mott. 2009. Don a diploid falcata alfalfa for Western US rangelands. J. Pl. Reg. 3:115-118. Peel, M.D., B.L. Waldron, and I.W. Mott. 2009. Ploidy determination and agronomic characterization of Small burnet germplasm. Crop Sci. 49LJuly-August issue) Kelly, A.M., P.G. Johnson, B.L. Waldron, and M.D. Peel. 2009. A survey of apomixis and ploidy levels among Poa L. (Poaceae) using flow cytometry. Crop Sci. 49: (In Press).