Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

The annual meeting was held on 27 July 2010 at the Grove Hotel in Boise, ID in conjunction with the North American Alfalfa Improvement Conference and the Trifolium Conference. Joseph Robins served as the meeting chair and Arvid Boe served as the meeting secretary. Research Reports 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, Noble Fnd. Cooperating Locations: AFCSF, NGPRL, SD, FRRL. Brummer has received data from all cooperators. 1.1.2. Genetics and improvement of naturalized alfalfa (M.sativa subsp. falcata). Lead: Boe, SDSU. Cooperating Locations: GA, NGPRL, FRRL. Boe has data from half-sib family evaluation in IA, ND, SD, and UT. Manuscript will be developed during early 2011. Selections from a naturalized population are being evaluated under grazing in inter-seeded rangeland in northwestern SD. Peel has completed 2 cycles of selection in UT. Discussion was on the progress from selection made recently in the falcata types, seed production issues, and exclusive vs. public releases of falcata types. Recent releases in Canada and NY have been exclusives. 1.1.3 Breeding for resistance to snout beetle in alfalfa. Lead: Viands, NY. Cooperating locations: other alfalfa researchers. Problem is primarily in NY, but is spreading slowly. Progress has been made from 8 cycles of selection in the greenhouse. Field trials were established 2 yrs ago in NY. Plants will be dug this fall to evaluate root traits for damage from insect larvae. Seed is being produced in ID for two populations. Plan is to evaluate at several locations for general agronomic traits. Biological controls are being investigated. A nematode shows promise. 1.1.4 Developing alfalfa germplasm with potato leafhopper resistance from three diverse genetic sources. Lead: Viands, NY. Cooperating locations: GA, SD. Glandular hair x diploid falcata (SD 201) x Peruvian were made in NY. Second cycle of selection is in a field in NY. Goal is horizontal resistance better than that from glandular hair trait alone. 1.1.6 Aluminum tolerance in tetraploid alfalfa. Lead, Acharya, AFCL. Cooperating locations: NY, AFCCH, Noble Fd. Phase 1 completed. See annual report from AFCL. 1.2 Birdsfoot Trefoil 1.2.1 Rhizomatous birdsfoot trefoil for yield improvement. Lead: Riday, USDFRC. Cooperating locations: NY, SD, AFCCH. Riday is evaluating half-sib families from a Czechoslovakian population. Viands is in the 4th cycle of selection from a cross of rhizomatous x Pardee. So far, genotypes with rhizomatous characteristics are agronomically inferior. Therefore, we are planning to make a backcross of this population to an advanced population of Pardee to restore agronomic performance. 1.2.2 Plot evaluation of birdsfoot trefoil for vigor. Lead: Peel, FRRL. Cooperating locations: MN, NY, AFCCH, USDFRL. Planted in seeded trials in UT, NY, Nova Scotia, and MN this spring. Several experimentals with improved forage production are near cultivar release. Value of variation in tannin content for breeding purposes was discussed; if too high, it decreases absorption of amino acids in lower gut. 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 are no current plans for further collaborative studies. 1.5 Multiple Species 1.5.1 Selection of fiber digestibility and cell wall pectin. Lead: Viands, NY. Cooperating locations: AFCSF, USDFRC. NY has an alfalfa cultivar selected for high pectin in seed increase. The new cultivar will be compared to Vernal in a trial of hay fed to sheep. Weight gain and in vivo digestibility will be determined. Michaud reported on the 2nd cycle of selection for non-structural carbohydrates in alfalfa and started discussion of effect of time-of-day on pectin concentration. Viands suggested selection for high pectin may decrease yield. Michaud indicated no correlation between TNC and yield in his trials. 1.5.2 Grass-grass and grass-forb mixtures for long-term sustainable biomass. Lead: Ehlke, MN. Cooperating locations: SD. Ehlke reported that the project is on hold because a graduate student resigned. The SD site was terminated in spring 2010. 1.6 Red Clover: Marker-assisted selection. Lead: Riday, USDFRL. Cooperating locations: AFCNS, GA, and Europeans. Riday is using this technique in his breeding program. Protocol is simple to use. 1.7 White Clover: Marker-assisted selection. Lead Brummer, Noble. Cooperating locations: USDFRL. 384 half-sib lines are available from seed produced in NZ. Data are being collected in GA, with a subset in WI. The goal is association mapping. 1.8 Kura Clover: Vigor and spreadability. Lead: Ehlke, MN. Cooperating locations: FRRL, USDFRL. Riday is selecting for seed yield and would like to establish a variety trial in WI. Peel is selecting for upright growth habit, has produced seed, and is going to do a half-sib progeny test. Ehlke is evaluating lines and will check on the status of the Rhizobium program an UM. 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: Hansen and Viands, NY. Cooperating locations: AFCSF, AFCL, AFCSK, GA, MN. Viands noted the project complete regarding data collection. Selections were compared to original populations in field trials (3 yrs data from MN, NY, and SASK). NY had some progress from S1 and mass selection, but not from S2. Progress only seen in NY. Data from all locations should be sent to Viands for analysis this winter. 2.1.2. Replicated clonal selection for improving forage yield of alfalfa. Lead: Viands, NY. Cooperating locations: AFSSF, GA, AFCL. Viands stated that the 2nd cycle of selection is in the ground with first production in 2010. The first cycle was selected for yield. Method was 3 populations randomly mated for two generations, select 200 clones, and collected data from 4 locations (CAN and USA). After Cycle 2, the plan is to produce Syn-2 seed for further evaluation. QTL analyses were done for Cycle 1, and publication is in print. 2.2 Orchardgrass 2.2.1. Clonal selection in orchard grass for broad adaptation. Lead: Phillips, KY. Cooperating locations: GA, AFCL, AFCSF, AFCSK, FRRL, SD, Noble Fd. Clones are in multiplication in KY. 2.2.2. Non-heading orchardgrass research. Lead: Casler, USDFRL. Cooperating locations. AFCSK, AFCL, AFCSF, AFCNS, FRRL, ID, MN, KY, WV, NY, Newfoundland. Data are available from 2008 and 2009 for all except 3 of 21 the locations. Four populations of sparse flowering plants vs. 3 checks. Sparse flowering plants produced 5 culms/ft.2 compared with 12 culms/ft.2 for checks. First cut yield was lower but forage quality was higher for the sparse flowering plants. 2.3 Red clover 2.3.1. Selection for general adaptation in red clover. Lead: Papadopoulos, AFCCH. Cooperating locations: NY, AFCL, AFCSF, AFCSK, SD, KY, GA, USDFRC. Replicated trials with up to 28 entries will be planted at cooperating locations when seed production is complete. 2.3.2. Selection for persistence in red clover using half-sib families. Lead: Riday, USDFRL. Cooperating locations: GA, SD, AFCCH. Project is completed. Seed produced on selections in WI in 2009 (Syn. 2 seed from AFCCH and WI) will be used to establish trials in future. 2.4. 1 Legume/Grass Mixtures: Compatibility of legumes with various grasses. Lead: Peel, FRRL. Cooperating locations. AFCCH, AFCL, GA, MN, NY, USDA-MN. Peel has a SARE grant for this research and is looking at 25%, 50%, and 75% legume composition. 2.4.2 Biomass/Alfalfa Mixtures: Lead: Lamb, USDA-MN. Cooperating locations: USDFRC, SD. Lamb is directing a grass/alfalfa mixtures biomass trial at MN, WI, and SD. Robins is evaluating 24 cultivars of orchardgrass in monocultures and mixtures with alfalfa in UT to determine economic return from N fertilizer vs. biological fixation from alfalfa. 2.5. Red Clover Biofuels: Lead: Papadopoulos, AFCNS. Initial study included mixtures with reed canarygrass or switchgrass. Switchgrass establishment was unacceptable. A new study is planned. 2.6. Methods to improve reed canarygrass: Lead, Casler, USDFRL. Nothing to report. 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: Peel, FRRL. Cooperating locations: AFCSK, SD, USDFRL, MN, NY, SD. As experimental populations are developed, a variety trial will be established in WI and other locations. New trial at 4 locations in WI is planned for 2012. 3.1.2. Hybrid alfalfa yield evaluation: Lead: Riday, USDFRL. Cooperating locations. USDA-MN, GA, NY, FRRL, SD. Project completed. Data from all locations will be sent to Riday. 3.1.3. Evaluation of salt tolerant alfalfa. Lead: Acharya, AFCL. Cooperating locations: FRRL. Acharya released new cultivar that is salt tolerant under controlled conditions. After 3 cycles for salt tolerance in the greenhouse, Peel is conducting a trial with irrigated salt water from a coal-fired plant. 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. Due to mortality at the locations the plots will need to be re-established next year. 3.4 Meadow and hybrid bromegrass: Evaluation of meadow and hybrid bromegrasses. Lead: Coulman, Univ. Sask. Cooperating locations: AFCSF, AFCCH, SD, USDFRL. Seed of six populations distributed to five sites in 2010 for hay and simulated pasture management studies. Data to be collected in 2011 and 2012. 3.5 Red Clover Evaluation: Lead: Papadopoulos, AFCCH. Cooperating locations: AFCSF, AFCSK, AFCL, NY, USDFRL, SD. Study has been completed, and a manuscript is being prepared. 3.5.2 Red Clover Yield Stability: Lead: Riday. Cooperating locations: NY, others. This study has been completed. 3.6 Tall Fescue 3.6.1 Tall Fescue -Selection for persistence in the Southern Coastal plains Lead: Brummer, GA. Cooperating locations: Noble Foundation, KY, FRRL. No report. New Projects: McCord will be initiating a new research project on drought tolerance in alfalfa at Prosser, WA. REPORTS SHOULD BE SENT TO J. ROBINS AND A. BOE ELECTRONICALLY. Election of Officers and Meeting Place in 2011: Boe was elected Secretary for 2010. The 2011 meeting will be held in Rapid City, SD. Meeting dates and place to be determined. Combining the North American Alfalfa Improvement Conference, Trifolium Conference, and North American Grass Breeders Planning Conference was further discussed. There was agreement from committee members, although industry members of the NAAIC may be opposed.

Objective 1: (1) Useful traits have been identified in Medicago sativa ssp. falcata, and germplasms are currently under multi-location evaluation; a new cultivar is being released; (2) Snout beetle resistant alfalfas have been produced and are currently being evaluated in the field; seed is currently being produced on two alfalfa populations that have potential to becoming the first resistant cultivars; (3) Potato leaf hopper resistant alfalfa populations have been developed; (4) alfalfa populations with increased pectin concentration have been created and a cultivar released; and (5) marker-assisted selection is being used in red clover breeding. 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 and an MAS strategy for red clover improvement is now in use; (3) Selections for non-flowering orchardgrass are currently under evaluation at several locations in the U.S. and Canada; (4) Legume/grass mixture trials have been established and are being evaluated for use as feedstocks for biofuels and livestock feed; (5) Selection has resulted in 62% reduction in flowering in an effort to increase biomass production in orchardgrass for biofuel use. Objective 3: (1) Selection of meadow and hybrid bromegrass are currently under seed increase, and all populations will be established in 2010 at five locations; (2) improved red clover populations for general adaptation are currently being evaluated across the U.S. and Canada; (3) Release of a salt tolerant alfalfa cultivar is planned for next year.

1. Dong, C., M.D. Peel, K.C. Olson, B.C. Weiner, and D. B. DeWald. 2009. Differential ruminal degradation of alfalfa proteins. Can. J. Plant Sci. 89:1065-1074. 2. Hansen, J.L., J. Miller-Garvin, G.C. Bergstrom, M. Wunsch, D. Kalt, B. Tillapaugh, J. Crawford, and D.R. Viands. 2009. Breeding birdsfoot trefoil for resistance to Fusarium wilt in New York. ASA meeting. Nov. 1-4, 2009. Pittsburgh, PA. Agronomy Abstracts. ASA, Madison, WI. http://a-c-s.confex.com/crops/2009am/webprogram/paper55116.html. 3. Hansen, J., S. Acharya, B. Coulman, C. Brummer, J. Lamb, J. Crawford, and D. Viands. 2010. Comparison of breeding methods for improved alfalfa yield. North Amer. Alfalfa Improv. Conf. 27-29 July 2010. Boise, ID. 4. Hansen, J., J. Crawford, and D. Viands. 2010. Correlations among forage quality, yield, and maturity for alfalfa in central New York. NE Branch of Crop, Soil, and Agron. Soc. Amer. 27-30 June, 2010. Ithaca, NY. 5. Jensen, K.B., B.L. Waldron, M.D. Peel, and J.G. Robins. 2010. Forage quality of five semi-irrigated pasture species across and irrigation gradient. Grass Forage Sci. 65-92-101. 6. Kelly, A.M., P.G. Johnson, B.L. Waldron, and M.D. Peel. 2009. A survey of apomixes and ploidy levels among Poa L. (Poaceae) using flow cytommetry. Crop Sci. 49:1395-1402. 7. Li. X., Y. Wei, K.J. Moore, R. Michaud, D. Viands, J.L. Hansen, and C. Brummer. 2010 Association mapping of biomass yield and stem composition in a tetraploid alfalfa breeding population. Crop Sci. [In review]. 8. Mayton,H.S., J.L. Hansen, P. Salon, J. Crawford, L. Fink, and D.R. Viands. 2009. Quality analysis of perennial grasses for use as bioenergy feedstock. ASA Meeting. Nov. 1-4, 2009. Agronomy Abstract. ASA, Madison, WI. http://a-c-s.confex.com/crops/2009am/webprogram/paper55377.html. 9. Miller-Garvin, J.E., J.L. Hansen, N.J. Ehlke, Y.A. Papadopoulos, R.R. Smith, G.C. Bergstrom, M.J. Wunsch, D.W. Kalb, B.P. Tillapaugh, J.L. Crawford, and D. R. Viands. 2010. Improving birdsfoot trefoil for resistance to Fusarium wilt. Crop Sci. [In press]. 10. Robins, J.G., and E.C. Brummer. 2009. QTL underlying self-fertility in tetraploid alfalfa. Crop Sci. 50:143-149.