SAES-422 Multistate Research Activity Accomplishments Report
Sections
Status: Approved
Basic Information
- Project No. and Title: NE9 : Conservation and Utilization of Plant Genetic Resources
- Period Covered: 10/01/2001 to 09/01/2002
- Date of Report: 11/15/2002
- Annual Meeting Dates: 09/13/2002 to 09/13/2002
Participants
Loy, J. Brent, University of New Hampshire Zhang, Donglin, University of Maine Hunter, James, Cornell University, NY - Geneva - RTAC Administrative Advisor Other Attendees: Forsline, Philip, USDA, ARS, PGRU, New York Geneva Robertson, Larry, USDA, ARS, PGRU, New York Geneva Schwaninger, Heidi, USDA, ARS, PGRU, New York Geneva Guests: Garvey, Ned, Plant Exchange Office Beltsville Berndtson, Bill,
PGRU Activities: Robertson and Forsline discussed germplasm preservation and research highlights at the Plant Genetic Resources Unit. Additionally, Schwaninger described the molecular systematics work that she would start with grape and apple. This was followed by some more detailed discussion on several issues. A copy of the Research Leader‘s report is attached which gives details on preservation and research, facilities, personnel, and future directions and plans.
PGRU Facilities: Progress on construction of new greenhouse space was discussed as was the need for an additional headhouse because of the reduction in space due to sharing with the grape improvement project. The design of the new headhouse was completed in FY2002 and the construction has been funded in the budget for PGRU for FY2003.
Personnel Changes: The hiring of a new molecular biologist to further research on clonal germplasm collections was described.
Budget proposal for FY2003. The budget request for year Fiscal Year 2003 encompasses a $5K increase for salaries and benefits making the requested amount $150K. The budget submitted for FY2002 was at $150K, funded for $145K. Zhang moved that the budget proposal for FY2003 be accepted. Loy seconded. Unanimously approved.
Dr. Robert Bernatzky was nominated by Donglin as Chair of the NE9 Committee for the next two years and was seconded by Loy. Election of Bernatzky passed unanimously. The committee directed Robertson to contact Dr. Robert Bernatzky to request him to serve as Chair of the NE9 Committee for the next two years. He was contacted and has agreed to serve as Chair. The next meeting has been scheduled to be held in Geneva the third week of May (after classes end, but before Memorial Day), date to be set after requesting information about best date from committee members.
Robertson adjourned the meeting at 12:00 pm.
University of New Hampshire
In the past fiscal year approximately 11,750 accessions of seed propagated crops (tomato, onion, squash, radish, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, other cole crops, celery, ground cherry, asparagus, and buckwheat) were maintained. During the 2002 FY approximately 420 accessions were regenerated. For biennial crops, 165 accessions were grown to produce plants for use in seed production in 2003. Specifically, 2467 seed lots were distributed during FY 2002. These were sent in 135 orders, of which 29 were foreign orders. An SCA was initiated with New Mexico State University to rescue 75 short-day onions that were in danger of being lost. Bulbs were produced for all accessions to use in the upcoming year for seed production. The tomato CGC approved an initial core collection of tomatoes, which has been assembled at PGRU. A Reimbursable Cooperative Agreement was signed with Cornell University that provides support to PGRU in training of organic farmers and small seed producers in small-scale seed production of heirloom and new publicly improved vegetable varieties. In the molecular biology lab, equipment for high-throughput genotyping was purchased and protocols were optimized for SSR markers and DNA sequencing. A molecular marker database for long-term storage and easy access to and manipulation of data is under development. Markers were applied to projects in tomato and broccoli/cauliflower for measuring genetic diversity and molecular taxonomy, respectively.
In a collaborative project with P. Griffiths, 212 accessions of cauliflower from the PGRU collection were screened for resistance to white mold. Six accessions were found that provide additional crucifer germplasm for white mold resistant cultivars. Approximately 400 digital images for 200 accessions of tomato, onions, and winter squash were completed. Characterization data was recorded on 700 accessions of onions, tomato and Cole crops for minimal descriptor lists. Documentation, including these images and data, for all 11880 seed samples and 5538 orchard and vineyard accessions in our collections is publicly available on the Internet via the GRIN (Genetic Resources Information Network) database.
Workshops were held at the NOFA-NY annual meeting at Seneca Falls, NY on January 25 and at Turtle Tree Seeds on August 5 that provided training in small-scale seed production to small and organic farmers in small-scale seed production. Displays and demonstration s of a mobile seed unit on small-scale seed production were held at Empire Farm Days in NOFA-NY, the NOFA Annual Summer Conference at Amherst, MA, and at Common Ground Fair at Unity, ME. These provided displays of hand and small-scale equipment for seed threshing and processing. Three community seed days were held with the mobile seed unit throughout New York for wet processing of seeds (tomatoes). These provided training and facilities for seed processing for organic farmers and small-scale seed producers interested in seed production of heirloom and new publicly bred varieties of PGRU. These activities were supported by the RCA with Cornell University where the PGRU has the lead role in this project in the extension of small-scale seed production of heirloom vegetable germplasm and new public open-pollinated varieties by organic farmers and small-scale seed producers.
PGRU Facilities: Progress on construction of new greenhouse space was discussed as was the need for an additional headhouse because of the reduction in space due to sharing with the grape improvement project. The design of the new headhouse was completed in FY2002 and the construction has been funded in the budget for PGRU for FY2003.
Personnel Changes: The hiring of a new molecular biologist to further research on clonal germplasm collections was described.
Budget proposal for FY2003. The budget request for year Fiscal Year 2003 encompasses a $5K increase for salaries and benefits making the requested amount $150K. The budget submitted for FY2002 was at $150K, funded for $145K. Zhang moved that the budget proposal for FY2003 be accepted. Loy seconded. Unanimously approved.
Dr. Robert Bernatzky was nominated by Donglin as Chair of the NE9 Committee for the next two years and was seconded by Loy. Election of Bernatzky passed unanimously. The committee directed Robertson to contact Dr. Robert Bernatzky to request him to serve as Chair of the NE9 Committee for the next two years. He was contacted and has agreed to serve as Chair. The next meeting has been scheduled to be held in Geneva the third week of May (after classes end, but before Memorial Day), date to be set after requesting information about best date from committee members.
Robertson adjourned the meeting at 12:00 pm.
University of New Hampshire
In the past fiscal year approximately 11,750 accessions of seed propagated crops (tomato, onion, squash, radish, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, other cole crops, celery, ground cherry, asparagus, and buckwheat) were maintained. During the 2002 FY approximately 420 accessions were regenerated. For biennial crops, 165 accessions were grown to produce plants for use in seed production in 2003. Specifically, 2467 seed lots were distributed during FY 2002. These were sent in 135 orders, of which 29 were foreign orders. An SCA was initiated with New Mexico State University to rescue 75 short-day onions that were in danger of being lost. Bulbs were produced for all accessions to use in the upcoming year for seed production. The tomato CGC approved an initial core collection of tomatoes, which has been assembled at PGRU. A Reimbursable Cooperative Agreement was signed with Cornell University that provides support to PGRU in training of organic farmers and small seed producers in small-scale seed production of heirloom and new publicly improved vegetable varieties. In the molecular biology lab, equipment for high-throughput genotyping was purchased and protocols were optimized for SSR markers and DNA sequencing. A molecular marker database for long-term storage and easy access to and manipulation of data is under development. Markers were applied to projects in tomato and broccoli/cauliflower for measuring genetic diversity and molecular taxonomy, respectively.
In a collaborative project with P. Griffiths, 212 accessions of cauliflower from the PGRU collection were screened for resistance to white mold. Six accessions were found that provide additional crucifer germplasm for white mold resistant cultivars. Approximately 400 digital images for 200 accessions of tomato, onions, and winter squash were completed. Characterization data was recorded on 700 accessions of onions, tomato and Cole crops for minimal descriptor lists. Documentation, including these images and data, for all 11880 seed samples and 5538 orchard and vineyard accessions in our collections is publicly available on the Internet via the GRIN (Genetic Resources Information Network) database.
Workshops were held at the NOFA-NY annual meeting at Seneca Falls, NY on January 25 and at Turtle Tree Seeds on August 5 that provided training in small-scale seed production to small and organic farmers in small-scale seed production. Displays and demonstration s of a mobile seed unit on small-scale seed production were held at Empire Farm Days in NOFA-NY, the NOFA Annual Summer Conference at Amherst, MA, and at Common Ground Fair at Unity, ME. These provided displays of hand and small-scale equipment for seed threshing and processing. Three community seed days were held with the mobile seed unit throughout New York for wet processing of seeds (tomatoes). These provided training and facilities for seed processing for organic farmers and small-scale seed producers interested in seed production of heirloom and new publicly bred varieties of PGRU. These activities were supported by the RCA with Cornell University where the PGRU has the lead role in this project in the extension of small-scale seed production of heirloom vegetable germplasm and new public open-pollinated varieties by organic farmers and small-scale seed producers.
Accomplishments
In the past fiscal year approximately 11,750 accessions of seed propagated crops (tomato, onion, squash, radish, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, other cole crops, celery, ground cherry, asparagus, and buckwheat) were maintained. During the 2002 FY approximately 420 accessions were regenerated. For biennial crops, 165 accessions were grown to produce plants for use in seed production in 2003. An SCA was initiated with New Mexico State University to rescue 75 short-day onions that were in danger of being lost. Bulbs were produced for all accessions to use in the upcoming year for seed production. The tomato CGC approved an initial core collection of tomatoes, which has been assembled at PGRU. A Reimbursable Cooperative Agreement was signed with Cornell University that provides support to PGRU in training of organic farmers and small seed producers in small-scale seed production of heirloom and new publicly improved vegetable varieties. In the molecular biology lab, equipment for high-throughput genotyping was purchased and protocols were optimized for SSR markers and DNA sequencing. A molecular marker database for long-term storage and easy access to and manipulation of data is under development. Markers were applied to projects in tomato and broccoli/cauliflower for measuring genetic diversity and molecular taxonomy, respectively.
In a collaborative project with P. Griffiths, 212 accessions of cauliflower from the PGRU collection were screened for resistance to white mold. Six accessions were found that provide additional crucifer germplasm for white mold resistant cultivars. Approximately 400 digital images for 200 accessions of tomato, onions, and winter squash were completed. Characterization data was recorded on 700 accessions of onions, tomato and Cole crops for minimal descriptor lists. Documentation, including these images and data, for all 11880 seed samples and 5538 orchard and vineyard accessions in our collections is publicly available on the Internet via the GRIN (Genetic Resources Information Network) database.
Workshops were held at the NOFA-NY annual meeting at Seneca Falls, NY on January 25 and at Turtle Tree Seeds on August 5 that provided training in small-scale seed production to small and organic farmers in small-scale seed production. Displays and demonstration s of a mobile seed unit on small-scale seed production were held at Empire Farm Days in NOFA-NY, the NOFA Annual Summer Conference at Amherst, MA, and at Common Ground Fair at Unity, ME. These provided displays of hand and small-scale equipment for seed threshing and processing. Three community seed days were held with the mobile seed unit throughout New York for wet processing of seeds (tomatoes). These provided training and facilities for seed processing for organic farmers and small-scale seed producers interested in seed production of heirloom and new publicly bred varieties of PGRU. These activities were supported by the RCA with Cornell University where the PGRU has the lead role in this project in the extension of small-scale seed production of heirloom vegetable germplasm and new public open-pollinated varieties by organic farmers and small-scale seed producers.
In a collaborative project with P. Griffiths, 212 accessions of cauliflower from the PGRU collection were screened for resistance to white mold. Six accessions were found that provide additional crucifer germplasm for white mold resistant cultivars. Approximately 400 digital images for 200 accessions of tomato, onions, and winter squash were completed. Characterization data was recorded on 700 accessions of onions, tomato and Cole crops for minimal descriptor lists. Documentation, including these images and data, for all 11880 seed samples and 5538 orchard and vineyard accessions in our collections is publicly available on the Internet via the GRIN (Genetic Resources Information Network) database.
Workshops were held at the NOFA-NY annual meeting at Seneca Falls, NY on January 25 and at Turtle Tree Seeds on August 5 that provided training in small-scale seed production to small and organic farmers in small-scale seed production. Displays and demonstration s of a mobile seed unit on small-scale seed production were held at Empire Farm Days in NOFA-NY, the NOFA Annual Summer Conference at Amherst, MA, and at Common Ground Fair at Unity, ME. These provided displays of hand and small-scale equipment for seed threshing and processing. Three community seed days were held with the mobile seed unit throughout New York for wet processing of seeds (tomatoes). These provided training and facilities for seed processing for organic farmers and small-scale seed producers interested in seed production of heirloom and new publicly bred varieties of PGRU. These activities were supported by the RCA with Cornell University where the PGRU has the lead role in this project in the extension of small-scale seed production of heirloom vegetable germplasm and new public open-pollinated varieties by organic farmers and small-scale seed producers.
Impacts
- Two thousand four hundred sixty-seven (2,467) seed lots were distributed during FY 2002. These were sent in 135 orders, of which 29 were foreign orders.
Publications
Berger, J., L.D. Robertson, and P. Cocks. 2002. Agricultural potential of Mediterranean grain and forage legumes: Key difference between and within Vicia species in terms of phenology, yield, and agronomy give insight into plant adaptation to semi-arid environments. Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution 49: 313-325.
Chetelat, R. T. (2001) Revised list of wild species stocks. TGC 51:37-66.
Chetelat, R. T. (2001) Lycopersicon esculentum (Tomato). In: Brenner, S. and J. H. Miller (eds) Encyclopedia of Genetics. Academic Press. pp1125-1127.
Jones, C.M., J.R. Myers, R.T. Chetelat (2001) Allele tests of high pigment genotypes using root anthocyanin expression. TGC 51:23-26.
Ji, Y., Y. Du, R.T. Chetelat (2001) Pairing and recombination between Solanum lycopersicoides and Lycopersicon esculentum chromosomes: taxonomic implications and breeding prospects. In: R.G. van den Berg, G.W.M. Barendse, G.M. van der Weerden, C. Mariani (eds) Solanaceae V: Advances in Taxonomy and Utilization. pp217-224.
Chetelat, R. T. (2001) Revised list of wild species stocks. TGC 51:37-66.
Chetelat, R. T. (2001) Lycopersicon esculentum (Tomato). In: Brenner, S. and J. H. Miller (eds) Encyclopedia of Genetics. Academic Press. pp1125-1127.
Jones, C.M., J.R. Myers, R.T. Chetelat (2001) Allele tests of high pigment genotypes using root anthocyanin expression. TGC 51:23-26.
Ji, Y., Y. Du, R.T. Chetelat (2001) Pairing and recombination between Solanum lycopersicoides and Lycopersicon esculentum chromosomes: taxonomic implications and breeding prospects. In: R.G. van den Berg, G.W.M. Barendse, G.M. van der Weerden, C. Mariani (eds) Solanaceae V: Advances in Taxonomy and Utilization. pp217-224.