Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

Committee was welcomed by Jon Hansen, NGPRL Research Leader and host committee member John Berdahl. Hansen gave an overview of NGPRL and discussed things the lab was doing to increase public awareness of their research activities. Michael Fitzner, new CSREES representative, presented an overview of FY 2004 CSREES budget and commented on recent reductions in public plant breeding positions and the need for raising public awareness of public plant breeding accomplishments. He reminded the group that CSREES is the federal partner in the land grant system that traces back to the Hatch Act. He listed homeland security, invasive species, integrated pest management, and genomics as big issues. Fitzner indicated there is movement away from support for formula funds toward competitive grants due to accountability issues. Administrative Advisor Don Viands discussed direct links with extension and stakeholders as ways to demonstrate the impact of the work NE 1010 does. He also suggested that the project should eventually develop a web site. Charlie Brummer introduced Dejan Solokovic, research associate in forage grass breeding at the Center for Forage Crops in Krusevac, Yugoslavia. Solokovic is a visiting scientist of the forage breeding program at ISU. He described his experience with breeding perennial forage legumes and cool-season grasses in eastern Europe. The committee then moved to discussion of the progress made during the current project period for the three objectives. Discussion was initiated by the lead investigators for each sub-objective, followed by updates from each collaborator.

Collaborative 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.

(A): Alfalfa: Agronomic evaluation of Medicago sativa ssp. falcata germplasm from (1) NPGS accessions and (2) naturalized rangeland populations: Identified traits to evaluate in 2003 plantings in IA, SD, UT, ND, and QU; data compilation/analysis near completion for study completed in 2002; manuscript preparation in 2004 [Brummer (IA), Boe (SD), AFCSF, NGPRL, FRRL].

(1) Breeding for resistance to (a) alfalfa snout beetle and (b) potato leafhopper: Sources of resistance (alfalfa snout beetle) identified, and selection under controlled conditions has begun; crosses made between germplasms with different morphological/anatomical sources of resistance (potato leafhopper); plans for screening at several locations discussed [Viands (NY), AFCSF, IA, SD, WV]. Seed for establishing nurseries will be ready by spring 2005.

(2) Genetic mapping of agronomic traits: Several hundred SSR markers obtained; QTL map focuses on yield stability, quality, and root traits [Brummer (IA), NY, AFCSF].

(3) Breeding for aluminum tolerance: St. Amand departed from committee; Acharya (AFCSK) will lead; NY and AFCC will cooperate in selected germplasm acquisition/evaluation.

(B): Birdsfoot trefoil: Rhizomatous germplasm: Evaluation/selection for winterhardiness/persistence/forage traits ongoing [Brummer (IA), AFCC, NY, SD].

(C): Reed canarygrass: Collection and evaluation of naturalized populations for forage/biofuel: Numerous accessions being evaluated at Ames and Madison; extensive variability for biomass production; aggressiveness of this introduced species may be an issue in its adoption for biofuel [Brummer (IA), SD, AFCSF, KY, AFCSK, WI, NY].

(D): Tall fescue: Relationships between nonstructural carbohydrate concentration and forage and seed yield and quality, winterhardiness, and persistence: Genetic variation and relationship between TNC in inflorescence and seed yield have been documented; clonal evaluation will continue and divergent populations will be selected [Balasko (WV), KY].

(E): Multiple species: (1) Selection for fiber digestibility: Results to date indicate selection for a single quality trait may impact other important traits in legumes (e.g., alfalfa) and grasses (e.g., timothy) [Viands (NY), AFCSF, WI]. Progress from selection and relationship to digestibility are being documented. (2) Grass-forb mixtures for long-term sustainable biomass: Experimental design, species selection, and management strategies for mixtures still in developmental stages; recent publications on design of experiments for evaluation of mixtures of perennial species will be helpful; planting will begin in 2004 [Boe (SD), Ehlke (MN), IA, WV, NY]. (3) Molecular fingerprinting in forage crop populations: St. Amands departure leaves no lead scientist; discussion tabled until 2004 meeting.

Objective 2: Build on previous research to evaluate traditional breeding methods for improving yield and persistence of alfalfa, red clover, orchardgrass, and other forage species to make production agriculture more economical and sustainable.

(A): Alfalfa: (1) Comparison of mass, S1, and S2 selection for forage yield: Syn. 2 seed to be produced in 2004 and 2005 with yield trials planted in 2006. (2) Clonal selection in multiple environments to improve forage yield: Development of three-cultivar composite completed; nurseries will be established at three locations in 2004 [Viands (NY), Michaud (AFCSF), IA].

(B): Orchardgrass: Selection for broad adaptation: At least three populations from other regions will be planted in KY in 2004; evaluation will begin in 2005 [Phillips (KY), IA, AFCSF, AFCSK, SD].

(C): Red clover: Selection for general adaptation: Seed will be sent to cooperating stations in 2004; selection will be made after two winters [Papadopoulos (AFCC), NY, AFCSF, AFCSK, WV, SD, IA].

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.

(A): Alfalfa: Evaluation of new selected M. sativa ssp. falcata populations: Syn. 1 seed from selected plants from 1997 nurseries being produced at evaluation sites; seed supplies are low; multiple-location evaluations will begin when seed supplies are adequate [Brummer (IA), AFCSF, NGPRL, SD].

(B): Black medic: Evaluation of naturalized collections for forage and conservation traits: Committee members will collect populations in their regions and send to IA; spaced-plant nurseries will be planted in 2005 [Brummer (IA), NY, SD].

(C): Multiple species: Evaluation of cultivars and germplasms under grazing: Designed to evaluate new cultivars, including European, in North American environments; trials may be initiated at some locations in 2005 [Brummer (IA), NY, AFCSF, AFCC, PSWMRL, KY, SD, NGPRL, WI].


Meeting Site and Nominations Committee Report:

Meeting site and nominations committee chair R. Michaud reported the 2004 meeting will be in Charlottetown, P.E.I. on September 2-3. The 2005 meeting will be in Logan, UT. Nancy Ehlke was nominated and elected incoming secretary and M. Peel nominated and elected chair for 2004.

Meeting adjourned 11 AM, September 13, 2003.

2003 Accomplishments:

Objective 1: (1) Development of an alfalfa population that contains three distinct sources of genetic resistance to potato leafhopper yellowing; (2) Incorporation of the rhizome trait from Moroccan sources into regionally adapted birdsfoot trefoil populations; (3) Refinements in the protocol for greenhouse screening alfalfa for resistance to alfalfa snout beetle; (4) Development of birdsfoot trefoil populations with improved seedling vigor and resistance to Fusarium oxysporum and Pratylenchus penetrans; (5) Establishment and initial evaluation of Medicago sativa ssp. falcata half-sib family nurseries in four diverse environments (i.e., SD, IA, UT, ND); (6) Nearing completion of genetic map for agronomic traits in alfalfa; (7) Identification of selection criteria to increase digestibility while maintaining or increasing yield in timothy and alfalfa.

Objective 2: (1) Completion of two cycles comparing effectiveness of mass, S1, and S2 selection in alfalfa.

Objective 3: (1) Completion of first cycle of selection within M. sativa ssp. falcata from previous evaluations (NE 144) for forage yield, growth habit, regrowth potential, and potato leafhopper resistance; seed increases of synthetic populations initiated at multiple locations.

Plans for 2004:

In general, since 2004 is only the second year of the new project, the NE 1010 Committee will continue its focus on evaluation/description, selection, and population development in perennial grasses and legumes that exhibit potential for agronomic, environmental, and industrial uses in North America. Data collected from multiple locations and multiple years are essential for accurate estimates of genetic variation for traits of interest and determination of ranges of adaptation for accessions/collections and selected populations of perennial grasses and legumes. Data will continue to be collected from comparison of selection methods for improving agronomic traits and genetic mapping of agronomic trait studies. Separate introduced and native grass-grass and grass-forb mixtures will be planted at several locations ranging from the northeastern to northcentral United States to evaluate effects of introduced vs. native biodiversity on long-term productivity and sustainability of biomass production across diverse environments. New projects in the planning stage include multi-location evaluation of improved populations of meadow bromegrass (B. Coulman, lead), selection for grass-legume compatibility (C. Brummer, lead), and evaluation of native grasses and legumes for forage, environmental, and industrial uses (N. Ehlke, lead).

Bertrand, A.Y., Y. Constonguay, P. Nadeau, S. Laberge, R. Michaud, G. Belanger, and P. Rochette. 2003. J. Experimental Botany 54:1721-1730.

Casler, M.D., R.E. Barker, E.C. Brummer, Y.A. Papadopoulos, and L.D. Hoffman. 2003. Selection for orchardgrass seed yield in target vs. non-target environments. Crop Sci. (in press).

Hansen, J., D. Viands, R. Deubler, E. Thomas, J. Neally, and J. Yaeger. 2003. 2003 forage crops data summaries. Plant Breeding Mimeo 03-3. Cornell Univ., Ithaca, NY.

Hansen, J.D., D. Viands, R. Deubler, E. Thomas, J. Neally, and J. Yaeger. 2003. Cornell Univ./New York State Forage Yield Trials Summary-2003. Company and Extension Report. Plant Breeding Mimeo 03-4. Cornell Univ., Ithaca, NY. (Also at http://www.plbr.cornell.edu/pbbweb/foragetest

Hansen, J.L., D. Viands, R. Deubler, E. Thomas, J. Neally, and J. Yaeger. 2003. Cornell Univ./New York State Forage Yield Trials Summary-2003:Producer Report. Plant Breeding Mimeo 03-5. Cornell Univ., Ithaca, NY. (Also at http://www.plbr.cornell.edu/pbbweb/foragetest

Hansen, J.D., D. Viands, R. Deubler, E. Thomas, J. Neally, and J. Yaeger. 2003. Cornell forage yield trials results guide producers in variety selection. Country Folks 11 (Dec. 2002).

Hansen, J.L., J.K. Waldron, and D. Viands. 2003. Potato leafhopper-resistant alfalfa-2002 update. Cent. Alfalfa Improv. Conf. (virtual conference). 21-25 July 2003. (In print).

Hendrickson, J.R., and J.D. Berdahl. 2003. Survival of 16 alfalfa populations space planted into a grassland. J. Range Manage. 56:260-265.

Michaud, R. 2002. Les plantes fourraghres-nouveaux cultivars pour 2002-2003. Le Producteur de lait quibicois, juin 2002, p. 25-29.

Michaud, R. 2002. Le Conseil des productions vigitales du Quibec: Recommendations de plantes fourraghres 2002-2003. Grandes Cultures 12:27-30.

Michaud, R., A. Chabot, and J. Michaud. 2003. Ivaluation des cultivars de luzerne pour le Quibec. Dans CRAAQ, Plantes fourraghres-rapport des essays des cultivars 2002, section luzerne, p.1-47.

Michaud, R., R. Rivard, and J. Michaud. 2003. Ivaluation des cultivars de fliole pour le Quibec. Dans CRAAQ, Plantes fourraghres-rapport des essays de cultivars 2002, section fliole, p. 1-24.

Tremblay, G.F., G. Belanger, K.B. McRae, and R. Michaud. 2002. Leaf and stem dry matter digestibility and ruminal degradable protein of alfalfa cultivars. Can. J. Plant Sci. 82:383-393.

Tremblay, G.F., R. Michaud, and G. Belanger. 2003. Protein fractions and ruminal undegradable proteins in alfalfa. Can. J. Plant Sci. 83:555-559.

Viands, D., J. L. Hansen, E. Thomas, and J. Neally. 2003. Registration of Oneida Ultra alfalfa. Crop Sci. (in press).

Viands, D., J.L. Hansen, E. Thomas, and J. Neally. 2003. Registration of Seedway 9558 alfalfa. Crop Sci. (in press).

Viands, D., J.E. Miller-Garvin, J.L. Hansen, G.C. Bergstrom, B.P. Tillapaugh, C.C. Lowe, E.M. Thomas, and J.L. Neally. 2003. Registration of Pardee birdsfoot trefoil. Crop Sci. (in press).