Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

The annual meeting was held 8 July 2014 at the Lethbridge Lodge Hotel, Lethbridge, AB. Surya Acharya was meeting chair, and Charles Brummer was acting secretary. Research reports were given by lead investigators and cooperators. Discussion focused on: 1) reviewing on-going projects, and 2) future collaborative research projects. Participants Surya Acharya (host and chair), Brian Baldwin, Charlie Brummer (secretary), Arvid Boe, Mike Casler, Annie Claessens, Bruce Coulman, Nancy Ehlke, Maria Monteros, Yousef Papadopolous, Michael Peel, Heathcliffe Riday, Joe Robins, Kevin Duse, Michael Trammell, Brent Barrett, Don Viands Visitors Bill Biligetu, Yves Castonguay, Zulfi Jahufer, Qing Chuan Yang, Daniel Gardner, Ivan Mott, Jeffery Herrmamn 9:00 am – Surya called the meeting to order Location for next year – Davis, CA; Charlie Brummer will host. Meeting likely in Sept. Review of on-going projects (further detail is available in the individual station reports) Accomplishments: 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 1.1.3 Breeding alfalfa for resistance to alfalfa snout beetle. Lead: Viands, NY. Cooperating locations: MN, AFCCH, AFCL, AFCSF. Problem is primarily in NY, but is spreading slowly. Progress has been made from 11 cycles of selection in several alfalfa populations. Both greenhouse and field evaluations show that the selection program is successful and can be used to find alfalfa seedlings that have some level of tolerance or resistance to ASB root feeding damage. Seed of a first cultivar (Seedway 9558 SBR, Cycle 7 population) with moderate levels of resistance is being produced commercially and was made available to a few growers in northern NY to plant in ASB-infested fields. Seed was also made available to other NE-1010 participants to evaluate this cultivar for yield and persistence at multiple field locations. 1.1.4 Developing alfalfa germplasm with potato leafhopper resistance from three diverse genetic sources. Lead: Viands, NY. Cooperating locations: Noble, SD. The goal of this project is to develop germplasm with multiple mechanisms for more stable resistance to potato leafhopper (PLH). A population created from three sources of resistance (glandular trichome germplasm, Peruvian germplasm, and SD 201) was established in a field nursery for the fourth cycle of selection in NY in 2012 and selection was completed in 2013. A nursery was established to initiate the fifth cycle in 2014. 1.1.6 Aluminum tolerance in tetraploid alfalfa. Lead: Acharya, AFCL. Cooperating locations: NY, AFCCH, Noble. From Phase I we completed selection in four parent synthetics. In Phase II we are evaluating the performance of offspring on acidic soils in Kentville, Lethbridge and Ithaca. Experiment 1 was initiated in 2010 to determine heritability of acid tolerance. Experiment 2 was initiated in 2012 (Kentville, Lethbridge, Ithaca and Athens) to evaluate alfalfa response to selection for acid tolerance in four diverse regions. This experiment will be maintained. An acid tolerant alfalfa cultivar (AAC Meadowview) was developed. 1.2 Birdsfoot Trefoil 1.2.1 Rhizomatous birdsfoot trefoil for yield improvement. Lead: Viands, NY. Cooperating locations: NY, SD, AFCCH, USDFRC. Riday is evaluating half-sib families from a Czechoslovakian population. NY has been selecting birdsfoot trefoil for rhizomes and plant vigor in germplasm developed by crossing rhizomatous germplasm with adapted germplasm related to ‘Pardee’. In 2014 or 2015 progenies of the backcross to Pardee-type germplasm establish in a field nursery in 2013 will be selected for vigor and rhizomes. 1.2.2 Evaluation of birdsfoot trefoil for yield or vigor. Lead: Peel, FRRL. Cooperating locations: MN, NY, AFCCH, USDFRC. This trial was established in 2010 with 17 birdsfoot trefoil populations. These populations were evaluated for vigor, plant stand, and yield in 2011 and 2012. Another trial was established in 2010 only at USDFRC to evaluate grazing tolerance and has been grazed with cattle in 2011 and 2012. Selections were made, and a breeder field was established in in 2013. Seed will be collected in 2014. 1.5 Multiple Species 1.5.1 Selection of fiber digestibility and cell wall pectin. Lead: Viands, NY. Cooperating locations: AFCSF, USDFRC. In NY selection for higher pectin (neutral detergent soluble fiber) and lower NDF concentrations will continue on alfalfa populations. A lamb feeding trial showed that the new alfalfa cultivar N-R-Gee has higher feed efficiency than the check cultivar Vernal. Populations selected for increased pectin always seem to be lower yielding and so in future the focus will be for lower NDF, which doesn’t result in lower yield. Annie at AFCSF is selecting alfalfa for sugar concentration, but hasn’t had much success. Now she is focusing on stem bases to increase sugars and improve cell wall degradability. No correlation exists between sugars (TNC) and degradability of cell wall. Cell wall characterization and selection for increased degradability will continue. 1.6 Marker assisted selection 1.6.1 Red clover marker assisted selection Lead: Riday, USDFRC Cooperating locations: AFCNS, GA, NY Heathcliffe discussed his paternity marker work focused on QTL regions from the literature. He is interested in working with anyone else on red clover. It is not working on alfalfa too much yet. 1.6.2 Paternity testing in kura clover Lead: Riday, USDFRC Cooperating location: FRRL Riday screened whiter clover markers on kura clover. He worked it out on a set of half sib families from Mike Peel. Publication in progress. 1.6.3 Alfalfa marker evaluation to track persistence in a sward Project based on assessing parentage. JoAnn and Heathcliffe working on it. Lead: Riday, USDFRC and Lamb, USDA-ARS Riday wants to track persistence in swards. He has eight polycrosses in trials. He will collect tissue later this summer and genotype them during the winter. 1.7 White Clover: Marker-assisted selection. Lead: Brummer, UC, Davis. Cooperating locations: USDFRC. Five hundred half-sib families were evaluated. The goal is association mapping. 1.8 Kura Clover: Vigor and spreadability. Lead: Ehlke, MN. Cooperating locations: FRRL, USDFRC. Ehlke reported no action on this project and requested someone else to take over the project. Discussion on rhizobium – HR has “the” strain and is regenerating it each year. Selections were initiated in Minnesota but perhaps the IP is not protected. 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 2.1.2. Replicated clonal selection from improving forage yield of alfalfa. Lead: Viands, NY. Cooperating locations: MN, AFCL, AFCCH, AFCSF. Evaluating two cycles of selection at current time. A couple more years of evaluation to come. Zulfi Jahufer – visiting – suggested using BLUPs for selection. Brummer discussed his work conducting genomic selection in this population. 2.2 Orchardgrass 2.2.1. Clonal selection in orchardgrass for broad adaptation. Lead: Phillips, KY. Cooperators: AFCL, AFCSF, AFCSK, FRRL, MS, SD, Noble. No report. 2.2.2 Non-heading orchardgrass research. Lead: Casler, USDFRC. Cooperating locations. AFCSK, AFCL, AFCSF, AFCNS, FRRL, ID, MN, KY, WV, NY, Newfoundland. Project was completed in 2013, but it might be worth another phase. Two manuscripts were published. 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, USDFRC. The trials died in Saskatoon and MN, but they look great in WI and NY. It was set back in NS. Every site sent data, and more harvesting is being done this year. 2.3.2. Selection for persistence in red clover using half-sib families. Lead: Riday, USDFRC. Cooperating locations: SD, NY, AFCCH. Selections were made in WI and NS. Progeny testing started in 2014. After evaluations are complete, this project will not continue. 2.3.3. Red clover for biofuels. Lead: Papadopoulos, AFCCH Only in NS at this time. May want to develop a biofuel project with grasses in new proposal. 2.4. Reed canarygrass: Methods to improve reed canarygrass. Lead: Casler, USDFRC Cooperating locations: TBD No report. 2.5 Legume/Grass Mixtures: Compatibility of legumes with various grasses. Lead: Peel, FRRL. Cooperating locations: AFCCH, AFCL, GA, MN, NY, USDA-MN. FRRL had extensive experiment and data summarized (see NAAIC poster). Legume mixtures with grass produced as well as fertilized plots; legumes improved distribution of forage throughout the growing season. Yousef suggested trying out new germplasm into a new mixture trial. HR discussed the trefoil selection project published in Crop Sci. 54:2070–2076 (2014). doi: 10.2135/cropsci2014.02.0147. 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: AFCSF, AFCL, NGPRL, SD, USDFRC. Mike Peel has 2x and 4x falcatas; will put together a new seeded evaluation in 2016. Arvid released SD201 as ‘Yellowjacket’ and is looking for seed producers. Various discussion on future falcata projects, including looking at falcata in the southern Plains. HR discussed a PI evaluation he was doing with Mark Smith at Pioneer. That project could be expanded to other sites. 3.1.2. Hybrid alfalfa yield evaluation. Lead: Riday, USDFRC. Cooperating locations. USDA-MN, GA, NY, FRRL, SD. This research is underway. Publications are planned for the future. 3.1.4. Evaluation of salt tolerant alfalfa. Lead: Acharya, AFCL. Cooperating locations: FRRL. Acharya has one salt tolerant cultivar that was released (Bridgeview). He also has controlled environment facilities that could be used for the next round of studies with Peel. Peel also is doing selection in UT. Anyone may have their materials tested for a fee at the Swift Current salinity tanks. 3.3 Multiple Species 3.3.1. Biomass alfalfa/grass mixture evaluation. Lead: Lamb USDA-ARS Cooperating locations: SD, USDFRC. The trial is complete. Lamb will analyze the data. 3.3.2 Establishment of warm season grasses for biofuels. Lead: Baldwin, MS Cooperating location: NY Brian Baldwin discussed some projects he has on biofuel grasses. Brian is working on selection for establishment of warm season grasses. Releasing “Expresso” switchgrass that germinates very quickly. Gamagrass project (diploids) to improve germination (minimize dormancy). 3.4 Meadow and hybrid bromegrass: Evaluation of meadow and hybrid bromegrasses. Lead: Coulman, AFCSK Cooperating locations: AFCSF, AFCCH, SD, USDFRC. Twelve years into the project – selections have been made at multiple locations– SK did seed increase. Sward trials have been harvested for 3 years at multiple locations. Some locations are harvesting this year. Discussion on renewing project: The current project runs through 2017, but we need to submit a request to write a new proposal by February 2015 (this could be done as early as September 2014). If the request to write is successful, someone needs to lead the writing team, especially to do the literature review. Don circulated a list of proposed projects/topics from last year’s minutes (2013) and also from two years ago in NY. The general themes from those reports, viz. Molecular Breeding, Forage/Biomass Productivity, and Climate Change are necessary components of the program. The group had considerable debate about how molecular breeding should be incorporated into the program, with some participants arguing that markers should be integrated with conventional breeding projects and others that they should remain split out as a separate goal. A possible middle ground might be to have a separate goal to develop marker or genomic tools but otherwise integrate markers into the individual research projects. We briefly discussed the incorporation of a data management or database development aspect to the proposal, which could be a component of a breeder’s toolbox under development at the Noble Foundation. In any case, everyone agreed that the genomics aspects need to be prominent throughout the proposal. We also discussed how best to incorporate the general theme of “climate change” and debated the relative merits of using “sustainability” or “resilience” in the description of the program. The role of biofuels was brought up – we have had some biofuels projects proposed in the past, but never really got them off the ground. If we decided to include biofuels, we should be serious about doing it. In regard to overall objectives, Heathcliffe made the comment that “A legitimate goal is to be breeding stuff.” We will continue this discussion in Davis next year. At that time, we will need to have serious plans for projects lined out, or at least, be willing to do the hard work of getting them lined out at the meeting. Future projects will be categorized in three general topics: 1. Molecular breeding of forage crops 2. Forage/Biomass productivity a. Yield b. Persistence c. Nutritive value 3. Climate change a. Abiotic stress i. Drought/flooding tolerance ii. Salinity tolerance iii. Cold tolerance b. Biotic stress Meeting adjourned at 3 pm.

Objective 1: (1) Seed of a new alfalfa snout beetle cultivar (Seedway 9558 SBR) with moderate levels of resistance is now being marketed to growers. (2) Potato leaf hopper resistant alfalfa populations are being developed with multiple mechanisms of resistance; a new cultivar (not yet named) with a very high level of resistance (glandular trichome type) is in seed production for use in the Northeast USA. Seed probably will be available to growers by spring 2015. (3) An acid tolerant alfalfa cultivar (AAC Meadowview) was developed and released for commercial production. (4) A salt tolerant alfalfa cultivar (AAC Bridgeview) was released. (5) A new sanfoin cultivar (AAC Mountainview) was released. This cultivar was bred for ability to survive when grown in alfalfa stands. (6) Birdsfoot trefoil populations with higher rhizome production and vigor are being developed to enhance productivity and longevity of the crop; (7) Birdsfoot trefoil cultivars are being evaluated for forage production and persistence; (8) Marker assisted selection methods are being developed to accelerate breeding programs. (9) Expresso switchgrass was released with higher seed germination. Objective 2: (1) Selection methods for increased yield in alfalfa are currently under multiple site evaluation. (2) Red clover populations with improved persistence, general adaptation, and biofuel use have been selected. (3) Legume/grass mixture trials are being evaluated for use as feedstocks for biofuels and livestock feed. Objective 3: (1) Evaluations of multiple species of cool and warm season perennial forages continue to be evaluated for forage yield, persistence, and other agronomic traits at multiple locations in North America.

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