Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

Opening and Introduction:

1. Call to order, 8:50 AM
2. Mike peel (ARS Utah) opened the meeting by welcoming the group. Attendees introduced themselves.

• This is the first official meeting as the NE1710 officially started on October 1,

3. Comments from NIFA:

Ann Marie Thro  (NIFA) led the comments with emphasis on the role of the program leader at NIFA.

• “The bottom line to help you all get money and help us get money to you”.
• Cards of program specialists were circulated.
• The Big task of the specialists is to answer questions: Give us a call and will answer them or help find the answer.
• There is a new acting director in NIFA on loan from ARS, Thomas Shanower. He is entomologist by training. He worked 20-30 years in the Pacific west area as associate director and in international agriculture.
• Those interested in the funding that USDA offers: one is a list of competitive grants, she circulated, including for alfalfa research. Budget for these grants, National program leader names and contacts are listed--you can call them with questions.
• Two sources of funding of interest to this group: Hatch projects and multistate projects. For each experiment station, 25% of the Hatch funds are for multistate projects. In the past 3 years, Hatch funds have been flat. The alfalfa research funding increased last year and decreased this year. A document shows Explanatory notes of funding proposed for next year’s budget (document circulated). Ann will send information on where to find them.
• Topics to help NIFA get funding include listening sessions. You can find a verbatim transcript online and input from last year under NIFA listening sessions. Most of the comments last year came from Nutrition. It would be worth to think about input and contribute individually or as group to direct the agency in directing discretionary funding and to answer to congress.
• The annual reports you write, especially the impact and outcome statements, let us know what was achieved. If not sure how to report it, call us. They help justify what you do.
• Viands (Cornell) commented that a couple of people from NIFA called to offer a workshop on writing impact statements to NE1710, but they later declined for a different schedule. They were going to come to this group’s meeting this morning.
• Papadopoulos (AAFC) commented that in the past, each of us submitted an annual report that included impact statements, and it gives indication on to what other people are doing.
  • Viands: This is part of the end report.
• Ann: sent around a list of state liaisons from NIFA.
  • Missaoui (UGA) asked what is the role of the state liaison?
  • Ann Marie: The Deans and station directors submit a report accountability from Hatch funds, and the state liaisons are the ones who review them. You can call them and find out more about them.
• The Impact statements are the most read part. They are non-technical summaries written so that a congressional rep can read them. They help your area of research attract more funding.
• Papadopoulos and Ann Marie discussed NIFA funding to Canadian researchers.
  • Ann Marie confirmed that funding can go international if the lead is from the US and they can benefit the US. These are mostly AFRI and competitive grants. Hatch funding cannot go international PIs because they are tied to the state.
• NE1010 attracted most funding other than Hatch. You can view funding on a website at USDA.gov/Data gateway to find out how much NE1010 got in funding. Every proposal funding is there.
  • Viands commented that this might be important when we write the proposal for the next 5-year period!
• Viands (Cornell) asked if everyone was an official member of NE1710.
  • Papadopoulos (AAFC) replied that Canadians have been a part of the group. Their department encourages participation. Not sure if they are official and want to find out the process for Canadian to have official status.
  • Don will find and send information.

Open discussion on NE1710 projects by objectives and forage species

Mike Peel commented that these are brand new projects. Some people have reports especially those from NE1010.

1. Developing broadly adapted, climate resilient forages for sustainable cropping systems.

Sub-objective 1.1. Developing regionally adapted, resilient alfalfa germplasm pools.

• Papadopoulos (AAFC): Circulated his project report, and explained the part of the projects that belong to 1710. The first project is with H. Riday (USDA-DFRC, Wisconsin).
• Riday (USDA-DFRC, Wisconsin) commented that currently there are no sub-projects and overviewed 1.1.  
  • Four northern alfalfa pools are being evaluated (Central Asian, Northern Afghanistan, Turkish, Siberian, Balkan, North Europeans pool,)
  • Have received data from New York, Quebec, Wisconsin, Lethbridge, and Davis.
  • Will make selections from the evaluation and release material as PIs.
  • Started collecting data. This started as AFRP project to do pre-breeding on accessions.
  • There are other germplasm developing projects that can be added as sub-objectives.
  • Brummer (UC Davis): Discussed an AFRP project aimed at maximizing recombination in Northern and Southern germplasms. Broadly speaking, lined 4 pools in California and can add southeast. 
  • Page 11 of the proposal: germplasm pool development describes the tasks and the proposed pools.
  • Viands (Cornell) asked about the number of people cooperating on these projects.
    • Riday (USDA-DFRC, Wisconsin) replied that this is why it needs to have sub-objectives.
  • Brummer (UC Davis) showed a presentation on the layout of the project based on Simmons 1993. Base broadening of germplasm over time. Take germplasm collection, pre-breed. This is something the community should do and add germplasm to breeding material. Large-scale number, wide range of entries, crude selection. Make 5% selection and feed it back to the pool. The general idea are geographic origin may have difference in genetics.
  • Brian Irish asked whether the basis of defining the pools is strictly based on passport data.
    • Riday (USDA-DFRC, Wisconsin) replied that he consulted Russian databases and based on the name. You can track where in the former USSR they originated from (exact region). You can do the same for Chinese material.
  • Northern pool: H. Riday (USDA-DFRC, Wisconsin) completed the first cycle of selection; general characterization was mostly visual, and he move quickly to selection. Percent selection 5-8% that feeds back to the pools (maintaining the same pools) unless molecular data shows otherwise; in that case we need to reconsider the pools. Checks are used such as ‘Vernal’ for comparison.
  • Viands (Cornell) commented: pleased this is happening because this was suggested 25-30 years ago and never took off the ground because breeders in companies were not willing to have it done.
  • Riday (USDA-DFRC, Wisconsin): All the data collected are visual, and it will be fed back into the pools rather than expanding the collection. These pools are different from the 200 PIs Stephanie Greene identified as core collection.
    • Viands (Cornell) asked whether anybody used that core collection for breeding purposes. It is unknown.
  • Papadopoulos (AAFC) suggested having standard data collection methods to describe the same phenotypes and have common data.
  • Riday (USDA-DFRC, Wisconsin) sent an instruction sheet to Lethbridge.
  • Monteros (Noble Res Institute) suggested using pictures of 1 to 5 scores.
  • Checks like ‘Vernal” are usually included. There is also interest in persistence across regions.
  • Missaoui (Univ. Georgia Missaoui, H. Riday (USDA-DFRC, Wisconsin), C. Brummer (UC Davis), Brian Baldwin (Mississippi State Univ.) discussed the type of traits, especially the correlation between true yield and visual vigor and the validity of visual scores as surrogate to yield.
  • Ali Missaoui described the evaluation of an alfalfa collection of 1580 entries at UGA and the type of data collected. The data will be deposited back with NPGS.
  • Monteros (Noble Foundation) asked about sequencing, whether on single plants or more.
    • There is more variation within PIs than between. H. Riday (USDA-DFRC, Wisconsin) indicated that 80% allele variation within a PI is considered uniform in forage populations. Allele frequency in alfalfa commercial seed field with the non-dormant cultivars are clearly distinct and less diverse.
  • Papadopoulos (AAFC), D. Viands (Cornell), H. Riday (USDA-DFRC, Wisconsin): discussed alfalfa selection in coastal regions. Selection of surviving plants after winter.
  • For those interested in PI evaluation in Northern locations, you can contact H. Riday (USDA-DFRC, Wisconsin) for new germplasm evaluation.
    • We can add more sites for in the Northern area if there is interest. Clarifications were made on the type of data to collect from Canada.
  • Southern pool: Charlie will lead.
  • Mississippi is interested in adding a location and will coordinate with GA on the list of entries to test.

1.2. Developing switchgrass germplasm with improved fungal pathogen resistance

1. Viands started the discussion:

• Shawn Kenaley is leaving Cornell. Gary Bergstrom wants to take over leading the survey of switchgrass diseases. He plans on replacing Shawn with another postdoc.
• Opened discussion on what needs to be done.
  • Missaoui will talk to Shavannor Smith if she is interested in joining the project.
  • The activities are just a survey and no need to plant.
  • Youssef is not involved in the objective but interested in getting information. He has breeding trials where data can be collected from and he is interested in being added to the objective.

Break

1.3. Developing resilient cool-season grasses adapted to variable climatic conditions.

• This topic was discussed a couple of years ago. The study is now in the ground looking at orchardgrass, tall fescue, and bromegrass vigor. Also looking at quality.
• There is a selection component. There are several locations.
• This is a new project and not a direct continuation.
• Biligetu (Univ. Saskatchewan) commented that Bruce Coulman is semi-retired, but he is writing a paper on the project from previous project data.

1.4.  Determining the extent of genetic variability of condensed tannins among currently available birdsfoot trefoil cultivars and elite lines.

1. Papadopoulos (AAFC) began the discussion.

• The project was supposed to be initiated this year but Rebecca Brown (Rhode Island) could not start the project this year because of funding. She will start next year. The handout provided includes evaluation of germplasm for cooperators. The goal is to evaluate germplasm from other collaborators. An animal scientist will be looking for the effect on parasites.
• Riday (USDA-DFRC, Wisconsin) asked if the evaluation started yet. He has material with high and low tannins from Nancy. He needs to send the seed to Y. Papadopoulos (AAFC).
• The real step is to look at chemistry and tannins on animal parasites. Kathleen was added to the project and she will be looking at the chemistry: type of tannins and in vitro techniques. The samples will be freeze dried and sentr for processing and analysis of composition.
• Papadopoulos (AAFC) and Rebecca have preliminary data, looking at leaf powder effect on worms in sheep. As well as in vitro, looking at effect on eggs and emergence of parasites.
• Right now there is Nova Scotia, Utah, NY, and Wisconsin participating. If others are interested they can be added.
• Riday (USDA-DFRC, Wisconsin) commented that in Wisconsin, there is someone using 3D-NMR looking at types of tannins in plants.
  • Kathleen is interested in knowing what fraction.
  • The person’s name is Wayne Zeller and can be added as collaborator if he interested.
  • Nancy would like to be added to the project but no site. She has high and low tannin genotypes.
  • Plots will have 10 plants and replicated. There is enough seed of the experimental population to be sent to participants.
  • Riday (USDA-DFRC, Wisconsin) is interested in tannin stability in hay.
  • Discussion on tannin fractions and chemistry with Kathleen. John is convinced his chemistry is the best.
  • Don asked what does it take to send the ground material to Canada for tannin analysis.
    • Annie replied: Phyto certificate. H. Riday (USDA-DFRC, Wisconsin) suggested that it may not be needed because most of the germplasm that goes to Canada such as red clover has no restriction. Y. Papadopoulos (AAFC) will find out.
    • May combine samples from many replications.
  • Nancy Ehlke commented that tannin content is affected by environment but ranking is consistent ….No GXE.
    • Papadopoulos (AAFC): Year and location effect will be assessed. By 2020 will have an idea about GXE. He previously did greenhouse and field tests and found different rankings.
    • Papadopoulos (AAFC) will send details on harvest and sampling for analysis. Check cultivars will be determined.

Objective 2. Understanding genotype by environment interactions across multiple forage species.

• Discussion on species (fescue, dactylis, bromus…), Quality and cell wall characteristics, and selection components.
• Uniform cultivar trials with the same entries across locations to be able to test GXE.
• Suggested to include Tim Phillips (Kentucky) as a participant.
• How many cultivars to include? Discussion on whether to go with cutting or grazing or both. Suggested to stay with cutting.

Tall fescue:

• Missaoui (UGA) will take the lead on coordinating the fescue trials. Participants will be Utah (Joe), Nova Scotia (Kathleen), Cornell (Don), GA (Ali), Davis (Charlie), and possibly Kentucky (Tim to ask).
• The target is 30 entries.
• Quality analysis can be done in GA, Mississippi volunteered for the analysis. Y. Papadopoulos (AAFC) suggested to target first growth for quality analysis.

Orchard grass:

• Joe (Utah) will lead.
• Saskatchewan, Cornell, UGA. Kentucky will participate with plantings starting this fall (first august).
• The lead will collect the seed and distribute it to the sites.
• Plot size 15 x 5 ft or 2 x 1 m. at least 2 checks for each region.
• Papadopoulos (AAFC) can contribute germplasm but cannot do a trial. He can send one entry.
• Each lead needs to send an email reminder to the collaborators to supply the seed for the trials.

Trefoil: Y. Papadopoulos (AAFC) is the lead on trefoil cultivar trial.

• Same plots as tannin plus additional standard entries. Yield will be needed. First sample for tannin and then harvest the plots. 2019 will be the start.

Red clover: H. Riday (USDA-DFRC, Wisconsin) will lead:

• Already have trials ongoing in Wisconsin, Cornell, Quebec, and Nova Scotia. In fall 2019, GA can have a trial. Nova Scotia has two cultivars that need to be tested. Standard checks (Marathon, Freedom, Cinnamon plus, Canadian checks)
• There are not many commercial companies doing red clover breeding.

Alfalfa: Will discuss yield trials in next year’s meeting. In Utah, they do one trial every 3 years.

• Cornell has a testing program on fee basis for companies but free for universities.

Cicer milkvetch and Sainfoin: Surya Acharya is doing work on these species. He was not present in the meeting

Anne Marie raised a question about GxE for objective 2.

• Viands (Cornell) replied that for perennial species in order to be of interest to companies it has to be broadly adapted unlike annual species where you can have target regions. It has always been a justification when writing the multistate projects since forage breeders are getting fewer and fewer.

Discussion about the need or not for PVP. It is not as necessary as it used to be.

Next meeting location:

Next year’s meeting will be in Athens, GA, on Wednesday May 29, 2019. A. Missaoui (Univ. Georgia will be the chair for next year, Bill Biligetu – Univ. Saskatchewan (CAN) will be the secretary.

New Items:

1. Brummer (UC Davis): Interested in population improvement for diploid alfalfa. (falcata, caerulia, etc.). There are some accessions that are very productive based on previous evaluations. Compared to tetraploids, these have smaller leaves and originated from East Turkey (Caspian Sea). Potential interest from Quebec, Davis, Cornell, H. Riday (USDA-DFRC, Wisconsin), Arvid Boe, Mike Peel. Seed will come from GRIN. Charlie will start a location this coming fall in Davis.

Meeting ended 11:45. Lunch in Student Center at USU campus.

Objective 1:

1. Alfalfa germplasm pools have been established at multiple locations. Some data have been collected, and plants will be selected from each location for vigor, agronomic traits, and persistence with the ultimate goal of developing new germplasm for alfalfa breeding programs.
   
2. Germplasm of orchardgrass, tall fescue, and bromegrass have been planted at multiple locations for germplasm enhancement.
   
3. Plans were discussed for initiating the tannin research on birdsfoot trefoil. The research will be planted at multiple locations during spring 2019.

Objective 2:  Plans have been discussed for planting various forage species at multiple locations during spring 2019 to study genotype x environment interactions.

Songsomboon K., J. Crawford, J. Cummings, G. Bergstrom, and D. Viands. 2017. Response to recurrent phenotypic selection and correlation of resistance to Bipolaris diseases in switchgrass. Poster session presented at: Switchgrass IV: Prairie & Native Grass International Conference; 7-10 August 2017; Lincoln, NE.