SAES-422 Multistate Research Activity Accomplishments Report

Sections

Status: Approved

Basic Information

Participants

Don Viands – Cornell Univ. (New York, U.S.A) Heathcliffe Riday – USDA-Diary Forage Research Center (Wisconsin, U.S.A) Nancy Ehlke – Univ. Minnesota (U.S.A) Charlie Brummer – Univ. California Davis (U.S.A) Arvid Boe – South Dakota State Univ. (U.S.A.) Ali Missaoui – Univ. Georgia (U.S.A.) Annie Claessens – Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (Quebec City, CAN) Maria Monteros – Noble Foundation (Oklahoma, USA) Brian Baldwin – Mississippi State Univ. (Mississippi, USA) Michael Peel – USDA-ARS– Logan, UT (U.S.A) Kathleen Glover – Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (Nova Scotia, CAN) Yousef Papadopoulos – Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (Nova Scotia, CAN) Sean Asselin – Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (Swift Current, CAN) Surya Acharya – Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (Lethbridge, CAN) Hari Poudel – Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (Lethbridge, CAN) Joseph Robins – USDA-ARS Logan, UT (U.S.A) Tim Phillips – Univ. Kentucky (Lexington, U.S.A) Gary Bergstrom – Cornell Univ. (New York, U.S.A) Shavannor Smith – Univ. Georgia (U.S.A.) Brian Irish – USDA-ARS Pullman, WA. (U.S.A) Chathu Wijewardana – Cornell Univ. (New York, U.S.A) Zhang you Xu – USDA-ARS, Minnesota Abdelali Hannoufa – Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (London, CAN) Eric Von Wettberg –Univ. Vermont, (U.S.A) Esteban Rios– Univ. of Florida Garett Heineck– Univ. of Minnesota Bill Biligetu – Univ. Saskatchewan (CAN)

 1.1  Alfalfa testing – Heathcliff (northern group) and Charlie (southern group).

 

Northern Germplasm

  • Locations Cornell, Madison, Davis, Nova Scotia, Quebec.
  • Selection of crossing blocks and generations of diverse populations in a northern group and a southern group.
  • Interest in 10-clone synthetics.
  • Derived synthetics to be evaluated at these sites, next year.
  • Interested – St. Paul, Vermont, Quebec, Nova Scotia, Davis, Cornell, Saskatoon and Swift Current (SK). Based on seed amounts, will select follow up sites.
  • To get seed into Canada, better to send all seed to one Canadian location and they distribute? Yousef (NS) volunteered to be the site.

Southern Germplasm

  • Explanation of the project. Four germplasm pools for the North and five for the south.
  • Purpose is to get a genetic mix among the germplasms within the pools.
  • El Centro nursery “hammered good.”
  • San Joaquin Valley site did well.
  • Spring planting put off because of Covid19. Hopefully there will be fall plantings.
  • Germplasm space plantings for southern locations: Ali Missaoui has a test of alfalfa in Georgia that he has screened.
  • Question if there is a Latin American pool. Brummer would like to include it to get more non-dormant material.
  • Zhanyou Xu: will using markers eliminate duplication in the collection? Heathcliff – simpler methods to evaluate diversity.  More interested in the loss of diversity. 
  • Discussion on caged seed increases.

1.2 Fungal investigations in switchgrass

  • Invited Shavannor Smith assisting at Georgia. Developing markers for rust (Puccinia maculata and Bipolaris) on maize.  Perhaps this knowledge is transferrable to switchgrass.
  • Headsmut is important because it impacts seed production.
  • Bergstrom – really no observed resistance in the southern lowland types that contract head smut.
  • Annie Claessens is working on head bunt. She invited other participants.

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

  • Locations testing – Utah – 2 locations; western Canada – 2 locations, Quebec -2 locations.
  • Grasses include 7 tall fescue 10 meadow brome, 10 timothy, 10 orchardgrass breeding lines.
  • Sites are in their 2nd year of data collection – all northern latitudes.
  • Looking at sugar accumulation in orchardgrass.
  • Georgia needs a set to study GXE for orchardgrass.
  • Selections for heat tolerance in orchardgrass in Mississippi.

1.4 Genetic variability in BFT

  • Locations Madison, Nova Scotia, Cornell, Logan.
  • Coordinated by Yousef.
  • Mike Peel harvested samples; freeze-drying to be sent from Logan. Madison site getting underway slowly. Cornell will take samples this year. We are on target. Delays due to Covid19.

2.0 G X E for Tall fescue, orchardgrass, red clover

  • Georgia: 17 tall fescue lines are being tested in Georgia, Cornell, and Nova Scotia.
  • Orchardgrass: Mississippi generated heat-tolerant orchardgrass in hopes of increasing persistence.
  • Red clover – still a discussion point.

 

BREAK

Discussions for the next 5-year multistate project period (led by Don Viands)

  • An “Intent to Write” needs to be submitted within the next year.
  • Continue current objectives.
  • 2: Switchgrass resistance to head smut and genetic diversity of the pathogen.
  • 4: Add sainfoin (Surya Acharya lead; Michael Peel, Kathleen Glover, Bill Biligetu)
  • New objective: Improve forage yield stability by selection for tolerance to environmental stresses and climate change.
  • New objective: Selection of forage species for nutritive value.
  • New 3.1 objective to be led by Heathcliffe Riday: Implementing genomic selection in alfalfa breeding programs.
  • Kathleen: we should consider what is needed for the next 10 years. Zu: improve yield. Eric: More grass-based forage production in VT. Kathleen: Environmental sustainability.
  • Don will draft the Intent to Write and send it to the NE1710 members for review.

Next meeting location and date: Mississippi? Bill will ask Brian Baldwin if he will host the meeting. If so, Brian can send us a few possible dates.

  • Elect the next officers of NE1710: B. Baldwin = Chair, sec. = Sean Asselin (Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada, Swift Current station).
  • Administrative Advisor: After the meeting, Eric von Wettberg volunteered to become the next administrative advisor.

Adjourned the meeting at 3:50 p.m.

Accomplishments

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

1.1. Developing regionally adapted, resilient alfalfa germplasm pools.

Alfalfa germplasm pools have been established at multiple locations. Some data have been collected, and plants were selected for the first cycle of selection from each location for vigor, agronomic traits, and persistence. A second cycle of selection will be initiated, and evaluation of the first cycle germplasm will be evaluated at multiple locations. The ultimate goal is to develop new germplasm for alfalfa breeding programs. 

 

1.2 Fungal investigations in switchgrass

Switchgrass diseases are being assessed and pathogens identified at multiple locations across North America.

 

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

Germplasm of orchardgrass, tall fescue, and bromegrass have been evaluated at multiple locations for germplasm enhancement. A heat-resistant orchardgrass variety has been released.

 

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

Some locations are sampling forage of the birdsfoot trefoil trial during summer 2020. Other locations have delayed planting the trials until next year because of restrictions due to COVID-19.

 

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

Field plot trials of several tall fescue populations were planted in 2019 at multiple locations. Forage yield is being assessed for the first production year during 2020. These trials will continue for at least the next two years.

Impacts

  1. GXE interaction in perennial forage species: The sales volumes and profit margins on forage seed sales are slim. Therefore perennial forage cultivars need to be broadly adapted in order to gain acceptance by the seed industry. The multistate group of researchers are collaborating to identify the extent of the variations in performance of these species in different environments across the US and Canada. We have several varieties developed in different parts of North America that are being evaluated in multiple locations for several years to test their forage yield and quality across environments. The results will guide future breeding programs on which representative environments they should test experimental populations before they are released as commercial varieties.
  2. Developing new alfalfa germplasm for breeders: New germplasm pools from plant introductions are being selected for forage vigor, freedom of diseases, and other agronomic traits to enhance the germplasm. These germplasm pools will be useful for alfalfa breeders to introduce genetic diversity into their programs for developing new varieties with higher forage yield and quality and new traits. These new varieties will ultimately improve the economic viability of forage and livestock operations.
  3. Resilient cool season grasses: Cool season grasses are being bred for resilience and adaptation across multiple environments. A heat-tolerant orchardgrass variety has been bred for better adaptation to southern climates. Improved grass varieties will improve economic viability of farm operations.
  4. Switchgrass diseases: Switchgrass is being observed across the USA for prevalent diseases that inhibit yield and persistence. Identification of the major diseases and selection of resistant plants will improve varieties for forage and biofuel use.
  5. Anthelminthic BFT Trial: Digestive tract parasites are a major limiting factor in yields of meat, milk and fiber from sheep and goats. Parasites on many farms are resistant to conventional dewormers. Birdsfoot trefoil has demonstrated potential as a medicinal forage in laboratory tests, with varieties differing in effectiveness. Trefoil is a high quality feed for sheep and goats even in the absence of parasites, and it improves soil quality. We are evaluating eight varieties over three years to find the best combination of effectiveness and forage yield. Identification of a superior variety will allow sheep and goat producers to improve herd health and yields while reducing dependence on conventional dewormers and improving soil quality.

Publications

Annick Bertrand, Solen Rocher, Annie Claessens, Marie Bipfubusa, Yousef Papadopoulos, Yves Castonguay. 2020. Biochemical and molecular responses during overwintering of red clover populations recurrently selected for improved freezing tolerance. Plant Science 292 (2020) 110388.

Brummer, E.C., X. Li, Y. Wei, J. Hansen, and D.R. Viands. 2019. The imperative of improving yield of perennial forage crops: will genomic selection help? EGF Eucarpia.Joint Symposium, Zurich 24-27 June. https://egfeucarpia2019.ch/images/docs/EGF-EUCARPIA2019_Program_Current.pdf

Crawford, R., J. Crawford, J. Hansen, D. Viands, and B. Richards. 2019. Effect of soil moisture on yield and quality of fertilized and unfertilized switchgrass plots in a field with a soil moisture gradient. Poster presented at: Switchgrass V International Conf., Champaign, Illinois, 22-25 July 2019.

Hansen, J.L, D.R. Viands, J. Chavez, J. Crawford, J. Schiller, and R. Crawford. 2019. New York forage legume and grass variety yield trials summary for 2019 - season totals. https://blogs.cornell.edu/varietytrials/forage/

Houman Fei, Matthew Crouse, Yousef A. Papadopoulos, and J. Kevin Vessey. 2020. Improving biomass yield of giant Miscanthus by application of beneficial soil microbes and a plant biostimulantCan. J. Plant Sci. 100: 29–39. The post doctorate conducted this trial at the Nappan Research Farm which was supported by BioFuelNet.

Marques E, Kur A, Bueno E., and von Wettberg EJ.  2020. Defining ‘rotational value’ of crops.  Crop Science, DOI: 10.1002/csc2.20200

Mayton. H., M. Amirkhani, M. Loos, J. Crawford, R. Crawford, J. Hansen, D. Viands, P. Salon, and A. Taylor. 2019. Evaluation of switchgrass genotypes for cold-tolerant seed germination from native populations in the Northeast USA. Plants 8(10):394. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants8100394 (13 pages)

QTL mapping of flowering time and biomass yield in tetraploid alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). Laxman Adhikari, Shiva Om Makaju & Ali M. Missaoui. BMC Plant Biology volume 19, Article number: 359 (2019)

Quantitative Trait Loci Mapping of Rust Resistance in Tetraploid Alfalfa. 2019. Laxman Adhikari and Ali M. Missaoui. Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology. Volume 106, April 2019, Pages 238-245

Richards, B., R. Crawford, S. Das, C. Mason, C. Stoof, S. Pacenka, J. Hansen, J. Crawford, T. Steenhuis, and D. Viands. 2019. Perennial grass feedstock production on wetness-prone marginal soils in New York. Switchgrass V International Conf., Champaign, Illinois, 22-25 July 2019. 10.13140/RG.2.2.21798.27208.

Richards, B.K., C. Mason, S. Das, C. R. Stoof, Crawford, R.V. [Presenter], J. Hansen, J. Crawford, T. S. Steenhuis, M. T. Walter, D. R. Viands. Research poster: Perennial Grass Bioenergy Feedstocks on Wetness-Prone Marginal Soils. Switchgrass Collaboration Meeting, Noble Research Institute, Ardmore, OK. Feb. 10-13, 2019.

Sharifi, Mehdi, Derek Lynch, David Burton, Yousef Papadopoulos, Michael Main. 2019. Quantifying the short-term contribution of switchgrass to soil carbon using natural abundance technique in a sandy loam soil in Eastern Canada. Can. J. Soil Sci. 99: 217–221.

Similien, RM, Boe A, Coulman B. 2020. Forage production and selection for vigor in meadow and hybrid bromegrass in the northern Great Plains. American Journal of Plant Sciences 11:91-110.

Songsomboon, C., R. Crawford, J. Crawford, J. Hansen, J. Cummings, N. Mattson, G. Bergstrom, and D. Viands. 2019. Recurrent phenotypic selection for resistance to diseases caused by Bipolaris oryzae in switchgrass (Panicum virgatum). Biomass and Bioenergy 125:105-113.

Sutherland, J., R. Crawford, R. Trexler, C. Tkach, T. Bell, S. Bonos, M. Hall, J. Hansen, J. Lasky, D. Viands, and J. Carlson. 2020. Breeding for resilient, disease-resistant switchgrass cultivars for marginal lands. Genome Sci. Program PIs Ann. Meeting. Washington, D.C. 24-26 February 2020.

Conference or Workshop Presentations

Biruk A. Feyissa, Yousef Papadopoulos, Susanne E. Kohalmi, Abdelali Hannoufa. 2019. Flooding tolerance is regulated through the MiR156/SPL13 module in Medicago sativa. Plant Canada 2019 Conference, Guelph, Ontario, July 7 – 10.

  1. Kevin Vessey and Yousef Papadopoulos. 2019. Purpose Grown Biomass Crops: Efficient Production, Yield Modelling and Real-world Verification. Biomass to Fuel the Bioeconomy Workshop. Ottawa, Ontario, September 23, 2019.
  2. Kevin Vessey and Yousef Papadopoulos. 2019. Purpose Grown Biomass Crops: Efficient Production, Yield Modelling and Real-world Verification. Atlantic BIOCON 2019, Halifax, Nova Scotia, May 19, 2019.
  3. Kevin Vessey and Yousef Papadopoulos. 2020. Purpose Grown Biomass Crops:Efficient Production, Yield Modelling and Real-world Verification. Nova Scotia Innovation Hub Meeting, Halifax, Nova Scotia, January 17, 2020.

Papadopoulos, Y.A., S. Bittman, D. Hunt, J. Larsen, E. Mupondwa, R. Soolanayakanahally, A. Claessens, Bill Thomas, K. Vessey S. Fillmore. 2020. Adapted and Productive Cultivars for Dedicated Bioenergy Perennial Crops. AAFC Webex meeting - Theme 1: Biomass Feedstocks: Development and Production towards the Biorefinery Value Chain. January 24, 2020.

Yousef A. Papadopoulos. 2019. Forage Crops Adaptation to Global Warming. 10th Annual Canadian Forage & Grassland Association Conference. in Moncton N.B., Nov. 12 to 15, 2019.

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