Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

Full summary of minutes with full state reports can be found in the attachments section of the project's Homepage.

W6 Regional Technical Advisory Committee – Minutes

Day 1, July 9^th, 2024 (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Mountain Time)

Location: USDA ARS Forage and Range Research Unit, Utah State University, 696 North 1100 East, Logan Utah and virtually via Zoom.

Opening remarks:

Kevin Jensen (W6 Chair)

Kevin welcomed everyone.  This was followed by a brief introduction of everyone attending the meeting. The agenda was approved.

Shawn Bushman (ARS FRRU)

Shawn gave an overview of the FRRU co-located with Utah State University in Logan, UT.  There are four main objectives for the unit.  These include developing forage and range plant varieties with increased resilience to climate change and environmental stresses, enhanced restoration outcomes and ecosystem services of rangelands, improved forage biomass and quality traits, and the development of genomic technologies for the improvement of reduced input turfgrass varieties.

Christian Tobias (USDA NIFA National Program Leader) 

NIFA is in the process of modernizing their grants management systems and processes for internal and external stakeholders.  Select programs will be piloted in 2025-2026.  In 2024, we have a 3% decrease in discretionary funding and 11% increase in mandatory funding.  Overall, the budget was flat.  The increase was in urban indoor and emerging agriculture as well as scholarships for students at 1890 institutions.  All grants require a data management plan.  Manuscripts in their final form must be made freely available to the public within 12 months of being published through PubAg, hosted by the USDA National Agricultural Library.

Gayle Volk (Acting as USDA-ARS National Program Leader, ARS NLGRP)

NPGS has over 600,000 accessions from more than 17,000 species that it currently maintains, and this is still growing.  NPGS distributes over 200,000 items annually.  The budget is not good. For 2023, the budget was $54.5 million spread across all NPGS locations.  The budget, when adjusted for inflation, is not going up and yet there are more accessions to maintain.  The people and facilities are lacking to continue to regenerate this material and so accessions are aging.  There are a lot of personnel changes across the locations.  Challenges for NPGS include increased operational costs, personnel transitions, losing accessions due to a backlog of regenerations and viability testing, developing and acquiring cryopreservation and/or in vitro conservation for some species, and acquiring and preserving additional plant genetic resources (especially of crop wild relatives).  The NPGS strategic plan was released in 2023, and it describes the status of all the NPGS sites, as well as all the collections with respect to all the responsibilities of NPGS and where they are falling short and what it is going to take financially to meet those needs.  There are five headquarter funded 2-year Post Docs that have been promised to NPGS this year.  There is also an ARSX $100,000 award for a germplasm project.  The website has been created for educational resources around plant genetic resources conservation and use.  Efforts are being made to compile NPGS success stories.  These stories will go into an eBook as a chapter.

NLGRP Report:  NLGRP does seed research, longevity research, maintains the large long-term collection of the entire NPGS, and also they have clonal programs to determine the kind of preservation and backup methods needed for their clonal collections and implement them.

Scot Hulbert (WSU W6 Administrative Advisor)

WSU upper administration has almost completely turned over including a new President (current president is retiring) and Provost.  In the process of looking for more irrigated land for the W6 group.  Thinks he has found the land needed.  Forage positions both for WSU and USDA are currently open in Pullman.  Budget explained by Marilyn.  Asking for an increase of 5% to give back to Crop & Soil Sciences for administrative support that USDA uses.

• Ahmad Amjad made the motion to approve the budget
• Donna Harris seconded the motion
• Discussion … increase in budget should be supported.
• W6 2024 proposed budget was approved unanimously.

State Reports

California, Lisa Taylor

In 2020, there were 357 unique accessions ordered and in 2023 there were 1456 requested.  In 2020, the intended uses for the germplasm included research, education and other while in 2024 the intended uses were research and education.  Over both years, research was the top use.  The increase in requests in accession for 2023 was largely lettuce.  Companies were the largest requesters in 2020 and there were 43 unique requestors.  In 2023, U.S. state agencies and universities were the largest requesters and there were 48 unique requestors.  Lettuce was requested the most in both years primarily for breeding for disease resistance and other stressors.  Phaseolus and alfalfa are also requested frequently in California.

Colorado, Lisa Taylor

Colorado had 655 unique accessions ordered in 2020 and 337 in 2023.  In both years, the intended use was research, education, and other with research being the top use.  Additionally, in both years, US companies were the biggest requester although there were more US state agencies and universities that requested in 2023 than in 2020.  There were also 11 unique requestors in both years.  The main requests for Colorado were cool season food legumes, dry beans, and sugar beets.

Idaho, Joeseph Kuhl

In 2020, 93 accessions were requested in Idaho from W6 Pullman, WA, from a total of 17 orders.  In 2020, federal, state (including universities) and private individuals placed 2, 3 and 12 orders, respectively.  The major user group (assessed by the number of items requested) in 2020 were private companies, requesting 12 of the 17 orders (split among 7 private entities).  In past years USDA, ARS scientists have been the major user group, in 2020 only two federal agency orders were made.  Among private companies Jennifer Trap requested 40 accessions (43% of total accessions), in 4 separate orders. 

A total of 16 orders were placed from Idaho in 2023, close to the 17 orders placed in 2020.  In 2023, 221 accessions were requested in Idaho from W6 Pullman, WA.  Significantly more accessions were requested in 2023, compared to the 93 requested in 2020.  It should be noted that in 2023 one order accounted for 121 accessions, 54% of the total requested.  This larger order came from a private company, 25:2 Solutions, LLC, an agricultural technologies company located in Pocatello, Idaho.  In 2020, no large orders (over 100 accessions) were placed.  Private companies accounted for 9 of the 16 orders placed in 2023.  Three state agencies and two federal agencies accounted for the remaining seven orders.

Montana, Michael Giroux

In 2023, there were six NPGS – W6 orders received from three unique recipients requesting a total of 60 accessions.

Recipients

Vladimir Kovalenko (MPG Ranch) – 34 lettuce accessions = research – how do they respond to elevated CO2 and are nutrients diluted under high CO2 conditions

Jessica Staha (Local Bounti) – 25 lettuce accessions – breeding or production

Tavin Wyrick (Sustainable oils) -1 tansy mustard accession

Nevada, Melinda Yerka

2020 Report:

Summary: Table 1 summarizes NV use of the NPGS in 2020 (which can be found in the attachment). Fourteen (10 in 2017, 15 in 2018, 13 in 2019) individuals from Nevada placed 26 orders (17 in 2017, 39 in 2018, 30 in 2019) and received 331 (91 in 2017, 2138 in 2018, 193 in 2019) accessions from the NPGS in 2020. Researchers at UNR continue to be the primary institutional users (215 accessions of 331, 65%). All users were contacted via email and 4 out of 14 responded. Users reported three manuscripts published in total.

2023 Report:

Summary: Table 1 summarizes NV use of the NPGS’s Pullman, WA gene bank in 2023 only (which can be found in the attachment). Four individuals from Nevada placed four orders and received 75 accessions. Researchers affiliated with the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE, including the University of Nevada System and the Desert Research Institute, DRI) were the only users. All users were contacted via email and 2 out of 4 responded. Users and my own searches on Web of Science reported/determined a total of 12 manuscripts published since 2020, including some that they had not reported previously.

New Mexico, Naveen Puppala

There have been three requests in New Mexico.

Dr. Charles Havlik from NMSU Ag. Science Center in Los Lunas; Watermelon, Corn & Beans. Purpose: Public education, demonstration and research use

Ms. Tara Jernigan – Educator from Lovington; Lettuce – Lactuca sativa. Purpose: Class instruction and garden for kids

Ms. Kristen Tran – Ledox highland farm from Mora; Alfalfa - Medicago sativa sub species sativa. Purpose: Research use

Oregon, Shaun Mehlenbacher – Not present and no report.

Utah, Kevin Jensen

In 2023, Utah had 4 requests and a total of 19 accessions distributed.  One of those requests was for looking at different species for monarch butterfly habitat at the University of Utah. Daniel Winkler received the most accessions, and they were of bulbous bluegrass and Western wheatgrass. He is with the Forest Service, and they were looking in cup studies to see if these two species could compete with cheatgrass.  In 2020, there were 2 request and a total of 39 accessions distributed.  These accessions went to BYU and Utah State for research purposes.

Washington, Per McCord

2020 Report

Overview

• Number of requesters: 108
• Number of orders: 191
• Number of items: 9280
• Number of responders: 24 (22%)- No 2^nd email sent this year
• Bad email addresses: 9

Representation:

• US State agencies (1) and all universities (29): (5 responses)
• Federal: 12 (5 responses)
• US Commercial Company: 20 (9 responses)
• Individual/non-profit: 46 (5) responses)

Total publications: 2 (including 1 submitted)

Highlights from 2020:

Solanum microdontum- Two accessions with Liberibacter resistance (USDA-ARS TTFVRU, Wapato)

Solanum chacoense, Solanum tuberosum- Introgression of self-compatibility, extraction of dihaploids from tetraploid breeding lines (USDA-ARS TTFRVU, Prosser)

Medicago spp. (too many to list J)- Development of improved germplasm with Phoma medicaginis resistance; development of DArTag DNA marker platform (USDA-ARS NTFLGRU, Prosser)

Phaseolus acutifolius, P. vulgaris- Identification of novel Pseudomonas resistance (Storm Seeds)

Malus domestica- Identification of apple cultivars suited for maritime climates (Muscle and Arm Farm, Whidbey Island)

2023 Report:

Overview

• Number of requesters: 108
• Number of orders: 120
• Number of items: 5724

Representation:

• US State agencies (1) and all universities (29): (5 responses)
• Federal: 12 (5 responses)
• US Commercial Company: 20 (9 responses)
• Individual/non-profit: 46 (5) responses)

• Total publications: 2 (including 1 submitted

Alaska, Jakir Hasan

Summary

The Western Regional Plant Introduction Station (WRPIS) received six requests between 2019 and 2022. The majority (67%) of the requests came from citizen scientists. These requestors intend to use accessories for breeding and research.

Alaskans received seeds for 24 accessions, which belonged to seven crop types. Rhubarb was the most requested germplasm, followed by lettuce.

Alaska 2019 germplasm requests

In 2019, the Western Regional Plant Introduction Station (WRPIS) received three germplasm requests from three different Alaskan residents. These requests were given the ID numbers 310564, 313318, and 315475. All three individuals had a keen interest in using the germplasm for plant breeding purposes. To fulfill the requests, the WRPIS distributed a total of 12 accessions of rhubarb (Rheum rhabarbarum L.), three accessions of Lactuca sativa, and one accession of Sporobolus compositus.

Alaska 2020 germplasm requests

In 2022, the Western Regional Plant Introduction Station (WRPIS) received one germplasm request (Order number 322690) for a line of giant catmint (Nepeta grandiflora). The requestor intends to use the germplasm in research to find the optimal species for the local rainforest climate.

Alaska 2022 germplasm requests

In 2022, the Western Regional Plant Introduction Station (WRPIS) received two germplasm requests from two Alaskan residents, identified as 341268 and 345080. Both showed an interest in utilizing the germplasm for plant breeding. To fulfill the requests, the WRPIS distributed five accessions, including one for each of Oxytropis arctica var. koyukukensis, Angelica lucida, and Trisetum spicatum, and five accessions for rhubarb (Rheum rhabarbarum L.).

Hawaii, Ahmad Amjad

2020 ORDERS:

Two orders (42 accessions) were placed in 2020. The two orders were from the University of Hawaii.

Species: Pisum sativum and Phaseolus vulgaris. The two orders were for genotype evaluation studies.

2023 ORDERS:

Three orders (15 accessions) were placed in 2023. Two were from the University of Hawaii and one order was from the National Tropical Botanical Garden.

Species: Phaseolus vulgaris, Lactuca sativa, and Bidens spp. Two orders are for genotype evaluation and one for morphological studies.

Quality: All orders were received in perfect condition.

Funds:

• $40,000 Specialty Crop Block Grant to trial melons locally using GRIN genotypes for preliminary data.

Issues:

• One small issue was with the request for two accessions listed in GRIN for Crescentia cujete (the calabash tree). Requested both accessions for variation. One curator wrote back to say that their tree had never produced fruit, and they didn't know why it was listed in NPGS (as of today both are still 'available' in GRIN). The other curator was amicable and sent me seeds but they arrived slightly moist with mold growing and did not germinate - one of the challenges of working with a more unusual species with fewer well-defined protocols for seed handling. This tree gets harder and harder to find, but remains an important part of the local cultural legacy. It would be great to see a backup of the two accessions to the Repository at PBARC

• A pepper that was believed to be the parent to Ka’ala and Waialua and it came in with a virus. Hesitant to plant it for risk of introducing new virus to Hawaii.

Testimony:

Dr. James Keach: “I want to emphasize what a critical role the NPGS plays in research and breeding, both for myself and for others I work with. I see accessions from trials later being offered commercially for a range of crops and, as my own small projects indicate, there are vitally important sources of resistance to modern pest and disease threats. This is an incredible scientific resource and truly one of the gems of the US's investment in agriculture.”

Wyoming, Donna Harris

2020 Orders:

Use: Education

• Smith, Isaiah, Cheyenne Botanic Gardens
• Winterfat, onion, common bean
• Showcase unusual species
• Cowan, Sarah, Cowan Flowers
• 22 different species
• Pollinator gardens, specifically Monarch Butterfly habitat species
• Teaching classes to adults and children

Use: Research

• Arrington, Matthew, Plenty Unlimited Inc
• Bog Bilberry (Blueberry) (2)
• Potential for indoor agriculture breeding efforts
• Arrington, Matthew, Plenty Unlimited Inc   
• Rubber Dandelion (5)
• DOD research project
• Temte, John, CO2 Sync Inc.  
• Kentucky Bluegrass (20)       
• SBIR Grant looking at root growth

2023 Orders:

Use: Research

• Harris, Donna, University of Wyoming-Sheridan R&E Center
• 370 accessions of alfalfa
• Weevil resistance and quality traits
• Vinarao, Grace, University of Wyoming-Sheridan R&E Center
• Prairie junegrass, Idaho fescue, Bluebunch wheatgrass
• Genetic diversity compared to local collections from NE Wyoming
• Akiina, Price, University of Wyoming – Sheridan R&E Center
• Popping bean parents for RIL population in development
• Barth, Mckenzie, University of Wyoming
• Intermediate wheatgrass/Kernza
• Herbicide dose response

Arizona, Glenn Wright

There were nine orders placed in 2020. Twenty-two percent of these orders went to US companies, another 22% went to US state agencies and Universities, and 56% went to US individuals with no affiliation.  In 2023, there were 6 orders places with 33% of these orders going to US companies, 50% going to US state agencies and Universities, and 17% went to US individuals with no affiliation.  In both years, the largest use of the seeds was for variety development, genetic studies, and plant pathological investigations.  In a survey of those that ordered seed it seemed that they are unaware of the limited resources that are available and that it is not feasible to increase accessions every year or every few years.

2023 Meeting Minute Approval

Meeting minutes from 2023 meeting were handed out.

• Joseph Kuhl made the motion to approve the 2023 minutes
• Ahmad Amjad seconded the motion
• No discussion
• 2023 meeting minutes were approved unanimously.

Tara McHugh – ARS PWA Area Director (ARS Pacific West Area Director)

Tara provided the committee with an update around infrastructure within ARS.  There are many facilities within ARS that are in need of repair and funding.  A new metric is in place for maintenance of infrastructure.  There is a new building in Pullman that will be used by ARS and WSU.  A stakeholder meeting was held in Prosser, WA earlier this year and the need for infrastructure improvements there was consistently brought up.  In the process of looking into the idea of changing Prosser from a work site to a location.  This will give Prosser more opportunity for funding.  Tara and Marilyn are looking into a geothermal project for next year to help save energy at the Central Ferry field station.

ARS Site Highlights in Western Region

Five-minute updates were given by Harold Bockelman (NSGC, Aberdeen, ID), Lauri Reinhold (NCGR, Corvalis, OR), Claire Heinitz (NCGR/NALPGR, Davis/Parlier, CA), Gayle Volk (NLGRP, Ft. Collins, CO), Tracie Matsumoto (TPGRD, Hilo, HI), Robert Krueger (NCGRCD, Riverside, CA), and Gary Kinard (NGRL, Beltsville, MD).

Introduction to stakeholders at meeting was made by Marilyn

An introduction of the stakeholders that were present was made.  Peter Ballerstedt (retired from Barenbrug USA) and Anna Murphy (Executive Vice President of the Beet Sugar Development Foundation & American Society of Sugar Beet Technologists).  A discussion on how the NPGS can gather input from the stakeholder liaison council on meeting their needs followed.  Anna mentioned that maybe there is an opportunity for private seed companies to help with increasing accessions.  Resources need to be put toward traits that stakeholders need and data collection methods/rating scales need to be standardized.

Discussion of new format for future W-6 meetings

Every other year the W6 meeting will be in Washington.  The other year will be somewhere else. There will also be a virtual option every year.  Would it be possible to get this meeting down to a day.  Maybe one day of meetings and then another half day for tours.  Site updates could be recorded, but representatives from each state should be live presentations.

Meeting adjourned for the day and location facilities tour followed at the following places.

Location Facilities tour

1) FRR labs and greenhouses (Shaun Bushman)

2) Compound (Kevin Jensen and Craig Rigby)

3) Evans Farm (Blair Waldron and Dylan Mills)

Day 2, July 10th, 2024 (8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Mountain Time)

Research Presentations

Research presentations were given by Erin Tullius from Forage Genetics and by Kevin McPhee from Montana State University.  The emphasis in both presentations was on the accessions that have been obtained from Pullman and how they have been deployed in the breeding programs.

Business Meeting

WRPIS Station Report, Marilyn Warburton

There are 102,127 accessions belonging to 997 genera, 4616 species (5268 taxa) in the WRPIS collection. W6 has 16% of the active NPGS accessions.

• W6 acquired 699 new accessions including 586 native plant accessions collected by the Seeds of Success (SOS) project, 1 accession of Phaseolus acutifolius, and 112 expired IPR/CSR accessions from NCGRP. W6 transferred 89 accessions to active curatorial programs at other sites from the SOS native seed collection.
• W6 distributed a total of 39,212 packets of seed samples in 730 orders to 555 unique requestors. These included shipments to 40 foreign countries (representing 44% of the distributions) and 47 US states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. 8,669 of these items went to 12 of the 13 western states (none went to Alaska).

Personnel

Several few key personnel changes occurred in both the federal and state-funded projects in CY 2023 and the first few months of 2024. The open plant technician position (WSU) in seed storage was filled by KungFang Chiang, and the open position in seed cleaning/seed storage (WSU position) was filled by Madison Hatley. In Prosser, the departure of the W-6 funded temperate adapted forage legume Technician left a vacancy now filled by Adriana Cifuentes. The ARS term Farmer in Central Ferry departed, and the position is temporarily being filled by Wyatt Keller, whom we hope to make permanent soon. The long running vacancy in the Unit’s ARS funded IT Specialist position (since 2020) was re-advertised, and candidates were interviewed for a second time. Several offers were made, and one is now pending security check and onboarding. The Horticultural Crops miscellaneous open Technician position (ARS) was replaced by a WSU (W-6) funded person (Sam Charpentier). With the departure of the WRPIS Farm Manager, the position was shifted from a WSU staff person to an ARS staff (Scott McGee), a veteran WRPIS person with the necessary experience. The Farm Assistant is now Griffin Stauffenberg (WSU). The Cool Season Food Legume Curator (ARS, Clarice Coyne) retired, and the position is currently vacant. The Alfalfa Research Geneticist (ARS, Long-Xi Yu) also retired, and the position is currently vacant. The Phaseolus (bean) Technician departed, and the position is being filled temporarily by Lauren Schutt (ARS). The pathology and laboratory manager position retired, and the position is being temporarily filled by Scott Mattinson (WSU) whom we hope to shift to the permanent ARS position soon.

Program Opportunities and Challenges

• Working with WSU to identify more field space in Pullman to replace that lost to the airport expansion and WSU Grass Ecology farm (2016 and 2019).
• The NPGS Strategic Plan highlighted increased pace of seed regenerations is needed to keep collections from dying; more field, greenhouse and growth chambers would be needed for that.
• The current lab space in our temporary quarters in Clark Hall is too small so some projects put on hold until new building completed in Feb. 2026. Lab space in Prosser need upgraded.
• Cold room and freezer space for collections is full and inadequate but new space will be available in the new ARS building.

Research and Service

• Presented research as oral or poster presentations (some virtual) at 7 scientific conferences
• Published 23 peer reviewed scientific journal and/or book chapters.
• Reviewed research proposals for funding agencies and participated as subject matter experts in peer-reviews (grants, hiring committees, manuscripts reviews).
• Hosted 12 groups of students or stakeholders in tours of the farm, seed cleaning, seed storage, laboratory and greenhouse facilities at Pullman, Prosser, and Central Ferry
• Attended 17 meetings with stakeholders including private companies and growers, university scientists and administrators, non-profit, and national and international government groups
• Participated in 5 exchange visits to other facilities or hosted others to ours

Other Accomplishments

• NP215 5-year Project Plan approved by the Headquarters and Office of Scientific Quality, and we are operating on the new plan
• Repair and Maintenance:
• Replaced cooling pads on Pullman GH14-44 and both Central Ferry GHs
• Replaced Plant Intro bubble house and Central Ferry GH coverings
• LED greenhouse lighting for multiple GH bays (slowly replacing all lights)
• Replaced the irrigation system at the Pullman Plant Intro farm
• Rebuilt expanded irrigation system in GH 109A
• Installed new rolling curtains on screenhouse 109B west
• Replaced Pullman Farm shop lights

Stakeholder Relations

• Have had 9 group stakeholder meetings in FY24 (primarily alfalfa, sugar beets, pulses, grasses, and native species)
• Liaising with WSU and ARS on the 3 former alfalfa research positions at IAREC (vice Yu and 2 WSU positions)
• Planning a field day at the Pullman Plant Introduction Farm in summer 2025
• Unit and program 1 pagers have been created

Outreach

• Eleven groups of students or stakeholders came to tour the farm, seed cleaning, seed storage, laboratory and greenhouse facilities at Pullman, Prosser, and Central Ferry
• Guest lectured for 2 university courses
• Reviewed research proposals for funding agencies and participated as subject matter experts in peer-reviews (grants, hiring committees, manuscripts reviews)
• Planted The People’s Garden on the Pullman Plant Intro Farm to benefit local food pantries
• Hosted 1 short term PhD student from IITA in Nigeria
• Hired ~25 undergraduate students and hosted 2 student interns
  

Facilities Spending Plan

• Of the $1.55 million for the Pullman location:
• In FY24, we expect to spend ~$115,000 on repairs, and in FY25 we could spend over $431,500 if we had it.
• Older greenhouses and screenhouses have benefited from increased attention in recent years. Next year we will concentrate on:
• GH102 in Prosser, WA (reskinning with Lexan)
• Headhouse 114-44, where the pathology screens are set up, inoculated, and scored, and provides storage for the pathology and one bean greenhouse
• Central Ferry farm drying shed HVAC and geothermal heating of greenhouses
• If funding exists, we need to upgrade the security system (cameras, digital locks and service) for the seed storage building (ARS safety and security assessment, March 2024).
  

RTAC Nominations for Secretary - 2025 meeting date/site

A nomination for secretary of the RTAC for 2025 was made.  The representative from Alaska, Jakir Hasan, was nominated.  The motion was made by Michael Giroux and seconded by Joseph Kuhl.  All voted in favor.

Pullman, Washington was nominated at the site for the 2025 meeting.  This motion was made by Joseph Kuhl and seconded by Donna Harris.  All voted in favor.

The meeting is planned for the last full week of June (June 23^rd) tentatively (Wednesday and Thursday, June 25^th and 26^th).

Marilyn then discussed the NPGS Plan which was directed by the 2018 Farm Bill and what is in it and where it stands now.

The meeting was adjourned at 12:31 pm.

Short-term Outcomes

• There are 102,127 accessions belonging to 997 genera, 4616 species (5268 taxa) in the WRPIS collection. W6 has 16% of the active NPGS accessions.

• W6 acquired 699 new accessions including 586 native plant accessions collected by the Seeds of Success (SOS) project, 1 accession of Phaseolus acutifolius, and 112 expired IPR/CSR accessions from NCGRP. W6 transferred 89 accessions to active curatorial programs at other sites from the SOS native seed collection.

• W6 distributed a total of 39,212 packets of seed samples in 730 orders to 555 unique requestors. These included shipments to 40 foreign countries (representing 44% of the distributions) and 47 US states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. 8,669 of these items went to 12 of the 13 western states (none went to Alaska).

• W6 uploaded 1636 observation data points for 941 accessions and 653 images for 435 accessions into the Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN)-Global database.

• W6 entered 1611 seed viability records into GRIN-Global during the reporting period. The National Laboratory for Genetic Resource Preservation (NLGRP) in Fort Collins, CO tested 1282 accessions and 329 were tested by our germination lab.
• W6 shipped 892 seed inventories to the National Laboratory for Genetic Resource Preservation (NLGRP), Fort Collins, CO. As of April 1, 2024: 78% of the W6 Germplasm collection is available to distribute and 80% of the W6 germplasm collection has a back-up inventory.
  

Outputs

• A total of 23 peer reviewed scientific journal and/or book chapters were published in 2023.
• The Phaseolus program continues collaborating on a lima bean project that supports regenerations, phenotyping and genotyping of 700 P. lunatus in the collection. They also collected 13 new Phaseolus populations from southern New Mexico including P. acutifolius (8), P. filiformis (1), P. grayanus (3), and P. parvulus (1), which will be accessioned if they can be regenerated.
• Genotyping and evaluation completed for the non-dormant alfalfa (400 accessions) with DArTag and in collaboration with Breeding Insight and the University of California at Davis.
• The Agronomy program addressed the challenge of contamination of field plots by grass weeds by digitization pure seed samples (standards), which is currently underway. Contaminants can be identified and removed in the field by weeding or by identification of contaminated seed prior to germination or during seed cleaning using the newly organized database.
• The Seeds of Success program worked on assessment and evaluation of 5 different Astragalus species for field establishment and regeneration of seed lots, protocols which are not yet worked out for many native wild species. This work was submitted for publication.
• The Cool Season Food Legume program worked with collaborators to identify markers linked to host resistance in pea to the pea aphid; identify ten lines exhibiting good tolerance to high temperatures; and use the STAYGREEN locus sequence as a bar code to discriminate among Pisum fulvum accessions.
• The Horticultural Crops and Beta Program obtained Hybrid Exome Capture sequencing results to create a highly supported phylogeny of the genus Lactuca and the three breeding pools of L. sativa were verified.
• Research into GWAS to identify markers, genes, and pathways associated with traits of interest has yielded new methodologies to expand pathway analysis into self-pollinated crops for the first time, and markers linked to seed protein levels in lentils have been identified.

Milestones

• Since this project is ongoing indefinitely, the biggest milestone each year is maintaining the accessions (as well as acquiring new accessions) and the data in the USDA-ARS Western Regional Plant Introductions Station (WRPIS), also known as the Plant Germplasm Introduction and Testing Research Unit (PGITRU) in a manner that allows the germplasm, and its associated information, to be freely accessible.

Ahmad, A.A.; Radovich, T.J.K.; Sugano, J.; Wang, K.-H.; Nguyen, H.V.; Uyeda, J.; Wages, S.; Tavares, K.; Kirk, E.; Kantar, M. Evaluating the Yield of Three Legume Crop Varieties under Hawaii’s Micro-Climates. Crops 2024, 4, 242–255. https://doi.org/10.3390/crops4020018.

Amin, M.N., Islam, M.M., Coyne, C.J., Carpenter-Boggs, L. and McGee, R.J., 2023. Spectral indices for characterizing lentil accessions in the dryland of Pacific Northwest. Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10722-023-01614-8

Bailey, LN; Pereira, TJ; Sion, BD; Kobelt, L; Gentilcore, D; Antoninka, A; Bowker, MA. 2023. Providing context for advancements in Arctomecon californica conservation: a comprehensive literature review with case studies. Western North American Naturalist. 83(4):525-549.

Chu, C., Hellier, B.C. and Dorn, K.M., 2023. Evaluation of NPGS Germplasm for Resistance to Sugar Beet Root Maggot, 2022. Arthropod Management Tests, 48(1), p.tsad002.

Coyne, C., Eizenga, G.C., Warburton, M.L. and Liu, S., 2023. Plant Exploration—the ‘Why’ of the Frank N. Meyer Medal. CSA News, 68(5), pp.42-44.

Dorn, K.M., Strausbaugh, C.A. and Galewski, P.J., 2022. Beet curly top resistance in USDA-ARS NPGS Plant Introduction lines, 2021. Plant Disease Management Reports, 165(16), pp.1-2.

Galewski, P.J., Majumdar, R., Lebar, M.D., Strausbaugh, C.A. and Eujayl, I.A., 2023. Combined Omics Approaches Reveal Distinct Mechanisms of Resistance and/or Susceptibility in Sugar Beet Double Haploid Genotypes at Early Stages of Beet Curly Top Virus Infection. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 24(19), p.15013.

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Hale, C. O., Tillett, B. J., Martin, J. M., Hogg, A. C., Cook, J. P., & Giroux, M. J. (2024). The Grain Number Increase 1 alleles GNI-A1-105Y and -105K increase grain number in spring wheat. Crop Science, 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1002/csc2.21267

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