Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

At 8:30 a.m., Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2004, the meeting convened at the Crops and Livestock Centre. The group was welcomed to Charlottetown, P.E.I. and the Crops and Livestock Centre by Ted Van Lunen. This was followed by an overview of National Research Program at Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada by Bruce Coulman, Acting Science Director, Cultivar Development and Genetic Enhancement. New members and visitors were introduced. This was followed by accomplishment reports and planning discussions from committee members until 12:30 pm. The group was taken to the Ag Canada Research Farm at Harrington where lunch was provided. Following lunch the group toured the research facilities and forage research on the farm. The group reconvened Sept. 3rd at the Crops and Livestock Centre and completed reporting and discussing new research. The next meeting is scheduled for August 15-16, 2005. It will be hosted in Logan, Utah by Michael Peel. Heathcliffe Ridlay agreed to be incoming secretary for 2005; Bruce Coulman agreed to be incoming chair for 2005 and will host the meeting in 2006.

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. 1.1.1 Identification of traits useful for improving Medicago sativa ssp. falcata germplasm. Ten plant plots have been planted at five locations in 2003. In 2004 data were collected on flower color, dry matter yield, spring vigor, regrowth vigor, growth habit, leafhopper injury where possible, height, relative maturity, relative leaf size and dormancy. Large variation for most traits has been detected. The evaluation will be repeated in 2005. 1.1.2 Genetics and improvement of naturalized alfalfa (M. sativa subsp. falcata). A nursery composed of about 220 half-sib families from naturalized parent plants on the Grand River National Grassland in Northwest SD was transplanted in SD, ND, and IA in 2002, and a nursery with a subset of 80 families was transplanted in Logan, UT 2003. Data have been collected on spring vigor, regrowth vigor, growth habit, leaf type, flower color, pod shape, dry matter production, and leaf hopper injury. 1.1.3 Breeding for resistance to alfalfa snout beetle in alfalfa. Cooperation continues with Cornell entomologists to refine the protocol for a greenhouse screening procedure where insect populations on plants can be controlled. During 2003-04, 14 alfalfa populations were screened for a first cycle of selection and 8 for a second cycle. Extension presentations have provided information regarding the problem and the breeding effort as a possible solution. 1.1.4 Developing alfalfa germplasm with potato leafhopper resistance from three diverse genetic sources. A resistant germplasm source from SD (SD201) was selected in NY and crossed with Peruvian germplasm to generate a population with three distinct sources of resistance to potato leafhopper. Seed was sent to cooperating locations for establishing field nurseries in 2004. Each nursery was established with about 1000 plants to begin three cycles of recurrent phenotypic selection for resistance. 1.1.5 Genetic mapping agronomic traits in alfalfa This project primarily composed a PhD thesis by Joseph Robins at IA. A map and analysis has been completed. Joseph successfully defended his thesis, and manuscripts will be submitted for publication late fall 2004 or early winter 2005. 1.1.6 Aluminum tolerance in tetraploid alfalfa. Screening nurseries were established at NY, P.E.I., and Alberta in 2004 to evaluate NA90-1002, LRC9695PG-1, LRCAT04-01 and NY9627. In 2005-2006 plants will be evaluated for mortality, vigor, and flower date at each harvest. Following evaluation the 10 best plants from each population will be selected and sent to each cooperator. All selections will be used to generate seed for a second cycle of selection at all sites. 1.2 Rhizomatous birdsfoot trefoil for yield improvement. A selection nursery at IA was visually evaluated and selections made for winter survival, upright growth, and density of stems and leaves. We will make selections during autumn 2004 for intercrossing over the winter. NY is now in the second cycle of selection for the rhizomatous trait in population partially derived from 'Pardee' trefoil. This project was described to seed company representatives and seed producers during a field tour in July. 1.3 Collection and evaluation of naturalized reed canarygrass populations for biofuel and forage traits. Charlie Brummer (IA) reported that he is working with Mike Casler (DFRC) and Jerry Cherney (NY) on a project that sounds very much like this one. Native collections were made this past summer and will be planted in spring 2005. 1.4 Tall Fescue. Interactions of nonstructural carbohydrates, seed yield, forage quality and yield components. Forage trails have been harvested for two years. Two populations were bred for high and low nonstructural carbohydrate content in endophyte-free tall fescue. Seed yield trials will need to be established to measure interactions among forage quality traits, nonstructural carbohydrates, and seed yield. 1.5 Multiple Species 1.5.1 Selection for fiber digestibility and cell wall pectin. At Ste-Foy, Quebec, ADL/cellulose and ADL/hemi + cellulose seem to be the most promising selection criteria to increase digestibility while maintaining or increasing yield in timothy. The observed changes in overall herbage digestibility due to selection for this ratio can be attributed mainly to modification of stem digestibility. At NY, sampling was completed in 2004 from trials planted in 2000 and 2001 to confirm progress from two cycles of selection for ratios of various fiber constituents and to determine the associations between fiber ratios and in vitro digestible dry matter. We are now in the second and third cycles of recurrent phenotypic selection for increasing neutral detergent soluble fiber (NDSF, mostly pectin in alfalfa) concentration in several alfalfa populations. Results to date suggest that genetic improvements for pectin concentration and indirectly for IVDMD in alfalfa appear to be possible, but more than one cycle of selection would need to be done before differences from base populations are statistically significant. These results were reported to seed company representatives and seed producers in July 2004. 1.5.2 Grass-grass and grass-forb mixtures for long-term sustainable biomass production. Discussions continued on how to design this research. Because most of us are interested in introduced cool-season grass-temperate legume mixtures for forage production, should we consider developing a simple and relatively inexpensive project on adaptation and production of combinations of those species (e.g., orchardgrass, meadow brome, timothy, white clover, birdsfoot trefoil, alfalfa, red clover)? 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 2.1.1 Comparison of mass, S1, and S2 selection in alfalfa. At Ste-Foy, IA, and NY, selection began in 1997 to compare two cycles of phenotypic selection made at the S1 and S2 levels versus two cycles made at the non inbred level for improving yield potential. For each cycle, about 200 each of S1 and S2 families were evaluated for 2 years. The best plant within each of the 20 best S1 and the 20 best S2 families were selected and intercrossed. Similarly, 2000 plants from the same base population were evaluated and after 2 years, the best 100 plants were intercrossed to produce another population; each collaborator selecting in his own population. The second cycle of selection has been completed at AFCSF and NY. Following seed production from the base populations and the Syn-2 generation of the first and second cycles of selection, replicated trials will be established at multiple locations to determine relative progress. 2.1.2 Replicated clonal line selection for improving forage yield of alfalfa. A broad-based alfalfa population was developed by two generations of random mating among Seedway 9558 (from NY), 5454 (sent by IA), and SF 9001=AC Viva (from AFCSF). Stem cuttings from 200 genotypes were made and sent to the cooperators to establish a nursery at each of four locations. In 2004 nurseries were established that consisted of three replicates of each of the 200 genotypes. Each genotype-replicate row consisted of three ramets. At each harvest, the number of plants and forage yield will be recorded for two production years. At the end of the second production year, the highest yielding 10% (20 genotypes) of the genotypes across the locations will be intercrossed to produce Cycle 1 seed. A second cycle will be done in the same way. Each cooperator also will produce their own populations within their locations. 2.2 Orchardgrass. Clonal selection in orchardgrass for broad adaptation. Two IA orchardgrass cultivars were planted with those from B. Coulman and two KY populations. One hundred plants from each entry were dug in mid February and transferred to the greenhouse. Crosses will be made with plants at weekly intervals beginning in February, 2005. Equal numbers from each source will be used. Seed should be available early summer. 2.3 Red Clover. Selection for general adaptation in red clover. A spaced-plant nursery with 200 plants from each of 10 populations was established at AFCSF in the spring of 2003. There was severe winterkill in that nursery last winter. Data were taken in spring and summer 2004. Final selection should be done this fall in these populations. They will be planted at IA in 2005. At P.E.I., parental clones were established in 2002. A limited amount of NE1010-C0 seeds were produced during the establishment year. Seed was produced in 2004 and should be available to the seven cooperating sites by January 2005 to activate Phase II. 2.4 Legume/Grass mixtures: Compatibility of legumes with various grasses. Trials were established at some locations in 2004. 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. Evaluation of new M. sativa subsp. falcata populations. Approximately 100 M. Sativa subsp. falcata accessions were established at four locations. Each cooperator selected plants and developed populations from the most desirable accessions. A comparative trial should be planted along with check cultivars in 2005. 3.2 Black Medic. Evaluation of naturalized Medicago lupulina collections. No report. 3.3 Multiple Species. Evaluation of cultivars and germplasm under grazing. At IA, several cultivar trials currently are under grazing. Tim Phillips (KY) invites interested individuals to send material for evaluation under grazing. 3.4 Meadow and hybrid bromegrass: Evaluation of meadow and hybrid bromegrass Eleven lines sources were established in nurseries in 2004 at Charlottetown, PEI, Madison, WI, and Brookings, SD. They were previously established at Saskatoon, SK, and Ste-Foy, QC. In 2003 there was not much variability among the entries at Ste-Foy, QC; however, severe winterkill occurred over the 2003-2004 winter. Relative winter survival was as follows: smooth brome > meadow brome > hybrids. Data collection at the remaining sites will start in 2005. New project. Selecting birdsfoot trefoil with and without grass competition. Seedlings of Norcen and Witt were transplanted as space plants in the spring of 2004 at Ames, IA, and Brookings, SD. One half of the plots were oversown with orchardgrass and one half left as monocultures. Two cycles of selection will be done and then compared for progress under the two scenarios. Selection will be based on visual vigor, erect growth, and other traits. Work Planned for 2005: Cooperators will continue germplasm evaluation. Traits and germplasm will be identified for improving alfalfa, Trifolium spp, birdsfoot trefoil, brome grasses, tall fescue, and orchardgrass. Selection for resistance to biotic stress will be done for alfalfa snout beetle and potato leaf hopper in alfalfa. Selection for tolerance to abiotic stress will be done for aluminum in alfalfa. Improvement of alfalfa quality also will be continued. Evaluation will continue on 100 M. sativa subsp. falcata accessions for developing useful germplasm. Comparison of selection methods in alfalfa will continue by producing seed in preparation for establishing evaluation trials. Improved persistence in birdsfoot trefoil will be attempted by selection for rhizome development. Results from completed projects will be reported in extension and refereed journal publications.

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