Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

Minutes: W-1168 Annual Meeting Environmental and Genetic Determinants of Seed Quality and Performance (December 02-03, 2006, Texas A&M University, San Antonio, Texas) Saturday, December 02. Chairperson Mitch McGrath called the meeting to order and welcomed all participants and handed over to Daniel. Immediate Past Chairperson Daniel Leskovar (host) repeated the welcome. 1. Leskovar went through the agenda for the meeting. 2. Leskovar went over the arrangements for rides back to the airport on Sunday. 3. McGrath: Nominations for Secretary for 2007 and Nomination Committee should be decided before lunch. 4. McGrath: Rewrite committee is also needed as well as the Symposium Committee. 5. Leskovar: Introduced speaker: Dr. Tim Davis, Department Head, Texas A&M, gave a presentation commencing with a welcome to Texas. 6. McGrath: Minutes of the meeting for 2005. Kent Bradford moved the minutes be approved, Miller McDonald seconded that motion, which passed unanimously. 7. McGrath: Requested that the state reports be due in a couple of weeks, preferably delivered in electronic format. If you go to the ARS website, you can get to our W-1168 reports. After Hiro summarizes the state reports they are placed on that web page. 8. McGrath: Brought up that the current W-1168 working group project runs from 2003-2008. The renewal of the project proposal will have to happen this coming year (2007). Mitch went through the four objectives that are listed on the web site in the current statement of objectives. The rewrite is pending for January 2008. The objectives from the last rewrite, are they OK for the next iteration? Discussion - Greg Welbaum wanted to know what the current format looks like. Have there been changes because this will influence how we write. - Marc Cohn: We can get help from our USDA administrative advisor on this. A new title is necessary. - Bradford: Do we need to evaluate the new people, who will we lose, who will we appeal to? - MacDonald: Correct, we need to get those outside the group into the group. - Welbaum: Correct, there is a seed investigation center at Virginia Tech that Greg knew nothing about and there is a disconnect that must be fixed. - Bob Geneve: Our focus has changed from agronomy to horticulture. - MacDonald: The agronomy people are not being replaced. No emphasis on row crops in the future rather it will be on model systems. - Phil Allen: Asked about the graduate students at Texas A&M, how many coming from industry? - Leskovar: 40%. - Allen: International breakdown? - Leskovar: 60% US, 40% other. - Bradford: We have to write the project this year. - McGrath: First step is to write a request for renewal. Mitch wants a couple of people to help determine how to do this. - Bradford: We need to come out of this meeting with a definite Rewrite Committee so we can get them to push us to have something ready. - McGrath: We will ask for nominations tomorrow. - Welbaum: We can use the Davis symposium to meet. - Cohn: Good idea. - Bradford: We could meet ahead of time. - Allan: How important is our USDA rep in getting approval? - McDonald/Bradford: Dick Heimsch was a great advocate for us. - Leskovar: How long is a typical USDA rep appointment? - McDonald: A pleasure to work with Dorcus. General consensus. - Bradford: If we met in September 2007, would that be our annual meeting? - McGrath: That would be a decision regarding the venue for 2007, it would be California. - Leskovar: Would it qualify for 2008? - Bradford/McDonald: Probably. - Cohn: Our reporting basis is the fiscal year and we are close enough for that. - Bradford: True. - Cohn: Certainly efficient. - Bradford: The symposium is a major activity for the group to report. If there are any other publications that come out of it, so much the better. McGrath will check with Paul Rasmussen to determine if we can meet in Sept. and have it count for 2008. - McGrath: Daniel was chair, Mitch is chair and Hiro is secretary. Hiro will be the vice-chair in 2008, Bruce will be the secretary. - Bradford: I nominate myself and Miller as nominating committee for the secretary. - McGrath: Marc moved and Camille seconded the motion that Kent and Miller would be the nominating committee. - Cohn: No need for a site committee. General Consensus: Logistics would not be a problem. Conclusion, pending Paul Rasmussen's approval: We will have the 2007 W-1168 meeting before the Symposium at UC Davis, Kent Bradford hosting. 9. Moving on to the 2007 Symposium as it currently stands. Presenter: Kent Bradford, UC Davis (see appended symposium schedule). Rational: Two groups of people that don't communicate. Model plant versus practical. Symposium title: Translational Seed Biology: From Model Systems to Crop Improvement. The title was discussed and generally approved. Funding: John Harada and Kent Bradford: NSF: Kent. USDA: John. More efficient to put the grants through UC Davis. Anyone who wants to help write it is welcome. USDA: $10,000 BioStar: $15,000 Travel for anyone within California is paid separately and will be off budget. College: $15,000 requested. Department: $25,000 committed. Idea: Enough money to have no charge for graduate students at Davis. Also, no charge for local faculty to come to the scientific venue. Discussion: - McDonald: Karen Koster mentioned that ISSS might be able to support some of the activities. - Bradford: Only about $1,000 but it would be worth doing. - McDonald: Lower costs is better for graduate students. - Bradford: Companies might sponsor lunch/coffee. - McGrath: Where on campus? - Bradford: Freeborn Hall. Flat seating with a stage, but the better auditoriums would necessitate moving elsewhere to do the posters, etc., food, bookstore, everything is within walking distance, including hotels. Program: Rob Horsch is the first choice. If we can't get him then who? Bob Goldberg has accepted. Discussion - McDonald: Why are big seeds needed? - Bradford: Presumably they are breaking the negative correlation. Bigger seeds without decreasing yield. - McDonald/Bradford: Presumably, seed size was restricted by sink strength. Harada/Fischer, etc., claim the same thing for Arabidopsis. - Geneve: Order of the presentation, why not have the second session all on seed size? This would mean moving Anna and Brian in the schedule. Reserve Accumulation: - Geneve: Lipid is all for human consumption or is it biofuels? - Bradford: Don't know but probably biofuels. - Geneve: If so, then hit DOE for money. General consensus. Desiccation Tolerance, Longevity and Vigor. - Geneve: How long? - Bradford: 30 minutes, in stone! Moderator roles for all present W-1168 members. Dormancy and Germination. Translation to the Marketplace. - McGrath: Fred Bliss is a suggestion from Mitch. - Welbaum: Could we get someone from Africa to end the program? - Bradford: This is a thought. Consensus: A VERY exciting program of the best in the world. General comments on symposium: - Geneve: What happened to the question and answer sessions? - Bradford: At the end of every session, there will be a Q&A for 20-30 minutes. - Allan: Will there be questions after each talk? - Bradford: 5 minutes if everyone sticks to 25 minutes. - Bradford: We could organize a tour up into the valley, watermelon harvesting. - Welbaum: Posters are pretty much volunteer? - Bradford: Correct. Lunches and end second day are the only poster viewing times so not a lot of time but better than nothing. - Geneve: Q&A sessions: Difficult with international people to ask questions clearly. - Bradford: Just plan to have microphones out in the audience. - Cohn: The morning of Sept. 20th, four speakers in less than 2 hours? - Bradford: A choice has to be made. BREAK! Resumption at 10:40 a.m. Response to general discussion. Outcome a deliverable and no manuscripts requested from the participants. - Jeff Norcini: Construct a web site. - Cohn: A Seed Biology web site. - Bradford: The UC Davis IT will set up a web site. - Camille Steber: A posteriori could make a review of the meeting topics/ideas. Meeting report for plant phys/plant cell. Should there be a follow up with some of the authors? - Cohn: What about a series of invited reviews, two to an issue, from the meeting members in SSR? General Consensus: Good idea. - Bradford: We can put a review together that they can buy into. - Welbaum: Breeze presentation or taped audio with slide presentation. Write it up and see if they sign off on it. - Geneve: Look at the funding agencies to determine if they require a deliverable. - Cohn: It would be a product for more than just the participants. - Bradford: We have a meeting just before so we can delegate jobs at the meeting. - Bradford: Some type of identity for W-1168. Poster sessions would be of value to the group, perhaps small format poster printouts for the compendium. Funding for student travel. We can advertise there is money for graduate students and then see who and how many request funding. Two tier registration system. - Geneve: Needs to be advertised ASAP. - Bradford: Definitely. The ISSS logo must be on some part of the meeting, this might get us free advertising in SSR. - Leskovar/Bradford: We need to get the associations to put it on their web sites. - McGrath: Web site? - Bradford: UC Davis IT will do it. - Allan: How many people came to Fort Collins? - Bradford: Don't know. Expect 200 people. - Geneve: Dates of the meeting make it difficult. - Bradford: True, but we have to live with it. - Welbaum/Leskovar/Brian Duggan: Send an e-mail to ASHS, etc., requesting sponsorship and advertisement. - Duggan: When will we have to finalize costs? - Bradford: When we set the registration price. - Norcini/Cohn: When are the grant results announced? - Bradford: This has to be delegated. - Cohn: Might be worth contacting the panel manager, it may shorten the decision time. - Bradford: Yes, I will contact the panel managers. - Geneve: Rockefeller and Gates Foundations are on the agenda, what about having them pony up? - Bradford: Yes, good idea. 10: Project Rewrite Discussion - McGrath: Do you want to have a discussion of the rewrite or other business? Maybe go through the themes and see if the broad topic themes are OK for the next iteration? - Geneve: Can we use these or should we use these? The more objectives you have the more work, can we reduce this to three? - McDonald: Reduction to two or three creates vagueness. Prefer to have many specific goals so we can all find a home. - Geneve: Is anyone performing objective 1 any more? - McGrath: Not since TeKrony retired. - Duggan: Why not determine the effect of the environment on seed quality? General consensus - Bradford: The third and last point would be technological aspects of seed quality. - Geneve: Those speaking at the symposium on delivering a commodity through the seed are not represented in our W-1168 objectives. - Nonogaki: Seed business focus. We have no one working on nutritional aspects/ecological aspects, so if we decide to include this as emphasis, we need to obtain these people. - Cohn: Now is not the time to do the rewrites on new topics. We need to cultivate new members now with an eye to expanding our objectives. - Bradford: We probably won't be able to attract these type of people. - Welbaum: The people invited into the seminar are not experiment station people. - Bradford: If we go to a more impact oriented set of goals, what are we going to say? - McGrath: I prefer the more general objectives. - Geneve: The group has changed over the last few years. - Nonogaki: One strength of our group is that both the basic and applied expertise exists in our group. - McDonald: We are moving away from research on seeds as a propagule. This will influence this group. - Bradford: Gene switching should be the seed biologists' turf. - McGrath: Integrative Seed Biology or Seed Systems Biology. - Welbaum: Like the first. Buzzwords plus whatever you want it to be. - McDonald: The weeds people have all become seed ecologists. There may be many researchers out there working with seeds that feel that they do not have a home. - Duggan: Pre- and Post-Harvest Issues, Establishment Ecology, Nutritional and Value Added. - Bradford: Targeting the propagule issues that come with the third objective. - Geneve: Two levels. The renewal is a paperwork issue and is not the time to be creative. The second level is progressive alteration of the direction for the next iteration. - Steber: Victor Rayboy. Phytic acid. - McDonald: You must ask how are we going to remain relevant. - Welbaum: Educational aspect is another emphasis of this group. - Geneve: That isn't research which is the USDA mandate for the meeting. - Bradford/McDonald: Agree with Geneve. - McGrath: For the rewrite we need to request permission to submit a rewrite. The group is going from altering the seed to improve a crop or produce it better to altering the propagule so that it doesn't do something that it was doing or to get it to do something that it otherwise wouldn't. General questions - Do we have a stakeholder group? Restoration. - How specific do we have to be? - Food and biotechnology industries. - Biofuels - Cohn: We have to stay with our strengths and slowly extend tentacles to others in this area. However, use the buzzwords in our introduction and discussion and say that what we do is the bedrock of what all these endeavors are based on. - McGrath: Will do a draft of our request to submit and then send this out to the group. - Bradford: You need a committee to help you. - McGrath: We have 15 minutes to come up with a title and three objectives. Official objectives for the W-1168 re-write: - Pre- and Post-Harvest Issues. Pre- and post-harvest issues of the environment. - Establishment Ecology. Seed ecology and stand establishment. Seed ecology and population establishment. - Nutritional and Value Added. Seed quality, genetics and technology. Seed dormancy, germination and after-ripening. BREAK Reconvene 2:00 p.m. 10: State Reports. Steber: USDA-ARS, Washington State Univ., Pullman, WA. The Role of the GA Signaling SLY1 in Arabidopsis Seed Germination. Welbaum: Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA. An Overview of Seed Research at Virginia Tech. Allen: Brigham Young University and Susan E. Meyer, USDA Forest Service Shrub Sciences Laboratory. The Big Model: Linking the Dormancy Loss with the Hydrothermal Time Model. Nonogaki: Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR. Integrative Seed Biology. McDonald: The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio. Written presentation. Taylor/Yuliya Salanenka: Cornell University, Geneva, NY. Seed Coat Permeability and Uptake of Applied Systemic Compounds. Cohn: University of Louisiana, Baton Rouge, LA. Possible Targets for Damage. Is the Cause of Damage Physical and/or Chemical? END OF THE DAY Off for supper. SUNDAY, December 3, 2006. Continuation of the State Reports. Norcini: University of Florida. Coreopsis Lancelolata and Floridana Seeds. Leskovar: Texas A&M. High Temperature Stress Under Deficit Irrigation on Poblano and Bell Pepper. Downie: University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY. Geneve: University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY. The Relationship Between Ethylene Production and Dormancy Release in Echinacea Seeds. McGrath: Thanks Daniel for an excellent meeting. This was also reiterated by Miller for the whole group to Daniel. Continuation of state reports: Bradford, University of California, Davis, CA; Peggy Lemaux and Bob Buchanan, UC Berkeley. Interruption of state reports due to need to decide on rewrite themes. The consensus objectives of the rewrite for the W-1168 proposal are to: 1. Identify biophysical, biochemical, genetic and environmental factors associated with seed development, germination, vigor and dormancy. 2. Determine the influence of environmental factors on emergence and population establishment in natural and agro-ecological settings. 3. Develop technologies to assess and improve seed quality, improve seed performance, and enhance seed utilization. Volunteers for drafting the rewrite? Bradford and Steber can help on the first objective. Allen can help with the second objective. Geneve and McDonald can help on the third objective. Discussion - Alan Taylor suggested a conference call with Paul Rasmussen to hammer out what we should focus on now that the playing field has changed. - Geneve: Stakeholder input should be solicited. - McGrath: Will start a request for renewal and send it out to members for comments as well as to Paul. Next phase will be to flesh things out under each subheading. Interactive process. Aim next Sept. for a working draft. - Bradford: At the Sept. meeting we might reduce the state reports and spend time on fine tuning the report. Preferences on the timing of the meeting? Consensus: Travel Saturday, meet Sunday, finalize Monday. - Geneve: Because all will be staying for the meeting, we can have Monday afternoon as a safeguard. - Bradford: Allot time for collaborative discussions. - Taylor: Should send our request for renewal to Liang-Shiou Lin as well? General Consensus. - Cohn: We need our admin. guys on our side. Continuation of State Reports: McGrath, USDA, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI End State Reports. McGrath concluded the meeting @ 11:20 a.m.

Objective 1. Pre-harvest stress and seed quality. Establishing the timing of maize male inflorescence is critical to understanding the effects of stress on tassel development and pollen production. Critical events of tassel and pollen formation were characterized. Tassel was initiated from fourth leaf stage, six leaf tips (V4:T6) to V5:T7. Branch meristems appeared from V4:T7 to V6:T9. Spikelet-pair primordia appeared from V5:T7 to V7:T10, while sessile spikelets differentiated from V5:T9 to V8:T12. Lower florets were initiatied from V6:T11 to V8:T13. However, lower florets were initiated within a 60 heat unit period across the tassel. For a given spikelet-pair, florets formed in the pedicellate spikelet only slightly prior to the sessile spikelet. Anthers were visible within 30 heat units of floret development. Pollen cells entered meiosis approximately 90 heat units after anther initiation, and pollen meiosis occurred from V9:T14 to V12:T15. (IA) Effects of water availability during seed development in lettuce (Lactuca sativa) were investigated. Seeds of cv. Tango were produced in a greenhouse under one of two treatments: i) wet (watering volume equivalent to evapotranspirated volume), and ii) dry (watering volume ~ 54% of wet treatment). The dry treatment produced significantly shorter plants with fewer but heavier seeds. Without light, at 20°C, seed germination from both treatments was reduced drastically, with a significant difference in favor of the dry treatment. In both treatments germination decreased at increased levels of exogenous ABA concentration, however seeds from the dry treatments were more sensitive to ABA. The results indicated that water availability during seed development not only affected seed yield and weight, but also germinability under sub-optimal conditions. (OH) Day-length during seed development affects germinability and storability of lettuce seeds. Seeds of cv. Tango were produced in growth chambers under i) short day (SD): 8 h of fluorescent light (~310 mmol m-2 s-1) plus 16 h of darkness or ii) long day (LD): 8 h of fluorescent light plus 8 h of incandescent light (~21 mmol m-2 s-1) and 8 h of darkness. In both treatments the temperature was 23°C, constant. The LD treatment produced significantly heavier seeds. At suboptimal conditions (30°C or 20°C with different external ABA concentrations), seeds from SD treatment exceeded seeds from LD in both germination percentage (GP) and germination index (GI). When germinated in dark at 14, 19, and 24°C, GP was significantly higher for seeds from SD; seeds from both treatments presented no germination at 29°C in dark. After accelerated aging (41°C, ~100%RH, 72 h) GP was higher for seeds from LD. Seed germination was also evaluated after 2, 4, and 6 months of storage at i) 30°C, 55% RH and ii) 30°C, 74% RH. Seeds stored at 74% RH presented a significant reduction of GP and GI for both treatments, however seeds from SD were more affected. The results indicated that day-length during seed development affected lettuce seed weight, germinability, and storability. (OH) Effects of temperature during seed development were analyzed. Seeds of lettuce cv. Tango and Helianthus debilis cv. Vanilla Ice and ssp. Cucumerifolius were produced in greenhouse under i) hot (27, 40, and 20°C temperatures average, max, and min respectively), and ii) cool (23, 33, and 18°C temperatures average, max, and min respectively) conditions. In both species heavier seeds were produced under the cool conditions. In lettuce, germination was affected by increased levels of exogenous ABA and by reduced water potential, and in both cases seeds from cool treatments were more affected. In lettuce, germination at 30°C and constant light was higher for seeds from the hot treatment. Lettuce seed showed a strong light requirement for germination, which varied with the temperature. Seeds from the hot treatment presented better dark germination at 13 and 19°C. Seeds from H. debilis did not require light for germination, and the germination percentage and rates were evaluated at 13, 21, and 29°C. The germination at 29°C of H. debilis cv. Vanilla Ice was higher when seeds were produced under the hot conditions. The results showed that temperature during seed development affected seed quality that is not distinguishable by the standard germination. (OH) Little is known about the optimum time of harvest for best orchid seed quality. Flowers of Phalaenopsis amabilis were self-pollinated twice. Pods were harvested at 90, 105 and 120 days after pollination (DAP). Seed size, cell form, and color were determined at each harvest date. Seeds were tested for initial viability and stored under different temperature and moisture conditions. 90 DAP seeds stained positive with tetrazolium (TZ) but did not germinate. Results at 105 and 120 DAP were similar with 120 DAP demonstrating greater vigor by developing protocorms. Seeds were largest and had the greatest embryo cell number at 120 DAP. Embryo staining with TZ was not a good predictor of orchid seed germinability and should not replace seed grow outs. (VA) Objective 2. Biophysical, biochemical and genetic factors in seed desiccation tolerance and longevity. Model system Spartina alterniflora for a desiccation tolerance study was developed. The importance of comparative physiological approach to studying seed death due to drying (recalcitrance) was validated by parallel experiments with the recalcitrant S. alterniflora and the orthodox S. pectinata. The critical moisture content of recalcitrant alterniflora seeds was identical for both dormant and non-dormant seeds. The contribution of peroxidative reactions to recalcitrant seed death was evaluated. Ferric orange-xylenol (FOX) reactive substances increased only in non-dormant alterniflora during drying; there was no increase in FOX-positive substances in dormant alterniflora. However, the total antioxidant titer decreased in alterniflora, and this decrease was associated with a substantial increase in protein oxidation during drying. (LA) DGMI is a digalactosyl derivative of myo-inositol, a member of the Galactinol series of cyclitol galactosides, and a minor component in soluble carbohydrates from buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) seeds. DGMI was purified from seeds of buckwheat using combinations of solvent extraction and fractionation of extracts on ion-exchange columns and carbon-Celite columns. DGMI was purified by repeated chromatography on carbon-Celite columns. The presence of myo-inositol, galactinol, and DGMI in seed extracts were tentatively identified by gas chromatography. Acid (2 N trifluoracetic acid) hydrolysis of galactinol resulted in galactose and myo-inositol in the mole ratio 1.03:1.00. Acid hydrolysis of DGMI resulted in galactose and myo-inositol in the mole ratio 2.08:1.00; upon partial hydrolysis of DGMI, galactinol, galactobiose, galactose, and myo-inositol were detected. Galactinol and DGMI were hydrolyzed by a-D-galactosidase from green coffee bean, but not by b-D-galactosidase, identifying a-galactoside linkages. The absolute configuration of DGMI was determined by 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR and two-dimensional NMR. All galactosyl linkages were confirmed to be a-anomeric. The proximal galactosyl linkage was to the 1L-carbon of myo-inositol. The NMR spectra and hydrolysis confirmed the structure of DGMI to be a-D-galactopyranosyl-(1-6)-a-D-galactopyranosyl-(1-1)-1L-myo-inositol. (NY) Seed conservation is an important undertaking to ensure preservation of plant biodiversity. Effective conservation of seeds depends on the storage temperature and seed moisture content. Maintaining genebanks is expensive especially in many parts of the world where the cost of cold storage is prohibitive. The ultra-dry technology was proposed as an alternative method. Its effect on the seedling vigor must be evaluated. Seeds of lettuce cv. Tango were dried using two methods. The first was rapid drying conducted with PVC tubes with computer-controlled fan and the tube placed inside a glass desiccator with activated desiccant and drying was done for 4-10 d. The second method was performed by drying seeds over activated desiccant for 30 d and seeds sampled every 5 d. Seed moisture content (MC) measurement and germination tests were conducted following the standard protocol and the seedling vigor was assessed using the OSU Seedling Vigor Imaging System (SVIS). Rapid drying of seeds decreased the MC from 6 to 0.93% in 4 d. Drying seeds for 10 d resulted in 0.32% MC. Germination was only slightly affected by the decrease in MC. Germination at 6% MC was 100% and when dried to 0.32% MC germination decreased to 97%. Drying seeds for 5 d decreased the MC from 6 to 2% and further drying for 30 d resulted in 0.8% MC and germination only decreased from 100 to 98%. The results showed that germinability was only slightly affected by extreme reduction in MC. Germinability and desiccation tolerance are important attributes that seeds acquire during development. It is important to better understand how different environmental conditions affecting the mother plant influence seed quality. Lettuce cv. "Tango" was cultivated in the greenhouse. Seed germination, under light and darkness was evaluated in fresh and dry seeds at 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, and 17 days after flowering (DAF). Seed fresh and dry weights were monitored. Desiccation was performed ~1 h after harvest by placing the seeds over a sodium bromide solution (~53% RH) at 25°C. MC decreased from ~14% 3 DAF to ~7% 7 DAF and then remained constant. Seeds achieved maximum dry weight ~13 DAF. Germination of fresh seeds increased from 0 to ~80%, reaching a maximum (100%) germination 7 DAF. Dry seeds did not germinate when they were harvested 3-5 DAF. Seeds harvested at 7 DAF had ~10% germination and at 9 DAF, germination was ~100%. When germinated in the dark, an increase in germination from 0% in fresh seeds at 3 DAF to 50% germination at 5 DAF was observed. However, seeds at 9 DAF had dark germination that decreased to 0% and increased again to ~70% germination at 13 DAF. Dry seeds had no dark germination until 7 DAF, with variable and low germination (below 20%) until 11 DAF, then germination reached a maximum of ~55% 13 DAF and decreased to a minimum below 10% 17 DAF. Thus, lettuce seed germinability and desiccation tolerance were reached sooner than physiological maturity. (OH) Orchid germplasm preservation is important because some species are endangered due to loss of habitat and human predation. Very few of the world's genebanks are involved in orchid preservation. Orchid germplasm preservation is a mission of the USDA Ornamental Plant Germplasm Center in Columbus, Ohio. Brassia and Phalaenopsis seeds were harvested at different stages of development and stored at -196 °C (liquid nitrogen), -80 °C, -18 °C, 4 °C and 25°C for 6, 12, 18 and 24 months. Phalaenopsis and Brassia seeds adjusted to 45.5% RH over chromium dichromate were able to survive short-term storage (10 d) at all temperatures. Seeds frozen in liquid nitrogen for 30 min were able to germinate and produce protocorms 19 d after sowing, just a day longer than control seeds. Liquid nitrogen storage improved germination of some Phalaenopsis seed lots from 0 to 38%. Storing Phalaenopsis seeds at -80 °C and 4 °C also improved germination, suggesting dormancy was broken by low temperature. Orchid seeds tolerate freezing in liquid nitrogen and cryropreservation may be a viable long-term strategy for orchid germplasm preservation . (VA) Objective 3. Genes associated with seed development, germination, vigor and dormancy. Two lettuce populations are evaluated to identify genetic determinants of seed dormancy and quality. Major QTL have been identified in both populations for high temperature germination (Htg). In a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population derived from a cross between L. sativa cv. Salinas and L. serriola (UC96US23), a major QTL on linkage group 6 (Htg6.1) has been introgressed into the Salinas background (BC2S1) and the phenotypic effect of the locus has been confirmed in segregating progeny. Gene expression studies indicate that inhibition of GA synthesis and promotion of ABA synthesis are associated with the tolerance of high temperatures associated with Htg6.1. A second major QTL has been identified on linkage group 9 (Htg9.1) in a RIL population derived from a cross between L. sativa cv. Salinas and a L. sativa landrace (PI251246). (CA) Two maize hybrids, B73 x IRF311 and Mo17 x IRF311, were produced. During seed maturation, ears were harvested at 500-550, 400-450, and 300-350 g kg-1 MC with the husks intact. All ears were placed in 10°C for 2 h to ensure similar freezing rates. Control ears were husked and dried immediately. The frost treated ears were placed in a growth chamber for a 24 h freeze cycle. After the artificial frost cycle, ears were dried in experimental driers with unheated air and shelled. Differential expression of mRNA between frosted and non-frosted seed is being analyzed. (IA) Map based cloning of tomato brownseed1 (bs1) mutant has been continued. 535 recombinants were identified within 17 cM of bs1 (between morphological markers irr and au, situated on either side of bs1) and sequenced and 200,000 contiguous bases from two BACs centered on this region were assembled. The sequence has been used to develop SSLP, CAPS, and dCAPS markers between L. esculentum and L. pimpinellifolium between irr and au. (KY) AGL15, a MADS-box gene can promote somatic embryogenesis (SE) in two systems. The effect of loss-of-function alleles of AGL15 was tested in these systems. The loss of AGL15, and in one system the potentially redundant function AGL18, were found to decrease the ability of explants to undergo SE. Auxin treatment, important for SE, leads to increased expression of AGL15. Two AGL15 target genes with roles in SE have been identified. A better understanding of the developmental mechanisms controlling SE will aid regeneration of recalcitrant species in culture. Work supported by the USDA-NRI is testing whether GmAGL15 can enhance SE in soybean and preliminary results look promising. SE serves as a more accessible model for zygotic processes, but little is understood about mechanisms involved in promoting dedifferentiation and redifferentiation as tissue with embryo identity. The Perry lab seeks to better understand this process by identifying and characterizing genes directly regulated by AGL15. A chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) approach was successfully used for identification of genes regulated by AGL15. Because some genes are directly repressed by AGL15, it is likely that AGL15 interacts with other proteins to control gene expression. A yeast 2-hybrid approach indicated that AGL15 may interact with components of histone deacetylase complexes to control gene expression. Other work using a transient expression system has demonstrated that different domains within AGL15 may be responsible for activation or repression of gene expression. (KY) Over 3,000 EST from sugar beet seedlings were obtained and deposited in GenBank. For ca. 75% of the sequences, putative function assignments encompassed a wide range of biological roles and molecular functions. Each of four classes of EST sets constructed with different methods had different numbers of ESTs, and the proportion of ESTs with a particular biological role was compared between libraries. For metabolism biological role, the proportion of ESTs in each set was comparable, suggesting that differential display, subtracted, and random sequencing approaches lead to similar conclusions. The differential display approach seemed to provide the best enrichment scheme for Stress Response, Cell Wall & Cytoskeleton, and Transport processes, suggesting these processes may yield more clues as to the nature of stress responses during germination. Fewer ESTs with an unknown function were seen in the random cDNA sequencing set than the others, suggesting one function of directed or subtraction strategies is to add complexity to the nucleotide sequence dataset, which in this case was desired. The de-emphasized biological roles appeared to relate to protein synthesis, modification, and turnover (e.g. processes affecting protein homeostasis), signaling, and transcription, since these were more frequently detected in the un-selected transcript pool. Molecular functions were ascribed to each EST, and examined as a proportion of the total number of ESTs or as a proportion of their putative biological roles. Stress responsive ESTs and ESTs whose predicted gene functions are in central one carbon metabolism were highly represented. Subdivision of biological roles and molecular functions relative to their respective EST sets revealed differences in the proportion of ESTs from each set, for some molecular functions. For instance, cytoskeleton- and membrane-destined transcripts appeared to be enriched with cDNA subtraction, where histones appeared to be underrepresented. Little or no change in the relative proportion of transcripts assigned to EST sets was evident for 17 of the 36 molecular functions assigned here. Similar numbers of molecular function-assigned transcripts were enriched in the subtracted versus un-subtracted EST sets as were depleted, and these transcripts would be expected to over- and under-represented, respectively, in the un-subtracted cDNA library. Such differences may point to potentially important functions operating to counter stress during germination. (MI) A PWWP transcription factor was identified from the Seed-GUS-Expressed enhancer-trap lines. The PWWP gene is expressed in the cotyledon tips of embryos in imbibed seed while they are still enclosed by the endosperm and testa. At postgerminative stages, hydathodes of rosette and cauline leaves exhibited PWWP expression. Functional analyses have indicated that the PWWP knockout mutant seeds have reduced sensitivity to ABA. Results from gene expression analyses suggest that auxin sensitivity is also altered in the mutant seeds. (OR) To understand the biological roles of the transcription factors in seeds potentially regulated by miRNAs, vectors that cause de-regulation of the target genes from miRNAs were prepared and Arabidopsis plants were transformed with these vectors. Preliminary data showed that some of these miRNA de-regulation plants exhibited overaccumulation of the transcription factors and interesting phenotypes. One of the most prominent phenotypes was hypersensitivity of seeds to ABA. (OR) Red rice seeds have been used for studying the mechanisms of seed dormancy. Taking advantage of the fully sequenced genome of cultivated rice, microarray studies were done in collaboration with Dr. Marc Cohn to compare global gene expression changes in dormant red rice seeds and red rice seeds whose dormancy were broken with NOX treatment. (TN) All mannanase genes in Arabidopsis, rice and poplar were compared. Phylogenetic relationships of these genes were analyzed. The expression of the individual Arabidopsis and rice mannanase genes in various tissues including germinating seeds were examined. (TN) In tomato and Arabidopsis, GA is required for seed germination. GA stimulates germination by triggering destruction of DELLA via the SCF-SLY1 E3 ubiquitin ligase and the 26S proteosome pathway. DELLAs are negative regulators of GA responses, and RGL2 is the main DELLA repressing seed germination. SLY1 appears to tranduce the GA signal by triggering DELLA destruction by ubiquitination. GA-insensitive sly1 mutants resemble GA biosynthesis mutants in that they exhibit dwarfism, late flowering, reduced fertility and increased seed dormancy. These sly1 phenotypes are not rescued by GA and are not as severe as those seen in the ga1-3 GA biosynthesis mutant. While ga1-3 seeds fail to germinate in the absence of GA, the seed germination rate varies greatly (3-100%) among independent seed lots of young sly1 mutants. Dormant sly1 seeds eventually afterripen. However even sly1 seeds that can germinate do so more slowly than WT and show greater sensitivity to ABA and reduced osmotic potential. The germination of dormant sly1 seeds improved following afterripening. We examined the effect of these mutations on RGL2 accumulation. It is known that high levels of RGL2 in the ga1-3 correlates with failure to germinate, and that mutations in RGL2 suppress the ga1-3 germination phenotype. sly1 seeds are able to germinate even when high levels of RGL2 are present. This suggests that protein disappearance may not be the only mechanism controlling RGL2 activity. (WA). Objective 4. Technologies to assess seed quality, improve seed performance and enhance seed. Studies on seed quality and longevity often use controlled deterioration (CD) to assess the longevity of seed lots. These tests assume that aging rates under CD conditions (e.g., 75% RH and 50°C) are correlated with aging rates under more optimal storage conditions (e.g., 30% RH and <20°C). We tested this assumption using a RIL population developed from a cross between L. sativa cv. Salinas and L. serriola (UC96US23). Viability of a given line after 2 years of aging at 30% RH and 20-30°C was poorly correlated with viability after CD at 75% RH and 50°C or at 50% RH and 60°C. Nonetheless, one QTL was identified associated with seed longevity under all conditions, and additional QTL were associated only with either natural or CD aging conditions. (CA) A population-based threshold model was applied to quantify the responses of germination to oxygen availability. The model accounted well for germination responses to reduced oxygen partial pressures and provided quantitative measures of oxygen sensitivity among species and dormancy states. (CA) A new instrument to measure oxygen consumption of individual seeds in 96-wells (Q2, www.astecglobal.net) was evaluated as a seed vigor test. Seed lots representing diverse quality levels and enhancement treatments were assessed in the instrument and feedback was provided to the manufacturer on how to improve its operation. (CA) The requirements for and results from priming lettuce seed can vary according to age, vigor, and thermosensitivity of the seed. Optimal hydrothermal timing was determined for priming lettuce seeds, independent of cultivar, seed lot, and storage using an inexpensive gel assay for the enzyme endo-b-mannnanase (EBM). Two lettuce cultivars 'Bennett' and 'Connick' and two seed lots of each were used. The seeds were primed in an aerated 1.2 MPa polyethylene glycol 8000 solution at 15°C in constant light, and were sampled at 24, 48, or 72 h. A single-seed assay for EBM was used to determine enzyme activity for each lot at each priming duration. At 36°C, germination of primed seeds was over 90%, while non-primed seeds germinated at 40%. EBM activity was non-detectable in dry seeds and for less than 5% of the seeds primed for 24 h. After priming for 48 or 72 h, 30% or more of the micropylar section of the seed exhibited EBM activity, regardless of seed lot or cultivar. Since the percentage of seeds exhibiting EBM in the whole endosperm after 48 or 72 h of priming were similar, but total percent and rate of germination at 36°C were optimal at 48 h prime duration, 48 h was considered the optimal hydrothermal priming time. EBM activity was observed in 25% of seeds at 48 h priming duration. Therefore, it was proposed if at least 25% of seeds exhibited EBM activity, optimal hydrothermal time is achieved. Cost analysis of the EBM test was determined to cost $11.56 per 1000 seeds. This price does not include facilities or equipment costs. Determining priming time with the EBM test provides a method to improve optimization of the priming procedure. (FL) In lettuce cultivars, temperatures above 30°C can inhibit germination completely. Lettuce seeds imbibed at supraoptimal temperature for 72 h or more will not germinate even when the temperature is returned to the optimal range. Thermosensitive 'Dark Green Boston' and thermotolerant 'Everglades' respond to temperature at seed maturation by being able to show greatly enhanced germination at 36°C when seeds were matured at 30/20°C. ABA may contribute to lettuce seed thermodormancy. Therefore, sensitivity of 'Everglades' and 'Dark Green Boston' to ABA of seeds maturated at 30/20°C and 20/10°C in light and dark was determined. At 36°C in dark, both genotypes matured at 30/20°C germinated more than those matured at 20/10°C. 'Dark Green Boston' was more sensitive to ABA at 36°C in dark. When ABA was added, those seeds matured at 30/20°C germinated better than those matured at 20/10°C regardless of genotype. At 36°C in light, 40% of both genotypes were inhibited at 0.5 ¼M ABA. At 36°C in dark, germination of all seeds but 'Everglades' matured at 30/20°C were completely inhibited with all ABA concentrations. Thus, seed maturation temperature has an influence on lettuce seed germination at high temperature and sensitivity to ABA. (FL) Collaborations with seed biologists in India, Australia, China, and Taiwan were conducted to better determine the class of dormancy in various species and how it is broken in nature. Further, a large project on species growing in the montane zone in Hawaii was continued. Research was done on seeds from China, Taiwan, Australia, Hawaii, and eastern North America. Studies on various aspects of physical dormancy in seeds paying particular attention to ecological and evolutionary aspects was done by graduate students. (KY) Seed dormancy release treatments were developed for three wild rye (Elymus) species. A method to record repeated digital images of germinating seeds using a flat bed scanner was developed. This method was used to dynamically study imbibition in seeds with physical dormancy. (KY) Organic solvent infusion for permeation of signal transduction inhibitors in red rice caryopsis was optimized. Neat demethylsulfoxide (DMSO), methanol and ethanol were either toxic or broke dormancy when applied for 1-24 h. Neat acetone infusion for 24 h did not kill the seeds or break dormancy. DMSO inhibited the dormancy-breaking activity of propanol; this was consistent with the alcohol dehydrogenase-inhibiting property of DMSO. (LA) Sugar beet growers in the Great Lakes region and worldwide are consistently faced with problems of poor stand establishment. Part of the reason can be differences among varieties in their ability to overcome environmental stress. A laboratory stress germination test was developed which predicts the relative field emergence potential. Field emergence has been 60% of that predicted by standard germination tests in average years. Although emergence does not seem to affect yield measured in tons per unit area, it does impact the sugar yield per unit area due to uniformity in plant spacing, and results in an increase in overall quality and quantity of sucrose recovered. This research will enhance understanding of stress response in sugar beet and allow for selection of germplasm tolerant to some of the abiotic and biotic stresses. (MI) Two beet germplasms were released. A table beet germplasm, TBEL1, was selected for cylindrical shape and moderate sucrose content. TBEL1 was derived from an experimental hybrid between sugar beet and table beet. It is expected TBEL1 will be a source for development of new varieties of red table beets for canning, where the cylindrical shape results in less waste during the canning process compared with the standard globe beet shape, and better consumer acceptance due to higher sucrose content than available cylindrical beet types. EL53 sugarbeet germplasm was released. It is substantially derived from previously released smooth-rooted, low soil tare germplasm releases with two cycles of selection for freedom from crown and root rot disease caused by Rhizoctonia solani Kühn (AG2-2). Previous low soil tare releases have been uniformly susceptible to Rhizoctonia crown and root rot. (MI) A laboratory stress germination test was developed for sugar beet, whereby the ratio of seeds germinated in water to the number germinated in hydrogen peroxide was shown to reflect a quantity defined as the Field Emergence Potential. This test appears to predict the genetic component of seedling vigor, but also demonstrates differences between seed lots of the same variety. Selection and breeding for enhanced vigor were initiated in 2006. 176 accessions were tested for salt-stressed seed germination, and ca. 50% of cultivated and 80% of wild accessions showed a non-zero FEP. Germinated seeds from accessions with the highest FEP were planted, vernalized and allowed to flower in isolation from one another for seed production. Segregation for FEP was observed among the progeny, with mean FEP of the progeny improved by as much as 150% of the parental material. (MI) Film coating is one technology that results in a uniform deposition of a thin film on the seed surface and reduces worker exposure to seed treatments. The efficacy of systemic seed treatments depends on the ability of applied chemical compounds to penetrate the seed coat and be transported into the seedling. Fluorescent tracers were employed to mimic movement of seed treatments and for visualization of chemical movement. Fluorescent tracers were applied to seeds by a dry powder coating, placed in moistened sand for 18-24 h at 20°C and removed prior to germination events. Imbibed seeds were hand dissected and the location and intensity of fluorescence was observed under long-wavelength UV light. Large-seeded legumes have permeable seeds coats to fluorescent tracers. Cucurbit and lettuce seed coats were impermeable to fluorescent tracers supporting the hypothesis of an 'endosperm envelope' surrounding the embryo. Tomato, pepper, onion and leek have selective permeable seed coats, and uptake was dependent on the chemical nature of the fluorescent tracer. (NY) An image processing computer application was developed to collect statistics from seeds. A machine learning technique ensured the software was applicable to a wide variety of species so the software could be used in purity analysis tests. The method requires an inexpensive scanner and a modern personal computer. The software operates by locating seeds within the digitized image of the purity sample and takes measurements on each seed. These measurements are inputted into a classification routine trained to recognize all potential seeds within the sample. The classification routine determines the closest matching species for each seed in the image and reports the results to the user. The seed identification system is designed to be rapidly adapted to specific seed types and trained without knowledge of artificial intelligence techniques. Reliable and fast results from seed quality tests are essential for producers. (OH) The SVIS was developed to improve seed quality assessment. This study had the objective of identifying the optimum MC for paper towels used in germination testing as well as the desired temperatures for germination during the three-days of test. Seeds were planted in paper towels with seven different MC for maize and eight for soybean. Three different temperatures (24, 25, AND 26C) were used for germination of the two crops. Decreased speed of growth and overall vigor indices were observed when the MC of the paper towel was less than 96% saturation in maize and 79% saturation in soybean. When the germinator temperature varied 1C less than 25C, no difference in SVIS indices was detected. However, a difference of 1C more than 25C caused a significant difference in seedling growth. These results demonstrate the importance of monitoring MC in paper towels, particularly for maize seeds, used in the conduct of the SVIS test and show that moisture and temperature variables must be carefully monitored during the conduct of standard germination and vigor tests to assure standardization of reported results. (OH) High air temperatures with dry winds and rapid soil drying conditions encountered in many southern regions of the U.S. can reduce stand establishment of transplants. Understanding the physiological characteristics that moderate transplant shock can provide a basis for elucidating the mechanisms underlying transplant stress tolerance. We investigated the influence of physiological compounds (ABA and aminoethoxyvinylglycine, AVG) and physical (AntiStress, Transfilm and Vapor Gard) antitranspirants on the growth of pepper and artichoke seedlings exposed to desiccation. In pepper, root application of ABA enhanced desiccation tolerance compared to foliar application. Leaf photosynthesis and conductance decreased upon ABA foliar application; however, photosynthesis rates recovered within a few days of application. Throughout two cycles of desiccation on pepper seedlings, ABA had a stronger effect in reducing stomatal conductance and photosynthesis while increasing leaf and stem water potential compared to AVG or physical antitranspirants. Most transplant growth changed at the shoot level, and the control of shoot growth by ABA appeared to be transient. Similar trends were measured for artichoke. (TX) We evaluated the effect of ABA applied as foliar spray for 5, 10 or 15 consecutive days on pepper transplant. ABA at 0.1 mM had a slightly positive effect on net photosynthetic rate after 5 or 10 d of continuous application, but negative after 15 d. Transplants exposed to 1.0 mM ABA for 5 or 15 d had reduced photosynthetic rate and stomatal conductance. Leaf xylem water potential increased and stem elongation decreased with ABA after 10 or 15 d of continuous application. Shoot weight and leaf area were maintained with ABA at 0.1 mM, irrespective of exposure time, but with 1.0 mM ABA growth was lower compared to control. Root weight was less affected than shoot weight, leading to increased root to shoot ratio. Application of 1.0 mM ABA for 5 or 15 d enhanced total and specific root length. (TX) Controlling height of bedding plants enables successful marketing. Compact vegetable transplants establish easier with less shock and produce more productive mature plants. Chemical growth inhibitors are commonly used to maintain bedding plant height. However, some chemical inhibitors have a long lasting effect that may not be easily overcome after transplanting. Natural solutions are needed for controlling plant height for organic markets. The use of controlled osmotic stress was investigated to control the growth of tomato and kale (Brassica oleracea Acephala Group). Tomato and kale responded differently to osmotic stress with kale being more sensitive to osmotic stress with more leaf yellowing. Beeswax/potassium sorbate showed potential as a natural plant growth retardant that produced less yellowing than sugar treatments. PEG applied post-germination and some sugar treatments stimulated plant growth rather than retard it. This could be due to stimulation of soil-borne growth promoting plant microbes. Sunshine soilless media, feed sucrose or trehalose produced microbial biofilm that increased media moisture retention characteristics. (VA)

Baskin, J.M., C.C. Baskin, C.-T. Chien and S.-Y. Chen. 2006. Seed dormancy in the early diverging eudicot Trochodendron aralioides (Trochodendraceae). Seed Sci. Res. 16: 71-7 Baskin, J.M., C.C. Baskin and K.W. Dixon. 2006. Physical dormancy in the endemic Australian genus Stylobasium, a first report for the family Surianaceae (Fabales). Seed Sci. Res. 16: 229-232. Baskin, J.M., S.N. Hidayati, C.C. Baskin, J.L. Walck, Z.-Y. Huang and C.-T. Chien. 2006. Evolutionary considerations of presence of both morphophysiological and physiological seed dormancy in the highly-advanced euasterids II order Dipsacales. Seed Sci. Res. 16: 233-242 Baskin, C.C., K. Thompson and J.M. Baskin. 2006. Mistakes in germination ecology and how to avoid them. Seed. Sci. Res. 16: 165-168. Bonina, J.R. and D.J. Cantliffe. 2006. A rapid, simple, inexpensive and reproducible endo-beta-mannanase assay test for determining optimal hydrothermal timing of commercial priming of lettuce seed. J. Seed Tech. In Press. Bradford, K.J. 2006. Seed biotechnology: Translating promise into practice. In S. Navie, S. Adkins, and S. Ashmore, eds., Seeds: Biology, Development and Ecology, CAB International, Wallingford, U.K., pp. 130-138. Bradford, K.J. 2006. Germination: internal factors affecting (physical, physiological, molecular and biochemical). In Bewley, J.D., Black, M., and Halmer, P., eds., The Encyclopedia of Seeds: Science, Technology and Uses. CABI Publishing, Wallingford, UK. Bradford, K.J. 2006. Methods to maintain genetic purity of seed stocks. University of California, Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Publication 8189. http://anrcatalog.ucdavis.edu. Bradford, K.J., J. Argyris, P. Dahal, P. and L. O'Brien. 2006. Genetics, regulation and modeling of seed dormancy. Abstracts, 26th Annual Meeting of the Argentine Society of Plant Biologists, Chascomus, Argentina, October 4-6, 2006. Bradford, K.J., J. Argyris, P. Dahal, L. O'Brien, M.J. Truco, O. Ochoa, D.W. Still, R. Grube, R. Hayes and R.W. Michelmore. 2006. Genetic analysis of lettuce seed thermodormancy. International Society for Horticultural Science: 4th International Symposium on Seed, Transplant and Stand Establishment of Horticultural Crops, Dec. 3-6, 2006, San Antonio, Texas. Brancalion, P.H., D. Tay, R.R. Rodrigues and A.D. Novembre. 2006. Priming of Guava Seed (Psidium guajava L.). 27th International Horticultural Congress, August 13-19, Seoul, Korea. P. 407. Brancalion, P.H., D. Tay, R.R. Rodrigues and A.D. Novembre. 2006. Seed Imbibition of Five Brazilian Native Tree Seeds. 27th International Horticultural Congress, August 13-19, Seoul, Korea. P. 415. Castillo, A. 2006. Cyclitol location and movement in planta in soybean (abstract). Cornell University Undergraduate Research Forum (April 19, 2006) 21, 11. Chen, F., L. Cseke, H. Lin, A. Kirakosyam, J. Yuan and P. Kaufman. 2006. The study of plant natural product biosynthesis in the pre-genomics and genomics eras. In Natural Products from Plants, Second Edition, CRC Press. pp203-220 Chen, S.-Y., S.R. Kuo, J.M. Baskin, C.C. Baskin and C.-T. Chien. 2006. Seed dormancy and germination in Neolitsea acuminatissima (Lauraceae). Taiwan J. For. Sci. 21: 125-129. Cohn, M.A. 2006. Dormancy: an overview. Black, M.; Bewley, J.D.; Halmer, P. (Eds) Encyclopedia of seeds. Science, technology and uses. Encyclopedia of Seed Biology and Technology. Wallingford, CABI Publishing. Contreras, S., M.A. Bennett and D. Tay. 2006. Day-Length During Seed Development Affects Germinability and Storability of Lettuce Seeds. Crop Sci. Soc. Amer. Ann. Meeting, Indianapolis, IN. Contreras, S., D. Tay and M.A. Bennett. 2006. Effects of Day-Length during Seed Development in Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.). Acta Horticulturae, Proceedings of the 27th Int. Hort. Congress. Seoul, Korea. In press. Contreras, S., D. Tay and M.A. Bennett. 2006. Effects of temperature during seed development in Lactuca sativa and Helianthus debilis. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. New Orleans, LA. DeVries, M. and A. S. Goggi. 2006. Determining the extent of frost damage in maize seed using the tetrazolium test. Crop Management doi:10.1094/CM-2006-0414-01-RS. Egli, D.B. 2006. The role of seed in the determination of yield of grain crops. Aust. J. Ag. Res. 57: 1237 - 1247. Goreta, S. and D.I. Leskovar. 2006. Morphological and physiological modulation of pepper transplants after prolonged exposure to ABA Proceedings 4th Int. Hort. Symposium on Seed, Transplant and Stand Establishment. San Antonio, Texas. p. 28. Haagenson, D.M., K.L. Klotz and J.M. McGrath. 2006. Sugarbeet sucrose synthase genes differ in structure and organ-specific and differential expression. J. Plant Physiology 163: 102-106. Hall, H. S., M. DeVries and A.S. Goggi. 2006. The effects of moisture content and frost damage on seeds in a maize population. In: 2006 Agronomy Abstracts. The ASA-CSSA-SSSA International Annual Meetings. November 12-16, 2006. Indianapolis, ID. He, L., M. B. McDonald and D. Tay. 2006. Dormancy-breaking and germination requirements of evening primrose seeds of Oenothera species. AOSA/SCST meetings, Indianapolis, IN. Hewitt JR, P.-P. Liu and H. Nonogaki. 2006. An Arabidopsis mutant exhibiting early arrested embryos with partial desiccation tolerance. The American Society of Plant Biologists Annual Meeting. (Boston, MA) Hong, J. and D.J. Cantliffe. 2006. Sensitivity of two lettuce genotypes of abscisic acid during germination. HortScience. Vol. 41. p. 1070. Hu, X. 2006. Seed ageing effects on ornamental seed germination and post-germinative growth and comparison of seed vigor tests. M.S. Thesis, Ohio State University. Hu, X. and M. McDonald. 2006. A new seed vigor testing system for ornamental species using computerized imaging technology. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. New Orleans, LA. Hu, X, M. B. McDonald and D. Tay. 2006. A new seed vigor testing system for ornamental species using computerized imaging technology. AOSA/SCST meetings, Indianapolis, IN. Hu, X., D. Tay, and M. B. McDonald. 2006. A new seed vigor testing system for ornamental species using computerized imaging technology. 27th Int. Hort. Congress. Seoul, Korea. Jifon, J., K. Crosby and D. Leskovar. 2006. Improving stand establishment and disease tolerance of muskmelon by grafting. Proceedings 4th Int. Hort. Symposium on Seed, Transplant and Stand Establishment. San Antonio, Texas. p. 73. Jifon, J.L., K.M. Crosby and D.I. Leskovar. 2006. Physiological characteristics of grafted muskmelon grown in Monosporascus cannonballus-infested soil in South Texas. Proceedings of 2006. G.J. Holmes, ed. University Press, North Carolina, p. 23-30. Jifon, J., K. Crosby, M. Miller and D. Leskovar. 2006. Establishment and performance of grafted watermelons on Monosporascus cannonballus-infested soil in South Texas. Proceedings 4th Int. Hort. Symposium on Seed, Transplant and Stand Establishment. San Antonio, Texas. p. 32-33. Kondo, T., C. Sato, J.M. Baskin and C.C. Baskin. 2006. Post-dispersal; embryo development, germination phenology, and seed dormancy in Cardiocrinum cordatum var. glehnii (Liliaceae s. str.), a perennial herb of the broadleaved deciduous forest in Japan. Amer. J. Bot. 93: 849-859. Kosina, S.M. 2006. Enhancing galactosyl cyclitol accumulation in low stachyose, low raffinose soybean lines (abstract). Cornell University Undergraduate Research Forum (April 19, 2006) 21, 45. Kozarewa, I., D.J. Cantliffe, R.T. Nagata and P.J. Stoffella. 2006. High maturation temperature of lettuce seeds results in increased ethylene production and germination at elevated temperatures. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. Vol. 131. pp. 564-570. Lawless, P.J., J.M. Baskin and C.C. Baskin. 2006. Scale-dependent classification of xeric limestone prairies: Annual or perennial grasslands? Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard. 93: 455-464. Lawless, P.J., J.M. Baskin, and C.C. Baskin. 2006. Xeric Limestone Prairies of Eastern United States: Review and Synthesis. Bot. Rev. 72: 235-272. Leskovar, D.I., S. Goreta and J. L. Jifon. 2006. Improving environmental stress tolerance of vegetable transplants. 27th Int. Hort. Congress, Seoul, Korea. p. 403. Leskovar, D.I., S. Agehara, T. Shinohara, S. Goreta, and J.L. Jifon. 2006. ABA to enhance stress tolerance of vegetable transplants. Proceedings 4th Int. Hort. Symposium on Seed, Transplant and Stand Establishment. San Antonio, Texas. p.27-28. Lin, L., M. Cao, Y. He, J.M. Baskin and C.C. Baskin. 2006. Nonconstituent species in soil seed banks as indicators of anthropogenic disturbance in forest fragments. Can. J. For. Res. 36: 2300-2316. Liu P-P and H. Nonogaki. 2006. Functional characterization of the BME3 GATA zinc finger protein in Arabidopsis seed germination. The American Society of Plant Biologists Annual Meeting. (Boston, MA) Liu, Z., Q. Yan, C.C. Baskin and J. Ma. 2006. Burial of canopy-stored seeds in the annual psammophyte Agriophyllum squarrosum Moq. (Chenopodiaceae) and its ecological significance. Plant Soil 288: 71080. Martin RC, P.-P. Liu and H. Nonogaki. 2006. MicroRNAs in seeds - Detection techniques and applications. Canadian Journal of Botany 84:189-198. McDonald, M. B. 2006. Seed moisture and the equilibrium seed moisture content curve. J. Seed Technol. In press. McDonald, M. B. 2006. Physiological causes of seed deterioration in storage. Crop Sci. Soc. Amer. Ann. Meeting, Indianapolis, IN. McDonald, M. B. and R. R. Otoni. 2006. Moisture content and temperature effects on three-day-old maize and soybean seedlings using SVIS. Crop Sci. Soc. Amer. Ann. Meeting, Indianapolis, IN. McGrath, J.M. 2006. Registration of EL53 sugarbeet germplasm with smooth-root and moderate resistance to Rhizoctonia crown and root rot. Crop Science 46: 2334-2335. McGrath, J.M. and D. Trebbi. 2006. Notice of release of TBEL-1 table beet germplasm with high sweetness and cylindrical shape. USDA-ARS Germplasm Release, February, 2006. Nagendran, S. 2006. Rhizoctonia disease in sugar beet: Disease screening and cyto- histo-pathology of sugar beet- Rhizoctonia solani interaction. Department of Plant Pathology, Michigan State University. Thesis. 107 pp. Nault, B. A., R. W. Straub and A. G. Taylor. 2006. Performance of novel insecticide seed treatments for managing onion maggot in onion fields. Crop Protection 25: 58-65. Nonogaki H. 2006. Seed Germination - The biochemical and molecular mechanisms. Breeding Science 56: 93-105. Nonogaki, H, P.-P. Liu, J.R. Hewitt, R.C. Martin. 2006. Regulation of seed germination and stand establishment - Importance of repression of developmental programs. 4th ISHS International and 8th National Symposium on Seed, Transplant and Stand Establishment of Horticultural Crops, (San Antonio, TX) Otoni, R. R., M. B. McDonald and D. Tay. 2006. The use of x-rays for seed vigor assessment of cotton. AOSA/SCST meetings, Indianapolis, IN. Rabara, R. C. 2006. Maturation, drying and storage in lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) seeds. M. S. Thesis, Ohio State University. Rabara, R., S. Contreras, D. Tay, M. A. Bennett and M. B. McDonald. 2006. Development of germinability and desiccation tolerance in lettuce seeds. AOSA/SCST meetings, Indianapolis, IN. Rabara, R. C., M. B. McDonald and D. Tay. 2006. Seedling vigor assessment of ultra-dried lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) seeds. Fourth Int. and 8th National Symp. Seed Transplant and Stand Establ. Of Hort. Crops. San Antonio, TX. Rabara, R. C., M. B. McDonald, D. Tay and Y. Vodovotz. 2006. Moisture sorption characteristics of five ornamental species. AOSA/SCST meetings, Indianapolis, IN. Rabara, R. C., M. B. McDonald, D. Tay and Y. Vodovotz. 2006. Maturation and desiccation sensitivity in developing seeds of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.). 27th Int. Hort. Congress. Seoul, Korea. Sautu, A., J.M. Baskin, C.C. Baskin and R. Condit. 2006. Studies on the seed biology of 100 native species of trees in a seasonal moist tropical forest, Panama, Central America. For. Ecol. Manage. 234: 245-263. Sensenig, E.M. 2006. Cyclitol feeding of immature soybean embryos increases cyclitol accumulation in precociously matured embryos (abstract). Cornell University Undergraduate Research Forum (April 19, 2006) 21, 80. Shen, Y., W. Liu, J.M. Baskin, C.C. Baskin and M. Cao. 2006. Persistent soil seed banks of the globally significant invasive species, Eupatorium adenophorum, in Yunnan Province, south-western China. Seed Sci. Res. 16: 157-162. Shinohara, T., S. Agehara, S. Goreta and D.I. Leskovar. 2006. Antitranspirant efficacy on stress tolerance of artichoke transplants. Proceedings 4th Int. Hort. Symposium on Seed, Transplant and Stand Establishment. San Antonio, Texas. p. 67-68. Stieve, S.M. and D. Tay. 2006. X-ray-assisted flower seed lot improvement. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. New Orleans, LA. TeKrony, D.M. 2006. Seeds: The delivery system for Crop Science. Crop Sci. 46: 2263-2269. Dean Tranel*, Allen Knapp, and Antonio Perdomo. 2006. Tassel development events leading to pollen production: A timeline. In: 2006 Agronomy Abstracts. The ASA-CSSA-SSSA International Annual Meetings. November 12-16. Indianapolis Indiana. Turner, S.R., D.J. Merritt, J.M. Baskin, C.C. Baskin, and K. W. Dixon. 2006. Combinational dormancy in seeds of the Western Australian endemic species Diplopeltis heugelii (Sapindaceae). Aust. J. Bot. 54: 565-570. Villa, S.T., Q. Xu, A.B. Downie and S.G. Clarke. 2006. Arabidopsis protein repair L-isoaspartyl methyltransferases: Predominant activities at lethal temperatures. Physiol. Plant. 128: 581-592. Watkinson, J.O. and G.E. Welbaum. 2006. Seeds of Orchidaceae In: M. Black, D. Bewley, P. Halmer, ed. Encyclopedia of Seeds. CABI, Cambridge, UK. Welbaum, G.E. 2006. Seeds of the Family Cucurbitaceae In: D. Bewley, M. Black, P Halmer ed. The Encyclopedia of Seeds. CABI International Wallingford UK. Welbaum, G.E. 2006. Natural defense mechanisms in seeds In: A.S Basra, ed. Handbook of Seed Science and Technology. Food Products Press, Binghampton, NY. Woltz, J.M., D.B. Egli and D.M. TeKrony. 2006. Corn seed germination and vigor following freezing during seed development. Crop Sci. 46: 1526-1535. Wu, Q-J., J. Z. Zhao, A. G. Taylor and A. M. Shelton. 2006. Evaluation of insecticides and application methods against swede midge, a new invasive pest in the US. J. Econ. Entomol., 99: 117-122. Xiang, C. 2006. Biodegradable non-woven fabrics electrospun from renewable polymers for controlled release delivery of chemicals. MS thesis. Cornell University Xu, L., K. Fujimura and M. B. McDonald. 2006. Automatic separation of overlapping seedlings by network optimization. Seed Sci. & Technol. In press. Yang, Y. J.S. Yuan, J. Ross, J.P. Noel, E. Pichersky and F. Chen. 2006. An Arabidopsis thaliana methyltransferase capable of methylating farnesoic acid. Arch. Biochem. Biophy. 448: 123-132 Yildirim, E., A. G. Taylor and T. D. Spittler. 2006. Ameliorative effects of biological treatments on growth of squash under salt stress. Scientia Horticulturae 111: 1-6 Yuan, J.S., J. Adamczyk, K.D. Gwinn and F. Chen. 2006. Identifying and characterizing rice terpene synthase genes involved in insect defense using an integrated functional genomics approach. Presented at the American Society of Plant Biologists annual meeting held at Boston, MA Yuan, J.S., J. Adamczyk, D. Trently, K.D. Gwinn and F. Chen. 2006. Characterizing chemical defenses of rice against insects using integrated functional genomics. Presented at the Arthur M. Sackler Colloquia of the National Academy of Sciences-From Functional Genomics of Model Organisms to Crop Plants for Global Health-held at Washington D.C. Yuan, J.S., A. Reed, F. Chen and C.N. Stewart. 2006. Statistical analysis of real-time PCR data. BMC Bioinformatics 7:85 Yuan, J.S., F. Chen, N. Stewart. 2006. Statistical methods for efficiency adjusted real-time PCR quantification. Presented at UT-ORNL-KBRIN Bioinformatics Summit-held at Cadiz, KY Yuan JS, X. Yang, J. Lai, H. Lin, Z.M. Cheng, H. Nonogaki and F. Chen. 2006. The endo-²-mannanase gene families in Arabidopsis, rice and poplar. Functional and Integrative Genomics, in press. Zhang, Q. 2006. Accumulation of soluble carbohydrates during soybean seed growth and maturation (abstract). Cornell University Undergraduate Research Forum (April 19, 2006) 21, 103. Zhao, T-Y, J.W. Corum III, R.B. Meeley, J.T. Mullen, T. Helentjaris, D. Martin and B. Downie. 2006. ALKALINE a-GALACTOSIDASE is present in maize seeds and cultured embryo cells, and accumulates during stress. Seed Sci. Res. 16: 107-121. Zhao, N., J. Guan, X. Yang, Z.-M. Cheng and F. Chen. 2006. Functional genomic characterization of the SABATH family of methyl transferases in poplar (Populus trichocarpa). Presented at the Arthur M. Sackler Colloquia of the National Academy of Sciences-From Functional Genomics of Model Organisms to Crop Plants for Global Health-held at Washington D.C.