Source: TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY submitted to
BREEDING MULTIPLE STRESS TOLERANT CORN
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
TERMINATED
Funding Source
HATCH
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
0179379
Grant No.
(N/A)
Project No.
TEX08611
Proposal No.
(N/A)
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Program Code
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Oct 27, 2009
Project End Date
Oct 26, 2014
Grant Year
(N/A)
Project Director
Xu, W.
Recipient Organization
TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY
750 AGRONOMY RD STE 2701
COLLEGE STATION,TX 77843-0001
Performing Department
Lubbock-TAMU Agr Res Cntr
Non Technical Summary
Corn is the most important crop in the U.S. and second only to cotton in gross income in Texas. Drought, heat, aflatoxins, corn earworm and spider mites are major constrains for corn production in Texas and many parts of the world. Frequent drought and heat stress causes significant yield loss and destabilizes crop production. The Texas High Plains has one million acres of irrigated corn and produces the majority of grain and silage corn in Texas. The huge and expanding livestock and dairy industries in this region have already posted a high demand for corn grain and silage production in the state. Declining water level of the Ogallala Aquifer (the sole source for irrigation) and high energy price add significant irrigation cost. Drought stress also contribute to the aflatoxin accumulation in corn. Aflatoxin contamination is a major problem for human and livestock. Drought-tolerant hybrids are critical to sustain corn production in Texas. Breeding corn for drought tolerance and overall adaptation to Texas environment is the first and core objective of this project. Development of a drought-tolerant crop, by utilizing native genetic variation and/or transgenic technology, requires efficient selection tools. Effective selection depends on accurate evaluation of drought tolerance which in turn depends on the timing, intensity, and duration of drought stress. In the past 10 years, our corn breeding program has focused on exploring native genes, established a drought tolerance screening protocol in the field in West Texas, and developed a number of drought tolerant corn lines and hybrids. Many of these lines have been licensed to seed companies. However, little is known of the physiological and genetic basis of drought tolerance. Understanding drought tolerance mechanisms and establishing molecular breeding procedures can help the public and private breeders in using our germplasm and moving the traits/genes quickly into elite germplasm. Discovering the traits contributing to drought tolerance in these lines and hybrids and understanding the physiological and molecular basis of these traits is the second goal of this project. New stress tolerant corn requires new management practices. Irrigation is the largest input factor in feasible corn production within the Texas High Plains. The Texas High Plains ET Network is one of the best available sources for producers to schedule corn irrigations. Assessing the optimum amount of ET and irrigation water during the crop growing season to optimize yield at a particular location is changing given new corn hybrids. Our data indicate that new stress-tolerant hybrids (either commercial or AgriLife experimental) can produce equal (if not higher) grain yields under reduced (75%) ET irrigation, thus reducing groundwater withdrawals. It also appears the current ET network estimations are too high for new stress tolerant hybrids. Finding the optimum ET production range for new corn hybrids is the third goal of this project.
Animal Health Component
(N/A)
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
(N/A)
Developmental
(N/A)
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
1021510108110%
1111510108120%
2021510108120%
2031510108110%
2111510108110%
2121510108120%
7111510108110%
Knowledge Area
202 - Plant Genetic Resources; 211 - Insects, Mites, and Other Arthropods Affecting Plants; 102 - Soil, Plant, Water, Nutrient Relationships; 203 - Plant Biological Efficiency and Abiotic Stresses Affecting Plants; 212 - Pathogens and Nematodes Affecting Plants; 111 - Conservation and Efficient Use of Water; 711 - Ensure Food Products Free of Harmful Chemicals, Including Residues from Agricultural and Other Sources;

Subject Of Investigation
1510 - Corn;

Field Of Science
1081 - Breeding;
Goals / Objectives
(1) To develop early- to full-season corn germplasm with multiple stress tolerance (primarily drought, heat, corn earworm, aflatoxin, and mites) for feed, food, and/or silage; (2) To identify traits and genes associated with drought tolerance and heat tolerance; (3) To compare grain and silage yields of corn hybrids (commercial and AgriLife experimental) under various irrigation treatments to determine the most profitable combination of hybrids, irrigation level, and plant populations. Our research products include the released inbred lines as germplasm or parental lines and publications in journals and other venues. The germplasm will be released according to Texas AgriLife Research rules. Our inbred lines have been distributed to over 18 seed companies and a number of public institutions via MTAs or commercialization licensing agreement. We will continue active collaboration with the seed industry to facilitate the technology transfer. Field days will be held for the corn producers and seed industry to update the research progress.
Project Methods
Tropical by temperate breeding crosses from our project and the USDA GEM project will be the primary source for developing inbred lines. The lines and populations will be screened and selected for drought and heat tolerance, pest resistance, yield potential, and or adaptation to Texas environments. Pedigree selection and backcrossing will be the major breeding methods. Double-haploid method will be explored and integrated into our program. Inbred lines and testcrosses of advanced lines with public lines and licensed industry testers will be evaluated for abiotic and biotc stress tolerance, yield (grain or silage), and overall agronomic performance in multiple locations in Texas and other states. Drought and heat tolerance evaluation will be conducted in the field conditions. We have established two fields with subsurface drip irrigation systems in Lubbock and Halfway. These systems can supply uniform amount of water and control the progress of drought stress. We will have three water treatments in the same field and make section based on plant recovery, stay green, anthesis-silking interval, percent barren plants, seed set, grain mold, yield and other ratings. Heat tolerance will be based on leaf firing and tassel blasting in the plants grown in the fields under well-irrigated conditions in West Texas. Selected hybrids will be grown in replicated test in Lubbock and Corpus Christi, TX and in Mississippi and inoculated with a high aflatoxin-producing isolate of A. flavus between rows of each plot when the first hybrids are at mid-milk stage to provide uniform aerial inoculum for infection. Ten inoculated ears per plot will be hand-harvested, rated for grain mold, scored for insect feeding, shelled, and ground for aflatoxin assay. Screening for CEW resistance will be done under natural infestation by following the procedure described previously. Mite resistance evaluation will be conducted in Halfway and Lubbock, TX. The leaves heavily infested with mites will be placed onto the plants two feet above the ground at flowering stage. Mite feeding damages will be rated on a 1 to 10 scale 14 days after infestation. A set of inbred lines will be selected based on the previous field studies and used for greenhouse and field studies. The greenhouse studies will examine for hydraulic lift, water use efficiency, root characters, and other physiological traits. We plan to develop a DH mapping population for mapping QTLs associated with drought stress. A set of 10 commercial and experimental hybrids will be grown corn hybrids under different irrigation treatments at Etter and Halfway in Texas to determine the most profitable combination of hybrids, irrigation level, and plant populations. Detailed records will be made on irrigation, rainfall, plant growth and development, and grain and silage yields. Yield differences will be compared among irrigation treatments, hybrids, and the hybrid by irrigation by population combinations. The PI will continue to conduct the State Silage Corn Performance Tests in the Texas High Plains and provide the public with the timely, unbiased, and valuable data for choosing the best silage hybrids.

Progress 10/27/09 to 10/26/14

Outputs
Target Audience: Seed industry, corn producers, Ag consultants, policy makers for improving rural life and food production. Research products and information were made available to the audiences through professional and technical publications in journals, internet, and special publications; and through presentations at society meetings, field days, and workshops. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Review manuscript for journals and proposa 1. Crop Science: Two manuscripts. 2. World Mycotoxin Journal: One manuscript. 3. USDA-ARS CRIS Proposal: one. 4. Two Texas AgriLife Research Hatch proposals. Committee members: National Level: U.S. Maize Crop Germplasm Committee (MCGC). 2012-present. State Level: Texas State Crop Testing Program Advisory Board. 2003 to present. Editorial Board: Journal of Maize Sciences (A referred journal published in China). Journal of Crop Scisnce. I attended several professional meetings such as Texas Seed Trade Association, Maize Genetics Conference, American Seed Trade Association's Corn & sorghum and soybean seed research conferences, other professional activities. In 2014, I traveled to China, gave three invited talks, and interacted with the public and private corn breeders and researchers. Our corn hybrids were in the field trials in Turkey with collaboration with May Agro. I also organized a trip by the Texas AgriLife delegation visit to Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences on August 14-28, 2014. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? I interact with producers and industry actively and closely. I co-organized a corn field day in Tifton, GA. Several breeders from seed companies visited my program and toured test plots. I attended several professional meetings such as Texas Seed Trade Association, Maize Genetics Conference, American Seed Trade Association's Corn & sorghum and soybean seed research conferences, other professional activities. In 2014, I traveled to China, gave three invited talks, and interacted with the public and private corn breeders and researchers. Our corn hybrids were in the field trials in Turkey with collaboration with May Agro. I also organized a trip by the Texas AgriLife delegation visit to Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences on August 14-28, 2014. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? I have collaborated closely with many scientists, including Drs. Gary Odvody and Mike Brewer (AgriLife, Corpus Christi), Mr. Thomas Marek (AgriLife, Amarillo), Dr. Paul Williams and Dr. Marilyn Warburton (USDA-ARS, MS), Dr. Xinzhi Ni (USDA-ARS, GA), Dr. Junping Chen (USDA-ARS, Lubbock), and Dr. Mike Blanco (USDA-ARS, IA), Drs. Seth Murray and Hongbin Zhang (TAMU, College Station), and Dr. Randy Wisser (Univ. of Delaware). In FY 2014, I obtained a total of $1,107,296 extramural competitive grants from USDA-NIFA, USDA-ARS, National Corn Grower Association, Texas Corn Producers, and seed industry. I signed three MTAs. My corn lines have been used in commercial seed companies and generated over $10,000 royalty annually since 2012. I published 7 referred papers, one technical report, and 6 abstracts at national and international professional meetings, gave 2 invited presentations in national and international professional meetings and institutions, and hosted 3 field days. I serve on the editorial board of the Journal of Maize Sciences and Journal of Crop Sciences. I am a member the U.S. Maize Crop Germplasm Committee (MCGC) which advises USDA on the maize germplasm research and conservation. I am a member of the Texas State Crop Performance Test Advisory Committee. I reviewed three manuscripts for two professional journals and three USDA and Texas A&M Hatch proposals. In addition to directing my corn breeding program, I also directed and conducted the state silage corn performance tests at Etter and Halfway, and published the results in a technical report. Our work has brought new and superior silage corn hybrids into the Texas High Plains. These unbiased quality data have been widely used by producers, seed companies, Ag consultants, and extension people. The 2014 crop season in the Texas High Plains started with cold, dry and windy winter spring until May, and unusually frequent rainfall from May 28 to the end of the crop season. We advanced about 1000 breeding lines in Lubbock summer nursery and 400 lines in the winter nursery. Selection is made on early vigor, plant height, maturity, yield, grain mold, drought tolerance, heat tolerance, corn earworm resistance, and husk coverage. In 2014 summer, we evaluated 500 testcrosses and over 1000 breeding lines for the yield performance and stress tolerance at the High Plains (Etter, Halfway, Lubbock, and New Deal), central Texas (College Station and Uvalde), and south Texas (Corpus Christi, Ganado, Wharton, and Wslaco). Our hybrids were also tested in other states through AMCOE and SERAT projects (Southeastern Regional Aflatoxin Test) in MS, GA, and NC. We conducted tropical population selection study for USDA-NIFA project, produced populations for USDA-NIFA project, and conducted G2F lines and hybrid tests (an unfunded cooperative project). We made new hybrids and evaluated them for yield, stress (drought, heat, insects, and disease) tolerance, and identified several promising hybrids with high yield and low aflatoxin. New lines have been advanced for stress tolerance and good combining ability. Dow AgroScience hosted our winter nursery at Santa Isabel, Puerto Rico.

Publications


    Progress 10/01/13 to 09/30/14

    Outputs
    Target Audience: Seed industry, corn producers, Ag consultants, policy makers for improving rural life and food production. Research products and information were made available to the audiences through professional and technical publications in journals, internet, and special publications; and through presentations at society meetings, field days, and workshops. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Review manuscript for journals and proposal: 1. Crop Science: Two manuscripts; 2. World Mycotoxin Journal: One manuscript; 3. USDA-ARS CRIS Proposal: one; 4. Two Texas AgriLife Research Hatch proposals. Committee members: National Level:U.S. Maize Crop Germplasm Committee (MCGC). 2012-present. State Level: Texas State Crop Testing Program Advisory Board. 2003 to present. Editorial Board: 1. Journal of Maize Sciences (A referred journal published in China); 2. Journal of Crop Science. Interaction with industry:I interact with producers and industry actively and closely. I co-organized a corn field day in Tifton, GA. Several breeders from seed companies visited my program and toured test plots. Self-improvements: I attended several professional meetings such as Texas Seed Trade Association, Maize Genetics Conference, American Seed Trade Association's Corn & sorghum and soybean seed research conferences, other professional activities. International activities:In 2014, I traveled to China, gave three invited talks, and interacted with the public and private corn breeders and researchers. Our corn hybrids were in the field trials in Turkey with collaboration with May Agro. I also organized a trip by the Texas AgriLife delegation visit to Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences on August 14-28, 2014. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? New products and findings were shown at field days; disseminated through technical publications, referred journal papers, and websites; and present at regional and professional meetings. Presentations: The following are Invited presentations at regional, national, and international meetings and institutions. Genetic improvement of drought tolerance in corn: opportunities and challenges. China Agricultural University, March 19, 2014. Beijing, China. Progress in breeding aflatoxin resistant corn. National Corn Growers Association /AMCOE Corn Aflatoxin Workshop. February 25, 2014. Grand Hyatt Hotel, San Antonio, TX. Field days and presentations: AMCOE/SERAT Corn Field Day, June 17-18, 2014. Tifton, GA. Co-organizer and speaker at the field day. Field plots review with B-H Genetics on June 16-17 at College Station, with May Agro on June 17-18 in Lubbock. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Conduct experiments in multi-locations in Texas and other states collaborating with Texas A&M University and USDA scientists. Will work closely with seed companies and corn producers. Train graduate students and undergraduate students.

    Impacts
    What was accomplished under these goals? Significant progress has been made by the Texas A&M AgriLife Research-Lubbock corn breeding program. Our inbred lines are currently used as a parent line in commercial hybrids in U.S and has started generating over $10,000 royalty annually since 2012. Two companies are currently utilizing our lines and hybrids in their commercial hybrids and paying royalty to Texas A&M AgriLife. Part of the royalty has been distributed to the Texas Corn Producers Board. In 2014 we signed new Material Evaluation Agreements with three seed companies for evaluating our new lines and hybrids for commercialization. Our team has managed and conducted the state silage corn performance tests at Etter and Halfway since 2007 and has produced high quality comparison data. These tests have helped seed companies to bring the best hybrids in Texas and assisted the consultants and producers in choosing the best hybrids. Since 2007 the yield potential has increased 10%. Data on germplasm and hybrid evaluation (such as silage corn performance tests) benefited he public and private breeders and regional clienteles (producer, extension specialist and industry) in the decision making.

    Publications

    • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: J E C Teixeira, T Weldekidan, N de Leon, S Flint-Garcia, J B Holland, N Lauter, S C Murray, W Xu, D A Hessel, A E Kleintop, J A Hawk, A Hallauer and R J Wisser. 2014. Hallauers Tus�n: a decade of selection for tropical-to-temperate phenological adaptation in maize. Heredity advance online publication, November 5, 2014; doi:10.1038/hdy.2014.90.
    • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Charlene A. Farias, Michael J. Brewer, Darwin J. Anderson, Gary N. Odvody, Wenwei Xu and Mamoudou S�tamou. 2014. Native Maize Resistance to Corn Earworm, Helicoverpa zea, and Fall Armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, with Notes on Aflatoxin Content. Source: Southwestern Entomologist, 39(2):411-426. 2014. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3958/059.039.0303.
    • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Shoulin Jiang, Zongchao Zhao, Junsheng Li, Jinglan He, Yingen Xue, Wenwei Xu, Limin Zhang, and Fajun Chen. 2014. Damage of Maize Borer and Maize Weevil on the Yield of Transgenic Phytase Maize. Agronomy Journal Vol. 107:1-8. Doi:10.2134/agronj14.0366.
    • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Xinzhi Ni, Wenwei Xu, Michael H. Blanco and W. Paul Williams. 2014. Evaluation of fall armyworm resistance in maize germplasm lines using visual leaf injury rating and predator survey. Insect Science 21:541-555. DOI 10.1111/1744-7917.12093.
    • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Xinzhi Ni, Zhongren Lei, Kanglai He, Xin Li, Xianchun Li and Wenwei Xu. 2014. Integrated pest management is the lucrative bridge connecting the ever emerging knowledge islands of genetics and ecology. Insect Science (2014) 00, 14, DOI 10.1111/1744-7917.12151.
    • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Marilyn L. Warburton, W. Paul Williams, Gary L. Windham, Seth C. Murray, Wenwei Xu, Leigh K. Hawkins and Jorge Franco Duran. 2013. Phenotypic and Genetic Characterization of a Maize Association Mapping Panel Developed for the Identification of New Sources of Resistance to Aspergillus flavus and Aflatoxin Accumulation. Crop Science 2013 53: 6: 2374-2383.
    • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Marilyn L. Warburton, Juliet D. Tang, Gary L. Windham, Leigh K. Hawkins, Seth C. Murray, Wenwei Xu, Debbie Boykin, Andy Perkins, and W. Paul Williams 2014.Genome-wide association mapping of Aspergillus flavus and aflatoxin accumulation resistance in maize (Crop Science, accepted).
    • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Wenwei Xu, Thomas Marek, Zhizhai Liu, Traci Bland, Casey Hardin, and Dennis Pietsch. 2014. 2014 State Silage Corn Performance Test on the Texas High Plains. Texas AgriLife Research and Extension-Lubbock Center Technical Report No.12-4. pp.16.
    • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: M. L. Warburton, W. P. Williams, G. Windham, S. Murray, W. Xu, A. Perkins, J. Tang, L. Hawkins. 2014. Genetics and next-generation sequencing in identifying marker for aflatoxin resistance in maize. 2014 APS-CPS Joint Meeting, August 9-13, 2014. Minneapolis, MN, (https://www.apsnet.org/meetings/Documents/2014_meeting_abstracts/aps2014abS78.htm).
    • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Baozhu Hao, Qingwu Xue, Kirk Kessup, Thomas Marek, Wenwei Xu, Ed Bynum, and Brent Bean. 2014. Water use and grain yield in drought-tolerant maize in the Texas High Plans. 2014 ASA-CSSA-SSSA International Annual Meeting. November 2-5, 2014. Long Beach, CA. 28-12.
    • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Barlie Hendon, Cynthia Lowery, Dick Auld, Mark Burrow, Wenwei Xu, and Ian Ray. 2014. The mutation station. 2014 ASA-CSSA-SSSA International Annual Meeting. November 2-5, 2014. Long Beach, CA. 108-5.
    • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Karl Brauer, Wenwei Xu, Traci Bland, Thomas Marek, and John Zwonitzer. 2014. Water use efficiency in maize by maturity and evapotranspiration potential. 2014 ASA-CSSA-SSSA International Annual Meeting. November 2-5, 2014. Long Beach, CA. 241-7.
    • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Wenwei Xu, Thomas Marek, Traci Bland, and Steve Amosson. 2014. Short-season hybrids for corn production in the Texas High Plains. USDA Ogallala Aquifer Program annual meeting. March 24-25, 2014. Lubbock, Texas.
    • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Zhang M, Zhi H, Chang F, Zhang Y, Liu Y-H, Zhu J, Xu W, Murray SC, Zhang H-B. 2014. Large-scale cloning and characterization of genes controlling grain yield for deciphering of the molecular basis of grain yield and development of a gene-based breeding system in maize. International Plant & Animal Genome Conference XXII. P875 (http://www.intlpag.org/).


    Progress 01/01/13 to 09/30/13

    Outputs
    Target Audience: Seed industry, corn producers, Ag consultants, policy makers for improving the rural life and food production. Research products and information were made available to the audiences through professional and technical publications in journals, internet, and special publications; and through presentations at society meetings, field days and workshops. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Postdoc: Yingen Xue Graduate students: Teresa Gaus, Karl Brauer. Undergraduate students: Brian Black, Emmett Muennink, Scott Redden, Rowdy Thomas, Alexandra Torres, Tyler Waggoner, Kirsten Stone, Tyson Meil, Guy Chadwick, and Luke Johnston. Assisted in conducting the field studies and collecting data. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? New products and findings were shown at field days; disseminated through technical publications, referred journal papers, and websites; and presented at regional and professional meetings. Invited presentations: Wenwei Xu, S. Murray, G. Odvody, D. Lee, H. Abbas, M. Brewer, T. Isakeit, M. Krakowsky, X. Ni, B. Scully, W.P. Williams. Breeding and testing for aflatoxin resistance. 2012 AMCOE Project Results. FEB 26, 2013, Gaylord Palm Resort, Kissimmee, FL. Wenwei Xu. Breeding drought tolerant corn. Plant Breeder Circle at Department of Soil and Crop Science, Texas A&M University, January 25, 2013. College Station, TX. Wenwei Xu. Frontiers in US corn breeding and breeding for drought corn. Gansu Agricultural University. October 25, 2013. Lanzhou, China Wenwei Xu. Frontiers in US corn breeding. Nanjing Agricultural University. October 28, 2013. Nanjing, China. Wenwei Xu. New Maize Breeding Technologies and Progress in Improving Drought Tolerance and Aflatoxin Resistance with Native Genes from Exotic Germplasm. Asian Seed Congress 2013. Kobe, Japan, November 21, 2013. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Conduct experiments in multi-locations in Texas and other states collaborating with Texas A&M University and USDA scientists. Will work closely with seed companies and corn producers. Train graduate students and undergraduate students.

    Impacts
    What was accomplished under these goals? Progress Report: Outputs: Our corn breeding project deals with drought, water, high temperature, corn earworm resistance, and aflatoxin that constrain corn production in Texas and around the world. We focus on germplasm enhancement, breeding of multiple stress tolerant lines and hybrids by transferring desirable genes from tropical corn and wild species teosinte into temperate lines, and determination of genetic mechanisms of stress tolerance. Experiments were conducted in multi-locations in Texas and other states. Our new germplasm have been licensed to seed companies. We also evaluated commercially available silage corn hybrids for yield and quality and identified hybrids suitable for the Texas. Outcomes/Impact: We licensed three lines and two hybrids to a seed company. New multiple stress tolerant corn germplasm can broaden genetic diversity, reduce the risks of yield and quality loss due to drought, high temperatures, and insects, reduce aflatoxin contamination, and save water. Our inbred lines have been used to produce commercial hybrids. Germplasm and information from this project can significantly increase the production profitability and save the cost and water for irrigation. Partner Organizations: USDA-NIFA, Texas Corn Producers Board, Texas Water Development Board, The High Plains Underground Water District No.1, USDA-ARS (GEM Project, Aflatoxin Program, Ogallala Aquifer Program), National Corn Grower Association, Dow AgroScience, Monsanto, Pioneer Hi-Bred, and Texas AgriLife Research funded the research. B-H Genetics and Triumph Seed Company provided in-kind support for conducting hybrid field tests for grain yield. Dow AgroSciences: A seed company that provided in-kind support for conducting field tests for silage yield and quality. B-H genetics, Monsanto and Pioneer Hi-Bred: provided the propriety lines as testers and commercial hybrids as checks for the field yield trials.

    Publications

    • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Marilyn L. Warburton, W. Paul Williams, Gary L. Windham, Seth C. Murray, Wenwei Xu, Leigh K. Hawkins and Jorge Franco Duran. 2013. Phenotypic and Genetic Characterization of a Maize Association Mapping Panel Developed for the Identification of New Sources of Resistance to Aspergillus flavus and Aflatoxin Accumulation. Crop Science 2013 53: 6: 2374-2383.
    • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Wenwei Xu, Thomas Marek, Traci Bland, Andy Cranmer, and Dennis Pietsch. 2013. 2013 State Silage Corn Performance Test on the Texas High Plains. Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension-Lubbock Center Technical Report No.14-4. Pages 1-12.
    • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Wenwei Xu. 2013. 2013 GEM SCA Report - Use of GEM Germplasm for Evaluation and Development of Drought Tolerance, Corn Ear Worm Resistance, and Low Aflatoxin.
    • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Xinzhi Ni, Wenwei Xu, Michael Blanco, W. Paul Williams. 2013. Filed evaluation of maize germplasm lines for both whole-and ear-feeding insect resistance. ESA 61st Annual Meeting. November 10-13, 2013. Austin, Texas. Abstract 1446.
    • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Marilyn Warburton, Paul Williams, Gary Windham1, Seth Murray, Wenwei Xu, Andy Perkins, and Leigh Hawkins. 2013. A Genome Wide Association Study of Maize Aflatoxin Resistance. Genetics of Maize-Microbe Interactions Workshop Abstract. Page 9. February 24-27, 2013, Donald Danforth Plant Science Center. St. Louis, MO.
    • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Chen, J; Burke, J; Xu, W; Yeater, K. 2013. Genetic variation for high temperature tolerance in maize. Maize Genetics Conference Abstracts. 55:P271.
    • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Juliana Teixeira, Adrienne Kleintop, Teclemariam Weldekidan, Natalia de Leon, Sherry Flint-Garcia, Jim Holland, Nick Lauter, Seth Murray, Wenwei Xu, David Hessel, and Randall Wisser. 2013. Environmental and genetic dissection of flowering time in a population subjected to a decade of temperature adaptation. The 55th Maize Genetics Conference Abstracts. 55:P259.


    Progress 01/01/12 to 12/31/12

    Outputs
    OUTPUTS: Our corn breeding project deals with drought, water, high temperature, corn earworm resistance, and aflatoxin that constrain corn production in Texas and around the world. We focus on germplasm enhancement, breeding of multiple stress tolerant lines and hybrids by transferring desirable genes from tropical corn and wild species teosinte into temperate lines, and determination of genetic mechanisms of stress tolerance. Experiments were conducted in multi-locations in Texas and other states. Our new germplasm have been licensed to seed companies. New products and findings were shown at field days; disseminated through technical publications, referred journal papers, and websites; and presented at regional and professional meetings. PARTICIPANTS: J. Wade Howard: As a full-time research assistant, carried out the field trials and collected data. Ricky Shane Sherrill: As a full-time research associate, carried out the field trials and collected data. Left the program in June, 2012. Yingen Xue: As a full-time postdoc fellow, conducted DNA marker analysis. Teresa Gaus: A Ph.D. student TARGET AUDIENCES: Seed industry, corn producers, Ag consultants, policy makers for improving the rural life and food production. Research products and information were made available to the audiences through professional and technical publications in journals, internet, and special publications; and through presentations at society meetings, field days and workshops PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.

    Impacts
    We released five stress-tolerant brown midrib corn inbred lines (TX206, Tx207, Tx208, Tx209, and Tx210), and licensed four sweet corn inbred lines to a seed company. New multiple stress tolerant corn germplasm can broaden genetic diversity, reduce the risks of yield and quality loss due to drought, high temperatures, and insects, reduce aflatoxin contamination, and save water. Our inbred lines have been used to produce commercial hybrids. Germplasm and information from this project can significantly increase the production profitability and save the cost and water for irrigation

    Publications

    • Ni, X., J. Wilson, M. Toews, G. Buntin, X. Li, Z. Lei, K. He, W. Xu, X. Li, A. Huffaker, and E. A. Schmelz. (2012). Evaluation of Spatial and Temporal Patterns of Insect Damage and Aflatoxin Level in the Pre-Harvest Corn Fields to Improve Management Tactics. Insect Science, 12:1-12. DOI 10.1111/j.1744-7917.2012.01531.
    • Ni., X., W. Xu, M. H. Blanco, and J. P. Wilson. (2012). Evaluation of Corn Germplasm Lines for Multiple Ear-Colonizing. J. Econ. Entomol. 105(4): 1457-1464.
    • Chen, J., W. Xu, J. Velten, Z. Xin, and J. Stout. (2012). Characterization of maize inbred lines for drought and heat tolerance. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation 2012 67(5):354-364.
    • Niu, G., W. Xu, D. Rodriguez, and Y. Sun. (2012). Growth and physiological responses of maize and sorghum genotypes to salt stress, ISRN Agronomy Volume 2012, Article ID 145072, 12 pages. doi:10.5402/2012/145072.
    • Liu, X., S. Li, G. Xu, Y. Xue, W. Xu*. (2012). Review of genetically modified maize. Journal of Maize Science. 20(6):1-8.
    • Xu, W., T. Marek, J. Howard, J. Breeden, C. Hardin, and D. Pietsch. (2012). 2012 State Silage Corn Performance Test on the Texas High Plains. Texas AgriLife Research and Extension-Lubbock Center Technical Report No.12-4. pp.1-16.
    • Xu, W; G. Odvody, and P. Williams. (2012). Use of GEM Germplasm for Evaluation and Development of Drought Tolerance, Corn. ttp://www.public.iastate.edu/~usda-gem/Public_Reports/Yr_2012/Xu%20GE M%20Report.pdf. p.1-7.
    • Teixeira, J., N. De Leon, S. Flint-Garcia, J. Holland, N. Lauter, S. Murray, W. Xu, D. Hessel, T. Weldekidan, A. Kleintop, Y. Veturi, R. Wisser. (2012). A decade of tropical to temperate maize adaptation reveals a potential mechanism for broad adaptation. 54th Annual Maize Genetics Conference Program Abstract: P37. March 15-18, 2012. Portland, Oregon.
    • Xu, W., M. Blanco, P. Williams, G. Odvody. (2012). Holistic corn breeding approach to improve abiotic and biotic and stress tolerance (abstract). Symposium - Ecological genetics of crop plants: from traditional breeding to cisgenic and transgenic crops, the International Congress of Entomology. Daegu, Korea. August 19-25, 2012.
    • Gaus, T., W. Xu, Y. Xue, S. Murray, W. P. William, and G. Odvody. (2012). Introgression of teosinte genes for improving yield and disease resistance in maize. 54th Annual Maize Genetics Conference Program Abstract: P149. March 15-18, 2012. Portland, Oregon.
    • Chen, J., M. McMullen, J. J. Burke, W. Xu, and G. Burrow. (2012). Mapping QTLs for heat tolerance traits in maize using NAM populations. 54th Annual Maize Genetics Conference Program Abstract: P154. March 15-18, 2012. Portland, Oregon.
    • Wisser, R., N. De Leon, S. Flint-Garcia, J. Holland, N. Lauter, S. Murray, W. Xu, T. Weldekidan, J. Teixeira, V. Yogasdha, N. Kumar, K. Rogers, J. Reiner, R. Kanchi, L. Peddicord, and M. Lopez. (2012). The maize ATLAS project: implementation of an experimental framework for studying adaptation. 54th Annual Maize Genetics Conference Program Abstract: P162. March 15-18, 2012. Portland, Oregon.
    • Xu, W., T. Gaus, T. Marek, S. Murray, P. Williams, G. Odvody. (2012). Exploring Native Resistance Genes to Develop Aflatoxin Resistant Corn. 2012 Corn Utilization and Technology Conference. June 4-6, 2012. Indianapolis, IN.


    Progress 01/01/11 to 12/31/11

    Outputs
    OUTPUTS: Our corn breeding project deals with drought, water, high temperature, corn earworm resistance, and aflatoxin that constrain corn production in Texas and around the world. We focus on germplasm enhancement, breeding of multiple stress tolerant lines and hybrids by transferring desirable genes from tropical corn and wild species teosinte into temperate lines, and determination of genetic mechanisms of stress tolerance. Experiments were conducted in multi-locations in Texas and other states. Our new germplasm have been licensed to seed companies. New products and findings were shown at field days; disseminated through technical publications, referred journal papers, and websites; and presented at regional and professional meetings. PARTICIPANTS: Participants: Bruce Carlson: As a full-time research associate, carried out the field trials and collected data, retired in June, 2011. Ricky Shane Sherrill: As a full-time research associate, carried out the field trials and collected data. Joined the program in August, 2011. Yingen Xue: As a full-time postdoc fellow, conducted DNA marker analysis. Caren Ayala: A M.S. student. Teresa Gaus: A Ph.D. student. Adam Vanous, Ph.D. student. Yongtao Yu, visiting scientist Partner Organizations: Texas Corn Producers Board, Texas Water Development Board, The High Plains Underground Water District No.1, USDA-ARS, Dow AgroScience, Monsanto, Pioneer Hi-Bred, and Texas AgriLife Research funded the research. B-H Genetics and Triumph Seed Company provided in-kind support for conducting hybrid field tests for grain yield. Dow AgroSciences: A seed company that provided in-kind support for conducting field tests for silage yield and quality. B-H genetics, Monsanto and Pioneer Hi-Bred: provided the propriety lines as testers and commercial hybrids as checks for the field yield trials. Collaborators and Contacts: Thomas Marek, Gary Odvody, Christian Nansen, Seth Murray, Hongbin Zhang, Mike Brewer of Texas AgriLife. Junping Chen, Mike Blanco, Xinzhi Ni, Marilyn Warburton, and Paul Williams of USDA-ARS. Training or Professional Development: Postdoc: Yingen Xue Graduate students: Bruce Spinhirne, Caren Ayala, Teresa Gaus, and Adam Vanous. Undergraduate students: Brian Black, Emmett Muennink, Scott Redden, Rowdy Thomas, Alexandra Torres, and Tyler Waggoner. Assisted in conducting the field studies and collecting data. TARGET AUDIENCES: Seed industry, corn producers, ag consultants, policy makers for improving the rural life and food production. Research products and information were made available to the audiences through professional and technical publications in journals, internet, and special publications; and through presentations at society meetings, field days and workshops. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.

    Impacts
    The new multiple stress tolerant corn germplasm can broaden genetic diversity, reduce the risks of yield and quality loss due to drought, high temperatures, and insects, reduce aflatoxin contamination, and save water. Discovery of phosphatidic acid in heat tolerance may lead to new breeding strategies for improving heat tolerance. Our inbred lines have been licensed to seed companies for commercialization. Germplasm and information from this project can significantly increase the production profitability and save the cost and water for irrigation.

    Publications

    • Xu,W., Xu, G., Li, S., Xue, Y., and Cai, Z. 2011. Breeding maize hybrids for high silage yield and quality. Journal of Maize Sciences.19(3):1-6.
    • Xu, W., Marek, T., Yu, Y., Cranmer, A., Bean, B., and Pietsch, D. 2011. 2011 State Silage Corn Performance Test on the Texas High Plains. Texas AgriLife Research and Extension-Lubbock Center Technical Report No.11-4. pp.8.
    • Xu, W., Odvody, G., and Williams, P. 2011. Use of GEM Germplasm for Evaluation and Development of Drought Tolerance, Corn. ttp://www.public.iastate.edu/~usda-gem/Public_Reports/Yr_2011/Xu%20GE M%20Report.pdf. pp.7
    • Xue, Y., Xu, W., Odvody, G., and Williams, P. 2011. Breeding low-aflatoxin corn inbred lines. In Genetics of Maize Disease Workshop, February 20-23, 2011. Raleigh, NC.
    • Xu, W., Xue, Y., Odvody, G., and Williams, P. 2011. Breeding corn resistant to diseases endemic to the Southern States. In Genetics of Maize Disease Workshop, February 20-23, 2011. Raleigh, NC.
    • Xu, W., Xue, Y., Blanco, M., Williams, P., and Odvody, G. 2011. Index and sampling size for evaluating corn earworm injury to corn ears. NCCC167 Corn Breeding Group Annual Meeting. March 17-17, St Charles, IL.
    • Xu, W., Odvody, G., Williams, P., Xue, Y. 2011. New corn germplasm with improved stress tolerance and aflatoxin resistance. ASA-CSSA-SSA 2011 International Annual Meetings. October 16-19, Antonio, TX. CD-ROM 91-7.
    • Gaus, T., Xu, W., Xue, Y., Murray, S., William, P., Odvody, G., Marek, T. 2011. Exotic genes from teosinte for improving grain quality and yield in maize. ASA-CSSA-SSSA 2011 International Annual Meeting Abstract. October 16-19, 2011. San Antonio, TX. CD-ROM 221-9.
    • Warburton, M.L.*, Williams, P., Windham, G., Murray, S., Xu, W., Hawkins, L., Daves, C., and Henry, B. 2011. Phenotypic characterization of a maize association mapping panel developed for the identification of Aspergillus flavus and aflatoxin accumulation resistance genes. ASA-CSSA-SSA 2011 International Annual Meetings. October 16-19, San Antonio, TX. CD-ROM 91-8.
    • Chen, J., Burke, J., Xu, W., and Burrow, G. 2011. Dissection of high temperature tolerance traits of maize. Maize Genetics Conference Abstracts. 53:P214.
    • Chen, J., Xu, W. and Xin, Z. 2011. Development of drought and/or heat tolerant crop varieties, an adaptation approach to mitigate impact of climate change on agriculture. ASA-CSSA-SSSA 2011 International Annual Meeting Abstract. October 16-19, 2011. San Antonio, TX. CD-ROM 173-5.
    • Xue, Q., Marek, T. Bean, B., Xu, W., Michels, J., Jessup, K., and Becker, J. 2011. Physiological determination of yield in corn hybrids under limited irrigation in the Texas High Plains. ASA-CSSA-SSSA 2011 International Annual Meeting Abstract. October 16-19, 2011. San Antonio, TX. CD-ROM 93-11.


    Progress 01/01/10 to 12/31/10

    Outputs
    OUTPUTS: Our corn breeding project deals with drought, water, high temperature, corn earworm resistance, and aflatoxin that constrain corn production in Texas and around the world. We focus on germplasm enhancement, breeding of multiple stress tolerant lines and hybrids by transferring desirable genes from exotic and tropical corn into temperate lines, and determination of genetic mechanisms of stress tolerance. Experiments were conducted in multi-locations in Texas and other states. Our new germplasm have been licensed to seed companies. New products and findings were shown at field days; disseminated through technical publications, referred journal papers, and websites; and presented at regional and professional meetings. PARTICIPANTS: Bruce Carlson: As a full-time research associate, carried out the field trials and collected data. Bruce Spinhirne: As a full-time research associate, carried out the field trials and collected data. Yingen Xue:As a full-time postdoc fellow, conducted DNA marker analysis. Ying Hu: As a graduate student, conducted research on heat tolerance and participated in field activities in the breeding project. Caren Ayala: A M.S. student. Teresa Gaus: A Ph.D. student. Collaborators and Contacts: Jim Bordovsky, Thomas Marek, Gary Odvody, Christian Nansen, Seth Murray, and Eddie Bynum of Texas AgriLife. Junping Chen, Mike Blanco, Xinzhi Ni, and Paul Williams of USDA-ARS. Training or Professional Development: Postdoc: Yingen Xue Graduate students: Bruce Spinhirne, Ying Hu, caren Ayala, Teresa Gaus. Undergraduate students: Brian Black, Emmett Muennink, Scott Redden, Rowdy Thomas, Alexandra Torres, and Tyler Waggoner. Assisted in conducting the field studies and collecting data. TARGET AUDIENCES: Seed industry, corn producers, ag consultants, policy makers for improving the rural life and food production. Research products and information were made available to the audiences through professional and technical publications in journals, internet, and special publications; and through presentations at society meetings, field days and workshops. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

    Impacts
    The new multiple stress tolerant corn germplasm can broaden genetic diversity, reduce the risks of yield and quality loss due to drought, high temperatures, and insects, reduce aflatoxin contamination, and save water. Discovery of phosphatidic acid in heat tolerance may lead to new breeding strategies for improving heat tolerance. Our inbred lines have been licensed to seed companies for commercialization. Germplasm and information from this project can significantly increase the production profitability and save the cost and water for irrigation.

    Publications

    • Chen,J., Xu, W., Burke, J.,and Xin,Z. 2010. Role of Phosphatidic acid in high temperature tolerance in maize, Crop Science, 50:2506-2515.
    • Xu, W., Odvody, G., and Marek, T. 2010. Breeding abiotic and biotic corn for food, feed, and silage: Report of 2009 Corn Breeding Program Results. Texas AgriLife Research Agricultural Research and Extension Center-Lubbock Technical Report LB-AREC 2010-05. p.1-23.
    • Xu, W.,Odvody,G., and Williams,P. 2010. Use of GEM germplasm for improving drought tolerance,corn earworm resistance,and aflatoxin resistance. www.public.iastate.edu, p.1-10.
    • Xu, W., Marek,T., Cranmer, A., Carlson, B., Beck,J., Bean, B., and Dietsch, P. 2010. 2010 State Silage Corn Performance Test on the Texas High Plains. Texas AgriLife Research and Extension-Lubbock Center Technical Report No.10-3. p.1-12.
    • Xu, W., Chen,J., and Xin, Z. 2010. Exploring native genetic variation for improving drought tolerance and water use efficiency in corn. ASA-CSSA-SSSA, 2010 International Annual Meeting, October 31-November 3. Long Beach,CA. Abstract CD-ROM.p.283-13.
    • Hu,Y., Xu,W., and Chen, J. 2010. A self-referencing method for selecting heat tolerant corn. ASA-CSSA-SSSA 2010 International Annual Meeting Abstract CD-ROM.283-13. October 31-November 3,2010. Long Beach, CA.
    • Xu,W. Developing drought and heat tolerant crops to mitigate the effects of climate change. The PSC PhD 2010 Symposium-Plants meeting future challenges: food and energy for the society in a changing environment" Abstract, Page 9. September 10, 2010. Zurich, Switzerland.


    Progress 01/01/09 to 12/31/09

    Outputs
    OUTPUTS: Our corn breeding project deals with drought, water, high temperature, corn earworm resistance, and aflatoxin that constrain corn production in Texas and around the world. We focus on germplasm enhancement, development of multiple stress tolerant lines and hybrids by transferring desirable genes from exotic and tropical corn into temperate lines, and determination of genetic mechanisms of stress tolerance. Experiments were conducted in multi-locations in Texas and other states. Major findings and accomplishments in 2009 include: (1) Advanced hundreds of breeding lines for improved drought and heat tolerance, corn earworm resistance, and grain mold resistance; and obtained data supporting the official release of inbred lines; (2) Developed several hybrids suitable for feed and silage and tolerant to biotic and abiotic stresses; (3) Found that the grain and silage corn yield of new commercial and experimental hybrids were not significantly reduced when the amount of irrigation was reduced from 100% ET to 75% ET; (4) Converted the earworm resistant corn lines into super sweet corn; and (5) Conducted silage corn performance test. PARTICIPANTS: PI: Dr. Wenwei Xu, designed, directed and oversaw the overall operation of the project; analyzed the data and prepared the reports. Bruce Carlson: As a full-time research associate, carried out the field trials and collected data. Bruce Spinhirne: As a full-time research associate, carried out the field trials and collected data. Baohong Guo:As a full-time postdoc fellow, conducted DNA marker analysis. Ying Hu: As a graduate student, conducted research on heat tolerance and participated in field activities in the breeding project. Texas Corn Producers Board, Texas Water Development Board, The High Plains Underground Water District No.1, USDA-ARS, Dow AgroScience, Monsanto, and Texas AgriLife Research funded the research. B-H Genetics and Triumph Seed Company provided in-kind support for conducting hybrid field tests for grain yield. Dow AgroSciences: A seed company that provided in-kind support for conducting field tests for silage yield and quality. Monsanto Company: A seed company for providing the propriety lines as testers. B-H genetics, Syngenta, Pioneer Hi-Bred International, and Monsanto for providing hybrid corn seeds as checks in the field yield trials.Jim Bordovsky, Thomas Marek, Gary Odvody, Christian Nansen, Seth Murray, and Eddie Bynum of Texas AgriLife. Junping Chen, Mike Blanco, Xinzhi Ni, and Paul Williams of USDA-ARS. Graduate students: Bruce Spinhirne, and Ying Hu Undergraduate students: Brian Black, Emmett Muennink, Scott Redden, Rowdy Thomas, Alexandra Torres, and Tyler Waggoner. Assisted in conducting the field studies and collecting data. TARGET AUDIENCES: Seed industry, corn producers, ag consultants, policy makers for improving the rural life and food production. Research products and information were made available to the audiences through professional and technical publications in journals, internet, and special publications; and through presentations at society meetings, field days and workshops. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

    Impacts
    The new multiple stress tolerant corn germplasm can broaden genetic diversity, reduce the risks of yield and quality loss due to drought, high temperatures, and insects, reduce aflatoxin contamination, and save water. Our inbred lines have been licensed to seed companies for commercialization. Germplasm and information from this project can significantly increase the production profitability and save the cost and water for irrigation.

    Publications

    • Wenwei Xu, .Gary Odvody, and Thomas Marek. 2009. Breeding corn resistance to abiotic and biotic stresses-report of 2008 Corn Breeding Program Results. Texas AgriLife Research Agricultural Research and Extension Center, Lubbock,Technical Report LB-AREC 09-02. p.p.27.
    • Wenwei Xu. 2009. Use of GEM germplasm for improving drought tolerance, corn earworm resistance, and aflatoxin resistance. 10 pages. http://www.public.iastate.edu/~usda-gem/Public_Reports/Yr_2009/GEM_Re port_Xu_09.pdf.
    • Wenwei Xu, Thomas Marek, Bruce Spinhirne, Bruce Carlson, Thavis, John, Brent bean, and Dennis Pietsch. 2009. 2009 State Silage Silage Corn Performance Test in the Texas High Plains. Texas AgriLife Research Agricultural Research and Extension-Lubbock Center Technical Report No. 09-4. p.p.10.
    • Wenwei Xu, Gary Odvody, and W. Paul Williams. 2009. New stress-tolerant and low-aflatoxin corn inbred lines. Workshop for Reducing Aflatoxin Contamination in Corn Abstract. Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS. October 27- 28, 2009. Xinzhi Ni, Wenwei Xu, Michael H. Blanco, Jeffrey P. Wilson, and G. David Buntin. 2009. Evaluation of Elite Corn Inbred Lines and Hybrids for Multiple Ear-Colonizing Insect Resistance. Abstract for Asia-Pacific Congress of Entomology(a presentation in Symposium 23) Oct. 18-22, 2009 Beijing, China.
    • Junping Chen, James Mahan, Paxton Payton, Wenwei Xu, John Burke, Zhanguo Xin. 2009 Drought tolerance evaluation in maize germplasm: a field study. Crop Science Society of America Annual Meeting, Pittsburgh, PA. NOV. 1-5, 2009.
    • M. Krakowsky, B. Guo, D. White, W. Xu, W. P. Williams, T. Brooks, G. Windham, S. Moore, H. Abbas, J. Perkins, D. Gorman, Q. Raab, K. Arnold, D. Smith, T. Isakeit, K. Mayfield, and J. Betran. 2009 Southern East Regional Aflatoxin Test (SERAT). Workshop for Reducing Aflatoxin Contamination in Corn Abstract. Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS. October 27- 28, 2009.


    Progress 01/01/08 to 12/31/08

    Outputs
    OUTPUTS: Our corn breeding project deals with drought, water, high temperature, corn earworm, and aflatoxin that constrain corn production in Texas and around the world. We focus on germplasm enhancement, development of multiple stress tolerant lines and hybrids by transferring desirable genes from exotic and tropical corn into temperate lines, and determination of genetic mechanisms of stress tolerance. Experiments were conducted in multi-locations in Texas and other states. Major findings and accomplishments in 2008 include: (1) Advanced hundreds of breeding lines for improved drought and heat tolerance, corn earworm resistance, and grain mold resistance; and obtained data supporting the official release of inbred lines; (2) Developed several hybrids suitable for feed and silage and tolerant to biotic and abiotic stresses; (3) Found that silage yield of 20 genetically diverse hybrids under 75% ET irrigation was slightly lower than but not significant from the yield under 100% ET irrigation; (4) Converted the earworm resistant corn lines into super sweet corn; and (5) Conducted silage corn performance test at two locations in the Texas High Plains. PARTICIPANTS: PI: Dr. Wenwei Xu, designed, directed and oversaw the overall operation of the project; analyzed the data and prepared the reports. Bruce Carlson: As a full-time research associate, carried out the field trials and collected data. Bruce Spinhirne: As a full-time research associate, carried out the field trials and collected data. Baohong Guo: As a full-time postdoc fellow, conducted DNA marker analysis. Laura Offutt: As a graduate student, conducted research on drought tolerance and participated field activities in the breeding project. Partner Organizations: Texas Corn Producers Board, Texas USDA-ARS, Dow AgroScience, and Monsanto funded the research. B-H Genetics and Triumph Seed: Seed companies provided in-kind support for conducting hybrid field tests for grain yield. Dow AgroSciences: A seed company that provided in-kind support for conducting field tests for silage yield and quality. Monsanto Company: A seed company for providing the propriety lines as testers. B-H genetics, Syngenta, Pioneer Hi-Bred International, and Monsanto for providing hybrid corn seeds as checks in the field yield trials. Collaborators and Contacts: Jim Bordovsky, Thomas Marek, Gary Odvody, Christian Nansen, Kerry Mayfield of Texas AgriLife. Junping Chen, Mike Blanco, Xinzhi Ni, Paul Williams of USDA-ARS. Training or Professional Development: Postdoc: Baohong Guo Graduate students: Laura Offutt, Bruce Spinhirne, Randall Montgomery Undergraduate students: David Allen, Micah Killian, Nick Sanford, Alexandra Torres, Rowdy Thomas, Melissa Waggoner. Assisted in conducting the field studies and collecting data. TARGET AUDIENCES: Seed industry, corn producers, ag consultants, policy makers for improving the rural life and food production. Research products and information were made available to the audiences through professional and technical publications in journals, internet, and special publications; and through presentations at society meetings, field days and workshops. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: None

    Impacts
    The new multiple stress tolerant corn germplasm can broaden genetic basis of U.S. corn industry, reduce the risks of yield and quality loss due to drought, high temperatures, and insects, reduce aflatoxin contamination, and save water. Seed companies have obtained and use our inbred lines through appropriate technology transfer agreement. Germplasm and information from this project can significantly increase the production profitability and save the cost and water for irrigation. Three graduate and six undergraduate students received training and research experiences in corn breeding.

    Publications

    • Xu, .W. 2008. Use of GEM germplasm for improving drough tolerance, corn earworm resistance, and aflatoxin resistance. 10 pages. http://www.public.iastate.edu/usda-gem/PublicReports/Yr2008/GEM_eport Xu08.pdf.
    • Xu, W. 2008. Progress in breeding drought tolerant corn for food, feed, and silage. Pages 1 -12 in Texas AgriLife and Texas Corn Producers Corn Field Day Book, August 7, 2008. AREC 08-39. Texas A&M Agricultural Research and Extension Center, Amarillo, Texas.
    • Spinhirne, B., W. Xu, T. marek, and J. Bordovsky. 2008. Silage yield and quality under different irrigation treatments. Pages 15-16 in Texas AgriLife and Texas Corn Producers Corn Field Day Book, August 7, 2008. AREC 08-39. Texas A&M Agricultural Research and Extension Center, Amarillo, Texas.
    • W. Xu. 2008. Phenotypic screening and breeding of drought tolerant corn. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting Abstract CD-ROM. 634-4. 5-9 October, 2008. Houston, TX.
    • Junping Chen, Wenwei Xu, John Burke. 2008. mechanism of high temperature adapation in maize. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting Abstract CD-ROM. 633-1. 5-9 October, 2008. Houston, TX.
    • Bruce Spinhirne, Wenwei Xu, Thomas Marek, and Jim Bordovsky,. 2008. Effects of Genotypes and Irrigation Treatments on Silage Corn Yield and Quality. 2008 Northeastern and Northcentral Corn Improvement Conference. Feb.27-March2, 2008. Baltimore, MD.


    Progress 01/01/07 to 12/31/07

    Outputs
    OUTPUTS: Our corn breeding project deals with drought, water, high temperature, corn earworm resistance, and aflatoxin that constrain corn production in Texas and around the world. We focus on germplasm enhancement, development of multiple stress tolerant lines and hybrids by transferring desirable genes from exotic and tropical corn into temperate lines, and determination of genetic mechanisms of stress tolerance. Experiments were conducted in multi-locations in Texas and other states. Major findings and accomplishments in 2007 include: (1) Advanced hundreds of breeding lines for improved drought and heat tolerance, corn earworm resistance, and grain mold resistance; and obtained data supporting the official release of inbred lines; (2) Developed several hybrids suitable for feed and silage and tolerant to biotic and abiotic stresses; (3) Found that silage yield of 20 genetically diverse hybrids under 75% ET irrigation was slightly lower than but not significant from the yield under 100% ET irrigation; (4) Converted the earworm resistant corn lines into super sweet corn; and (5) Conducted silage corn performance test. PARTICIPANTS: PI: Dr. Wenwei Xu, designed, directed and oversaw the overall operation of the project; analyzed the data and prepared the reports. Bruce Carlson: As a full-time research associate, carried out the field trials and collected data. Bruce Spinhirne: As a full-time research associate, carried out the field trials and collected data. Baohong Guo:As a full-time postdoc fellow, conducted DNA marker analysis. Laura Offutt: As a graduate student, conducted research on drought tolerance and participated field activities in the breeding project. Partner Organizations: Texas Corn Producers Board, Texas Water Development Board, The High Plains Underground Water District No.1, USDA-ARS, Dow AgroScience, Monsanto and funded the research. B-H Genetics: A seed company that provided in-kind support for conducting hybrid field tests for grain yield. Dow AgroSciences: A seed company that provided in-kind support for conducting field tests for silage yield and quality. Monsanto Company: A seed company for providing the propriety lines as testers. B-H genetics, Syngenta, Pioneer Hi-Bred International, and Monsanto for providing hybrid corn seeds as checks in the field yield trials. Collaborators and Contacts: Jim Bordovsky, Thomas Marek, Gary Odvody, Christian Nansen, Kerry Mayfield of Texas AgriLife. Junping Chen, Mike Blanco, Xinzhi Ni, Paul Williams of USDA-ARS. Training or Professional Development: Postdoc: Baohong Guo Graduate students: Laura Offutt, Bruce Spinhirne, Randall Montgomery Undergraduate students: Brian Black, Emmett Muennink, Scott Redden, Rowdy Thomas, Alexandra Torres, and Tyler Waggoner. Assisted in conducting the field studies and collecting data. TARGET AUDIENCES: Seed industry, corn producers, ag consultants, policy makers for improving the rural life and food production. Research products and information were made available to the audiences through professional and technical publications in journals, internet, and special publications; and through presentations at society meetings, field days and workshops. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: None

    Impacts
    The new multiple stress tolerant corn germplasm can broaden genetic diversity, reduce the risks of yield and quality loss due to drought, high temperatures, and insects, reduce aflatoxin contamination, and save water. Five companies signed a material transfer agreement to use our inbred lines. Germplasm and information from this project can significantly increase the production profitability and save the cost and water for irrigation.

    Publications

    • Xinzhi Ni, Wenwei Xu, Matthew D. Krakowsky, G. David Buntin, Steve L. Brown, R. Dewey Lee, and Anton E. Coy. 2007. Field screening of experimental corn hybrids and inbred lines for multiple ear-feeding insect resistance. Journal of Economic Entomology. 100: 1704-1713.
    • Xu, W. Annual report of GEM project. 2007. Pages 1-18 in USDA-ARS Germplasm Enhancement of maize 2007 Public Data Summary, Ames, IA..
    • Xu, W., B. Spinhirne, T. Marek, B. Bean, and D. Pietsch. 2007. Silage corn hybrids for the Texas High Plains. Pages 1-2. TAES-Lubbock Center Technical Publication No. 07-2.
    • Xu, W., Robert Lascano, Thomas Marek, Jim Bordovsky. 2007. New Stress Tolerant Corn Germplasm for Higher Water Use. Final Research Report to the Texas Water Development Board. 21 pages.
    • Junping Chen, Wenwei Xu, Zhanguo Xin. 2007. Role of phosphatidic acid in maize thermotolerance. Gordon Research Conference: Temperature Stress in Plants. Ventura, California . Jan. 21-26, 2007.
    • M. Krakowsky, B. Guo, D. White, W. Xu, W. P. Williams, T. Brooks, G. Windham, S. Moore, H. Abbas, J. Perkins, D. Gorman, Q. Raab, K. Arnold, D. Smith, T. Isakeit, K. Mayfield, and J. Betran. 2006 Southern East Regional Aflatoxin Test (SERAT). Page 77 in Proceedings of the 2006 Annual Multi-crop Aflatoxin/Fumonisin Elimination & Fungal Genomics Workshops, Oct.21-24, 2007, Fort Worth, Texas. 125 pages.


    Progress 01/01/06 to 12/31/06

    Outputs
    The corn-breeding project at TAES-Lubbock Center addresses water, mycotoxins, high temperature, insects and other major issues that constrain corn production in Texas and around the world. The project focuses on germplasm enhancement, development of multiple stress tolerant lines and hybrids by transferring desirable genes from exotic and tropical corn into temperate lines, and determination of genetic mechanisms of stress tolerance. Experiments were conducted in multi-locations in Texas and other states. Major findings and accomplishments in 2006 include: (1) Advanced hundreds of breeding lines for improved drought and heat tolerance, corn earworm resistance, and grain mold resistance; and six inbred lines are ready for release; (2) Developed several hybrids suitable for feed and silage and tolerant to biotic and abiotic stresses; (3) Quantified the effects of genetics and irrigation treatments on silage yield and quality; (4) Characterized new germplasm collections for drought tolerance, insect resistance, and other agronomic characters; (5) Conversion of earworm resistant corn lines into super sweet corn.

    Impacts
    The new multiple stress tolerant corn germplasm can broaden genetic diversity, reduce the risks of yield and quality loss due to drought, high temperatures, and insects, reduce aflatoxin contamination, and save water.

    Publications

    • Wenwei Xu, Gary Odvody, and W. Paul Williams. 2006. Improving drought-tolerance and earworm resistance to reduce Aflatoxin in Corn. Proceedings of USDA Multi-crop Aflatoxin Elimination Workshop, Oct.16-19, Fort Worth, TX.
    • Xu, W. Annual report of GEM project. 2006. in USDA-ARS Germplasm Enhancement of maize 2004 Public data Summary, Ames, IA. http://www.public.iastate.edu/~usda-gem/Public_Reports/GEM_Public_Rep orts.htm
    • Randall Montgomery and Wenwei Xu. 2006. Effect of genotypes and irrigation treatments on yield and forage quality in corn. In abstract CD-ROM of Annual ASA-CSSA-SSA, Indianapolis, IN. Nov. 12-17, 2006.
    • Xu, W. Breeding Superior Drought Tolerant Corn. 2006. USDA Agricultural Outlook Forum 2006: Concurrent Session Bio-Tech Development and Drought Tolerance/Superior Corn & Soybean Varieties for Industrial Production. Arlington, VA, February 16-17, 2006. http://www.usda.gov/oce/forum/2006


    Progress 01/01/05 to 12/31/05

    Outputs
    The corn-breeding project at TAES-Lubbock Center addresses water, mycotoxins, high temperature, insects and other major issues that constrain corn production in Texas and around the world. The project focuses on (1) germplasm enhancement, (2) development of multiple stress tolerant lines and hybrids by transferring desirable genes from tropical corn into temperate lines, and (3) determination of genetic mechanisms of stress tolerance. Major findings and accomplishments from multi-location trials in Texas and other states in 2005 include: (1) Advanced hundreds of breeding lines for improved drought and heat tolerance, corn earworm resistance, and grain mold resistance; two inbred lines are ready to be released (2) Developed several hybrids that have excellent yield, earworm resistance, grain mold resistance and low aflatoxin contamination; (3) Characterized new germplasm collections for drought tolerance, insect resistance, and other agronomic characters; (4) Identified two hybrids suitable for organic corn production; and (5) Provided research experience for seven undergraduate students.

    Impacts
    The new multiple stress tolerant corn germplasm can broaden genetic diversity, reduce the loss in grain yield and quality caused by drought, high temperatures, and insects, reduce aflatoxin contamination, and save water.

    Publications

    • Wenwei Xu, Gary Odvody, W. Paul Williams, Patrick Porter, and Greg Cronholm. Introgression of tropical germplasm to reduce the damage of ear-feeding pests and develop products for organic corn production. ASA-CAAS-SSSA Annual Meetings Abstract CD-ROM, Salt lake City, UT, Nov. 6-12, 2005.
    • Xu, W.W., G. Odvody, W.P. Williams. 2005. Corn hybrids with exotic germplasm and low aflatoxin Aflatoxin/Fumonisin Elimination and Fungal Genomics Workshops. 24-26 October 2005, Raleigh, NC.
    • Xu, W. 2005. Progress In Breeding Multiple Stress Tolerant Corn - Report of 2004 Corn Breeding Program Results. TAES-Lubbock Techical Publication 05-04. pp.66.
    • Clements, M., Paul Williams, Steve Moore, M. Krakowky, B. Guo, D. white, W. Xu, et al. 2005. Southern Regional Aflatoxin Test (SERAT). Aflatoxin/Fumonisin Elimination and Fungal Genomics Workshops. 24-26 October 2005, Raleigh, NC.
    • Xu, W. 2005. GEM breeding crosses, topcrosses, and advanced lines for improving drought tolerance, grain mold resistance, and corn earworm resistance. In http://www.public.iastate.edu/~usda-gem/Public_Reports/GEM_Public_Rep orts.htm.


    Progress 01/01/04 to 12/31/04

    Outputs
    The corn-breeding project at TAES-Lubbock Center addresses water, mycotoxins, high temperature, insects and other major issues that constrain corn production in Texas and around the world. The project focuses on (1) germplasm enhancement, (2) development of multiple stress tolerant lines and hybrids by transferring desirable genes from tropical corn into temperate lines, and (3) determination of genetic mechanisms of stress tolerance. Major findings and accomplishments from multi-location trials in Texas and other states in 2004 include: (1) Released two inbred lines with improved drought and heat tolerance, corn earworm resistance, and grain mold resistance; (2) Advanced hundreds of breeding lines; (3) Developed several hybrids that have excellent yield, earworm resistance, grain mold resistance and low aflatoxin contamination; (4) Characterized new germplasm collections for drought tolerance, insect resistance, and other agronomic characters; and (5) Provided research experience for six undergraduate students.

    Impacts
    The new multiple stress tolerant corn germplasm can broaden genetic diversity, reduce the loss in grain yield and quality caused by drought, high temperatures, and insects, reduce aflatoxin contamination, and save water.

    Publications

    • Xu, W. 2005. Characterization and utilization of GEM breeding crosses, topcrosses, and advanced lines for drought tolerance, grain mold resistance, and corn earworm resistance. p. 71-81 in USDA-ARS Germplasm Enhancement of maize 2004 Public data Summary, Ames, IA.
    • Xu, W.W. T.L. Archer, E.D. Bynum, Jr., G. Odvody. 2004. Registration of maize germplasm line Tx202. Crop Science 44:1883-1884.
    • Xu, W., T.L. Archer, E.D. Bynum, Jr. 2004. Registration of maize germplasm line Tx203. Crop Science 44:1884.
    • Bynum, E.D. Jr., W. Xu*, and T. L. Archer. 2004. Potential efficacy of spider mite-resistant genes in maize testcrosses. Crop Protection 23:625-634 (*Corresponding author)
    • Bynum, E.D. Jr., W. Xu*, and T. L. Archer. 2004. Diallel analysis of spider mite (Acari: Tetranychidae) resistant maize inbred lines and F1 Crosses. Crop Science 44:1535-1541(*Corresponding author)
    • Pollak, L.M., K. Montgomery, C. Abel, P. Williams, and Wenwei Xu. 2004. Correlations between grain composition and pest resistance in a set of corn hybrids. NCR-167, St. Louis, MO.
    • K. Montgomery, L.M. Pollak, S. Goggi, C. Abel, P. Williams, and W. Xu. 2004. Yields of two sets of hybrids and the grain composition of the parents and hybrids with associated agronomic traits. NCR-167, St. Louis, MO.
    • Aflatoxin/Fumonisin Elimination and Fungal Genomics Workshops. 25-28 October 2004, Sacramento, CA.
    • Pollak, L.M., K. Montgomery, C. Abel, P. Williams, and W. Xu. 2004. Effect of grain chemical composition on pest resistance in corn. Corn Utilization and Technology Conference, Indianapolis, IN.
    • Xu, W.W., G. Odvody, W.P. Williams. 2004. Developing stress-tolerant and low-aflatoxin corn hybrids for the Southern states.
    • Tie, Shuanggui, W. Xu, J. Wu, and Robert Lascano. 2004. Relationship between canopy reflectance and driught responses among maize genotypes. ASA-CAAS-SSSA Annual meetings, Seattle, WA. Oct. 31 to Nov. 4, 2004.
    • Xu, W. and M. Blanco. 2004. Identification of useful tropical x temperate GEM germplasm for corn production in semi-arid regions. ASA-CAAS-SSSA Annual meetings, Seattle, WA. Oct. 31 to Nov. 4, 2004.


    Progress 01/01/03 to 12/31/03

    Outputs
    The corn breeding project at TAES-Lubbock Center addresses water, mycotoxins, high temperature, insects and other major issues that constrain corn production in Texas and around the world. The project is aimed to develop multiple stress tolerant corn germplasm and hybrids by transferring desirable genes from tropical corn into temperate lines and to determine the genetic mechanisms of stress resistance. Major findings and accomplishments from multi-location trials in TX, MS and GA in 2003 include: (1) Developed three inbred lines with improved drought and heat tolerance, corn earworm resistance, and grain mold resistance; (2) Developed three yellow hybrids and two white hybrids with equivalent or higher grain yields but significantly lower aflatoxin contamination in comparison to commercial checks; (3) Characterized 100 new germplasm collections for drought tolerance, insect resistance, and other agronomic characters; (4) Identified three QTLs that control leaf firing resistance in corn; (5) Trained a M.S. graduate student and provided research experience for six undergraduate students.

    Impacts
    The new multiple stress tolerant corn germplasm can be used to produce corn hybrids adapted to Texas and other southern states, and can be a powerful tool to reduce yield loss caused by drought, high temperatures, and insects and to reduce aflatoxin contamination.

    Publications

    • Xu, W.W., Pollak, L., and Bynum. E.D. Jr. 2003. Tropical x temperate germplasm resistant to corn earworm (Lepidoptera:noctuidae). Crop Protection 22:859-864.
    • Bai, J., Xu, W., Klueva, N., Nguyen, N., Davis, G. 2003. Molecular mapping of heat tolerance genes in maize. 2003 ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meetings Abstract C07-xu197534-poster. Denver, CO. Nov. 2-6, 2003.
    • Herring, A., Teme, N., Rosenow, D.T., Peterson, G.C., Nguyen, H.T., Xu, W., and Woodfin, C.A.. 2003. Backcross method for heterosis enhancement in grain sorghum. 2003 ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meetings Abstract C01-teme8202363-poster. Denver, CO. Nov. 2-6, 2003.
    • Xu, W. Odvody, G., and Williams, P. 2003. Progress toward the development of stress-tolerant and low-aflatoxin corn hybrids for the Southern states. Aflatoxin/Fumonisin elimination and fungal genomics workshop. Savannah, GA, Oct. 13-15, 2003.
    • Xu, W. 2003. Use of GEM germplasm to improve the drought tolerance, corn earworm, and grain mold in corn. USDA-ARS GEM 2003 Public Data Summary.
    • Xu, W.W. and Blanco, M.. 2003. Mining genes from tropical maize germplasm to improve drought tolerance and corn earworm resistance. pp. 74-54 in Book of Abstracts: Arnel R. Hallauer International Symposium on Plant Breeding, 17-22 August 2003, Mexico City, Mexico, D.F.


    Progress 01/01/02 to 12/31/02

    Outputs
    The corn-breeding program at TAES-Lubbock is addressing water, mycotoxins, high temperature, insects and other major issues to develop germplasm for improved stress resistance (drought, heat, insects, and aflatoxin), to introgress the genes from tropical corn into temperate-adapted corn; and to determine the genetic mechanisms of the stress resistance. Major findings and accomplishments in 2002 include: (1) Release of two inbred lines; (2) Development of a hybrid with low aflatoxin contamination; (3) Identification of several hybrids with good yield potential and drought resistance; (4) Development of lines with drought tolerance and insect resistance, (5) Identification of new drought tolerant and corn earworm resistant germplasm from the evaluation of a large number of exotic germplasm; (6) Molecular mapping of heat tolerance genes in corn is underway; and (7) Evaluation of white food corn hybrids for the yield performance and drought tolerance in the High Plains.

    Impacts
    The new multiple stress tolerant corn germplasm can be used to produce corn hybrids adapted to Texas and other southern states, and can be a powerful tool to reduce yield loss caused by drought, high temperatures, and insects and to reduce aflatoxin contamination. The yield and drought tolerance data for white food corn hybrids will help corn producers, millers and seed companies to select the hybrids adapted for the their specific region.

    Publications

    • Darrah, L. L., Maddux, L.D., Hibbard, B. E., Willmot, D.B., Lee, E.A., Xu, W., West, D.R., McKinney, J., Betran, F.J., Pataky, J.K., Michnener, Ziegler, K.E., Gordon, R., Elmore, R.W., Thomison, P.R., Geyer, A.B., Minyo, R.J., Stenburg, D.E., Pearce, W. L., Schaafsma, A, W., Wicks III, Z.W., Friedemann, P., Henry, R., Fischer, D.B., Strissel, J.F., Deutsch, J.A., and Tragesser, S. 2002. White food corn: 2002 Performance Tests. Special Report 547. University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211. 64 pp.
    • Machado, S., Bynum, E. D. Jr., Archer, T. L. Lascano, R. J. Wilson, L. T., Bordovsky, J., Segarra, E., Bronson, K., Nesmith, D. M., and Xu, W. 2002. Spatial and temporal variability of corn growth and grain yield: implications for site-specific farming. Crop Sci. 42:1564-1576.
    • Xu, W.W. and Odvody, G. 2002. Control of aflatoxin by improving drought tolerance in corn. 2002 ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meetings Abstract. Indianapolis, IN. Nov. 10-14, 2002.
    • Millena, A.C., Pathan, M.S., Xu, W. and Nguyen, H.T. 2002. Transcriptional profiles of maize lines differing in heat tolerance. 2002 ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meetings Abstract. Indianapolis, IN. Nov. 10-14, 2002.
    • Xu, W. 2002. Breeding multiple stress tolerant corn: Report of 2002 corn breeding program results. 79 pages. Technical Report No. 02-2. Texas Agricultural Experiment Station. Lubbock, TX.


    Progress 01/01/01 to 12/31/01

    Outputs
    The corn-breeding program at TAES-Lubbock continues to develop germplasm for improved stress resistance (drought, heat, insects, and aflatoxin), to introgress the genes from tropical corn into temperate-adapted corn; and to determine the genetic mechanisms of the stress resistance. In 2001, about 1500 entries (lines, populations, and hybrids) were evaluated for the yield performance and stress resistance. Major findings and accomplishments include: (1) Development of several hybrids with good yield potential and drought resistance. These multiple stress tolerant hybrids offer a new powerful tool to manage drought stress and to reduce aflatoxin. Two inbred lines are ready for release; (2) Identification of new drought tolerant and corn earworm resistant germplasm from the evaluation of a large number of exotic germplasm; (3) Molecular mapping of heat tolerance genes in corn is underway; (4) Evaluation of white food corn hybrids for the yield performance and drought tolerance in the Texas High Plains; and (5) Two field days were held for the Texas corn producers and regional water district.

    Impacts
    The corn germplasm resistant to the multiple stresses (drought, heat, insects, and aflatoxins) can be a powerful tool to manage drought stress, control aflatoxin contamination, and reduce water use for irrigation. New drought tolerant and insect resistant germplasm will provide new sources of resistant genes. The yield and drought tolerance data for white food corn hybrids will help corn producers, millers and seed companies to select the hybrids adapted for the their specific region.

    Publications

    • Xu, W.W., Machado, S., Pollak, L.M., and Archer, T.L. 2001. Measuring drought responses of diverse corn genotypes with canopy temperature and reflectance. 2001 ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meetings Abstract. p. C01-XU111423-P, Charlotte, NC. Oct. 21-25, 2001.
    • Xu, W., Archer, T.L., Nguyen, H., Lascano, R. 2001. Progress toward development of multiple stress tolerant corn: Report of 2001 corn breeding program results. 41 pages. Texas Agricultural Experiment Station. Lubbock, TX.
    • Darrah, L.L., West, D.R., Lundquist, R.L., Hibbard, B.E., Wllmot, D.B., Schaafsma, A., Lee, E.A., McKinney, J., Pearce, W.L., Betran, F.J., Xu, W., Michener, P.M., Pataky, J.K., Gordon, B., Maddux, L.D., Elmore, R.W., Stenburg, D., Beauzay, P.B., Thomison, P.R., Geyer, A.B., Minyo, R.J., Ziegler, K.E., Henry, R., Fischer, D.B., Strissel, J.F., Tragesser, S., and Deutsch, J.A. 2001. White food corn: 2000 performance tests. Special Report 540. University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211. 64 pp.
    • Lee, J., Xu, W.W., and Nguyen, H.T. 2001. Progress toward molecular mapping of heat tolerance genes in corn. Southwest Consortium on Plant Genetics and Water Resources 15th Annual Symposium Abstracts. p. 3. Las Cruces, NM Nov. 30-Dec. 1, 2001.


    Progress 01/01/00 to 12/31/00

    Outputs
    The corn-breeding program at TAES-Lubbock continues to develop germplasm for improved drought tolerance, heat tolerance, insect resistance, and aflatoxin resistance, to introgress the genes from tropical corn into temperate-adapted corn; and to determine the genetic mechanisms of the stress resistance. In 2000, about 1500 entries (lines, populations, and hybrids) were evaluated for the yield performance and stress tolerance. Major findings and accomplishments include: (1) Development of several hybrids with good drought tolerance as well and to aflatoxin resistance. These multiple stress tolerant hybrids offer a new powerful tool to manage drought stress and to reduce aflatoxin; (2) Identification of new drought tolerant and corn earworm resistant germplasm from the evaluation of a large number of samples; (3) Development of a population and initiation of molecular mapping of heat tolerance genes in corn; (4) Evaluation of white food corn hybrids for the yield performance and drought tolerance in the Texas High Plains; (5) Development of water management of drought tolerant corn; (6) A field day was held for the Texas corn producers and regional water district.

    Impacts
    The corn germplasm resistant to the multiple stresses (drought, heat, insects, and aflatoxins) can be a powerful tool to manage drought stress, control aflatoxin contamination, and reduce water use for irrigation. New drought tolerant and insect resistant germplasm will provide new sources of resistant genes. The yield and drought tolerance data for white food corn hybrids will help corn producers, millers and seed companies to select the hybrids adapted for the their specific region.

    Publications

    • Wan, C., Xu, W.W., Sosebee, R.E., Machado, S., and Archer, T. 2000. Hydraulic lift in drought-tolerant and -susceptible maize hybrids. Plant and Soil 219:117-126.
    • Xu, W.W., Archer, T.L., Bradford, L., and Pollak, L.M. 2000. Identification of drought tolerant and CEW resistant GEM germplasm. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meetings Abstracts: 113. Minneapolis, MN Nov. 5-9, 2000.
    • Xu, W.W., Huffman, M., and Nguyen, H.T. 2000. Heat tolerance in corn as measured by chlorophyll fluorescence. Southwest Consortium on Plant Genetics and Water Resources 15th Annual Symposium Abstract: 16. Cloud Croft, New Mexico, Nov. 10-12, 2000.
    • Machado, S., Bynum, Jr., E.D., Archer, T.L., Lascano, R.J., Wilson, L.T., Bordovsky, J., Bronson, K., Nesmith, D.M., and Xu, W. 2000. Spatial and temporal variability of corn grain yield: Site-specific interactions of biotic and abiotic factors. Precision Agriculture (in review).
    • Xu, W.W., Archer, T.L., Bradford, L., and Pollak, L. 2000. Characterization of GEM corn germplasm for corn earworm resistance. Crop Science (in review).
    • Xu, W.W., Subudhi, P., Crasta, O.R., Rosenow, D.T., Mullet, J.E., and Nguyen, H.T. 2000. Molecular mapping of QTLs conferring stay green in grain sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench). Genome 43:461-469.
    • Xu, W.W., Rosenow, D.T., and Nguyen, H.T. 2000. Stay green trait in grain sorghum: Visual rating and objective measuring. Plant Breeding 119:365-367.
    • Sosebee, R.E., Xu, W.W., and Lascano, R.J. 2000. Development of technology using hydraulic lift for breeding drought tolerant corn. Southwest Consortium on Plant Genetics and Water Resources 15th Annual Symposium Abstract: 4. Cloud Croft, New Mexico, Nov. 10-12, 2000.
    • Xu, W., Archer, T.L., Nguyen, H.T., and Lascano, R. 2000. Development of multiple stress tolerant corn . Report of 2000 Results. 50 pages. Texas Agricultural Experiment Station. Lubbock, Texas.
    • Machado, S., Bynum, Jr., E.D., Archer, T.L., Lascano, R.J., Bordovsky, J., Bronson, K., Nesmith, D.M., Segarra, E., Rosenow, D.T., Peterson, G.C., Xu, W., and Wilson, L.T., 2000. Spatial and temporal variability of sorghum and corn yield: Interactions of biotic and abiotic factors. Proceedings of 5th International Conference on Precision Agriculture and Other Precision Resources Management (in press).
    • Darrah, L. L., West, D.R., Lundquist, R.L., Hibbard, B.E., Schaafsma, A., Lee, E.A., Mbuvi, S., Poneleit, C.G., Betran, J., Xu, W., Pataky, J.K., Maddux, L.D., Gordon, B., Elmore, R.W., Stenburg, D., Wicks III, C.W., Beauzay, P., Thomison, P.R., Jordan, D.M., Ziegler, K.E., Henry, R., Deutsch, J.A., Strissel, J.F., and Fischer, D.B. 2000. White food corn: 2000 performance tests. Special Report 535. University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211. 73 pp.


    Progress 01/01/99 to 12/31/99

    Outputs
    The corn breeding program at TAES-Lubbock continues to develop germplasm with resistance to abiotic and biotic stresses (primarily drought, heat, earworm, and mites), to introgress tropical germplasm into temperate-adapted corn; and determine the genetic mechanisms of the stress resistance in corn. In 1999, about 1500 entries (lines, populations, and hybrids) were evaluated for the yield performance and stress tolerance. Major findings and accomplishments include: (1) Several hybrids from our program showed good drought tolerance as well and to aflatoxin resistance. These multiple stress tolerant hybrids offer a new powerful tool to manage drought stress and aflatoxin contamination. (2) Evaluation of a large number of germplasm with 25-50% tropical background identified three new drought-tolerant sources (GUAT209:N1925, CML287:S15, and DK212T:S06) and three new corn earworm resistant sources (CUBA117:S15, GUAT209:N19 and BR51501:S11a). (3) A new drought-tolerance mechanism (hydraulic lift) in corn has been discovered. The drought tolerant corn has more extensive root systems which lift a large amount of water from the deep soil and deposit into the upper dry soil at night. This lifted water keeps the shallow roots hydrated and functional under drought conditions.

    Impacts
    The corn germplasm resistant to drought and insects can be a powerful tool to manage drought stress, control aflatoxin contamination, and reduce water use for irrigation. Discovery of root characters associated with drought tolerance would help to design more efficient strategies for improving drought tolerance and managing crops under drought conditions.

    Publications

    • Wan, C., W.W. Xu, R.E. Sosebee, S. Machado, and T. Archer. 1999. Hydraulic lift in drought-tolerant and -susceptible maize hybrids. Plant and Soil (in press).
    • Darrah, L. L., R. L. Lundquist, B. E. Hibbard, S. Mbuvi, C. G. Poneleit, D. R. West, J. Betran, W. Xu, J. K. Pataky, L. D. Maddux, B. Gordon, R. W. Elmore, D. Stenburg, Z. W. Wicks III, P. Beauzay, P.R. Thomison, D.M. Jordan, A. Schaafsma, E.A. Lee, K.E. Ziegler, X. Zhu, D. Fischer, R. Henry, J. A. Deutsch, and J.F. Strissel. 1999. White food corn: 1999 performance tests. Special Report 518. University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211. 73 pp.
    • Xu, W.W., S. Machado, T.L. Archer. 1999. Genetic variation of drought tolerance among corn hybrids. 1999 ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting Abstract: p. 77. Salt Lake City, UT. October 31-November 4, 1999.
    • Xu, W. and H. Nguyen. 1999. Molecular mapping of heat tolerance genes in corn. Southwestern Consortium on Plant Genetics & Water Resources 14th Annual Symposium Abstract: p.2.Tuson, Arizona, November 12-14, 1999. R.E. Sosebee, W. Xu, C. Wan, and R. Lascano. 1999. Hydraulic lift: a new strategy to improve drought tolerance. Southwestern Consortium on Plant Genetics & Water Resources 14th Annual Symposium Abstract: p.5.Tuson, Arizona, November 12-14, 1999.