Progress 09/15/03 to 09/14/08
Outputs
OUTPUTS: SUMMARY REPORT: The overall project goals were to develop a plant biology-based research and educational program targeting the economic and community revitalization of the economically-depressed rural regions of Southern Virginia. To do this, our research targeted: 1) the development of high value horticultural/forestry crops, 2) the development of novel products from plants, and 3) molecular breeding for biomass and bioenergy crops. The funds provided through this grant allowed the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) to develop labs, recruit faculty, research associates, technicians and grad students for the plant biology program (Institute for Sustainable and Renewable Resources - ISRR) that contributed to the project outputs. These OUTPUTS represented: a) Experiments leading to the development of tissue culture protocols and propagules for plants with high commercial potential (triploid daylilies, multiple bloom lilies, native azaleas, Hellebore species and hybrids, Korean fir, Southern pines, Impatiens; b) Experiments directed towards the identification of extracellular proteases and their substrate molecules with the potential to modulate plant growth and development, the development of soybeans with enhanced and healthy fatty acid composition, the purification of homogeneous plant protein preparations with potential uses as biodegradable biofilms/biopolymers, the development of DNA markers to be used to help breed temperature-tolerant orchids and disease-resistant daylilies; the development and characterization of strawberry mutants, generated to help identify the genes controlling traits of commercial/nutritional/health interest; c) Experiments leading to tissue culture propagation and novel germplasm development for switchgrass and miscanthus for bioenergy use, opportunities for switchgrass and poplar biomass and stress tolerance enhancement through the use of beneficial plant-colonizing bacteria, and the screening of native North American jerusalem artichoke genotypes for growth in Southern Virginia as a bioenergy crop. OUTPUT DISSEMINATION: Our program goals and overal project progress have been reported at various scientific meetings (American Society for Horticultural Science, International Society for Plant Molecular Biology, Society for In Vitro Biology, as well as in the public literature (Danville Register and Bee newspaper, Virginia Tech Outreach Now). In addition, we organized a workshop with Virginia Cooperative Extension Agents to inform them of our research program and efforts, co-organized a workshop for local farmers dealing with alternative uses for tobacco greenhouses, routinely reported at quarterly Virginia Nursery and Landscape Association Plant Introduction Program meetings, and also gave presentations to the Virginia Christmas Tree Growers Association members. Finally, we routinely entertained middle and high school student tours, the goals of which were to explain the significance of plant biology and research efforts such as ours for economic development, and also to drive home the concept that educational attainment increases the potential for interesting and important career opportunities. PARTICIPANTS: PARTICIPANTS OVER TOTAL PROJECT PERIOD: Various PhD faculty (F), research associates (RA), MS/BS-level technicians (T) and grad students (GS), as well as collaborators and other Institutions have been associated with this project. INDIVIDUALS: B Flinn (F) - directed azalea and wildflower propagation, Korean Fir/Pine embryogenesis, secreted protease and endophyte/poplar projects, collaborated on strawberry insertion characterization; J Nowak (F) - Head of Virginia Tech Horticulture/Founder Center for Peace Studies, collaborated on endophyte/poplar project; H Burkhart (F) - Head of Virginia Tech Forestry; Y Dan (F) - directed Hellebore and Impatiens projects, collaborates on strawberry mutant generation; MJ Iqbal (F) - directed DNA marker work and Jerusalem artichoke projects; Z Li (F) - directed triploid daylily, soybean fatty acid modification and corn protein modification projects; C Mei (F) - directed switchgrass/miscanthus molecular breeding efforts; R Ahsan (T) - worked with Flinn and Iqbal on their projects; F Campbell (T) - worked with Flinn and Li on their projects; S Kim (T) - worked with Mei on his projects; K Da (RA) - worked with Flinn and Iqbal on plant-endophyte interactions; S Aulakh (GS-VT Horticulture) - Jerusalem artichoke research with Iqbal; Y-K Chang (GS-VT Horticulture) - orchid research with Iqbal; A Lara-Chavez (GS-VT Forestry) - pine embryogenesis research with Flinn; S Holt (GS-VT Horticulture) - strawberry research with Dan; S Ratnaparkhe (GS-VT Forestry) - pine secreted proteases research with Flinn, K Mize (Summer Intern) - various research projects; M Matherly (Summer Intern) - research projects with Flinn and Dan. COLLABORATORS: H Bhardwaj (VSU) - collaborator with Iqbal on some marker development projects; R Conev (F-VT Horticulture) - collaborator with Flinn, Li and Iqbal; U Egertsdotter (F-VT Forestry) - collaborator with Flinn and Iqbal/GS co-supervisor for Lara-Chavez, Holt and Ratnaparkhe; R Veilleux (F-VT Horticulture) - collaborator with Dan, Flinn and Iqbal/GS co-supervisor for Aulakh, Chang and Holt; H Scoggins (F-VT Horticulture) - collaborator with Flinn; V Shulaev (F-VBI) - collaborator with Dan, Flinn and Veilleux; S Zedaker (F-VT Forestry) - collaborator with Iqbal and Egertsdotter; B Zhao (F-VT Horticulture) - collaborator with Mei; T Ferguson (RA) -collaboration with Flinn, Veilleux and Shulaev; A Anderson (T) - native wildflower research with Flinn; C Pantazis (T) - strawberry and propagation research with Dan. ORGANIZATIONS: Institute for Advanced Learning and Research - providing financial support and laboratory facilities; Commonwealth of Virginia - providing financial support; Virginia Department of Forestry - provided plant materials and financial support for a summer intern; Virginia Nursery and Landscape Association (VNLA) - provided financial support; Virginia Agricultural Commission - provide financial support; Piedmont Bio-Products - providing field test sites; Pine Knot Farms - provided Hellebore plant material. TRAINING: We have supported several undergraduate summer interns, and hosted a high school science teacher, providing hands-on research and learning opportunities in our labs. TARGET AUDIENCES: Many of the research projects supported by Materials and Supplies, and faculty/staff/graduate student time involve tissue culture propagation development, with an ultimate goal of commercial production capacity and job creation. The VNLA represents a significant and key target, as well as an ultimate user, of our research efforts. Quarterly research progress updates are presented to the VNLA Beautiful Gardens Plant Introduction Program Board, to keep them informed of our progress, and to facilitate commercialization strategy discussions. In addition, the projects using somatic embryogenesis-based protocols for conifer propagation are of interest to both the Virginia Department of Forestry (VDOF), as well as the Virginia Christmas Tree Grower's Association (VCTGA). We have contact with VDOF, who are interested in our capacity to carry out germplasm conservation (ie. Longleaf Pine) and elite germplasm (ie. cold-tolerant Loblolly Pine) propagation. Our project to develop methods to propagate alternative, lowland Christmas tree species has gained the interest of the VCTGA, and we have provided a seminar to the annual meeting about this. One of our goals as an Institute is to stimulate community development through an understanding of our scientific program, and its potential impact on this region. To do this, we have provided presentations on our research efforts to local farmers, high school and college students. The desire is to stimulate and promote an interest in higher learning in agricultural and plant sciences to this target group. We have also initiated interactions with Ken Moss of Piedmont Bio-Products LLC (Gretna, VA) who has expressed an interest in eventually utilizing some of our developed bioenergy feedstocks. Finally, we have been able to reach our community target audience through numerous newspaper articles and press releases. In terms of impact on educational audiences, we are currently working with the local Piedmont Governor's School to develop a program which would allow high school seniors the opportunity to carry out directed studies research opportunities in our labs. Furthermore, the local Averett University is a major source of regional teachers. We are also exploring the ability to offer this target group (Science teachers) a series of hands-on research opportunities, so that once these students graduate and are moving into the educational environment, they will have had some up-to-date research experience in areas in which they are instructing students. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
WE HAVE MADE SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE GENERATION OF NEW KNOWLEDGE: Most of our tissue culture-based projects have developed new or substantially-better protocols than those currently in the public literature, primarily associated with daylilies, hellebores, azaleas, Korean fir, Impatiens, switchgrass and miscanthus. Furthermore, we have generated new genotypes/phenotypes for several plants through the use of embryo rescue (triploid daylilies), mutagenesis (switchgrass) or transgenics (switchgrass). In addition, through our initial screening efforts with Jerusalem artichoke, we are identifying and characterizing genotypes for possible bioenergy use that grow well in Southern Virginia, information not previously available. Apart from plants themselves, plant product knowledge has increased. Through the identification and characterization of specific extracellular proteases, we have generated knowledge about these plant molecules, for which little is known and/or publically available. In addition, our development of homogeneous, plant protein preparations offer new contributions towards the development of novel plant-derived polymers. INVENTIONS AND DISCLOSURES: At present, we have not filed any patent disclosures or applications. Several of the projects require additional work before we can determine patentability. However, in future, several of the new plants being developed (switchgrass, daylilies, endophyte-colonized energy feedstocks) may have the potential for either a plant patent or plant variety protection. ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT IMPACT: A key component of this project was the development of a scientific program for economic and community development. As our tissue culture protocols and capacity of valuable plant production mature, our desire to develop a commercial tissue culture production lab increases. We have initiated efforts to attract funding that would allow the establishment of such a facility. Once this happens, we envisage the creation of several new laboratory propagation jobs, as well as opportunities for the recruitment of local farmers as contract growers. This would indeed fulfill our desire to have an impact on job creation and economic development for the region. In addition, the burgeoning interest in plant-derived fuels and products also raises the possibility of our feedstocks being grown by local farmers, as well as the creation of new local and regional feedstock processing facilities. We are already interacting with one local grower (Ken Moss - Piedmont Bio-Products LLC) to work towards making this a reality. Finally, in addition to job creation and economic stimulus, we have been very targeted towards community involvement. Our faculty and staff have taken part in several community interactions in the region (school talks, science fair judging, Rotary presentations, AARP presentation), and our opportunities for student/teacher internships have allowed local students/educators/individuals to gain hands-on experience in plant science, providing a greater appreciation of what we can and are trying to do for the region.
Publications
- Li ZW, Pinkham L, Campbell F, et al. 2008. An efficient embryo rescue medium for triplold daylily (Hemerocallis). HORTSCIENCE 43(4):1178-1178
- Pantazis C, Flinn BS, Veilleux RE, et al. 2008. Strawberry transformation using kanamycin selection. IN VITRO CELLULAR & DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY 44:S65-S65 Dan YH, Baxter A, Veilleux RE. 2007. Development of a new regeneration and transformation system for impatiens. IN VITRO CELLULAR & DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY 43:S27-S27
- Dan YH, Rothrock RE. 2007. Development of an efficient micropropagation system for Helleborus. IN VITRO CELLULAR & DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY 43:S48-S48 Lara A, Egertsdotter U, Flinn B. 2008. Initiation of somatic embryogenesis from mature zygotic embryos of Pinus oocarpa. IN VITRO CELLULAR & DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY 44:S76-S77
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Progress 10/01/06 to 09/30/07
Outputs
OUTPUTS: The mandate of this project encompasses the use of plant biology to enhance economic and community development in Southside Virginia. To attain these goals, the ISRR has developed three main areas of research focus, and a variety of activities have arisen for each: 1) Development of valuable ornamental, crop and forestry plants: Tissue culture protocols, combining various sterilization procedures, media and growth regulator levels were trialed for the propagation of ornamental triploid daylilies, deciduous azaleas, native wildflowers, Impatiens and Helleborus species, as well as Korean fir (as a lowland Christmas tree species). To aid in the breeding of enhanced plants, DNA marker development and screening was carried out for daylily rust resistance, orchid temperature tolerance and propagation ability, hardwood tree wood quality and lupin quality. 2) Development of novel products from plants: Work has focused on plant chitinases for use as antifungals, as well as the
modification of corn protein genes to increase protein size and modify their amino acid composition for enhanced use as polymers. In addition, genes for fatty acid desaturation were introduced into soybean to modify for enhanced, health-promoting fatty acid composition. We also studied secreted proteases as potential regulators of plant development, with the goal of identifying released proteins with growth- and developmental modifying effects.Finally, we generated and screened strawberry insertional mutants for nutrigenomics studies. 3) Molecular breeding for bio-energy: We screened a variety of Jerusalem artichoke backgrounds for growth capacity of this novel bio-energy crop, as well as screened for genes controlling flower time, with the goal of breeding for prolonged vegetative and soluble sugar accumulation. A new program in switchgrass molecular breeding was started, targeting the isolation of genes that control lignocellulosic cell wall deposition. Finally, poplar hybrids were
inoculated with a growth-promoting bacterium, and screening for biomass improvement carried out. An additional component of this project targeted the training of local students interested in a scientific career. During this past year, summer interns were recruited and trained in plant molecular biology and plant tissue culture techniques. OUTPUT DISSEMINATION: Information generated from this project was disseminated to our target audiences through several mechanisms. A workshop was held by the ISRR faculty at the Institute, during which numerous Virginia Cooperative Extension Agents were updated on our research vision and progress, in order to facilitate our further interactions with the Virginia farming community. Presentations were also given at the annual Society for In Vitro Biology meeting (describing our plant tissue culture and propagation techniques), the annual Virginia Christmas Tree Grower's Association meeting (describing our Christmas tree research), quarterly Virginia
Nursery and Landscape Association meetings (describing our ornamental tissue culture research), and to local farmers in Gretna (detailing our bioenergy research), several groups that represent our ultimate partners.
PARTICIPANTS: Various PhD faculty (F), research associates (RA), MS/BS-level technicians (T) and grad students (GS), as well as collaborators and other Institutions have been associated with this project. INDIVIDUALS: B Flinn (F) - directed azalea and wildflower propagation, Korean Fir/Pine embryogenesis, secreted protease and endophyte/poplar projects, collaborated on strawberry insertion characterization; J Nowak (F) - Head of Virginia Tech Horticulture, collaborated on endophyte/poplar project; H Burkhart (F) - Head of Virginia Tech Forestry; Y Dan (F) - directed Hellebore and Impatiens projects, collaborates on strawberry mutant generation; MJ Iqbal (F) - directed DNA marker work and Jerusalem artichoke projects; Z Li (F) - directed triploid daylily, soybean fatty acid modification and corn protein modification projects; C Mei (F) - directed switchgrass molecular biology projects; R Ahsan (T) - worked with Flinn and Iqbal on their projects; F Campbell (T) - worked with Flinn and
Li on their projects; S Kim (T) - worked with Mei on his projects; K Da (RA) - worked with Flinn and Iqbal on plant-endophyte interactions; S Aulakh (GS-VT Horticulture) - Jerusalem artichoke research with Iqbal; Y-K Chang (GS-VT Horticulture) - orchid research with Iqbal; A Lara-Chavez (GS-VT Forestry) - pine embryogenesis research with Flinn; S Holt (GS-VT Horticulture) - strawberry research with Dan; S Ratnaparkhe (GS-VT Forestry) - pine secreted proteases research with Flinn, K Mize (Summer Intern) - various research projects; M Matherly (Summer Intern) - research projects with Flinn and Dan. COLLABORATORS: R Conev (F-VT Horticulture) - collaborator with Flinn, Li and Iqbal; U Egertsdotter (F-VT Forestry) - collaborator with Flinn and Iqbal/GS co-supervisor for Lara-Chavez, Holt and Ratnaparkhe; R Veilleux (F-VT Horticulture) - collaborator with Dan, Flinn and Iqbal/GS co-supervisor for Aulakh, Chang and Holt; H Scoggins (F-VT Horticulture) - collaborator with Flinn; V Shulaev
(F-VBI) - collaborator with Dan, Flinn and Veilleux; S Zedaker (F-VT Forestry) - collaborator with Iqbal and Egertsdotter; B Zhao (F-VT Horticulture) - collaborator with Mei; T Ferguson (RA) -collaboration with Flinn, Veilleux and Shulaev; A Anderson (T) - native wildflower research with Flinn; C Pantazis (T) - strawberry and propagation research with Dan. ORGANIZATIONS: Institute for Advanced Learning and Research - providing financial support and laboratory facilities; Commonwealth of Virginia - providing financial support; Virginia Department of Forestry - provided plant materials and financial support for a summer intern; Virginia Nursery and Landscape Association (VNLA) - provided financial support; Virginia Agricultural Commission - provide financial support; Piedmont Bio-Products - providing field test sites; Pine Knot Farms - provided Hellebore plant material.
TARGET AUDIENCES: Many of the research projects supported by Materials and Supplies, and faculty/staff/graduate student time involve tissue culture propagation development, with an ultimate goal of commercial production capacity and job creation. The VNLA represents a key target, and ultimate user, of our research efforts. Quarterly research progress updates are presented to the VNLA Beautiful Gardens Plant Introduction Program Board, to keep them informed of our progress, and to facilitate commercialization strategy discussions. In addition, the projects using somatic embryogenesis-based protocols for conifer propagation are of interest to both the Virginia Department of Forestry (VDOF), as well as the Virginia Christmas Tree Grower's Association (VCTGA). We have contact with VDOF, who are interested in our capacity to carry out germplasm conservation (ie. Longleaf Pine) and elite germplasm (ie. cold-tolerant Loblolly Pine) propagation. Our project to develop methods to propagate
alternative, lowland Christmas tree species has gained the interest of the VCTGA, and we have provided a seminar to the annual meeting about this. One of our goals as an Institute is to stimulate community development through an understanding our scientific program, and its potential impact on this region. To do this, we have provided presentations on our research efforts to local farmers, high school and college students. The desire is to stimulate and promote an interest in higher learning in agricultural and plant sciences to this target group.
PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: No major modifications.
Impacts
GENERATION OF NEW KNOWLEDGE: Several of our research projects involve the development of plant tissue culture techniques for the propagation of novel genotypes. Over the past year, we have generated information that has contributed to the knowledge base, and allowed us to develop modified, enhanced protocols. We have: a) developed methods for shoot multiplication of recalcitrant Helleborus species and hybrids, allowing a 10-fold multiplication rate, information not previously reported; b) developed propagation methods for native deciduous Azalea genotypes, using both proliferation from existing meristems, and induction of de novo shoot meristems (something rare using growth room-grown explants); c) modified current Impatiens tissue culture and plant transformation protocols, allowing close to 100% transformation efficiency, levels previously unreported; d) developed somatic embryogenesis protocols for the novel propagation of Korean fir, which is being targeted for
alternative Christmas tree and ornamental greens production; e) continued the propagation of novel triploid daylilies developed by our program, several of which are undergoing phenotypic characterization, for commercial sales potential. In addition to tissue culture protocol development, we have a substantial program targeting the identification of genetic markers for novel traits, and the development of novel products from plants, also contributing to a new knowledge base. We have: a) screened rust-resistant daylilies and identified several putative DNA markers for resistance to this disease, which will be used in our novel daylily development program; b) generated recombinant corn proteins which are being purified and used to identify novel polymeric properties and uses; c) screened various Phaleanopsis orchid genotypes for DNA markers associated with temperature tolerance and tissue culture hyper-proliferation; d) identified plant-produced extracellular proteases with potential
involvement in the regulation of plant development, which are currently being purified to identify substrate molecules involved in plant growth modulation; e) used DNA markers to screen a variety of lupin germplasm backgrounds; f) cloned several novel fatty acid desaturase genes into soybean, to enhance omega-3 fatty acid content. In addition, we have targeted the development of bioenergy crops for growth in Southside Virginia, encompassing: a) the cloning of flowering control genes in Jerusalem artichoke, to modulate flowering and fermentable sugar content; b) the identification of switchgrass NAC genes (involved in the regulation of cell wall deposition), including novel stem-specific NACs with the potential to increase biomass accumulation; c) the use of natural, endophytic bacteria to colonize and stimulate biomass accumulation in poplar. CHANGES IN ACTIONS DUE TO THIS KNOWLEDGE: As we progress in our program, we incorporate modified tissue sterilization and propagation protocols
in our research efforts. RESOURCE/ACTIVITY EFFECTS ON PROJECT OUTPUTS: The funds have provided support for 1 faculty, technicians and graduate students working on the various projects.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 10/01/05 to 09/30/06
Outputs
Renovations to an additional 1,500 sq. ft. of laboratory space were initiated, using funds ($150,000 allocation) leveraged from the Virginia Tobacco Indemnification Commission (VTIC), bringing our total functional laboratory space to approximately 3,000 sq. ft. Additional equipment was purchased using over $400,00 from the SCHEV equipment trust. Currently, there are four Horticulture/Forestry faculty on site and three M.S. level technicians. In addition, we contribute support to four Ph.D. graduate students (Virginia Tech Departments of Horticulture and Forestry) working on projects based here at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research. Our research program continued to develop, addressing areas of interest to the Virginia (and national) ornamental industry, as well as to the national energy focus, with strong collaborations with the Virginia Nursery and Landscape Association, various regional nurseries and plant breeders. Work carried out at as part of the
High Value Horticulture and Forestry program was presented at several scientific meetings during the year. The research program on various forestry and horticultural crops continued in three areas. Our first research area involves plant tissue culture and molecular biology. We continued our efforts on protocol and propagation development for Christmas tree and holiday green industry species (Korean and Subalpine firs), Helleborus hybrid ornamentals, and embryo rescue and culture for triploid daylilies. We also began propagation work on Impatiens, and native, deciduous Azaleas. Our preliminary work allowed us to attract additional, extramural funding of $7,000 from the Virginia Nurseryman's Association Horticultural Research Foundation for the Helleborus and Azalea projects. In addition, work began on the use of molecular markers for breeding and gene discovery purposes. These projects involve markers for soybean disease resistance, beneficial health compounds from lupin, wood quality
and composite use in several hardwood tree species, and orchid thermotolerance. Our second research area involves the development of novel compounds from plants. Our work continued on: 1) the development of novel, biodegradable antifungal compounds from plants; 2) modification of soybean to increase the proportion of omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acids; 3) the identification and characterization of extracellular matrix-degrading proteases and their role in plant developmental regulation. Additional funds leveraged from the VTIC allowed the full-scale initiation of projects involving: 1) the modification of corn storage proteins to enhance their use in films; 2) the production of strawberry mutants with the aim of identifying genes controlling important strawberry traits. Our third research area involves the development of novel feedstocks for bio-energy and bio-fuel applications. We have advertised a new faculty position to specifically target this area. In addition, current faculty have
initiated or are planning to initiate work on the use of bacterial endophytes for biomass enhancement of poplar and willow species, as well as on the use of Jerusalem artichoke as a novel bio-energy/bio-fuel feedstock.
Impacts
In order for the High Value Horticulture and Forestry Program to make a significant contribution to Southside economic and community development, local residents need to feel a connection to the Program. As part of our mandate, we provided presentations and tours for local/regional school students, in order to enhance the profile of the research mission in the community, and to develop an interest in science as a career. To gauge our success with the school tours, students were surveyed prior to, and after, these presentations and tours, with regards to their desire to pursue secondary education. As a summary, 21% of pre-tour respondents planned to go directly into the workforce, 31% planned to pursue an Associate's degree, 45% planned to pursue a Bachelor's degree, and 0% planned to eventually pursue Graduate studies. In contrast, after our presentations and tours, 0% planned to go directly into the workforce, 17% planned to pursue an Associate's degree, 72% planned
to pursue a Bachelor's degree, and 7% planned to eventually pursue Graduate studies. These survey results indicate that our Outreach component is having an effect on students locally and regionally. In addition, we have contributed to the establishment of the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research Graduate Awards of Merit and Summer Studentships, which are presented to a graduating high school senior from each of the Danville City and Pittsylvania County school systems. These awards are presented to students with an interest in furthering their advancement in science.
Publications
- Yinghui, D. 2006. High Throughput Transformation and Micro-propagation Opportunities for Crop Development. 11th International Association for Plant Tissue Culture & Biotechnology Congress. August 13-18, 2006. Beijing, China. Abstract P-1097, Pg.70.
- Flinn, B., Espinosa, A.C. and Egertsdotter, U. 2006. Matrix Metalloproteases and Fir Embryo Development. 8th International Congress of Plant Molecular Biology. August 20-25, 2006. Adelaide, Australia. Abstract POS-TUE-056, Pg.90.
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Progress 10/01/04 to 09/30/05
Outputs
The Horticulture/Forestry laboratory construction was completed, with the official opening occurring on June 10th, 2005. Additional equipment resources for the laboratory ($116,000) were purchased using funding from the State Council of Higher Education for VA Equipment Trust Fund. All of the research faculty short-listed were interviewed and hired during March-May 2005. The earmark funds have contributed to the recruitment of these highly qualified plant scientists to the Southside region, and are supporting the technical staff positions (M.S. level) as well as two scientists (Ph.D. level). This level of support has also helped attract State allocations to fund the Director of the group and a senior scientist. Two graduate students were also recruited for the program, through both Horticulture and Forestry Departments at Virginia Tech. Collaborations with the Virginia Nursery and Landscape Association (VNLA), and local nurseries (Windy Acres Nursery, Pine Knot Farms)
were established and a multi-partnered Plant Introduction research program initiated. The program addresses research areas of interest to the Virginia (and national) ornamental industry. The research program on various forestry and horticultural crops was also initiated in the areas of plant tissue culture and molecular biology. In the tissue culture area, there is ongoing protocol and propagation development for Fraser and Sub-alpine fir high value Christmas tree species, Helleborus hybrid ornamentals, monoploid and doubled monoploid potatoes and orchids, as well as some embryo rescue and culture for triploid daylilies. The Helleborus work was initiated through the interaction with Pine Knot Farms, and the daylily embryo rescue work initiated through interaction with the VNLA. In the molecular biology area, research has been initiated on plant transformation for a variety of uses, including recombinant protein production, as well as research on the molecular regulation of the somatic
embryogenesis propagation method in conifers, to understand and enhance this process. In addition, we have been carrying out germplasm maintenance for several plant types in collaboration with commercial and academic partners. A discussion on propagation research and acquisition of unique Colorado Blue Spruce var. Hoopsi for Christmas tree/ornamental use was initiated with Innovera Integrated Solutions. Additional collaborative meetings, regarding loblolly pine were also held with CellFor officials. The High Value Horticultural Crops program has also been the subject of significant media coverage of the Institute's focus on fir embryogenesis to enhance the Christmas tree and ornamental industry. In connection with the local outreach activities of the Institute, initial plans were made to develop a joint program between the Danville Science Center and the High Value Horticultural Crops for presentations and tours for local/regional school students. In addition, The High Value
Horticultural Crops program has been instrumental in the development and support of the Alternative Uses for Tobacco Greenhouse program presentation organized for November 1st and 2nd, 2005.
Impacts
In order for the High Value Horticulture and Forestry Program to make a significant contribution to Southside economy, local residents need to feel a connection to the Program. In collaboration with the VNLA we have established six ornamental plant testing and demonstration sites to promote development of green industry. Through the infrastructure created with the help of the earmark funds, the laboratory is now functional with research ongoing in several areas, and the activities of the High Value Horticulture and Forestry Program have garnered coverage and support from the local media. As a result of this coverage, several tobacco farmers and Christmas tree growers have been in contact or visited the Institute, and have been vocally supportive of the mission and accomplishments so far. Hence, the program is already making some impact on the local community and intended target beneficiaries of this research program. The proposed presentations and tours for
local/regional school students will also enhance the profile of the research mission in the community. We have already been approached by two separate schools to become involved in mentoring students.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 10/01/03 to 09/30/04
Outputs
The IALRs grand opening in June of 2004 featured an open house and exhibition event with a significant promotional display and eight Virginia Tech (VT) Horticulture and Forestry faculty and staff members representing the High Value Horticulture and Forestry program. A plan for the Plant Tissue Culture and Biotechnology Laboratory (approx. 1,500 sq. ft.), in the research wing of the IALR (www.ialr.org), was developed in 2004 by personnel in VTs Departments of Horticulture and Architecture and VWR International. The lab is under construction, funded through the IALR and executed by Blair Construction (Danville) and VWR International. The lab will conduct research, teaching and outreach, targeting novel plant development and introduction. We developed position descriptions, advertised and conducted searches for two laboratory technicians and two research faculty. The first technician began work on 10-1-04, coordinating with contractors, overseeing equipment orders,
managing laboratory set-up and assisting with the multiplication and maintenance of proprietary germplasm acquired from commercial and academic partners, using funding from the 2003/04 CSREES allocation ($232K) and the State Council of Higher Education for VA Equipment Trust Fund awarded to the IALR ($133K). The second technician began work on 1-24-05. Both technicians participated in-depth training at VT (Horticulture), Georgia Tech (Biology), and NC State University (Plant Pathology). A horticulture graduate student was also employed to teach and document protocols for orchid propagation. The search committee has received more than 20 applications for two Danville-based molecular breeding faculty positions with interviews planned in March 2005. Limited greenhouse space (under renovation) will be available for plant establishment at the Reynolds Homestead facility in Critz, VA (associated with VT Dept. of Forestry). As they become available, new ornamentals and trees developed
through the program will be field tested in collaboration with the Virginia Nursery and Landscape Association (VNLA). The VNLA, in conjunction with the VT Department of Horticulture and the IALR, was recently awarded a grant ($271K) from the VA Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission to establish test sites for plant introductions. Applications are being accepted for Virginia Plant Introduction Program Coordinator. This position is funded by the grant and will be housed at the IALR. The VT Department of Forestry has hired a new faculty member, Assoc. Prof. E.-M. Ulrika Egertsdotter, with expertise in forest tree genetics and functional genomics, to collaborate with researchers at the IALR and with the VT Dept. of Horticulture. Collaborative meetings have been held with several potential partners, both educational and commercial, including North Carolina State University, CellFor, and HZPC.
Impacts
In building this new laboratory and research space, the IALR looks forward to offering the community new crops to grow and to bring in a higher level of technology to the region to jumpstart new growth and business potential.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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