Progress 10/01/07 to 09/30/12
Outputs
OUTPUTS: In 2012 Nebraska continued research on existing (proso millet, sunflower & dry bean) and several new (canola, camelina, fenugreek, and chickpea) alternative crops for developing new crops for the region through germplasm evaluation and utilization. A total of 39 purified PI lines were evaluated as single plot for important agronomic traits (plant height, flowering time, lodging, panicle length, and seed shattering, weight & color). These lines are being evaluated for various seed traits for further selection. DNA marker based diversity analysis of PI lines showed wide variation and genome levels. Forty-two sunflower varieties (oil-26; confection-16) were tested at four sites for regional performances. Average yields for oil type were 1160 lbs/a (dryland) and 1267 lbs/a (irrigated); 2008 lbs/a for confection type. A total of 36 winter canola lines were tested as variety trial and average seed yield was 770 lbs/a. A total of 42 B. juncea (B.j) and 274 B. carinata (B.c) head rows (HR) derived from previously selected 15 and 42 PI lines were further tested and 34 B.j and 41 B.c lines were selected and harvested. Fenugreek variety trial was done on 8 lines and average seed yield was 810-1238 lbs/a. Additional 112 fenugreek lines were tested for preliminary seed yields. Forage triticale average yields ~6400 lbs DM/a. Ascochyta blight incidence was low in 2012 due to the high temperatures. Under non-chemical control, Ascochyta blight incidence was 11% compared to 5% under chemical protection. Yield and 100-seed weight was reduced by 29.1% and 7.3% comparing non-chemical with chemical control trial. From the 2012 chickpea trial, CDC Frontier, CA0469C020C, NE21-11-18, and CA0469C025C had the highest yields under the non-protected trials (2747, 2603, 2515, and 2368 lbs/acre, respectively). The commercial checks Dylan and Sarah had the lowest yields under the non-protected environment (911 and 1266 lbs/acre, respectively). Under the protected trial, CDC Frontier, PHREC-Ca-Comp. #1, NE21-11-18, CA0469C025C, and CA0469C020C had the highest yield (4235, 3457, 3455, 3420, and 3169 lbs/acre, respectively) (Table 1). Dylan had similar low under both non-protected and protected trial (911 and 1045 lbs/acre, respectively). CDC Frontier, PHREC-Ca-Comp. #1, NE21-11-15, NE21-11-21, NE21-11-22, and NE21-11-23 responded positively to the fungicide treatment. The entire US Dry Bean Core Collection (424 accessions) and CIAT's Dry Bean Core Collection (1,353) was screened with the PSM 5 bacterial brown spot isolate. From the U.S. Core Collection, 11.8% (50), 16% (68), and 72.2% (306) showed resistance, intermediate, and susceptible reaction to the bacterial brown isolate PSM 5, respectively. From CIAT Core Collection, 9.5% (128), 20.5% (277), and 70.0% (948) showed resistance, intermediate, and susceptible reaction to the bacterial brown isolate PSM 5, respectively. PARTICIPANTS: Dipak K. Santra, principal investigator. Overall direction and supervision of the research projects; data analysis and interpretation; and conference presentations and publications for all new/alternative crops except drybean and chickpea Carlos Urrea (co-PI) and John Thomas, research technician. Full responsibility of drybean and chickpea trials Robert M. Harveson: Collaborator in dry bean disease screening project. Weidong Chen, USDA-ARS, Pullman, WA collaborated in chickpea ascochyta blight resistance project Alexander Pavlista, collaborator. Crop penology of canola, camelina, and fenugreek. Stephen Baenziger, collaborator for wheat research and variety improvement. TARGET AUDIENCES: Our major target audience is crop producers in the High Plains. The information from this research is used to help them improve crop choices and variety selection to improve their profitability. Information from on-going plot research is presented at numerous field days during the growing season and during extension education programs during the year. Plots are shown during field days to provide awareness of what types of research are being done then information and related production concepts are taught as part of on-going extension education programming. Another audience includes other plant breeders and agronomists interested in the conservation, management and enhancement of genetic resources. They learn about this research as information is presented at regional and national meetings and in peer-reviewed publications. A progress report on sources of bacterial wilt resistance in beans and on the chickpea variety trial was presented to the Nebraska Dry Bean Growers Association during their Bean Day on January 10 and August 21, 2012. Three hundred and fifty bean growers attended both meetings. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
Alternative crops suitable for existing and new cropping system adapted to evolving farming systems under limited water is extremely important for sustainable crop production in the High Plains of the USA. Several fenugreek lines were identified as well adapted in the region. Oilseed crops, which are being tested in the region, include edible (canola, sunflower) and industrial oil type (camelina, mustards) with biodiesel potential. Many of these oil-seed crops have great potential to develop biodiesel industry in the region once suitable varieties are developed/ identified. Fenugreek and chickpea have potential to improve soil health through biological nitrogen fixation and/or when used in cropping system. Fenugreek also can be a high value biomedical crop if variety with high level of nutraceutical chemicals is developed/identified. Identifying high yielding forage triticale will have significant impact on livestock industry in the region. A few lines show promising resistance to Ascochyta blight. Release of chickpea varieties with Ascochyta blight resistance will lower production costs and reduce pesticide use, making this a viable alternate crop in Nebraska. Identifying types that will bring the greatest value to regional production will facilitate this region becoming a competitive production area. The identification of resistant germplasm sources and the development of new resistant cultivars would benefit any individual involved with the dry bean industry, directly or indirectly. This disease can affect the producer's (1,300) profits by reducing both yield and quality parameters. This in turn affects the processor and general economy of the communities where the dry beans are produced. Thus it is particularly prudent now to be attempting to produce new brown spot-resistant cultivars. Release of bean cultivars with disease resistance will lower production costs and reduce pesticide use.
Publications
- Santra, M., Ankrah, N., Santra, D.K., and Kidwell, K.K. 2012. An improved wheat microspore culture technique for the production of doubled haploid plants. Crop Sci. 52:2314-2320.
- Dwivedi S. H., Upadhyaya H., S. Senthilvel, C. Hash, K. Fukunaga, X. Diao, D. K. Santra, D. Baltensperger and M. Prasad (2012): Millets: Genetic and Genomic Resources. Plant Breeding Review Vol.6: 247-375.
- Pavlista, A.D., D.K. Santra, T.Isbell, D.D.Baltensperger, G.H.Hergert, J.Krall, A.Mesbach, J. Johnson, M. O'Neil, R. Aiken, and A. Berrada. 2011. Adaptability of Irrigated Spring Canola Oil Production to the US High Plains. Industrial Crops and Products 33:165-169.
- Delgado, J.A., R.S. Goswami, R.M. Harveson, C.A. Urrea, D. Beran, and S.G. Markell. 2012. First report of Ascochyta blight caused by Qoi-resistant isolates of Ascochyta rabiei in chickpea fields of Nebraska and South Dakota. Plant Disease 96:1073.
- Harveson, R.M., and C.A. Urrea. 2012. Bacterial brown spot of dry beans in Nebraska. Bean Bag, Summer Issue, 2012.
- Pavlista A.P., D. K. Santra, J.A. Schild, and G.H. Hergert (2012). Gibberellic Acid Sensitivity among Common Bean Cultivars (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). HORTSCIENCE 47(5):637to642.
- Rajput S. and D.K. Santra (2012). Development and utilization of DNA markers to assess genetic diversity of proso millet (Panicum milliacum) germplasm. ASA, CSSA, and SSSA Annual Meetings, Oct. 21-24, 2012. Cincinnati, OH. Agronomy Abstract No.109-8
- Santra D.K., T. Plyler-Harveson, and S. Rajput (2012). Evaluation of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) as new crops in western Nebraska. p.20. In McMahan, C.M., and Berti M.T. Eds (2012). 24th Annual AAIC Meeting. Industrial Crops: Developing Sustainable Solutions: Program and Abstracts. November 12-15, 2012, Sonoma, CA.
- Baenziger, P.S., Graybosch, R.A., Regassa, T., Nelson, L.A., Klein, R.N., Santra, D.K., Baltensperger, D.D., Krall, J.M., Xu, L., Wegulo, S.N., Jin, Y., Kolmer, J., Chen, M.-S., and Bai, G. 2012. Registration of NI04421 Hard Red Winter Wheat. J. Plant Reg.6:54 to 59.
- Baenziger, P.S., Salah I., Little, R.S., Santra, D.K., Regassa., T., and Wang, M.Y. 2011. Structuring an Efficient Organic Wheat Breeding Program. Sustainability. 3(8):1190-1205. doi: 10.3390/su3081190.
- Carter, A.H., Santra, D.K., and Kidwell, K.K. 2012. Assessment of the effects of the Gpc-B1 allele on senescence rate, grain protein concentration and mineral content in hard red spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) from the Pacific Northwest Region of the USA. Plant Breeding. 131:62 to 68.
- Harveson, R.M., Santra, D.K., Putnam, M.L., Curtis, M., Pavlista, A.D. 2011. A new report for downy mildew [(Hyaloperonospora camelinae), Voglmayr, Riethm., M. Weiss & Oberw. 2003] of Camelina [Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz] in the High Plains of the United States. Plant Health Progress. (doi:10.1094/PHP-2011-1014-01-BR).
- Urrea, C.A., and R.M. Harveson. 2012. Identifying sources and mapping genes for bacterial brown spot in dry browns. Bean Bag, Summer Issue, 2012.
- Pavlista, A.D., Santra, D.K., Schild, J.A., and Hergert, G.W. 2012. Gibberellic Acid Sensitivity among Common Bean Cultivars (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Hort Sci. 47(5):637-642.
- Harveson, R.M., S.G. Markell,, R. Goswami, C.A. Urrea, M.E. Burrows, F. Dugan, W. Chen, and L.G. Skoglund. 2011. Ascochyta blight of chickpeas. Online. Plant Health Progress, doi: 10.1094/PHP-2011-0103-01- DG.
- Urrea, C.A., D.D. Baltensperger, R.M. Harveson, G.E., A.E. Koehler, A.E. 2011. Registration of the Chickpea Germplasm PI Bulk with Enhanced Resistance to Ascochyta Blight. J. Plant Registrations 5: 103-108.
|
Progress 10/01/10 to 09/30/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: The PI (Dr. Dipak K. Santra) participated in the NC7 RTAC Meeting, Manhattan, KS; August 9-10, 2011. Subjects of discussion were: (1) possible collaborative efforts in germplasm collection and management for NCR (2) sharing germplasm characteristics data obtained at Scottsbluff field testing, (3) preparing proposal for the next cycle renewal. In 2011 Nebraska continued research on existing (proso millet, sunflower & dry bean) and several new (canola, camelina, fenugreek, and forage soybean) alternative crops for developing new crops for the region through germplasm evaluation and utilization. A total of 72 purified PI lines were evaluated as single plot for important agronomic traits (plant height, flowering time, lodging, panicle length, and seed weight & color). Fifty lines were selected based on general adaptation and evaluated traits for further testing. These lines are being evaluated based on DNA markers. Forty-three sunflower varieties (oil-23; confection-20) were tested at four sites for regional performances. Average yields for oil type were 1415 lbs/a (dryland) and 1735 lbs/a (irrigated); 720 lbs/a for confection type. A total of 153 F3-4 populations (50,000 plants) of winter canola were tested for winter hardiness and about 20 lines were selected for further testing. Seed yields of 18 camelina PI lines when tested under irrigation varied from 445 - 1287 lbs/a. Forty five camelina PI lines were tested for winter hardiness and 5 lines were preliminary selected. Fenugreek germplasm was tested for forage and seed yields. Average forage and seed yields under irrigation were ~1200 lbs DM/a and 800 lbs/a, respectively. A total of 184 fenugreek lines were also tested for winter hardiness and 28 lines were identified. In 2011 Western Regional Chickpea Variety Trial at the PHREC- Mitchell under irrigation chickpea lines CA0469C025C, CA0469C020C, PHREC-Ca-Comp.#1, and PI 17256 had the high yield under both protected and non-protected trials and had less Ascochyta blight incidence. A total of 1700 accessions from the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) dry bean core collections were screened for resistance to bacterial wilt in the PHREC-Scottsbluff, NE greenhouse facilities. Orion and Emerson were planted as susceptible and resistant checks, respectively. Only 15 accessions (4 P. coccineus, 1 P. acutifolius, 8 wild and 2 cultivated beans) showed resistance to 7 bacterial wilt isolates. A protocol to screen bacterial brown spot was developed. The entire US Dry Bean Core Collection (424 accessions) was screened with the PSM 5 bacterial brown spot isolate. From CIAT's Core Collection, 500 accessions have been screened with the PSM 5 bacterial brown spot isolate. A few dry bean lines are showing potential resistance. Nebraska continued to train and educate students, crop producers, and general public on role of plant germplasm in agriculture. Research information was presented at several scientific conferences, to crop producers at educational meetings and field days and through written extension materials and web-based information related to plant germplasm resource issues. PARTICIPANTS: Dipak K. Santra, principal investigator. Overall direction and supervision of the research projects; data analysis and interpretation; and conference presentations and publications for all new/alternative crops except drybean and chickpea Carlos Urrea (co-PI) and John Thomas, research technician. Full responsibility of drybean and chickpea trials Robert M. Harveson: Collaborator in dry bean disease screening project. Weidong Chen, USDA-ARS, Pullman, WA collaborated in chickpea ascochyta blight resistance project Alex D. Pavlista, collaborator. Crop penology of canola, camelina, and fenugreek. Vernon Florke, Head agricultural technologist of the program. Overall responsibility of field trials including field preparation, planting, soil sampling, cultural practices, data collection, harvesting, data entry and analysis. Allison Hazen (research technician) and few temporary research assistants (including summer students). Plot work including planting, cultural practices, data collection, harvesting, data entry and analysis. J. Schild, and R. Hawley, participant. Forage soybean trial TARGET AUDIENCES: Our major target audience is crop producers in the High Plains. The information from this research is used to help them improve crop choices and variety selection to improve their profitability. Information from on-going plot research is presented at numerous field days during the growing season and during extension education programs during the year. Plots are shown during field days to provide awareness of what types of research are being done then information and related production concepts are taught as part of on-going extension education programming. Another audience includes other plant breeders and agronomists interested in the conservation, management and enhancement of genetic resources. They learn about this research as information is presented at regional and national meetings and in peer-reviewed publications. A progress report on sources of bacterial wilt resistance in beans and on the chickpea variety trial was presented to the Nebraska Dry Bean Growers Association during their Bean Day on January 11, and August 23, 2011. Four hundred bean growers attended both meetings. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Alternative crops suitable for existing and new cropping system adapted to evolving farming systems under limited water is extremely important for sustainable crop production in the High Plains of the USA. Several fenugreek lines were identified as well adapted in the region. Oilseed crops, which are being tested in the region, include edible (canola, sunflower) and industrial oil type (camelina, mustards) with biodiesel potential. Many of these oil-seed crops have great potential to develop biodiesel industry in the region once suitable varieties are developed/identified. Fenugreek and forage soybean have potential to improve soil health through biological nitrogen fixation and/or when used as cover crops. Fenugreek hay is as good as alfalfa, and therefore can supporting the local livestock industry as source of high quality hay. Fenugreek also can be a high value biomedical crop if variety with high level of nutraceutical chemicals is developed/identified. High level of winter hardiness in winter canola is critical as viable winter crop and therefore identification of few canola lines with higher winter hardiness is significant. Preliminary results of winter hardy camelina and fenugreek have potential to grow these as fall planted crops for higher yield potential capitalizing early spring moisture. This is important in this region with limited soil moisture during normal summer growing season. Although chickpea seed size does not meet commercial standards, PHREC-Ca-Comp. #1 has value in breeding programs as a source of Ascochyta blight resistance and high yield potential. Release of chickpea varieties with Ascochyta blight resistance will lower production costs and reduce pesticide use, making this a viable alternate crop in Nebraska. Identifying types that will bring the greatest value to regional production will facilitate this region becoming a competitive production area. Identification of sources of bacterial wilt and bacterial brown spot resistance in dry beans will lead to the use of fewer chemical favoring the environment and reducing production costs. Plant material being developed through research and extension from the alternative crops breeding program at UNL-Panhandle Research and Extension Center will have potential impact for sustainable crops and livestock production in semi-arid environment of the High Plains of the USA.
Publications
- Harveson, R., D.K. Santra, A.D. Pavlista, M.L.Putnam, M. Curtis and A.D. Pavlista (2012). A New Report of Camelina Downy Mildew in the High Plains of the United States. Plant Health Progress (doi:10.1094/PHP-2011-1014-01-BR).
- Plyler-Harveson T., D. K. Santra, R. H. Harveson, and K. A. Nielsen K.A (2011). Genetic characterization of Rhizoctonia solani population isolated from sugar beet and dry bean. Phytopathology 101:S159
- Regassa, T., P.S. Baenziger, G. Kruger, D. K. Santra, C. Shapiro, J. Krall. 2011. The fall seed guide, Extension circular. University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
- Urrea, C.A., R.M. Harveson, and J. Thomas. 2010. Selecting and improving chickpea adaptation to western Nebraska. The Bean Bag 28(5): 3.
- Harveson, R.M., and C.A. Urrea. 2010. Developing new dry bean cultivars with resistance to bacterial brown spot. The Bean Bag. 28(5): 10.
- Urrea, C.A., and R.M. Harveson. 2011. Producing new chickpea varieties with resistance to Ascochyta blight. The StarHerald, Scottsbluff, NE. Page 1.
|
Progress 10/01/09 to 09/30/10
Outputs
OUTPUTS: The PI (Dr. Dipak K. Santra) participated in the Joint CGC Chairs-RTAC-PGOC Meeting, Geneva, NY; July 26-29, 2010 and discussed for possible collaborative efforts in germplasm collection and management for NCR. In 2010 Nebraska continued research on existing (proso millet & dry bean) and several new alternative crops for germplasm conservation and use. Based on last year's initial screening 68 adapted lines were purified harvesting single heads. These 68 lines were again evaluated for several agronomic traits (plant height, flowering time, panicle length, and seed weight & color) important for the region. Plant height ranged from 25 to 100 cm although majority of the lines were about 60 cm in height. Flowering times of the lines varied from 35 days after planting (DAP) to 50 DAP. There were several lines which were never flowered and seed characteristics were not recorded for these lines. Panicle length ranged from 10-30 cm. Thousands seed weight ranged from 1 to 8g although majority of the lines fall between 4-6g. Several polymorphic DNA markers (ISSR markers SSR markers from wheat, foxtail millet) were identified and are being used to characterize this 68 proso millet lines. Molecular characterization of this set of proso millet germplasm based on DNA markers was initiated. Thirty two advanced breeding lines (waxy and non-waxy types) were tested for variety release potential at four different sites throughout the region. Preliminary trials were conducted for 34 white proso breeding lines at two locations. Fifty different crosses were made for proso millet. A total of 1700 accessions from CIAT dry bean core collections (1374 P. vulgaris, 42 P. coccineus, 40 P. dumosus, and 244 P. acutifolius) are being screened for resistance to bacterial wilt. Most of the collection is susceptible (99.1%) and only 16 accessions (0.9 %) are showing resistance to one bacterial wilt isolate. These entries will be tested against 7 bacterial wilt isolates. In order to identify new alternative crops fenugreek (12 varieties and 168 PI lines), lentil (8 varieties), forage soybean (10 varieties), chickpea (11 advanced chickpea lines), camelina (14 varieties and 34 PI lines), crambe (26 PI lines), brown mustard (100 PI lines), Ethiopian mustard (61 PI lines) and tef (33 PI lines) were evaluated under dryland and/or limited irrigation condition for yield, general adaptability, and disease resistance. Nebraska continued to train and educate students, crop producers, and general public on role of plant germplasm in agriculture. Research information was presented at several scientific conferences, to crop producers at educational meetings and field days and through written materials (crop newsletters, fact sheets, extension publications) and web-based information (variety information, production guides, etc.) related to plant germplasm resource issues. At the Panhandle Research and Extension Center, the molecular marker laboratory facility has been in operation for germplasm characterization and variety development, which are important for Nebraska. PARTICIPANTS: Dipak K. Santra, principal investigator. Overall direction and supervision of the research projects; data analysis and interpretation; and conference presentations and publications for all new/alternative crops except drybean and chickpea Carlos Urrea, co-PI. Full responsibility of drybean and chickpea trials Alex D. Pavlista, collaborator. Spring canola trial data analysis. Crop penology of canola and camelina under limited irrigation. Terry Isbell, collaborator. Canola oil analysis. Glen Frickel, Head agricultural technologist of the program. Overall responsibility of field trials including field preparation, planting, soil sampling, cultural practices, data collection, harvesting, data entry and analysis. S. Harvey (research technician) and few temporary research assistants (including summer students). Plot work including planting, cultural practices, data collection, harvesting, data entry and analysis. J. Schild, and R. Hawley, participant. Forage soybean trial TARGET AUDIENCES: Our major target audience is crop producers in the High Plains. The information from this research is used to help them improve crop choices and variety selection to improve their profitability. Information from on-going plot research is presented at numerous field days during the growing season and during extension education programs during the year. Plots are shown during field days to provide awareness of what types of research are being done then information and related production concepts are taught as part of on-going extension education programming. Another audience includes other plant breeders and agronomists interested in the conservation, management and enhancement of genetic resources. They learn about this research as information is presented at regional and national meetings and in peer-reviewed publications. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Alternative crops suitable for existing and new cropping system adapted to evolving farming systems under limited water is extremely important for sustainable crop production in the High Plains of the USA. One waxy proso line was identified as variety release potential and will be released as variety within next year. This line has potential to expand proso acreage through alternative use. This is extremely important since proso millet is the best alternative crops in the region and its production area is getting limited due to its limited use (bird seed). Several fenugreek lines were identified as well adapted in the region. Soybean seems to have potential as forage crop. Fenugreek, forage soybean, and lentil seem be adapted and will play significant role in crops diversity and climate mitigation to the region. A chickpea germplasm PHREC-Ca-Comp.#1 was released in 2010 specifically for adaptation to Nebraska growing conditions and for enhanced resistance to Ascochyta blight. Although seed size does not meet commercial standards, PHREC-Ca-Comp.#1 has value in breeding programs as a source of Ascochyta blight resistance and high yield potential. Industrial oil-seed crops (camelina, brown mustard, and Ethiopian mustard) have potential as biodiesel crop in the region. Few camelina lines were identified which could be used as winter annual to rotate with winter wheat based cropping system. Plant material being developed through research and extension from the alternative crops breeding program at UNL-Panhandle Research and Extension Center will have potential impact for sustainable crops and livestock production in semi-arid environment of the High Plains of the USA.
Publications
- Pavlista, A.D., D.K. Santra, T.A. Isbell, D.D. Baltensperger, G.W. Hergert, J. Krall, A. Mesbach, J. Johnson, M. O'Neill, R. Aiken, and A. Berrada (2011). Adaptability of Irrigated Spring Canola to the US High Plains. Industrial Crops and Products (in press).
- Dwivedi S. H. Upadhyaya H., S. Senthilvel, C. Hash, K. Fukunaga, X. Diao, D. K. Santra, D. Baltensperger and M. Prasad (2011): Millets: Genetic and Genomic Resources. Plant Breeding Review. (accepted.
- Santra D. K., R. Plyler-Harveson, S. Harvey, S. Reddy, and G. Frickel (2010). "Genetic characterization of proso millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) germplasm". Proceedings of ASA-CSSA-SSSA 2010 International Annual Meeting. Long Beach, CA. October 31- November 4, 2010. p. 118
- Santra D. K., R. Plyler-Harveson, S. Harvey, S. Reddy, and G. Frickel (2010). "Characterization of proso millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) germplasm." In "Isbell, T.A. and Dierig, D.A. Eds. (2010), 22nd Annual AAIC Meeting 2010 New Crops: Exploring Diversity and Preserving Our Future: Program and Abstracts. Hilton Hotel, Fort Collins, CO. p. 48.
- Harveson, R.M., S.G. Markell, R. Goswami, C.A. Urrea, M.E. Burrows, F. Dugan, W. Chen, and L.G. Skoglund (2010). Ascochyta blight of chickpeas. Plant Health Progress (accepted).
- Urrea, C.A., D. D. Baltensperger, R.M. Harveson, G.E. Frickel, and A.E. Koehler (2010). Registration of the chickpea germplasm PHREC-Ca- Comp. #1 with enhanced resistance to Ascochyta blight. J. of Plant Reg. (in press).
- Urrea, C.A, R.M. Harveson, A.E. Koehler, P. Burgener, and D.D. Baltensperger (2010). Evaluating the agronomic potential of chickpea germplasm for western Nebraska. Agronomy J. 102(4):1179-1185.
- Thomas, J.A., C.A. Urrea, R.M. Harveson, and K. Nielsen (2010). Identification of sources of bacterial wilt resistance in dry beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Annu. Rept. Bean Improv. Coop. 53:130-131.
- Urrea, C.A., and T. Porch (2010). Phenotypic evaluation of a subset of the Phaseolus vulgaris core collections, the P. acutifolius germplasm collection, and cultivars for drought tolerance in Nebraska and Puerto Rico. Annu. Rept. Bean Improv. Coop. 53:164-165.
- Harveson, R.M., and C.A. Urrea (2010). Developing new varieties with resistance to bacterial brown spot for Nebraska dry bean production. The Bean Bag 28(2): 15.
- Harveson, R.M., and C.A. Urrea (2010). Developing dry bean resistance to bacterial brown spot. StarHerald. May 30, page 4.
- Harveson, R.M., and C.A. Urrea. (2010). Evaluating germplasm and breeding disease resistance for chickpeas and dry beans in western Nebraska. StarHerald. April 4, page 2.
- Urrea, C.A., Harveson, R.M., and J. Thomas. (2010). Selecting and improving chickpea adaptation to western Nebraska. StarHerald. April 4, page 3.
|
Progress 10/01/08 to 09/30/09
Outputs
OUTPUTS: The new Alternative Crops Breeder (started Nov. 3, 2008) took several initiatives towards fulfilling the objectives of the project. He participated in the 2009 NC7 annual meeting at Ames, IA and discussed for collaborative research towards germplasm collection and management for NCR. For germplasm conservation and use, Nebraska continued research on existing alternative crops and initiated research on several new alternative crops. In order to identify proso millet germplasm as source of desirable traits for Nebraska, 147 proso millet lines (PI lines-provided by NCRPIS, Ames, IA and released cultivars) were evaluated for several agronomic traits important for the region. Molecular characterization of this set of proso millet germplasm based on DNA markers was initiated. Twenty-four advanced breeding lines (waxy and non-waxy types) were tested for variety release potential at six trials throughout the region. Preliminary trials were conducted for 40 white and 28 red proso breeding lines at two locations. Eight early generations (F1 to F3) breeding populations were advanced. Five released cultivars, which were absent at NCRPIS, Ames, IA, were purified for seed deposition at the PI station. Six foxtail millet lines were evaluated for potential variety release candidates. In order to develop annual legume as forage/hay and/or cover crop, 173 fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-gracecum L.) PI lines (provided by WRPIS, Pullman, WA) and eight forage soybean germplasm were evaluated. Twenty PI lines of Teff (Eragrostis tef L.), a grass species, was tested for its potential as forage/hay and grain crop in the region. Two synthetic corn lines (open pollinated) were seed increased in isolation. Several other crops (canola, camelina, sunflower, drybean, and chickpea) were evaluated under dryland and/or limited irrigation condition for yield, general adaptability, and disease resistance. Nebraska continued to train and educate students, crop producers, and general public on role of plant germplasm in agriculture. The role of plant breeding, genetics and genomics in food supply and sustainable farming was presented to high school students. Research information was presented at several scientific conferences, to crop producers at educational meetings and field days and through written materials (crop newsletters, fact sheets, extension publications) and web-based information (variety information, production guides, etc.) related to plant germplasm resource issues. Genetic characterization of plant germplasm based on agronomic traits (field and green house trials) and molecular markers is the first step for proper utilization of genetic resources for crop improvement. At the Panhandle Research and Extension Center, a molecular marker laboratory facility has been developed under the alternative crops breeding program for molecular characterization of germplasm of alternative crops, which are important for Nebraska. PARTICIPANTS: Dipak K. Santra, principal investigator. Overall direction and supervision of the research projects; data analysis and interpretation; and conference presentations and publications. Carlos Urrea, co-PI. Full responsibility of drybean and chickpea trials Gary W. Hergert, collaborator. Soil fertility and moisture analysis. Canola and camelina under limited irrigation. Alex D. Pavlista, collaborator. Spring canola trial data analysis. Crop penology of canola and camelina under limited irrigation. Terry Isbell, collaborator. Canola oil analysis. Glen Frickel, Head agricultural technologist of the program. Overall responsibility of field trials including field preparation, planting, soil sampling, cultural practices, data collection, harvesting, data entry and analysis. S. Harvey (research technician) and few temporary research assistants (including summer students). Plot work including planting, cultural practices, data collection, harvesting, data entry and analysis. J. Schild, and R. Hawley, participant. Forage soybean trial TARGET AUDIENCES: Our major target audience is crop producers in the High Plains. The information from this research is used to help them improve crop choices and variety selection to improve their profitability. Information from on-going plot research is presented at numerous field days during the growing season and during extension education programs during the year. Plots are shown during field days to provide awareness of what types of research are being done then information and related production concepts are taught as part of on-going extension education programming. Another audience includes other plant breeders and agronomists interested in the conservation, management and enhancement of genetic resources. They learn about this research as information is presented at regional and national meetings and in peer-reviewed publications. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Alternative crops suitable for existing and new cropping system adapted to evolving farming systems under limited water is extremely important for sustainable crop production in the High Plains of the USA. The High Plains has experienced drought and limited irrigation supplies due to reduced reservoir storage but also due to ground water pumping allocations. A number of lower water using crops (compared to corn) were investigated to determine their adaptability in limited irrigated reduced and no-till cropping systems. These include proso millet, fenugreek, teff, canola, camelina, sunflower, dry bean and chickpea. One waxy proso line was identified as variety release potential. This line has potential to expand proso acreage through alternative use. This is extremely important since proso millet is the best alternative crops in the region and its production area is getting limited due to its limited use (bird seed). Several fenugreek lines were identified as well adapted in the region. Soybean seems to have potential as forage crop. One teff line out of 20 tested was identified as short-duration early maturing, which has variety release potential and this is significant for short growing season in the High Plains. Several drybean lines with heat tolerance, common blight and root rot resistance were identified. Two well adapted and high yielding chickpea lines with ascochyta blight were identified. Plant material being developed through research and extension from the alternative crops breeding program at UNL-Panhandle Research and Extension Center will have potential impact for sustainable crops and livestock production in semi-arid environment of the High Plains of the USA.
Publications
- Hergert, G.W. and D. K. Santra. 2009. Fertilizing Proso Millet. Crop Watch G1945.
- Yonts, C.D., D.J. Lyon, J.A. Smith, R.M. Harveson, G.W. Hergert, G.L.Hein, and D. K. Santra. 2009. Producing Irrigated Winter Wheat. Crop Watch EC731.
- Pavlista A. D., D. K. Santra, G. H. Hergert, D. D. Baltensperger, and T. Isbell 2009. Evaluation of Spring Canola as Potential Alternative Crop in the Central Great Plains. AAIC Ann Meeting, November 14-19, 2009, Chilan, Chile.
- Santra D. K., J. Schild, R. Hawley, G. Frickel, and S. Harvey 2009. Soybean as Potential Forage in the northern High Plains of USA. In NAPIA Ann. Meeting. Fort Collins, CO, October 29-30, 2009.
- Pavlista A. D., D. K. Santra, G. H. Hergert, D. D. Baltensperger, and T. Isbell. 2009. Spring Canola Performance in the Central Great Plains. Agronomy Abstracts. American Society of Agronomy, Madison, WI.
|
Progress 10/01/07 to 09/30/08
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Research continued on several alternative crops. Foxtail millet and niger varieties are near release and all trace their parentage to plant introductions. Variety and limited irrigation production trials with spring and winter canola and camelina were conducted as well as forage pea and sunflower. Numerous presentations on plant introduction germplasm were given to more than 300 Nebraska Panhandle producers. The research on Leadplant (Amorpha canescens) has been completed. A manuscript is in preparation. Future research for this project will transfer to the newly hired Alternative Crops Breeder and other alternative crops work will be continued to find the suitable alternative crops for the cropping systems in the region. Variety test information for all of the crops mentioned are provided to producers through the University of Nebraska web site http://varietytest.unl.edu/index.html. This is one of the major outputs of this research. PARTICIPANTS: Gary W. Hergert, principal investigator. Data analysis and interpretation plus presentations of the research and publications. Glen Frickel, agricultural technologist. Plot work including planting, soil sampling, cultural practices, data collection, harvesting, data entry and analysis. Rex Nielsen, agricultural technologist. Plot work including planting, soil sampling, cultural practices, data collection, harvesting, data entry and analysis. TARGET AUDIENCES: Our major target audience is crop producers in the high plains. The information from this research is used to help them improve crop choices and variety selection to improve their profitability. Information from on-going plot research is presented at numerous field days during the growing season and during extension education programs during the year. Plots are shown during field days to provide awareness of what types of research are being done then information and related production concepts are taught as part of on-going extension education programming. Another audience includes other plant breeders and agronomists interested in the conservation, management and enhancement of genetic resources. They learn about this research as information is presented at regional and national meetings and in peer-reviewed publications. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Alternative crops suitable for existing and new cropping system adapted to evolving farming systems under limited water is extremely important for sustainable crop production the western Great Plains. Production of birdseed occupies about one-third of dryland acres in the Nebraska Panhandle from proso millet. More than 50% yield improvement through a long-term commitment to this breeding program has produced several other crops that have become regionally important and compliment bird seed production including sunflower, cracked corn, wheat, and sorghum. Plant materials from this program have potential impact for expanded bird seed production including canary grass and Niger seed. The high plains has experienced drought and limited irrigation supplies due to reduced reservoir storage but also due to ground water pumping allocations. A number of lower water using crops (compared to corn) will be investigated to determine their adaptability in limited irrigated reduced and no-till cropping systems. These include dry beans, canola, camelina and sunflower. These oil seed crops require less water than soybean but are adapted to the climate of the high plains. They produce high quality food oils and could also be a source of oils for biodiesel production.
Publications
- Brassica napus Growth with Limited Water. Jim Margheim, Alexander Pavlista, Eric L. Nielsen, Gary Hergert, and Dongman Khu. Abstr. American Society of Agronomy. October 2008.
- Camelina sativa Growth with Limited Irrigation. Eric L. Nielsen, Alexander Pavlista, Jim Margheim, Gary Hergert, and Dongman Khu. Abstr. American Society of Agronomy. October 2008.
|
Progress 10/01/06 to 09/30/07
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Research continued on several alternative crops. Foxtail millet, proso and niger varieties are near release and all trace their parentage to plant introductions. Variety and limited irrigation production trials with spring and winter canola and camelina were conducted as well as forage pea and sunflower. Numerous presentations on plant introduction germplasm were given to more than 300 Nebraska Panhandle producers. A graduate student is completing working on Leadplant (Amorpha canescens). This project was renewed and future leadership will continue to include the alternative crops mentioned plus a number of different dry bean market classes including chick peas (garbanzos. Variety test information for all of the crops mentioned are provided to producers through the University of Nebraska web site http://varietytest.unl.edu/index.html. This is one of the major outputs of this research.
PARTICIPANTS: Gary W. Hergert, principal investigator. Data analysis and interpretation plus presentations of the research and publications. Glen Frickel, agricultural technologist. Plot work including planting, soil sampling, cultural practices, data collection, harvesting, data entry and analysis. Rex Nielsen, agricultural technologist. Plot work including planting, soil sampling, cultural practices, data collection, harvesting, data entry and analysis.
TARGET AUDIENCES: Our major target audience is crop producers in the high plains. The information from this research is used to help them improve crop choices and variety selection to improve their profitability. Information from on-going plot research is presented at numerous field days during the growing season and during extension education programs during the year. Plots are shown during fields days to provide awareness of what types of research are being done then information and related production concepts are taught as part of on-going extension education programming. Another audience includes other plant breeders and agronomists interested in the conservation, management and enhancement of genetic resources. They learn about this research as information is presented at regional and national meetings and in peer-reviewed publications.
Impacts
Estimates suggest that production of birdseed occupies about one-third of dryland acres in the Nebraska Panhandle. Proso is the grain of lead importance. More than 50% yield improvement through a long-term commitment to this breeding program have produced several other crops that have become regionally important and compliment bird seed production including sunflower, cracked corn, wheat, and sorghum. Plant materials from this program have potential impact for expanded bird seed production including canary grass and Niger seed. The high plains has experienced drought and limited irrigation supplies due to reduced reservoir storage but also due to ground water pumping allocations. A number of lower water using crops (compared to corn) will be investigated to determine their adaptability in limited irrigated reduced and no-till cropping systems. These include dry beans, canola, camelina and sunflower. These oil seed crops require less water than soybean but are adapted to
the climate of the high plains. They produce high quality food oils and could also be a source of oils for biodiesel production.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
|
Progress 10/01/05 to 09/30/06
Outputs
Research has continued on several alternative crops. Foxtail millet, proso and niger varieties are near release and all trace their parentage to plant introductions. Numerous presentations on plant introduction germplasm were given to more than 500 Nebraska Panhandle producers. A graduate student is working on Leadplant (Amorpha canescens). Canada wildrye (Elymus canadensis L.) germplasm collected from remnant tall grass prairies in 1989 was evaluated at Mead, NE, Ames, IA, and West Lafayette, IN. There were significant differences among sites for forage yield, heading date, and protein. Plants originating from some prairie sites were significantly superior to others for biomass yield and should be useful in developing improved cultivars. The relationship between geographical location and evaluation sites for plant biomass yield was determined using regression analyses. Analyses showed that for Canada wildrye, the assumption that locally collected material is the best
adapted for local area re-vegetation is not valid for the tall grass prairie region of the Midwest USA. A new Canada wildrye cultivar (Homestead) that is a direct increase of one of the germplasm accessions was released in 2006 by the Agricultural Research Service, USDA, and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Several other native grass and legume germplasms are in seed increase for release as germplasms or source identified cultivars.
Impacts
Estimates suggest that production of birdseed occupies about one-third of dryland acres in the Nebraska Panhandle. With proso leading the way, more than 50% yield improvement through a long-term commitment to this breeding program have produced several other crops that have become regionally important and compliment bird seed production including sunflower, cracked corn, wheat, and sorghum. Plant materials from this program have potential impact for expanded bird seed production including canary grass and Niger seed.
Publications
- Casler, M.D., K.P. Vogel, and A.C. Beal. 2006. Registration of WS4U and WS8U switchgrass germplasms. Crop. Sci. 46:998-999.
- Vogel, K.P., A.A. Hopkins, K.J. Moore, K.D. Johnson, and I.T. Carlson. 2006. Genetic variation among Canada wildrye accessions from Midwest remnant prairies for biomass yield and other traits. Crop Sci. 46:2348-2353.
- Vogel, K.P., R.B. Mitchell, K.D. Johnson, I.T. Carlson, D.D. Baltensperger. 2006. Release of Homestead Canada Wildrye. USDA-ARS and University of Nebraska Cultivar Release Notice. Release date April 13, 2006.
|
Progress 10/01/04 to 09/30/05
Outputs
Forty-nine white-flowered sweetclover [Melilotus alba Desr.] genetic stocks and N56, a yellow-flowered sweetclover [Melilotus officinalis (L.) Lam.] genetic stock, were developed jointly by USDA-ARS and the Agricultural Research Division, Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Nebraska-Lincoln and were jointly released in May, 2004. Waxy proso haas been approved for release by cultivar relase committee. Decision on how to best balance cost with intellectual property rights has delayed final decision on relase method. Seed has bee increased and should be available for commercial production the the spring. Pending approval, a new Canada wildrye cultivar will be released in 2005 as well as several Canada wildrye germplasms that can be grown as source identified and tested cultivars. These germplasms and cultivar trace to plant collections that were made from remnant North American prairies sites in 1989. Germplasm releases of the native legumes,
Partridge pea and Illinois bundle flower are pending.
Impacts
The genetic stocks were developed over more than three decades of cooperative sweetclover genetic research and contain unique combinations of genes and traits which are described and documented including the presence or absence of coumarin. Seed of these genetic stocks has been entered into the U.S. Department of Agricultures National Plant Germplasm System and is available for research.
Publications
- Vogel, K.P., H.J. Gorz, and F.A. Haskins. 2005. Registration of N30-N56, N741, N743, N745, N747, U362, U363, U367, U369-U374, U389-U394, U396-U398, and U500 Sweetclover Genetic Stocks. Crop Sci. 45:1675-1677.
- Vogel, K. P., D. Tober, P. E. Reece, D. D. Baltensperger, G. Schuman, and R. A. Nicholson. 2005. Registration of NU-ARS AC2 Crested Wheatgrass. Crop Sci. 45(1):416-417. Univ. of Nebraska Agr. Res. Div. J. Series No. 14498.
- Vogel, K. P., D. Tober, P. E. Reece, D. D. Baltensperger, G. Schuman, and R. A. Nicholson. 2005. Registration of Haymaker Intermediate Wheatgrass. Crop Sci. 45(1):415-416. Univ. of Nebraska Agr. Res. Div. J. Series No. 14497.
- Vogel, K. P., P. E. Reece, D. D. Baltensperger, G. Schuman, and R. A. Nicholson. 2005. Registration of Beefmaker Intermediate Wheatgrass. Crop Sci. 45(1):414-415. Univ. of Nebraska Agr. Res. Div. J. Series No. 14499.
|
Progress 10/01/03 to 09/30/04
Outputs
Cooperative work with the Plant Introduction station at Ames, IO continued this year on amaranth, proso and foxtail millet. Seed of all species were provided by the PI center and evaluations were lost due to severe hail at the High Plains Ag Lab. Previous work with PI material was tested at multi-location sites in 2004 and several potential cultivars will be released in the next two years, based on rapidity of seed increase in marketing decisions. Seed of native legume species were collected in 1999 and 2000 from remnant prairies in the Midwest and Central Great Plains. Composite populations for specific Plant Adaptation Regions (PAR) are being produced by two generations of random mating. The PAR populations will be released as germplasms for use in conservation plantings and research. Legume species include leadplant, Canada milkvetch, partridgepea, white prairieclover, purple prairieclover, Illinois bundleflower, roundhead lespedeza, and others. Released germplasms
will be used in research to develop management practices for both grazing and conserved grasslands. One generation of random mating has been completed for most species.
Impacts
Utilization of PI material for specific improvement of specific traits continues to be the primary improvement mechanism for these crops. We expect long-term benefits in terms of quality, yield, and pest tolerance.
Publications
- Vogel, K.P. 2004. Humans, climate, and plants: the migration of crested wheatgrass and smooth bromegrass to the Great Plains of North America. p. 35-45. In: Dietrich Werner (Ed.) Biological Resources and Migration. Springer-Verlag, Berlin.
- Osman Gulsen. 2004. Buffalograss: Their organelle DNA, chinch bug resistance variation, and peroxidase enzyme responses to chinch bug injury. Ph.D. Disseration. University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE.
- Frickel, G., D. Baltensperger, J. Margheim, and E. Nielsen. 2004. Development of Canaryseed Production in the Central High Plains of the United States. New directions for a diverse planet: Proceedings of the 4th International Crop Science Congress. Brisbane, Australia, 26 Sep-1 Oct 2004, CD-poster papers 2.1.3.1245_frickelg.
- Hanna, W. W., D. D. Baltensperger, and A Seetharam. 2004. Pearl Millet and Other Millets. p. 537-560. In: L.E. Moser, B. L. Burson, and L. E. Sollenberger (eds.). Warm-Season (C4) Grasses. ASA-CSSA-SSSA. Madison, WI.
- Baltensperger, D. and Y. Z. Cai. 2004. Minor Millet. p. 261-268. In: C. Wrigley, H. Corke, and C. E. Walker (eds.). Encyclopedia of Grain Science. Elsevier Science, Amsterdam.
- Baltensperger, D., J. Krall, D. Koch, D. Lyon, J. Nachtman, G. Frickel, J. Cecil, J. Margheim, E. Nielsen, P. Burgener, and J. Flake. 2004. The Role of the Universities of Nebraska and Wyoming in Development of Alternative Crops for the US High Plains. Innovation and change for agriculture and horticulture: New Crops Proceedings. Queensland, Australia, 20-24 Sep 2004, CD-NewCropsPreceedings, pg. 1-4.
|
|