Progress 09/01/09 to 12/31/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Obj. 1: 7123 loblolly and slash pines have been genotyped for 5380 SNPs (NCSU, TAMU, UFL). These genotypes have been used both for detection of associations with traits measured in previous studies and for newly measured traits, as well as for early evaluation of genomic selection methods. For Douglas-fir (OSU) the number of potential new SNPs found in all libraries was 278,979. A SNP array containing 8,769 ATBs was constructed and 5965 were found polymorphic and used to genotype 288 trees. Data are available at the CTGN link at http://dendrome.ucdavis.edu/resources/ downloads.php. Obj. 2: The tree breeding cycle was analyzed to determine the points at which MIB could be applied and then to define the manner in which MIB may be applied (i.e., forward or backward selection, informed breeding, informed project management applications, etc.). A manuscript is in preparation. A second approach was development of simulation software with Excel add-in Simetar to illustrate possible implementations of MIB and show how Monte Carlo simulation can be used to rank alternative breeding plans by expected economic returns. Obj. 3: A Plone content management system (Dendrome Plone) has been implemented for CTGN project content. Included at this location are updates of data, presentations, and education and extension activities. Genotype data delivered from Illumina are accumulated in the TreeGenes relational database and integrated with the available phenotypic data: the DNA Inventory/Sample Tracking Interface component is currently receiving the final phenotypic information for Douglas-fir and slash pine and the full phenotypes collected for loblolly pine have been uploaded to the databases and stored within TreeGenes. Obj. 4: There are three components to the stock center: (1) the Loblolly Pine Genetic Stock Center, a clonal archive at the Southern Institute of Forest Genetics, Southern Research Station near Saucier, Mississippi, (2) the Douglas-Fir Genetic Stock Center, a clonal archive at the Pacific Northwest Research Station near Corvallis, Oregon, and (3) the UC Davis Molecular Genetic Stocks Center, comprised of DNA stored in -80 degree C freezers. The latter is now served by a website: http://dendrome.ucdavis.edu/ftgsc/. Objs. 5 and 6: CTGN investigators published on-line a suite of new teaching modules, offered as part of the Plant Breeding and Genomics Community of Practice with eXtension and designed to serve as complementary teaching aids for University instructors or as stand-alone lessons for students, practitioners, or laypeople. The full list of modules can be found at http://www.extension. org/pages/60370/. The many training opportunities offered during the project are noted in the Participants block below. During the life of the project, PD and co-PDs delivered approximately 100 outreach presentations, including invited talks, class lectures, posters, talks to professional societies and at conferences. These are listed at the CTGN website at the Education and Extension page. Five editions of the CTGN newsletter were produced and all are available at the Reports page of the CTGN website. PARTICIPANTS: Opportunities for Training and Development Curriculum development Spring quarter, 2011, UC Davis: "Introduction to Forest Biology" - (ECL 298), developed by PD David Neale and targeted graduate students. Syllabus available at CTGN website/Education and Extension/Curriculum development page. Spring quarter, 2010, UC Davis: "Complex trait dissection and methods in marker-assisted breeding" (GGG 298), developed by PD David Neale and targeted graduate students. Winter quarter, 2009, OSU: "Association Genetics and Breeding" (3 quarter credits), organized and taught by co-PDs David Harry and Glenn Howe and featured guest lectures from PDs within the Conifer, Wheat, Barley, and Solanaceae CAP projects. Attended by 10 graduate students representing Forestry (4), Crop and Soil Science (3), Horticulture (1), and Animal Science (2). Course structure included 13 lectures (80 minutes), 3 class periods featuring data and software exercises, and 3 class periods for discussion topics. Fall quarter, 2009, NCSU: "Quantitative Forest Genetics Methods" (FOR 728), developed and taught by co-PD Fikret Isik, incorporated genomics-based selection using mixed models. Workshops and symposia June 26, 2011, Brazil: A one-day genomic selection workshop, offered to 90 participants by co-PDs Fikret Isik and Ross Whetten prior to the IUFRO 2011 Tree Biotechnology Conference - "From genomes to integration and delivery". June 22-24, 2011, UC Davis: CTGN investigators planned, hosted, and participated in a 3-day international symposium, largely dedicated to genomic-based breeding in forest trees. 64 attendees. May 16-20, 2011, NCSU: The 5-day workshop "Genetic Data Analysis in Forest Tree Breeding", offered to 19 participants, including scientists from Korea and Chile, teaching statistical methods for analysis of progeny test data and applications of molecular marker genotypes to tree breeding. Organized by co-PD Fikret Isik and taught by Isik, co-PD Ross Whetten, and others. June 15-19, 2009, UC Davis: Genomics shortcourse, with 24 participants, representing seven countries. The shortcourse consisted of ten modules (54 to 110 slides in length), six of which featured exercises allowed manipulation of data sets in relevant genomics software applications. July 13-14, 2010: The two-day workshop "Genomics for applied tree breeding and ecosystem management: Application in gene conservation and climate change" was held at the USFS Dorena Genetic Resource Center, Cottage Grove OR and tailored to the needs of government service individuals and well attended (22 persons) with representation from state and regional BLM and USFS offices (12), University Extension Research groups (2), private company breeders (2), and University scientists (3) and graduate students (2) from Oregon, Washington, California, Colorado, and Hawaii. Trainees NCSU, gradu student Jaime Zapata, research assistant Joshua Steiger, and Harold Mackin (2006 FFA Agriscience Teacher of the Year). Univ. of Florida, grad student Patricio Munoz. TAMU, grad students Tomasz Koralewski and Vikram Chhatre. Internships Katie Coates, lab tech, WSU Puyallup Research and Extension Station. Vikram Chhatre, grad student, TAMU. TARGET AUDIENCES: The target audience for the education and extension efforts of this project are cooperative tree improvement associations, breeders, the general public, academics, and students of forestry and genetics, primarily at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The primary vehicles for outreach to these groups are presentations by CTGN project personnel at conferences and in classrooms, workshops, conferences, electronically distributed newsletters, and a publicly available website (http://dendrome.ucdavis.edu/ctgn/). PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
The SNP data generated by the project and the tools and protocols for using them in breeding programs have been demonstrated and delivered to breeding coops beginning a transition phase where these programs can now use genome-wide SNP data for genomic selection in addition to traditional phenotypic selection. CTGN extension and education activities were the subject of ongoing research by the external evaluation consultant, Michael Coe of Cedar Lake Research Group in Portland OR. He conducted industry-wide surveys of tree improvement programs, interviewed tree improvement coop directors and staff members, and gathered feedback from participants in CTGN-sponsored events and workshops. In the final year, tree improvement coop member representatives and staff members completed a questionnaire about marker-informed methods in tree improvement and coop directors were interviewed on the status of marker-informed methods in the field. This information was analyzed and a final report was produced. Highlights of this report include the following points: Coop directors were uniformly positive about the CTGN contribution to research and development in marker-informed conifer breeding, as well as the enhanced communication and collaboration among researchers and breeders that was spurred by the project. Most of the programs are making long-term (e.g., 5-year) plans and investments aimed at restructuring their breeding populations or other operations in order to facilitate the use of more advanced marker-informed methods. These include designing crosses with complementary traits, accelerated introgression of alleles from different species, and improved efficiency in selection using specific markers or genomic (genome-wide) selection models. Some of these applications will require maintaining newly planted populations over time spans of many years before they are fully operational. There is need for more markers, implying that the basic research related to discovery and validation of markers will require more funding and more effort in order to complete the foundation needed for operational applications. Ancillary tools such as bioinformatics databases and software for statistical analysis, along with trained professionals to work with these large datasets, are also needed. Breeding programs face decisions about the extent to which they attempt to acquire and build these resources within their own operations vs. outsourcing to commercial vendors vs. "outsourcing" to collaborative partnerships. Structural changes in the wood products industry make it increasingly difficult for private industry to fund breeding and tree improvement programs generally, including both traditional and genomic approaches, since these represent long-term investments in an industry that is increasingly focused on near-term returns. New forms of public-private partnerships may be needed in order to realize the potential of 21st century conifer tree breeding and forest management.
Publications
- Wheeler N, Harry D. 2012. Linkage disequilibrium [Online Module 10]. Genomics in Tree Breeding and Forest Ecosystem Management, Conifer Translational Genomics Network. eXtension Foundation. [http://www.extension.org/pages/60394/conifer-translational-genomics- network-online-module-10:-linkage-disequilibrium]
- Wheeler N, Harry D. 2012. Association genetics [Online Module 11]. Genomics in Tree Breeding and Forest Ecosystem Management, Conifer Translational Genomics Network. eXtension Foundation. [http://www.extension.org/pages/60393/conifer-translational-genomics- network-online-module-11:-association-genetics]
- Wheeler N. 2012. Marker informed breeding - program management [Online Module 12]. Genomics in Tree Breeding and Forest Ecosystem Management, Conifer Translational Genomics Network. eXtension Foundation. Available at [http://www.extension.org/pages/61071/conifer-translational-genomics- network-online-module-12:-marker-informed-breeding-program-management ]
- Wheeler N, Harry D. 2012. Genetic mapping [Online Module 8]. Genomics in Tree Breeding and Forest Ecosystem Management, Conifer Translational Genomics Network. eXtension Foundation. [http://www.extension.org/pages/60392/conifer-translational-genomics- network-online-module-8:-genetic-mapping]
- Wheeler N, Harry D. 2012. Mapping quantitative trait loci (QTL) [Online Module 9]. Genomics in Tree Breeding and Forest Ecosystem Management, Conifer Translational Genomics Network. eXtension Foundation. [http://www.extension.org/pages/60395/conifer-translational-genomics- network-online-module-9:-mapping-quantitative-trait-loci-qtl]
- Wheeler N. 2012. Association discovery and evaluation [Online Module 13]. Genomics in Tree Breeding and Forest Ecosystem Management, Conifer Translational Genomics Network. eXtension Foundation. [http://www.extension.org/pages/61072/conifer-translational-genomics- network-module-13:-marker-information-breeding-association-discovery- a]
- Isik F. 2012. Using markers to predict breeding values [Online Module 14]. Genomics in Tree Breeding and Forest Ecosystem Management, Conifer Translational Genomics Network. eXtension Foundation. [http://www.extension.org/pages/63412/conifer-translational-genomics- network-online-module-14:-using-markers-to-predict-breeding-values]
- Whetten R. 2012. Genomic selection [Online Module 15]. Genomics in Tree Breeding and Forest Ecosystem Management, Conifer Translational Genomics Network. eXtension Foundation. [http://www.extension.org/pages/63413/conifer-translational-genomic-n etwork-online-module-15:-genomic-selection]
- Zapata-Valenzuela J, Isik F, Maltecca C, Wegryzn J, Neale D, McKeand S, Whetten R. 2012. SNP markers trace familial linkages in a cloned population of Pinus taeda--prospects for genomic selection. Tree Genetics and Genomes. Online: DOI 10.1007/s11295-012-0516-5.
- Neale D. 2011. Genomics-based breeding in forest trees: Are we there yet BMC Proceedings 5(Suppl 7):14.
- Munoz Del Valle PR, Huber DA, and Butnor, JR. 2011. Phenotypic analysis of first-year traits in a pseudo-backcross {(slash x loblolly) x slash} and the open-pollinated families of the pure-species progenitors. Tree Genetics and Genomes 7:183-192.
- Wheeler N, Harry D. 2012. Introduction [Online Module 1]. Genomics in Tree Breeding and Forest Ecosystem Management, Conifer Translational Genomics Network. eXtension Foundation. [http://www.extension.org/pages/60371/conifer-translational-genomics- network-online-module-1:-introduction]
- Wheeler N, Harry D. 2012. Genes, genomes, and Mendel [Online Module 2]. Genomics in Tree Breeding and Forest Ecosystem Management, Conifer Translational Genomics Network. eXtension Foundation. [http://www.extension.org/pages/60372/conifer-translational-genomics- network-online-module-2:-genes-genomes-and-mendel]
- Wheeler N, Harry D. 2012. Population genetics [Online Module 3]. Genomics in Tree Breeding and Forest Ecosystem Management, Conifer Translational Genomics Network. eXtension Foundation. [http://www.extension.org/pages/60376/conifer-translational-genomics- network-online-module-3:-population-genetics]
- Wheeler N, Harry D. 2012. Quantitative genetics [Online Module 4]. Genomics in Tree Breeding and Forest Ecosystem Management, Conifer Translational Genomics Network. eXtension Foundation. [http://www.extension.org/pages/60384/conifer-translational-genomics- network-online-module-4:-quantitative-genetics]
- Wheeler N, Harry D. 2012. Introduction to tree breeding and provenance trials [Online Module 5]. Genomics in Tree Breeding and Forest Ecosystem Management, Conifer Translational Genomics Network. eXtension Foundation. [http://www.extension.org/pages/60383/conifer-translational-genomics- network-online-module-5:-introduction-to-tree-breeding-and-provenance ]
- Wheeler N, Wegrzyn J, Harry D. 2012. Genetic markers [Online Module 6]. Genomics in Tree Breeding and Forest Ecosystem Management, Conifer Translational Genomics Network. eXtension Foundation. [http://www.extension.org/pages/60385/conifer-translational-genomics- network-online-module-6:-genetic-markers]
- Wheeler N, Harry D. 2012. Measuring, organizing, and interpreting marker variation [Online Module 7]. Genomics in Tree Breeding and Forest Ecosystem Management, Conifer Translational Genomics Network. eXtension Foundation. [http://www.extension.org/pages/60386/conifer-translational-genomics- network-online-module-7:-measuring-organizing-and-interpreting-marker ]
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Progress 09/01/10 to 08/31/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Output for Project year 2 (Sept. 1, 2010 through August 31, 2011): Obj. 1: 7123 loblolly and slash pines have been genotyped for 5380 SNPs (NCSU, TAMU, UFL). These genotypes have been used both for detection of associations with traits measured in previous studies and for newly measured traits, as well as for early evaluation of genomic selection methods. For Douglas-fir (OSU) the number of potential new SNPs found in all libraries was 450,483. A SNP array containing 9000 ATBs is now under construction and will be used to genotype 1152 trees. Data and phenotypes available at TreeGenes (http://dendrome.ucdavis.edu/treegenes/). Obj. 2: The tree breeding cycle was analyzed to determine the points at which MIB could be applied and then to define the manner in which MIB may be applied (i.e., forward or backward selection, informed breeding, informed project management applications, etc.). A manuscript is in preparation. A second approach was development of simulation software with Excel add-in Simetar to illustrate possible implementations of MIB and show how Monte Carlo simulation can be used to rank alternative breeding plans by expected economic returns. Obj. 3: A Plone content management system (Dendrome Plone) has been implemented for CTGN project content. Included at this location are updates of data, presentations, and education and extension activities. Genotype data delivered from Illumina are accumulated in the TreeGenes relational database and integrated with the available phenotypic data: the DNA Inventory/Sample Tracking Interface' component is currently receiving the final phenotypic information for Douglas-fir and slash pine and the full phenotypes collected for loblolly pine have been uploaded to the databases and stored within TreeGenes. Obj. 4: There are three components to the stock center: (1) the Loblolly Pine Genetic Stock Center, a clonal archive at the Southern Institute of Forest Genetics, Southern Research Station near Saucier, Mississippi, (2) the Douglas-Fir Genetic Stock Center, a clonal archive at the Pacific Northwest Research Station near Corvallis, Oregon, and (3) the UC Davis Molecular Genetic Stocks Center, comprised of DNA stored in -80 degree C freezers. The latter is now served by a website: http://dendrome.ucdavis.edu/ftgsc/. Objs. 5 and 6: CTGN investigators published on-line a suite of new teaching modules, offered as part of the Plant Breeding and Genomics Community of Practice with eXtension and designed to serve as complementary teaching aids for University instructors or as stand-alone lessons for students, practitioners, or laypeople. The full list of modules can be found at http://www.extension. org/pages/60370/. In this project year, PD and co-PDs delivered approximately 26 outreach presentations, including invited talks, class lectures, posters, talks to professional societies and at conferences. These are listed at the CTGN website at the Education and Extension page. A fourth edition of the CTGN newsletter was released in March, 2011 and is available at the Reports page of the CTGN website. PARTICIPANTS: Spring quarter, 2011: At UC Davis, , the course "Introduction to Forest Biology" - (ECL 298), was developed by PD David Neale, and targeted graduate students. The course syllabus is available at the CTGN website at the Education and Extension/Curriculum development page. May 16-20, 2011: The 5-day workshop "Genetic Data Analysis in Forest Tree Breeding" was offered to 19 participants, including scientists from Korea and Chile, teaching statistical methods for analysis of progeny test data and applications of molecular marker genotypes to tree breeding. It was organized by CTGN co-PD Fikret Isik and taught by Isik, co-PD Ross Whetten, and two colleagues at NCSU. June 22-24, 2011: CTGN investigators planned, hosted, and participated in a 3-day international symposium, largely dedicated to genomic-based breeding in forest trees, held at UC Davis. There were 64 attendees. June 26, 2011: A one-day genomic selection workshop was offered to 90 participants by PDs Isik and Whetten in Brazil prior to the IUFRO 2011 Tree Biotechnology Conference - "From genomes to integration and delivery". TARGET AUDIENCES: The target audience for the education and extension efforts of this project are cooperative tree improvement associations, breeders, the general public, academics, and students of forestry and genetics, primarily at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The primary vehicles for outreach to these groups are presentations by CTGN project personnel at conferences and in classrooms, workshops, conferences, electronically distributed newsletters, and a publicly available website. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
The SNP data generated by the project and the tools and protocols for using them in breeding programs have been demonstrated and delivered to breeding coops leading to the beginning of a transition phase where these programs can now use genome-wide SNP data for genomic selection in addition to traditional phenotypic selection. CTGN extension and education activities were the subject of ongoing research by our external evaluation consultant, Michael Coe of Cedar Lake Research Group in Portland, Oregon. There have been industry-wide surveys of tree improvement programs, interviews with tree improvement coop directors and staff members, and feedback gathered from participants in CTGN-sponsored events and workshops. In summer 2011, tree improvement coop member representatives and staff members were offered a chance to contribute their current thoughts and recommendations about future directions by completing a questionnaire about marker-informed methods in tree improvement; coop directors were invited to participate in interviews on the status of marker-informed methods in the field. This information is under analysis.
Publications
- Neale D (2011) Genomics-based breeding in forest trees: Are we there yet BMC Proceedings 5(Suppl 7):14.
- Jayawickrama KJS, Ye TZ, and Howe GT (2011) Heritabilities, intertrait genetic correlations, GxE interaction and predicted genetic gains for acoustic velocity in mid-rotation coastal Douglas-fir. Silvae Genet. 60:1-18.
- Munoz Del Valle PR, Huber DA, and Butnor, JR (2011) Phenotypic analysis of first-year traits in a pseudo-backcross {(slash x loblolly) x slash} and the open-pollinated families of the pure-species progenitors. Tree Genetics and Genomes 7:183-192.
- Echt CS, Saha A, Krutovsky KV, Wimalanathan K, Erpelding JE, Liang C, and Nelson CD (2011) An annotated genetic map of loblolly pine based on microsatellite and cDNA markers. BMC Genetics 12:17.
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Progress 09/01/09 to 08/31/10
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Obj. 1: 3,975 loblolly pine DNA samples from the three cooperatives involved with loblolly pine have been successfully genotyped by Illumina. Genotypes for about 4,800 useful SNP loci in a set of about 1,500 trees from NC State were obtained. Associations between parental breeding values and SNPs in the first and second generation populations are being analyzed. Because the East Texas loblolly pine breeding population is subdivided into breeding groups based purely on administrative considerations, efforts were shifted to characterizing the distribution of genetic variation within the breeding population and between individual trees and families. The CFGRP in Florida works primarily with slash pine (Pinus elliottii), secondarily with loblolly pine (P. taeda), and recently, has developed a hybridization program between the two species. SNP markers developed in the CTGN project are being used for an array of applications in the CFGRP tree improvement program. Douglas-fir transcriptome sequencing (454 and Illumina Genome Analyzer) has been underway to increase the number of SNP markers for Douglas-fir. Obj. 2: The NCSU team has been working on several analytical tools to incorporate SNP markers in estimations of breeding values using routine BLUP analyses. Obj. 3: A Plone content management system (Dendrome Plone) has been implemented for CTGN project content. Included at this location are updates of data, presentations, and education and extension activities. Genotype data delivered from Illumina are accumulated in the TreeGenes relational database and integrated with the available phenotypic data for these same individuals. Obj. 4: There are three components to the stock center at this time: (1) the Loblolly Pine Genetic Stock Center, a clonal archive at the Southern Institute of Forest Genetics, Southern Research Station near Saucier, Mississippi, (2) the Douglas-Fir Genetic Stock Center, a clonal archive at the Pacific Northwest Research Station near Corvallis, Oregon, and (3) the UC Davis Molecular Genetic Stocks Center, comprised of DNA stored in -80 degree C freezers. Obj. 5: A two-day workshop focused primarily on the application of genomics in the characterization and management of natural populations with an applied breeding element was held July 13-14, 2010 at the USDA Forest Service's Dorena Genetic Resource Center in Cottage Grove, OR and delivered information for geneticists and natural resource managers from regional Federal Agencies and others. The set of ten modules developed for the original CTGN workshop (UC Davis, June 15-19, 2009) is being revised into a 16-module set that will be available online, and possibly through eXtension, for long-term educational purposes. Obj. 6: Since the initiation of the AFRI-supported project (Sept. 1, 2009), PD and co-PDs have delivered nearly 19 outreach presentations, including invited talks, class lectures, posters, talks to professional societies and at conferences. These are listed at the CTGN website at the Education and Extension page. Three editions of the CTGN newsletter have been released, widely distributed electronically, and made available at the Reports page of the CTGN website. PARTICIPANTS: "Genomics for Applied Tree Breeding and Ecosystem Management--With Application to Gene Conservation and Climate Change"---July 13-14, 2010 This two-day workshop focused primarily on the application of genomics in the characterization and management of natural populations with an applied breeding element. It was hosted by the USDA Forest Service's Dorena Genetic Resource Center in Cottage Grove, Oregon and delivered information for geneticists and natural resource managers from regional Federal Agencies and others. At UC Davis - Spring quarter, 2010, the course "Complex trait dissection and methods in marker-assisted breeding" (GGG 298), was developed by PD David Neale, and targeted graduate students. The course syllabus is available at the CTGN website at the Education and Extension/Curriculum development page. TARGET AUDIENCES: The target audience for the education and extension efforts of this project are cooperative tree improvement associations, breeders, the general public, academics, and students of forestry and genetics, primarily at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The primary vehicles for outreach to these groups are presentations by CTGN project personnel at conferences and in classrooms, workshops, conferences, electronically distributed newsletters, and a publicly available website. Since the initiation of the AFRI-supported project (Sept. 1, 2009), PD and co-PDs have delivered nearly 19 outreach presentations, including invited talks, class lectures, posters, talks to professional societies and at conferences. These are listed at the CTGN website at the Education and Extension page. A two-day workshop focused primarily on the application of genomics in the characterization and management of natural populations with an applied breeding element was held July 13-14, 2010 at the USFS Dorena Genetic Resource Center in Cottage Grove, OR and delivered information for geneticists and natural resource managers from regional Federal Agencies and others. Planning for an international symposium (Genomics-Based Breeding in Forest Trees-- June 22-24, 2011) is underway and it is now open for registration. It will focus on the application of markers in tree breeding featuring plenary speakers from leading agricultural, horticultural, and animal improvement programs utilizing molecular marker technologies. The venue at UC Davis has been selected, second announcements with registration information have been widely circulated, and a registration page has been established at the CTGN website reachable from the Events page. Three editions of the CTGN newsletter have been released, widely distributed electronically, and made available at the Reports page of the CTGN website. The CTGN website (http://dendrome.ucdavis.edu/ctgn) has undergone a notable format change and acquired considerable new content. The CTGN CAP is thoroughly described in the material found at the Home, Description, and Organization links while details on the CTGN team, including quick email access, may be found at the People link. The Education and Extension link provides easy access to a broad spectrum of information, including announcements for Project-supported internships and the international Symposium on Genomics in Tree Breeding that we will host in June of 2011. Access to teaching materials used in the 2009 Shortcourse and graduate-level courses offered at three of our participating institutions is also provided. Finally, we have enumerated all outreach presentations made by Project staff and provided detailed, professional evaluation reports on all our major education and extension activities. All past Project progress reports and newsletters are located at the Reports link and fact sheets and literature reviews are available at the Resources link. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
The SNP data generated by the project have been delivered to breeding coops leading to the beginning of a transition phase where these programs will now use genome-wide SNP data for Genomic Selection in addition to traditional phenotypic selection. Since the initiation of the AFRI-supported project (Sept. 1, 2009), PD and co-PDs have delivered nearly 19 outreach presentations, including invited talks, class lectures, posters, talks to professional societies and at conferences. These are listed at the CTGN website at the Education and Extension page.
Publications
- Two additional editions of the CTGN newsletter have been released in the past year (February and June, 2010) and are available at the Reports page of the CTGN website.
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