Source: TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY submitted to
QUANTITATIVE GENETICS AND MAIZE BREEDING
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
TERMINATED
Funding Source
HATCH
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
0219546
Grant No.
(N/A)
Project No.
TEX09348
Proposal No.
(N/A)
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Program Code
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Aug 3, 2009
Project End Date
Aug 2, 2014
Grant Year
(N/A)
Project Director
Murray, S.
Recipient Organization
TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY
750 AGRONOMY RD STE 2701
COLLEGE STATION,TX 77843-0001
Performing Department
Soil & Crop Sciences
Non Technical Summary
Many genes contribute quantitatively to how a plant looks and behaves. This project investigates genetics important for plant appearance and behavior and then uses this information for improving crops for a variety of traits and systems. A primary end goal is to improve maize (Zea mays L.) inbred lines through breeding for production in the wide range of environments found in Texas. Traits of interest for improvement include yield, agronomics, tolerance and resistance to stress, adaptation, improved nutrition, nutrient use efficiency and improved disease resistance. A specific breeding objective is improved resistance to Aspergillus flavus, which colonizes and produces aflatoxin in maize. In addition to being a major health hazard, the loss liability to Texas maize producers in 2008 from mycotoxins (primarily aflatoxin) was over $30 million (RMA-USDA). Additional genetic traits for long term improvement include tillering ability, perennial growth habit, biomass production, photoperiodism, and stem sugar accumulation. The three products of this program are increased understanding of relevant genetic phenomenon and the dissemination of this information (molecular quantitative genetics), improved germplasms to be delivered to industry (maize breeding for south central states), and most importantly well trained graduate students that can make valuable contributions to industry, academia, and/ or government (educating and training future generations of plant breeders).
Animal Health Component
(N/A)
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
(N/A)
Developmental
(N/A)
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
2011510108010%
2012030108010%
2011510209010%
2021510108110%
2021510209010%
2031510108110%
2041510108110%
2061510108110%
2121510108110%
7121510108110%
Knowledge Area
202 - Plant Genetic Resources; 712 - Protect Food from Contamination by Pathogenic Microorganisms, Parasites, and Naturally Occurring Toxins; 204 - Plant Product Quality and Utility (Preharvest); 203 - Plant Biological Efficiency and Abiotic Stresses Affecting Plants; 212 - Pathogens and Nematodes Affecting Plants; 201 - Plant Genome, Genetics, and Genetic Mechanisms; 206 - Basic Plant Biology;

Subject Of Investigation
2030 - Sweet sorghum; 1510 - Corn;

Field Of Science
1080 - Genetics; 2090 - Statistics, econometrics, and biometrics; 1081 - Breeding;
Goals / Objectives
Molecular Quantitative Genetics G1: Identify genetic relationships between grain maize lines and use various genetic mapping techniques to identify loci of importance for relevant phenotypic traits. G2: Develop and investigate populations to understand the genetic basis of stem sugar accumulation, tillering ability, perennial growth habit and photoperiod sensitivity in the C4 grasses: maize, sorghum and sugarcane. G3: Use computer simulations and bioinformatics to increase knowledge for protocols of genetic investigation and plant breeding methodology. Maize Breeding for South Central States B1: Introgress exotic maize alleles to increase the genetic diversity of US maize germplasm. B2: Improve tolerance and resistance to biotic (mycotoxins- especially aflatoxin) and abiotic stresses (salinity, drought and heat) through breeding in addition to genetics. B3: Develop maize inbreds and populations with improved quality and processing properties for foods, feeds, and industrial products while also having improved agronomics for Texas production. B4: Use molecular techniques such as marker assisted selection and genomic assisted selection (where feasible), to facilitate the selection of economically important traits. Education E1: Include graduate students on projects for training and experience. E2: Jointly develop projects initiated by graduate students to deliver scientifically well-rounded, self-motivated and confident leaders of breeding and genetics for the future. Techniques: To accomplish these objectives in an effective manner, techniques must first be developed for the program that will reduce burdens in cost, labor and time. T1: Develop/select a common genetic marker screening platform. T2: Develop data handling pipelines to track and link germplasm with phenotypic and genotypic information. T3: Develop methods of rapid phenotypic analysis, especially for aflatoxin, such as near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). T4: Develop methods to evaluate and increase safety in the handling of aflatoxin contaminated material. Major outputs will include improved germplasm for Texas, well trained graduate students, professional presentations, and journal publications.
Project Methods
Exotic (tropical, subtropical, and wild) germplasm and some temperate germplasm will be used to generate segregating populations with adapted material. Molecular markers, mostly single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) will be employed on these populations for various types of QTL mapping (linkage mapping, association mapping, selection mapping) and genomic selection where appropriate. Inbred lines will also be developed from these populations through pedigree breeding and marker assisted selection. Selected inbreds will be crossed to appropriate testers, including up to five transgenic testers in cooperation with industry breeding programs. A Fall/Winter nursery in Weslaco, TX will be used to rapidly advance material. These test hybrid evaluations will be conducted in up to 13 Texas environments for adaptation, maturity, grain yield, tolerance to stresses, resistance to mycotoxins, composition, and kernel quality for determining inbred superiority. In addition, inbreds and hybrids will be evaluated under stress environments including limiting irrigation, limiting fertilization, late planting, increased salinity and inoculation with A. flavus. Near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) calibrations will be developed and used to more rapidly identify material resistant to A. flavus colonization and those with improved kernel quality. Specific kernel quality traits of interest will include improved protein (quality protein maize - QPM), red and blue colors, increased endosperm hardness, and superior micronutrient profiles. Molecular fingerprinting data will be used to classify inbreds and to choose parental lines for breeding populations. Computer simulations of population development and selection will be performed to refine genetics and breeding methodology. Graduate students will be involved in all of these processes. Major outputs will include improved germplasm for Texas, well trained graduate students, professional presentations, and journal publications.

Progress 08/03/09 to 08/02/14

Outputs
Target Audience: Texas and US Corn producers, corn breeding companies, corn seed companies, plant breeders, plant geneticists, students, food consumers. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Over the life of the project there have been over 15 graduate students, over 15 undergraduate students, one visiting professor and two high school workers trained and educated on this project. Additionally there have been multiple technical support staff trained. Many of the publications and research results of this project were led by or contributed to by these students. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Peer reviewed publications; international, national, regional and local presentations; program websites; email, phone and personal interactions with stakeholders. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? There were many accomplishments from this project that have been well documented by the publications, presentations and students trained. There were additional discoveries that have led to ongoing work now conducted in other projects that are not immediately publishable, especially during the scope of this projects lifespan. Specifically thousands of inbred germplasm lines have been developed and tested through the life of this project. While only a few of these are suitable for eventual release and distribution, much has been learned about what parentage does and does not work to improve maize under Texas conditions. A number of new methods and techniques were developed to increase speed, accuracy and/or throughput of the breeding process and some of these are still being used and tested. One example is the calibrations for near infrared spectroscopy which are now used routinely in the program.

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Warburton, M.L., W.P. Williams, G.Windham, S.C. Murray, W. Xu, L. Hawkins, and J. Franco. 2013. Phenotypic and genetic characterization of a maize association mapping panel 1 developed for the identification of new sources of resistance to Aspergillus flavus and aflatoxin accumulation. Crop Science. 53:23742383.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Murray, S.C., P. Eckhoff, L. Wood, and A.H. Paterson. 2013. Toward rapid genetic advancement in agricultural species via cycling of gametes in vitro. Nature Biotechnology 31, 877880.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Henry, W. Brien, Michael H. Blanco, Dennis E. Rowe, Gary L. Windham, Seth C. Murray, and W. Paul Williams. 2014. Diallel analysis of diverse maize germplasm lines for agronomic characteristics. Crop Science. 54:25472556.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Mahan, A.L., S.C. Murray*, P.E. Klein, 2014. Comparison of mapping population design and analysis of blue aleurone in a 4-way maize cross. National Association of Plant Breeders Annual Meeting, Minneapolis, MN. 8/3-8/5/2014. (poster)


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

Outputs
Target Audience: Texas and US Corn producers, corn breeding companies, corn seed companies, plant breeders, plant geneticists, students, food consumers. Changes/Problems: Mr. Jacob Pekar has replaced Mr. Jeffery Savage as the Research Assistant with this project. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Five graduate students, four undergraduate students, one visiting professor, one high school worker, and two technical support staff were associated with this project this year and gained both training and personal development. Many of the publications and research results of this project were led by or contributed to by these students. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Peer reviewed publications; international, national, regional and local presentations; program websites; email, phone and personal interactions with stakeholders. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? In the next period we plan to formally release a number of breeding lines; continue development and testing of new lines and hybrids; complete mapping of the large four-way cross population and begin mapping of other populations; develop high-throughput field-based phenotyping capabilities; develop cycling of gametes in vitro (COGIV) technology; publish papers and train students.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Maize Breeding for South Central States: For a second year an increased focus was placed on testing advanced elite inbred breeding material from the program with commercially relevant testers to determine applicability to hybrid production. 13 yellow inbred lines, five white inbred lines, 10 red and blue colored inbred lines and 6 QPM inbred lines have had sufficient data collected and demonstrate usefulness to justify a formal release. These advanced lines among others have been developed from crosses between elite tropical/sub-tropical materials crossed with adapted temperate material; they have been selected for improvements in yield, heat and drought tolerance and decreased aflatoxin accumulation. New yellow and white lines selected from selfing late flowering tropical populations were tested as hybrids for the first year and demonstrated good to outstanding yield and stress resistance. New populations were developed from crossing known sources of aflatoxin resistance including those lines being prepared for release in various crosses for breeding and genetic mapping. Continued effort has been made on incorporating colored maize alleles, shown to have higher antioxidents, into ex-PVP and elite TAMU lines. Some effort has been made on crossing with wild relatives and selecting perennial maize and sorghum germplasm. Molecular Quantitative Genetics: Continued focus was placed on developing and phenotyping and genotyping a mapping population using different line-cross schemes and including a four-way cross with intermating comprising over 1200 lines. SNPs have been obtained on a few hundred of these lines using genotyping by sequencing approaches. Under a USDA-NIFA-AFRI funded project we completed association mapping to identify loci affecting aflatoxin and yield under drought in maize and the manuscript has been submitted, additionally multiple isogenic lines have been developed for testing. Education: Multiple graduate students continue to develop diverse research projects and are being trained and gaining experience in plant breeding research. Techniques: An additional ~1000 breeding samples were scanned using near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). Calibrations continue to be develop for rapidly quantifying aflatoxin in maize using NIRS as well as starch, oil, protein, antioxidents and amino acids.

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: De La Fuente, G.N, S.C. Murray, T. Isakeit, Y.-S. Park, Y. Yan, M. Warburton, and M.V. Kolomiets. 2013. Characterization of Genetic Diversity and Linkage Disequilibrium of ZmLOX4 and ZmLOX5 Loci in Maize. PLoS ONE 8(1): e53973.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Mahan, A.L. S.C. Murray, L.W. Rooney, and K.M. Crosby. 2013. Combining Ability for Total Phenols and Secondary Traits in a Diverse Set of Colored (Red, Blue, and Purple) Maize. Crop Science 53:1248-1255.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Washburn, J.D., D.K. Whitmire, , S.C. Murray, B.L. Burson, T.A. Wickersham, J.J. Heitholt, and R.W. Jessup. 2013 Estimation of rhizome composition and over-wintering ability in perennial Sorghum spp. using near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). BioEnergy Research 6:822829
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Meeks M., S.C. Murray, S. Hague, and D. Hays. 2013. Measuring maize seedling drought response in search of tolerant germplasm. Agronomy 3:135-147.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Isakeit T., S. Murray, J. Savage, and R. McHugh. 2013. Aflatoxin and fumonisin in transgenic corn hybrids in Burleson County, Texas, 2012. Plant Disease Management Reports 7:FC030
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Barerro, I.D.F., S.C. Murray, D. Pietsch, and S. Labar. 2013. A multi-environment trial analysis of commercial maize shows a slight grain yield improvement in Texas. Field Crops Research. 149:167-176.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Murray, S.C., P. Eckhoff, L. Wood, and A.H. Paterson. 2013. Toward Rapid Genetic Advancement in Agricultural Species via Cycling of Gametes in Vitro. Nature Biotechnology. 31:877880.
  • Type: Book Chapters Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Murray, S.C. 2012. Differentiation of seed, sugar, and biomass-producing genotypes in Saccharinae species. In A.H. Paterson (ed.) Genetics and Genomics of the Saccharinae. Springer. p. 479-502.
  • Type: Book Chapters Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2013 Citation: De La Fuente, G.N, I. Barrero, S.C. Murray, T. Isakeit, M.V. Kolomiets. (accepted) Improving Maize Production Under Drought Stress: Traits, Screening Methods, and Environments. In M. Pessarakli (ed.) Handbook of Plant and Crop Stress. Taylor & Francis.
  • Type: Other Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2013 Citation: Pietsch, D., O. Arthur, K. Horn, R. Schnell, S.C. Murray 2013. 2013 Corn Performance Tests in Texas. Texas AgriLife Research publication
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Murray, S.C. 2013. Breeding and genetics of maize for a changing climate: heat, drought, and aflatoxin stress. Next Generation Plant Breeding Symposium. Manhatten, KS. 4/2/2013.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Barrero, I.D., G.N. De La Fuente, M. Warburton, W.P. Williams and S.C. Murray 2013. Association Mapping Analysis for Drought and Aflatoxin in Maize using a Tropical and Sub-Tropical panel. Maize Meeting. St. Charles, IL. 3/14-17/2013.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Kanchi, R.S., S.C. Murray, N. Lauter, and R.J. Wisser 2013. Numerical optimization of a marker-assisted backcrossing scheme for introgression library construction in maize. Maize Meeting. St. Charles, IL. 3/14-17/2013.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Rogers, K., T. Weldekidan, G. Muttoni, N. de Leon, S. Flint-Garcia, J. Brewer, D. Horne, J. Holland, N. Lauter, S.C. Murray, W. Xu, and R.J. Wisser. 2013. A parallel selection experiment aimed at elucidating the genetic architecture of tropical to temperate adaptation. Maize Meeting. St. Charles, IL. 3/14-17/2013.


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

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Maize Breeding for South Central States: An increased focus was placed this year on testing advanced elite inbred breeding material from the program with commercially relevant testers to determine applicability to hybrid production. Although most have been selected for improved abiotic and biotic stress tolerance they must have acceptable yield to be adapted by growers. Our advanced material consists of inbred lines that have been developed from crosses between elite tropical/sub-tropical materials crossed with adapted temperate material and were selected for improvements in yield, heat and drought tolerance and decreased aflatoxin accumulation. Exotic maize alleles continue to be introgressed to increase the genetic diversity of US maize germplasm and numerous new inbred lines have been developed from tropical maize populations. These exotic introgressions and lines are especially related to improved resistance to biotic (mycotoxins - especially aflatoxin) and abiotic stresses (drought, heat and salinity). Additional inbreds and populations with improved quality and processing properties for foods, feeds, and industrial products with improved agronomics for Texas production are also being developed, advanced and tested. Some effort has been made on incorporating colored maize alleles, shown to have higher antioxidents, into ex-PVP and elite TAMU lines. Some effort has been made on crossing with wild relatives and selecting perennial maize and sorghum germplasm. Molecular Quantitative Genetics: This year a large focus was placed on developing and characterizing a mapping population using different line-cross schemes and including a four-way cross with intermating. The four parents include one aflatoxin resistant inbred, two colored maize inbreds, and one high-oleic acid inbred. DNA has been extracted from many of these lines and we hope to genotype and phenotype this material to map QTL for parental traits in the following year. Additionally under a USDA-NIFA-AFRI project we are using association mapping to identify loci affecting aflatoxin and drought in maize. Education: Multiple graduate students continue to develop diverse research projects and are being trained and gaining experience in plant breeding research. The graduate level course that was developed on molecular quantitative genetics in plant breeding has been revised and is developed for distance education. Techniques: Over 10,000 samples have now been scanned using near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). 2300 of these samples have aflatoxin measurements or other ratings of Aspergillus flavus. Calibrations have been and continue to be develop for rapidly quantifying aflatoxin in maize using NIRS as well as starch, oil, protein, antioxidents and amino acids. PARTICIPANTS: Direct Participants: Seth Murray (Assistant Professor), Adam Mahan (MS/PhD student), Gerald De La Fuente (MS student), Ivan Barrero (PhD student), Rupa Kanchi (PhD student), Jeffrey Savage (Research Associate/ MS student), Jacob Washburn (MS student), 5 undergraduate student workers, 2 high school summer student workers Other collaborators: Beto Garza (Texas A&M), Thomas Isakeit (Texas A&M), Mike Kolomiets (Texas A&M), Matthew Krakowsky (USDA-ARS), Stephen Kresovich (University of South Carolina), Gary Odvody (Texas AgriLife), Dennis Pietch (Texas A&M), William Rooney (Texas A&M), M. Paul Scott (USDA-ARS), Texas Corn Producers Board, Wilfred Vermerris (University of Florida), Marilyn Warburton (USDA-ARS), Gary Windham (USDA-ARS), Paul Williams (USDA-ARS), Randall Wisser (University of Delaware), Wenwei Xu (Texas Tech), Hongbin Zhang (Texas A&M), TARGET AUDIENCES: Texas and US Corn producers, corn breeding companies, corn seed companies, plant breeders, plant geneticists, students, food consumers. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Kerry Mayfield graduated and took a new job so he is no longer with this project.

Impacts
Advanced germplasm and inbred lines: New inbred lines have demonstrated an ability to develop commercial quality hybrids and a release path is being charted to put these into the hands of growers. Genetic loci affecting variation in aflatoxin and drought have been identified which can be used for marker assisted selection Improved understanding of phenotypic measurements for drought tolerance. Three students have published their findings and received their graduate degrees. Publications/ presentations.

Publications

  • Felderhoff, T., S.C. Murray, P.E. Klein, A. Sharma, M.T. Hamblin, S. Kresovich, W. Vermerris , and W.L. Rooney. 2012. QTLs for energy-related traits in a sweet x grain sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] mapping population. Crop Science 52:2040-2049.
  • Washburn, J.D., S.C. Murray, B.L. Burson, R.R. Klein, R.W. Jessup. 2012. Targeted mapping of QTL regions for rhizomatousness in Chr 1 and analysis of overwintering in a Sorghum bicolor x S. propinquum population. Molecular Breeding. DOI: 10.1007/s11032-012-9778-8.
  • Henry, W.B., D.E. Rowe, G.L. Windham, M.H. Blanco, S.C. Murray, and W.P. Williams. 2012. Diallel analysis of diverse maize germplasm lines for resistance to aflatoxin accumulation. Crop Science. doi: 10.2135/cropsci2012.04.0240
  • Murray, S.C. 2012. Differentiation of seed, sugar, and biomass-producing genotypes in Saccharinae species. In A.H. Paterson (ed.) Genetics and Genomics of the Saccharinae. Springer. p. 479-502.
  • De La Fuente, G.N, S.C. Murray, T.Isakeit, Y.-S. Park, Y. Yan, M. Warburton and M.V. Kolomiets. 2013. Characterization of Genetic Diversity and Linkage Disequilibrium of ZmLOX4 and ZmLOX5 Loci in Maize. PLoS One. (in press)
  • Mahan, A.L. S.C. Murray, L.W. Rooney, and K.M. Crosby. 2013. Diallel mating to determine combining ability for important economic, agronomic, and compositional traits in a diverse set of colored (red, blue, purple) maize. Crop Science. (in press)
  • Collier, S.M., E.C. Brummer, W.T. Barber, T.S. Cox, R. Johnson, S.C. Murray, R.T. Olsen, R.C. Pratt, and A.M.Thro 2012. A response to Honnay et al. (Letter). Frontiers of Ecology and the Environment. 10(3): 121-122
  • Pietsch, D., O. Arthur, K. Horn, R. Schnell, S.C. Murray 2012. 2012 Corn Performance Tests in Texas. Texas AgriLife Research publication SCS-2012-13.
  • Murray, S.C. 2012. Schemes for efficient realization of effective recombination events to enhance breeding progress. Illinois Maize Breeders School. 3/5-6/2012 Champaign, IL.
  • Murray, S.C., M. Kolomeits, T. Isakeit, G. De La Fuente, I. Barerro. 2012. Improving maize against aflatoxin and drought: translational plant breeding, education, and extension. USDA Awardees Meeting - Plant and Animal Genome Conference. 1/13/2012
  • Bartek, M.S., S.C. Murray, P.E. Klein, J.E. Mullet, W.L. Rooney 2012. QTL for biomass yield and composition in energy sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench). SunGrant Conference. 10/2012
  • Mahan A.L.*, Murray S.C. 2012. Diallel Mating to Determine Combining Ability for Important Economic, Agronomic, and Compositional Traits in a Diverse Set of Colored (Red, Blue, Purple) Maize [Z. Mays]. ASA-CSSA-SSA Meeting. 10/21-10/24/2012
  • Warburton, M.*, W.P. Williams, L. Hawkins, E. Mylroie, S. Ozcan, X. Shan, P. Choury, E. Schmelz, A. Huffaker, S.C. Murray, M. Kolomiets, G.N. De La Fuente, B. Guo and D. Alves. 2012. Ongoing Results From a Candidate Gene Pipeline for Testing the Effect of DNA Sequences On Aflatoxin Accumulation and A. Flavus Resistance in Maize.ASA-CSSA-SSA Meeting. 10/21-10/24/2012
  • Henry, B.*, G.Windham, D. Rowe, M. Blanco, S. Murray and W.P. Williams. 2012. Diallel Analysis of Diverse Maize Germplasm Lines for Agronomic Characteristics and Resistance to Aflatoxin Accumulation. ASA-CSSA-SSA Meeting. 10/21-10/24/2012
  • Wisser, R.J.*, N. De Leon, S. Flint-Garcia, J. Holland, N. Lauter, S.C. Murray, W. Xu, T. Weldekidan, J. Teixeira, Y. Veturi, N. Kumar, K. Rogers, R. Kanchi, L. Peddicord, M. Lopez and S. Sood. 2012. The Maize ATLAS Project: Implementation of An Experimental Framework for Studying Adaptation. ASA-CSSA-SSA Meeting. 10/21-10/24/2012
  • Bartek, M.S., S.C. Murray, W.L. Rooney*, P.E. Klein, J.E. Mullet. 2012. QTL for biomass yield and composition in energy sorghum. NAPB Annual Meeting; Indianapolis, IN 8/6-8/8/2012
  • Murray, S.C.*, G.N. De La Fuente, I.D. Barrero-Farfan, M.L. Warburton, W. P.l Williams, G.L. Windham, Y.-S. Park, Y. Yan, T.Isakeit, M.V. Kolomiets. 2012. Genetic diversity in maize aflatoxin resistance and drought tolerance: Translation plant breeding, education and extension. NAPB Annual Meeting; Indianapolis, IN 8/6-8/8/2012
  • Xu, W. T. Gaus, T. Marek, S. Murray, P. Williams, and G. Odvody. 2012. Exploring Native Resistance Genes to Develop Aflatoxin Resistant Corn. Corn Utilization and Technology Conference in Indianapolis 6/ 4-6/6/2012
  • Saballos, A., J. Fear, T. Felderhoff, S.C. Murray, W.L. Rooney, S. Kresovich and W. Vermerris*, 2012. Elucidating the genetic basis of sugar accumulation in sweet sorghum using high-throughput gene expression profiling of heterogeneous inbred families. 34th Symposium on Biotechnology for Fuels and Chemicals 4/30 - 5/3.
  • Wisser R.J.*, Teixeira, J., T. Weldekidan, Y. Veturi, K. Rogers, J. Reiner, N. Kumar, R. Kanchi, L. Peddicord, M. Lopez, N. de Leon, S. Flint-Garcia, J. Holland, N. Lauter, S.C. Murray and W. Xu. 2012. The Maize ATLAS project: implementation of an experimental framework for studying adaptation. Maize Genetics Conference
  • Kanchi, R.*, S.C. Murray, N. Lauter and R.J. Wisser. 2012. Numerical optimization of a marker-assisted backcrossing scheme for introgression library construction. Maize Genetics Meeting.
  • De La Fuente, G., S.C. Murray*, M. Kolomiets, T. Isakeit and I. Barrero. 2012. Genetic diversity in members of the Z. mays lipoxygenase gene family and its utility in association mapping for drought tolerance and aflatoxin resistance. Plant and Animal Genome Meeting
  • Teixeira, J., T. Weldekidan, Y. Veturi, K. Rogers, J. Reiner, N. Kumar, R. Kanchi, L. Peddicord, M. Lopez, N. de Leon, S. Flint-Garcia, J. Holland, N. Lauter, S.C. Murray, W. Xu and R.J. Wisser*. 2012, The maize ATLAS project: implementation of an experimental framework for studying adaptation. Plant and Animal Genome Meeting


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

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Maize Breeding for South Central States: Exotic maize alleles continue to be introgressed to increase the genetic diversity of US maize germplasm. These are especially related to improved resistance to biotic (mycotoxins- especially aflatoxin) and abiotic stresses (drought, heat and salinity). Additional inbreds and populations with improved quality and processing properties for foods, feeds, and industrial products with improved agronomics for Texas production are also being developed, advanced and tested. *Molecular Quantitative Genetics: Progress was made on understanding the genetic basis of aflatoxin, height, flowering time and other agronomic and composition traits in a maize mapping population. An additional mapping population using a four-way cross with intermating is under development. A project using computer simulations to identify the best breeding schemes for increasing recombination was finished. *Education: Multiple graduate students continue to develop diverse research projects and are being trained and gaining experience in plant breeding research. The graduate level course that was developed on molecular quantitative genetics in plant breeding has been revised and is undergoing development for distance education. *Techniques: Over 9,000 samples have now been scanned using near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). 2300 of these samples have aflatoxin measurements or others ratings of Aspergillus. Calibrations have been and continue to be develop for rapidly quantifying aflatoxin in maize using NIRS as well as starch, oil, protein, antioxidents and amino acids. Respiratory monitoring for aflatoxin is currently being written up. PARTICIPANTS: *Direct Participants: Seth Murray (Assistant Professor), Adam Mahan (MS student), Gerald De La Fuente (MS student), Ivan Barrero (PhD student), Terry Felderhoff (MS student), Rupa Kanchi (PhD student), Jeffrey Savage (Research Associate), Jacob Washburn (MS student), Jim Wilborn (Research Associate), 3 undergraduate student workers, 2 high school summer student workers *Other collaborators: Thomas Isakeit (Texas A&M), Mike Kolomiets (Texas A&M), Matthew Krakowsky (USDA-ARS), Stephen Kresovich (University of South Carolina), Gary Odvody (Texas AgriLife), Dennis Pietch (Texas A&M), William Rooney ( Texas A&M), Wilfred Vermerris (University of Florida), Marilyn Warburton (USDA-ARS), Paul Williams (USDA-ARS), Randall Wisser (University of Delaware), Gary Windham (USDA-ARS), Wilfred Vermerris (University of Florida), Wenwei Xu (Texas Tech), Hongbin Zhang (Texas A&M) TARGET AUDIENCES: Texas and US Corn producers, corn breeding companies, corn seed companies, plant breeders, plant geneticists, students. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Kerry Mayfield graduated and took a new job so he is no longer with this project.

Impacts
*Advanced germplasm and inbred lines: New inbred lines were finished and are being tested with other elite lines to develop commercial quality hybrids. *The study modeling of effective recombination in maize breeding and genetics programs has been completed and submitted for publication. *Improved understanding of phenotypic measurements for drought tolerance: a MS thesis has been completed and two publications have been submitted. *Students trained. *Publications/ presentations.

Publications

  • Gaus, T.A. W. Xu, Y. Xue, S. Murray, W.P. Williams, G. Odvody, T. Marek 2011. Exotic Genes From Teosinte for Improving Grain Quality and Yield In Maize. ASA/CSSA/SSA. 10/16-19/2011 (poster)
  • Mayfield, K., F.J. Betran, T. Isakeit, G. Odvody, S.C. Murray*, W.L. Rooney, and J.C. Landivar. 2012. Registration of maize germplasm lines Tx736, Tx739, Tx740, for reducing preharvest aflatoxin accumulations. Journal of Plant Registrations 6:88-94.
  • Meeks, M., S.C. Murray*, S. Hague, D. Hays & A. M. H. Ibrahim. 2011 - in press. Genetic Variation for Maize Epicuticular Wax Response to Drought Stress at Flowering. J. Agronomy & Crop Science. doi: 10.1111/j.1439-037X.2011.00495.x
  • Brummer, E.C., W.T. Barber, S. Collier, T.S. Cox, R. Johnson, S.C. Murray*, R.T. Olsen, R.C. Pratt, and A.M. Thro. 2011. Plant breeding for harmony between agriculture and the environment. Frontiers of Ecology and Environment. 9(10): 561-568.
  • Boote, K.J., A.M.H. Ibrahim, R. Lafitte, R. McCulley, C. Messina, S.C. Murray, J.E. Specht, S. Taylor, M.E. Westgate, K. Glasener, C.G. Bijl, and J.H. Giese. 2011. Position Statement on Crop Adaptation to Climate Change. Crop Science 51:2337-2343.
  • Mayfield, K.L., S.C. Murray*, W.L. Rooney, T. Isakeit, and G.A. Odvody. 2011. Confirmation of QTL reducing aflatoxin in maize testcrosses. Crop Science. 51:2489-2498.
  • Isakeit, T.*, S.C. Murray, and J.C. Wilborn. 2011. Efficacy of Afla-Guard (Aspergillus flavus NRRL 21882) to control mycotoxins on corn in Burleson County, Texas, 2010. Plant Disease Management Reports.
  • Isakeit, T.*, S.C. Murray, and K. Mayfield. 2011. Aflatoxin and fumonisin in transgenic corn hybrids in Burleson County, Texas, 2009. Plant Disease Management Reports.
  • Pietsch, D., Blumenthal, J., Murray, S., and Labar, S., 2011 Corn Performance Tests in Texas. Texas AgriLife Research publication.
  • Barrero-Farfan, I. D.*, S.C. Murray, D. Pietsch, and S. Labar. 2011. Metanalysis of the texas corn crop testing program. NAPB Annual Meeting; College Station, TX 5/13-25/2011 (poster)
  • De La Fuente, G.N.*, I. Barrero-Farfan, S.C. Murray, M. Kolomiets, T. Isakeit, and Y.S. Park. 2011 Improving drought tolerance and aflatoxin resistance in maize via altered lipid metabolism. NAPB Annual Meeting; College Station, TX 5/13-25/2011 (poster)
  • Felderhoff, T.J.*, W.L. Rooney, S.C. Murray, A.Sharma, P.E. Klein, M. Hamblin, and W. Vermerris. 2011. QTLs for energy related traits in a sweet x grain RIL sorghum population. NAPB Annual Meeting; College Station, TX 5/13-25/2011 (poster)
  • Murray, S.C.* 2011. Effective recombination in plant breeding and linkage mapping populations: testing models and mating schemes. NCC167 Corn Breeders Meeting. St. Charles, IL. 3/15-16/2011. (talk)
  • Murray S.C.*, G. De La Fuente, T. Isakeit, M.V. Kolomiets, K. Mayfield, G. Odvody, Y-S Park, M.L. Warburton, J.C. Wilborn, W.P. Williams, and G.L. Windham. 2011. Improving pre-harvest aflatoxin resistance in maize: new genetic and phenotypic approaches NCC167 Corn Breeders Meeting. St. Charles, IL. 3/15-16/2011. (talk)
  • Murray S.C.*, G. De La Fuente, T. Isakeit, M.V. Kolomiets, K. Mayfield, G. Odvody, Y-S Park, M.L. Warburton, J.C. Wilborn, W.P. Williams, and G.L. Windham. 2011. Techniques, technologies and approaches to improve maize aflatoxin resistance. Genetics of Maize Disease Workshop. Raleigh, NC. 2/20-23/2011. (invited talk)
  • Murray S.C.*, G. De La Fuente, M.V. Kolomiets, T. Isakeit, and Y-S Park. 2011. Maize aflatoxin resistance and drought tolerance; testing diverse alleles in the maize lipoxygenase genes LOX4 and LOX5 through association mapping. Genetics of Maize Disease Workshop. Raleigh, NC. 2/20-23/2011. (poster)
  • Murray, S.C.*, M. Kolomiets, T. Isakeit, and G.D. De La Fuente 2011. Improving drought tolerance and aflatoxin resistance in maize; education, extension, and translational breeding via altered lipid metabolism. USDA awardees meeting - Plant and Animal Genome Conference. (invited poster)
  • Vermerris,W.*, A. Saballos, T. Felderhoff, S.E. Mitchell, W.L. Rooney, S.C. Murray, S. Kresovich, J.F. Pedersen, S. Sattler, and Z. Xin. 2011. Genetic dissection of bioenergy traits in sorghum. DOE awardees meeting. Crystal City, VA. 4/10/2011. (invited talk)
  • Warburton, M.L.*, W.P. Williams, G.Windham, S.C. Murray, W. Xu, L.Hawkins, C. Daves, and B. Henry. 2011. Phenotypic characterization of a maize association mapping panel developed for the identification of Aspergillus flavus and aflatoxin accumulation resistance genes. ASA/CSSA/SSA. 10/16-19/2011 (talk)
  • Hague, S., E. Runge, S. Feagley, J. Aitkenhead-Peterson, C. Morgan, S. Murray, J. Foster, R. Vesey. 2011. Study Abroad Programs In the Department of Soil and Crop Sciences At Texas A&M University. ASA/CSSA/SSA. 10/16-19/2011 (poster)
  • Mahan, A.*, S.C. Murray, L. Rooney, and K. Crosby. 2011. Analysis of diverse colored maize lines (blue, red, purple) for food corn breeding. NAPB Annual Meeting; College Station, TX 5/13-25/2011 (poster)
  • Murray, S.C.* 2011. Effective recombination in plant breeding and linkage mapping populations: testing models and mating schemes. The Maize Genetics Conference. St. Charles, IL.3/17-20/2011. (poster)
  • Washburn, J. D., S. Murray, B. Burson, R. Jessup. 2011. Dissecting the Genetics of Rhizomatousness: Towards Sustainable Food, Forage, and Bioenergy. ASA/CSSA/SSA. 10/16-19/2011 (poster)
  • Wilborn, J.C.*, and S.C. Murray. 2011. Calibration development for whole corn grain phosphorus, crude protein, starch and fat content utilizing near infrared spectroscopy. NAPB Annual Meeting; College Station, TX 5/13-25/2011 (poster)
  • Yan, Y.*,Y.-S. Park, S. Christensen, E. Borrego, X. Gao, G. De la Fuente, K. Mayfield, S.C. Murray, H.Wilkinson, T. Isakeit, W.-B. Shim, R. Meeley, and M. Kolomiets. 2011. Modulating lipid-derived signaling to improve corn traits. NAPB Annual Meeting; College Station, TX 5/13-25/2011 (poster)


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

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Maize breeding for South Central states: Exotic maize alleles are being introgressed to increase the genetic diversity of US maize germplasm. These are especially related to improved tolerance and resistance to biotic (mycotoxins- especially aflatoxin) and abiotic stresses (salinity, drought and heat). Inbreds and populations with improved quality and processing properties for foods, feeds, and industrial products with improved agronomics for Texas production are also being developed. Molecular quantitative genetics: Progress has been made on developing improved resources to understand the genetic basis of stem sugar accumulation, tillering ability, perennial growth habit and photoperiod sensitivity in the C4 grasses. A project using computer simulations to identify the best breeding schemes for increasing recombination has been conducted. Education: Multiple graduate students have developed diverse research projects and are being trained and gaining experience in plant breeding research. Techniques: Over 7000 samples have now been scanned using near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). 1500 of these samples have aflatoxin measurements or others ratings of Aspergillus flavus. NIRS calibrations have been and continue to be developed for rapidly quantifying aflatoxin in maize. Respiratory monitoring of our aflatoxin screening procedures has been completed, analysis and writing will soon follow. PARTICIPANTS: Direct Participants: Seth Murray (Assistant Professor), Kerry Mayfield (Senior Research Associate / PhD student), Jim Wilborn (Research Associate), Meghyn Stalcup (MS student), Adam Mahan (MS student), Gerald De La Fuente (undergraduate / MS student), 2 undergraduate summer interns, 3 undergraduate student workers, 2 high school summer student workers Other collaborators: Thomas Isakeit (Texas A&M), Mike Kolomiets (Texas A&M), Matthew Krakowsky (USDA-ARS), Stephen Kresovich (University of South Carolina), Tom Pearson (USDA-ARS), Gary Odvody (Professor), William Rooney ( Texas A&M), Wilfred Vermerris (University of Florida), Marilyn Warburton (USDA-ARS), Paul Williams (USDA-ARS), Randall Wisser (University of Delaware), Gary Windham (USDA-ARS), Wilfred Vermerris (University of Florida), Wenwei Xu (Texas Tech), Hongbin Zhang (Texas A&M) We hosted a Texas AgriLife Research Corn Field Day to better get to know industry and producers locally. TARGET AUDIENCES: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Kerry Mayfield has since took another position and was replaced in this project by Mr. James Wilborn.

Impacts
Advanced germplasm and inbred lines: Inbred lines were finished and ready for additional testing. Three low aflatoxin accumulating lines, Tx736, Tx739 and Tx740 were submitted and approved for release, a publication has been submitted outlining these lines. The study modeling effective recombination in maize breeding and genetics programs has been completed and submitted for publication. Confirmation of a stem sugar QTL in sweet sorghum has been made in additional ways. Improved understanding of phenotypic measurements for drought tolerance: a MS thesis has been completed and two publications have been submitted. Multiple students were trained. Publications/ presentations have been submitted and accepted.

Publications

  • Glover, J.D., J.P. Reganold, L.W. Bell, J. Borevitz, E.C. Brummer, E.S. Buckler, C.M. Cox, T.S. Cox, T.E. Crews, S.W. Culman, L.R. DeHaan, D. Eriksson, B.S. Gill, J. Holland, F. Hu, B.S. Hulke, A.M.H. Ibrahim, W. Jackson, S.S. Jones, S.C. Murray, A.H. Paterson, E. Ploschuk, E.J. Sacks, S. Snapp, D. Tao, D.L. Van Tassel, L.J. Wade, D.L. Wyse, Y. Xu. 2010. Increased food and ecosystem security via perennial grains. Science 328:1638-1639.
  • Isakeit, T., S.C. Murray, and K. Mayfield. 2010. Efficacy of Afla-Guard (Aspergillus flavus NRRL 21882) to control aflatoxin on corn in Burleson County, Texas, 2009. Plant Disease Management Reports 4:FC081. www.plantmanagementnetwork.org/pub/trial/PDMR/reports/2010/FC081.pdf
  • Meeks, M. 2010. Two Approaches to Evaluate Drought Tolerance in Maize : Seedling Stress Response and Epicuticular Wax Accumulation. MS-Thesis (major adviser).
  • Murray, S.C., W. Xu, K.L. Mayfield. 2010. Identifying maize germplasm with extremely late flowering and photoperiod sensitivity in Texas. Maize Gen. News. V.84
  • Murray, S.C. 2010. Effective recombination in plant breeding and linkage mapping populations: testing models and mating schemes. ASA/CSSA/SSA
  • Murray, S.C. 2010. Modeling effective recombination in breeding and mapping populations for increasing crop improvement gain and QTL mapping resolution. Plant and Animal Genome Conference.
  • Pietsch, D., Blumenthal, J., Murray, S., and Labar, S., 2010 Corn Performance Tests in Texas.


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

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Multiple new objectives were simultaneously begun under this new project. *To address concerns in the throughput and cost of quantifying aflatoxin contamination of corn breeding material we have begun developing near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) calibration for aflatoxin. Using the A. flavus inoculated and quantified samples collected under the previous project (CRIS NUMBER: 0219546 / PROJECT NUMBER: TEX08597) we have developed preliminary calibrations using both NIRS and FT-NIRS. Given that there is no consumable costs to use this detection methodology, and minimal labor costs we may be able to use this to screen many more samples which could allow better and more rapid assessment of aflatoxin contamination and resistance. *To improve health and safety for workers a cyclone dust handling system was added to the program which has greatly cut down on the exposure of dust for all investigators and student workers. We have been using personal air sampling pumps to monitor dust and potential respiratory hazards. The highest level of respiratory dust exposure occurred when hand harvesting in hot and dry conditions. The highest level of non-respiratory dust occurred when grinding samples. We continued to work towards fine mapping QTL for stem sugar concentration in sorghum. *Sweet sorghum heterogenous inbred families (HIFs) identified in a recombinant inbred line population derived from a cross between Rio (a sweet sorghum) and BTX623 (a grain sorghum) were genotyped and evaluated for stem sugar at multiple time points. The QTL for stem sugar in sorghum was confirmed. *Perennial Zea and exotic maize genotypes with extreme photoperiod sensitivity (delayed flowering) were planted in a genetics and wide cross introgression nursery to begin incorporating these unique traits into Texas adapted maize lines. It is believed that these genotypes may also harbor aflatoxin resistance QTLs. *A simulation study on methods to increase effective recombination was undertaken to determine the most efficient breeding methods for increasing effective recombination in our populations. Screening for epicuticular wax and seedling drought tolerance were began to determine their usefulness as selection criteria for drought tolerance. *Additional specific corn breeding outputs are discussed in the project that preceded this (CRIS NUMBER: 0219546 / PROJECT NUMBER: TEX08597). PARTICIPANTS: Seth Murray (Assistant Professor), Kerry Mayfield (Senior Research Associate), Meghyn Stalcup (Masters Student), Thomas Isakeit (Professor), Wenwei Xu (Professor), Gary Odvody (Professor), Paul Williams (USDA-ARS), Marilyn Warburton (USDA-ARS), Gary Windham (USDA-ARS), Wilfred Vermerris (Associate Professor), Stephen Kresovich (Professor), Tom Pearson (USDA-ARS) TARGET AUDIENCES: Texas and US Corn producers, corn breeding companies, corn seed companies, plant breeders, plant geneticists, students. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: This is the first report for this project and has changed focus to reflect a new investigator. The previous project was terminated (CRIS NUMBER: 0219546 PROJECT NUMBER: TEX08597).

Impacts
Corn inbred lines / populations. Confirmation of a stem sugar QTL in sweet sorghum. Statistical model of effective recombination with maize breeding and genetics population creation. Improved understanding of phenotypic measurements for aflatoxin and drought tolerance. Students trained. Publications/ presentations.

Publications

  • Mayfield, K.L., S. Murray, T. Isakeit, G. Odvody and W. Rooney. 2009. Confirmation of QTL for reducing preharvest aflatoxin in a maize RIL population. Reducing Aflatoxin Contamination in Corn Conference. Mississippi State University, October 27, 2009
  • Murray, S.C., K. L. Mayfield, T. Isakeit, G. Odvody, W.L. Rooney, J. Betran, W. Xu, M. Kolomiets, P. Williams, M. Warburton, G. Windham. 2009.
  • Breeding and Genetic Improvement of Maize for Reducing Aflatoxin Contamination. Reducing Aflatoxin Contamination in Corn Conference. Mississippi State University, October 27, 2009.
  • Murray, S.C. 2009 Ongoing research to reduce aflatoxin contamination in corn. Southwestern Farm Press. Dec.15. Available online at http://southwestfarmpress.com/grains/aflatoxin-contamination-1215/
  • Murray, S.C., T. Isakeit, J. Awika, D. Baltensperger, Y. Deng, J. Dixon, T. Herrman, K. Mayfield, M. Kolomiets, G. Odvody, T. Phillips, W. Xu. 2009. Multidisciplinary Approaches to Reduce the Impact of Aflatoxin on Corn in Texas. Texas Plant Protection Conference; College Station, TX. Dec. 3rd.
  • Murray, SC; Xu, W; Mayfield, KL. 2010. Identifying maize germplasm with extremely late flowering and photoperiod sensitivity in Texas. Maize Genetics Newsletter. Issue 84.