Progress 09/15/05 to 09/14/10
Outputs
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416) The objectives of this cooperative research project are to: 1. Identify germplasm sources within the genus Poa that have potential for low- maintenance turf, 2. Genetically characterize the Poa germplasm, and 3. Evaluate drought and salt tolerance of the Poa germplasm for use in development of low-maintenance turf germplasm. Approach (from AD-416) Novel and traditional sources of Poa germplasm will be assembled and evaluated genetically and phenotypically for potential use as low- maintenance turf. Possible germplasm sources include the USDA National Plant Germplasm System, new collections from the western U.S. and other countries, somaclonal lines, wide hybrids, and novel endophyte-infected populations. Field and greenhouse evaluation will be used to characterize low-maintenance turf potential, and drought and salt tolerance. Flow cytometry and DNA fingerprinting will be utilized to determine ploidy and genome relationships. During FY-10, the project continued working on salinity and drought tolerance in Poa. We completed a project which used suppressive- subtractive hybridization methods to study salt tolerant gene expression. As a result, we completed the sequencing of clones identified by the subtractive hybridization method, providing approximately 700 genes that are differentially expressed in shoots and roots of Poa germplasm upon salt treatment. These have been annotated and validation of a subset by real-time quantitative PCR is underway. Salt tolerant Poa lines were planted out in crossing blocks to allow for future progeny tests and test their ability to hybridize. Additional progress included efforts to analyze over 200 Poa accessions for drought tolerance. Photographic analysis was used to study green color and ability to retain green color during drought stress conditions. Those field evaluations were completed this year with analysis and publication planned for next year. Other major progress/accomplishments during the life of this SCA include the apomixis and ploidy level characterization of 85 lines of 32 Poa species in the National Plant Germplasm System (NPGS) using a flow cytometry technique. Twenty-one of the species had some apomixis, all of which were polyploid. Various modes of reproduction were determined within some accessions and sexual reproduction was detected in species that were previously reported as obligate apomicts. ADODR monitoring activities to evaluate research progress included conference calls, meetings with the cooperator's personnel, and site visits to field plot locations.
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Progress 10/01/08 to 09/30/09
Outputs
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416) The objectives of this cooperative research project are to: 1. Identify germplasm sources within the genus Poa that have potential for low- maintenance turf, 2. Genetically characterize the Poa germplasm, and 3. Evaluate drought and salt tolerance of the Poa germplasm for use in development of low-maintenance turf germplasm. Approach (from AD-416) Novel and traditional sources of Poa germplasm will be assembled and evaluated genetically and phenotypically for potential use as low- maintenance turf. Possible germplasm sources include the USDA National Plant Germplasm System, new collections from the western U.S. and other countries, somaclonal lines, wide hybrids, and novel endophyte-infected populations. Field and greenhouse evaluation will be used to characterize low-maintenance turf potential, and drought and salt tolerance. Flow cytometry and DNA fingerprinting will be utilized to determine ploidy and genome relationships. Significant Activities that Support Special Target Populations During FY09, a manuscript was prepared and published in Crop Science documenting the evaluation of apomixis and ploidy level for 85 lines of 32 Poa species from the National Plant Germplasm System (NPGS). Researchers completed Kentucky bluegrass salt tolerance evaluations. These evaluations included hiring one graduate and one undergraduate student. Overall, from this process, highly salt tolerant Kentucky bluegrass accessions were identified using greenhouse tests. Gene expression studies were conducted on salt tolerant and susceptible accessions as identified in the greenhouse study. These molecular DNA experiments used subtractive hybridization to identify genes that were induced or repressed by salinity stress in both roots and shoots. Ongoing efforts are focused on obtaining more sequences of differentially expressed genes, validating differential expression, and annotating the genes with database searches. Additional research included continued evaluation of drought tolerance of Poa germplasm. This involved detailed evaluations including digitial image analysis for drought stress and frequent visual evaluations of accessions when mowed and drought stressed with irrigation levels at 50% of ET. Work was also conducted under the SCA that evaluated fine fescue germplasm under mowed conditions at two locations in Utah, and the evaluated heat stress in fine fescues in greenhouse studies. ADODR monitoring activities to evaluate research progress included conference calls, meetings with the cooperator's personnel, and site visits to field plot locations.
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Progress 10/01/07 to 09/30/08
Outputs
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416) The objectives of this cooperative research project are to: 1. Identify germplasm sources within the genus Poa that have potential for low- maintenance turf, 2. Genetically characterize the Poa germplasm, and 3. Evaluate drought and salt tolerance of the Poa germplasm for use in development of low-maintenance turf germplasm. Approach (from AD-416) Novel and traditional sources of Poa germplasm will be assembled and evaluated genetically and phenotypically for potential use as low- maintenance turf. Possible germplasm sources include the USDA National Plant Germplasm System, new collections from the western U.S. and other countries, somaclonal lines, wide hybrids, and novel endophyte-infected populations. Field and greenhouse evaluation will be used to characterize low-maintenance turf potential, and drought and salt tolerance. Flow cytometry and DNA fingerprinting will be utilized to determine ploidy and genome relationships. Significant Activities that Support Special Target Populations A Masters thesis was completed in which apomixis and ploidy level were characterized for 85 lines of 32 Poa species from the National Plant Germplasm System (NPGS) using a flow cytometry technique. Twenty-one of the species had some apomixis, all of which were polyploid. Various modes of reproduction were determined within some accessions and sexual reproduction was detected in species that were previously reported as obligate apomicts. A new Ph.D. level graduate project was initiated to conduct gene expression research relating to salt stress in Poa pratensis and at some point, other Poa species as well. The component of suppressive subtraction hybridization to identify candidate genes turned on during salt stress has been completed. Other activities included cooperating with the USDA-ARS FRRL in collecting a second year�s data for a Poa salt tolerance study and coauthoring (with USDA-ARS) a manuscript on breeding crested wheatgrass for low-maintenance turf. Monitored by meetings, phone calls, and site visits.
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Progress 10/01/06 to 09/30/07
Outputs
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416) The objectives of this cooperative research project are to: 1. Identify germplasm sources within the genus Poa that have potential for low- maintenance turf, 2.Genetically characterize the Poa germplasm, and 3. Evaluate drought and salt tolerance of the Poa germplasm for use in development of low-maintenance turf germplasm. Approach (from AD-416) Novel and traditional sources of Poa germplasm will be assembled and evaluated genetically and phenotypically for potential use as low- maintenance turf. Possible germplasm sources include the USDA National Plant Germplasm System, new collections from the western U.S. and other countries, somaclonal lines, wide hybrids, and novel endophyte-infected populations. Field and greenhouse evaluation will be used to characterize low-maintenance turf potential, and drought and salt tolerance. Flow cytometry and DNA fingerprinting will be utilized to determine ploidy and genome relationships. Significant Activities that Support Special Target Populations This report serves to document research conducted under a Specific Cooperative Agreement between ARS and Utah State University. Additional details of research can be found in the report for the parent project 5428-21000-006-00D 'Improved plant genetic resources for pastures and rangelands in the temperate semiarid regions of the western U.S.' The objectives of this SCA include (1) identify germplasm sources within the genus Poa that have potential for low-maintenance turf, (2) genetically characterize the Poa germplasm, and (3) evaluate drought and salt tolerance of the Poa germplasm for use in development of low-maintenance turf varieties. During FY2007, 74 lines of 31 Poa species were characterized for reproductive method (sexual versus non-sexual apomitixis) using flow cytometry seed screening techniques. Approximately 66% were apomitic. This completed one M.S. student�s thesis project. In addition, assisted with the USDA in the first round of salt tolerance screening, and the initiation of drought tolerance screening of Poa germplasm. Monitored by meetings and site visits. ADODR monitoring activities to evaluate research progress included conference calls, meetings with the cooperator's personnel, and site visits to field plot locations.
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Progress 10/01/05 to 09/30/06
Outputs
Progress Report 4d Progress report. This report serves to document research conducted under a specific cooperative agreement between ARS and Utah State University. Additional details of research can be found in the report for the parent project 5428-21000-006-00D, titled "Improved Plant Genetic Resources for Pastures and Rangelands in the Temperate Semiarid Regions of the Western U.S." The objectives of this SCA include (1) identify germplasm sources within the genus Poa that have potential for low-maintenance turf, (2) genetically characterize the Poa germplasm, and (3) evaluate drought and salt tolerance of the Poa germplasm for use in development of low- maintenance turf varieties. During FY2006, the most significant accomplishment made was the progress in evaluating Poa germplasm from the National Plant Germplasm System (NPGS) and additional collections for presence of apomixis. Currently, 74 lines representing 31 species have been tentatively characterized using
flow cytometry seed screening techniques. The majority of the species (approximately 2/3rds) are apomictic, but significant numbers are sexual. Several (at least 7) of the apomictic lines are not solely apomictic, and have significant amounts of sexual reproduction as well. These results will be presented in a poster at the ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meetings in Indianapolis, Indiana. This work, along with the other objectives of the research program, will determine which species to use in initial hybridization efforts. Germplasm sources within the genus Poa have been identified for additional evaluation regarding their potential as low-maintenance turf. All Poa collections in the NPGS system from dry or salty regions of the world were requested and established a field evaluation study near Logan, Utah. In addition, in February/March of 2006, a visit was made to the turfgrass breeding program at Rutgers University to learn their breeding methods and the scope of work. Arrangements were made
to share Poa germplasm for evaluation in the western U.S. environment, which could be significant in that Rutgers University has the largest collection of turfgrass germplasm in the world. Many of these lines do not contribute to their program because of very different trait selection goals, but may have significant value in the western U.S. Poa species (including P. pratensis) were collected from old turf sites in very droughty environments during travels across the Front Range of the Rockies and western Great Plains (CO, WY, NE, SD) and will be included in future evaluations of our program. Drought tolerant, low-maintenance turf grass cultivars with high turf quality may potentially result in huge economic and societal impacts as savings in water, pesticides, and other cultural management practices are realized. Projected accomplishments for the next year: (1) Complete the apomixis study by adding additional species and confirming the results of the methods with ovule dissection and
comparison to the literature. The additional species will allow us to combine apomixis results with genomic composition data reported Jason Patterson. Ovule dissection work will involve assistance of the Dept. of Plants, Soils, & Biometeorology, USU. (2) Measure ploidy level of the Poa lines analyzed in the apomixis study. (3) Conduct drought tolerance and turfgrass quality evaluations on the germplasm currently at a farm. (3) Assist ARS with salt tolerance screening of a subset of the germplasm. Once the initial screens are accomplished, a more detailed and rigorous evaluation of salt tolerance and candidate gene identification will be started. (4) Continue working with Rutgers University to acquire additional germplasm. (5) Continue making Poa collections in the Intermountain West. If available, we may work with material collected by one of our Unit scientists during a recent trip to Kyrgyzstan. Technology transfer: Presentations on the current status and goals of the Poa germplasm
project have been given to turfgrass industry groups in Utah. Publication: Hanks, J.D., P.G. Johnson, and B.L. Waldron. 2006. Recommended seeding rates for reduced-maintenance, turf-type wheatgrasses. Online. Applied Turfgrass Science doi:10.1094/ATS-2006-0808-01-RS.
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