Progress 03/28/08 to 02/25/13
Outputs
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416): 1. Conserving tropical/subtropical ornamental crop genetic resourses and associated information important for the evaluation and utilization of that material. 2. Development and application of new or improved horticultural evaluation procedures and genetic marker-based approaches for genetic diversity assessment of the preceding genetic resourses. 3. Genetic improvement efforts directed to developing new, superior tropical/ subtropical ornamental germplasm. 4. Transfer of technology in the form of tropical/subtropical ormamental crop genetic resourses, associated information, and new, superior tropical/subtropical ornamental germplasm to researchers and breeders worldwide. 5. Evaluate containerized subtropical/tropical ornamental germplasm for its growth responses to different container media components. Where feasible, estimate for this germplasm the heritabilities and other patterns of genetic variation for adaptation/tolerance to the different container media components. Approach (from AD-416): Collect new accessions of subtropical/tropical ornamental plants that have commerical potential in the U.S. Evaluate newly collected accessions and existing material, primarily flowering trees and shrubs already on site, using phenotypic characters and molecular makers. Organize the information such that it can be used as descriptors for inclusion in the GRIN system. Utilize the molecular and phenotypical analysis to breed improved germplasm in support of the ornamental industry. Communicate and coordinate subtropical/tropical ornamental horticultural research with local and regional industry, universites, and foreign germplasm effort in Florida, Puerto Rico, and Hawaii. All population of Zamia from Bahamas, Cayman Islands and Florida have been genotyped with 30 microsatellite loci. The only Zamia sample collections remaining to be made are from Cuba and collaborators are travelling there in July 2013. Sequencing of a subset of each population with 10 single copy genes has been completed for the Bahamas and Florida. ARS plant patent committee has approved patent for five amaryllis hybrids and patent applications are being prepared. We have begun an experiment to determine the best concentration and exposure duration of oryzalin for effective chromosome doubling in amaryllis. Sequences of five single copy genes were used in phylogenetic analysis of the entire order Cycadales. Preliminary data show that forms of nitrogen including ammonia (NH4NO3 or (NH4)2SO4) resulted in the best growth of Zamia pumila. Nitrate-N as the sole nitrogen source and organic nitrogen improved growth over plants receiving no nitrogen. Coralloid root development was poor in all treatments. Seed from Zamia floridana were collected and a second study is planned to confirm these results. Significant Activities that Support Special Target Populations: Project leader serving as sponsor for 2013 Kiki de la Garza USDA fellow, Mr. Steven Ritter from Miami Dade College. Hispanic-serving institution (HIS) student internship program. Five students mentored. Accomplishments 01 A stable tree of life for the cycads. DNA sequences of five single copy nuclear genes were obtained for 20 cycad species representing all ten genera of the order Cycadales. These were analyzed with parsimony, maximum likelihood (ML), and three Bayesian methods of gene tree/ species tree reconciliation, using Cycas as outgroup. A calibrated date estimation was developed with Bayesian methods, and biogeographic analysis was also conducted. Concatenated parsimony, ML, and three species tree inference methods resolve exactly the same tree topology with high support at most nodes. Dioon and Bowenia are the first and second branches of Cycadales after Cycas, respectively, followed by an encephalartoid clade (Macrozamia-Lepidozamia-Encephalartos), which is sister to a zamioid clade, of which Ceratozamia is the first branch, and in which Stangeria is sister to Microcycas and Zamia.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- Meerow, A.W. 2012. Chapter II. Taxonomy and Phylogeny. Book Chapter. (2) :17-55.
- Calonje, M., Meerow, A.W., Knowles, L., Knowles, D., Griffith, P., Nakamura, K., Francisco-Ortega, J. 2013. Cycad biodiversity in the Bahama Archipelago and conservation genetics of the Critically Endangered Zamia lucayana (Zamiaceae). Oryx, The International Journal of Conservation. Oryx 47:190-198.
- Meerow, A.W., Francisco-Ortega, J., Calonje, M., Ayala Silva, T., Griffith, P., Stevenson, D., Nakamura, K. 2012. The coontie�s new clothes: asymmetric genetic diversification within Zamia (Cycadales: Zamiaceae) on Puerto Rico, and an hypothesis of multiple introductions. American Journal of Botany. 99:1828-1839.
- Waters, M.T., Tiley, A.M., Kramer, E.M., Meerow, A.W., Langdale, J.A., Scotland, R.A. 2013. The corona of the daffodil Narcissus bulbocodium is distinct from the orthodox floral whorls.. Plant Journal. doi: 10.1111/tpj. 12150.
- Ronsted, N., Symonds, M.R., Birkholm, T., Christensen, S., Meerow, A.W., Molander, M., Molgaard, P., Petersen, G., Rasmussen, N., Van Staden, J., Stafford, G.I., Jager, A.K. 2012. Can phylogeny predict chemical diversity and potential medicinal activity of plants? A case study of Amaryllidaceae. BMC Evolutionary Biology. 1471-2148/12/182.
- Meerow, A.W., Francisco-Ortega, J., Ayala Silva, T., Stevenson, D.W., Nakamura, K. 2012. Population genetics of Zamia in Puerto Rico, a preliminary study with ten SSR loci . Memoirs of the New York Botanical Garden. Memoirs of the New York Botanical Garden 106 : 204 � 223.
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Progress 10/01/11 to 09/30/12
Outputs
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416): 1. Conserving tropical/subtropical ornamental crop genetic resourses and associated information important for the evaluation and utilization of that material. 2. Development and application of new or improved horticultural evaluation procedures and genetic marker-based approaches for genetic diversity assessment of the preceding genetic resourses. 3. Genetic improvement efforts directed to developing new, superior tropical/ subtropical ornamental germplasm. 4. Transfer of technology in the form of tropical/subtropical ormamental crop genetic resourses, associated information, and new, superior tropical/subtropical ornamental germplasm to researchers and breeders worldwide. 5. Evaluate containerized subtropical/tropical ornamental germplasm for its growth responses to different container media components. Where feasible, estimate for this germplasm the heritabilities and other patterns of genetic variation for adaptation/tolerance to the different container media components. Approach (from AD-416): Collect new accessions of subtropical/tropical ornamental plants that have commerical potential in the U.S. Evaluate newly collected accessions and existing material, primarily flowering trees and shrubs already on site, using phenotypic characters and molecular makers. Organize the information such that it can be used as descriptors for inclusion in the GRIN system. Utilize the molecular and phenotypical analysis to breed improved germplasm in support of the ornamental industry. Communicate and coordinate subtropical/tropical ornamental horticultural research with local and regional industry, universites, and foreign germplasm effort in Florida, Puerto Rico, and Hawaii. Germplasm of 12 Bauhinia species have been planted in the field; these were grown from seed requested of the Desert Legume Collection. A particularly floriferous and well-adapted clone of Handroanthus impetiginosus (formely Tabebuia avellandeae) has been identified in the seedling evaluation block that we established. All population of Zamia from Jamaica and Dominican Republic have been genotyped 30 microsatellite loci. Zamia sample collections were completed for the Cayman islands. We have 10 single copy genes that are being used on 10 individual samples of each population genotypes with the simple sequence repeats (SSRs), and the sequencing has been completed for Jamaica, Puerto Rico and Dominican Republic. Analysis of WRKY gene sequences for all other genera of palm tribe Cocoseae (tribes Elaeidinae and Bactridinae) are complete, and a paper is being prepared for publication. analyzed. Patent applications are being prepared for five Hippeastrum hybrid clones and will be submitted to the Technology Transfer patent committee for consideration. We are increasing micropropagated stocks of two diploid Hippeastrum clones to increase attempt chromosome doubling with oryzalin early in 2012. Completed study on alternative potting substrate. Results show composted insect colony waste (CW) substitutions of between 30 and 70% for equal amounts of compost plus peat resulted in plant performance greater than or equal to that observed with a commercial mix. Composted CW is a nutrient rich material that can be used in 50% CW:50% peat mix will have good characteristics for a basic potting substrate for most container grown plants. One peer reviewed publication a second in in- house review). Completed study on ornamental species that have the potential for use in remediation of low-level arsenic contaminated areas. Currently data is being analyzed for manuscript preparation. Data collection on the effect of nitrogen fertilization on coralloid root development in cycads has been completed and these data are being analyzed. Significant Activities that Support Special Target Populations: Hispanic-serving institution (HIS) student internship program. Ag Ambassador High School Intern Program Accomplishments 01 New insight into Louisiana iris genetics. The Louisiana iris are a smal group of species iris that have been interbred to create a large and popular group of hybrids. Using DNA markers, ARS researchers at Miami, Florida uncovered previously undocumented genetic variation in Louisiana iris populations in Florida. Their analyses support theories of multipl introductions and movement of plants by Native Americans. This research presents data that can be mined by iris breeders to introduce novel genotypes into their program. 02 Genetic diversification within Zamia (Cycadales: Zamiaceae) on Puerto Ri Three distinctive Zamia species occur on Puerto Rico: Z. erosa on the north coast, and Z. portoricensis and Z. pumila, both in the south. The relationships are largely unknown. ARS researchers tested a hypothesis multiple introductions and explored whether the three species show divergent patterns of genetic variation using 31 DNA markers across ten populations. This study is the most intensive population genetics investigation of a cycad to date in terms of number of markers, and one few microsatellite studies of plants from the Caribbean biodiversity hotspot. Puerto Rican zamias exhibit an amalgam of patterns of genetic differentiation reported for cycads. Zamia erosa exhibits a more than threefold greater degree of population differentiation. Historical gene flow only evident between Z. portoricensis and Z. pumila. Zamia erosa likely represents an independent introduction into Puerto Rico; Z. portoricensis and Z. pumila fit a scenario of allopatric speciation. Th study reveals patterns of genetic variation that are of interest to nursery growers of cycads. 03 Insect rearing waste as a substitute potting substrate. A substitute potting substrate using 80% composted solid and semi-solid insect rearin waste (CW) had germination rates and shoot dry weight equal to a commercial mix. No substance in the CW appeared to be detrimental to pla growth. As a potting substrate insect rearing waste was equal to that of the commercial mix. 04 Ornamental plants for bioaccumulation of arsenic. Arsenic applied aroun nursery structures for rodent control can remove significant acres from production. Switchgrass and the ornamental plants iris, sunflower and marigold grown in hydroponic solution tolerated up to 5.25 ppm arsenic solution and are potential plants for remediation of arsenic contaminate sites.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- Meerow, A.W., Gideon, M., Kuhn, D.N., Mopper, S., Nakamura, K. 2011. The genetic mosiac of iris series Hexagonae in Florida: inferences on the Holocene history of the Louisiana irises and anthropogenic effects on their distribution. International Journal of Plant Science. 172(8):1026- 1052.
- Reed, S.T., Schnell Ii, R.J., Moore, J.M., Dunn, C.B. 2012. Chlorophyll a + b content and chlorophyll fluorescence in avocado. Journal of Agricultural Science. 4(4):29-36.
- Meerow, A.W., Krueger, R., Singh, R., Ti, L.L., Ithnin, M., Li, L.O. 2012. Coconut, Date and Oil Palm Genomics. In: Schnell, R.J, Priyadarsham, P.M., editors. Genomics of Tree Crops. New York, NY: Springer. p. 299-351.
- Chacon, J., De Assis, M.C., Meerow, A.W., Renner, S.S. 2012. From East Gondwana to Central America: Historical biogeography of the Alstroemeriaceae. Journal of Biogeography. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2699.2012. 02749.x.
- Oleas, N.H., Meerow, A.W., Francisco-Ortega, J. 2012. Evidence of bottleneck and isolation by distance in an endangered species from the Tropical Andean hotspot. Journal of Heredity. 103(4):557�569.
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Progress 10/01/10 to 09/30/11
Outputs
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416) 1. Conserving tropical/subtropical ornamental crop genetic resourses and associated information important for the evaluation and utilization of that material. 2. Development and application of new or improved horticultural evaluation procedures and genetic marker-based approaches for genetic diversity assessment of the preceding genetic resourses. 3. Genetic improvement efforts directed to developing new, superior tropical/ subtropical ornamental germplasm. 4. Transfer of technology in the form of tropical/subtropical ormamental crop genetic resourses, associated information, and new, superior tropical/subtropical ornamental germplasm to researchers and breeders worldwide. 5. Evaluate containerized subtropical/tropical ornamental germplasm for its growth responses to different container media components. Where feasible, estimate for this germplasm the heritabilities and other patterns of genetic variation for adaptation/tolerance to the different container media components. Approach (from AD-416) Collect new accessions of subtropical/tropical ornamental plants that have commerical potential in the U.S. Evaluate newly collected accessions and existing material, primarily flowering trees and shrubs already on site, using phenotypic characters and molecular makers. Organize the information such that it can be used as descriptors for inclusion in the GRIN system. Utilize the molecular and phenotypical analysis to breed improved germplasm in support of the ornamental industry. Communicate and coordinate subtropical/tropical ornamental horticultural research with local and regional industry, universites, and foreign germplasm effort in Florida, Puerto Rico, and Hawaii. Two dozen additional ornamental germplasm accessions of cycads and palms have been received through germplasm exchange with the Montgomery Botanical Center. Twelve new accessions of Tabebuia species from Cuba were received as seed from a cooperating plant collector. Tabebuia is one of the priority tropical tree genera identified by the Woody Landscape Plant Crop Germplasm Committee for collections development, and the Cuban species are extremely rare and not otherwise represented in American horticulture. The first round of genotyping Zamia populations from the Bahamas with 17 microsatellite loci has been completed. The National Science Foundation funded our Caribbean Zamia project (a collaboration between ARS, Florida International University, Montgomery Botanical Center, and New York Botanical Garden). Zamia sample collections were completed for the Bahamas and Florida. Nine additional microsatellite loci haven been optimized for use in this project, and we have successfully isolated eight single copy nuclear genes that show Single Nucleotide Polymorphism across the populations. WRKY gene sequences have now been obtained for all other genera of palm tribe Cocoseae (tribes Elaeidinae and Bactridinae) and are being analyzed. A new ornamental subshrub germplasm cultivar Turnera diffusa 'Luisa' was released. Five Hippeastrum hybrid clones have been selected for possible patent and release, and will be submitted to the Office of Technology Transfer patent committee for consideration. We are increasing micropropagted stocks of two diploid Hippeastrum clones to increase attempt chromosome doubling with oruzalin early in 2012. We combined our phylogenetic data on Brazilian Alstroemeria species with that of a research group in Munich, Germany. Significant Activities that Support Special Target Populations A number of student projects have been completed by Hispanic-serving institution (HSI) student internship program opportunities. Accomplishments 01 Germplasm release of Turnera diffusa �Luisa�. The research area investigated is germplasm enhancement/release of improved genetic resources and varieties of subtropical ornamentals. After five years of evaluation, an accession from a 2005 plant exploration in Puerto Rico wa released as a new ornamental. Turnera diffusa �Luisa� is a new, dwarf ornamental subshrub for horticulture that can be produced as an annual bedding plant in temperate regions and as ground cover and edging plant frost-free areas. Twenty-four requests for material have been fulfilled including one from the second largest greenhouse producer in the USA. W anticipate that it will be a valuable new crop for the bedding plant and landscape nursery industry which is highly dependent on novel germplasm for economic security.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- Namoff, S., Veloz, A., Jimenez, F., Rodriguez-Pena, R.A., Peguero, B., Lewis, C., Moynihan, J., Abdo, M., Maunder, M., Meerow, A.W., Von Wettberg, E., Francisco-Ortega, J. 2010. Sweet drinks are made of this: Conservation genetics of an endemic palm species from the Dominican Republic. Journal of Heredity. 102:1-10.
- Meerow, A.W., Ayala Silva, T., Irish, B.M. 2010. Turnera diffusa 'Luisa', a drought tolerant small shrub for warm climates. HortScience. 45(12):1895- 1896.
- Pathikonda, S., Meerow, A.W., He, J., Mopper, S. 2010. Salinity tolerance and genetic variability in freshwater and brackish Iris hexagona colonies. American Journal of Botany. 97(9):1438-1443.
- George, G., Reed, S.T., Tansel, B., Gordon, G.G. 2011. Growth profile of Chamaedorea cataractarum (Cascade Palm)seedlings with different colored plastic mulch. Journal of Agricultural Science. 3(3):39-49.
- Bay-Smidt, M.B., Jager, A.K., Krydsfeldt, K., Meerow, A.W., Stafford, G.I., Van Staden, Ronsted, N. 2010. Phylogenetic selection of target species in Amaryllidaceae tribe Haemantheae for acetylcholinesterase inhibition and affinity to the serotonin reuptake transport protein. South African Journal of Botany. DOI: 10.1016/j.sajb.2010.07.016.
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Progress 10/01/09 to 09/30/10
Outputs
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416) The primary objectives of this project are 1) conserving of tropical/subtropical ornamental crop genetic resourses and associated information important for the evaluation and utilization of that material; 2) the development and application of new or improved horticultural evaluation procedures and genetic marker-based approaches for genetic diversity assessment of the preceding genetic resourses; 3) genetic improvement efforts directed to developing new, superior tropical/subtropical ornamental germplasm; and 4) the transfer of technologiy in the form of tropical/subtropical ormamental crop genetic resourses, associated information, and new, superior tropical/subtropical ornamental germplasm to researchers and breeders worldwide. Approach (from AD-416) Collect new accessions of subtropical/tropical ornamental plants that have commerical potential in the U.S. Evaluate newly collected accessions and existing material, primarily flowering trees and shrubs already on site, using phenotypic characters and molecular makers. Organize the information such that it can be used as descriptors for inclusion in the GRIN system. Utilize the molecular and phenotypical analysis to breed improved germplasm in support of the ornamental industry. Communicate and coordinate subtropical/tropical ornamental horticultural research with local and regional industry, universites, and foreign germplasm effort in Florida, Puerto Rico, and Hawaii. Two dozen additional accessions of tropical conifers have been received through germplasm exchange with the Montgomery Botanical Center, Atlanta Botanical Garden, and Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh. Seventeen new accessions of Tabebuia species from South America and the Caribbean were received as seed, which has germinated well. Tabebuia is one of the priority tropical tree genera identified by the Woody Landscape Plant Crop Germplasm Committee for collections development. Several Portlandia coccinea x grandiflora hybrid clones have been selected as superior and will be propagated for replicated trial and evaluation. The first round of genotyping of Jamaican and Dominican Republic Zamia populations with 20 microsatellite DNA markers has been completed. Leaf samples for microsatellite analysis and seed for germplasm collections of Zamia from four islands of the Bahamas (Andros, Eleuthera, Long island, and New Providence) were collected. Analysis of the WRKY gene alignments across the palm subtribe Attaleinae has been published, and we are now sequencing these loci across the rest of the tribe Cocoseae. A release publication of the new ornamental subshrub Turnera diffusa 'Luisa' is being prepared. Eighteen amaryllis (Hippeastrum) hybrid clones are being intensively evaluated for possible patent and release. We are sub- culturing several diploid Hippeastrum clones to increase numbers sufficiently to attempt chromosome doubling. We have developed primers for six single copy nuclear genes that successfully amplify Zamia DNA. A visiting EMBRAPA scientist spent a year in our lab through the LABEX program working on the phylogenetics of Brazilian Alstroemeria species; we are joining our data with colleagues in Europe in a study of the entire family Alstroemeriaceae. Significant Activities that Support Special Target Populations A number of student projects have been completed by Hispanic-serving institution (HSI) student internship program opportunities. Accomplishments 01 New Germplasm accessions. We have added in the past year 17 new germpla accessions of Tabebuia (Bignoniaceae), a priority tropical genus as determined by the Woody Landscape Plant Crop Germplasm Committee.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- Calonje, M., Meerow, A.W., Stevenson, D.W. 2010. The typification of Zamia erosa and the priority of that name over Z. amblyphyllidia. Taxon. 59(2) April 2010:637-642.
- Meerow, A.W., Borrone, J.W., Couvreur, T.L., Mauro-Herrera, M., Hahn, W.J., Kuhn, D.N., Nakamura, K., Schnell Ii, R.J. 2009. Phylogenetic analysis of seven WRKY genes across the palm subtribe Attaleinae (Areceaceae) identifies Syagrus as sister to the coconut. PLoS One. DOI http://dx.plos. org/10.1371/journal.pone.0007353
- Snijman, D.A., Meerow, A.W. 2010. Floral and macroecological evolution within Cyrtanthus (Amaryllidaceae) inferences from combined analyses of plastid ndhF and nrDNA ITS sequences. South African Journal of Botany. 76:217-238.
- Flagg, R.O., Smith, G.L., Meerow, A.W. 2010. New combinations in Habranthus (Amaryllidaceae) in Mexico and Southwestern U.S.A. Novon. 20:33- 34
- Meerow, A.W. 2010. Tilting at windmills: 20 years of Hippeastrum breeding. Israel Journal of Plants Sciences. 57:303-31.
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Progress 10/01/08 to 09/30/09
Outputs
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416) The primary objectives of this project are 1) conserving of tropical/subtropical ornamental crop genetic resourses and associated information important for the evaluation and utilization of that material; 2) the development and application of new or improved horticultural evaluation procedures and genetic marker-based approaches for genetic diversity assessment of the preceding genetic resourses; 3) genetic improvement efforts directed to developing new, superior tropical/subtropical ornamental germplasm; and 4) the transfer of technologiy in the form of tropical/subtropical ormamental crop genetic resourses, associated information, and new, superior tropical/subtropical ornamental germplasm to researchers and breeders worldwide. Approach (from AD-416) Collect new accessions of subtropical/tropical ornamental plants that have commerical potential in the U.S. Evaluate newly collected accessions and existing material, primarily flowering trees and shrubs already on site, using phenotypic characters and molecular makers. Organize the information such that it can be used as descriptors for inclusion in the GRIN system. Utilize the molecular and phenotypical analysis to breed improved germplasm in support of the ornamental industry. Communicate and coordinate subtropical/tropical ornamental horticultural research with local and regional industry, universites, and foreign germplasm effort in Florida, Puerto Rico, and Hawaii. Significant Activities that Support Special Target Populations New field plantings of Tahina spectabilis (newly described palm from Madgascar), Roystonea oleracea were established. Seed of additional rare palms were purchased from rarepalmseeds.com. Three dozen additional accessions of tropical conifers have been received through germplasm exchange with the Montgomery Botanical Center and Atlanta Botanical Garden. DNA was extracted from leaf samples of Jamaican Zamia populations, and genotyping with 23 SSR markers has begun. Analysis of the WRKY gene alignments across the palm subtribe Attaleinae (which includes such important ornamentals as coconut and Queen palm) was completed and a manuscript is in review. A final round of evaluation of Turnera diffusa 'Luisa' is underway and release is planned for 2010. Backcrosses of (Hippeastrum papilio x H. brasilianum) to H. brasilianum were successfully made (these should segregate for floral fragrance and will be used for genomic studies of fragrance genes). Leaf samples were received of Zamia populations from the Dominican Republic, from which DNA is being extracted for genotyping. With the assistance of a USDA fellow, the tissue culture lab is functional and micropropagation of Hippeastrum is underway. We have successfully data mined EST databases of Zamia, Lycoris and Alstroemeria for conserved ortholog sequences (COS genes) that can potentially be used for population (SNP) and phylogenetic analyses. A visiting scientist from EMBRAPA is spending the year in our lab through the LABEX program working on the phylogenetics of Brazilian Alstroemeria species.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- Maunder, M., Levia, A., Santiago-Valent�n, E., Stevenson, D.W., Acevedo- Rodr�guez, P., Meerow, A.W., Mej�a, M., Clubbe, C., Francisco-Ortega, J. 2008. Plant Conservation in the Caribbean Island Biodiversity Hotspot. Botanical Review. 74:197-207.
- Mauro-Herrera, M., Meerow, A.W., Perera, L., Russell, J., Schnell Ii, R.J. 2009. Ambiguous genetic relationships among coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) cultivars: the effects of outcrossing, sample source and size, and method of analysis.. Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution. DOI 10.1007/s10722-009- 9463-x
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Progress 10/01/07 to 09/30/08
Outputs
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416) The primary objectives of this project are 1) conserving of tropical/subtropical ornamental crop genetic resourses and associated information important for the evaluation and utilization of that material; 2) the development and application of new or improved horticultural evaluation procedures and genetic marker-based approaches for genetic diversity assessment of the preceding genetic resourses; 3) genetic improvement efforts directed to developing new, superior tropical/subtropical ornamental germplasm; and 4) the transfer of technologiy in the form of tropical/subtropical ormamental crop genetic resourses, associated information, and new, superior tropical/subtropical ornamental germplasm to researchers and breeders worldwide. Approach (from AD-416) Collect new accessions of subtropical/tropical ornamental plants that have commerical potential in the U.S. Evaluate newly collected accessions and existing material, primarily flowering trees and shrubs already on site, using phenotypic characters and molecular makers. Organize the information such that it can be used as descriptors for inclusion in the GRIN system. Utilize the molecular and phenotypical analysis to breed improved germplasm in support of the ornamental industry. Communicate and coordinate subtropical/tropical ornamental horticultural research with local and regional industry, universites, and foreign germplasm effort in Florida, Puerto Rico, and Hawaii. Significant Activities that Support Special Target Populations Progress on this project relates to National Program 301 Plant Genetic Resources, Genomics, and Genetics Improvement, Component 2: Crop Informatics, Genomics, and Genetic Analyses. New germplasm of Lagestroemia speciosa and Tabebuia species have been established in field evaluation plantings. Seed of rare palms and cycds were purchased from rarepalmseeds.com, and are being grown in the nursery for eventual planting. Fifty accessions of tropical conifers have been received through germplasm exchange with the Montgomery Botanical Center, Atlanta Botanical Garden and Royal Botanical Gardens, Edinburgh. Thirteen new simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers were developed for Zamia by data-mining the Zamia Expressed Sequence Tag (EST) library deposited in GenBank. Analysis of the WRKY gene alignments across the palm subtribe Attaleinae (which includes such important ornamentals as coconut and Queen palm) is underway. Acquisition of new molecular genetic data has been stymied by problems in the new building that have prevented us from using our lab equipment. Technology Transfer Number of New CRADAS: 1
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
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