Performing Department
Agronomy
Non Technical Summary
Available inbred lines with expired Plant Variety Protection provide a critical resource for public researchers to conduct studies in a relevant context toward eventual commercialization. These lines also provide elite genetic potential that can be re-evaluated in the context of emerging production contexts and specific production environments. This research will provide genetic information to better understand the origin and breeding history of the lines to best enable their use in research. In additional, empirical performance information on yield and yield-stability traits to identify genetic models and gene regions that are important in understanding the yield potential of key ex-PVP founders. The information will facilitate development of new hybrids for sustainable production contexts.
Animal Health Component
0%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
15%
Applied
85%
Developmental
(N/A)
Goals / Objectives
Cooperate and participate as a key element in the NPGS, a coordinated national acquisition and management program of plant germplasm valued for agricultural, horticultural, environmental, medicinal and industrial uses in the NCR and throughout the U.S.
Within the NCR, throughout the U.S., and internationally, encourage the use of a broad diversity of germplasm to reduce crop genetic vulnerability. Provide viable plant genetic resources, information and expertise that foster the development of new crops and new uses for existing crops, and cultivar improvement of established crops, thus contributing to a sustainable, biobased economy.
Contribute to understanding of plant-environment interactions, including risk assessment and communication of characteristics that differentiate a species' ability to adapt and whether it can serve as an economically viable crop or potentially become invasive in specific environments.
Educate students, scientists and the general public regarding plant germplasm issues.
Conduct research, and develop an institutional infrastructure needed to attain the preceding objectives efficiently and effectively, including advancements in software applications development to improve functionality and efficiency.
Project Methods
The project focuses on analysis of the relationship among ex-PVP lines in the context of public founder lines, evaluation of combining ability and productivity across environments, and evaluation of new inbreds for genetic analysis of important genomic regions for productivity and environmental response in key ex-PVP founders. Note that this set of ex-PVP inbreds provides nearly the complete private germplasm used for commercial production in the U.S. prior to the current era of transgenics.Activity 1: All available ex-PVP lines have been genotyped using an RNAseq platform generating information on ~450,000 variable genomic positions. Lines will be clustered based on relationship. Pedigrees (if available) will be evaluated in the context of marker genotypes. Founder haplotypes will be identified and used to document the composition of lines. Genetic diversity within and among groups of lines will be calculated to determine signatures of selection and identify regions of reduced variability that could be targets for introduction of diversity. The prospect of identifying new founders from diverse sources will be considered.Activity 2: Diallel and testcross sets of hybrids will produced from within and between group crosses. The goal will be to explore heterotic responses and environmental sensitivity within and outside current heterotic pools. The hybrids will be evaluated in a current production context using standard fertility recommendation and inputs such as seed treatment. In addition, the hybrids will be evaluated in an organic context with no seed treatment and organic amendments. Performance of hybrids within and between treatments will be compared.Activity 3: New inbred lines from a 4x4 nested factorial mating design involving eight non-stiff stalk parents are available for the project. A balanced set of lines from each population will be evaluated using at least one tester to assess grain yield and to estimate relative stover production. Genetic marker analysis will allow detection of genomic regions in key ex-PVP founders that contribute to productivity and environmental stability.