Progress 09/01/22 to 08/31/23
Outputs
Target Audience:In the third year of the SCOPE 2.0 project, we again hosted events and crafted outreach materials targeting our large network of students, faculty, plant breeders, seed producers, organic farmers, and other stakeholders tied to the Organic Seed Alliance's and California Wheat Commission's networks. Our undergraduate internship program built on previous quarters' experiences to gain more independence and leadership roles, and increase undergraduate-faculty interaction. The student-led breeding projects created opportunities for graduate students across disciplines to participate in field management and breeding concepts, data collection, seed production, and fruit processing. The projects also increase student understanding of the practice and theory of plant breeding, and strengthen the participatory network of stakeholders engaged in this project. In partnership with OSA, our events have been attended by a network of organic seed producers and seed companies, organic farmers, researchers, food company representatives, and other stakeholders. Each spring, OSA also helped coordinate outreach with partnering regional organic farms to coordinate variety trials. We also continue to highlight project outcomes through the SCOPE website (https://plantbreeding.ucdavis.edu/scope- project), and shared through partner websites, social media, and listserves. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The SCOPE breeding programs are managed by a network of students, faculty, and staff at UC Davis and Cal Poly Pomona, the UCD Plant Breeding Center, and farmers in the region. Our field-based breeding programs give students real-world experience breeding crops by getting them in the greenhouse and field to observe breeding germplasm and see how programs function. Graduate and undergraduate learn about experimental design, cross-pollinating, making selections, collecting phenotype data, data analysis, and more. We also expect students to further develop functional "soft skills" that are required in most workplaces, such as time management, confidence in leading groups, teaching skills to others, and critical thinking. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Recording, editing, and publication of 27 videos from online seminars recorded with the SCOPE program during the COVID-19 pandemic. The videos cover topics such as the basic principles of plant breeding, domestication of the common bean, field experimental design, visualizing data using RStudio, and culinary uses of wheat. Presentation about the SCOPE breeding program at the Plant Breeding Retreat in 2023 Attending the 2023 Organic Seed Summit in San Anselmo. Presentations about the SCOPE project to PLS 2 classes in Winter Quarter 2023 and PLS 12 in Spring Quarter 2023. Organizing and presenting at the Organic Grains Field Day in 2022 which was attended by approximately 30 participants and included a taste test of whole wheat dinner rolls and conchas. Coordinating and presenting at the SCOPE Field Day in 2022, which was attended by 45 people. Coordinated and participated in a whole grains tasting event "All About Grains" through the Sips & Bites series at the Robert Mondavi Institute, with approximately 50 participants tasting cookies and crackers made using triticale, naked barley, and UC Amarillo wheat. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?The project will continue advancing breeding germplasm of zinnia, tomato, wheat, and celtuce. Final data will be generated for pepper to release cultivars in 2024.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Obj. 1. The tomato program is producing improved heirloom type fresh market tomatoes for organic production in California. The tomato program includes both inbred (open-pollinated) and hybrid cultivar development at UC Davis and Cal Poly Pomona. The specific breeding objectives include (1) a red slicer tomato with high yield and stacked disease resistances using marker assisted selection, and (2) tomatoes with appealing heirloom colors and/or shapes. In both cases, excellent flavor and texture are also selection criteria. The program conducts multi-location replicated trials of advanced inbred lines and F1 hybrids to identify possible cultivar releases. Cultivars in replicated trials are scored for fruit quality traits, including sun scald, cracking, blossom end rot, fruit firmness, and BRIX, in addition to yield. Marker assisted selection is also used to select inbred progeny with desirable disease resistance markers. We also conduct on-farm strip trials of our advanced materials with organic farmers. Taste panels assess the flavor and consumer perception. The program is expected to release at least 4 new tomato cultivars, including 'Orange Creamsicle' and 'Rockin' Roma. The zinnia program has developed and refined techniques breed zinnias, including phenotyping methods, crossing protocols, and field management. The breeding program is divided into four breeding groups targeting specific trait combinations: improved 'Queen Lime', pastel, bi-color cactus, and smaller 'Benary's Giant'. Cultivars with these traits would fill supply gaps in the current zinnia marketplace and the goals were developed with direct input from growers. Our experimental populations have been evaluated in replicated trials on the UCD Student Farm for stem length, flower size, post-harvest vase life, and disease resistance. The program is expected to release at least 4 new zinnia cultivars, out of 10 promising breeding populations that have been identified. The wheat breeding program focuses on spring wheat planted in the fall in California. Organic growers, millers, and bakers are primarily interested in cultivars with unique qualities, improved yield, disease resistance, and high protein under low inputs. Quality is a strong focus of wheat cultivar development for SCOPE, and students participate in quality testing at the California Wheat Commission (CWC), a grower funded organization in Woodland, CA, with an on-site quality and baking laboratory. These tests include evaluation of both grain and flour traits such as protein, ash, falling number, SDS sedimentation, mixograph, and baking tests. The program is dived into two main populations: Heritage . Modern: Improving weaker aspects of heritage lines (disease resistance, lodging, yield, and quality) while retaining positive traits (early vigor, weed competition, drought tolerance, and unique quality and flavor) High anthocyanin . Modern population: High anthocyanin wheats with blue, purple, and dark red seed coats have increased antioxidants and can produce unique colors for whole-wheat baked goods. Some specific items: We managed approximately 1/2 of an acre of field trials of zinnias, tomato, and celtuce at the UC Davis Student Farm and on-farm trials of tomatoes and celtuce. Developed and implemented a protocol for outdoor, isolated zinnia seed production using blue bottle flies. Collected yield data for 22 advanced tomato breeding lines, 57 tomato breeding lines (F1-F5) Collected data on 29 zinnia breeding populations for stem length, vase life, and color including for 11 advanced zinnia breeding lines. Conducted and collected data for a replicated trial and seed increase of 39 advanced wheat breeding lines. Planted a celtuce demonstration plot at the Student Farm's Eco Garden to educate the public on the goals of this breeding project, a new addition to SCOPE in 2023. Developed a collaboration with Prof. Ga Young Chung in the Department of Asian American Studies and the Second Generation Seeds collaborative to test and make selections from 14 celtuce F2 populations on-farm and at the Student Farm as part of a farmer participatory breeding project. Obj. 2. During the study period, seven graduate students and 17 undergraduate students participated in SCOPE, bringing the total number of students for the entire project to 50 undergraduate and 15 graduate students in internship, volunteer, and paid student positions at UC Davis and Cal Poly Pomona. These students have been training in plant breeding principles, organic farming methods, and cultural awareness of different food systems. Obj. 3. During the study period, we conducted on-farm trials for tomatoes and celtuce. We attended the California Organic Seed Summit to discuss the SCOPE project with organic seed growers, presented SCOPE progress at the annual UCD Plant Breeding Retreat, and hosted two field days of SCOPE projects. We developed breeding agreements with several small seed companies.
Publications
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Progress 09/01/21 to 08/31/22
Outputs
Target Audience:In the second year of the SCOPE 2.0 project, we hosted events and crafted outreach materials targeting our large network of students, faculty, plant breeders, seed producers, organic farmers, and other stakeholders tied to the Organic Seed Alliance's and California Wheat Commission's networks. Our undergraduate internship program built on previous quarters' experiences to gain more independence and leadership roles, and increase undergraduate-faculty interaction. The student-led breeding projects created opportunities for graduate students across disciplines to participate in field management and breeding concepts, data collection, seed production, and fruit processing. The projects also increase student understanding of the practice and theory of plant breeding, and strengthen the participatory network of stakeholders engaged in this project. In partnership with OSA, our events have been attended by a network of organic seed producers and seed companies, organic farmers, researchers, food company representatives, and other stakeholders. Each spring, OSA also helped coordinate outreach with partnering regional organic farms to coordinate variety trials. We also continue to highlight project outcomes through the SCOPE website (https://plantbreeding.ucdavis.edu/scope- project), and shared through partner websites, social media, and listserves. Changes/Problems:The project is progressing well and all aspects are moving according to plan. We intend to apply for a renewal of the program in the coming year. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The project has provided training in plant breeding and organic crop production for numerous graduate and undergraduate students, with in-depth training for the breeding team lead students who participated for at least a year on the project. Further, the two staff members who provide hands on organization gained leadership skills through their involvement with the project. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?We have organized several field days during the time frame attended by students, growers, and extension personnel. We also had one-on-one interactions with several seed companies interested in growing seeds of our cultivars as well as interested farmers and companies who want to participate in breeding activities. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We will continue the tomato, wheat, zinnia, and pepper projects, developing new crosses, evaluating advanced generations of breeding lines, and collecting data for selection and possible cultivar release. We will contact more seed growers and farmers interesting on trialing our experimentals on-farm.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Objective 1. Breeding continued on pepper, tomato, wheat, and zinnia. Three pepper experimentals have performed well on farms as well as on our campus student farm, both agronomically and in taste tests. These will be moved forward for release. For tomatos, we began testing hybrids along with inbred cultivars, and several desirable hybrids were identified from evaluations this summer. About 40 wheat lines are being evaluated for possible on-farm trials with interested stakeholders, including several very lovely blue wheat lines. Approximately ¾ of an acre of field trials of tomatoes, wheat, zinnias, tomatoes, bell peppers, and jalapenos at the UC Davis Student Farm and an on-farm trial of tomatoes in the Sacramento Valley were planted. A zinnia demonstration plot at the Student Farm's Eco Garden to educate the public on the goals of this breeding project. Collected yield data for 38 advanced tomato breeding lines and 52 tomato early generation breeding lines (F2-F4) and 3 pepper varieties. Collected data on flower color, petal shape, stem length, and other traits for 30 zinnia breeding populations. The zinnia breeding project team developed and implemented new phenotyping protocols on zinnia vase life and powdery mildew disease severity. Managed a sweet potato variety trial, which we assessed as a possible new crop for SCOPE. Maintained crossing blocks for tomatoes and zinnias. Held a tomato taste test to evaluate 34 advanced breeding lines for flavor, texture, and appearance. Objective 2. We have had five graduate students act as lead breeders and four additional graduate students have been involved with breeding projects. About 30 undergraduate students participated in the past year. Objective 3. We hosted a field day in Fall 2022 for all SCOPE crops and an Organic Wheat Field Day in spring 2022. On-farm trials of tomatoes continued in 2022. Several seed companies are interested in collaborating on breeding zinnias and in producing seed for pepper releases. We also held a hybrid on-line/in-person seminar series on organic breeding, food production, food preparation, and seed sovereignty
Publications
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Progress 09/01/20 to 08/31/21
Outputs
Target Audience:In the first year of the SCOPE 2.0 project, we hosted events and crafted outreach materials targeting our vast network of students, faculty, plant breeders, seed producers, organic farmers, and other stakeholders tied to the Organic Seed Alliance's and California Wheat Commission's networks. Our undergraduate internship program built on previous quarters' experiences to gain more independence and leadership roles, and increase undergraduate-faculty interaction. The student-led breeding projects created opportunities for graduate students across disciplines to participate in field management and breeding concepts, data collection, seed production, and fruit processing. The projects also increase student understanding of the practice and theory of plant breeding, and strengthen the participatory network of stakeholders engaged in this project. In partnership with OSA, our events have been attended by a network of organic seed producers and seed companies, organic farmers, researchers, food company representatives, and other stakeholders. This spring, OSA also helped coordinate outreach with partnering regional organic farms to coordinate variety trials. We also continue to highlight project outcomes through the SCOPE website (https://plantbreeding.ucdavis.edu/scope-project), and shared through partner websites, social media, and listserves. Changes/Problems:Despite the pandemic, we have managed to keep the breeding programs largely on track due to much of the work being done outside and/or in greenhouses with ample space to physically distance participants. The program is on track in all respects. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The major training activity for this grant is the internship program for undergraduate students and training of graduate students to be plant breeders. Due to COVID-19, our internship program at Davis was remote during summer 2020, and had a remote option during the '20-'21 school year. Each week, the undergraduate students attended at least one 1 hour meeting, where they either heard from a speaker or held a "work group" meeting to discuss their projects. Seminar speakers presented topics related to plant breeding or the crops of interest. Work groups were student-led, so that students could gain confidence in facilitating meetings, an important skill in a workplace. A total of 50 seminars or work groups were held. Outside of weekly meetings, in-person students were trained in hands-on plant breeding and organic farming skills, such as crossing, making single plant selections, data collection, transplanting, weeding, and more. Remote students were trained in computer-oriented skills, such as data entry, data analysis, making selections based on data, and developing content to share with the public, such as social media posts and educational videos. A total of 15 students completed an internship with SCOPE at UC Davis: 6 were completely remote and 11 had some in-person component. Two other students completed in-person internships at Cal Poly Pomona, focusing on field and greenhouse management. Graduate students have the opportunity to lead teams for each crop and are ultimately responsible for the direction and decision-making within each project. Seven graduate students were leads, or took an equivalent leadership role. Two students completed their PhDs this year after being team leads in SCOPE for at least 3 years. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?We presented information through numerous seminars, field days, invited presentations, and other outlets. Due to the pandemic, all of these events were virtual, including the a presentation at the Californa Seed Summit, a panel of 15 zinnia growers to discuss breeding needs and goals, a presentation to the introductory plant breeding class at UC Davis, a virtual wheat field day, including seminar presentations by PI Brummer virtually at the Univ. of Minnesota and at Clemson Univ. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?In the next reporting period, we will continue to advance the breeding lines for all crops. While the wheat, tomato and zinnia programs are still some way from release, we have several pepper lines that we will collect more data for potential release. In addtion, we will evaluate sweet potato lines to determine if this is a new crop we want to add to the program (as a clonally propagated crop, it would be very complementary to our existing species and offer students another crop model. We intend to continue our student internship program and to invite participants from outside the university to attend our seminars. We hope to have in-person field day events in 2022, pandemic willing.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Zinnia: In summer 2020, the Zinnia project began its evaluation of available germplasm and began making initial crosses. The project evaluated 40 different accessions and produced 195 different biparental crosses. These crosses were also the basis for crossing and seed saving protocol, as well as educational videos and demos for zinnias. In fall 2020, larger objectives for the zinnia project were established and target traits are selected. With direct input from growers, 5 primary traits were selected for improvement: color, petal shape, flower size, stem length and disease resistance. To accomplish these goals, crosses from the initial pool were selected and organized into 4 "breeding groups" which targeted one or multiple traits for improvement. In total, 40 promising families were selected based on the phenotypes of the parents. In winter 2020/2021, a greenhouse planting of zinnias was conducted to explore the inheritance of certain target traits not described in existing literature, as well as explore inbreeding depression in self-pollinated lines. 10 crosses were selected from the initial pool of field crosses and were grown in the greenhouse, along with their parental lines and new germplasm additions, or 40 additional plants. In total, and additional 53 crosses and selfs were conducted. In spring 2021, preparation and planning for the summer field planting took place. In addition to the 40 lines selected based on breeding goals, 12 accessions of new germplasm were planted to add additional genetic diversity into the program, as well as genes that aligned with the overall breeding program. 8 lines were also added that showed promise but didn't fit into any specific goal, and 9 lines were selected by SCOPE interns to demonstrate and educate on the process of seed selection. In total, initially 863 plants were grown on a quarter-acre field, and an additional 63 plants were added from the greenhouse crosses, bringing the total field planting to 926 zinnias. After reaching maturity, the zinnias were individually phenotyped by color, and additional phenotyping will take place in summer 2021. Tomato: In Fall 2019-Winter 2020, an off-season greenhouse crossing block was initiated to advance selections from the 2019 field and to generate crosses. Thirty-five crosses were made in order to produce new breeding material for generating inbred lines. During Spring 2020, the SCOPE tomato project prioritized the following traits for its inbred lines: fruit size (slicer-type), disease resistance, flavor, and fruit color. The ideotypes that SCOPE aims to create are an heirloom-type red slicer with improved disease resistance and yield, and a colorful heirloom-type with good flavor, improved fruit quality, and improved disease resistance and yield. Approximately 1,000 tomato plants were planted in the field, which included 45 F1 crosses, 10 families ranging from F2 to F7, 4 checks, and 26 new introductions. During Summer 2020, the field was phenotyped for fruit ripening date, fruit abundance, fruit weight, fruit color, flavor, blossom end rot, sun scald, canopy thickness, height, and prevalence of disease. In total, 60 selections were made from the field. Eleven crosses were made in the field to produce new breeding material for generating inbred lines. During Fall 2020-Winter 2021, cuttings from field selections were used for a crossing block during the off-season to advance selections from the 2020 field and to generate crosses. Seventy-eight crosses were made in order to produce new breeding material for generating inbred lines. During Winter 2021, the SCOPE tomato project began an initiative to include hybrid breeding into its program. This involved compiling 20 inbred lines from SCOPE and our collaborators to trial in different locations, including on-farm trials conducted by growers. During Spring 2021, approximately 1,500 plants in the field, with one-third of the field consisting of replicated plots of the 20 inbred lines. Six of the 20 lines have been selected to conduct a diallel based on fruit size and preliminary performance to assess combining abilities. During Summer 2021, cuttings of the 6 lines selected for the diallel had cuttings taken to initiate a crossing block, in addition to 6 other lines to complete crosses that could not be made during the crossing block of Fall 2020-Winter 2021. Plants will phenotype throughout the summer for similar traits as Summer 2020 in addition to Brix, yield, and flavor testing. Pepper: In summer 2020, the pepper project tested 4 jalapeno lines and 3 bell pepper lines against 3 jalapeno checks and 4 bell pepper checks at 2 farms. Due to COVID-19, we did not have an additional trial at the UC Davis Student Farm. Based on marketable yield data from these two locations, we selected two jalapeno lines and one bell pepper line to prepare for release in 2021. The bell is a short, yellow variety that is late-maturing and sunscald resistant. The jalapeno pepper "popper" has thicker and wider pericarp than all 3 jalapeno checks and is moderately spicy, making it excellent for jalapeno poppers. The other "frying" type pepper, is a large, moderately spicy pepper that also performed well at both locations, although it's larger than most jalapenos. For yield, both lines had a higher yield per plant than both Early Jalapeno and Jalapeno Grande. The bell pepper line had the highest per plant marketable yield and lower sunscald % than Golden California Wonder and Red Knight (10.3% versus 14.3-39.6%). In winter 2020-2021, we planted 2 generations of each of these 3 lines for a seed increase. The earliest generation material is F6, for the frying pepper, and the latest generation is F10, for the popper and bell pepper. In summer 2021, we planted strip trials at 4 locations: 1 at Cal Poly Pomona, 1 at the UCD Student Farm, and 2 at the same farms in Yolo County as 2020, Each location has about 20-40 plants of each line and corresponding check varieties. We plan on collecting the necessary phenotype data for each line to pursue a plant variety protection, in addition to collecting data on fruit size, color, shape, and plant yield. We plan on releasing the varieties in 2022. We will save seeds from caged plants in the field and in our greenhouse.?
Publications
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