Understanding Germplasm transitions to safeguard the future of plant breeding

Recipient Organization
UNIV OF HAWAII
3190 MAILE WAY
HONOLULU,HI 96822

Performing Department
(N/A)

Non Technical Summary
Plant breeding is one of the world's oldest technologies, from farmers selecting plants during domestication to large scale modern commercial breeding programs using genomics and phenomics. Germplasm is the basic building block of any successful plant breeding program. However, as plant breeding positions turnover (e.g. retirement) the periods of transition pose significant threats to the conservation and utilization of germplasm through lack of program continuity. Given the often significant investment in public cultivar development and breeding, the successful transfer of a breeding program's germplasm and embodied knowledge is essential.

Animal Health Component

75%

Research Effort Categories

Basic

(N/A)

Applied

75%

Developmental

25%

Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)	Subject of Investigation (SOI)	Field of Science (FOS)	Percent
202	0001	1081	100%

Knowledge Area
202 - Plant Genetic Resources;

Subject Of Investigation
0001 - Administration;

Field Of Science
1081 - Breeding;

Keywords

germplasm

plant breeding programs

transitions

value propositions

Goals / Objectives
AIM 1: Conduct a one-day meeting to understand the breadth of transitions as well as identify the lessons that can be learnedAIM 2: Create a conference proceeding based on the case studies and make it available to the publicsAIM 3: Create a best practices white paper to be published in a plant breeding journal and to be distributed to Agricultural Experiment station directors.

Project Methods
We propose to hold a one-day conference in conjunction with the National Association of Plant Breeders annual meeting in 2024. Prior to the meeting thecore group of researchers (affiliated with the Plant Breeding Coordinating committee) will develop a questionnaire (attached) and case studies regarding different types of plant breeding transitions. During the conference we will work toward a consensus for breeding program data documentation, soft-skills necessary to facilitate positive interactions, and how to appropriately store germplasm to ensure the next breeder will have an opportunity to continue the legacy of the program. Our approach includes both a description of how existing plant breeding transitions have occurred as well as a synthesis of 'best practices' which can be modified by an institution. We aim to fully bridge the gap between anecdote and organizational management research.

Progress 05/01/24 to 04/03/25

Outputs
Target Audience:The goal of the project was to develop convene a gathering of nationwide stakeholders interested in understanding the best ways to preserve public sector plant breeding infrastructure when program leadership transitions occur. The target audience was public sector plant breeders, University administrators (LGUs, HBCUs, TCUs), and germplasm bank managers. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Early Career professionals were included in the meeting and in the writing of the white paper. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The results have been made available through public talks, websites, and the papers that are currently in review. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? AIM 1: Conduct a one-day meeting to understand the breadth of transitions as well as identify the lessons that can be learned This meeting was conducted as part of the 2024 National Association of Plant Breeding annual meeting in St. Louis on July 20. This meeting had over 30 participants and features 8 talks The meeting resulted in rich discussion on development of white paper AIM 2: Create a conference proceeding based on the case studies and make it available to the publics Each talk was made available to the broader plant breeding community A summary of the meeting was made available to the plant breeding community AIM 3: Create a best practices white paper to be published in a plant breeding journal and to be distributed to Agricultural Experiment station directors. A paper was written and is currently in review This paper will be given to all the AES directors

Publications