Annual Wheat Newsletter
Volume 37
Edited by J. S. Quick, Department of Agronomy, Colorado State University,
Fort Collins, CO, USA; Financial arrangements made by Ian B. Edwards,
Treasurer, Pioneer Overseas Corporation, Johnston, IA, USA.
Carolyn Schultz, Senior Secretary, CSU Department of Agronomy, typed and
collated the information for the printing of this volume. Facilities and
assistance during manuscript editing were kindly provided by Colorado State
University.
Additional regional editing and manuscript solicitation were
done by:
J. S. Noll, Canada Dept. of Agriculture, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
R. A. Fischer, CIMMYT, Mexico, D. F., Mexico
K. S. Gill, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab, India
T. E. Miller, Plant Sci. Res., Cambridge Laboratory, Norwich, England
H. A. van Niekerk, Small Grain Center, Bethlehem, South Africa
R. A. McIntosh, University of Sydney, Castle Hill, N.S.W., Australia
This volume was financed by voluntary contributions - list included. The
information in this Newsletter is considered as personal contributions.
Before citing any information herein, obtain the consent of the specific
author(s). The Newsletter is sponsored by the National Wheat Improvement
Committee, USA.
1 June 1991
450 copies printed by
University Communications, Colorado State University
-------------------------
TABLE OF CONTENTS
JOHN BINGHAM
EVERETT H. EVERSON
ERNEST ROBERT SEARS
I. SPECIAL REPORTS
Minutes - National Wheat Improvement Committee
Members - National Wheat Improvement Committee
Minutes - Wheat Crop Advisory Committee
II. CONTRIBUTIONS
PRIVATE COMPANIES
AGRIPRO BIOSCIENCES
Rob Bruns, John Moffat, Joe Smith, Jim Reeder - Berthoud, CO
Koy Miskin, Curtis Beazer - Brookston, IN
Barton Fogleman, Erwin Ridge - Jonesboro, AR
AGROMIX SOFTWARE, INC.
Deiter K. Mulitze
CARGILL, INC.
D. R. Johnston, S. W. Perry, J. E. Handwerk, Sally R. Clayshulte, D.
P. Shellberg - Fort Collins, CO
Nestor Machado, Pedro Paulucci, Hector Mertinuzzi - Argentina
R. P. Daniel, D. Donaldson M. J. Nowland, C. J. Tyson, D. J. Wilson,
P. Wilson - Tamworth, Australia
HYBRITECH SEED INTERNATIONAL, INC.
John Erickson, Jerry Wilson, Steve Kuhr, Bud Hardesty, Karolyn Ely -
Wichita, KS; Gordon Cisar - Lafayette,
IN
Dennis Dunphy, Sam Wallace, Richard Evans - Lafayette, IN; Leon
Fischer, Kent Baker - Mt. Hope, KS; Geoff
Keyes - St. Louis, MO
NORTHRUP KING COMPANY
Fred Collins, June Hancock, Craig Allen - Bay, AR
ORSEM
Ch. Quandalle, S. Sunderwirth, L. Batreau
TRIO RESEARCH, INC.
J. Wilson - Wichita, KS
WESTERN PLANT BREEDERS
D. Clark, Craig Cook, Amy Baroch - Bozeman, MT; K. Shantz, J. Bobula -
Tempe, AZ
ARGENTINA
Enrique Suarez, Laura Bullrich, A. Acevedo, E Antonelli, S. Feingold,
M. Artega, G.W. Covas, J. Safont Lis, G. Tranquilli - Castellar
R.A. Heinz, Mariana Del Vas, L.C. Moratinos, E.A. Favret, H. E. Hopp,
S.E. Feingold - Castellar
G. Manera, G. Diaz, E. Yanacon, R. Maich, G. Berrino, O. Pagani, A.
Benedetti, M. Canovas - Fac. Cs. Agropecuarias U.N.C.
AUSTRALIA
NEW SOUTH WALES
J. Bell, G. N. Brown, D. Backhouse, N. L. Darvey, L. W. Burgess, R. A.
McIntosh, J. D. Oates, R. Park, Jake, J. Sharp, D. The, C.R. Wellings -
Sydney and Cobbitty
L. O'Brien, F. W. Ellison, D. J. Mares, S. G. Moore, - Narrabri
R.A. Hare - Tamworth
C.W. Wrigley, F. MacRitchie, I.L. Batey, F. Bekes, R. Gupta, S.
Rahman, P. Reddy, J.H. Skerritt - CSIRO, Sydney
QUEENSLAND
P. S. Brennan, P.J. Keys, L. R. Mason, J. A. Sheppard, R. G.
Norris, G. C. Smith, R. W. Uebergang, P.J. Agius -Toowoomba
D. J. Martin, B. G. Stewart - Toowoomba
R. G. Rees, R. L. Eisemann, G. J. Platz, K. C. M. Blaikie - Toowoomba
G. B. Wildermuth, R. B. McNamara - Toowoomba
BRAZIL
J. C. S. Moreira, C. N. A. de Sousa - Passo Fundo
C. N. A. de Souza, E. P. Gomes, J. C. S. Moreira, P.L. Scheeren,
S.D. dos A. de Silva
C. R. Reide, L. A. C. Campos, D. Brunetta - Londrina, P.R.
O. S. Rosa, O.S. Rosa Filho - Melhoramento de Sementes, LTDA
A. C. P. Goulart, F. de A. Paiva, C.J. Avila, J.S. Sobrinho, P.G. Sousa
- Dourados, M. S.
CANADA
ALBERTA
R.S. Sadasivaiah, R.L. Conner
K.G. Briggs
MANITOBA
Steve Haber
O. M. Lukow, K.M. Kidd
O. M. Lukow, N.K. Howes
D. Harder, K. Dunsmore
W.J. Turnock, B.H. Timlick
J. A. Kolmer
S.E. German, J.A. Kolmer, P.L. Dyck
ONTARIO
W. L. Seaman, E. F. Schneider, D. R. Sampson
PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND
H.W. Johnston, H.G. Nass
SASKATCHEWAN
R.J. Graf, D. Potts, B.J. Fowler, K. Glatt, C. McLean
CHINA, PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF
Zhaosu Wu, Shirong Yu, Xizhong Wei, Quimei Xia, Youjia Shen, Yong Xu,
Zhaoxia Chen, Jiming Wu, Guoliang Jiang -
Nanjing
Zuoji Lin, Shenghui Jie, Xueyi Hu, Z.Q. Wu - Henan
Z.Y. Liu, F.C. Liu, Y.Z. Shen, Z.Q. Li, P.Y. Bai, F.W. Shao, H.M.
Li - Hebei
CZECHOSLOVAKIA
J. Smocek
Z. Stehno, L. Dotlacil, V. Sip, M. Skorpik, M. Vlasek
ESTONIA
O. Priilinn, T. Enno, H. Peusha, M. Tohver, L. Timofejeva
GERMANY
A. Boerner, C.O. Lehmann, D. Mettin, J. Plaschke, G. Schlegel, R.
Schlegel, G. Melz, V. Thiele - Gatersleben
V. Vassilev, J. von Kietzell, H. Toben, A. Mavridis, M. Gross, K. Rudolf
- Gottingen
HUNGARY
L. Balla, Z. Bedo, L. Lang, L. Szunics, Lu. Szunics, I. Karsai -
Martonvasar
J. Sutka, B. Barnabas, O. Veisz, G. Galiba, M. Molnar-Lang, G.
Kovacs, E. Szakacs, B. Koszegi, R. Nagy, I. Takacs, G. Kocsy - Martonvasar
INDIA
S.M.S. Tomar, K.D. Srivastava, D.V. Singh - New Delhi
M. Kochumadhavan, S.M.S. Tomar, P.N.N. Nambisan - Wellington
R. N. Sawhney, D.N. Sharma, H.B. Chowdary, J.B. Sharma - New Delhi
P.C. Pande, S. Nagarajan, D. Singh, H.N. Pande
M. K. Upadhyay, B. Singh
Dalmir Singh
G. S. Sethi, Satish C. Sharma, K.S. Thakur, D. L. Sharma, Ashwani Kumar,
Shyam Verma, H.K. Chaudhary - Palampur
ISRAEL
Sem Y. Atsmon
A. Blum
ITALY
B. Borghi, M. Perenzin, M. Cattaneo, Y.M. Qiao, R. Castagna, P.
Gavuzzi, N.E. Pogna, R. Redaelli, A.M. Beretta, A. Curioni, A. Dal Belin
Peruffo, F. Raineri - Lodigiano
V. Vallega - Rome
JAPAN
A. Oyanagi, A. Sato, M. Wada
Y. Taniguchi
S. Ito
MEXICO
R. A. Fischer, G. Varughese
P.A. Burnett, R. Ranieri, J. Robinson
He Zhong-hu
K.D. Sayre, I. Ortiz-Montasterio, C. Meisner NEPAL
H.J. Dubin, P.R. Hobbs
ROMANIA
N. S. Saulescu, Em. Jinga, I. Hagima, Mariana Ittu, Gh. Ittu, A
Jilaveanu - Fundulea
SOUTH AFRICA
H. A. Van Niekerk, R. Cilliers, A. Brummer, D. Exley - Bethlehem
H. A. Van Niekerk, T. G. Paxton, R. Britz, M. S. S. Jordan, T. van
Bredenkamp
I.B.J. Smith, F Groenewald, A. Basson
H. A. Smit, J. L. Purchase, P.A. Visser, H. A. van Tonder, A. H.
Botha, M. Maritz
C.G. Burbidge, R.C. Lindeque, H.A. van Tonder, H.S.C. van der Merwe, W.
van der Westhuizen
H. B. Smit, B. L. deVilliers, H.H. Knobel, R. C. Lindeque
H. B. Smit, B. L. deVilliers, H.H. Knobel, R. C. Lindeque, J.P. du Toit
S.C. Drijepondt
J. Smith
B.J. Pieterse, J.T. Steyn, J.P.C. Tolmay
G.J. Prinsloo, V.L. Tolmay, B. Koen, J.L. Hatting
Z.A. Pretorius, F.J. Kloppers, E.G. Brink - Bloemfontein
C.S. van Deventer, M.T. Labuschagne
R. de V. Pienaar, G. F. Marais, G. M. Littlejohn, H. S. Roux, R. Prins,
C. du Pleissis, J.M. Hay - Stellenbosch
F. du Toit, S.S. Walters - Pioneer Seed Company, Bainsvlei
SYRIA
G. Ortiz-Ferrara, A. Shehadeh, M. Michael, M. Asad Moussa - Aleppo
B.C. Curtis, Haitham Kayyali
UNITED KINGDOM
NORWICH, Cambridge Laboratory, Institute of Plant Science Research
S. M. Reader, T. E. Miller
I.P. King, T. E. Miller, R.M.D. Koebner
I.P. King, R.M.D. Koebner, R. Schlegel, S.M. Reader, T.E. Miller
I.P. King, R.M.D. Koebner, S.M. Reader, T.E. Miller
W.J. Rogers, E.J. Sayers, C.N. Law
A.I. Morgunov, W.J. Rogers, E.J. Sayers, E.V. Metakowsky
M.D. Gale, J.B. Smith, M.D. Atkinson, K.M. Devos, C.N. Chinoy, M.L.
Wang, R.L. Harcourt, C.J. Liu
A.J. Worland, C.N. Law, S. Petrovic
J. W. Snape, V. Hyne
D.A. Laurie
S.A. Quarrie, A. Steed
R. Johnson, R.N. Sawney, P.N. Minchin
P. Nicholson, H.N. Rezanoor
M.J. Ambrose
NORWICH, John Innes Institute
J.S. Heslop-Harrison, A.R. Leitch, T. Schwarzacher, K.
Anamthawat-Jonsson
BRISTOL, Institute of Arable Crops Research and University of Bristol
P.A. Sabelli, P.R. Shewry, D. Lafiandra
A.S. Tatham, P.R. Shewry, M.J. Miles, H.H. Wills
CAMBRIDGE, Plant Breeding International
S.J. Brown, P.I. Payne
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
ARKANSAS
R. K. Bacon, B. R. Wells, M.L. May, D. Dombeck
CALIFORNIA
C.A. Curtis, Bahman Ehdaie, A.J. Lukaszewski, M.M. Rafi, S.H. Shah, J.G.
Waines
COLORADO
J. S. Quick, G. H. Ellis, R. Normann, M. Mergoum, S. Haley, K. Ngongolo,
A. Saidi, Q.X. Sun
FLORIDA
R.D. Barnett, A.R. Soffes, P.L. Pfahler, H.H. Luke, J.B. Hartman
GEORGIA
J. W. Johnson, B. N. Cunfer, P.L. Bruckner, J.J. Roberts, G.D. Buntin,
R.E. Wilkinson
IDAHO
R.S. Zemetra, E. Souza, S. Guy, C.M. Smith, J. Johnson, M. Lauver, D.
Schotzko, J. Tyler, M. Feng, S. Schroeder-Teeter
INDIANA
H. W. Ohm, H. C. Sharma, I.M. Dweikat, S.A. MacKenzie, D. McFatridge, F.
L. Patterson, G. Shaner, R.M. Lister, D. M.
Huber, G. Buechley, R.H. Ratcliffe, R.H. Shukle, S. Wellso, G. G.
Safranski, S. Cambron
KANSAS
T.S. Cox, R.G. Sears, J.P. Shroyer, B. S. Gill, J. Hatchett, G.H. Liang,
T. Harvey, T.J. Martin, D. Fjell, L.E. Browder, H.S.
Dhaliwal, T. Endo, B. Freibe, K.S. Gill, L.G. Harrell, D.S. Hassawi, J.
Jiang, P.D. Chen, J. Werner,, R.S. Kota, E.L. Lubbers,
Y. Mukai, L.M. Patton, W.J. Raupp, B.R. Tyagi, D.L. Wilson, G.Yue, S.
Guoping, G.M. Paulsen, S. Muthukrishnan
O. K. Chung, G. L. Lookhart, D. B. Bechtel, D. B. Sauer, L. C. Bolte, D.
W. Hagstrum, W.S. Kim, L. M. Seitz, J.D. Wilson,
C. R. Martin, W.H. McGaughey, M.D. Shogren, J.T. Steele, D.L. Brabec,
R.E. Dempster, W.M. Lamkin, R. Rouser, R.D. Speirs,
I. Zayas, C. S. Chang, H. H. Converse
T.J. Byram
T. C. Roberts
KENTUCKY
D. A. Van Sanford, C. T. MacKown, L.J. Grabau
LOUISIANA
S.A. Harrison, P. Colyer, C. Hallier
MARYLAND
D. J. Sammons, R. J. Kratochvil
MINNESOTA
R. Busch, B. Delzer
A. P. Roelfs, D. L. Long, D. H. Casper, M. E. Hughes, J. J. Roberts
D.V. McVey, R. H. Busch
MISSOURI
E. R. Sears, G. Kimber, J. P. Gustafson, A.L. McKendry, C.G.D. Chapman,
H. Aswidinnoor, M. Jlibene, A. Dera, H. Daud,
M. Feiner, R. Wilman, B. Winberg, K. Ross, D. Bittel, G. Henke, K.
Houchins, J. Berg, D. Tague, S. Madsen, J.V. Monte,
M. Wanous, Z. Zhou
MONTANA
E.A. Hockett, T. Kisha
NEBRASKA
P.S. Baenziger, C.J. Peterson, D.R. Shelton, R.A. Graybosch, M.R.
Morris, L.A. Nelson, R. Simonson, D.J. Lyons, G.L. Hein
P.S. Baenziger, C.J. Peterson, D.R. Shelton, D.D. Baltensperger, D.V.
McVey, J.H. Hatchett
R.L. Simonson, J. Rybczynski, P.S. Baenziger
T.G. Berke, P.S. Baenziger, M.R. Morris
A. Masrizal, P.S. Baenziger
C.J. Peterson
C.J. Peterson, R.A. Graybosch, P.S. Baenziger, A.W. Grombacher
R. A. Graybosch, C. J. Peterson, D.R. Shelton
Jai-Heon Lee, R.A. Graybosch, C.J. Peterson
R.A. Graybosch
D.R. Shelton
D.J. Lyon, D.D. Baltensperger, G.L. Hein
R. C. French, N.L. Robertson, W. G. Langenberg
NEW YORK
M. E. Sorrells, W. R. Coffman
G. C. Bergstrom, D. W. Kalb, A. M. C. Schilder, D. Shah
NORTH CAROLINA
R. E. Jarrett, S. Leath, J. P. Murphy
NORTH DAKOTA
B.L. D'Appolonia, J.W. Dick, K. Khan, C.E. McDonald, D.R. Shelton, B.
Donnelly, G. Hareland, L.A. Grant
OHIO
H.N. Lafever, W.A. Berzonsky, R.W. Gooding, L.D. Herald, R.J. Minyo Jr.,
T.L. Hoover
OKLAHOMA
E. L. Smith, G. H. Morgan, R. J. Sidwell, D.L. Jones
B.F. Carver, D.A. Dougherty, E.L. Smith
R. M. Hunger, F. J. Gough, G. L. Sherwood, E. Williams
L. L. Singleton, C. C. Russell
D.R. Porter, J. A. Webster, C. A. Baker, J.D. Burd, S. D. Kindler, N.C.
Elliot, G.J. Puterka, D. K. Reed, R.L. Burton
OREGON
R.S. Karow
P. K. Zwer, D.L. Sutherland, K.J. Morrow
W. E. Kronstad, C.S. Love, M. Kolding, S. Rajaram, C. Mundt, M. Das, A.
Vanavichit
PENNSYLVANIA
M.L. Risius, F.E. Gildow
SOUTH DAKOTA
F.A. Cholick, C.H. Chen, B. Farber, B. Ruden, S. Shin
J.L. Gellner, R.A. Schut, R.W. Kieckhefer
G. Buchenau, D. J. Gallenberg
D.H. Rickerl, J. D. Smolik
TEXAS
L.R. Nelson, Mark Lazar, C.A. Erickson, G.E. Hart, D. Marshall, M.E.
McDaniel, B. McDonald, Lloyd Rooney, J.E. Slosser,
B. Shafer, John Sij, N.A. Tuleen, W.D. Worrall, R. Sultan, M.
Harrington, S.D. Serna-Saldivar
UTAH
R. S. Albrechtsen
VIRGINIA
C.A. Griffey, D.E. Brann, E. Stromberg, M.K. Das
WASHINGTON
R. E. Allan, J. A. Pritchett, L. M. Little
R. F. Line
C.F. Morris, H.C. Jeffers, A.D. Bettge,, D. Engle, M.L. Baldridge, B.S.
Patterson, R. Ader, J. Raykowski
M.K. Walker-Simmons, J.L. Reid, J. Curry, R. Anderberg
C.J. Peterson Jr., D.F. Moser, V.L. DeMacon, M.L. Mundell Jr.
H. Zhou, S.T. Ball, C.F. Konzak
C.F. Konzak, H. Zhou
S.T. Ball, B.E. Frazier, G.S. Campbell, C.F. Konzak
E. Donaldson, M. Nagamitsu, B. Sauer
WISCONSIN
R. A. Forsberg, E. S. Oplinger, R.D. Duerst, J.B. Stevens
YUGOSLOVIA
B. Koric, S. Tomasovic
III. CULTIVARS AND GERMPLASM
H.E. Bockelman - Triticum Accessions, National Small Grains Collection
H.E. Bockelman, G.A. White - New Triticum PI Assignments
H.E. Bockelman - Aegilops Accessions, National Small Grains Collection
H.E. Bockelman - Elite Germplasm, Cultivar Name Clearance,
Exporting/Importing Guidelines
H.E. Bockelman, D.M. Wesenberg, M.A. Bohning, L.W. Briggle - Evaluation
of National Small Grains Collection
Germplasm Progress Report
R. E. Allan - CSSA Cultivar and Germplasm Registration
B. Skovmand - Wheat Cultivar Abbreviations
IV. CATALOGUE OF GENE SYMBOLS, 1991 SUPPLEMENT
R. A. McIntosh, G.E. Hart, M.D. Gale
V. ANNUAL WHEAT NEWSLETTER FUND
VI. VOLUME 38 MANUSCRIPT GUIDELINES
VIII. MAILING LIST
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I. SPECIAL REPORTS
Minutes of the National Wheat Improvement Committee (NWIC) Meeting
November 8-9, 1990
College Park, Maryland
ATTENDANCE
Committee Members: I.B. Edwards, Chair, R.H. Busch, Secretary, R.S. Zemetra,
F.A. Cholick, J.A. Smith, R. Bruns, D.R. Shelton, T.S. Cox, W.D. Worrall, D.
Van Sanford, H.F. Bockleman, R.F. Line, R. Bacon, C.J. Peterson, R.E. Allan,
D.J. Sammons, C. Qualset, R. Stuckey. Absent: G. Stadler, C. Haugeberg
(ex-officio member).
Non-Committee Members: J. Quick, Colorado State University; R. Sears,
Kansas State University; B. Skovmand, CIMMYT; P. Gustafson, ARS-University of
Missouri; C.F. Murphy, ARS-NPS Beltsville; D. McVey, ARS-Cereal Rust
Laboratory, G. Waines, University of California; W. Martinez, ARS-NPS
Beltsville, V. Krischik, USDA-FGIS, Washington D.C.; D. Shipman, USDA-FGIS,
Washington D.C.; F. Cooper, USDA-APHIS Hyattsville; E.M. Imai, USDA-APHIS,
Hyattsville; M.K. Aycock,Jr., University of Maryland; R. Kennedy, University
of Maryland, R.J. Kratochvil, University of Maryland.
PRELIMINARIES
Chairman Edwards called the meeting to order. Welcomes were given by
Dr. Robert Kennedy, Director, Maryland Agic. Expt. Sta. and Dr. M.K. Aycock,
Chair, Dept. of Agronomy, Univ. of Maryland.
MINUTES OF THE 1989 MEETING
Since the minutes were published in AWN 36:9-18, Busch asked for a
motion to waive reading them. Motion was made and passed.
RESPONSE TO 1989 RESOLUTIONS
Chairman Edwards summarized responses received to the 1989 resolutions
which were: Importation of Seed from Mexico, International Winter Wheat
Performance Nursery, Wheat Genetic Stocks Position and Multi-Site Wheat
Genetic Stock Centers, International Triticeae Mapping Initiative, and Nation
Wheat Variety Survey.
Under Secretary of Agriculture (Science and Education) Charles E. Hess
responded to the resolutions as follows:
International Winter Wheat Performance Nursery-- "This program is highly
beneficial to winter wheat breeding programs in the United States, and it is
of even greater importance to Eastern Europe and developing countries. ARS
would like to see the program retain its viability having contributed with
personnel and administrative support. We are looking forward to continuing
interactions with the Agency for International Development in developing an
appropriate course of action to retain this program."
Preservation and Use of Wheat Genetic Stocks--"We share the NWIC's concern
and are aware of the proposal for a multi-site wheat genetic stocks center.
With its current resource base, the ARS will not be able to add a new
scientist position, dedicated to wheat genetic stocks, at Columbia, as
originally planned. However, ARS does plan to create a high-level technician
position within the wheat genetics project at Columbia, which will be
dedicated to special genetic stocks. From this focal point, ARS plans to
coordinate a multi-site center much like that described in the proposal."
International Triticeae Mapping Initiative--"We support the principles
embodied in this initiative. The NWIC's recommendations will receive serious
consideration as we discuss future program directions, particularly in terms
of current economic constraints and the need to provide proper balance in our
science and education programs."
National Wheat Variety Survey--"We agree that the survey is extremely
important and useful to wheat workers throughout the United States. We also
commend the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) for it efforts to
assume responsibility for the survey. Since this activity is in accordance
with the agreement reached several years ago between NASS and ARS, there are
no plans for ARS to fund the survey."
SOFT WHEAT TEST WEIGHT ISSUE
Dr.'s D. Sammons, R. Stuckey, and W. Martinez reported on a Test Weight
Workshop sponsored jointly by ARS-NWAG Foundation with growers, exporters,
millers, bakers and other interested groups represented. More research is
necessary to determine its usefulness and meaning but it is clearly perceived
as a measure of quality by many of the represented groups. More research of
the issue was recommended but test weight as a physical measure will be
continued. Further, test weight is an issue in other crops as a measure of
quality assessment. Test weight seems to be a major help for grain elevator
personnel or for loading information for ships, but as a quality predictor it
is relatively poor. R. Allen indicated that test weight within a genotype
across environments is related to flour yield. This issue relative to NWIC
participation was summarized as: 1) keep issue alive, 2) support ARS in its
research effort for multi-quality laboratory involvement, 3) test weight will
remain a measurement but perhaps not of quality, 4) NWIC needs to maintain an
active role, 5) main objective is to provide fairness to the farmer, 6) may
require education of consumer as to utility of test weight, 7) need a quality
measurement which predicts end-use well. A resolution will be drafted
supporting continuing work on the test weight issue.
NWIC LEGISLATIVE VISIT
D. Sammons, F. Cholick and R. Zemetra reported on the visit to Congress,
March, 1990. Six members visited Capital Hill (Sammons, Cholick, Sears,
Shelton, Zemetra and Edwards) to provide information to key committees in the
Senate and House. Stuckey met with the group the night before to provide
orientation on the structure needed to impact the funding process. Issues in
the briefing book were: 1) Genetic stocks, 2) International winter wheat
performance nursery, 3) Pathology position (smut), 4) CSRS for applied
research Hatch funding, 5) Commented on the Grain Quality Act in the
Agricultural Bill. Problems (contribution from Sears, Shelton, Edwards,
Zemetra, Cholick, Stuckey and Murphy)--Need follow-up for the political
process perhaps with NWAG, need a `champion' for each specific item, need
potential economic impact (cost-benefit ratio) statement of estimation, need
industry support (perhaps contacting Dr. Ev Everson to help with industry
support) and trips are expensive to take from own funds.
The Standing Legislative Committee remains the same as in 1989 and are
as follows: Chairman, Dr. D. Sammons (soft red winter wheat); Dr. R. Sears
(hard red winter wheat region); Dr. F. Cholick (hard red spring wheat); and
Dr. R. Zemetra (western wheat).
ANNUAL WHEAT NEWSLETTER
The following reports are included by J.S. Quick, Editor, and I.
Edwards, Treasurer of the Wheat Newsletter:
Editor's Report
The editing and publishing of Volume 36 of the Annual Wheat Newsletter
(AWN) closely followed the format of previous newsletters. There were 400
copies printed and each copy had 275 pages, the largest volume ever produced.
No copies of Volume 36, and about 30 of Volume 35 are still available. A
summary of information about each volume printed since 1954 (Volume 1) was
published in the AWN, Volume 32 (1986). The number of pages has increased by
100 since 1980, the number of contributors has increased considerably, and
the cost of publication increased until 1988. Due to rising costs, an effort
was made to reduce the number of copies printed by encouraging multiple use.
Cost of production was reduced from about $4500 in 1987 to about $3900 in
1988, increased to $5416 in 1989, and decreased to $4290 in 1990 due to
limited distribution caused by shortage of funds.
In addition to the total cost of production, Colorado State University
Agronomy Department has contributed part of my time, computer facilities, and
some occasional letter typing. An Agronomy Department typist, Carolyn
Schultz, has done an excellent job of manuscript preparation since 1983.
All AWN address lists are computerized, and mailing and sorting has
become simple and routine. We are requesting that all workers provide their
manuscripts on computer diskettes if possible. All text will be entered into
computer files and laser printed with reduced font size to save space.
Manuscripts can also be provided through the BITNET system. About 500
requests for manuscripts and financial assistance are sent to U.S.,
Australian and Canadian wheat workers each January. The requests for
manuscripts and financial contributions from other foreign scientists are
included as an insert in the Newsletter mailing in June. Additionally,
regional manuscript and financial solicitation and coordination are done by
scientists in other countries.
Treasurer's Report
ITEM DEBIT CREDIT BALANCE
1. Balance reported June 1, 1990 $3963.24
in AWN
2. Mailing request letter $67.35 3895.89
3. Envelopes 13.30 3882.59
4. Photocopy 20.00 3862.59
5. Mailing, Vol. 36, June 1990 648.65 3213.94
6. Printing and binding 3013.35 182.59
7. Misc. Postage and Photocopying 15.25 167.34
8. Mailing bags and envelopes 51.50 115.84
9. Typing and editing, Vol. 36 443.00 (327.16)
10.New contributions (since June 1) $175.00 (152.16)
11.Interest on checking 81.91 (70.25)
Comments:
1. The total cost of Volume 36 was $4,290.40. This cost divided by 400
copies printed is about $10.73 per copy. Volume 36 is 14 pages longer then
volume 35 (275 vs 261), and 200 fewer copies of Volume 36 were printed. The
total printed pages of Volume 36 was 105 percent of Volume 35, and the total
cost was 20 percent lower. Volume 36 was larger than any previous volume,
but distribution decreased from last year due to the reduced funds available.
2. Current fund balance at the present time is $(70.25) compared with
$185.03 a year ago. It must be noted that there is still an outstanding
balance owing for production costs in the amount of $100.
3. There has been a slight increase in corporate contributions in
recent years however, individual contributions remain our primary source of
income, and due to an increased interest in the AWN information, we would
encourage higher individual and corporate contributions.
REVIEW OF CROP ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING
Chairman P. Gustafson discussed the two key issues at this meeting. One,
germplasm money of $12000 became available for the 9 genetic centers for
wheat in the US. The first is need to increase funding and methods as of how
to accomplish this goal was discussed. Two, germplasm development and
collection were also discussed. Dr. G. Waines spoke to the problem of
collection, especially the wild relative Ae. speltoides which is not well
represented in the collection. A second area suggested was dwarf wheats, but
not those with known Rht genes. Dr. R. Zemetra commented that funding for
collection is available, but cooperators in the visited country are needed to
ensure success. Dr. R. Allan purposed that funding of the multi-site genetic
stocks be attempted by an add-on in the Agriculture Bill and Dr. C. Qualset
indicated that funding might help provide incentives for the multi-sites to
form an organized way for distribution of their stocks.
DEVELOPMENT OF RUST RESISTANT GERMPLASM
Dr. D. Van Sanford indicated that the soft red winter wheat region
suffers a severe lack of personnel for the development of leaf rust resistant
germplasm. Losses have been estimated at approximately $30 million per year
nationally. The Cereal Rust Laboratory can supply technical support but can
not support germplasm development. The Kansas State effort in this area is
gratefully acknowledged. John Roberts in Georgia is inadequately funded even
for the rust survey, and proposes an increase in funds. Worrall, Sears, and
Cox indicated the need for a broader base of resistance since they did not
feel adequate resistance is present in the hexaploid wheats. McVey also
indicated the need for more genes from a broader base, such as the wild
species. The committee concluded that a germplasm development position needs
to be identified to transfer leaf-rust resistance from wild species. A
resolution to this effect will be drafted.
PROGRESS REPORT ON CEREAL BIOTECHNOLOGY-UPDATE ON RFLP PROGRAMS
Dr. C. Qualset presented the background for gene transfer from
relatives. Specific traits transferred from related species using
cytogenetics is historical and well developed in wheat. Private funds have
been used to develop RFLP markers in wheat, but these are not readily
available to other wheat workers. A consortium of public researchers called
the International Triticeae Mapping Initiative (ITMI) was formed by eight
laboratories and 11 researchers from U.S., Australia, and England. A
workshop was recently held in California on goals and objectives. Main goal
is to develop a public map of the hexaploid, tetraploid, and diploid wheats,
barley, and rye. Items discussed were genetic stocks for identification and
the use of synthetic hexaploids to get polymorphisms. Costs are estimated at
$500,000 per year for the ITMI proposal.
Dr. S. Cox is working on Ae. squarrosa and determining the location of
chromosomes bands to identify their location on a map. About 125 markers on
7 chromosomes on the D genome are identified. Dr. P. Gustafson indicated that
a saturated RFLP map in wheat is still not close. Rice which has received
more effort and is still far from having a saturated map. Some arms of
chromosomes are not mapped. He also discussed a dot blot procedure they used
in attempt to identify resistance in the field.
Dr. J. Miske indicated that $3.67 million is available for data base
management in genome mapping and $11 million for competitive grants for: 1)
broad map of 25cM, 2) intense map of 1-5cM, and 3) technical improvements in
procedures. A team effort would be specified with a breeder-geneticist as a
leader. This money is just for economic crops. Grant is for 5 years with a
3 year renewal (5-year program with review at 3 years). NWIC thanks Dr.
Miske for his contributions in obtaining and administering these funds. A
resolution will be drafted supporting the effort of the ITMI as useful for
wheat.
UPDATE ON GERMPLASM EXCHANGE, PLANT VARIETY PROTECTION, PLANT PATENTS
Dr. C. Murphy indicated that obtaining utility patents on plant material
is becoming more difficult. PVP has an exemption for research and further
utilization while utility patents probably do not. PVP office is slow in
processing applications. ARS policy does not protect plants for profit but
will acknowledge and follow the individual state's policy. ARS personnel can
now accept royalty payments also. A poll of the states which release wheat
varieties revealed considerable diversity, with six states generally not
protecting, at least six state using title 5-PVP and other states collecting
royalties or being evaluated on a case by case basis. Wheat workers have
expressed fear of utility patents limiting germplasm exchange because of no
research exemptions. Problems are also encountered with entering germplasm
into the collection system since it becomes public property. Illinois
attempted to withdraw material from the National Seed Storage Laboratory
which was denied by the USDA-ARS.
Dr. R. Busch presented proposed changes to the PVP form as a
representative from the ASTA wheat Minimum Distance Subcommittee and asked
for input from the NWIC. A representative from the Plant Variety Protection
Office was invited as well, but none attended. Also Busch introduced the
idea of developing a booklet to help and advise plant breeder to fill in the
form in an acceptable and standardized method.
WHEAT QUALITY ISSUES
Federal Grain Inspection Service and Wheat Quality Working Committee,
Dr. R. Sears (NWIC representative to Wheat Quality Working Committee)
reported that the committee met Feb., 1990. Progress has been made
separating hard from soft winter wheat classes. FGIS is still working on
machines to determine objectively the class to which a wheat belongs and to
detect mixed classes. The Norris machine is good and ARS development seems to
have performed well so far. Recommendations and guidelines for hardiness
will be discussed at the next meeting in Dec. 1990. Dr. W. Martinez indicated
the FGIS must identify single kernels with NIR hardness as a control to
determine mixtures of classes with a correlation of r2=0.89. A considerable
Genotype x environment interaction has been found using the hardness
machines. Sears indicated that stability for kernel hardness to environments
may be heritable, at least in some genetic material. Martinez reported that
Karl Norris is developing an NIR machine (cheap filter instrument) which can
be used on whole kernel wheat for protein (r2=0.87) He has also predicted
spring from winter wheat classes with about 5% error. Shipman (FGIS)
indicated that any decision on classification will not be implemented for at
least 2 years.
-------------------------
Wheat Quality Incentives Act
Dr. F. Cholick indicated that the Agriculture Bill has the Quality
Incentive as Title 20.02 written similarly as the NWIC recommended based on
our testimony. R. Martin, Campbell Taggert, wanted a national system to
evaluate varieties before release. End use and intrinsic quality issues are
moderated to accept genotype x environment interaction deviations. Stability
is wanted in the quality end product. Discussion of problems with the
quality issue continued with special problems indicated by Dr. Worrall in
Texas These problems have been caused primarily by R. Martin by his
statements regarding the low quality of Texas released wheats. In summary,
NWIC must be ready to respond to issues as they arise.
Grain Quality Workshop
R. Bruns (NWIC representative) gave some past history indicating this
workshop was started in 1985. It's membership is composed of government,
private and academicians and primarily considers grain and grain handling
issues. FGIS frequently uses this group as a sounding board for proposed
changes. Membership provides the NWIC with representation on legislative
issues. Bruns is presently involved with quality definitions for this
workshop.This definition was presented to the NWIC for discussion and
comment. This workshop is getting more recognition as a forum for change and
is important for the NWIC to have representation.
FUNDING STATUS OF APPLIED RESEARCH, GERMPLASM AND NURSERIES
Dr. C. Murphy first discussed the International Winter Wheat Performance
Nursery. USAID dropped their funding and ARS has funded the program in
recent years. Funds have eroded and there was not enough money to continue
its funding. Plowman is supportive of the nursery, and approached USAID but
they still were not interested. Murphy emphasized that indicating problem
areas is helpful, but ARS already has too many scientists with too little
funding. Unless money can be obtained, little chance for work in these
problem areas is likely to be accomplished. As an example of a better
approach, barley workers were aware a geneticist position would likely close
with retirement, and worked with Congress and obtained funding for two
positions, increasing their research base. This is an add-on to the budget
specially earmarked for this item. Influential lawmakers need to be
convinced to help obtain funding for important positions and to shore-up
under funded scientists. Industry participation is important to convince
legislatures of the importance of issues needed for funding. Malting Barley
Improvement Association represents the barley research well and also is
investing funds in research which makes them credible. Discussion followed
of some potential ways to impact the future of funding for wheat research.
Directed funds for specific positions was questioned as desirable, but Murphy
indicated that communication with ARS should be maintained to provide maximum
impact and coordination. Stuckey indicated that on common interest item NWAG
could supply some follow-up on resolutions. Murphy indicated that the Crop
Quality Council, now dissolved, was an effective force for wheat. We need
industry to form another lobby group like this to be effective. In summary,
NWIC needs to identify wheat priorities, identify an industrial champion, and
identify a congressional champion to more effectively influence research
priorities.
SEED QUARANTINE MEETING AND CURRENT STATUS OF SEED IMPORTATION-FGIS
Dr. R. Line attended a meeting of smut researchers in Fredrick, Maryland
where the history of the quarantine of flag smut was discussed as well as
other items. Countries with flag smut were quarantined two months after it
was found in the U.S. Flag smut is now only found in the Northwest. The
conclusions were: 1) Not potentially damaging in the U.S. or world wide; 2)
Has not spread because it requires a special environment; and 3) Can be
controlled by seed treatment, cultural practices, and resistance. APHIS was
present and indicated that the removal of quarantine was almost impossible.
Canadian workers agreed that flag smut and dwarf bunt restrictions on seed
entry can not be justified scientifically. A letter from Plowman to APHIS
regarding flag smut supported restriction removal. APHIS responded with a
number of safeguards. Several safeguards were challenged, and Plowman
followed up with another letter. No official action by APHIS as yet on
possible changes on the safeguards.
F. Cooper and E. Imai from APHIS attended to clarify where APHIS stands
on importation of seed from Mexico (CIMMYT). If seed is grown in an area
free from Karnal bunt, confirmed by APHIS, the seed may be grown in the field
in the U.S. APHIS, at this point, is following ARS recommendations for
importing seed from countries identified as flag smut countries. These seed
may be grown in the field if recommendations are followed on a case by case
basis. This is a substantial improvement from past procedures allowed by
APHIS.
TCK (dwarf bunt) research funding is in the Agriculture Bill ($250,000).
Dr. J. Peterson is waiting for permission from AZ to grow seed from CIMMYT to
allow distribution to interested researchers in the U.S. At this time it is
not yet approved. A letter to Dr. Plowman thanking him for his interest and
aid in this matter is indicated.
UPDATE ON RUSSIAN WHEAT APHID RESEARCH
Dr. Worrall indicated that screening of the Small Grains Collection for
resistance to the Russian wheat aphid has been a success. Most of the
resistance appears to be qualitatively inherited. Triticales possess
resistance and are being used as a bridge to transfer resistance from rye to
wheat. Chemical control does not appear to be effective, especially because
of the importance of cattle grazing on wheat. Amigo-Largo material is better
in the field than in greenhouse screening. Biological control has released a
number of insects which attack the aphid. Dr. Quick reported on the uniform
regional screening nursery. Thirteen wheat entries have been identified with
excellent seedling resistance, as well as one barley. Very little indication
has been found of biotype differences or of G X E to different sources of
resistance. Best resistance has been identified in Russian triticale. A
field test will be conducted next year. Dr. Zemetra indicated that materials
that have high resistance in the greenhouse have been resistant in the field.
Intermediate resistance in the greenhouse has performed more erratically in
the field. There seems to be an adequate amount of resistance in various
wheats in the world. Dr. Quick identified the following research needs: 1)
biotype test, 2) field evaluation, 3) variation in genotypes for resistance,
4) allelism tests, 5) mechanisms of resistance, and 6) incorporation of the
sources of resistance into adapted wheats.
A discussion followed about the advisability of releasing a single gene
for resistance. R. Bruns suggested that possible gene deployment could be
useful and cooperation among wheat researchers is needed to develop a
strategy. A resolution supporting funding for Russian Wheat Aphid will be
drafted.
NAWG FOUNDATION REPORT
Dr. R. Stuckey reported that because costs are up for the producer and
prices are down, most of the concern in NAWG is for the farm program and
price supports, and support for research is difficult. NAWG prefers to
support issues obtained from a science based agenda compared to wishes for
change in farming from non-science based groups. Food Watch has been
organized to re-enforce to the public that their food is very economical and
safe. The Congress has been given handouts on this issue as well. NWIC
resolutions need to be given to the NAWG convention for their inclusion into
the NAWG national resolutions.
New programs for the NAWG Foundation include:
1) Input into Wheat Technology,
2) Pioneer sponsored extension awards at the state, regional and county
level,
3) Farm Safety Program,
4) Rail Transportation of grain.
The Foundation needs and endowment program because it lacks a financial
base. A symposium sponsored by DuPont is scheduled on March 13-14, 1991 of
the state wheat commissioners to determine national issues facing wheat. An
international conference is planned for 1993.
RESOLUTIONS AND LETTERS
Chairman Edwards assigned the following members to develop resolutions
and letters: Cox, Sammons, Cholick, Bruns, Sears, Edwards, Van Sanford,
Worrall, Bacon, Quick, Qualset, Line, Stuckey, Gustafson and Peterson. The
resolutions are: Acknowledgement of Hosts, Wheat Molecular Markers and
Linkage Maps, Russian Wheat Aphid Research, Test Weight Measurement of Wheat,
and Leaf Rust Resistant Wheat Germplasm. Letter are: Thanks to Pioneer for
Wheat Donation, Wheat Research Planning Priorities, U.S. Coordination on
Germplasm Introduction, and Problems with Plant Variety Protection.
A sub-committee designated `National Wheat Research Priorities' composed
of Peterson, Sammons, Edwards, Line, Bruns and Qualset will attempt to look
at a long-range research plan for wheat.
LOCATION OF 1991 NWIC MEETING
Possibilities of attaching the NWIC meeting to the national ASA meeting
was discussed. This was thought to be a possible advantage because it allow
one airfare to cover both trips. This idea was discarded because of the
amount of time the NWIC meeting takes and not having an adequate amount of
time around the annual meeting to accomplish it. Air costs are excessive
unless a Saturday night is used in the flight. It was decided that locations
with cheap airfare should be considered for annual meetings of the NWIC.
Reno, Nevada was chosen as the location and Nov. 21-23, 1991 as the meeting
time.
There being no further business, Dr. Edwards adjourned the meeting at
12:40 P.M.
RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED AT THE NATIONAL WHEAT IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE MEETING,
COLLEGE PARK, MARYLAND, NOVEMBER 8-9, 1990
SUBJECT: LEAF RUST RESISTANT GERMPLASM
WHEREAS, average annual losses to leaf rust of wheat in the U.S. have
exceeded $200 million over the past five years, and,
WHEREAS, there is a need for identification, characterization, and deployment
of new leaf rust resistance genes in all market classes of wheat, and,
WHEREAS, the availability of effective leaf rust resistance genes in the
hexaploid wheat gene pool is limited,
THEREFORE, be it resolved that the National Wheat Improvement Committee
supports increased funding of existing programs for the enhancement of wheat
germplasm through introgression of new leaf rust genes from wild relatives of
wheat, and, be it further resolved that the National Wheat Improvement
Committee urges the USDA-ARS to provide additional funding or redirected
funding to address the need for development of leaf rust resistant germplasm
in all wheat classes.
SUBJECT: TEST WEIGHT MEASUREMENT OF WHEAT
The National Wheat Improvement Committee (NWIC) shares the concerns of the
cereal grain industry in the U.S. about grain quality. We support the
efforts of the Federal Grain Inspection Service, the USDA-Agricultural
Research Service and the National Association of Wheat Growers Foundation for
their recent efforts to examine the meaning, relevance, and importance of the
test weight measurement as an indicator of end use grain quality in wheat.
We also recognize that the quality issue transcends wheat and is a concern to
other major cereal crops. With regard to wheat the NWIC endorses the
following principles:
1) we encourage continued active study to resolve the issue of the utility of
test weight as an indicator of grain quality and economic value.
2) We support the ARS in its effort to define a strategy to study this issue
that involves all wheat quality laboratories.
3) We acknowledge that the elimination of test weight as a grain measurement
in the grain trade is not an appropriate goal, and that downward adjustment
of test weight standards for grading purposes may sen the wrong signal to our
international trading partners.
4) We assert our desire as a national committee to play a more active role in
the resolution of the test weight issue.
5) We believe that a key issue in this national debate is fairness in the way
farmers are treated when they market their grain.
6) We recognize a need to better educate our customers on the limitations to
the interpretation of test weight data as an indicator of millability.
7) We urge that one major objective of the study of the test weight issue be
the development of instrumentation for the use at the level of the local
elevator that will accurately and rapidly estimate millability and grain end
use quality.
8) We view the test weight issue as an important component of a broad and
through re-examination of end use quality concerns in wheat.
SUBJECT: WHEAT MOLECULAR MARKERS AND LINKAGE MAPS
WHEREAS. the security of sustained and improved U.S. wheat production and its
competitiveness in international trade requires ready access to genes and the
ability to transfer them efficiently from varieties and related wild species
to commercially adapted improved wheat varieties, and,
WHEREAS, new technologies for gene identification, location and transfer by
molecular-assisted methods may be adopted for wheat improvement, the
advancement of genetics, the science of plant pathology, entomology, weed
science and end-use quality properties, and,
WHEREAS, financial support for the creation of the new molecular markers and
a comprehensive linkage map is inadequate,
THEREFORE, be it resolved that the National Wheat Improvement Committee
strongly supports accelerated research on development of a comprehensive
genetic map of wheat as planned by the International Triticeae Mapping
Initiative (ITMI) and recommends that federal, state and private funds be
made available to accomplish this task.
SUBJECT: RUSSIAN WHEAT APHID RESEARCH
WHEREAS, Russian wheat aphid has caused economic damage to wheat in excess of
$250 million since 1986, and,
WHEREAS, Russian wheat aphid is a crop pest of national importance, and,
WHEREAS, host plan resistance and biological control agents are the only
currently available controls which are environmentally sound, and,
WHEREAS, current funding of Russian wheat aphid research is insufficient
nationally,
THEREFORE, be it resolved that the National Wheat Improvement Committee
strongly supports the Allocation of federal funds for Russian wheat aphid
research and encourages increased support for national research efforts.
SUBJECT: ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF HOSTS
WHEREAS, the University of Maryland and National Association of Wheat Growers
Foundation have served as excellent hosts of the 1990 National Wheat
Improvement Committee and the Wheat Crop Advisory Committee, and,
WHEREAS, our hosts have expended much time and effort to insure that the
meetings were successful,
THEREFORE, be it resolved that the members of the NWIC sincerely thank Dr. D.
Sammons and the Agronomy Department of the University of Maryland, and Dr.
Richard Stuckey, Director of the NAWG Foundation, and management and staff of
the Comfort Inn, College Park, Maryland.
LETTERS SENT
SUBJECT: RECOGNITION OF PIONEER DONATION
TO: CEO, Pioneer; Directors of Agric. Exp. Stations at Minnesota, North
Dakota, South Dakota, and Kansas.
The National Wheat Improvement Committee (NWIC) sincerely thanks Pioneer
HIBred International for their donation of hard red spring wheat germplasm to
North Dakota State University, South Dakota State University, and University
of Minnesota and hard red winter wheat germplasm to Kansas State University.
The gift of this germplasm represents a significant contribution to wheat
improvement programs throughout the Great Plains. Although the NWIC
sincerely regrets the loss of the Pioneer hard wheat breeding programs and
their contributions to wheat improvement, we want to acknowledge and
recognize the public spirit that this donation of germplasm demonstrates.
The germplasm gifted to these programs is truly priceless, representing work
by Pioneer wheat breeders for over 25 years. The gift of this germplasm not
only helps the wheat breeding community but ultimately helps wheat producers
and the general public potentially aiding in increasing farm productivity
throughout the Great Plains of the U.S.A.
SUBJECT: STRATEGIC PLANNING FOR WHEAT RESEARCH
TO: USDA and AES Administrators
An important function of the National Wheat Improvement Committee (NWIC) has
been to support and council to national and state research agencies to
identify and meet national wheat research needs. The NWIC is concerned that
shrinking budget resources have caused many organizations to re-evaluate
commitments to wheat research without consideration of national and regional
needs. The NWIC has established a National Wheat Research Priorities
subcommittee with the assignment to develop long term goals and priorities
for national wheat research. We believe that this would significantly
enhance the NWIC's ability to focus national support for critical programs as
well as to provide support and council to USDA-ARS and CSRS.
In order to develop a strategic planning document, the NWIC requests input
from USDA-ARS and CSRS on research goals, objectives, and priorities for
wheat currently in place for the respective organizations. A breakdown of
funding and CRIS projects committed to setting these goals also is requested.
We believe this information would significantly enhance the NWIC's strategic
planning efforts. We hope that this endeavor by the NWIC will result in
closer coordination among agencies in meeting future opportunities and needs
for wheat research and funding.
We thank you for your consideration of this request.
SUBJECT: PLANT VARIETY PROTECTION
The National Wheat Improvement Committee (NWIC) recognizes that Plant Variety
Protection was enacted to increase plant breeding research through limited
legal protection of plant breeding research products. A research exemption
incorporated to insure the continuation of free germplasm exchange and
development.
Plant Variety Protection has stimulated wheat plant breeding research
resulting in significant benefits to the public. Wheat germplasm has
continued to be exchanged freely in the research community.
Unfortunately, the Plant Variety Protection act has not given adequate
economic protection of the research products to justify continued research
investment. The theories behind the limited legal protection granted under
Plant Variety Protection have not worked in practice. Interpretation and
enforcement of the current protection and exemptions are critically flawed
and in need of repair.
The NWIC recommends a thorough review and revision of the Plant Variety
Protection act to include the following key issues:
1. All protection and exemption mechanisms must be clearly defined and
uniformly enforceable to protect research investment.
2. Germplasm exchange must not be restricted. The NWIC has consistently
been on record supporting germplasm exchange and development via the Wheat
Workers Code of Ethics.
The basic concept of Plant Variety Protection is preferred over the paten
process. Plant Variety Protection has been compatible with wheat germplasm
exchange and can be modified to promote continued plant breeding research and
development.
SUBJECT: COORDINATION OF INTRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTION OF WHEAT
The National Wheat Improvement Committee (NWIC) believes there is a critical
need for USDA-ARS to take responsibility for U.S. coordination, introduction,
and distribution of wheat germplasm from international research programs,
especially germplasm from CIMMYT. U.S. breeding programs have had serious
difficulties in accessing international nurseries and germplasm due to
significant costs and restrictions associated with importation and quarantine
growout of seed. It is critical that these valuable materials be made widely
available to U.S. programs so that advances in varietal development and
genetics research may continue. The NWIC requests that USDA-ARS take
responsibility for importation, increase, and distribution of these seed
stocks through support programs associated with the National Small Grains
Germplasm Collection and Research Facility.
The NWIC fully supports a program of importation, increase, and distribution
of CIMMYT germplasm as proposed by C.J. Peterson to be coordinated with
involvement of Dr.'s Qualset, Gustafson, and others. The NWIC requests that
USDA-ARS provide financial sport for seed increases so that the program may
be initiated immediately. This program should be recognized as a short term
solution for the problem while ARS develops long term strategies and support
for increase and distribution of international nurseries and seed stocks.
The NWIC also is extremely disappointed with the decision by USDA-ARS to
close the International Winter Wheat Performance Nursery (IWWPN) program.
The nursery program has been a highly successful and unique mechanism for
international germplasm and information exchange, and for evaluation of
varietal performance and adaptation. The IWWPN has provided irreplaceable
information world wide adaptation, performance, and disease resistances for
very diverse varieties and germplasm. The germplasm distributed through the
program has contributed significantly to development of new varieties and
germplasm in the U.S. as well as many foreign countries. Four U.S hard red
winter wheat varieties have recently been released that are derived directly
from germplasm distributed through the IWWPN. The variety `Siouxland', a
joint release from the Univ. of Nebraska and USDA-ARS, is derived from the
Soviet wheat `Kavkaz', which was distributed through the IWWPN in 1974.
Siouxland currently occupies 20% of the Nebraska wheat acreage and is
responsible for and additional 4 to 6 million dollars per year added revenue
to growers through higher yields and enhanced disease resistance. Since 1985
ther have been 27 experimental lines evaluated in the USDA-ARS Hard Red
Winter Wheat Uniform Regional Nursery as promising release candidates that
have in their parentage a direct contribution from IWWPN germplasm. These
varieties and experimental lines would not exist without the unique
contribution of the IWWPN program.
The IWWPN joins the ranks of the many USDA-ARS supported cooperative
international wheat nurseries that have been discontinued. ARS needs to
carefully consider the impact of these decisions on international germplasm
exchange and wheat breeding as it relinquishes its role as an active leader
in international wheat germplasm research.
-------------------------
MEMBERS OF NATIONAL WHEAT IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE
January 1991
Dr. I.B. Edwards, Chair
Pioneer Overseas Corp.
6800 Pioneer Parkway
Johnston, IA 50131
(515) 270-4029
FAX: (515) 270-3156
Dr. R.H. Busch, Secretary
USDA-ARS
411 Borlaug Hall
University of Minnesota
St. Paul, MN 55108
(612) 625-1975
FAX: (612) 625-1268
Eastern Wheat Region
Dr. D.J. Sammons, Chairman
Eastern Wheat Region
Department of Agronomy
University of Maryland
College Park, MD 20742
(301) 454-3715
FAX: (301) 454-5680
Dr. H.E. Bockelman, Secretary
Eastern Wheat Region, USDA-
ARS
Univ. of Idaho Res. & Ext. Ctr.
P.O. Box AA
Aberdeen, ID 83210
(208) 397-4162
FAX: (208) 397-4162
Dr. D. VanSanford
Dept. of Agronomy
University of Kentucky
Lexington, KY 40506
(606) 257-5811
FAX: (606) 258-5842
Dr. R. Bacon
115 Plant Science
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR 72701
(501) 575-5725
FAX: (501) 575-7465
Dr. Richard Stuckey
Director, NAWG Foundation
415 Second St. N.E. Suite 300
Washington, D.C. 20002
(202) 547-7800
FAX: (202) 546-2638
Great Plains Spring Wheat Region
J. Smith, Chairman
Spring Wheat Region
Agripro Bioscience, Inc.
806 No. Second St., P.O. Box 30
Berthaud, CO 80513
(303) 532-3721
FAX: (303) 532-2035
Dr. Fred A. Cholick, Secretary
Great Plains Spring Wheat Region
Department of Plant Science
South Dakota State University
Brookings, SD 57007
(605) 688-4769
FAX: (605) 688-6065
Dr. Glen Statler
Dept. of Plant Pathology
North Dakota State University
Fargo, ND 58105
(701) 237-7058
FAX: (701) 237-7851
Election of one representative
Great Plains Winter Wheat
Region
Dr. W. D. Worrall,
Chairman
Great Plains Winter Wheat
Region
P.O. Box 1658
Vernon, TX 76384
(817) 552-9941
FAX: (817) 553-4657
Dr. C. J. Peterson,
Secretary
Great Plains Winter Wheat
Region
USDA-ARS
Dept. of Agronomy
University of Nebraska
Lincoln, NE 68583
(402) 472-5191
FAX: (402) 437-5254
Dr. R. Bruns
Agripro Bioscience, Inc.
806 No. Second St., P.O.
Box 30
Berthaud, CO 80513
(303) 532-3721
FAX: (303) 532-2035
Dr. T. S. Cox
USDA-ARS
Throckmorton Hall, Rm.
421
Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS 66506
(913) 532-5692
-------------------------
Western Wheat Region
Dr. R. S. Zemetra,
Chairman
Dept. of Plant, Soil & Ent. Sci.
University of Idaho
Moscow, ID 83843
(208) 885-7810
FAX: (208) 885-7760
Dr. R. F. Line, Secretary
Western Wheat Region
USDA-ARS
361 Johnson Hall
Washington State University
Pullman, WA 99164
(509) 335-3755
FAX: (509) 335-7674
Dr. C.O. Qualset
Dept. of Agronomy & Range
Science
University of California -
Davis
Davis, CA 95616
(916) 752-3265
Dr. R.E. Allan
USDA-ARS
Johnson Hall
Washington State University
Pullman, WA 99164
(509) 335-3632
FAX: (509) 335-8674
WHEAT CROP ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
College Park, MD
November 7, 1990
By-Laws
The new Wheat CAC by-laws were adopted by voice vote (see attached).
Membership
The new by-laws increase the Wheat CAC membership from 15 to 16 with the
addition of one position for a wheat worker from Mexico. Dr. B. Skovmand
will ask the national wheat program in Mexico to select a representative.
Dr. J. P. Gustafson, Wheat CAC Chair, will ask the Canadian Expert Committee
to select their representative as well. The only other open position was
that vacated by Dr. Roy Cantrell. A list of possible candidates was drawn
up. Dr. Gustafson will contact each of them and send out a ballot containing
names of willing candidates to CAC members. Dr. Skovmand was elected to a
second term on the CAC. Dr. Stan Cox was appointed Vice-Chair to fill the
office vacated by Dr. Cantrell.
A letter from Dr. R. R. Kalton, Vice Chair of the Public Research
Advisory Committee of the American Seed Trade Association, suggesting an
increase in private sector membership on the wheat CAC, was read. Because
(1) the Wheat CAC by-laws state that there must be "at least one"
representative for industry, (2) there was seen to be no inherent difference
in the interests of public and private wheat workers in the area of
germplasm, and (3) a broad coverage of scientific disciplines was considered
the most important membership criterion, it was decided not to alter the
by-laws or current membership to increase industry involvement.
Wheat Genetic Stocks Collection
Dr. C. F. Murphy reported that Dr. H. L. Shands has made $12,000
available for maintenance and distribution of wheat genetic stocks. The
money will go into Dr. Gustafson's CRIS unit and be distributed in small
amounts (averaging ca. $2000, not to exceed $4000) to North American programs
that develop and maintain aneuploid and other genetic stocks. Acceptance of
money by wheat workers will imply that they will (1) make annual, public
reports on the stocks available in their collections and (2) make seed of
stocks freely available to other wheat workers. The CAC adopted a resolution
(attached) supporting the establishment of a system of North American Wheat
Genetic Stocks Centers and a CAC subcommittee that will make recommendations
on administering funds and dissemination of information. Dr. C. O. Qualset
will get in touch with the various genetic stocks groups in the U.S. and
Canada to (1) inform them that money is available and (2) tell them that the
wheat CAC supports the formation of the Centers.
Dr. J. G. Waines reported on the need to collect wild relatives of
wheat, especially Aegilops speltoides, in "islands" of basaltic soils in
Turkey, Iraq, Iran, and Lebanon. He emphasized A. speltoides, based on
evidence that it is the female parent of "BBAA" tetraploids. Dr. Murphy
encouraged the wheat CAC, as he does others, to initiate ideas on collecting
to submit to the National Plant Germplasm System and the National Program
Staff of USDA-ARS. He further noted that some CAC's have developed
year-by-year strategic plans. A subcommittee comprising Drs. Waines and
Skovmand was appointed to formulate a strategic plan, including an initial
proposal to collect A. speltoides and other species in the areas noted
earlier by Dr. Waines. Dr. Murphy will consult with Dr. Calvin Spurling.
Report from CIMMYT
Dr. Skovmand reported that CIMMYT's entire germplasm collection is now
karnal bunt-free and that all future seed multiplication will be done in a
20,000 ft2 screenhouse. CIMMYT is collecting old Spanish land races in
Mexico and has a joint mission with the Canadians to collect barley and wheat
in Tibet. (Dr. Waines emphasized the importance of collecting more dwarf and
long-coleoptile land races, many of which apparently aren't in our
collections.) CIMMYT will produce an update on the Oregon cultivar
abbreviation book by next year. Abbreviation guidelines, will be submitted
for the next Wheat Newsletter. There has been little progress on the
pedigree management system. Prof. Zeven's "14,000 Pedigrees" book has been
computerized and will be consolidated with another 6,000 pedigrees in a new,
expanded list. The new list will be distributed on diskette.
Dr. Bockelman distributed a list of descriptors for wheat accessions in
the National Small Grains Collection (see attached), with frequencies of
accessions having each descriptor value, as had been proposed by the CAC.
The committee received a progress report from the Germplasm Resources
Information Network (GRIN) system, with a list of Triticum accessions
receiving PI numbers in 1990. The list does not include ca. 200 Aegilops
accessions collected by Drs. R. J. Metzger and G. Kimber. Dr. Gustafson
reported that these are being regenerated in two new greenhouses at Columbia.
Germplasm Importation
Dr. Peterson distributed a proposal (for information purposes) to
increase karnal bunt-free CIMMYT nurseries (totalling either 500 or 840
entries, depending on seed availability, at a cost of $7,000 to $14,000) at
Yuma, AZ in 1990-91 for distribution to all interested workers.
Dr. R. F. Line noted that the situation with respect to flag smut was
improving considerably due to ARS-APHIS communication.
Core Collections
The CAC concluded that much more research is still needed before the
value of designating "core collections" can be judged. Dr. Murphy pointed
out that for traits that can be screened quickly and cheaply, the entire
collection should be and is being screened.
Germplasm Enhancement Proposal
Dr. Murphy noted that there is still no pool of money for which to
submit a wheat germplasm enhancement proposal. The 1988 wheat CAC proposal
will be distributed and updated in time for the 1991 meeting.
Future Meetings
The Wheat CAC will continue to meet in conjunction with the National
Wheat Improvement Committee.
Attachments:
By-laws
Genetic Stocks Resolution (to come from Ian Edwards)
NSGC Report
GRIN Report
-------------------------
BY-LAWS FOR THE WHEAT CROP ADVISORY COMMITTEE
NAME:
The official name for the advisory committee concerning all species of
Triticum shall be the Wheat Crop Advisory Committee.
FUNCTION:
To gather a body of scientists and advisors on wild and cultivated
species of Triticum and other related genera to provide technical advice on
germplasm collection, maintenance, enhancement, and evaluation for the
curator of the wheat collection, scientists of industry and public research
pro- grams, the National Plant Genetics Resources Board (NPGRB), National
Plant Germplasm Committee (NPGC), Administrators of the USDA-ARS, the State
Agricultural Experiment Stations, and other public and private institutions.
OBJECTIVES:
1. Provide a strategic overview of the total national effort to study
and utilize germplasm of Triticum and related genera. Recommend means for
organizing activities that would benefit the national program on the
acquisition, maintenance, evaluation and enhancement of wheat germplasm.
2. Assess the adequacy of wheat germplasm available to the scientific
community and make recommendations to the National Plant Germplasm System for
broadening the present germplasm base by additional acquisition through
exploration and exchange.
3. Help develop guidelines for the effective maintenance of wheat
introductions.
4. Make recommendations for evaluation of wheat collection for priority
descriptors and to update the descriptor list as changes occur.
5. Consider needs for fundamental and applied studies to increase
genetic variability in wheat and identify promising approaches and
enhancement opportunities.
6. Assess current breeding status, progress, and the role germplasm
resources play in improving levels of pest resistance and other
characteristics of economic importance.
7. Assess the impact of biotechnology and genetic engineering on wheat
germplasm resource needs and utilization.
8. Provide a means for industry researchers to express needs for wheat
germplasm resources and their utilization.
9. Develop reports for the NPGRB, the NPGC, and the National Program
Staff of ARS on ongoing germplasm activities, resource needs, and status of
evaluation, enhancement, and exploration plans.
10. Develop better international wheat germplasm cooperation.
11. Encourage greater cooperation among industry, federal, state, and
other scientists for exchange of germplasm and information and for
disseminating information from scientists to commodity groups.
MEMBERSHIP:
The Wheat Crop Advisory Committee (Wheat CAC) will consist of 16
members. The Curator of the Small Grains Collection, the coordinator of
wheat germplasm evaluation, a representative of the National Program Staff,
and a representative from the USDA Germplasm Services Laboratory will serve
as ex officio members. These ex officio members will have full voting
privileges but may not hold committee offices. Representatives from the
IBPGR, the NPGRB, the Regional Plant Introduction Stations, APHIS, the NWIC,
and others may serve as consultants for resource purposes. These
participants are not voting members of the Wheat CAC. The remaining 12
committee members will be elected to the committee to represent various
geographical and/or scientific disciplines as follows:
1. Researchers from State Agriculture Experiment Stations and USDA.
Seven representatives to provide geographical representation of the major
wheat growing regions and span important scientific disciplines.
2. Researcher(s) from the wheat industry. At least one representative.
3. Representative from CIMMYT wheat program. One representative.
4. Researcher from Canada. One representative.
5. Researcher from Mexico. One representative.
6. One member to represent Rye and Triticale germplasm.
Members of the Wheat CAC will be elected to 3-year terms and may serve
no more than two consecutive terms. Members unable to attend 2 consecutive
meetings will be replaced. After an absence of at least one year from the
committee, a former 2-term member is eligible for membership again. A Chair
and Vice Chair will be elected for 3-year terms. Election process will
consist of nomination after annual meeting followed by ballot in the mail.
Vice Chair responsible for recording minutes at the annual meetings. New
members of the Wheat CAC will be chosen by the existing committee according
to the prescribed procedures and in consultation with appropriate industry,
federal or university groups.
-------------------------
II. CONTRIBUTIONS
AGRIPRO BIOSCIENCES, INC.
Koy Miskin*, Curtis Beazer - Brookston, IN; Barton Fogleman*, Erwin
Ridge; Jonesboro, AR.
Rob Bruns*, John Moffatt*, Joe Smith*, Jim Reeder* - Berthoud, CO
Northern Soft Red Winter Wheat. An unusually warm late winter followed
by severe late spring freeze caused severe damage to many soft wheat
cultivars. The most severe damage occurred on early and/or vigorously
growing cultivars and to cultivars that had been over fertilized. The freeze
damage also predisposed the plants to severe disease infections. The most
severe damage occurred in a band from about Terre Haute, IN to the Missouri
bootheel While many acres of wheat were lost in this area the more northern
areas of the eastern soft wheat region had very excellent yields.
AgriPro will release ABI 85-81 in 1991. It will be named later this
year. It offers very high yield with early maturity. It will provide
excellent protection against wheat spindle streak mosaic virus and stem rust.
Very good protection is provided against powdery mildew, Septoria nodorum,
Rhizoctonia and soil-borne mosaic virus and good protection against barley
yellow dwarf virus, wheat streak virus, Septoria tritici, leaf rust and scab.
However, it has no known genes for Hessian fly. The milling and baking
quality of ABI 85-81 are very good and good, respectively.
Southern Soft Winter Wheat. Planting conditions were generally
favorable in the 1989-90 southern soft wheat region. Despite a frigid
December that killed crepe myrtle and other shrubs to the ground, there was
little differential winter-kill in our plots. December was followed by a
mild and wet period that lasted into early spring and interfered with the
application and uptake of spring fertilizer. The wet weather provided an
epidemic of bacterial leaf stripe which left little green tissue for the
septoria and leaf rust infections that followed. Head scab was also
prevalent in the region. Harvest weather was favorable, but test weights
were low and some elevators were paying a premium for high test weight wheat.
Some of the best test weights in the region were from fields of AgriPro
Magnum and AgriPro Hunter.
ABI 86-5941 will be released in 1991. It will be named later. It
offers very high yield and medium maturity. Excellent protection is provided
to stem rust and very good protection to leaf rust, scab, septoria nodorum
and Wheat spindle streak mosaic virus. Good protection is provided to
soil-borne mosaic virus and barley yellow dwarf virus. ABI 86-5941 carries
the H6 gene for Hessian fly resistance. Milling quality is excellent and
baking quality is very good.
A new cultivar, CHEROKEE, was released in 1990. It was formerly ABI
85-1 (or ABI 85*1). It has excellent stem rust, stripe rust, powdery mildew,
SBMV and WSSMV resistance, has very strong medium-tall straw and awned heads.
It is early and has a 5-6 week vernalization requirement which should help it
resist spring "bolting". AgriPro Cherokee's primary area of adaptation is
the mid-south region and it is intended to replace AgriPro Magnum.
Our new mid-south wheat breeding station is "up and running" and M.
Erwin Ridge has joined ABI as a Research Assistant. We have purchased a
building and lot and are currently remodeling the building to add a seed lab,
additional storage space and a grain dryer.
Hard Red Winter Wheat. Tom Griess has been added to the hard winter
wheat staff providing computer and technical support.
The 1989/90 crop year was an excellent wheat year overall. Seven of
twelve trial sites were harvested for yield. We were able to evaluate
materials for wheat spindle streak mosaic virus complex at Everest, KS and
soil-borne mosaic virus at Grant, NE (western Nebraska). Our materials were
also evaluated for coleoptile length, straw strength, green leaf retention,
and resistances to leaf rust, stem rust, powdery mildew, speckled leaf
blotch. Selected materials were evaluated for tan spot, wheat streak mosaic
virus and Hessian fly resistance.
No new releases will be made in 1991.
Hard Red Spring Wheat. The hard red spring wheat project personnel
consist of Joe A. Smith, Breeder; John Martin, Assistant Breeder; Barb Cook,
Technician; Linda Sizemore, Technician.
Similar to last season, our 1990 results reflected the drought
conditions of the past three seasons in our Red River Valley sites. Low
subsoil moisture caused more variation and lower yields than past averages.
Three of the five sites were harvested for yield. The trial means ranged
from 4100 kg/ha at St. Thomas, ND to 5100 kg/ha at Stephen, MN. Our
discarded nursery at Casselton, ND received 30% hail damage at heading
followed by severe bacterial infection. Our other discarded nursery at
Crookston, MN suffered from tremendous field variation due to drought.
Overall, disease was minimal except for moderate leaf rust infections on
early generation materials which were late-planted in mid-May.
We have decided to release the hard red spring wheat 'Dalen' to our
Associates in 1991. Certified seed will be available in the Upper Midwest
for the 1992 season. This cultivar was previously tested as N86-0903. It is
a semidwarf with medium-early maturity. Its height is similar to Marshall.
It has very good levels of disease protection to leaf and stem rust. Its
protein is slightly below Len. Dalen appears to be well adapted across the
spring wheat region.
Hybrid Wheat Development. The Hybrid Wheat Development Project
includes Jim Reeder, Manager, Curtis Beazer - Assistant Plant Breeder for
SRWW based in Brookston, IN, and Steve Askelson - Assistant Plant Breeder for
hard wheats.
Over 1600 hybrids of HRWW, HRSW and SRWW were made in 1990 at Berthoud,
CO, Brookston, IN, and Jonesboro, AR. Chemical hybridizing agent technology
was used to produce these hybrids. The high percentage that proved to be
producible will be yield tested in 1990 throughout each appropriate region.
Yields of previously made hybrids were encouraging. The yield stability of
hybrids over locations and over years continues to be high. During the 1991
season, out-location test hybrid production will begin in anticipation of
full production as CHA's become registered.
-------------------------
AGRONOMIX SOFTWARE, INC.
Dieter K. Mulitze - Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, Canada
Agronomix Software, Inc., is a PC software development and consulting
firm specializing in the software needs of agronomic research and plant
breeding. The major activity of the company has been the on-going software
development of AGROBASE/4. A growing number of wheat breeders, and plant
breeders of many other crops, are now using AGROBASE/4 in their breeding
programs in well over 20 countries. The major objective of the company is to
provide wheat breeders and plant breeders of other crops with powerful and
state-of-the-art database technology. The special pedigree data management
commands of AGROBASE/4 use the USDA nomenclature proposed by Purdy et al.
(1968, Crop Science 8:405-406) for small grains.
With more wheat breeders using 286- or 386-based microcomputers with
larger hard drives, and significant improvements in dBASE-compatible database
technology, we feel that AGROBASE/4 can make an even greater contribution
towards the software support of wheat research. AGROBASE/4 1.0 is written in
dBASE-compatible FoxPro (Fox Software, Inc.), and can process database files
with up to one billion records and 255 database fields. With the release of
FoxPro 2.0 running at around 200 times (and in some instances over 3,000
times) the speed of dBASE IV (Ashton-Tate, Inc.), a significant amount of
database processing power will be available to wheat researchers through the
next forthcoming version of AGROBASE/4.
San Antonio, Texas. Agronomix Software displayed a commercial booth at
the Oct. 21-24 ASA meeting in San Antonio, Texas. A demonstration of
AGROBASE/4 generated considerable interest, from both the public and private
sector. Many researchers expressed interest in the ability to trace data on
segregating populations through any or all generations in a breeding program.
Although the COLLECT command and index files can perform that function, the
next version of AGROBASE/4 will have additional commands to further support
wheat research in that respect. Among other features, many researchers
appreciated the ability to design their own fieldbooks and labels within
AGROBASE/4. AGROBASE/4 was also demonstrated during the computer software
scene in the database management section chaired by Dr. E.J. Dunphy.
Campinas, Brazil. Dr. Mulitze travelled to Brazil to give lectures and
practical sessions on "The Use of AGROBASE/4 in Plant Breeding Experiments"
at the "Second FAO/IAEA Workshop on Improvement of Rice and Other Cereals
Through Mutation Breeding in Latin America" at Campinas, Brazil, Nov. 19-23,
1990. Researchers at this workshop represented Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica,
Cuba, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru, and Uruguay. Reports on wheat
research were given by scientists from Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, and Uruguay.
After working with AGROBASE/4 in the course, most researchers plan to adopt
it in their research programs. The course was co-ordinated by Prof.
Maluszynksi of the Plant Breeding Section, Joint FAO/IAEA Division,
International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, Austria. A more advanced
AGROBASE/4 course is planned for the next workshop in September 1991 at
Toluca, Mexico.
FoxPro 2.0 An important development in the world of dBASE-compatible
database technology is the release of the still faster and more powerful
FoxPro 2.0 from Fox Software. With FoxPro 2.0 normally up to 200 times the
speed of dBASE IV (and in some instances over 3,000 times) due to its
recently developed Rushmore technology, AGROBASE/4 1.1 will also be faster
and more powerful. Under FoxPro 2.0, direct access to Lotus 1-2-3,
Excel(Version 2), Symphony, and Framework II spreadsheet files will be
supported. For wheat researchers using those file formats, it means that
less time will be spent moving data between software packages. Also, a
well-integrated and powerful SQL (Structured Query Language) and RQBE
(Relational Query by Example) implementation of FoxPro 2.0 will be especially
useful for germplasm selection and analyses.
Next Version of AGROBASE/4 Under Development. Additional new features
for the next version will include an extensive graphics subsystem; more
statistical functions, including multivariate and additional non-parametric
procedures; additional options within the GXE command; support for diallel
analysis; and increased support for multi-trait selection. Version 1.1 of
AGROBASE/4 is scheduled for release in October of 1991, and will be
demonstrated at the 1991 ASA Annual Meeting in Denver, Colorado.
Publications
Mulitze, D.K. 1990. AGROBASE/4: A Microcomputer Database Management and
Analysis System for Plant Breeding and Agronomy. Agronomy Journal Vol.
82(5):1016-1021.
-------------------------
CARGILL HYBRID SEEDS
Sid Perry, Dave Johnston, Jill Handwerk, Sally Clayshulte and Dana
Shellberg - Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
Hybrid evaluation. Several hundred hybrids were evaluated in tests
located in Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri and Texas. These hybrids
consisted of both CMS and CHA type. Conditions were favorable for selection
for leaf diseases and grain fill. Of first year hybrids, 65 were selected
for further evaluation, on the basis of wide adaptation and performance
superior to the best check.
Inbred Evaluation. The breeding program is continuing efforts to
concentrate on early selection for combining ability, partitioning into
appropriate heterotic groups, and inbred modification. 1990 provided some
interesting insights. We are maintaining our levels of restoration and are
broadening the germplasm base in R-lines. We have ceased sterile conversion
of B-lines and use CHA instead.
Germplasm Evaluation. Several hundred new lines, varieties, and
landraces were evaluated for adaptation, potential combining ability, and
heterotic disposition. New breeding lines developed through this evaluation
should be observed in hybrid combination in the next two years.
Hybrid Production. Several thousand hybrids were produced with CHA and
CMS. Female production levels averaged 40 bu/A, with a high of 80 bu/A. CMS
and CHA production levels were comparable. Argentina was also utilized to
produce winter hybrids satisfactorily.
-------------------------
Nestor Machado, Pedro Paulucci and Hector Martinuzzi - Cargill - S. A.
Argentina
In 1990, Cargill Argentina commercially released its 5th hybrid wheat.
It is estimated that 80,000 ha were planted with hybrid wheat in our country.
During the season, some cold damage was reported at tillering state in
different production areas and also some drought periods affected the crops.
Diseases wee not very important in farmer's fields. Hybrids in general
showed very good reaction to these adversities and compared very well with
the best commercial varieties. An elite group of hybrids were tested in 12
different locations and data are being analyzed now and will be used next
March to select new releases for 1991. The main selection criteria for these
hybrids are adaptability and stability. Another group of experimental hybrids
were evaluated in regular yield trials in three nurseries and two planting
dates and all were harvested. (250 hybrids, 25 yield trials). Three hundred
CMS hybrids were produced in isolated plots with variable results, due to
some frost damage at heading time. Breeding material was selected under
fairly good conditions. Both the Winter and Spring lines grew satisfactorily
in their respective planting dates from June to August. The B/A conversion
program was accomplished in the greenhouse and in the field according to the
original program.
Gametocide trials: Four isolated plots treated with Monsanto 21200
gametocide were conducted with good results. Approximately 2500 combinations
have been obtained and will be used next season to test combining ability.
Even though our program has no limitations in the use of CMS system
originated from T. timopheevi, the use of effective gametocides may enhance
combining ability studies, speeding up parental lines selection.
Resistance to diseases: One of the main characteristics of good hybrids
is disease reaction, so it is necessary to have very precise information
about parental line reaction in order to make the adequate combinations. A
disease nursery using artificial inoculations was conducted in Pergamino by
Cargill Plant Pathology Department. Fusarium sp, septoria, stem rust and
leaf rust were present providing good information for the 1990 season.
-------------------------
R. P. Daniel, D. Donaldson, M. J. Nowland, C. J. Tyson, M. Materne, D.
J. Wilson and P. Wilson - Tamworth, N.S.W., Australia
Hybrid Seed Production. Hybrid seed yields from a substantially
increased area in 1990 averaged 3.5 t/ha compared with 3.2 t/ha in 1989.
Provided this level of production can be maintained, the hybrid wheat seed
production is an economically viable proposition.
Hybrid Performance. Several new hybrids with significantly higher
yields than hybrids, Meteor and Comet, were identified in 1990. However, the
interactions between fertility restoration, environmental conditions and
female genotype are still a major problem in the improvement of hybrids using
the timopheevi system.
New Appointment. Michael Materne has been appointed a "B-line Breeder"
though it is expected he will become more widely involved in the hybrid
breeding program in the future. Michael is a graduate of the Waite Institute
Adelaide.
-------------------------
HYBRITECH SEED INTERNATIONAL, INC.
John Erickson, Karolyn Ely, Bud Hardesty, Steve Kuhr, Jerry Wilson -
Wichita, KS, Gordon Cisar - Lafayette, IN
1990 was generally a good year for germplasm evaluation. Over 60,000
yield plots were harvested from 23 sites in the Great Plains. Adequate
infection of leaf rust, stem rust, soil1borne mosaic virus, and wheat streak
mosaic virus were encountered to permit differential reactions. Excessive
heat and dry conditions stressed mid-to-late maturity types. About 5,000 new
hybrids were produced utilizing both the CHA and CMS systems.
We are now fully staffed after filling two assistant breeder positions
in the SRW project and adding a new quality laboratory technician. We were
fortunate to be able to hire Karolyn Ely to manage our quality laboratory.
Karolyn previously had been with Pioneer.
B-Line Project. Approximately 1450 hand crosses were made in the
greenhouse in 1990, with emphasis upon the improvement of disease resistance.
Nearly 1200 F2 or F3 selections were screened in the greenhouse for seedling
reaction to leaf rust. Most of the materials which had expressed adult plant
resistance in the field were rated as susceptible in the seedling screening.
Development of SBMV in our F2 and F4 populations at Mt. Hope, KS was
quite good, and an excellent outbreak of stem rust occurred at the Hastings,
NE breeding site. Although we did not use artificial inoculation in 1990,
leaf rust development was very good at Wichita and at Mt. Hope, KS.
Lines with Siouxland heritage performed very well in preliminary yield
trials in 1990. We look forward to seeing hybrids with these lines in 1991.
Six advanced A-lines were transferred to our foundation seed division. Three
of the lines are adapted to Nebraska and northward, while the other three are
better suited for Kanas and Oklahoma.
R-Line Project. R-line breeding nurseries are located in the
Yellowstone Valley at Bilings, MT, in the Nebraska panhandle at Sidney, in
western Kansas at Leoti, and in south-central Kansas at Wichita.
Three-hundred, three-hundred fifty, and five-hundred F4 rows respectively
from Billings, Leoti, and Wichita were advanced to first-year yield trials
for 1991. Yield trials are located in Montana, South Dakota Nebraska,
Colorado, Kansas, and Oklahoma.
Restoration monitoring in lines and hybrids continues to be necessary.
We attempt to rate hybrids at each testing site and the following chart
summarizes several years of information:
1985-89 1990
No. of observations 7462 2253
Mean restoration value 1.99 2.28
1 = fertile 9 = sterile
The use of CHA technology to enhance restorer line development expanded
in 1990. Hand emasculations were eliminated in the greenhouse crossing
program and some testing emphasis was shifted from lines to hybrids. Over
800 R-line CHA hybrids were made in field crossing blocks in 1989 and 625
were tested in 1990. Another 257 were produced in 1990 and are being tested
in 1991. Emphasis continues on developing lines tolerant to RWA and
resistant to leaf rust. We are able to turn 2 generations per year of this
material in the greenhouse.
Adaptation Project. Efforts continue to focus on the development of
Russian Wheat aphid resistant lines. It has been noticed in our screening
trials that resistance levels drop when more than one backcross is made with
the recurrent parent. Six new sources of resistance have been entered on the
computer. This does ot include any of the Hybrid nurseries or any of the
samples sent from our Billings, Montana, station. Our total number of
samples for the year should be considerably above last year's total of
approximately 8,400 samples.
SRW Breeding. A total of 1,667 soft red winter wheat hybrids were
evaluated over five test locations in teh Corn Belt region in 1990.
Approximately half of these were single-cross hybrids, and half were
top-cross (F2-3 derived line * inbred male) hybrids. Average best-parent
heterosis on 406 single- cross hybrid combinations was 103.8%. The most
heterosis (best-parent) for a single hybrid averaged over five test locations
was 116%.
A total of 536 females and 23 males were used in an attempt to produce
2,146 unique hybrid combinations. We successfully produced 2,111 hybrids,
abandoning only 35 hybrids (1.6%) due to unacceptable nick or poor sterility.
Average female seed yield was 42.4 bushels per female acre, with a standard
deviation of 13.0 bu/A. Average yield of 60 entries in our elite line tests
on the same farm in 1990 was 64.8 bu/A. Our average seed yield in 1989 on
1,582 hybrids was 31.0 bu/A. Most of this difference of 11.4 bu/A can be
attributed to more timely planting of the hybrid production (crossing block)
nursery. Activity of the chemical hybridizing agent (MON 21200) continues to
be excellent. Only two of 536 lines were not sterile in our 1990 crossing
block nursery.
We continue to select for hybrid production efficiency
(cross-pollination) traits on both sides of the pedigree (male and female)
and in all germplasm pools. This occurs concurrently with selection for
agronomic and pathologic traits. A number of specific genes for pathogen
resistance have been allocated to specific breeding pools, expecting to
capitalize on the complementation of these different genes in the production
of the hybrid. We have also initiated a small scale CMS effort. Several of
our better B-lines are nearing conversion to A-lines, and we have begun
incorporation of fertility restoration genes into one of our male germplasm
pools.
Personnel. We are pleased to have added two staff members to the soft
wheat breeding program. Jamie Bobula accepted the position of managing our
hybrid production (crossing block) program and our CMS breeding program. He
comes to us with several years of experience from Western Plant Breeders and
the Peace Corps. Gene Leach is managing line development on the female side
of the hybrid pedigree. He received his M.S. degree in plant breeding from
North Dakota State University, and is adapting well to the southern climate
of north central Indiana.
-------------------------
Dennis Dunphy, Sam Wallace, Richard Evans - Lafayette, IN; Leon Fischer,
Kent Baker - Mt. Hope, KS; Geoff Keyes - St. Louis, MO
Performance of MON 21200 in 1990. MON 21200 is being developed by
Monsanto Co. as a chemical hybridizing agent (CHA) for wheat. MON 21200
continued to perform very well over a wide range of environments and
genotypes in 1990. Excellent sterility was obtained in all regions. Seed
yield in the SRW region was variable, but generally lower than average, with
non-selected check lines in research plots averaging 47-64% outcrossing.
Lines selected for good outcrossing ability averaged 70-93% at the same
locations. Seed set in the western HRW region was again excellent, averaging
75-99%.
Commercialization. Registration for MON 21200 is proceeding on
schedule, and we do not foresee any obstacles at this time to receiving full
registration for this compound. We are continuing to provide technical
support for cooperating breeding programs that license the Monsanto CHA
Technology, with a goal of being able to place wheat hybrids produced with
MON 21200 on the market by the mid-1990's.
Personnel. We are pleased to have Kent Baker and Richard Evans join our
group to develop the MON 21200 production technology,.
Excellent results were achieved with a fall flood irrigation of the
Disease Observation Nursery to initiate a soilborne mosaic virus infection.
Susceptible check varieties scattered throughout the nursery indicate a very
uniform distribution of the Polymyxa graminis zoospores. Approximately 5400
lines were flood irrigated in the D.O.N. again this year. If adequate and
uniform infections are observed this spring, we will continue with the
screening of our hybrids and parental lines in subsequent years.
Quality Lab. Personnel - Since last year's report there has been a
complete turnover in the laboratory staff. Lab Manager, Marcia Gordon, left
in August, 1990. She was replaced by Karolyn Ely who began with HybriTech in
July. The new laboratory technicians are Joan Saddler who began in June,
Sharon Pudden who joined us in September and Sylvia Fanning who was hired in
January, 1991. Because of so many staff changes, considerable time has been
spent in training, re-organizing files, etc.
Equipment repairs have continued, with complete overhauls on both
mixographs and on the Brabender Rapid Moisture Tester. We are looking
critically at procedures with the intent of improving efficiency. The
sedimentation test has been revised to a two-person procedure. With this
method we can run over 300 samples in an eight-hour day vs. less than 200
samples in a nine-hour day with one person. We have changed the milling
operation to collect break flour separately. Break Flour Yield is an
important characteristic in soft wheat evaluation.
Testing 1990 Crop - During the critical post-harvest/pre-planting period
(July, August, September) the Lab processed 642 Observation Nursery samples
and 5,370 Headrow Nursery samples. The Observation testing includes Jr.
Milling, NIR and Mixograph on 100 g. samples. The Headrow testing, or Early
Generation Screening, includes Udy Grinding, NIR and Sedimentation on 10 g.
samples.
-------------------------
NORTHRUP KING COMPANY
Fred Collins*, June Hancock*, and Craig Allen* - Bay, AR
Production Season. Like most years, the 1989-90 wheat growing season in
the South was challenging. Conditions in the Southeast were generally
favorable; the spring was relatively dry which favored wheat production.
There was a major shift in race(s) of powdery mildew as evidenced by an
intensive build-up on Coker 9733 which had previously been resistant.
Actually there were a few reports of powdery mildew on the variety the
previous season.
The extremely wet spring and early April freeze caused major problems in
the Mid-South and lower Corn Belt. Among the problems take-all was severe in
some areas of S.Louisiana; bacterial leaf and head blight, Septoria tritici,
S.nodorum, and scab were very severe over wide areas of Arkansas, Tennessee,
Missouri, Kentucky, and S.Illinois. As the following data reflects, yield
and head blight development were related to damage from the April freeze and,
to a lesser extent, to severity of the soil-borne virus complex.
Association of Spring Freeze Injury in Wheat with Winterhardiness, SBV,
Heading Date, Head Blight, and Yield.
FREEZE WINTER SOIL-BORNE
Variety/Line INJURY HARDINESS VIRUS HEADING HEAD YIELD
SCORE SCORE DATE BLIGHT BU/A
---------------- ------ --------- ---------- ------- ------ -----
AR 26415 5.7 8.0 5 04/18 7 36
BAYLES 6.0 - 6 04/15 - --
CALDWELL 4.3 9.4 7 04/21 9 32
CARDINAL 5.0 9.6 4 04/23 7 44
CHEROKEE 7.0 - 3 04/15 8 22
CLARK 3.7 9.2 2 04/15 7 40
COKER 747 4.7 8.6 4 04/19 4 24
COKER 833 6.0 8.0 1 04/20 3 45
COKER 916 5.7 8.0 3 04/14 8 38
COKER 983 6.7 4.2 4 04/15 8 40
COKER 9227 6.3 4.4 6 04/06 8 29
COKER 9323 6.3 6.2 6 04/08 7 32
COKER 9733 7.3 5.0 6 04/13 3 38
COKER 9766 6.7 7.4 3 04/16 5 27
COKER 9877 6.7 5.6 2 04/18 1 47
COKER 9024 5.0 7.6 2 04/18 1 42
COKER 9105 6.0 3.8 4 04/15 5 36
COKER 9803 5.7 8.4 3 04/10 2 55
C0KER 9835 6.0 6.6 5 04/14 8 37
COKER 9907 5.7 6.6 6 04/21 3 39
FFR 568 6.7 - 2 04/18 9 38
FLORIDA 302 7.8 5.4 6 04/14 7 34
FLORIDA 303 8.0 2.4 7 04/02 8 17
GEORGIA 100 7.7 7.2 4 04/16 9 26
HANCOCK 8.0 9.0 3 04/20 8 24
HART 9.0 9.2 1 04/20 8 --
HUNTER 7.7 - 3 04/04 5 32
KEISER 4.7 7.2 3 04/21 3 34
KY 83-38 6.7 - 3 04/19 8 33
MADISON 5.0 - 1 04/10 4 53
MAGNUM 7.3 9.2 5 04/14 8 23
MCNAIR 1003 6.3 6.8 5 04/18 8 34
MO 10501 5.7 9.4 3 04/21 8 36
PACER 8.0 9.4 3 04/20 5 16
PIKE 8.7 8.8 5 04/20 8 22
PIONEER BR. 2548 5.7 7.6 6 04/20 7 42
PIONEER BR. 2551 7.3 9.4 4 04/21 2 35
PIONEER BR. 2555 5.0 7.6 1 04/15 6 40
SALUDA 6.0 8.0 6 04/15 4 34
SAVANNAH 6.0 3.8 4 04/14 2 45
TERRAL NORRIS 101 6.3 - 3 04/20 2 23
TERRAL NORRIS 812 8.7 - 4 04/14 8 23
TERRAL NORRIS 817 5.7 - 4 04/10 5 37
TRAVELER 8.3 3.6 4 04/13 7 20
TWAIN 5.7 8.8 2 04/16 8 34
WAKEFIELD 6.3 - 4 04/18 4 52
LSD (.05) 1.8 1.1 1 3 9
V. (%) 19 12 15 2 15
Freeze Injury, Head Blight, and Yield Data are from 1990 Hopkinsville, KY test.
Winter hardiness is from 1989 tests in upper Mid-South.
Soil-borne virus is from 1990 Union City, TN test.
Heading date is from 1990 Bay, AR test.
SCORE: 0 = None (no freeze damage, complete winter kill, or no
virus symptoms)
9 = Most
CORRELATIONS r P
================================ ====== ===
Freeze injury - winter hardiness -0.222 .19
Freeze injury - SBV 0.201 .52
Freeze injury - heading date -0.158 .29
Freeze injury - head blight 0.250 .10
Freeze injury - yield -0.564 .00
Winter hardiness - yield 0.039 .83
SBV - Yield -0.296 .05
Heading date - Yield 0.069 .65
Head blight - Yield -0.422 .01
New Releases. Four new varieties were turned ovder to TGN (Two Great
Names) dealers who produce and market certified seed of Northrup King
varieties Coker 9907 and Coker 9835 were positioned primarily in the
Southeast. Coker 9024 was sold in the Mid-South and Coker 9803 was placed
primarily in the upper portion of the Mid-South. Coker 9105 will be released
to TGN dealers in the Gulf Coastal region in the fall of 1991. Coker 9543 is
the most recent release; it was tested as CL860426 and it should be a
replacement for Coker 747.
Personnel Changes. June Hancock, who had spent about 1.5 years on the
cotton program, was transferred back into the wheat program. She will be
responsible for germplasm-varietal development. Russell Sutton returned to
his previous position at the Texas A&M research station near Dallas.
-------------------------
ORSEM
Ch. Quandalle - Pouy Roquelaure - 32480 La Romieu; S. Sunderwirth - 56
rue Th. Havy - 60190 Estrees St Denis; L. Batreau - Ferme
de St. Germain - 28310 Fresnay L'Eveque
Since our last contribution in 1989, several changes have occurred in
our Wheat Breeding Program. Eighteen people are employed and work on three
stations. Estrees St Denis is more involved in breeding hybrid and inbred
wheat for Northern France and Europe. Pouy-Roquelaure is breeding inbred and
hybrid wheat for Southern France and Europe. St. Germain is specialized in
hybrid wheat development (seed production and agronomy). Besides these three
major stations, ten other trial centers allow for a large experimentation
program across France.
The breeding effort represents 600 hand made crosses, 550,000 F2 plants,
70,000 head-rows, and 23,000 trial plots. This program includes 10,000
doubled haploid lines produced by a team of six people in Pouy-Roquelaure.
The hybrid wheat program has 1,200 hybrids in trials. Another 1,600
combinations will be produced in 1991 with Orsan's C.H.A. SC 2053 in 52
crossing blocks. BE 80 ZX 028, a promising early maturing red winter wheat
pure line cultivar, will finish official trials for Southern France in 1991.
It should be released this fall. Entering into the first year of official
trials in 1991 are two winter wheats cultivars (one red and one white), one
triticale, and one barley.
-------------------------
TRIO RESEARCH INC.
James A. Wilson - Wichita, KS
A hybrid blend yield test, involving the blending of R line, B line and
F2 with single cross hybrid seed on a 50:50 weigh basis, was conducted this
past year. Also, the single crosses and each of the R lines, B lines and
F2's were grown in pure stands as checks for their respective blends. The
top ten yielding entries having no significant difference in yield consisted
of four singlecross hybrids, three blends, and three lines. The top two
entries in yield in this forty-entry test were blends with one having a B
line component and the other an F2 component. The data suggest that hybrid
blends could be used in the development of "genetically protected" cultivars.
Powdery mildew and leaf rust were the most damaging diseases encountered
in our tests this past year. Mildew was very severe on some new varieties
having high susceptibility. The absence of soil borne mosaic symptoms for
the past three years on wheat grown in known soil borne infected soils is
difficult to explain; possibly higher than normal early spring temperatures
and lack of moisture in the fall are the reasons.
The decline in the price of wheat relative to feed grains and parity
create a difficult situation for the wheat producers. Though prices may
eventually recover we believe that more options should be given to the wheat
growers when the price is on the downside. Wheats developed with forage or
graze-out options would be welcomed by many growers having connections with
beef production. Others would likely welcome an option to use their crop as
feed in port and/or beef production. With these concepts in mind we are
continuing to increase our efforts toward developing wheats having unique
traits that enable them to be more efficiently utilized as a feed or forage
crop.
We are maintaining our soft red winter and hard red winter breeding
objectives but reducing the amount of off-station testing involving our own
operations. Our current sequence of testing prior to release will involve
federal and state yield tests. Several varieties and a hybrid were entered
in federal tests in the fall of 1990.
-------------------------
WESTERN PLANT BREEDERS
Dale Clark, Craig Cook, Amy Baroch - Bozeman, MT; Kim Shantz, Michael
DeVries - Tempe, AZ
Hybrid Wheat. Western Plant Breeders (WPB) is field testing hard red
wheat hybrids produced at Davis, CA., using CHA's developed by Sogetal, Inc.,
Hayward, CA. These hybrids are primarily semidwarf wheats adapted to
irrigated production areas of California and Arizona. Replicated yield
trials are being conducted at one location in Arizona and three locations in
California. WPB is also field testing soft white winter hybrids produced at
Amity, Oregon by Sogetal, Inc. These hybrids are in replicated yield trials
at eight Pacific Northwest nurseries (4 in WA, 2 in ID, 1 in OR, and 1 in
MT). New Releases. Western Plant Breeders has received approval to assign
the following names to new releases described in AWN Volume 36. Our PNW
spring durum (No. BU 884-206) is being named WestBred Pendur. The high
yielding, high protein hard red wheat (No. DA 984- 034) targeted for the
Anza, Yolo growing region is being named WestBred Express. Experimental No.
PH 984-75, adapted to the areas of California and Arizona where Yecora Rojo
is grown, is being named WestBred Accord.
Cultivar Testing. WPB conducted yield trials in 1990 at 19 locations
throughout the Western U.S. Four sites were fall-planted (irrigated) in AZ
and CA, six sites were winter nurseries in the PNW, and nine sites were
spring nurseries in the PNW. Although five of the PNW sites were dryland and
were stressed for moisture in 1990, all 19 nurseries were harvested.
Southern Nursery. WPB's primary southern research nursery is now
located on the Maricopa Demonstration Farm at the University of Arizona,
Maricopa Agricultural Center, Maricopa, AZ.
Personnel. Michael DeVries has joined the Western Plant Breeders staff
in Tempe, AZ, as a research assistant. Jamie Bobula left WPB to accept a
position with Hybritech Seed International, Inc., Lafayette, IN. WPB wishes
Jamie well in this new endeavor.
-------------------------
ITEMS FROM ARGENTINA
Institute of Genetics and of Biological Resources, INTA, Castelar
Enrique Y. Suarez and Laura Bullrich
Magnif 41 meiotic behaviour. Magnif 41 is a bread cultivar with a very
abnormal microsporogenesis apparently as a consequence of spindle
disturbances in the first meiotic division. This abnormal microsporogenesis
resulted in a chaotic picture at the tetrad stage producing pollen grains of
different sizes and the presence of micronuclei. Female meiosis seems also
to be affected but to a lesser extent. High aneuploid frequency is observed
in this cultivar resulting in chromosome number variation and structural
mutations. Apparently the mitotic spindles are not affected. However, in
the archesporial cells some disturbances were detected. The origin of this
behaviour seems to be related to a chromosome mutation inherited as a
recessive factor. Chromosome mutation might well be produced in the
ancestors of Magnif 41, i.e., Sinvalocho M. A. and/or Mediterranean.
However, the frequency of this mutation is higher in the Mediterranean than
that in Sinvalocho M.A.
-------------------------
A. Acevedo, E. Antonelli, L. Bullrich, E. Suarez and S. Feingold
Rye introgression effects into Argentinean wheats. Various genetic
traits of Argentinean wheats carrying or not 1Rs/1B1 translocation (new
Argentinean varieties, lines and F3 segregant families) were compared.
Concerning the lines carrying the rye segment they showed resistance to all
leaf rust strains but one. Sedimentation test showed significant differences
among lines and F3 families with the rye translocation from those without the
translocation. In the varieties no relation was found between the appearance
of the rye translocation and the sedimentation values. This behavior is
probably due to low sedimentation values in the new Argentinean varieties.
-------------------------
E. Y. Saurez and M. Arteaga
Influence of meiotic abnormalities on grain condition in a commercial
hybrid wheat. The first Argentinean hybrid wheat carries a heterozygous
reciprocal translocation. This structural mutation was associated to the
production of aneuploid plants and wrinkled grains. Even when the sample
were composed by normal grains 4.2% of them were aneuploid. On the other
hand the sample with wrinkled grains had 19.8% of aneuploid.
-------------------------
G. W. Covas (Jr.), E. Y. Saurez and J. Safont Lis.
Pleiotropic vs. linkage effects for 4D chromosome of wheat. Using the
modified "Backcross reciprocal monosomic" method chromosome effects were
analyzed in several Argentinean cultivars. Old varieties and semidwarf
(Rht2) genotypes were included. Twenty seven reciprocals were evaluated for
plant height, grain weight, spike length, ear emergence time, spikelet number
per ear grain number per spikelet, tiller number and yield. A constant and
significant association was observed only between Rht2 chromosome with
reduction in plant height, grain weight and spike length. Other traits
showed no association or both positive and negative association indicating
gene linkage more than a pleiotropic effect.
-------------------------
M. Arteaga and E. Y. Suarez
Comparative performance of Triticum timopheevi and T. peregrinum
cytoplasm in hybrid combinations. Four commercial T. timopheevi cytoplasm
hybrids (CH) were compared with three F1 hybrid genotypes (HG) carrying T.
peregrinum cytoplasm and 1B-1Rs: 1B nucleus. Plant height (PH), fertility
(F), grain weight (GW) and productivity (P) were measured. (Table 1). IN CH
were included heterozygous genotypes with Rht genes, while in the case of HG
were included only heterozygous genotypes. Fertility was measured on both of
the basal flowers of the central spikelets showing that few plants in two out
of four CH hybrids were completely male sterile while only one HG hybrid
showed a very reduced fertility in all the plants. The HG group was produced
from non-evaluated varieties for combining ability or restorer capacity.
Table 1. C H and H G Performance
PH (cm) F (%) GR (mg) P (g) C H 88.7 81-94 90.7 82-97 40.9 38-43
30.3 24-36 H G 103.4 99-108 81.7 54-99 38.4 38-39 25.4 18-33
-------------------------
E. Y. Suarez and G. Tranquilli
Dosage effect and the concept of dominance and recessiveness. True
dominance is not known to occur at the molecular level. However at a higher
level of biological organization dominant alleles are "alleles which are
manifest in all heterozygous heterokaryotic or heterogenotic members of the
first filial generation (F1) from a cross between two homozygous (pure
breeding) strains differing with respect to these characters" (Rieger,
Michaelis and Green, 1976).
When Chinese Spring (CS), susceptible to Argentinean clone 66 of
Puccinia recondita, was crossed with Sinvalocho M. A. (SV) (resistant to this
strain), the F1 was susceptible. Therefore following the definition stated
above, the Lr 3 alleles from Chinese Spring were dominant. However a
susceptible reaction was also observed when the CS allele was absent as it
happened in SV monosomic 6B or in the F1 produced by crossing CS (monosomic
6B) with SV (euploid). In contrast when crossing these varieties with a
higher dosage of Lr3 gene (6B tetrasomic SV with 6B tetrasomic CS), the F1
was resistant to clone 66 of Puccinia recondita. The behaviour of Lr3 allele
from SV in this case from clearly dominant.
The confusion arises by using the Mendelian misconcept of dominance and
recessiveness in plant pathogen interaction or in other characters, i.e., the
response to the gene control of gibberellic acid, etc. Alleles dosage
concept is more accurate for understanding these phenomena. Similar
conclusion can be reached considering dosage for all other genes, except for
the presence of co-dominant alleles. On the other hand over-dominance if it
exists is not known whether it occurs for most genes.
Miscellaneous. Monosomic series of Sinvalocho M. A. is available
(except for a few chromosomes), also the substitution lines of Sinvalocho
chromosomes into Chinese Spring are available. Sinvalocho tetrasomic 6B was
also obtained and a reciprocal translocation 1Bs/6Bs-1B1/6B1 also in
Sinvalocho background.
Publications
Suarez, E. Y., and Bullrich, L. 1990. Meiotic spindle disturbances in a
commercial bread wheat cultivar. Cytologia 55:79-86.
Acevedo, A., Antonelli, E., Bullrich, L., Suarez, E. and Feingold, S. Rye
introgression effects into Argentinean wheats. (2nd Int. Triticale Sym.
Passo Fundo, Brazil, 1990 in press).
Covas, G. F., Suarez, E. Y., and Safont Lis, J. 1990. Pleiotropismo vs
genes ligados para interpretar el efecto del cromosoma 4D de trigo en
diferentes componentes de rendimiento. 2do Congreso Nacional de Trigo.
Pergamino, Argentina, 1990; II:91-100.
Lenscak, M. P., Leon, A. J. and Suarez, E. Y. 1990. Empleo de lineas de
sutitucion de trigo para la evaluacion precisa del caracter periodo a
espigazon. 2do. congreso Nacional de Trigo. Pergamino, Argentina. 1990.
II:75-90.
Suarez, E. Y., and Arteaga, M. 1990. Influence of meiotic abnormalities on
grain condition in a commercial hybrid wheat. Cer. Res. Comm.,
18(1-2):27-31.
-------------------------
Ruth A. Heinz, Mariana Del Vas, Laura C. Moratinos, Ewald A. Favret, H.
Esteban Hopp
Gene-for-gene specific mRNA activities in wheat leaves infected with
leaf rust. It is now well established that the ability of plants to resist
pathogen attack is dependent on the genotypes of both organisms. In a
gene-for-gene or better, allele-for-gene interaction (1-4) a host will be
resistant or susceptible to a particular pathogen race depending on the
reaction alleles that interact with virulence genes in the pathogen. In
addition, host-pathogen interaction is an active process dependent on RNA and
protein synthesis which is the result of transcriptional activation of
specific genes. The interaction between Triticum aestivum and Puccinia
recondita tritici provides an excellent model to analyze specific
relationships due to the well established knowledge on the involved genes in
the context of genetically related genotypes of both host and pathogen. A
criss-cross host-pathogen interaction system has been developed (5-8) in
which wheat lines with very homogeneous genetic backgrounds carry genes that
react differentially with closely related clones of P. recondita tritici.
Interactions are summarized in the table.
We have previously shown an association between synthesis of
polypeptides and specific interactions in wheat seedlings infected with these
characterized pathogenic races of wheat rust (9-10).
Seedlings were grown in hydropoinia following the sandwich method (11).
Eight-day-old seedlings were inoculated with spores or solely with talc
(controls) in humid chambers. RNA was isolated by phenol-chloroform
extraction followed by LiCl2 and ethanol precipitation. mRNA activity was
evidenced by translation using a commercial rabbit 1ysate.
Specific induction of mRNA species was detected towards the third day of
the infection process in time course "in vitro" translation experiments.
This observation is in agreement with previous results showing changes in the
levels of polypeptide bands (10). At least two specific mRNAs which code for
polypeptide bands of 34 and 24 kDa could be associated with the compatible
interaction mediated by genes A1/A2 from Gamma 1R wheat lines and virulence
gene p1/p2 of rust race FO1. Comparisons made using mutant clone of rust FO3
which elicits an inverse criss-cross relationship with the same wheat lines,
are consistent with the idea of specificity of the detected changes.
Table: Pathogenic relationship between isogenic lines of wheat and
clones of leaf rust.
Clones of Leaf Rust
FO1 FO2 FO3
Isogenic wheat lines
Sinvalocho M.A. + - -
Gamma 1R - - +
[+] represents compatible interaction
[-] represents incompatible interaction
-------------------------
Laura C. Moratinos, Ruth A. Heinz, Ewald A. Favret, H. Esteban Hopp
Induction of a specific protein of 84 kDa in the host pathogen
interaction between Triticum aestivum and Erysiphe graminis tritici.
Similarly to other mildews, wheat mildew exhibits the occurrence of several
physiological races with extreme specialization with respect to differential
virulence to genetic variants of the host following gene for-gene, or better
allele-for-gene, relationships. Theoretically, any reaction controlled by a
single gene should involve, initially at least, a single gene function.
Favret (1) postulated the presence of host genes controlling metabolic
products that interfere with pathogen development. A characterization of the
products synthesized during infection with mildew would enhance our
understanding of specific host-pathogen interactions from a molecular
perspective.
To this end a host pathogen interaction system involving the wheat
cultivar Chul and genetically related mildew clones have been developed (see
Table). Pathogenic variants were obtained by mutagenesis with ethylmethane
sulfonate (EMS) (2,3).
Eight-day-old seedlings grown under controlled conditions (4) were
inoculated with spores of the two mildew races. At different times after
infection leaves were excised for pulse labelling experiments in the presence
of 356-methionine (4). Time-course modifications of polypeptide synthesis
was followed by SDS-PAGE and subsequent fluorography. Changes in polypeptide
synthesis rate could roughly be quantitated by densitometry of the
fluorographic bands. (Figure).
Fluorograms show that an early induction of an 84 kDa polypeptide band
was evident in the compatible interaction. Interestingly a correlative
decrease in the same band was evident in the incompatible combination (see
figure), suggesting that it might be related to this particular gene-for-gene
interaction.
Furthermore, this induction in the compatible system and parallel
repression in the incompatible one, occurs during a physiological stage
(between 10 and 27 hours after infection) which is thought to be
determinative in the establishment of the interaction.
Table 1. Pathogenic relationship between lines of wheat and genetically related mildew clones.
------ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Wheat Lines Interaction Mildew Clones
------ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Lemhi compatible wild type
Chu1 incompatible wild type
Chu1 compatible mutant
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Dr. QUICK: leave room here for figure 1
REFERENCES
Flor, H. H. 1942. Inheritance of pathogenicity in a cross between
physiologic races 22 and 24 of Melampsora lini. Phytopathology 32, 653-669.
Flor, H. H. 1955. Host-parasite interactions in flax rust, its genetics and
another implications. Phytopathology 45, 680-685.
Favret, E. A. 1969. The host-pathogen system and its genetic relationships.
In Barley Genetics II. Proceedings of the 2nd Intern. Barley Genetics
Symposium. pp. 457-471. Pullman, Washington.
Favret, E. A. 1971. The host-pathogen system and its genetic relationships.
In Barley Genetics II, Proc. 2nd Intern. Barley Genetics Symposium. pp. 457-
471. Pullman, Washington, U.S.A.
Favret, E. A. 1965. Induced mutations in breeding for disease resistance.
In Reports of the Meeting of FAO/IAEA: The Use of Induced Mutations in Plant
Breeding. pp. 521-5267. Pergamon Press, London, U.K.
Favret, E. A., Cenoz, H. P., Silvero Sanz, S. I., Solari, R. M. and Mujica,
F. L. 1969. Efecto de posicion inducido en trigo para reaccion a las royas.
In Induced Mutations in Plants. pp. 123-133, IAEA/FAO, Pullman, Washington.
Franzone, P. M. and Favret, E. A. 1982. Mutations for pathogenicity in
wheat leaf rust Puccinia recondita var. tritici induced by ethyl-methane
sulphonate. Phytopathologishes Zeitschrift 2. 104, 289-298.
Suarez, E. Y. and Favret, E. A. 1984. Reaction to leaf rust of a
"Sinvalocho" wheat gene in hemizygous condition. Zeitschrift fur
Pflanzenzuchtung 92, 289- 294.
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Vol. IV, pp. 77-81. Pergamino, Argentina.
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specific host-pathogen relationships in infections with wheat rust. Plant
Cell Physiology 31(8). In press.
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measuring barley seedlings. Crop Sci. 7, 275-276.
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-------------------------
Sergio E. Feingold and H. Esteban Hopp
Relationship of bread-making quality and HMW glutenin subunit
composition in two old Argentine varieties. Knowledge on the molecular basis
of the bread-making quality increased remarkably in the last ten years (1),
and stressed the importance of high molecular weight (HMW) glutenins. Some
of these glutenins were extensively characterized by nucleotide sequencing of
their genes which are located in the homoeologous chromosome group 1 (1)
Specific subunits conferred different physical properties to the dough, such
as elasticity and strength (vg. subunits 5+10 render strong dough, while 2+12
render weak dough (2)). Nucleotide sequence analysis further support the
involvements of these protein subunits in this behavior. Accordingly, a
quality score based on HMW glutenin subunit composition was defined. It was
named like the loci that contain the HMW glutenin subunit genes, the Glu-1
quality score (3).
A reevaluation program of old Argentine varieties released between 1912
and 19890 is underway including the analysis of several physiological and
quality parameters (4,5,6,7). Bread-making quality was tested by the
SDS-sedimentation test as described (8) and Glu-1 quality score by
identification of HMW glutenin subunit composition after polyacrylamide gel
electrophoresis in presence of SDS (SDS-PAGE) (9) and comparison to known
European variety standards. Surprisingly, screening of varieties for
bread-making quality revealed that the Glu-1 quality score could not be
associated to the SDS- sedimentation test values for some genotypes. This
was particularly evident for two genetically non-related varieties: the old
Klein 32 released in 1930, and the more recent Buck Manatial (from 1964),
both are traditional germplasm varieties, and showed good bread-making
quality compared with known good bread-making quality European standards (see
Table).
Among the main distinctive features it was observed that:
1) HMW glutenin subunits extensively reported to be inherited as couples
were found to occur as single bands.
2) The 2+12 couple did not diminish SDS-sedimentation value as it occurs
in modern varieties.
3) High SDS-sedimentation test values cannot be attributed to the
presence of enough HMW glutenins subunits known for their positive
contribution to this value.
4) These results led to the presumption that some subunits do not
contribute to dough strength in the same manner that they do in the
European varieties where they have been defined.
5) This behavior could be attributed to i) low molecular weight
glutenins or gliadins affecting bread-making quality (11, 12), or
ii) the identified HMW glutenin subunits have similar mobility in
1-D SDS-PAGE but have different biochemical properties.
6) Genetic cross analysis combined with 2-D electrophoresis to correlate
segregation of banding patterns to bread making quality are in
course to elucidate this point.
Table 1. SDS-sedimentation test values, HMW glutenin subunit
composition and GLU-1 quality score of two Argentinian wheat varieties.
SDS-sedimentation HMW glutenin Glu-1 quality
Varieties test values (mm) subunit composition score
Klein 32 12.0 2+12, 7+8 5
Buck Manantial 11.0 3, 5+10, 7+8 9
References
Payne, P. I. 1987. Genetics of wheat storage proteins and the effect of
allelic variation on bread-making quality. Ann. Rev. Plant Physiol.
38:141-153.
Flavell, R. B., Goldsbrough, A. P., Robert, L. S., Schnick, D. and Thompson,
R. D. 1989. Genetic variation in wheat HMW glutenin subu