NCCC_OLD167: Corn Breeding Research
(Multistate Research Coordinating Committee and Information Exchange Group)
Status: Inactive/Terminating
NCCC_OLD167: Corn Breeding Research
Duration: 10/01/2006 to 09/30/2011
Administrative Advisor(s):
NIFA Reps:
Non-Technical Summary
Statement of Issues and Justification
Plant breeding is currently needed more than ever. Without plant breeding biotechnology and its techniques will never be applied to cultivars. Plant breeding is the ultimate delivery method for germplasm enhancement, development of cultivars that have consistently high quantity and quality performance across environments, and the development of sustainable low-cost alternatives to farmers or to participatory plant breeding systems. During the 20th century, corn breeders have been leaders in conducting basic and applied research to determine the more efficient and effective methods for corn improvement. Different aspects of biotechnology have assumed greater importance during the past two decades based simple traits and fully supported by federal grants. However, public plant breeders still have the task of developing superior genotypes with improved complex traits as well as training new breeders. The impacts from plant breeding are clear as they solve urgent problems of agriculture and deserve long-term funding.
The number of corn breeders with the state agriculture experiment stations (SAES) and the U. S. Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Research Service (USDA/ARS) has declined dramatically during the past 50 years. Frey (1996) reported that 545.05 SYs were devoted to dent corn breeding: of this total, 509.75 SYs (93.5) were with private industry, 27.1 SYs (5.0) were with SAES, and 8.2 SYs (1.5) were with the USDA/ARS. Hence, 93.5 of the dent corn breeders in the United States are employed by private industry. Although only 6.5 of the corn breeders are in the public sector, they are expected 1) to conduct long-term, high-risk research to advance the frontiers of knowledge for corn improvement, and 2) to educate and train graduate students capable of conducting independent breeding programs, which are largely in the private sector (Frey, 2000).
Evaluation and enhancement of germplasm resources, genepool enhancement, and development of enhanced breeding methodologies are essential to maintain continued genetic advance of the corn products provided to the producers. These research projects are long-term, include selection of traits that are complex in their inheritance, and usually do not lead directly to development of elite lines and hybrids. Incremental genetic gains are realized over time and all available information and techniques are included to enhance our genetic resources.
Therefore, the focus of the Committee is the development and adaptation of corn germplasm to the U.S. NCR and its long-term genetic improvement. This is attained by interaction among researchers of the public and private sectors who have an interest in the theory and application of selection methods for germplasm enhancement, development of screening methods for pest resistance, types of genetic effects important in the inheritance of quantitative traits, breeding methods for development of populations, lines and their hybrids, and the interaction with biotechnology scientists who should be able to design the most appropriate biotechnologies that can be applicable to conventional breeding methods. Objectives are attained by fostering cooperative exchange of information on theoretical and applied breeding and selection methods of lines, hybrids, and germplasm, and evaluation and enhancement of germplasm resources.
Objectives
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Release inbred lines and improved populations and support decisions by conducting hybrid trials for three maturity zones (100-300, 400-600,and 700-800, relative maturity ratings) to evaluate new inbred lines in hybrids on a regional maturity basis;
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Promote and raise awareness of plant breeding through the active interaction of NCR representatives with the Plant Breeding Coordinating Committee (SCC 80) plant breeding institutes, and international consortiums and disseminate information from annual meetings worldwide.
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Interact with other Multistate Research Committees (e.g., NCR-25, NEC- 29) and other important groups (Maize Genetics) to stay abreast of the latest research of disciplines that are important in corn breeding;
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Assess biotechnology tools, breeding methods, and potential profitable alternatives for impact in corn breeding; and
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Train the next generation of corn breeders.
Procedures and Activities
The new NC will oversee the development and evaluation of all new public inbred lines nationally and internationally as well as U.S. and international corn breeding research. Germplasm releases from this group will be recommended for registration in Crop Science Society of America. The results of NC meetings and trials will be presented in peer-reviewed, scientific journals, resulting in most corn breeding research currently available and results of this group will be disseminated. Because of the extensive output and widespread participation of this NC, all public corn germplasm releases and training of national and international corn breeders will have their basis at this committee. The function of our group will be to create synergism among members and encourage others to participate by joining nursery and trial efforts.
Expected Outcomes and Impacts
- Corn is the most important crop in the U. S. Corn productivity has increased while maintaining genetic diversity thanks to research in corn breeding due in great part to NCR-167. Therefore, we expect increased genetic gains for several traits and an increase in genetic diversity in the next 5 years. The renewed NC will be the source for corn genetic diversity and new breeding methodologies
- NCR-167 will be the source of private corn breeders. As a consequence, industry will create mechanisms to recognize the current need.
- A pre-biotech retrospective look at corn genetic improvement shows that cumulative state and federal investment for the period 1865-1996 was $3 billion and the measurable benefits from research on conventional corn breeding was $260 billion. This is based on a macro analysis of corn breeding research and benefits at U.S. universities, all members of NCR-167, assuming 2/3 of actual genetic improvement.
- B73 is the most popular inbred line that has generated evident economic benefits to the industry. B73 was developed from a genetically broad-based improved population at a land-grant University, active member of NCR-167. Millions of dollars are still being made from derivatives of this public inbred line released before intellectual property was active.
- NCR-167 has been a model of excellence in national plant breeding efforts considering the amount of federal support received compared to the support given to biotechnology and the impacts are totally different. The active role of this group will be essential for corn genetic improvement. The NC group will also be an international committee participants from Canada and USDA-ARS, expanding its influence and value worldwide. NCR-167 has been a model research group too. Our regional trials and field days are evidence of collaborative activities that emphasize the importance of linkages and synergisms among its members.
- Since the 2003 meeting, more than 40 inbred lines and/or synthetics were released by the members of the NCR-167 regional group. This is an indication of the activity level of the breeding programs in the various states.
- Since 2003, NCR-167 has generated more than 100 peer-reviewed publications, the organization of a symposium with the University of Illinois to evaluate the long-term effects of selection in corn populations (and its publication in book chapters), one interregional corn conference (with NEC-29, NCR-25, and NCR204), and three annual corn breeding workshops held in conjunction with annual meetings. More than 30 research presentations were presented by university scientists, industry scientists, and graduate students on many topics related to corn breeding. In addition, we had more than 10 posters presented during our poster presentation session. These presentations served to facilitate the exchange of research information and of students that normally would not get exchanged by this group at other meetings.
- The uniform testing committees of NCR-167 coordinated the testcross and evaluation of elite, unreleased germplasm at several locations in the U.S or Canada. The data gathered from these trials are invaluable in making release decisions on germplasm and allows us to obtain data on traits that individually we cannot obtain. These tests also foster communication and the exchange of germplasm. Chairs of individual maturity subcommittees annually reported extensive evaluation of more than 100 genotypes in 19 locations across the U. S. This indicates the commitment of this group to reduce GxE interactions for a better prediction.
Projected Participation
View Appendix E: ParticipationEducational Plan
NC will be the basis for long-term corn genetic improvement. Re-direction of federal funding to plant breeding is essential to serve all sectors of the community including under-served and under represented ones.
Improved germplasm generated by members of this NC will be extremely valuable for conventional (e.g. single-cross hybrids) and alternative farmers (e.g. population hybrids). Therefore, long-term allocation of resources (e.g. good state cold storage facilities) will be critical.
There has, during the past 25 years, been serious erosion of corn breeders at universities to educate and train future ones. Because of the rapid expansion within the commercial sector and the current very high demands for classical corn breeders, a critical mass of corn breeders is essential to meet the future demands for corn breeders in the U.S. This will especially serve the industry currently in desperate need of classical breeders.
We will continue our focus on applied aspects of breeding for the benefit of corn production in the U. S. We will also work to build the linkage between biotechnology and plant breeding. For that, we will be responsible of communicating the practical needs on molecular techniques readily applicable to breeding programs. It is still necessary to link successful molecular research with improvement of traits with complex inheritance. It is also necessary to discourage research without impact. Therefore, we propose a needed linkage between useful basic science and applied breeding research.
We will help reviewers of federal grants to measure the impact of projects. More research money on corn breeding research will bring more success to industry, farmers, and scientists; and will re-establish the mission of land-grant universities.
We will foster more interactions with research groups (e.g. USDA Germplasm Enhancement Maize Project, Maize Genetics, Sustainable and Organic Groups) due to the fact that corn breeding requires the integration of information, techniques, and needs of several different disciplines.
We will encourage members to incorporate top inbred lines in regional trials regardless of intellectual property issues and exclusive agreements.
Organization/Governance
A nominating Committee will propose candidates annually for all other committees and Robert Rules of Order will be followed. Decision making will be addressed by the acting Chair of the year through an executive committee in cooperation with all members. an agenda will be developed annually and discussed for decision making during annual meetings (on a business meeting). Several committees will have their own chairs to address sepecific issues (e.g. germplasm releases, maturity groups, nominating, etc).
Literature Cited
NCR-167, 2005. North Central Corn Research Committee [online]. Available at NCR-167 homepage http://corn2.agron.iastate.edu/NCR167/Default.html (Jan. 27, 2005, accessed Dec. 15, 2005)
Frey, K. J. 1996. National Plant Breeding Study-I. Human and financial resources devoted to plant breeding research and development in the United States in 1994. Iowa Agric. Home Econ. Spec. Rep. 98, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA.
Frey, K. J. 2000. National Plant Breeding Study-IV. Future priorities for plant breeding. Iowa Agric. Home Econ. Spec. Rep. 102, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA.
Additional 2005 Publications (from Members):
Carena, M.J. 2005. Registration of NDSAB(MER-FS)C13 maize Germplasm. Crop Sci. 45:1670-1671.
Carena, M.J. 2005. Exploitation of maize genetic diversity in the northern U.S. Corn Belt. Proceedings of the XII Eucarpia Genetic Resources Section Meeting, Castelsardo, IT.
Carena, M.J. 2005. Maize commercial hybrids compared to improved population hybrids for grain yield and agronomic performance. Euphytica 141(3):201-208.
Melani, M.D. and M.J. Carena. 2005. Alternative heterotic patterns for the northern Corn Belt. Crop Sci. 45:2186-2194.
Hyrkas, A. and M.J. Carena. 2005. Response to long-term selection in early maturing maize synthetic varieties. Euphytica 143(1-2):43-49.
Carena, M.J. 2005. Choice of germplasm for maize public breeding programs. In Agronomy Abstracts [CD-ROM computer file]. ASA, Madison, WI.
Sezegen, B. and M.J. Carena. 2005. Divergent Recurrent Selection for Cold Tolerance in Two Improved Maize Populations. . In Agronomy Abstracts [CD-ROM computer file]. ASA, Madison, WI.
McDonald, J. and M.J. Carena. 2005. Comparison between hybrids of public improved populations and hybrids of private elite inbred lines in North Dakota. In North Central Corn Breeding Research Committee Report. Minneapolis, MN.
Osorno, J. and M.J. Carena. 2005. Genetic divergence among North Dakota maize populations based on grain quality and grain yield. In North Central Corn Breeding Research Committee Report. Minneapolis, MN.
Melani, M.D. and M.J. Carena. 2005. Identification of QTLs for resistance to eyespot in maize. In North Central Corn Breeding Research Committee Report. Minneapolis, MN.
Lee, E., M.J. Carena, R. Bernardo, and Z.W. Wicks. 2005. Report of the sub-committee on uniform tests in the 100-300 maturity series. In K.L. Lamkey (Ed.). Report of the Minutes of the North Central Corn Breeding Research Committee (NCR167) Meetings. Minneapolis, MN.
Carena, M.J. and J. Ransom. 2005. North Dakota hybrid corn performance results 2004. (66th Ed.). Circular A-793 (Revised). North Dakota Agric. Exp. Station and Ext. Service.