1. 1 The National Plant Germplasm System NPGS A three-way partnership ARS ~ CSREES ~ SAES Information compiled by Ann Marie Thro National Program Leader, Plant Breeding & Genetics athro@csrees.usda.gov

2. 2 The National Plant Germplasm System Jeffersonian origins 1946: Agricultural Marketing Act Basis for the federal / state partnership that emerged for germplasm resources. Today: More valuable than ever before

3. 3 Converging political & scientific factors make the NPGS more valuable than ever New tools from molecular genetics and informatics Powerful for characterization, selection, and collection management Consumer interest in diversity of foods Added value, n ew market niches, new jobs Era of change in American crops & cropping systems A long period of security and stability appears to be ending Globalization, climate change, natural disasters, terrorism International markets demand specific new quality traits Increasingly restrictions on collecting new germplasm

4. 4 CSREES funding for NPGS Over $3 million per year, five-yr average Three sources: 1% “off-the-top” Hatch appropriation, through NRSP-6 Multistate Research Fund (MRF) (25% of Hatch approp.) Four multi-state research projects State Hatch allocations to SAES researchers in the four projects MRF funds, five-yr ave. for the multi-state projects: S-9 $1,066,576/yr W-6 $624,171/yr NC-7 $ 841,026/yr NE-9 $309,110/yr Projects funded ~ 10 % through CSREES ~ 90% ARS

5. 5 CSREES funds additional research on plant genetic resources & biodiversity CSREES Knowledge Area (KA) 202 includes: All research on plant genetic resources, NPGS plus other Total funding: about $10.5 million/yr Hatch (incl. NPGS $3 million) + $6 million/yr Special Grants + $2 million/yr Other ( e.g., IFAFS; Federal Admin) + $900,000/yr Nat’l. Research Initiative (NRI) + $825,000/yr (five-yr averages)

6. 6 Funding through CSREES supports multiple levels of SAES participation in NPGS planning & management Four multistate NPGS projects Correspond to regional sites Broad-based membership Convened by SAESs Over 40 Crop Germplasm Committees Broad-based membership Convened by ARS New: National Plant Germplasm Coordinating Committee Supports communication among ARS, CSREES, SAES

7. 7 NPGS f unding through CSREES engages multiple levels of SAES decision making Off-the-top Hatch funds allocated to NRSP 6: Decided at ESCOP level MRF Hatch funds to the multi-state NPGS projects: Decided by regional SAES Directors Associations State Hatch funds to SAES researchers in NPGS projects: Decided by state SAES directors

8. 8 NC-7 Conservation, Management, Enhancement and Utilization of Plant Genetic Resources ( Ames IA) Emphasis: 12 crops / crop groups Maize, sunflower, root and bulb vegetables, forage and turf grass, crucifer, herbaceous ornamentals, woody landscape plants, leafy vegetable, cucurbits, clover and special purpose forage legumes Approximately 84,100 accessions (largest of the four)

9. 9 Research using NC-7 germplasm KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY Accessions of Brassica napus Used in developing germplasm base for breeding adapted canola cultivars for the southern Great Plains Canola in a Great Plains rotation can net additional $50/acre compared to wheat alone

10. 10 Research using NC-7 germplasm OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY Interspecific populations of cultivated Lycopersicon esculentum + wild tomato species L. pimpinellifolium and L. hirsutum Discovered QTLs associated with resistance to bacterial canker and improved color Will lead to varieties with higher level of resistance to bacterial disease. Reduce costs, reduce losses of yield and quality for Great Lakes tomato growers

11. 11 NE-9 Conservation and Utilization of Plant Genetic Resources (Geneva NY) Emphasis: 12 crops, or crop groups Tomato, onion, selected crucifers, celery, winter squash, radish, other vegetables, and buckwheat Clonal collections include apple, grape, and cherry Approximately 11,800 accessions

12. 12 Research using NE-9 germplasm CORNELL UNIV Plant Breeding, Horticulture, Cooperative Extension NORTH EAST ORGANIC FARMING ASSOC of New York, Inc ARS/USDA THE PUBLIC SEED INITIATIVE IFAFS-funded Few if any varieties in seed trade bred for the Northeast Helped access NPGS materials for small seed companies, organic systems Trained farmers and small-scale seed companies in vegetable seed production and in on-farm breeding Outputs:  46 varieties newly available to farmers and gardeners  43 commercial licenses, including via organic seed catalogues  Over 1000 participants, 7000 observers in 40+ community seed days Potential impacts:  Economic vitality of local businesses  Viability of NE agric.

13. 13 S-9 Plant Genetic Resources Conservation and Utilization (Griffin, GA) Emphasis: 15 crops/crop groups Capsicum, clover, special purpose forage legumes, cucurbit, warm season turf grass, peanut, sorghum, sweet potato, cowpea, vegetables (okra, pepper, watermelon, squash, eggplant, gourds), mung bean, legumes (guar, winged bean), bamboo, castor bean, sesame, pearl millet Approximately 47,800 accessions

14. 14 Research using S-9 germplasm NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIV Accessions of A. duranensis were found with high levels of resistance to aflatoxin production ESTs (expressed sequence tags) being developed to allow use in germplasm enhancement and breeding

15. 15 W-6 Plant Genetic Research Conservation and Utilization (Pullman WA) Emphasis: 9 crops/crop groups Forage and turf grasses, beans, cool season food legumes (pea, lentil, chickpea, fava bean, lupine, etc.), lettuce, safflower, onion relatives, and forage legume crops, selected ornamental and medicinal species Approximately 72,400 accessions

16. 16 Research using W-6 germplasm NEW MEXICO STATE UNIVERSITY NPGS alfalfa populations  One population appears to be highly water- efficient  Heterosis-- Several hybrids between the populations outperformed best commercial varieties for forage yield

17. 17 NRSP-6: Inter-Regional Potato Introduction Project (Sturgeon Bay WI) Emphasis: Potatoes and related wild species Approximately 5,600 accessions

18. 18 Research using NRSP-6 germplasm UNIV OF WISCONSIN and ARS A CLADE-BASED SEARCH FOR GENOME REARRANGEMENTS AND USEFUL DIVERSITY IN SOLANUM NRI-funded Wild species Solanum paucissectum, a distant relative of cultivated potatoes  New diversity for cultivated potatoes  New form of resistance to late blight, an important worldwide disease of potato

19. 19 Accountability: Measurable outputs from NPGS research New or better methods for conservation or preservation, developed or implemented Accessions added to collections, via exploration or exchange Accessions newly characterized or evaluated New data available in public databases More …

20. 20 Measurable outputs from NPGS research New sources of valuable traits identified New genetic markers identified New genes cloned New traits studied New populations developed from crosses to breeders’ materials Advanced populations developed via selection & recombination Advanced or experimental germplasm released or licensed Varieties released

21. 21 Plant germplasm is valuable for the future...... if it is collected and conserved... if we understand it and know how to use it Inter-agency collaboration in NPGS amplifies available resources extends ability to conserve, understand, use, -- and benefit