GEM Annual Report M. Blanco USDA-ARS NCRPIS GEM - December 8, G ermplasm E nhancement of M aize

GEM Mission: The mission of the GEM (Germplasm Enhancement of Maize) Project is to effectively increase the diversity of U.S. maize germplasm utilized by producers, global end-users and consumers. The mission will be achieved through a collaborative effort between USDA-ARS, and both public and private research scientists by utilizing exotic, public, and proprietary maize germplasm. The resulting germplasm and associated knowledge, derived via the identification and incorporation of favorable alleles for prioritized traits from exotic sources, is utilized in private and public breeding programs and ultimately contributes to increased genetic diversity of maize grown by producers and improved product performance. In addition, the GEM project provides opportunities for training plant scientists in the enhancement and utilization of un-adapted germplasm. This contributes to the global sustainability of agricultural production, economic stability and the nutrition and well being of society.

G ermplasm Enhancement of Maize GEM Releases 235 total GEM Releases (updated) 6 GEM-Ames releases for new breeding crosses made in Ames in 2010 (Most made in shade house)

G ermplasm Enhancement of Maize Pathology/Entomology Update SLB (USDA-ARS Raleigh, NC) Diplodia and head smut (DuPont/Pioneer Hi- Bred) NLS, SLB, Goss’s Wilt, Common Rust (PSR) Army Worm/CEW (3 rd Millennium Genetics) Three Anthracnose stalk rot releases (Cornell University)

G ermplasm Enhancement of Maize Allelic Diversity(AD) and Double Haploids (DH) Update 379 DH lines derived from 118 populations (74 races) Severe storms (July 18 wind; August floods) seriously damaged the DH nursery and the inducer increase

G ermplasm Enhancement of Maize Quality Traits Update GEMS-0218 and GEMS-0219 have protein content of 13.0 and 14.5% GEMS-0223 is new waxy conversion of GEMS-0092 (National Starch in-kind support) Five U of WI silage releases (W606S, W607S, W608S, W609S, W610S)

G ermplasm Enhancement of Maize Public Cooperator Reports Cornell U.-Anthracnose Stalk Rot Resistance from Exotic Maize Germplasm Iowa State University- Germplasm Improvement for Starch and Bio-fuel North Dakota State U.-Development of Early Maturity Lines Texas A&M U.- GEM Germplasm for drought, CEW, and low aflatoxin Truman State U.- Specialty Starch Germplasm to Optimize Grain Quality & Yield U. of Illinois- Host Plant Resistance for Western Corn Rootworm and Biotic Stresses U. of Wisconsin-Development for Superior Silage, Biofeedstock yield, and composition