Project Number: S-009 Project Title: Plant Genetic Resources Conservation and Utilization Period Covered: 08/2007 through 8/2008 Date of this Report: September 18, 2008 Annual Meeting Dates: August 5-6, 2008 Participants: www.ars.usda.gov/Main/docs.htm?docid=9514 Minutes: www.ars.usda.gov/Main/docs.htm?docid=9514 Accomplishments and Impacts: USDA – Plant Genetic Resources Conservation Unit

Plant genetic resources collected or obtained from throughout the world are valuable sources of genetic diversity for use in agronomic and horticultural crop improvement programs in the U.S. This project forms part of a comprehensive nationwide program, National Plant Germplasm System, to preserve plant genetic resources for use today and for use by future generations. The primary objectives of this project are 1). To conserve genetic resources and associated information for a broad spectrum of crops and related species; 2). To develop and apply new or improved evaluation procedures and marker-based approaches to assess diversity of genetic resources in the collections and evaluate materials for useful traits; and 3). To transfer technology to researchers and plant breeders in the Southern Region and worldwide in the form of plant genetic resources and associated information. Seed and clonal genetic resources acquired, maintained, characterized, evaluated, documented, and distributed by this project will provide researchers with a broad range of clearly-identified crop genetic diversity to utilize. This broad genetic diversity enables research programs to efficiently produce new cultivars, develop new knowledge, discover value-added uses, and preserve food security for the general public.

The germplasm collection at Griffin, Georgia has increased to 88,321 accessions of 251 genera and 1,492 species. In 2007, a total of 27,312 seed, tissue culture, and clonal accessions were distributed to researchers and educators at universities, private companies, agricultural and medical research foundations, seed conservatories, federal agencies, farmer-owned cooperatives, and foreign universities and companies. All accessions were requested from the Griffin location directly by researchers and distributed in 721 orders to users in 43 states and 33 foreign countries. Genetic resources maintained at the Griffin location are in great demand by the research community and provide a valuable resource for crop improvement research. The quantity and quality of plant genetic resources maintained at Griffin makes this location one of the leaders in the National Plant Germplasm System.

Biosecurity and availability of plant genetic resources are of major concern to the U.S. agricultural research community. Backing up germplasm by maintaining accessions at two sites reduces the risk of losing valuable germplasm. In the last year, 94.4% of the collection is backed up at the National Center for Genetic Resource Preservation, Ft. Collins, CO and 87.6% of the accessions are available for use by the research community. Backing up safely secures these

plant genetic resources for future use by researchers and good availability provides users with a wide array of currently available germplasm. Vigna: Gary Pederson, Plant Genetic Resources Conservation Unit, served as acting Vigna curator following the retirement of Graves Gillaspie. Cowpea regeneration was conducted in the greenhouse by James Chalkley in 2007. A total of 52 lines were increased in the greenhouse in Griffin, and 51 lines increased in Puerto Rico. Digital images of flowers were taken on regeneration plants. These images are posted on GRIN for use by breeders and other researchers. Peanut: Seed increases were obtained for 490 cultivated peanut accessions by Roy Pittman, Plant Genetic Resources Conservation Unit, grown for regeneration at Byron and Attapulgus, GA, and Stillwater, OK. Over 500 clonal peanut accessions were maintained in the greenhouse.

CRSP-14 peanut germplasm was developed jointly by the USDA-ARS in Griffin, GA. and Georgia Agricultural Experiment Station. Landrace peanuts from South America crossed with adapted varieties resulted in the development of resistant germplasm which is effective and economical in reducing peanut diseases. This material was released based on yield and resistance to tomato spotted wilt (caused by tomato spotted wilt virus), early leaf spot, and late leaf spot. CRSP-14 is able to out perform most of the cultivars in commercial production when disease pressure is high. By broadening the genetic base for cultivated peanut, we have made available a new source of resistance which will reduce the production cost of peanut farmers by reducing the cost of pesticides. Grasses:

A total of 114 accessions of 83 different species of warm-season grasses were selected for regeneration by Melanie Harrison-Dunn, Plant Genetic Resources Conservation Unit. Descriptor data was taken and seed was harvested from 88 accessions. A total of 413 clonal grasses were maintained as vegetative material in the greenhouse.

A proposal was submitted and funded by the Plant Exchange Office for “Plant Exploration in Florida to Collect Switchgrass, Panicum virgatum, Germplasm for Crop Improvement”. This plant collecting trip will be conducted in late September 2008. Results will be reported in the next annual report.

Collaborative studies were conducted with University of Georgia scientists. A total of 13 accessions of Paspalum spp. were evaluated for resistance to fall armyworm in collaboration with Dr. Kris Braman. All accessions of little bluestem in the collection were evaluated for their potential use in ornamental breeding in collaboration with Dr. Carol Robacker. Plants were photographed, descriptor data was collected, and plants were selected for further ornamental breeding studies.

Two workdays were conducted with members of the Southeastern Chapter of the American Bamboo Society to thin out the plots and remove dead canes from the bamboo collection maintained at Byron, GA. Clovers, New Crops, Misc. Legumes, and Misc. Crops:

A total of 183 misc. legumes, new crops, and other misc. crops were regenerated at Griffin by Brad Morris, Plant Genetic Resources Conservation Unit. A total of 42 annual clover accessions were regenerated in the field in Byron, GA, by Gary Pederson, Plant Genetic Resources Conservation Unit, including 10 Trifolium incarnatum accessions that were not previously in the collection. Over 70 T. tembense accessions were grown in the greenhouse. Most accessions became infected by tomato spotted wilt virus prior to flowering. This was the first record of susceptibility of this species to tomato spotted wilt virus. Seed has been obtained from only 3 of these annual clover accessions so far. Sorghum: Regeneration of sorghum accessions in St. Croix and Puerto Rico continued in coordination with the sorghum curator, John Erpelding. A total of 1,260 accessions were sent to St. Croix for regeneration in 2007 and seed from regenerations of 1,234 of those accessions has been sent to Griffin. John Erpelding also increased seed for 420 quarantine sorghum accessions and returned seed of those to Griffin. Additionally, 455 sorghum accessions with critically low seed amounts were sent to Puerto Rico and seed of those will be returned to Griffin if regeneration is successful. A total of 42 wild sorghum accessions were returned to Griffin from regenerations at Puerto Rico. All MER sweet sorghum breeding lines (176 distinct accessions) from the Meridian, MS, collection have been added to GRIN along with the MN sweet sorghum accessions that had previously been added to the collection. With the interest in sweet sorghum for biofuel, all sweet sorghum accessions have been in demand by users. Vegetable Crops:

Bob Jarret, Plant Genetic Resources Conservation Unit, regenerated 120 accessions and characterized an additional 300 accessions of the Capsicum spp. (chile pepper) germplasm collection grown in the field. In the greenhouse, 20 Capsicum sp. accessions and 10 Ipomoea sp. accessions were regenerated. Additionally 2 cucurbit accessions were regenerated in the field and other cucurbits were regenerated in Parlier, CA, and Mayaguez, PR. More than 750 accessions of sweetpotato were maintained in tissue culture. Correct identification of plant materials is a prerequisite if desired materials are going to be provided to research programs. Although many botanical keys exist for identification of various species of pepper (Capsicum), none are totally satisfactory. We evaluated various chloroplast (cp) and nuclear (waxy) DNA markers for their ability to reliably differentiate the various cultivated species of pepper. Among the markers evaluated, the trnH/psbA and waxy introns proved useful for species identification. Utilization of these markers to correct or confirm the identification of genebank accessions will increase the likelihood that recipients of germplasm receive the correct materials. Pungency (heat) is an important trait in many cultivated pepper. Nevertheless, few data are available on the degree of pungency in fruit of most of the peppers in the Griffin genebank. Approximately 150 accessions of Capsicum spp. were evaluated for concentrations of capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin – the major compounds that contribute to pungency levels in pepper fruit. Levels of capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin were determined to vary more than 50 fold. Data were placed in the GRIN database. Knowledge of the concentrations of these compounds can serve as the basis for germplasm selection and utilization.

Molecular and Analytical Evaluations: Quantitative and qualitative variations in chemical compounds exist among plant

germplasm. Chromatographic methods can be used to separate, identify, and quantify plant compounds of interest. HPLC (high performance liquid chromatography) achieves separation by differential interaction of compounds between a mobile phase (liquid) and a stationary phase (column). GC (gas chromatography) separates compounds interacting differentially with a column carried by a gas. Additionally, low resolution NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) can be used to determine seed oil content by detecting the relative amount of specific atoms in the oil. Resveratrol is a unique antioxidant compound identified in very few plant species and may contribute to human health. Variation in resveratrol content has been detected in twenty cultivars among the US peanut germplasm by HPLC. Variation in oil content and fatty acid composition of fifty peanut accessions has been determined by NMR and GC. The revealed information on phytochemicals, oil content and fatty acid composition is useful for peanut breeders and germplasm scientists.

Little information is known about flavone content or anthocynin indexes in many special-purpose legumes and Hibiscus spp. Significant anthocyanin indexes were identified from leaves of several legumes including Clitoria ternatea, Indigofera suffruticosa, Macroptilium atropurpureum, Indigofera brevipes, Crotalaria argyrolobiodes, and C. brevipes. Signficant anthocyanin indexes were also indentified in leaves of several species of Hibiscus including H. brackenridgei, H. calophyllus, H. cannabinus, H. laevis, H. ludwigii, H. radiatus, and H. sabdariffa. The flavonols quercetin and kaempferol were found in leaves of these Hibiscus spp. as well. These indexes provide valuable information about these species as potential anticancer compounds to be used by breeders or other scientists in the development of new products.

Sorghum is the fifth most important crop in the world and is used as a dietary food staple in many African countries. Its genetic composition or the basic building blocks of genes (i.e. A, T, G, and C) has been determined, but connecting these building blocks to specific genes that in turn code for a particular trait such as yield is challenging and requires more extensive research. Ten candidate genes, which are potentially responsible for agriculturally important traits were selected from the sorghum genomic sequence database and screened for genetic variability in chemically induced mutants. Frequently, variation in the genetic composition of a particular gene leads to novel characteristics or traits that provide an indication of the true function of a gene. Two mutations in one candidate gene revealed a common mutant trait: brown midrib (bmr) with reduced lignin content and increased digestibility.

Variation in DNA among various individuals’ genetic code can be revealed by examining the building blocks (A, T, G, and C) of genes. Examining differences in the genetic code allows researchers to answer specific questions, such as how genetically divergent is a collection of plants. Two forms of variation in genes include point mutations (SNPs) and small insertions / deletions (INDELs). These alterations exist among plant germplasm accessions, but revealing these polymorphisms (variations) by molecular techniques known as sequencing or genotyping is time consuming and often costly. EcoTILLING, which is a technique that allows one to maximize the number of samples evaluated, involves pooling accessions together first, mismatch detection in the building blocks of the genetic code second, and determining the variation by sequencing. Fewer accessions in this technique require expensive labor intensive evaluation because the process eliminates accessions containing identical genetic components. EcoTILLING was used to evaluate the genetic diversity of 48 mung bean accessions using 30 gene-derived markers.

Limited information is available for genetic variation for seed oil content among the castorbean accessions within the U.S. collection. When grown in one environment at Griffin, GA, significant variation in oil content was found among 48 castorbean accessions. Several castorbean accessions were identified with high oil content and will provide breeders and scientists with valuable castorbean germplasm to fully exploit oil content for use as biodiesel fuel. Germplasm Maintenance:

Prior to 2002, seed samples of over 84,000 accessions of plant genetic resources maintained at the Griffin location had not been tested for germination and the quality of seed distributed to researchers was not known. A concentrated effort was made to conduct germination tests on this large collection. Currently germination tests have been completed for over 48,000 accessions including almost all accessions of pearl millet, pepper, watermelon, eggplant, and castor bean and 59-84% of all accessions of sorghum, mung bean, okra, annual clovers, misc. legumes, and sesame. This germination testing enables curators to properly identify accessions with poor quality seed that need to be regenerated resulting in better quality seed being distributed to researchers upon request.

Over 2,100 accessions were sent for new safety back up samples to Ft. Collins or to the new global security backup at Svalbard, Norway. The program continued to split seed samples of all accessions at Griffin with a small distribution sample maintained at 5 C and the bulk of each sample maintained at -18 C to maximize seed longevity. Currently, over 68% (over 58,500 accessions) of the entire collection has at least one sample in -18 C storage. Alabama Legumes: Forage and Cover Crops Current work focuses on evaluation, utilization and breeding of sunn hemp and sericea lespedeza species. Sunn hemp germplasm is being used for development of cultivars for the continental US. The objective is to develop cultivars that can be used as fodder and as cover crops. Sericea lespedeza is being evaluated for control of gastrointestinal parasites in ruminants and for condensed tannin content. A new population of sericea lespedeza was evaluated as inter-row crop in vegetable production. Evaluations are being done in cooperation with colleagues at Auburn, GA, LS, AR, and USDA at several locations. Upland cotton We have begun the introgression of resistance to reniform nematode from two accessions (TX 245 and TX 1419) into adapted germplasm. F2:3 and BC1:2 lines from eight different cross combinations (four adapted parents × two resistant accessions) are being evaluated in the greenhouse for resistance and have also been planted in the field for generation advancement. Parents are also being evaluated for RNA expression of resistance genes using Massive Parallel Signature Sequencing. Similar studies are being conducted using recently identified accessions that show tolerance to heat and drought. Preliminary screening of the germplasm collection using chlorophyll fluorescence after heat shock showed TX 337 and 6 other accessions to have significantly better tolerance to high temperatures and water deficit than Deltapine 90. F2 populations have been developed between DP 90 and these accessions.

Soybean We have participated in a cooperative USDA project to evaluate soybean germplasm for resistance to Asian soybean rust in the field at Fairhope, AL. Based on past evaluations, 293 accessions from Maturity Groups IV through IX were tested, with several accessions showing high levels of resistance. White, blue, and yellow lupin We have completed evaluation of Lupinus albus, L. angustifolius, and L. luteus for resistance to lupin anthracnose (Colletotrichum lupini). Although there was variation, no one L. albus line showed resistance. L. luteus lines displayed resistance, and one L. angustifolius line displayed resistance. Arkansas M. Stewart lab is using AFLPs (Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphisms) to fingerprint molecular diversity and natural hybridization of Gossypiium australe, G. bickii, G. nelsonii and G. sturtianum. Reniform nematode resistance from G. arboreum PIs is being evaluated. Evaluation of Caribbean basin cotton relative to south Florida native cottons is also being evaluated by AFLP molecular fingerprinting. Diversity of Asiatic cotton is also being investigated. In fall of 2000, the R. Bacon lab evaluated 66 PI lines of Brassica napus from Asia and Eastern Europe for winter hardiness and Sclerotina sclerotiorum resistance. In the fall of 2003 we evaluated 53 PI lines of Brassica sclerotiorum resistance. All seed was obtained from USDA, ARS NCRPIS at Iowa State Regional Plant Introduction Station. Those lines that survived and yielded well were used in the crossing block. There are currently still 10 crosses with PI material in the F3 generation. JC Correll Lab - Verticillium dahliae is widespread in nature but only recently has it been proven to be a pathogen of spinach seed production. V. dahliae isolates were recovered from seed produced in the U.S., Denmark and the Netherlands. Isolates from the U.S. and Europe were shown to belong to vegetative compatibility groups (VCG) 2B and 4B. A total of 120 Spinacia spp. accessions from the USDA-NCRPIS germplasm collection were screened for resistance to V. dahliae. Accessions with the lowest disease severity ratings were PI 193618, Ames 26243, PI 604789, PI 179591, PI 261789, PI 319220 and PI 286435. Seven accessions were highly susceptible to V. dahliae, including NSL 28217, PI 358251, PI 165560, PI 361127, PI 173972, NSL 101759 and PI 200882. P. Chen Lab – Pedigree analysis and molecular data show that the genetic base of southern soybean is extremely narrow. Studies have demonstrated that 80% of the genes in public soybean cultivars came from 13 ancestral lines. The rate of yield gain has been limited somewhat in the south in the past 10 years and lags significantly behind that of the north. The lack of diversity limits breeding progress for improving yield and adaptation. Our recent research has identified a number of plant introductions (PI) with acceptable yield and desirable diversity. We have crossed some of these PIs, as well as elite lines from the North, to southern elite cultivars. We have developed lines from these crosses and need to evaluate the derived lines under different environments. These bridge materials will serve as new gene pool for future yield improvement of southern soybean.

Florida Records received from S-9 indicate that 221 accessions of various plant species maintained at the PGRCU at Griffin, GA were distributed during 2007 to 21 individuals or organizations with addresses in Florida. Comparable numbers from 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2006 were 406, 609, 840, 418, 532, and 636 respectively. These numbers suggest a steady trend of 400 to 600 accessions distributed per year in Florida, with a noticeable decrease in 2007. In the calendar year 2007 UF/IFAS plant breeders released 28 new crop cultivars, breeding lines or germplasms. Included in these releases were 7 coleus cultivars developed by David Clark, 2 peanut cultivars developed by Barry Tillman, 7 tomato cultivars, germplasms, or breeding lines developed by Jay Scott, 1 caladium cultivar developed by Zhanao Deng, 1 peach rootstock germplasm developed by Jose Chaparro, 2 winter oat cultivars developed by Ron Barnett, 5 blueberry cultivars developed by Paul Lyrene, 2 grape cultivars developed by Dennis Gray, and 1 bahiagrass cultivar developed by Ann Blount. Dr. Ken Quesenberry, forage breeder in the Agronomy Department, reports that he and colleagues are continuing the second year of evaluation of 51 new limpograss (Hemarthria altissima) hybrids resulting from crossing limpograss PIs 299995 (Bigalta) and 364888 (Floralta) as parents. These hybrids are being evaluated for forage DM yield and persistence at three locations in Florida (Marianna, Gainesville, and Ona) as well as for nutritive value (IVOMD and CP) at 4, 6, and 8-weeks regrowth under controlled greenhouse conditions and at 6-weeks regrowth in the field. Preliminary results show transgressive segregation for IVOMD. Preliminary field DM yield of the top yielding lines were equal or superior to the released cultivar parents, however a number of lines are showing decrease persistence after the second year of harvest. Dr. Quesenberry is also evaluating new perennial Arachis germplasm from recent NPGS sponsored germplasm collection trips to Paraguay, and is continuing evaluation of Desmodium and Aeschynomene forage legume germplasm. Dr. Kevin Kenworthy, turfgrass breeder in the Agronomy Department, and colleagues have completed a MS student project evaluating turf potential of carpetgrass germplasm across the Southeastern USA. This germplasm was evaluated for turf characteristics in the greenhouse and in field trials at the UF/IFAS turfgrass research plots at the Plant Science Research and Education Unit at Citra, FL. Dr. Kenworthy has indicated that he plans to submit a composite of this germplasm to S-9 for inclusion in the NPGS. Dr. Ann Blount, forage breeder in the Agronomy Department located at the North Florida Research and Education Center (NFREC) at Marianna, FL submitted the following report on her activities with plant introductions. Bahiagrass evaluation: A multi-location bahiagrass evaluation and other Paspalum spp. is on-going at several Florida, Georgia and South Carolina. Plant materials included in the evaluation are plant introductions (approximately 50) obtained from NPGS-GRIN and from several scientists working with Paspalum species in Australia, Uruguay and Argentina. Evaluations of several new species have shown superior winter growth and better seasonal forage distribution compared to bahiagrass. Selection criteria includes winter survival, frost tolerance, forage yield, forage quality, seasonal forage distribution, turf

characteristics, seed production, and persistence under grazing. Approximately 250 Paspalum PIs were seeded at the NFREC-Marianna in 2008 from seed obtained from NPGS-GRIN. The seed will represent the P. notatum collection and closely related species including P. nicorae, P. quadrifarium and P. guaraniticum (P. nicorae - PIs 202044, 209983, 276248, 276249, 283020, 284171, 304004, 310131, 404469, 404471, 404859, 462273, 477103, 490363, 490364, 508818, 508819, 508820, 508821; P. quadrifarium - 404880, 404881, 404882, 462302, 462295, 462298, 508942, 508947; P. guaraniticum – 404449). Paspalum guaraniticum has proven well adapted to droughty sites when evaluated during the severe 2006 and 2007 drought seasons in Florida. University of Florida released a new cultivar of bahiagrass, UF-Riata in 2007 and its PI is pending. Commercial seed production should be available in 2009. Hemarthria evaluation: Hemarthria altissima PIs from the NPGS-GRIN were planted and established in summer 2005 at the North Florida Research and Education Center-Marianna. Plant introductions planted under non-irrigated conditions at Marianna include: PIs 299039, 299993, 299994, 299995, 349750, 349751, 349752, 349754, 349796, 364861, 364863, 364865, 364868, 364869, 364871, 364874, 364875, 364876, 364877, 364878, 364881, 364882, 364884, 364885, 364890, 364891, 365145, 379613, 383331, 409751, 410128, 410129, 410131, 410132, 410133, 410134, 410137, 410138, 410139, 410140, 413186, 508606. While some attrition occurred, all PIs were reestablished at second location at the Center and evaluations continue on cold tolerance, forage yield, forage quality, disease and insect resistance. A collaborative study with Auburn University to evaluate Hemarthria for Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus was begun in 2007 and continues. BYDV has been confirmed on several plant introductions to date. Novel hybrids of limpograss resulting from crossing PIs are being evaluated for cold tolerance, improved forage quality and nutrient removal efficiency. Gamagrass evaluation: Twenty eight Florida gamagrass selections collected by NRCS and forage breeders at University of Florida are under evaluation at the NFREC. These include NRCS nos. 9055975, 9056065, 9056073, 9059196, 9059199, 9059203, 9059215, 9059232,9059254, 9059267, 9059269, 9059272, 9059280, 9059281,9059282, 9059283, 9059285, 9059286, 9059287, 9059290, 9059294, 9059338, and NFREC ecotypes Joe Budd, Rancher, Pine Acres, Woodruff Dam, Marianna and Savannah. Dr. Jay Scott, tomato breeder in the Horticulture Science Department located at the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center at Wimauma, FL, reports that his program has mapped a begomovirus resistance gene Ty-3 in breeding lines derived from Solanum chilense accessions LA 1932 and LA 2779. Resistance to pepino mosaic virus was discovered in S. habrochaites accessions LA 1731, LA 2156, and LA 2167. We were unable to find begomovirus resistance in S. habrochaites accession LA 1777 although such resistance was implied in previous literature. Dr. Eileen Kabelka, cucurbit breeder in the Horticulture Science Department, reports that Cucurbita PI material obtained from S-9 during 2006 is being utilized as sources of beneficial genes for introgression into squash. Beneficial genes that may be obtained from this material include resistance to pests and pathogens and enhancement of nutritional value (i.e. lutein and beta-carotene). Crossing this material with domestic squash germplasm is being performed for the introgression of these beneficial genes into advanced material using both traditional and molecular methods. Molecular markers linked to beneficial genes from the S-9 PI material will be of direct use to public and private breeding programs and the scientific community. Georgia

During 2007 eighty-nine different requests for plant germplasm were made to the S-9 unit by citizens of Georgia. As a result of these requests, more than four thousand plant accessions were supplied to University scientists, USDA scientists, consultants, seed companies, gardeners, and numerous individuals. The most requested crops were pepper, peanut, various legumes, bamboo, and warm season grasses. The University of Georgia maintains strong emphasis on plant breeding and continues to expand its advanced molecular biology programs. These programs supply new crop cultivars and associated technologies to our agricultural sector and rely heavily upon the plant materials maintained within the S-9 unit. UGA currently has active cultivar development programs in soybean, peanut, small grains, turf grasses, forages, blueberries, and numerous ornamental crops that frequently utilize the plant genetic resource collections. In addition, research programs in crop science, horticulture, plant pathology, entomology and other disciplines utilize the genetic resources of the S-9 unit in both basic and applied research projects designed to address the needs of Georgia agriculture. The S-9 unit remains a critical component of our research and cultivar development programs. Guam Plant collection, conservation and distribution Conservation activity during 2007 focused on preservation of locally collected chili pepper (Capsicum spp.) and sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas) germplasm in Guam. Distribution of seeds to a local community included corn seeds (Zea mays cv. Guam White Corn), okra seeds (Abelmoschus esculentus cv. Charlie), and sunnhemp seeds (Crotalaria juncea). Seeds of nitrogen fixing legumes (Grilicidia sepium and Leucaena leucocephala cv. K636) as windbreak were also distributed to the organic farming sustainable agriculture project of Guam Cooperative Extension program. Other plant included in germplasm evaluation program was a potential biofuel plant, Jatropha curcas, collected locally. Evaluation of germplasm adaptation to Guam’s climate: Plant evaluation data on chili peppers conducted at the Guam Agricultural Experiment Station were summarized. Among 77 entries, 26 germlines were obtained from USDA-ARS, Plant Genetic Resources Conservation Unit. Many lines did not survive after transplanting to the field possibly due to heavy rains received during the beginning of the experiment. Bacterial leaf spot was a major disease. Some data on fruit and plant characters were obtained from thirteen lines shown in Table 1. The level of capsaicinoids by HPLC determined the pungency or “Scoville Heat Unit” and “ASTA Color” units were determined by pigment extraction and reading at 460nm for selected lines. Color coordinates (L,a,b) of fruit epidermis, ground fruits with and without seeds were also recorded using a colorimeter. Table 1. Some characteristics of chili pepper fruits grown in Guam during 2006-2007.

Accession

Ave. Fruit

length

Ave. Fruit width

Ave. Fruit wt

Ave Plant ht

Ave. Canopy width

Scoville Heat Unit (HPLC) ground fruits

ASTA Extractable

color ground fruits

Color coordinates of Ground dry fruit w/seeds

w/seed w/seed

(mm) (mm) (g) (cm) (cm) L a b Grif 9121 31.1 13.4 3.7 54.22 27.36 25.72 Grif 9133 46.2 21.4 8.1 69,300 61 Grif 9161 25.1 15.6 1.8 PI 148633 18.3 16.0 3.4 PI 171559 26.4 12.1 1.4 PI 215743 55,800 135 PI 234250 53.8 10.3 2.3 42.73 22.65 15.87 PI 275012 46.3 16.0 4.3 24,600 111 47.45 27.25 21.47 PI 288932 59.8 12.8 2.5 PI 390972 67.2 12.7 5.1 20.7 25.4 32,900 82 PI 439217 55.1 10.2 2.7 42.27 31.91 23.28 PI 547069 41.2 8.6 1.8 55.1 64.0 81,600 42 59.90 33.25 35.60 PI 593561 73.2 26.0 18.6 24.1 36.5 10,700 49 59.15 29.98 36.68

Two selected lines, cv. Chivalry and cv. Marilyn (a local collection), were further evaluated for their yield and were processed to make a hot sauce for a preference study. A survey was conducted in December 2007 among restaurant chefs to determine their preference for fresh local basil (Ocimum basilicum). Among ten cultivars tested for freshness, shelf-life, flavor, versatility, and marketability, five cultivars, ‘Napolentano,’ ‘Genovese,’ ‘Gecofure (Nufer 1),’ ‘Envigor,’ and ‘Thai.’ were preferred by chefs indicating their potential as marketable herbs in Guam. Those five cultivars were being studied for their adaptability to tropical conditions in two different growing conditions, in a potting soil medium and in an aquaponic system. Hawaii Germplasm Requests and Utilization Crotalaria retusa, C. spectabilis and C. juncea seeds were received. Germination was poor due to poor seed quality, but once plants were established, they all grew and seeded well in Hawaii. A preliminary greenhouse test indicated that they were poor hosts to root-knot nematodes. Lychee (Litchi chinensis) ‘Kaimana’, a ‘Haak Ip’ selection developed by the University of Hawaii, is the most important lychee cultivar grown in Hawaii due to its ability to flower consistently in warm growing environments. It possesses a low-chilling requirement for flower induction and produces large, heart-shaped fruits with about 40% abortive (“chicken-tongue”) seeds. Growth, patterns of moisture and nutrient accumulation during fruit development, and the nutrient composition in leaves were monitored to develop nutrient management information and field culture guidelines for this cultivar. ‘Kaimana’ fruits exhibited a sigmoid growth pattern, with rapid increases in weight occurring between 6 and 12 weeks after anthesis; maximum fruit weight was attained at 12 to15 weeks. Moisture accumulation was also greatest during the 6th to 12th week and accounted for 78% of

the final weight of mature fruits. Thus adequate soil moisture during the 6th to 12th after flowering is critical for good fruit growth. Accumulation of N, P, K, Ca, and Mg in fruits also followed a sigmoid pattern, paralleled fruit growth and reached maximum concentrations at 12 weeks after anthesis. Rapid increases in nutrient uptake between week 6 and 12 were most evident with N and K. Monitoring of foliar concentrations showed that N, P and K accumulation followed similar patterns. Leaf concentrations were highest at panicle emergence and decreased during fruit development, with the steepest decline coinciding with the period when fruits exhibited their most rapid increase in growth. Rapid accumulation of N and K in fruits during the 6th to 12th week of development was associated with decreases in leaf N and K concentrations. Gradual increases in leaf Ca and Mg accumulation occurred as leaf age increased and appeared to parallel Ca and Mg accumulation in fruits during fruit development. The study illustrates the importance of adequate moisture and nutrition for optimum fruit growth and for maintaining the vegetative health of producing trees. Rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum) Flowering, flushing, and fruit development of 8 rambutan cultivars grown along the eastern coast of Hawai'i Island were studied over 4 consecutive years (2002 Jan. to 2005 Dec.) at 2 orchards near Hilo, HI. Phenological events for cultivars 'R156 Red', 'Jitlee', 'Silengkeng', 'Rongrien', 'R9', 'Binjai', 'R167' and 'R134' were recorded monthly at an orchard in Onomea, HI (19°49`N and 155°05`W, elev. 115 m). The 'R9' cultivar was also monitored at an orchard in Kurtistown, HI (19°35`N and 155°04`W, elev. 250 m). The Onomea site consisted of a deep Hilo silty clay loam soil; soil type at the Kurtistown site was a stony Ola´a silty clay loam soil. Phenology data were collected at monthly intervals on 5 trees of each cultivar by estimating the percentage of the total canopy that was flowering, flushing, or had developing fruits. Development of individual 'Binjai' fruits was also monitored from anthesis until maturity at 2 locations. The data showed that cultivars generally flowered 2 to 3 times a year, and an individual tree could flower up to 3 times over a twelve month period. Major flowering periods occurred from July to August and additional flowering peaks occurred in April and October. Trees could exhibit vegetative flushing up to 3 times a year. Developing fruits exhibited a simple sigmoid growth pattern and matured approximately 18 to 20 weeks after anthesis. Multiple flowering peaks coincided with drier weather encountered in winter and summer and were influenced by non-synchronous vegetative flushing within the canopy. Longan (Dimocarpus longan) Flower induction of longan trees with potassium chlorate has improved the availability of longan fruit, but potassium chlorate is potentially explosive and often difficult to purchase, transport, and store. Previous reports suggest that hypochlorite also enhances natural longan flower induction. Studies were conducted which demonstrated that chlorite and hypochlorite (bleach) induced flowering of longan in the off-season in a similar manner to chlorate-treated trees. The studies were conducted on the ‘Egami and ‘Biew Kiew’ cultivars at the University of Hawaii Waiakaea Agricultural Research Station near Hilo, HI and at an orchard in Onomea, HI. Hypochlorite induction of flowering though the application of bleach was likely the result of chlorate in the bleach solution. Chlorate was present in the leachate from potted longan trees treated with bleach and was detected in bleach before soil application. The quantity of chlorate

found in bleach induced flowering to the same or greater extent as equivalent quantities of potassium chlorate, suggesting chlorate is an a.i. responsible for longan flowering. Macadamia (Macadamia integrifolia) Two infestations of the macadamia felted coccid (Eriococus ironsidei) have been discovered along the eastern coast of Hawaii Island. The insect is native to Australia and M. integrifolia and M. tetraphylla are the only hosts. Until these new discoveries, this potentially devastating insect pest of macadamia was only present in South Kona on the western coast of Hawaii Island. The most common method for dispersal is through movement of infested plants or grafting material. The white scale-like insect feeds on the underside of leaves, on trunks and branches, husks and on racemes and causes distortion of the young leaves, yellow spotting, browning and death of older leaves, distortion of the central stalk of the raceme, shortening of racemes and can completely destroy racemes and cause nut drop. Examinations showed that beneficial parasites and predators have been feeding on adult coccids, and up to 50% of the coccids have been destroyed by these beneficial insects. Emergence holes were observed on the scales caused by a tiny parasitoid wasp, tentatively identified as Encarsia lounsburyi, and predation by ladybird beetles was also evident. Infestation in an orchard tended to be in pockets rather orchard wide. A spray oil emulsion (Saf-T-Side, Brandt Consolidated, Pleasant Plains, Illinois) is effective against the adult coccid, but good coverage is necessary to completely penetrate into the tree canopy and cover both the underside and upper surface of leaves. The long term solution for managing this pest will be through biological control methods. USDA, ARS, Pacific Basin Tropical Plant Genetic Resource Management Unit, Hilo The mission of the unit is to collect, maintain, preserve, evaluate, distribute and secure the integrity and diversity of designated tropical fruit, nut and beverage germplasm, with the focus on evaluation, enhancement and utilization of germplasm resources for Hawaii and the U.S. Pacific Basin islands. The MU is composed of a single CRIS “Assuring Long-Term Preservation of Tropical Crops via Genetic Resource Management” which supports National Program 301 “Plant Genetic Resources, Genomics & Genetic Improvement, Component 1 – Plant and Microbial Genetic Resource Management. OSQR is in the process of review. The focus for the five year planning are 1) to strategically expand and improve collections of priority tropical fruit genetic resources and associated information, 2) to efficiently and effectively conserve and regenerate tropical fruit genetic resources, and distribute disease-free samples and associated information worldwide, and 3) to characterize and evaluate tropical fruit genetic resources for priority traits such as biotic and abiotic stress resistance, quality factors, and other horticultural properties. The unit provides long-term maintenance of 14 designated tropical fruit & nut crops totaling 1000 accessions in 33 acres of field plantings, in greenhouses, tissue culture and as seed storage. For the period covering the past twelve months, distribution was 118 orders for 346 items and 43 introductions, 11 foreign and 32 domestic. The unit provides available information and plant germplasm in small quantities for scientific research nationally and internationally. Photo, observation and morphological records were collected for 253 accessions of pineapple, peach palm, papaya, litchi, rambutan, guava, Lansium, mangosteen and Malpighia. Flowering data are being collected for 83 accessions of litchi and 67 accessions of guava. Total GRIN accessions are 683; loaded 2177 GRIN records including 39 cooperators, 145 orders, 529 order items, 1328

observations, 6 accession records and 130 citations. A lease agreement with the Hamakua/North Hilo Agricultural Cooperative for a 3 acre parcel in Paauilo resulted in excellent regeneration of 26 accessions of papaya germplasm in a papaya ringspot virus free environment; a testing procedure is in place to detect the presence of transgenes in papaya to ensure purity of the seeds being regenerated. We continued to explore and investigate areas to improve germplasm conservation and maintenance, which include experiment in cryopreservation and long term storage of papaya seeds, macadamia and canarium embryo; tissue culture back up and distribution of Vasconcellea, breadfruit, tea, Vaccinium and Ananas; research in transgenic PRSV resistant papaya barrier plantings to protect traditional papaya seed regeneration; studies to understand the flowering mechanism in Sapindaceae and to develop practical applications of production management for small farms; screening and characterization of fruit fly and scab resistance in guava germplasm; documenting etiology of tropical fruit diseases and their impact on tropical fruits, and managing germplasm threatening diseases such as the Macadamia quick decline. All projects have both local and nation focus and impacts. Additional PBARC initiatives are: 1) a cooperative agreement with the Univ. of Hawaii allowed the on-farm testing of pre-harvest disease management impact on post harvest fruit quality; 2) a screening protocol is being developed for bacterial blight disease resistance in 58 lines of transgenic anthurium lines; 3) the identification of an application method for chemical management of macadamia trees infested with the Macadamia Quick Decline disease, and as an inoculation procedure to incite MQD disease sign with Phytophthora in a resistant macadamia variety; 4) collaboration with the largest pineapple companies in Hawaii and scientists from the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries in Australia to investigate the potentials in developing Precocious Natural Flowering (PNF) and nematode resistance in pineapple using biotechnology. Kentucky Todd Pfeiffer continues to expand his breeding work with sweet sorghum, including a new project on biomass/biofuel production and attempts to produce perennial sweet sorghum by crossing with Johnsongrass. Pfeiffer has screened the PI collection and is using several accessions in crosses with established cultivars. He and Morris Bitzer are involved in seed distribution of older cultivars worldwide. A genetic study of castor is underway by a graduate student in David Hildebrand’s lab. His lab work is on oil profiles of several species including flax, chia, soybeans, and castor. Tim Phillips has planted a trial to evaluate the winter hardiness of some of the warm season grasses in the S9 collection, as well as a breeding nursery for several native warm-season grasses. Only two accessions of flaccidgrass, PI 315868 and 434640, survived the past winter. None of the buffelgrass, bahiagrass, or St. Augustinegrass survived. Approximately 3,000 switchgrass plants were established in the field this May for possible cultivar development. Other accessions of grasses have been used in genome size studies using flow cytometry. Despite health issues, Norman Taylor is still busy breeding clovers with seed blocks and selection nurseries underway for white, kura, and several red clover populations. Several new cultivar releases are imminent. Louisiana

Bamboo collection (Alan Flexer, Bamboo Farms Nursery). A number of genotypes were requested for suitability in the landscape. Mr. Flexer noted that the collection in Byron, GA is well maintained now in comparison to past visits he has made to the site. He was complimentary towards the staff. He found them helpful and knowledgeable. He would like to see more Phyllostachys edulis, Phyllostachys vivax, Bambusa multiplex, and Bambusa textilis in the collection. Variegated and running bamboo is also desired. Ipomoea (Rick Miller, Southeastern Louisiana University) Research on Ipomoea species includes evolutionary ecology, molecular evolution and population genetics of genes involved in flower color, as well as the phylogenetic systematics of morning glories (species of the tribe Ipomoeae). The past request was made for morning glory seeds that are part of a population genetics study of Ipomoea nil and its close relatives. We are developing a program where we are obtaining DNA sequence data from populations of I. nil, I. hedereacea, and I. indica throughout its range for regulatory genes in the anthocyanin biosynthetic pathway. Sweetpotato Collection (Don La Bonte and Chris Clark, Louisiana State University) Clones were requested in 2004-2006 to determine genetic variability in uptake of micronutrients Fe and Zn. The goal is to enhance the levels of these micronutrients in sweetpotato to lessen nutritional deficiencies found in developing countries. An extensive screen of germplasm is underway to identify sources of resistance to Sweet Potato Leaf Curl Virus. Hibiscus Collection (Michael Dowd, SRCC, USDA) Examined fatty acid profiles (as methyl esters) of repository plants to help us confirm the identity of peaks we were observing in some of our related Gossypium (cotton) samples. Relatively to those particular plants, we were trying to determine if we had dihydrosterculic acid in the samples. This compound was reported in fairly high concentrations in related Malvacea plants. In the end we determined by specific ion MS monitoring that this peak co-elutes with linoleic acid on our fatty acid column (Supelco SP-2340). At least in the samples analyzed by MS, the compound did appear to be present in both S-9 and our seeds. North Carolina Faculty in the Crop Science and Horticultural Science Departments at NC State University conduct research on strawberry, blueberry, brambles, tree crops, ornamentals, maize, soybean, peanut, cotton, tobacco, small grains, turfgrasses, sweet potato, cucurbits, and other crops. NCSU recently hired new breeders for cotton (Vasu Kuraparthy) and tomato (Dilip Panthee), and is the process of hiring new breeders for strawberries, leafy vegetables, and turfgrass. Priorities are on incorporating disease and insect resistance, abiotic stress resistance, and quality factors into improved breeding lines and cultivars. Plant introductions are critical components of plant improvement programs, and NCSU scientists make use of germplasm maintained in the National Plant Germplasm System (NPGS). The U.S. collection of cultivated and wild Nicotiana species is maintained at NCSU as are collections of Arachis species, South American maize germplasm, and many accessions of soybean, blueberries, sweet potato and other crop species. Propagules of 1291 Nicotiana accessions were sent from the collection held at NCSU in 2007, 670 to public and private-sector researchers in the USA, 112 to individuals in the USA, and 509 to recipients outside the USA. Of 1706 accessions distributed from NPGS to North Carolina, in 2007, more

(691) came from the Plant Genetic Resource Conservation Unit (PGRCU) at Griffin, GA, than from any other NPGS center. Propagules of 636 accessions from PGRCU were sent to public- and private sector researchers and an additional 55 to private individuals in North Carolina in 2007. Thirty-one cultivars and parental and germplasm lines were released, and 11 germplasm-related articles were published with NCARS personnel and USDA-ARS personnel stationed at the NCSU campus in Raleigh as authors.

Germplasm requested for distribution to North Carolina from the Southern Regional PI Station, 2004-2007 (data provided by M. Spinks, PGRCU).

Total ......................................................................................... 1063 To SAES and USDA-ARS personnel ...................................... 991

Clover, annual (Trifolium) ........................................................ 15 Cucurbit spp. (Cucurbita) ........................................................... 2 Eggplant (Nicandra) ................................................................... 1 Grasses, warm season (Panicum) ............................................... 7 Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) ............................................... 27 Ipomoea spp. (Ipomoea) ........................................................... 46 Legumes, special purpose (Mucuna) ........................................ 13 Legumes, special purpose (Senna) ............................................ 30 Legumes, special purpose (Strophostyles) .................................. 5 Peanuts, cultivated (Arachis) .................................................. 511 Peanuts, wild (Arachis) ............................................................. 21 Peppers (Capsicum) .................................................................... 4 Sorghum (Sorghum) ................................................................... 2 Watermelon (Citrullus) ........................................................... 300 Watermelon (Praecitrullus) ........................................................ 7

To commercial companies .......................................................... 14 Grasses, warm season (Melinis).................................................. 2 Hibiscus (Hibiscus) .................................................................... 3 Peppers (Capsicum) .................................................................... 2 Sorghum (Sorghum) ................................................................... 7

To individuals ............................................................................. 58 Bamboo (Arundinaria) ............................................................... 2 Bamboo (Bambusa) .................................................................... 2 Bamboo (Hibanobambusa) ......................................................... 1 Bamboo (Indocalamus) .............................................................. 1 Bamboo (Phyllostachys) ............................................................. 9 Bamboo (Pseudosasa) ................................................................ 1 Bamboo (Sasa) ........................................................................... 2 Bamboo (Semiarundinaria) ........................................................ 1 Bamboo (Shibataea) ................................................................... 3 Cucurbit spp. (Cucurbita) ........................................................... 1 Ipomoea spp. (Ipomoea) ............................................................. 1 Peppers (Capsicum) .................................................................. 25 Sorghum (Sorghum) ................................................................... 4 Watermelon (Citrullus) ............................................................... 5

Seed Distributions from the US Nicotiana Collection held bythe N.C. Agricultural Research Service, Raleigh, NC, 2004-

2008 (data provided by Dr. R.S. Lewis and E.T. Woodlief, curators). 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. of of of of of of of of of of re- access- re- access- re- access- re- access- re- access- Requesting Agency Classification quests ions quests ions quests ions quests ions quests ions U.S. Agricultural Research Service 4 8 3 52 5 19 9 21 2 21 U.S. state agencies and universities 31 269 32 194 34 366 45 319 30 153 U.S. commercial company 25 343 23 995 22 317 35 329 11 149 U.S. non-profit organization 4 10 3 4 3 23 1 1 7 40

U.S. individuals (no affiliation) 15 116 8 25 8 16 26 112 23 129 Foreign genetic resources unit 0 0 0 0 2 28 2 27 9 203 Foreign commercial company 1 1 1 1 9 492 5 16 7 1034 Foreign non-commercial organization 14 161 12 30 11 90 17 464 3 45 Foreign indvidual (no affiliation) 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 2 1 2 Total 95 909 82 1301 94 1351 141 1291 93 1776

Germplasm distributed to North Carolina from all NPGS plant introduction stations, germplasm

repositories, plant genetic resource units, and collections in 2007 (data provided by M. Spinks, PGRCU).

Total State AES USDA-ARS Commercial Individuals No. of No. of No. of No. of No. of acces- No. of acces- No. of acces- No. of acces- No. of acces- No. of Source of Germplasm sions genera sions genera sions genera sions genera sions genera All NPGS centers 1706 54 1295 20 61 2 76 12 274 42 North Central region 634 9 521 6 42 1 36 2 35 7 North Central Regional PI Station, 184 9 139 3 0 0 11 1 34 6

Ames, IA (NC7) Ornamental Plant Germplasm Center, 138 1 138 1 0 0 0 0 0 0

Columbus, OH (OPGC) Potato Germplasm Introduction Station, 62 1 62 1 0 0 0 0 0 0

Sturgeon Bay, WI (NR6) Soybean Collection, 250 1 182 1 42 1 25 1 1 1

Urbana, IL (SOY) North Eastern region 122 6 0 0 0 0 27 3 95 6 National Germplasm Repository (Grape, 32 4 0 0 0 0 26 2 6 2

Apple, Cherry), Geneva, NY (GEN) Plant Genetic Resources Unit, 90 4 0 0 0 0 1 1 89 4

Geneva, NY (NE9) Southern region 748 22 680 8 0 0 6 3 62 14 Cotton Collection, 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0

College Station, TX (COT) Genetic Stocks - Oryza Collection, 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0

Stuttgart, AR (GSOR) National Germplasm Repository, 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 2

Hilo, HA (HILO) National Germplasm Repository, 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0

Miami, FL (MIA) Nicotiana (Tobacco) Collection, 50 1 47 1 0 0 0 0 3 1

Raleigh, NC (TOB) Plant Genetic Resources Conservation 691 16 631 5 0 0 5 2 55 9

Unit,Griffin, GA (S9) Tropical Agricultural Research Station, 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 2

Mayaguez, PR (MAY) Western region 202 20 94 7 19 1 7 4 82 17 National Germplasm Repository, 55 10 13 2 0 0 0 0 42 8

Corvallis, OR (COR) National Small Grains Collection, 124 9 72 4 19 1 5 2 28 3

Aberdeen, ID (NSGC) Western Regional PI Station, 23 8 9 1 0 0 2 2 12 6

Pullman, WA (W6) Cultivar and Germplasm Releases, 2007-2008 Peanut (Arachis hypogaea):

Inbred line N00098ol, licensed to Golden Peanut Company, inventors T.G. Isleib, S.R. Milla-Lewis, H.E. Pattee, B.B. Shew, S.C. Copeland, J.E. Hollowell, J.B. Graeber, R.W. Mozingo, II, P.W. Rice, Deps. of Crop Science, Biological and Agricultural Engineering, & Plant Pathology, 2008. Inbred line N02064ol, licensed to Peanut Company of Australia, inventors T.G. Isleib, S.R. Milla-Lewis, H.E. Pattee, B.B. Shew, S.C. Copeland, J.E. Hollowell, J.B. Graeber, R.W. Mozingo, II, P.W. Rice, Deps. of Crop Science, Biological and Agricultural Engineering, & Plant Pathology, 2008. Inbred line N03081T proposed for public release under the name ‘Bailey’, inventors T.G. Isleib, S.R. Milla-Lewis, H.E. Pattee, B.B. Shew, S.C. Copeland, J.E. Hollowell, J.B. Graeber, R.W. Mozingo, II, P.W. Rice, Deps. of Crop Science, Biological and Agricultural Engineering, & Plant Pathology, 2008.

Raspberry (Rubus spp. hybrid):

‘Nantahala’ red-fruited clone, inventors J.R. Ballington, G.E. Fernandez, S.J. Bryson, Dep. of Horticultural Science, 2008.

Soybean (Glycine max):

‘NCC01-69’, inventors A.J. Cardinal, V.R. Pantalone, S.B. Wang, Dep. of Crop Science, 2008. ‘NCC02-307’, inventors A.J. Cardinal, V.R. Pantalone, S.B. Wang, Dep. of Crop Science, 2008. ‘N8101’, inventor T.E. Carter, Jr., USDA-ARS & Dep. of Crop Science, 2008.

Strawberry (Fragaria spp hybrid):

NCS 93-05 ‘Galletta’, inventor J.R. Ballington, Dep. of Horticultural Science, 2008. Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum):

‘BoMaster’, inventors J. Burns, D.H. Timothy, B. Godshalk, Dep. of Crop Science, 2007. ‘Performer’, inventors J. Burns, D.H. Timothy, B. Godshalk, Dep. of Crop Science, 2007.

Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum)

‘NC BH129 LC’ burley hybrid (NC638 x TN 86 F1), inventor E.A. Wernsman Dep. of Crop Science, 2007. ‘NC3 LC’ burley hybrid (NC1209 cms x NC DH19 F1), inventors E.A. Wernsman, M.F. Wolff, C. Sasscer, R. Rufty (original), Dep. of Crop Science, 2007. ‘NC4 LC’ burley hybrid (NC1246-11 x NC1426-17 F1), inventors E.A. Wernsman, M.F. Wolff (original), Dep. of Crop Science, 2007. ‘NC5 LC’ burley hybrid (NC174 cms x NC821 F1), inventors E.A. Wernsman, M.F. Wolff, T.B. Rayfield (original), Dep. of Crop Science, 2007. ‘NC6 LC’ burley hybrid (NC1209 cms x NC325 F1), inventors E.A. Wernsman, M.F. Wolff, T.B. Rayfield (original), Dep. of Crop Science, 2007. ‘NC7 LC’ burley hybrid (NC775-5 cms x NC645 F1), inventor E.A. Wernsman, Dep. of Crop Science, 2007. ‘NC 2000 LC’ burley inbred line, inventors E.A. Wernsman, R. Rufty (original), Dep. of Crop Science, 2007.

‘NC 2002 LC (ms)’ burley inbred line, inventors E.A. Wernsman, R. Rufty, M.B. Plummer (original), Dep. of Crop Science, 2007. ‘NC 103’ flue-cured tobacco hybrid, inventor E.A. Wernsman, Dep. of Crop Science, 2007. ‘NC92’ flue-cured tobacco hybrid, inventors R.S. Lewis, W.C. Wilkinson, T.B. Rayfield, Dep. of Crop Science, 2008.

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) ‘Mountain Magic’ hybrid, inventor R. Gardner, Dep. Horticultural Science, 2008. ‘Plum Regal’ hybrid, inventor R. Gardner, Dep. of Horticultural Science, 2008. ‘NC25P’ inbred line, a parent of Plum Regal hybrid, inventor R. Gardner, Dep. of Horticultural Science, 2008. ‘NC30P’ inbred line, a parent of Plum Regal, inventor R. Gardner, Dep. of Horticultural Science, 2008. ‘NC58S’ TSWV-resistant fresh market inbred line, inventor R. Gardner, Dep. of Horticultural Science, 2008. ‘NC127S’ TSWV-resistant fresh market inbred line, inventor R. Gardner, Dep. of Horticultural Science, 2008. ‘NC132S’ TSWV-resistant fresh market inbred line, inventor R. Gardner, Dep. of Horticultural Science, 2008. ‘NC1CELBR’ - inbred line, inventor R. Gardner, Dep. of Horticultural Science, 2008. ‘NC2CELBR’ inbred line, inventor R. Gardner, Dep. Horticultural Science, 2008.

Wheat (Triticum aestivum): ‘NC06BGTAG12’ germplasm line, inventors J.P. Murphy, R. Navarro, D. Marshall, C. Cowger, S. Leath, Deps. of Crop Science & Plant Pathology, 2007. ‘NC06BGTAG13’ germplasm line, inventors J.P. Murphy, R. Navarro, D. Marshall, C. Cowger, S. Leath, Deps. of Crop Science & Plant Pathology, 2007.

Progress Statements from Individual Germplasm/Crop Improvement Researchers J.R. Ballington: Used several sources of domestic wild strawberry (Fragaria spp.) in our breeding program over the last year. I only have their field collection numbers but they are being maintained as clones at the National Clonal Germplasm Repository at Corvallis, Oregon. LH 30-4 strong day-neutral clone of Fragaria virginiana var. glauca collected in Montana (crossed with cultivated strawberry to broaden the day-neutral strawberry germplasm base) LH 50-4 moderate day-neutral clone of Fragaria virginiana var. glauca collected in Montana (crossed with cultivated strawberry to broaden the day-neutral strawberry germplasm base) In addition, several clones of native wild Vaccinium are currently included in interspecific blueberry hybrids, and these are also being maintained at Corvallis. NC 86-40-2 V. constablaei from western, NC, collected by J. Ballington [successfully used in crosses with rabbiteye blueberry (V. virgatum)] NC 86-28-2 V. constablaei from western, NC, collected by J. Ballington [successfully used in crosses with rabbiteye blueberry (V. virgatum)] NC 86-27-10 V. constablaei from western, NC, collected by J. Ballington [successfully used in crosses with rabbiteye blueberry (V. virgatum)]

M.M. Goodman: Currently evaluating topcrosses of all the maize lines with expired PVPCs (from the NCRPIS at Ames) - the initial results are not very impressive. T.G. Isleib: Peanut (Arachis hypogaea) cultivar development efforts continue to emphasize incorporation of high-oleic seed oil trait into disease-resistant lines derived from tetraploid interspecific hybrids released by H.T. Stalker. New populations for purposes of estimating genetic variances and perhaps for marker-assisted selection (MAS) using accessions of C.C. Holbrook’s peanut “Core of the Core Collection” that were found to express levels of folic acid content nearly twice that found in ‘Georgia Green’, the dominant peanut cultivar in the US. Several populations were established using wild and introduced cultivated germplasm to apply MAS to resistance to tomato spotted wilt virus, Sclerotinia blight, and aflatoxin production when colonized by Aspergillus flavus. D. Panthee: A total of 38 F2 populations of tomato are being screened for heat tolerance at NCDA/NCSU Piedmont Research Station this summer. Parents of the populations and six PIs reported to be heat tolerant are being used as controls in the study. The PIs include cultivated accessions as well as wild relatives of tomato. T.G. Ranney: Using one PI pear accession as a parent in the ornamental pear breeding program H.T. Stalker: Evaluated the spanish (Arachis hypogaea subsp. fastigiata var. vulgaris) accessions of the US national peanut collection for oil percentage. S.P. Tallury: The following research activities are being conducted with diploid Arachis species with the goal of transferring disease resistance genes into A. hypogaea. Genome characterizations and species compatibilities: Conventional karyotyping and cross compatibility with known genome testers (A, B, and D) was carried out to decipher the genomes of newly named species. A. herzogii, A. kempff-mercadoi and A. kuhlmannii were grouped as A genome species, A. cruziana and A. hoehnei as B genome species with A. benensis as inconclusive. Intercrossing of Interspecific hybrid derived breeding lines: Leaf spot resistant tetraploid interspecific hybrids were hybridized with susceptible commercial cultivars to develop populations for field evaluations. Thirty-six interspecific breeding lines have been developed which are being evaluated for resistance to leaf spots and other diseases in filed tests. T.C. Wehner: Screened the cucumber germplasm collection for resistance to downy mildew. Used recurrent selection to develop improved populations of pickling and slicing cucumber from elite x PI accession starting materials. Developed a population of watermelon using gummy stem blight resistant PI accessions. Screened the watermelon germplasm collection for resistance to powdery mildew race 2. Developed a grant proposal for cucurbit germplasm exchange with Turkmenistan in 2008. Puerto Rico Eighteen quenepa (Melicoccus bijugatus) cultivars are in the third year of evaluation at Juana Diaz and Lajas. Significant differences have been observed among cultivars for tree height, trunk

diameter, and canopy volume, with a few accessions showing precocious fruiting. A replicated guava planting consisting of 14 accessions was maintained and evaluated at Juana Díaz. Germplasm consisting of 26 yam, 22 cassava, 16 sweet potato and 75 tannier clones were field maintained. Tannier cultivars ‘Estela’ and ‘Lila’ were harvested at 8, 9 and 10 months from planting and the best yield was obtained with ‘Estela’ at 9 months with an average of 10,409 kg/ha of marketable tubers. A new yellow tannier cultivar is being increased in the field for evaluation. Seventeen plantain and 26 banana cultivars are being maintained in the field at Corozal. Banana cultivars ‘Yangambi’, ‘Grand Nain’, ‘Johnson’, ‘Ziv’, and 2390 show no significant difference in the cumulative bunch weight during three harvest cycles when Yellow Sigatoka is not controlled. On the other hand a reduction in the average finger weight was found in the cultivars ‘Grand Nain’, ‘Johnson’ and ‘Ziv’ when Yellow Sigatoka is not managed. Twelve “Mayagüezano” type mango clones are being evaluated at Lajas. They are grafted on ‘Banilejo’ dwarfing rootstocks. Sweet cherry pepper (Capsicum chinense) was evaluated in the field at Lajas. Fruit quality parameters were measured on ‘Hamlin’ orange monthly at Adjuntas, Isabela, and Corozal, from September to December, to determine the optimum season for harvest. Three mandarin cultivars on four citrus rootstocks were evaluated at Corozal and Isabela. One hundred half-sib lines of the ‘Suresweet’ sweet corn O.P. population were planted at the Isabela Substation in February, 2007. Each line was planted in a single 5 m row length with spacing of 0.9 m between rows. A randomized complete block design with two replications was used. In general, the sweet corn population had few disease or pest problems. The most promising lines produced averages of 36,000 to 42,000 commercial ears/ha. Seed yields of the most promising lines were around 4,000 kg/ha. Mean ear damage scores were less than or equal to 3.5, which is considered to be resistant. Another cycle of recurrent selection of this O.P. sweet corn will be conducted before formal release as ‘Suresweet 08’. Interspecific hybrids of ornamental Musa species were evaluated in the field at Lajas and clonal propagation experiments were conducted on Leandra krugii in Rio Piedras. Germplasm requests in Puerto Rico in 2007 included 1 Solanum, 1 Capsicum, 2,288 Sorghum and 7 Citrullus accessions. South Carolina Germplasm Distribution A total of 146 germplasm accessions were distributed by the Plant Genetic Resources Conservation Unit at Griffin, GA to the following individuals in South Carolina in 2007: J. Crissman, S.C. Department of Agriculture, 1 Sorghum accession and 2 Citrullus (watermelon) accessions; Dr. H. Harrison, USDA Vegetable Laboratory, Charleston, SC, 18 Ipomoea spp. and 1 Operculina spp. (sweet potato) accessions; Dr. C. Kousik, USDA Vegetable Laboratory, Charleston, SC, 7 Citrullus (watermelon), 1 Praecitrullus (watermelon), and 26 Lagenaria (gourd) accessions; Dr. A. Lawton-Raugh, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, 13 Indigofera spp. (special purpose legume) accessions; Dr. Amnon Levi, USDA Vegetable Laboratory, Charleston, SC, 3 Citrullus spp. accessions and 1 Lagenaria accession; Z. Parsons, 1 Zornia (special purpose legume) accession; Dr. Judy Thies, USDA Vegetable Laboratory, Charleston, SC, 62 Lagenaria (gourd) accessions; G. Walker, 10 bamboo accessions to include 1 Bambusa, 2 Pseudosasa, 1 Arundinaria, 1 Sinobambusa, and 5 Phyllostachys spp. Soybean Germplasm Utilization and Evaluation

The line PI594651-L2, resistant to peanut root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne arenaria), was hybridized with the adapted S.C. cultivar, Dillon. The objective is to develop germplasm and/or cultivars with an improved level of M. arenaria resistance, high seed yield, and acceptable agronomic traits. One hundred ninety-eight F2 progeny were screened and 33 lines have been identified as having an adequate level of resistance. Four plants were selected from each resistant F2:3 line and the resultant F3:4 lines will be advanced with plant selections to be made based on agronomic traits. In 2007, twenty-eight elite lines from the Clemson University soybean breeding program were tested in a greenhouse to determine their suitability as hosts for reniform nematode, Rotylenchulus reniformis. The test was conducted by Dr. R.T. Robbins at the University of Arkansas. The lines SC98-1930, SC01-819, SC02-208, SC03-9093, and SC04-297 had reproductive indices lower than the resistant S.C. cultivar Santee. These lines were also evaluated in 2007 for seed yield and agronomic traits in fields not infested with nematodes and four of the resistant lines were selected for continued agronomic evaluation. Soybean rust (SBR) was first identified in the United States in November, 2004. The disease is caused by Phakopsora pachyrhizi and can cause severe yield losses under optimal temperature and humidity conditions. Plant introductions (PI) are being evaluated to identify resistant genotypes. Researchers collaborated in 2007 to evaluate USDA germplasm accessions for SBR resistance in seven locations in the southern U.S. The objective of these evaluations was to identify or confirm accessions that exhibit resistance to rust isolates in multiple locations in order to provide soybean breeders with guidance in choosing parents for crosses made to develop rust-resistant soybean cultivars with competitive yields. Four hundred twelve accessions across maturity groups 000 - X were planted at Blackville, S.C. in late July. Portable lights were used to extend photoperiod and delay reproductive growth. Rust symptoms were first observed in late September. Ten leaflets from each of 323 accessions were collected during October and examined under a microscope for the presence of rust. The remaining lines matured and dropped leaves prior to onset of the disease. Data were submitted to Dr. David Walker, USDA-ARS, Urbana, Illinois, who summarized results from all locations. Depending on the location, lines were rated for disease incidence and severity, lesion or uredinia density, and amount of sporulation, often with the help of a microscope. Approximately 85 of the PIs showed high to moderate resistance to rust at two or more locations. Field tests in five southern states are planned for 2008. Tennessee The following projects are being conducted at the University of Tennessee in which plant introductions are being utilized in research projects. Soybean Project Title: Effects of Root/Leaflet Orientation Trait Combinations on Water-Use Efficiency in Soybean Personnel: Fred Allen, Professor; Richard Johnson, Res. Associate, Dept. of Plant Sciences, Univ. of Tennessee

Objective: Determine the effects of combinations of fibrous root and leaflet orientation on water-use efficiency in soybeans. Approach: Recombinant inbred lines (RIL) are being developed from a cross between a prolific rooting line, PI416.937, and a high leaflet orienting cultivar, USG 5601T. The goal is to develop near-isogenic lines that have lo-orientation/normal root; lo-orientation/prolific root; hi-orientation/normal root; and hi-orientation/prolific rooting trait combinations and compare their water-use relative to seed yield. F6, F7 and F8 generation lines have been evaluated via sap-flow instrumentation to determine the water use and water use efficiency of the above trait combination lines. This study will be completed in 2008. Project Title: Stability of Oleic Acid Content in Soybean Plant Introductions Personnel: Vince Pantalone, Professor; Catherine Nyinyi, Graduate Research Assistant, Dept. of Plant Sciences, Univ. of Tennessee J. D. Lee, Research Associate, David Sleper, Professor, Melissa Woodard, Research Associate, and J. Grover Shannon, Professor, Division of Plant Sciences, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, MO; Rusty. Smith, Research Geneticist, USDA-ARS, Stoneville, MS, and Andrea Cardinal, Associate Professor, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC. Objective: To determine the stability of oleic acid concentration across environments for 15 high oleic plant introductions. Approach: 18 soybean genotypes including 15 high oleic plant introductions (PI) and three checks were planted 16 different environments across five locations during three years. Fatty acid composition from gas chromatography is currently being analyzed to identify specific PIs that may serve as sources to increase oleic acid concentration and maintain its stability over environments to provide an opportunity to develop a novel type of oil soybean that has increased oxidative stability for food and industrial uses. Project Title: Development of edible vegetable soybean Personnel: Carl Sams, Professor, and Vince Pantalone, Professor, Dept. of Plant Sciences, Univ. of Tennessee Objective: To use traits (larger seed size, high protein) acquired through PI 416937 to develop edible vegetable soybean cultivars. Approach: Experimental line TN03-349 is an F6-derived line from the cross TN93-99 x PI 416937. The female parent, TN93-99 is a germplasm released by Univ. of Tennessee and is maintained by the USDA active collection as GP-280. The male parent, PI 416937 is a plant introduction from Japan that exhibits drought and aluminum tolerance, increased nodulation by nitrogen fixing bacteria, larger seed size, and higher seed protein concentration. The experimental line TN03-349 was released as the new edible vegetable soybean cultivar, NUTRIVEG Soy6407 in fall 2007. That cultivar is currently being utilized as a crossing parent with other lines to develop superior new vegetable soybean lines. Project Title: Expanding the Genetic Diversity of Elite Soybean Germplasm Personnel: Vincent Pantalone, Professor, Dept. of Plant Sciences, Univ. of TN Randy Nelson, USDA-ARS Germplasm Currator, Univ. of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign Objective: Develop new soybean lines with enhanced genetic diversity. Approach: Heterogeneous plant populations developed from exotic Chinese plant introductions by Dr. Randy Nelson, were grown at the East Tennessee Research and Education Center and locally adapted single-plant selections were made for pure-line development and field testing. Corn

Project Title: Cereal Breeding Subtitle: Breeding maize lines with exotic germplasm Personnel: Dennis West, Univ Tenn. Collaborators: Major Goodman, NCSU Objective: Incorporate genes from exotic maize germplasm into adapted U.S. maize germplasm. Approach: Early generation lines from the Germplasm Enhancement of Maize (GEM) project, coordinated through the USDA Maize project at Iowa State University, are crossed with elite adapted lines. The resulting hybrids are grown regionally in the Southern U.S. to evaluate field performance. The best lines from these hybrid trials are entered in breeding programs, using traditional breeding methods, to develop new maize parental lines. Several experimental hybrids derived from the GEM project are in yield trials in Tennessee in 2008. In addition to the yield trials there are several nursery rows of GEM material for inbreeding and selection purposes. Biofuel Crop Alternatives: Corn Personnel: Dennis West and Fred Allen. Three accessions of teosinte were obtained from NCRPIS at Ames, Iowa in 2004. This germplasm has been planted in Knoxville and crossed with adapted corn. BC2F2 hybrids are being backcrossed to adapted corn lines during the 2008 growing season. The hybrids have survived four fairly mild winters in TN. Switchgrass Personnel: Fred Allen, Janice Zale, Dennis West. Project Title: Breeding improved synthetic varieties of Switchgrass Objective: Development of improved varieties of Switchgrass Approach: Three PIs are being intercrossed with two experimental lines and two released cultivars to develop a C1 synthetic. The polycross nursery was established in spring 2007. Some C1 seed should be harvested in fall 2007. Project Title: Tennessee Biofuels Initiative. Personnel: Janice Zale Objective: Controlled hybridizations and disease resistance evaluations in Switchgrass. Approach: Eight PIs and newly developed cultivars are being evaluated for rust and bunt resistance, and controlled hybridizations made amongst desirable parents. Miscanthus Project Title: Evaluation of Miscanthus accessions for Tennessee. Personnel: Janice Zale Objective: Growth, yield, and disease resistance evaluations Approach: Three PIs are being evaluated for growth characteristics, yield measurements, and disease resistance evaluations in Knoxville. Distribution of germplasm from the USDA Plant Genetic Resources Conservation Unit in Griffin, GA to individuals in TN during 2007.

Clinger, K., Lipscomb University Sorghum Sorghum 1 Culpepper, J., Waste Water Treatment Plant Legumes (special purpose) Lablab 3 Culpepper, J., Waste Water Treatment Plant Legumes (special purpose) Mucuna 3

Gunter, L., Oak Ridge National Laboratory Grasses (warm season) Miscanthus 1 Gunter, L., Oak Ridge National Laboratory Grasses (warm season) Panicum 1 Horner, P. Peanuts (cultivated) Arachis 2 Horner, P. Sorghum Sorghum 1 Joost, R., University of Tennessee at Martin Clover (annuals) Trifolium 11 von Bersen, M. Bamboo Arundinaria 1 von Bersen, M. Bamboo Phyllostachys 8 von Bersen, M. Bamboo Pseudosasa 1 von Bersen, M. Bamboo Sasa 1 Warren, G. Peppers Capsicum 3 Wolters, H., Maury County 4-H Organization Ipomoea batatas (sweetpotato) Ipomoea 1 Wolters, H., Maury County 4-H Organization Watermelon Citrullus 2 Zale, J., University of Tennessee Grasses (warm season) Panicum 4 Texas The sorghum improvement program at Texas A&M University requested Sorghum bicolor germplasm for an array of evaluation and breeding purposes, including disease resistant, quality and yield traits. Three new peanut cultivars have been released from the TAMU breeding program, all with PI lines in their pedigree. The peanut registration articles are shown below in the publications. Both lablab and cowpea accessions are being evaluated and used as parents in the forage legume breeding program. The lablab cultivar ‘Rio Verde’ was developed as a new forage crop for the US southern region through selection in the PI line 388018. Breeder seed increases were made in Oregon on two experimental crimson clover cultivars derived from two PI accessions. Dr. Dick Auld, Texas Tech University, has initiated a castor evaluation and breeding program. In the 2007 growing season, 228 accessions of castor (Ricinus communis L.) were evaluated for seed yield potential under limited moisture conditions. These accessions were compared with six commercial cultivars from Brazil and two commercial cultivars from the United States in a randomized complete block design with two replications. A total of 35 accessions had relatively low levels of seed shatter and produced acceptable seed yields. The other accessions did not appear to be well adapted to short season production areas with limited soil moisture. Crosses were made between several of the most promising accessions and the commercial cultivars evaluated in this test. Sorghum lines were evaluated by Dr. John Goolsby, USDA, ARS, as potential hosts for the biological control agent Tetramesa romana. The results were negative; T. romana did not feed or develop on sorghum. Brown midrib and high sugar sorghum lines were requested by Milo Genetics for the purpose of introducing these traits into breeding lines. Virginia Several accessions of Vigna and Eleusine from the USDA plant germplasm collection were used for studies of systematics and genetic diversity at Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University. A new peanut cultivar was released through the Tidewater Agricultural Research & Extension Center. Investigations at Virginia State University were conducted on the biological

quality or edamame (vegetable soybean) and the chemical composition of glandular hairs of Vernonia (ironweed), a source of vernonia oil, which is rich in a useful epoxy fatty acid used to make plastics, rubbery coatings, and drying agents. Brabant Research, Inc. evaluated sweet potato germplasm for nutritional value compared with commercially produced sweet potatoes. These activities document the distribution and utilization of plant genetic resources, a primary objective of the regional project, the study of genetic relationships among crop plants and their wild relatives, and the release of new cultivars of crop plants, the cornerstone of agriculture. Virgin Islands Sorrel or roselle, Hibiscus sabdariffara, is a plant originally native to Africa which has been grown in the Caribbean for centuries that is used fresh, during the winter months to make a seasonal beverage, or drier for later use. Sixty accessions of sorrel germplasm were obtained from the USDA-ARS in Griffin, Georgia. Seedlings of sorrel were transplanted in calcareous soils with a pH range of 8.0-8.9 and compared with seven local cultivars. All sorrel developed interveinal chlorosis. Many of the accessions also developed terminal necrosis. Applications of micronutrients didn’t resolve the nutrient deficiency symptoms. Five accessions were found that have potential for production in the Virgin Islands: #268097, 496717, 496938, 464809 and 500721. Plans are to acquire seeds from ten selected accessions and establish them on better soil with a more neutral pH located at the VI Department of Agriculture this fall. Both papaya seed and pineapples were also obtained from Hawaii and are being grown and evaluated. Papaya seeds hadn’t been available from the Hawaiian tropical germplasm center for a number of years. Publications Plant Genetic Resources Conservation Unit Barkley, N.L., Wang, M.L., Gillaspie Jr, A.G., Dean, R.E., Pederson, G.A., Jenkins, T.M. 2007. Mining SNPs and Indels in Mung Bean (Vigna radiata) by Ecotilling. Convergence of Genomics and the Land Grant System: Emerging Trends in the Application of Genomics in Agriculture. Barkley, N.L., Dean, R.E., Pittman, R.N., Wang, M.L., Holbrook Jr, C.C., Pederson, G.A. 2007. Genetic Divesity of Cultivated and Wild Type Peanuts Evaluated with M13-Tailed SSR Markers and Sequencing. Genetical Research. 89:93-106. Barkley, N.A., M.L. Wang, A.G. Gillaspie, R.E. Dean, G.A. Pederson, and T.M. Jenkins. 2008. Discovering and verifying DNA polymorphism in a mung bean [V. radiata (L.) R. Wilczek] collection by EcoTILLING and sequencing. BMC Research Notes 1:28. Barkley, N.A. and M.L. Wang. 2008. Application of TILLING and EcoTILLING as reverse approaches to elucidate the function of genes in plants and animals. Current Genomics 9:212-226. Chen, Z., Waltz, C., Wang, M.L., Raymer, P. 2008. Preliminary Investigation on Genetic

Diversity of Zoysiagrasses in the United States. Plant and Animal Genome Conference, January 12-16, 2008, San Diego, CA. p.156 Davis, A.R., King, S., Jarret, R.L., Levi, A., Tadmor, Y. 2007. Lycopene and total carotenoid content as descriptors for Citrullus lanatus: Limitations and preliminary trials. Cucurbit Genetics Cooperative Report. 27:34-40. Dida, M.M., Wanyera N, Harrison-Dunn M.L., Bennetzen J.L., and Devos K.M. 2008. Population Structure and Diversity in Finger Millet (Eleusine coracana) Germplasm. Tropical Plant Biology 1:131-141. [Online. 10.1007/s12042-008-9012-3]. Erpelding, J.E., Wang, M. L. 2007. Response to Anthracnose Infection for a Random Selection of Sorghum Germplasm. Plant Pathology Journal 6(2): 127-133. Fu, Y.B., Chong, J., Fetch, T., Wang, M.L. 2007. Microsatellite Variation in Avena sterilis Oat Germplasm. Theoretical and Applied Genetics. Theoretical Applied Genetics (2007) 114:1029-1038 Gillaspie Jr, A.G., Wang, M.L., Pinnow, D.L., Pittman, R.N. 2007. Polymerase chain reaction for detection of peanut mottle and peanut stripe viruses in Arachis hypogaea l. germplasm seedlots. Plant Pathology Journal. 6(1)87-90. Gillaspie Jr, A.G. 2007. Attempts to Improve the Method of Screening Cowpea Germplasm for Resistance to Cucumber Mosaic Virus and Blackeye Cowpea Mosaic Virus. Plant Pathology Journal.6(2):202-205. Goenaga, R.J., Gillaspie Jr, A.G., Quiles-Belen, A. 2008. Assessing Yield Potential of Cowpea Genotypes Grown Under Virus Pressure. HortScience 43(3):673-676. Harrison Dunn, M.L., Pederson, G.A. 2007. In Vitro Maintenance of Bermudagrass Germplasm. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting Abstracts. CD-ROM. Jarret, R.L., Baldwin, E.A., Perkins, B., Guthrie, K., Bushway, R. 2007. Diversity of Some Fruit Quality Characteristics in Capsicum frutescens L. HortScience 42:16-19. Jarret, R.L. 2007. Morphologic variation for fruit characteristics in the USDA/ARS Capsicum baccatum L. germplasm collection. HortScience 42:1046-1049. Morris, J.B., Wang, M.L. 2007. Characterization of Guar [Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub] Genetic Resources for Flavonoid Traits. American Society of Plant Biologists Annual Meeting, Abstract ID: 135. Morris, J.B. 2007. One Hundred Years of Some Specialty Legume Genetic Resource Contributions and Future Considerations. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meetings, Nov 4-8, New Orleans. 2007 CDROM.

Morris, J.B., Wang, M.L. 2007. Anthocyanin Content in Leaves and Flowers of Several Hibiscus Species. Association for the Advancement of Industrial Crops Conference. p. 45. Morris, J.B., Knauft, D. 2008. Special-Purpose Legume Species Curated at the USDA, ARS, Plant Genetic Resources Conservation Unit for Use as New Ornamentals and Potentially New Phytopharmaceuticals. American Society of Horticulture Science Meeting. ASHS Meeting Abstracts. 43:1266-1267. Morris, J.B. 2007. Swordbean (Canavalia ensiformis (L.) DC.) genetic resources regenerated for potential medical, nutraceutical and agricultural traits. Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution. 54:585-592 Morris, J.B., Wang, M.L. 2007. Anthocyanin and Potential Therapeutic Traits in Clitoria, Desmodium, Corchorus, Catharanthus, and Hibiscus Species. ISHS Acta Horticulturae (756), International Symposium on Medicinal and Nutraceutical Plants. Available: http://www.ishs.org Morris, J.B. 2008. Macrotyloma axillare and M. uniflorum: descriptor analysis, anthocyanin indexes, and potential uses. Genetic Resoures and Crop Evolution 55:5-8. Pederson, G.A. 2007. Maximizing Regeneration Intervals in Plant Germplasm Collections. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting Abstracts. CD-ROM. Wang, M.L., Pinnow, D.L., Pittman, R.N. 2007. Preliminary Screening of Peanut Germplasm in the U.S. Collection for TSWV Resistance and High Flavonoid Content. Plant Pathology Journal. 6(3): 219-226. Wang, M.L., Morris, J.B., Barkley, N.L., Dean, R., Jenkins, T., Pederson, G.A. 2007. Genetic Diversity of Lablab (L. purpureus) Germplasm Assessed by SSR Markers. Plant & Animal Genome XV. p.112 Wang, M.L., Erpelding, J.E., Jianming, Y., Pederson, G.A. 2007. Can Sweet Sorghum be used for Biofuel Production? American Society of Plant Biologists Annual Meeting. 19003. Wang, M.L., Morris, J.B., Pederson, G.A. 2007. Evaluation of Genetic Diversity of Castor Bean for Biodiesel Utilization. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting Abstracts. CD-ROM. Wang, M.L., Erpelding, J.E., Jianming, Y., Pederson, G.A. 2007. Mining Genetic Diversity of Sweet Sorghum in the U.S. Collection for Biofuel Production. American Society of Plant Biologists Annual Meeting. Poster No. P03001, p. 19. Wang, M.L., Mosjidis, J., Morris, J.B., Chen, Z., Barkley, N.L., Pederson, G.A. 2008. Assessment of Genetic Diversity of Lespedeza Germplasm and Analysis of Its Phylogenetic Relationship with the Genus Kummerowia. Plant and Animal Genome Conference XVI, January 12-16, 2008, San Diego, CA. p.152.

Wang, M.L., Gillaspie Jr, A.G., Morris, J.B., Pittman, R.N., Davis, J., Pederson, G.A. 2007. Variability of flavonoid content and seed-coat color in different legumes. Plant Genetic Resources Newsletter. 6(1):300-325. Wang, M.L., Morris, J.B., Barkley, N.L., Dean, R., Jenkins, T., Pederson, G.A. Evaluation of Genetic Diversity of the USDA Lablab purpureus Germplasm Collection Using SSR Markers. Journal of Horticultural Science and Biotechnology. 82:571-578. Wang, M.L., Mosjidis, J., Morris, J.B., Zhenbang, C., Barkley, N.L., Pederson, G.A. 2008. Evaluation of Lespedeza Germplasm Genetic Diversity and Its Phylogenetic Relationship with the Genus Kummerowia. Conservation Genetics: DOI 10.1007/s10592-008-9524-2 Wang, M.L. and R.N. Pittman. 2008. Resveratrol content in seeds of peanut germplasm quantified by HPLC. Plant Genetic Resources: Characterization and Utilization 1–4 doi:10.1017/S1479262108048247 Williamson, Kelly. S., J.Brad Morris, Quentin N. Pye, Chandrashekhar D. Kamat, and Kenneth Hensley. 2008. A survey of sesamin and composition of tocopherol variability from seeds of eleven diverse sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) genotypes using HPLC-PAD-ECD. Phytochemical Analysis 19:311-322. Xin, Z., Wang, M.L., Barkley, N.L., Franks, C.D., Burow, G.B., Pederson, G.A., Burke, J.J. 2007. Development of a TILLING Population for Sorghum Functional Genomics. Plant Genome Conference. San Diego, California. January 13-17, 2007. Yoon-Hyeao, H., Antonious, G.F., Berke, T., Jarret, R.L. 2007. Natural Capsaicin in Capsicum chinense: Concentration vs. Origin. Kentucky Academy of Sciences Symposium. http://www.kyacademyofscience.org/members/viewabs.php Alabama Ball, D.M., and J.A. Mosjidis. 2007. Sericea Lespedeza: A Pasture, Hay and Conservation Plant. Publication ANR-1318. Alabama Cooperative Extension Service. Available at http://www.aces.edu/pubs/docs/A/ANR-1318/ANR-1318.pdf (verified 13 August 2007). Burke, J. M., T. H. Terrill, R.R. Kallu, J. E. Miller, J. Mosjidis. 2007. Use of copper oxide wire particles to control gastrointestinal nematodes in goats. J. Animal Sci. 85:2753-2761. Burke, J.M., J.E. Miller, T.H. Terrill, and J. Mosjidis 2007. Interaction between copper oxide wire particles and grazing sericea lespedeza to control gastrointestinal nematodes in goats. Southern Section ASAS, Mobile, AL, 7 Feb 2007 J. Anim. Sci. 85(Suppl 2):32 Chafton L.A., J.E. Miller, J.A. Mosjidis, T.H. Terrill, J.M. Burke. 2007. The effect of the condensed tannin containing forage, sericea lespedeza, fed as ground hay on existing and establishing infection of Haemonchus contortus in sheep. J. Anim. Sci. 85(Suppl 2):43

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