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• GEMS-0002, an early stiff stalk related line, was released from the Ohio State University on March 24, 2002. GEMS-0002 is derived from the GEM breeding cross, FS8A(S):S09. It is recommended as a unique source of germplasm for improvement and diversification of non-Lancaster related inbreds.

• DE3 and DE4, non-stiff stalk related lines, were released from the University of Delaware, April 12, 2002. Both lines are derived from the GEM breeding cross, DKXL212:N11a. Both lines are recommended as unique sources of germplasm with DE3 being rated intermediate (3.0), and DE4 resistant (1.0) for grey leaf spot.

• Twenty-eight inbreds (S₃’s) were identified from 1999-2001 having yield, Y/M, and lodging resistance equivalent, or better than the mean of the commercial checks. These inbreds are being further evaluated for protein, oil, starch, and for future analytical studies involving amino acid analysis.

• Thirty inbreds (S₃) developed from the North Carolina GEM program were released to the GEM collaborators.

Ames Location:

• Approximately 12,000 yield plots were conducted or coordinated from Ames in 25 experiments. Sets C and D were evaluated in second year yield trials (6 of the 25 experiments) with total of 1,784 plots.

• 6 Specific Cooperator Agreements (SCA) were partially funded by GEM in 2002 for a combined total of $20,500.

• Sixteen GEM S₂ topcrosses were identified in 2002 having better yield than the commercial check mean.

• The GEM cold storage facility at the Ames NCRPIS was completed in April, 2002, and is working very well. GEM germplasm was transferred to the new 1,000 sq. ft. facility and has been inventoried.

• New GEM Cooperators for 2002 include three from the private sector: Sursem SA (Arg), Illinois Foundation Seed, Champaign, IL, Benson Seed Research, York, NE; and three from public sector: Jim Holland, USDA-ARS located in Raleigh, NC, Michael Clements, USDA-ARS located at Mississippi State, and Mark Westgate, Iowa State University.

• GEM again participated in the Central Iowa Field Day managed by CAD. Although turn out was less than expected due to rain, the hybrids looked good and the presentations created a lot of interest and potential new GEM cooperators were identified.

Raleigh, NC Location:

• Approximately 20,906 yield trial plots at 20 locations (some locations had subsites) were conducted from, or coordinated by Raleigh in 2002.

• About 180 entries (plus 814 additional in special tests such as with new testers, CML lines, sampling studies, etc.) were in second year trials, and 1,099 entries in first year trials.

• Fourteen cooperators (8 companies, 4 universities, and 2 USDA-ARS) grew GEM trials coordinated through the Raleigh location at 20 locations across the south, east, and lower Midwest.

• Approximately 16 GEM breeding crosses (50% tropical emphasis) are at various stages of advancement at Raleigh.

• About 1,889 new topcross families have been made in Raleigh for 2003 trials.

• Approximately 5,579 nursery rows (includes 111 by Syngenta ) were grown or coordinated by Raleigh. This includes 992 selfs, 1,088 pairs, 1,888 isolation rows, and 1,500 observations.

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Public Cooperators with Specific Cooperator Agreements (SCA) in 2002:

Six public researchers were supported by GEM in 2002, and one research project involved a no cost extension of last year’s agreement (Table 1). Full research reports can be found on the GEM web site under 2002 Public Data Summary. Most of the reports were presented at the 2002 GEM Cooperator Meeting, December 11, 2002 in Chicago.

• Jim Hawk, University of Delaware, SCA No.58-3625-1-155: Inbred line development in GEM breeding crosses and yield and agronomic performance evaluations. Selections and top cross evaluation of the GEM breeding cross DKXL212:N11a, a 50% tropical non Stiff Stalk, resulted in the release of two inbred lines, DE3 and DE4. DE3 was reported to be 1 day later than B73, and had intermediate resistance to grey leafspot. DE4 was reported as being resistant to grey leafspot (rating 1.0), and is 2 days later than B73. Inbred DKXL212:N11a-197-1-1-1-1 and DE4 may have potential for improving agronomic and disease performance, and would be good breeding sources for improving other non-stiff stalk lines. Both inbreds yielded well with two of three tester lines, and yields were not significantly different from the checks.

• Jim Coors, University of Wisconsin, SCA No. 58-3625-9-123: Silage evaluation of topcrosses with advanced lines from GEM breeding crosses. The UW corn breeding program has been an active cooperator with the GEM project since 1995. The strategy to utilize GEM lines involves choosing topcrosses with high grain potential based on Midwest GEM performance data, and acceptable maturity. These topcrosses are evaluated for silage potential such as high dry matter content and nutritional quality. Once outstanding topcrosses are identified, the breeding cross or GEM parent is included in the UW silage nursery. GEM test A trials identified 7 testcrosses with greater production potential than 31,500 pounds/acre. Most of the production was due to high forage yield, although 1 hybrid, BR52051:N04-75-1 x LH198, had excellent quality based on low NDF, high IVD, and high milk per ton. Other topcrosses of interest included pedigrees derived from FS8B(T):N11a08 x LH198, and DKB844:S1601-512 x LH185, and CHIS775:S1911-645 x LH185. In GEM B trials good quality hybrids included SCRO1:N1310-398-1-B-21 x HC33, AR17026:N1019-65008-2-3-1 x HC33, and CUBA164:S1517-01113 x LH287.

• Margaret Smith, Cornell University, SCA No. 58-3625-1-153: Developing breeding lines with anthracnose stalk rot resistance from exotic maize germplasm. Following several years of research for anthracnose resistance, GEM breeding crosses were identified with outstanding disease resistance (11% stalk infected for GEM families vs. 48% for the best resistant check). Some of the best breeding crosses included FS8B(T):N1802, CH04030:S0906, AR01150:N0406, and GOQUEEN:N1603. Following inbreeding to S₅ stage, the lines were crossed to testers and evaluated in yield trials. The results indicated that some lines having good resistance also had good testcross performance, and selection was made for both traits. Of interest was that the level of resistance of the GEM derived lines is better than what is available in currently released U.S. inbreds. Yield performance of the resistant material x B73/CD1 tester was lower than most of the checks, but still better than some checks. Better yield performance would be expected if a newer elite tester is used. The results indicate that simultaneous selection for anthracnose resistance and for yield can be a useful approach as a breeding strategy, and that high levels of resistance can be attained.

• Wenwei Xu, Texas A&M University, SCA No. 58-3625-9-124: Use of GEM germplasm to improve drought and corn ear worm resistance. Drought and stress research in Lubbock, TX has identified GEM breeding crosses with resistance to drought, corn ear worm, and grain mold resistance (last year’s report identified some key germplasm involving well known GEM accessions such as CUBA164, FS8B(T), PASCO14, DK888, and GUAT209-see 2001 GEM Public Cooperators Report). In 2002, additional germplasm reported included 15 breeding crosses (ANTIG03:N12, UR11002:N0308b, AR16026:N12, ANTIG01:N16, and additional crosses involving CUBA164:D27, GUAD05:N06, DK888, etc). The top ranking cross for yield was ANTIG03:N12 that yielded well under irrigated and drought conditions, had good CEW resistance, stay green and low grain mold. Grain mold was highly correlated with CEW penetration (r=0.68), and it was speculated that resistance to stress and CEW will be useful in aflatoxin  resistance  development. 

• Mark Campbell Truman State University, SCA No. 58-3625-0-107: The development of starches possessing elevated amylose and unique thermal properties using GEM material.  High amylose corn is a specialty product with future potential for a growing market due to greater uses of starch products. The germplasm base of high amylose corn is very narrow, and the level of breeding activity small. In addition, yields of high amylose hybrids average only 60% of normal hybrids. GEM lines with high yield potential therefore may be useful sources of genetic diversity. Using a Corn Belt source of the amylose extender mutation in OH43xH99ae/ae, crosses were made to 3 sources of germplasm including the GEM breeding cross, GUAT209:S13. Following several selfing generations, amylose content was raised with selection practiced for 70% or greater. Efforts were made to cross some of the better lines to other GEM sources having a known record of high yield (CUBA164:S15…, FS8B(T):N1809… UR13085:N0215,…etc.), and using the high yielding GEM source as a recurrent parent. F1 ears (F2 segregating kernels) were harvested in 2001/2002 winter nursery and planted in summer 2002, and ears analyzed for amylose content. The data suggested that modifiers contributed by the exotic sources such as GUAT209:S13 are responsible for enhancing amylose. A bimodal distribution pattern grouped kernels into 2 classes (55% or near 70% amylose) that suggests one or a few modifiers are involved.

• Dennis West, University of Tennessee, SCA No. 58-3625-1-154: Breeding lines with germplasm exotic. For the past several years GEM topcrosses have exceeded the means of the check hybrids in experiments grown in yield trials in Tennessee. In 2002 trials in Knoxville, two hybrids PASCO14S21F1S2x FR tester, and DK888N11F1S2xT8 exceeded the means of 8 check hybrids by 50 and 47 bushels respectively. Although a yield advantage of this magnitude is sometimes found in single location data, the results suggest that multiple location/ multiple year testing of these hybrids and similar genotypes is warranted to determine consistency and realistic yield advantages relative to commercial checks.   

• Rich Pratt, Ohio State University, (no cost extension of previous SCA): Introduction of grain quality traits from GEM germplasm into Corn Belt maize. The second GEM release, GEMS-0002 was from the 50% GEM breeding cross FS8(A)S:S09. It was earlier than B73 by 1 week, yielded 95% of the commercial checks, and was 1.5% drier harvest moisture than the commercial check mean. The inbred also has 2% greater protein content than B73, and is recommended as a unique breeding source to improve stiff stalk related material.

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Ames: USDA-ARS Plant Introduction Research Unit.

Dr. Mike Blanco was hired in February, 2002, as GEM Coordinator & Geneticist. 

Brian Alt was hired in July 2002, as GEM Technician. 

Mack Shen, Agronomist/Acting Data Manager.

Sue Duvick, Quality Traits Lab Manager.

Dr. Candice Gardner, Research Leader.

Ames: USDA-ARS Corn Insects and Corn Genetics Research Unit.

Dr. Linda Pollak, Research Geneticist and Quality Traits Breeder.

Penny Meyerholz, Agricultural Research Technician.

Dr. Les Lewis, Research Leader.

Raleigh: USDA-ARS.

            Joe Hudyncia, Southeastern GEM Coordinator (Agricultural Research Technician).

            Dr. Jim Holland, Maize Research Geneticist, GEM Collaborator.

            Vickie Brewster, Research Support Scientist.

            Dr. David Marshall, Research Leader and Fund holder.

Raleigh: NC State University

Dr. Major Goodman, Professor, GEM Collaborator.

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GEM presently has 20 private cooperators conducting summer and winter nurseries, replicated yield trials, disease evaluations, or other support services such as lab analysis, etc. Following a meeting with June Blalock in July, and subsequent TSG discussions in the September meeting, it was agreed that an appendix be included to each cooperators agreement detailing the type of in kind support that will be provided. Since in kind support varies from year to year, and is driven by company resources and budgets, the appendix would be updated annually to reflect in as much detail as possible what type and level of support would include. Implicit in “in kind support” is the mutual understanding that any data or seed generated by a Cooperator will be shared with other GEM cooperators, who shall have the right to freely use such data and/or seed. A statement to this effect is also now included in each shipment of GEM seed.

In kind support services for summer and winter nurseries can be found in Tables 2 and 3 respectively. Although our cooperators have done a very commendable job providing nursery support, more support is required, particularly for working new breeding crosses, i.e. making S₁’s. In order to achieve the GEM projects objectives, the TSG recognized at their March 2002 meeting that 30 new breeding crosses be worked annually by GEM or GEM cooperators. Less than half this number has been worked annually for the past 2 years. Additional resources must be committed to meet this objective.

A second issue has been the status of the GEM breeding cross germplasm. Since companies contribute their proprietary genetics when joining GEM (most joined in 1995-1996), it is obvious that some of our material is already considered “old genetics”. A special effort was made by GEM in 2002 to upgrade our existing older breeding crosses by encouraging companies to make new breeding crosses with their proprietary lines. This resulted in 8 companies making new breeding crosses with GEM accessions in 2002 summer or winter nurseries. The fact that 8 different companies participated is also advantageous to enhancing genetic diversity coming from the adapted Corn Belt side. Thanks to all who volunteered to make new breeding crosses.

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Yield Trials in 2002

In kind support services for replicated yield trials are shown in Table 4. Ten companies (and GEM Ames) made S₂ topcrosses in their own nurseries, and conducted yield trials throughout the Midwest in 2002. Other companies providing extensive yield trial support to GEM include FFR Cooperative, National Starch and Chemical Company, Nidera (Argentina), Pau Seeds, and SeedDirect.

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