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2003 Accomplishments

• Sixteen GEM lines are recommended for release to GEM Cooperators based on preliminary 2-year trial data.  Some of the lines are candidates for public release pending completion of quality trait data analysis.
• Sixty-three experimental hybrids were identified in 2003 having better yield than the mean of five checks.  Nine of these were retest hybrids, and the remaining 54 first year S2 topcrosses.
• Three GEM lines with high protein and/or oil over a two year period were identified. Progeny from five breeding crosses had the most extreme starch thermal properties, and four lines at advanced testing stages were found with extreme starch thermal properties.
• GEM breeding crosses were evaluated for phenotypic observations in 3 environments involving two GEM cooperators. Breeding crosses were prioritized for future development for the next 2-3 years
• Revisions made to the GEM protocol enabled the GEM network to work 31 new breeding crosses in 2003.  See section “revised GEM protocol,” for description of revisions made.
• Implementation of the PRISM data base began with the development of the pedigree engine and the start of agronomic data migration.  Nursery books, isolation fields, hybrid trials, and field maps were created on PRISM in 2003.
• Nineteen cooperators provided in kind support for nursery, isolations, or yield trials.  Thanks to everyone’s continued support in 2003.
• In kind support for disease and insect observation trials continues with interesting results.  Thanks to GEM cooperators in the US, and international GEM cooperators from Argentina, and Thailand.
• Public cooperator results identified new sources of germplasm, and progress breeding for corn root worm, stress tolerance, ear mold, anthracnose, and corn ear worm insect resistance.  In addition, new sources of germplasm for quality improvement and breeding methodology were described for high amylose enhancement, and silage quality.  Public releases are projected from some of these projects in the next year.

Ames Location:

• Approximately 9,000 yield plots (approx 1,500 entries) were conducted or coordinated through Ames in 29 experiments. Ten experiments were retest hybrids, and four experiments included hybrids from Raleigh, NC.  The remaining fifteen experiments were first year S2 topcrosses.
• Approximately 5,000 nursery rows included 12 breeding crosses for making S1’s, and 3,000 S1 family rows for making S2.
• Approximately 2,000 rows were planted in isolation crossing blocks on four testers.
• New GEM cooperators for 2003 include Schillinger Seed; Martin Bohn, University of Illinois; Peter Balint-Kurti, USDA-ARS Raleigh, NC; and Matt Krakowsky, USDA-ARS, Tifton, GA.

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Raleigh, NC Location (from Dr. Major Goodman):

GEM Yield Trial Plots Coordinated by NC State (all 50%-tropical)

Standard Plots Grown by 15 cooperators:                                                                                10,139 

 

(11 company locations, 2 other universities, 2 USDA-ARS sites)

Standard Plots Grown by NC State (5 locations):                                                                     15,742

 

Additional GEM Plots (all at NC State locations for tester, CML-type line,

and breeding cross evaluations):                                                                                               3,072

TOTAL GEM YIELD TRIAL PLOTS COORDINATED BY NC STATE:                            28,953

GEM Nursery Rows at NC State:

   Selfing:                                                                                                                                  1,105

   Pairs (most in winter nursery):                                                                                                500

   Isolation:                                                                                                                               1,477

 

40 New Breeding Crosses Being Worked:

The best appear to be: FS8B(S):S03, FS8B(T):N11a, and SM126:N12

Approximately 1,000 plots were planted for fusarium at Pioneer's Camden, NC location (about 500 of these were for Ames)

Southern rust was scored for 3,850 GEM plots scattered across 6 NC locations.

Gray leaf spot was scored for 1150 GEM plots across 3 NC locations.

About 1,000 new GEM topcross families were produced this year.  We also have a carry-over of about 250 from last year.

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Public Cooperators with Specific Cooperator Agreements (SCA) in 2003:

At the March 2003 TSG Meeting priority targets for research were discussed and it was generally agreed to direct efforts in several important research areas.  This included mycotoxin resistance (aflatoxin and fumonisin), stress resistance, insect resistance (particularly root worm), disease resistance (emphasis on stalk rot), and value-added traits including grain and silage quality.  The SCA’s selected in 2003 were based on research projects that address priority targets, and the expertise of the researcher.

Twelve university projects and one USDA-ARS project were supported by GEM in 2003 for a total of $130,000.  A summary of each report is provided below, and full reports can be found on the GEM web site in early 2004.

Table 1. Public Cooperators Supported In 2003

                                                                                                                                                                  Total         $130,000

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Javier Betran, Texas A&M University: Aflatoxin evaluation of GEM advanced lines with different fatty acid content.
Preharvest aflatoxin contamination is one of the main limiting factors for corn production in the South. Development of stress-tolerant corn and resistance to aflatoxin would add $50 million to Texas corn value annually, increasing food safety and allowing profitable production and marketing. Currently, there are no commercial hybrids fully resistant to aflatoxin contamination. The objective of this project is to estimate the response to aflatoxin contamination of corn lines with different fatty acid content derived from GEM breeding crosses. GEM derived lines with high linoleic and low oleic (DKB830:S11a17-35-B,  DKXL380:S08A12-24-B, BR52060:S0212-25-B, FS8B(T):N1802-35-1-B), and low linoleic and high oleic (CUBA164:S1511b-15-B, DKXL380:S08a12-12-B, DKB844:N11b17-21-B, AR16026:S1704-32-B) were evaluated for aflatoxin accumulation at Weslaco and College Station, TX during 2002, and at Weslaco during 2003 in trials with 4 replications under inoculation. Stress conditions were induced by limiting irrigation during and after flowering or by late planting.  Inoculation was conducted by placing A. flavus colonized corn kernels on the soil surface between treatment rows around mid-silk stage. On average, high oleic-low linoleic lines had less aflatoxin content than low oleic-high linoleic lines at each location and across locations. However, the range for aflatoxin among the low oleic–high linoleic lines was much greater than among the high oleic-low linoleic lines. Furthermore, the GEM lines with the lowest aflatoxin across locations were low oleic-high linoleic lines DKXL380:S08A12-24-B and BR52060:S0212-25-B. Therefore, with this reduce sample of inbreds non-conclusive differences were observed between high oleic-low linoleic and low oleic-high linoleic GEM lines. GEM derived lines with different fatty acid content reported here were more susceptible to aflatoxin than resistant checks.

Martin Bohn, University of Illinois: Evaluation of advanced GEM lines for multiple insect resistance and fumonisin concentration.
The overall objective of this project is the development of maize varieties with host plant resistance against Western corn rootworm (WCR) Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte) and European corn borer (ECB), Ostrinia nubilalis Hb., as well as an improved Fusarium resistance incited by Fusarium verticillioides, F. proliferatum, and F.  subglutinans. These Fusarium species produce fumonisin, a mycotoxin, associated with severe animal and human health disorders. Fifteen populations containing 25% percent exotic germplasm were selected, which combined resistance against WCR and ECB with acceptable agronomic performance by screening available GEM data sets. In addition, ten lines derived from the non-Stiff Stalk population AR17056N2025 and five from the Stiff Stalk population CUBA117:S1520 S₅ lines were selected. Screening for WCR and ECB were conducted in separate field experiments planted in a generalized lattice design in Urbana, IL. Plants were artificially infested manually for first and second generation ECB, and a separate experiment was planted for the WCR study in a trap crop area. Ratings were taken for root damage (RDR) from WCR using the Iowa State 0-3 damage scale. ECB ratings included leaf damage ratings (LDR), and stalk damage ratings from 1^st brood (SDR1), and second brood (SDR2) respectively. For WCR, no breeding populations were found to be significantly less damaged than the resistant check, although four GEM inbreds were identified having significantly lower RDR ratings. The results confirm that base populations AR17056:N2025, and CUBA117:S1520 are possible sources for WCR resistance. Inbreds derived from these populations showed significantly lower RDR’s than the resistant check, NGSDCRW1 (S2) C4-15-2S2(S1). For ECB, significant differences were found for LDR’s among populations and among inbreds. In the population experiment LDRs varied between 3.18 (UR13085:N0204) and 5.25 (CASH:N1410) and in the inbred experiment LDR values ranged from 2.73 (AR17056:N2025  Select # 2-B-B) to 7.62 (CUBA117:S1520-52-1-B-B). LDRs were determined for resistant inbreds B52, D06, and De811 in an experiment adjacent to the GEM germplasm screening using the same procedures and infestation dates as in the GEM study. The mean LDR for these resistant lines was 2.5 indicating that the screened GEM germplasm was mostly intermediately resistant to the first generation ECB larvae feeding. For all other ECB resistance traits differences between genotypes were not significant. The experiment will be repeated in 2004 to substantiate these findings. Based on these preliminary results a diallel will be formed in our winter nursery 2003 in Hawaii using these GEM lines together with other known sources of WCR resistance. The diallel will allow the estimation of quantitative genetic parameters and the future exploitation of combined information from multiple crosses for QTL identification. All maize germplasm that was identified to be significantly less susceptible to WCR larvae feeding than the resistant check in the GEM study and in additional screening experiments conducted across three environments in summer season 2003 will be planted in isolation to form a new breeding population in summer season 2004.

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Mark Campbell, Truman State University: Combining GEM lines for the development of Amylomaize VII(>70% amylose) germplasm with increased starch content and improved yield potential.
The focus of the breeding program at Truman State University has been the development of high-amylose corn using GEM germplasm as a source of modifying genes that work with the recessive amylose-extender (ae) allele to elevate starch amylose to 70% or greater. In addition, development of amylomaize VII germplasm using GEM materials may potentially increase the existing diversity for this class of specialty grain and serve as an important source of genes for improving other agronomic traits. The four objectives of this research included (1) identification and development of inbreds having modifier genes for ae allele to raise amylose levels to 70% or greater, (2) introgress high yielding GEM lines into amylomaize VII germplasm, (3) development and evaluation of test cross hybrids using proprietary amylose VII testers, and (4) develop and improve analytical techniques for starch properties such as amylose content and total starch. GUAT209:S13 was found to be an important source of germplasm having modifiers for high amylose with resulting lines above 70% amylose that held up well under inbreeding (F6-F7) when crossed to the ae source OH43ae/H99ae. The amylomaize lines were crossed to high yielding GEM lines derived from non-stiff sources such as UR13085:N0215, DKXL370:N11a, CH05015:N15, CHIS775:N1912, AR01150:N04, and FS8B(T):N1809; and the stiff stalk sources CUBA164:S15 and AR16035:S02. Phenotypic visual selection of kernels for high amylose was made from F2 ears, and the resulting kernels planted to produce F3 ears in 2002. Analysis of F3 kernels indicated levels of amylose above 70% from both non-stiff stalk, and the stiff stalk sources. In 2003, crosses were made from selected F3 lines on to proprietary amylomaize testers from both stiff stalk and non-stiff stalk groups. The resulting F3 test crosses will be yield trialed in 2004. Three analytical methods were studied for the identification of desirable starch properties and starch content. Polorimetric starch quantification indicated that amylose content varied widely among the selected lines and does not seem to be correlated with starch content. Other analytical methods studied included Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), and proton NMR and are discussed in the report.

Marcelo Carena, North Dakota State University: EarlyGEM: Incorporating GEM elite lines in early maize. EarlyGEM is defined as the long term and continuous effort to incorporate GEM elite germplasm into the northern Corn Belt. The goals of the NDSU maize breeding program includes (1) identifying elite exotic genetic materials for adaptation, (2) maximize genetic improvement for maize germplasm adapted to North Dakota, (3) develop improved maize inbred lines, (4) coordinate testing trials, (5)assess potential of maize diversification, and (6) educate plant breeders. The program to evaluate GEM elite lines began in 2001when 152 GEM lines from sets A, B, and C (S3 bulk families) were evaluated for adaptability in North Dakota. The most adapted genotypes were further selected for earliness, disease resistance, and other desirable phenotypes, and selections made within families. The most adapted genotypes were crossed to ND2000, and ND99-16.  ND99-16 crosses were discarded since they were 5+days later than ND2000 F1 crosses. Four stiff stalk donors from GEM included GEM3 (CUBA117:S1520-388-1-B), GEM12 (CUBA117:S15-372-1), GEM13 (CHIS775:S1911b-B-B), and GEM21 (AR16026:S17-66-1-B).  Selected plants (62 rows) from these lines were crossed to ND2000, and are now at BC1 generation, i.e., GEM3 x ND2000)x ND2000, etc., for each. Selections were made in each F1 for earliness and adaptability, and selected plants used for backcrossing. B73 was used as a check in backcrosses to early elite lines since B73 is late for North Dakota. In addition, testcross performance comparisons will also be made relative to the selected GEM lines. Future plans include planting the BC1 families and selfing the earliest plants. At least 100 BC1:S1 lines will be used for crossing with a tester line for trial evaluation in 6 ND environments.

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Jim Coors, University of Wisconsin:  Development of inbreds, hybrids, and enhanced GEM breeding populations with superior silage yield and nutritional value. The GEM project has potential for bringing new germplasm into the Corn Belt with excellent grain and silage yield, as well as improved nutritive value. As in the past, in 2003 we continued to evaluate silage yield and nutritive value of the most productive GEM topcrosses identified in grain yield evaluations conducted over the past several years by the GEM project. We now routinely evaluate silage potential of elite GEM topcrosses with high grain yield and suitable maturity (< 120RM). These hybrids are chosen annually based on excellent grain yield in GEM evaluations conducted in previous years throughout the U.S. Corn Belt. If any of these topcrosses have high dry matter yield and good nutritional quality in our UW trials, the respective GEM parent or breeding population is included in the UW inbred development nursery for further inbreeding and selection.  In 2003, silage trials continued in GEM A (36 early generation GEM lines topcrossed to HC33, LH185, LH198, LH247, and LH283). The GEM B trials consist of UW developed GEM lines chosen on the basis of topcross silage evaluations in previous years. Two top cross hybrids from GEM A were identified with predicted milk yields greater than 34,000 lbs/acre milk/acre.  The two topcrosses with high forage yield were BR52051:N04-76-1 x LH198, and DK212T:N11a12-122-1 x HC33. The former hybrid also had excellent quality (low NDF, high IVD, high NDFD, and high milk/ton). In GEM B trial, one top cross, AR17026:N1019-65008-2-3-2-1 x HC33 was identified with high forage yield and low NDF (suggesting high potential for intake). Formal release of this inbred is being considered for the future. In 2003, a new breeding effort was launched with the Cuba materials-CUBA164:S1517, CUBA164:S15, and CUBA117:S1520. Superior families from each of these breeding crosses will be recombined to form a new breeding population, GEM Quality Synthetic (GQS). Since GQS is 75% stiff stalk background, it can be crossed to the Wisconsin Quality Synthetic (WQS) with the potential to develop high forage yield and superior nutritional quality hybrids.

Jim Hawk, University of Delaware:  Inbred line development and hybrid evaluation in GEM breeding crosses. The objectives for the GEM research at the University of Delaware includes (1) the evaluation of 170 breeding crosses for adaptability, maturity, flowering synchrony, standability, plant and ear height, pest resistance, stay green, grain quality and drydown, (2) initiate inbreeding with 15 new breeding crosses (10 SS and 5 NS), (3) make selections among 564 S1 families and make S2’s among selected families, and (4) conduct yield trials of S2 GEM topcrosses in Delaware and Iowa locations.  Twenty-six breeding crosses were selected and are recommended for future line development (objective 1).  From 320 self pollinations made in each of the 15 new breeding crosses, 498 stiff stalk, and 188 non-stiff stalk S1 ears were selected based on plant and ear phenotype (objective 2). Two hundred forty-six S2 ears were selected from 164 of the 366 stiff stalk S1 families, and 131 S2 ears were selected from 88 of the 198 non-stiff stalk families evaluated (objective 3).  Due to hurricane Isabel on the East Coast, it was not possible to have more than a single location of data from the Delaware location (2 of 3 locations lost in Delaware).  Most of the yield trial data presented in tables 4-11 are from one location in Delaware, and one location in Iowa (objective 4). Although the data is from a limited number of locations, GEM entries were identified that were above the means of five commercial hybrids in five of the eight experiments.  GEM breeding crosses with progeny above the check means included: DK212T:N11a10, DK888:N11a08b, UR13085:N0204, CUBA164:S1511b, and DKB844:S16. The top 25-35% of S3 lines will be advanced, and S2 and S3 lines from selected populations are being test crossed in 2003-2004 winter nursery for 2004 yield trials.

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Manjit Kang, Louisiana State University: Identifying resistance to infection by Aspergillus flavus and Fusarium in GEM breeding crosses and advanced breeding lines. The GEM crosses (30) and advanced breeding lines (41) supplied by Dr. Michael Blanco, GEM Coordinator, were planted on 23 April 2003 at Ben Hur Plant Science Farm near Baton Rouge. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with two replications. Each two-row plot was 20 ft long with 40-inch row spacing. Ears of six randomly chosen plants were inoculated as follows:  Thirty days after mid-silk, the first row of each plot was inoculated with conidial suspension of Aspergillus flavus and the second row was inoculated with Fusarium verticillioides. In late August, A. flavus-  and F. verticillioides-inoculated ears were harvested separately. Ears were shelled and seed has been stored in a freezer. Inoculated kernel samples will be analyzed for percent kernel infection. We expect analyses to be completed by the end of March 2004. Five samples with highest and five samples with lowest kernel infections will be assayed for aflatoxin and fuminosin concentrations.

Richard Pratt, Ohio State University: Optimization of protein and oil value-added traits and their combination with elite Ames and southern GEM lines. This is a new project.  High protein and high oil GEM lines, and their sister lines or other closely related lines with desirable agronomic performance, were identified by examination of existing data sets.  In total, 1 Set C; 7 Set E; 1 Set F; 6 Set G and 28 lines from the southern GEM (NC State) were selected.  Three lines displayed both high grain quality and high agronomic performance in previous tests.  The objective will be to verify the reported phenotypes of the selected lines and then to initiate selection within lines, and within newly generated populations for 1) a favorable balance of agronomic and grain quality traits and 2) extreme trait expression per se. DK888N11 materials displayed the following range of responses to natural infection by foliar pathogens:  GLS 0% to 5% PLAA; Stewarts Wilt 2% to 15% PLAA; Rust 0% to 15% PLAA; most rows did not show NCLB lesions. The highest yielding individual entry was B73 x DK888N11 F2S2 01RH700055 at 8.26Mg/ha with 34.3% moisture and 43% lodging. Stalk lodging was extremely high in the plot.  The mean value for the checks was 57% and for the experimental entries it was 78% with a range from 14% to 96%. 

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Ken Russell, University of Nebraska: Selection for phosphorous concentration in maize grain. No report submitted. Report available in early 2004.

Margaret Smith, Cornell University: Anthracnose stalk rot resistance from exotic maize germplasm. Anthracnose stalk rot (ASR), caused by Colletotrichum graminicola (Ces.) G.W. Wils., causes stalk rot problems and contributes to increased lodging in New York and throughout many U.S. maize-producing areas.  The only economically feasible control of ASR is through resistant varieties and cultural practices that reduce disease incidence.  This project aims to develop new maize inbreds with excellent resistance to ASR and good agronomic quality, yield potential, and temperate adaptation (derived from the proprietary temperate inbreds crossed to the exotic populations).  Beginning in 1995, screening GEM germplasm resulted in the identification of four breeding crosses having 75% temperate:25% exotic with potential for ASR resistance.  Using simultaneous selection for ASR and yield, (beginning with S2 topcross for yield in 1999), the objectives of 2003 include (1) evaluation of S5 and S6 lines and their test cross progeny for ASR, and (2) evaluate the test cross progeny (crossed to both public and Holden’s testers) for yield and agronomic potential.  Two GEM derived inbreds (FS8B(T):N1802 15-255 and GOQUEEN:N1603 15-276) appear as resistant or more resistant than the resistant check, DE811ASR.  Data from the 2003 experiment for ASR and yield trials is still being collected and not available for inclusion in this report.

Dennis West, University of Tennessee: Breeding lines with exotic germplasm. In 2003, 859 experimental GEM hybrids were evaluated in 18 yield trials in Tennessee.  These hybrids were crosses between GEM lines and adapted germplasm.  Several experimental hybrids were competitive with commercial check hybrids included in these trials.  An experimental hybrid in trial W31 (DKXL380N11F2S2 x T8) yielded 40 bu/a more than the average of 6 check hybrids.  The best lines from these GEM accessions will be selected for further testing and incorporation into breeding for new value-added parental lines.  Inbreeding and selection was continued in populations resulting from crosses between GEM lines identified in previous trials.

David Willmot and Bruce Hibbard, USDA-ARS, Columbia, MO: Molecular breeding for corn rootworm resistance in maize. Corn rootworm (CRW) (Diabrotica spp.) damage and chemical control costs exceed $1 billion annually.   Native plant resistance is needed to complement transgenic approaches to combating this highly mutable pest.  Moreover, marginal progress in past decades points to the need for exotic sources of resistance and molecular tools to dissect and deploy their mechanisms of resistance.  The objectives of this research are to recombine favorable alleles for CRW resistance and agronomics into elite populations useful for (i) derivation of CRW resistant lines and, (ii) quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping studies. Results from previous studies in multi-year trials were used to select pedigrees having high levels of CRW resistance for this study.  High yielding lines from those pedigrees were used to create synthetic populations.  Half sib families were screened for CRW in 2003 by artificial infestation at two locations.  CRW screening was completed before flowering on a 0-3 scale and families with damage below 0.4 nodes of roots were random mated.  Pedigrees with good CRW resistance and agronomics were derived from breeding crosses CHIS:N1912, UR13085:N0215, DK212T:S11, and DK888:S11.  In 2003, we completed an initial molecular marker study by selective genotyping of the most susceptible and resistant lines from two non-GEM populations that we developed.  Allelic frequencies of marker alleles contrasted significantly for 10 or 11 loci for each population.  Two of three insect resistance loci mapped by others co-segregated accordingly with our materials.

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Wenwei Xu, Texas A&M University: Characterization and use of GEM breeding crosses for drought tolerance, grain mold resistance, and corn earworm resistance. The objective of this research is to (1) conduct a second year field evaluation of 71 GEM breeding crosses for drought tolerance, grain mold resistance, and CEW resistance; (2) to conduct second-year yield trials of the topcrosses of the inbred lines derived from GEM germplasm; (3) to continue inbred line development from selected GEM breeding crosses; and (4) to make topcrosses of the GEM inbred lines and advanced lines for 2004 trials. In 2003, the CEW pressure was moderate and lower than in 2002. Over two years, DK888:N11a, DKXL380:N11a, BR51501:N11a, ANTIGO1:N16, CUBA84:D27, CML329:N18, SCROGP3:N411a, DK212T:N11a, BG07040:D27, and ANTIGO03:N12 had the lowest CEW penetration, while CH04030:N0306, GOQUEEN:N16, AR01150:N0406, AR17026:N1013, and SCRO1:N110 had the highest CEW damage. The average percentage of molded kernels (mold) was 4.8% ranging from 2.7% to 8.8%. The molds in GOQUEEN:N16 were significantly higher than the average. Molds were highly correlated with CEW penetration (r = 0.70**). None of the 74 entries had molds significantly below the test mean.

The average yield was 110 bu/a ranging from 45.8 (CHIS462:N08a) to 168.5 bu/a (P3223).  Three check hybrids P3223, P34K77, and B73xMo17 were ranked as 1, 3, and 60 respectively. Top 10 yielding GEM breeding crosses were ANTIG03:N12, UR11002:N0308b, ANTIGO03:N1216, AR16026:N12, PRICGP:N1218, ANTIG01:N16, SCRO1:N13, CHIS775:N1920, AR03056:N0902, and CH05015:N1204. Their yields were 132 to 148 bu/a. Three top crosses (AR01150:N0406) F8A2 x B110, (AR01150:N0406) F8A1 x B110, and (FS8A(T):N1801)F7-2 x B110 had an average yield of 187, 181, and 186 bu/a, which was 13-14% higher than the check average. They also had tall plants suitable for silage. The hybrids made with (AR01150:N0406) F8A1, (AR01150:N0406) F8A2, (FS8A(T):N1801)F7-2, and SCROGP3:N1411a also performed well in 2002. These lines are now uniform and have been characterized for their maturity, drought and heat tolerance, insect resistance, and other agronomic traits under different environments in 2002 and 2003.  Release proposals will be submitted to the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station by the end of 2003.

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Personnel Update

Ames: USDA-ARS Plant Introduction Research Unit.

Dr. Mike Blanco, GEM Coordinator & Geneticist. 

Brian Alt, GEM Technician. 

Mack Shen, IT Specialist

Sue Duvick, Quality Traits Lab Manager. Sue Duvick is still recuperating from a fall and shattered elbow injury. We wish her a speedy recovery as she undergoes therapy.

Dr. Candice Gardner, 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.

            NC State University

            Dr. Major Goodman, Professor, GEM Collaborator

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In-Kind Support

The emphasis in summer 2003 was to generate more S1 families for planting in 2004.  Sixteen breeding crosses were worked through in kind support in summer, and three were assigned to cooperators for winter 2004-2005.  Twelve breeding crosses were selfed to make S1’s in Ames in summer 2003 bringing the total to 31. At the March 2003 TSG Meeting it was agreed that 30 breeding crosses could be managed per year by revising the protocol to make 250-300 selfs per breeding population instead of 1,000.  Approximately 50 S2 lines will ultimately be selected from the 250 S1 families planted next summer. To accelerate the re-testing process, winter isolation in-kind support was generously provided in 2003-2004 by Pioneer, Syngenta, and Mycogen.

Table 2. Private In-Kind Nursery Support – Summer 2003

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 Table 3. Private In-Kind Support - Winter 2003-2004

GEM Yield Trials in 2003

Table 4. Private Cooperator Yield Trials 2003*