Germplasm Enhancement of Maize
GEM - Broadening the
Germplasm Base
M.H. Blanco1, C.A.C. Gardner1, W.
Salhuana2, and N. Shen1
1
USDA-ARS and
2
Retired Pioneer Fellow and GEM TSG Chair
GEM: Broadening the Germplasm Base
Mission and History of GEM
Structure of GEM
Objectives
Target Traits
Breeding Protocol
Germplasm Releases
GEM SCA & USDA Projects
Summary & Future Challenges
GEM Mission Statement
The objective of the GEM Project is to develop and
provide to the public adapted germplasm lines via
germplasm enhancement of useful exotic germplasm.
The adapted materials are incorporated into research
and breeding programs that will increase the diversity
of U.S. corn germplasm, improve its performance, and
provide new and better products to the American
consumer.
Countries Belonging to the Latin
American Maize Project (LAMP) *
Argentina
Bolivia
Brazil
Columbia
Chile
Guatemala
Mexico
Paraguay
Peru
United States
Uruguay
Venezuela
* LAMP began in 1987, funded by Pioneer Hi-Bred Int., Inc., and
administrated by the USDA-ARS.
STRUCTURE OF GEM
Cooperators
Private
Public
International
Technical Steering Group (TSG)
Private members
Public members
Ex officio members
GEM Coordinator
GEM Locations
Ames, IA
Raleigh, NC (50% tropicals)
GEM Objectives
Manage an extensive multi-site cooperative breeding (and trial
network) and information sharing with public and private
cooperators.
Develop genetically enhanced populations and lines (early
generation S2 and S3 focus) from GEM breeding crosses.
Evaluate genotypes in the breeding program for yield,
agronomic traits, silage, biotic and abiotic stress (including
mycotoxins), and value-added traits.
Conduct research relevant to high priority maize germplasm
traits and performance.
Private GEM US Cooperators
AgReliant Genetics, LLC
BASF Plant Science
Breeding, L.L.C
Beck's Superior Hybrids, Inc.*
Benson Seed Research, LLC
FFR Cooperative
Hoegemeyer Enterprises
Identity Seed & Grain Co.
Illinois Foundation Seeds, Inc.
Monsanto Company*
Mycogen Seeds*
National Starch and
Chemical Co.
Pannar Genetics, Inc .*
Pioneer Hi-Bred Int., Inc.*
Professional Seed
Research, Inc.
R.B.S. Corn Research, Inc.
Schillinger Seeds
SEEDirect
Syngenta Seeds, Inc.*
Wyffels Hybrids
There are 19 private companies working as GEM cooperators
* Entities with representatives currently serving on the GEM Technical Steering
Group (TSG).
Public US Cooperators
Cornell University
Iowa State University
Louisiana State University
Michael Fields Agricultural
Institute1
North Carolina State University
North Dakota State University
Ohio State University
Texas A&M University*
The University of Tennessee
Truman State University
University of Delaware*
University of Illinois
University of Nebraska
University of Wisconsin
USDA-ARS (Ames, IA)
USDA-ARS (Columbia, MO)
USDA-ARS (Mississippi
State, MS)
USDA-ARS (Raleigh, NC)
There are 18 public institutes working as GEM cooperators
1
Non-Government Organization (NGO)
* Entities with representatives currently serving on the TSG.
International Cooperators
AgriSource Co., Ltd.,
Thailand
Agrotuniche, Chile
EMBRAPA1, Brazil
Hyland Seeds, Canada
INTA2, Argentina
Maharlika Genetics,
Mexico
Nidera, Argentina
Prosemillas, Peru
Sursem S.A., Argentina
The University of
Guelph, Canada
There are 10 international institutes and/or companies working as
GEM cooperators
1
2
Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa, Agropecuaria (EMBRAPA); Brazil
Instituto Nacioanal de Tecnologia Agropecuaria (INTA) Argentina
In-Kind Support
Company: _________________________
In-Kind Support
Germplasm
Description
Season/Year: winter ________________
No.
Rows
No.
Selfs
No. Iso
Rows
No.
Entries
No.
Locations
Make Breeding Crosses
(cross to proprietary lines)
(NS=non-stiff; SS=stiff stalk)
Make S1’s
Advance S1 to S2
Regenerations
Top Cross S2’s
Conduct Yield Trials
Breeding Cross Observations
Disease Screening
Lab Services (Describe).
Other (Describe)
Signature company___________________ date_______ Signature GEM Coordinator______________ date_______
Appendix Statement
It is understood that any seed or data generated
as defined in this appendix is considered in-kind
support and shall be returned to the GEM
Coordinator. Such seed and/or data shall be
shared with other GEM Cooperators, who shall
have the right to freely use such seed and/or
data.
GEM Trait Targets
Agronomic adaptability- yield, lodging, grain moisture,
and Y/M
Abiotic stress tolerance: drought, heat, and
interacting biotic stresses
Ear mold and mycotoxin resistance (aflatoxin and
fumonisin)
Disease resistance (emphasis on stalk rots, and leaf
blights that impact stalk rots)
Insect resistance (emphasis on corn root worm and
corn ear worm impacting quality and mycotoxins)
Value-added traits (VAT’s)
Grain (protein>13%, oil>6%, and starch>75%)
Silage yield & quality
GEM Survey Results:
Least
Important
Moderately
Important
Most
Important
Yield
6%
4%
92%
Standability
4%
13%
83%
Disease Resistance
8%
37%
55%
Grain Quality Traits
18%
30%
54%
Diversity
8%
48%
44%
Drought/heat tolerance
15%
40%
39%
Insect Resistance
17%
46%
37%
Silage Quality
60%
28%
14%
GEM Survey, 2004.
http://www.public.iastate.edu/~usda-gem/Presentations/GEM_Reports_04.ppt
GEM Survey Results:
Least
Moderately Most
Important Important
Important
Overall grain quality/texture
5%
16%
80%
Extractable starch
27%
30%
44%
Protein
18%
41%
41%
Total starch
24%
40%
36%
Oil
20%
48%
32%
GEM Survey, 2004.
http://www.public.iastate.edu/~usda-gem/Presentations/GEM_Reports_04.ppt
GEM Breeding Protocol Flowchart
Winter 1
Accession x Private line 1
Summer 1
(Accession x Private line 1) x Private line 2
Winter 2
Self 300 plants (S0)
Summer 2
Plant S1 ears to make S2. Select at 20% selection intensity
Winter 3
Make S2 topcross to elite tester inbred
Summer 3
Yield test 50 S2 topcrosses at 6 locations
Winter 4
Make S3 increase
Summer 4
Summer 5
Winter 6
Determine quality analyses, disease & insect
resistance in GEM lab or by cooperators
Cross the S3’s to two testers
Yield trial topcross from above
Write release article for publication & all relevant data to NCRPIS
Phenotypic Selection
Selection for
prolificacy,
resistance,&
adaptability
Phenotypic Selection
Selection against
buggy whipping, and
other undesirable traits
High in Allelic Diversity!
Expt. 02122 (6 Locations) with Tester
LH200xLH198
Stalk Root
Moist Y/M Lodge Lodge
Pedigree
Yield
BARBGP2:N08a18332-1
176.2
20.0
9.1
9.4
3.1
Test Entry Means
145.2
21.9
6.8
7.1
4.8
Check Means
174.2
20.9
8.5
8.1
4.3
CV
13.2
6.1
LSD (p=0.05)
22.5
1.5
GEM Germplasm Releases
(117 Lines Total)
Year
# Lines
Released
Institution
Germplasm Attributes
2001
1
USDA-ARS, IA
GEM 001 is resistant to 1st brood ECB
2002
28
USDA-ARS, IA
25% and 50% exotics; temperate adapted
2002
2
U. Delaware
50% exotic; resistance to anthracnose
stalk rot and gray leaf spot
2002
30
NC State U.
50% exotics; temperate adapted
2002
1
Ohio State U.
GEMS-0002 is 50% exotic; good grain
quality, earlier than B73
2003
16
USDA-ARS, IA
25% & 50% exotic; temperate adapted, VAT
2003
8
NC State U.
50% exotics; earlier flowering
2004
2
Texas A&M U.
25% exotic; stress tolerance, good GCA
2004
1
U. Wisconsin
25% exotic; high yielding silage with
superior nutritional quality
2004
9
USDA-ARS, IA
25% exotic; temperate adaptation, VAT
2004
19
NC State U.
50% exotics; earlier flowering
Released GEM Lines to the
Public to Date
Pedigree
Derivation
Comments
GEMS-0001 PI 503806 x B94///B94 First gen. ECB resistant
(non-DIMBOA)
GEMS-0002 FS8A(S):S09-43-2
Early SS; stress tolerant
DE 3
DKXL212:N11a-191
Good protein; GCA
DE 4
DKXL212:N11a-365
GLS resistant; GCA
Tx 204
AR01150:N0406
Stress tolerant; GCA
Tx 205
AR01150:N0406
Stress tolerant; GCA
W605S
AR17026:N1019
Silage yield and quality
Quality Traits of 9 GEM Lines
Released to GEM Cooperators in 2005
Pedigree
Country (race)
VAT
BARBGP:N08a18-332-1-B
Barbados (Tusón)
CH05015:N1502-86-1-B
Chile (Camelia)
>14% protein
CHIS775:S1911b-120-1-B-B
Mexico (Tuxpeño)
High TpG
DK212T:N11a12-191-1-B
Thailand (comm. DK)
DKB844:S1601-73-1-B-B
Mexico (comm. DK)
Low TpG, low PHI,
and wide RnG
DREP150:N2011d-624-1-B
Domin. Rep. (Mixed)
>14% protein
UR11003:S0302-1011-1-B
Uruguay (Dente Branco) Narrow RnG
DKB844:S1601-3-2
Mexico (comm. DK)
>14% protein, Low
TpG, low RnG, &
high % R,
CH05015:N1204-57-1
Chile (Camelia)
>14% protein &
>4.5% oil
North Carolina GEM Releases-2005
Entry
H6141-11/96
7384-02/96
1507-001/98
9353-01/97
9531-02/97
9532-02/97
2405-010/99
1311-01/97
1312-01/97
1881-002/98
1883-001/98
1883-002/98
1886-003/98
1895-001/98
2423-017/99
1881-006/98
2410-003/99
1415-01/97
1415-06/97
Pedigree
CHS775N19F1S3
CHS775N19F1S3
DK212TN11F2S3
DK888N11F2S3
DKXL 380N11F2S3
DKXL 380N11F2S4
CHS775N19F1S3
CHS775N19F1S3
CHS775N19F1S3
DKXL 370AN11F2S3
DKXL 370AN11F2S3
DKXL 370AN11F2S3
DKXL 370AN11F2S3
DKXL 370AN11F2S3
DKXL 380N11F2S3
DKXL 370AN11F2S3
SCRGp3N14F2S3
DK888S11F2S3
DK888S11F2S3
Protein*
12.8
11.8
11.6
11.8
13.3
14.5
11.0
11.8
12.5
14.6
13.3
12.9
13.9
13.8
12.5
15.1
12.7
12.3
11.7
Oil*
2.6
2.6
3.9
2.5
3.2
3.8
2.6
2.7
3.4
3.5
4.0
3.6
3.3
3.7
3.2
2.7
2.7
2.7
3.0
Starch*
71.1
71.0
70.0
71.8
70.1
67.8
72.0
70.7
70.1
68.0
68.9
69.4
68.8
67.9
70.7
68.5
69.6
70.6
70.5
Yield
158.2
150.2
164.6
149.9
148.7
146.5
153.9
148.1
149.2
146.8
147.6
146.4
145.7
146.6
154.9
143.7
145.8
148.8
149.8
Chk. Yield
156.2
149.4
160.9
146.0
143.7
143.7
155.0
149.4
149.4
141.9
141.9
141.9
141.9
141.9
153.5
141.9
146.2
147.8
147.8
Major Goodman, NCSU, NC, 2005
GEM Field Day
Sept. 22, 2005, Ames, IA
GEM SCA and USDA-ARS Research
Projects – 2005
P.I.
Institute
Target Traits
Bohn
U. of IL
CRW, ECB, Fumonisin resist, yield
Holland
USDA-ARS, Raleigh, NC
Fumonisin resist
Clements
USDA-ARS, MS
Aflatoxin resist, yield
Xu
Texas A&M
Abiotic stress, CEW, grain mold, aflatoxin, yield
Smith
Cornell
Anthracnose stalk rot, yield
Balint-Kurti
USDA-ARS, Raleigh, NC
Southern leaf blight
Hawk
UDEL
GLS, breeding methods, yield
Goodman
NC State
50% tropicals, GLS, rust, yield
Campbell
Truman State
Amylomaize VII, yield
Jane
IA State
Resist starch & digestible starch evaluation
Pollak, Duvick,
Edwards, Blanco
USDA-ARS
Ames, IA
Starch thermal properties (stability)
Scott, Blanco
USDA-ARS, Ames, IA
Protein quality – Amino acids
Coors
U. of WI
Silage yield & quality, breeding methods, yield
Evaluation under Stress
WW (bu/a)
Entry
(AR01150:N0406)F8A1 x B110
(AR01150:N0406)F8A2 x B110
(AR03056:N0902)F8-1 x B110
(FS8A(T):N1801)F7-2 x B110
(FS8B(T):N11a)F7-2 x B110
P34K77
Garst 8348
P3223
Garst8285
ET
267
260
256
259
188
226
258
258
216
HF
224
252
198
229
231
173
159
207
195
LI (bu/a)
LB
175
193
171
208
176
155
182
174
151
LB
92
88
109
73
102
120
110
117
114
HF
144
142
101
159
142
130
115
117
101
%
Mean
181
187
167
186
168
161
165
175
155
CKs
110
114
102
113
102
98
100
107
95
W. Xu, Texas A&M, TX, 2003
Percent Aspergillus Ear Rot and
Aflatoxin Level of GEM Lines
Pedigree
2003
aflatoxin
Ng/g
2004
aflatoxin
Ng/g
2 year
mean ear
rot (%)
Mp313E
9
13
8
Tuxpan
20
442
5
2283-01_XL380_S11_F2S4
24
217
5
2250-01_XL370A_S11_F2S4
24
163
5
2250-02_XL370A_S11_F2S4
25
392
5
2258-03_XL380_S11_F2S4
48
239
5
Grand mean (96 inbreds)
546
1309
23
LSR/ LSD α=0.05
6
2
13
Coefficient of Variation
18
8
44
M. Clements, USDA-ARS, Mississippi State, MS, 2004.
Corn Rootworm
Bill Dolezal, Pioneer Hi-Bred Int, IA, 2005
GEM Breeding Crosses with Resistance
to the Corn Rootworm in 2003
# families
Location
selected1
Pedigree
Race
AR17056:N2025
Cristalino Colorado
2
IL
BR52051:N04
Dente Amarelo
7
MO
CHIS775:N1912
Tuxpeño
14
MO
CUBA117:S1520
Argentino
2
IL
DK212T:S11
Comm. Hybrid
10
MO
UR13085:N0215
Cateto Sulino
4
MO
1
Families showing significantly lower root damage rating than the resistant check,
NGSDCRW1(S2)C4-15-2S2(S1).
M. Bohn (U of IL) and B. Hibbard (USDA-ARS, Columbia, MO), 2003.
Silage Yield & Quality of W605S
Grown in Wisconsin in 2004
Hybrid
Yield
(t/ac)
Milk/ac
(lbs)
CP
(%)
NDF
(%)
IVD
(%)
NDFD
(%)
Starch
(%)
W605S
10.8
38300
7.3
48
82
62
30
Mean (42
hybrids)
9.9
34300
7.4
48
81
60
31
LSD (0.10)
0.8
3600
0.4
3
1
1
3
W605S = AR17026:N1019-65008-2-3-2-1-1 X LH244
CP = Crude protein
NDF = Neutral detergent fiber
IVD = in vitro digestibility
NDFD = Neutral detergent fiber digestibility
Jim Coors, U of Wis., 2004.
Protein Quality Index (Met + Lys + Trp)
– 3 Year Means
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
DK212T_S11_F2S4_9169
DK888_S11_F2S4_9190
UR13085:N0215-014
DKB844:N11b-118
UR10001:S1813-257
CUBA164:S2012-444
Mo17
FS8B(T):N1802-382
DKXL370:N11a20-322
CUBA164:S1517-163
CUBA164:S2012-606
B73 x Mo17
GUAT209:N1925-081
CUBA164:S2012-488
CUBA164:S1511b-325
B73
FS8B(S):S0316-814
CUBA164:S2012-966
XL370A_S11_F2S4_9220
CUBA164:S2012-313
CUBA164:S2012-235
CUBA164:S2012-459
DK212T_S11_F2S4_9151
SE32_S17_F2S4_9148
XL380_S11_F2S4_9226
DK370A_S11_F2S4_3358
XL380_S11_F2S4_71/97
DKXL212:N11a-139
B101
B45 o2
0
Pedigree
1
2
3
Protein Quality Index
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
G
G
G
G
G
G
G
G
G
G
G
G
G
G
G
G
G
G
G
G
G
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
•DKXL212:N11a-139
is not significantly different
from the high checks (B45 o2,
B101).
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
•The top three GEM entries
are significantly higher than
all “normal” checks (B73, Mo17).
C
C
C
C B
C B
C B
B A
B A
A
4
Significance Level
Paul Scott, USDA-ARS, Ames, 2005
Summary/Benefits of GEM
Germplasm contribution of LAMP and private
companies
Cooperative wide scale evaluation and
development efforts
Unique germplasm and traits being identified
Technology transfer-germplasm and
information
GEM serves a large number of stakeholders
from different sectors and countries
Future Challenges and Direction
Identify and utilize useful allelic diversity by
tapping into more races
How should GEM’s resources be allocatedsampling new races vs. focusing on existing
races
What breeding methodology research will be
needed to effectively utilize allelic diversity?
Future Challenges and Direction –
Cont’d
Explore and implement new genomic and
genetic technologies through effective
partnering
Address targeted questions or hypotheses related to
gene function, mol breeding, etc.
GEM’s role: provide germplasm for well constructed
studies
How does GEM best serve stakeholders to
maximize benefits, and broaden the germplasm
base?
Acknowledgements
USDA-ARS, Ames, IA
Sue Duvick, Quality traits lab manager
Andy Smelser, Agriculture research technician
USDA-ARS, Raleigh, NC
Joe Hudyncia, Southeastern GEM coordinator
North Carolina State University
Major Goodman, William Neal Reynolds and
Distinguished University Professor
GEM cooperators
GEM Technical Steering Group (TSG)
Germplasm Enhancement of Maize
GEM Project
USDA-ARS
Thank you!