2008 Annual Report of the GEM Project
2008 PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND HIGHLIGHTS
Germplasm releases and development:
• Seven GEM lines from the Ames program are recommended for release to GEM
Cooperators for the 2009 planting year. Two lines were derived from breeding crosses
with SCOGP3 (PI 504148) which is a tropical Criollo race, the first GEM releases from
this accession. One line was derived from ANTIG03 (PI 484991), the first GEM release
from this accession.
• Five GEM lines from the Raleigh, NC program are recommended for release to GEM
Cooperators for the 2009 planting year. Four lines were derived from the 50% tropical
breeding cross, DK888:N11, and one line from DK212T:N11.
• The first backcross was made for a CUBA164 mapping population. Pollen from 293
CUBA164 F1 families was carried to B73 and PHB47 respectively to make the BC1 (293
for B73+292 for PHB47=586 crosses).
• The single seed descent (SSD) method was fully implemented in 2008 with 22 SSD
populations advanced which saved over 5,000 rows over the conventional method.
• Twenty-three tropical sources of germplasm acquired from Thailand (and regenerated in
Argentina), and four each from Peru and France, were planted in the 2008 Ames nursery
for observation notes. Sources with favorable appearance are being crossed in winter
nursery to early Midwest lines for future development.
• S1’s were made in thirteen new breeding cross populations in Ames in 2008.
Pathology/Entomology:
Disease data for 2008 is reported on the GEM CD, and will be posted to our website
(http://www.public.iastate.edu/~usda-gem/) in January. Pathology and entomology research
collaborators from the private and public sectors screened GEM lines, top crosses, and breeding
crosses for anthracnose, Northern Leaf Blight (NLB), Southern Leaf Blight (SLB), Goss’s Wilt,
Gray Leafspot (GLS), Fusarium ear rot, Diplodia ear rot, Aspergillus, European Corn Borer
(ECB), Corn ear worm (CEW), Western corn root worm (WCR), and miscellaneous tropical and
southern insects.
Appreciation is extended for the in kind support and extensive efforts of private GEM
Cooperators Pioneer Hi-Bred International (Bill Dolezal), Professional Seed Research (Jim
Dodd), and 3rd Millennium Genetics (Ed Baumgartner). Collaboration by USDA-ARS
cooperators included Peter Balint-Kurti and Jim Holland of PSRU in Raleigh; Xinzhi Ni of
CGBRU in Tifton, GA, (southern insects-piercing sucking), Bruce Hibbard and Sherry FlintGarcia of PGRU in Columbia, MO, and Paul Williams of CHPRRU in Mississippi State, MS.
Public university SCA reports for disease and insect research can be found under Public
Cooperator Reports for M. Bohn (WCR, ECB); M. Smith (anthracnose); and W. Xu (CEW, grain
mold). Disease data for 2008 can be found on the GEM CD and will be posted to our web site in
early 2009. The CD includes the following data: USDA-ARS PSRU in Raleigh (SLB, GLS, and
Fusarium ear rot); USDA-ARS CHPRRU in Mississippi (aflatoxin data from 2007); Pioneer HiBred (Northern leaf bight, Diplodia ear rot); and Professional Seed Research (NLB, SLB, GLS,
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eyespot, and common rust). More data from other cooperators and sites will be posted on our
web site in early 2009.
Second year disease evaluation data in 2008 was collected and the following releases will be
updated on our website for “GEM Germplasm Releases and Key Traits.” See CD for update.
• Six additional GEM releases with GLS resistance (GEMN-0082, GEMN-0083, GEMN0088, GEMN-0140, GEMN-0140, GEMN-0152, and GEMN-0156)
• Thirty-nine additional GEM releases with SLB resistance (see CD)
• Four releases (GEMS-0004, GEMS-0061, GEMS-0092, GEMN-0130), and two releases
(GEMS-0061, GEMN-0130) with Fusarium ear rot and reduced fumonisin levels
respectively.
• Two releases with reduced aflatoxin levels (GEMS-0061, GEMN-0130). It is of interest
that these same lines also had good Fusarium ear rot resistance and reduced fumonisin.
Highlights of important accomplishments in 2008 include:
• A summary of GEM lines released from Ames and Raleigh was updated (202 total) for
disease and grain quality traits and is available on the CD and our website as “GEM
Germplasm Releases and Key Traits.” The summary includes the pedigree, GEMS code,
race, and country of origin, value-added traits (VAT), disease resistance, and other trait
data.
• A third year of data was collected for the photoperiod study, which was included in last
year’s Ames report. Nineteen tropical germplasm sources representing 11 races from 7
countries were grown in the shade-house; most responded effectively to shade treatment
and flowered significantly earlier than control (unshaded) plantings of the same pedigree.
• Self pollinations were made for the allelic diversity project in 465 rows of BC1F1 to
generate the BC1F2 generation representing 47 races.
• Ear and kernel images of 43 GEM recommended lines with phenotypic descriptions are
now on the GEM website.
Quality Traits:
• Two released lines for 2009 have protein content above 13% ((DKXL212:S0912-117-001
and DKXL212:S0912-012-001; and one line has oil content above 4.5%
(SCROGP3:N2017-172-001).
• Molecular marker research for high amylose modifiers in GEMS-0067 was conducted by
Mark Campbell at Truman State, and collaborators Wu et al. at South Dakota State.
Three major QTL’s were identified. One is located on chromosome 5, bin 3, and two are
on chromosome 6, bin1, and bin 2. Fine structure mapping of these QTL will be
continued.
• Further studies on the mechanism of resistant starch formation in the starch granule of
GEMS-0067 during grain development were conducted by Jay-lin Jane. Findings
indicate that the starch granules from early developmental stages were more spherically
shaped and smaller than granules at later stages which were larger, rod shaped, and
filamentous. As the grain matures, resistant starch content increases, which is highly
correlated with increased levels of amylose and decreasing starch crystallinity.
• Two year data by Paul Scott identified two new GEM lines of CUBA origin with
favorable amino acid content (GEMS-0161, and CUBA164:S2012-602-001). Four year
data substantiated previous years’ findings of favorable amino acid content of GEM
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germplasm derived from DKXL370 and DKXL380 breeding crosses (GEMS-0030,
GEMS-0131, GEMS-0132, and GEMS-0133).
Ames Location Highlights:
• One hundred and four (104) top crosses exceeded the mean yield of the check hybrids in
Midwest trials in 2008. This was less than 2007 (170 above check mean) and may be due
to the replacement of older checks with three new high yielding checks in 2008. Of the
104 hybrids tested, 98 were from first year trials, and 6 from second year trials.
• Approximately 17,000 plots (2,682 entries) were managed or coordinated through Ames
in 2008. Among these entries, 455 (out of about 2,000 tested in 2007) were advanced
from first year to second year trials, and 2,227 entries were in first year trials.
• Approximately 6,125 nursery rows and 1,500 isolation rows were managed by Ames.
• Seventy new breeding crosses were evaluated for future breeding potential in Ames with
additional locations at Mt. Vernon, IN (Mycogen), Memphis, TN (C&S Crop Services),
and Newark, DE (UDEL). As a result, 24 promising breeding crosses were identified
which had favorable phenotypic appearance and/or grain quality traits at two or more
locations and are candidates for future development.
• Publicity about GEM research substantially increased in 2008; five field days were held
in three states (Iowa, North Dakota, and Texas) and presentations were made at four
conferences. In addition, two student research projects were completed, and a poster
presented by a third student. Twenty-one publications were authored by GEM
Cooperators.
New GEM Cooperators in 2008:
Nine new GEM Cooperators joined the GEM Project in 2008. Five new private company
cooperators include 3rd Millennium Genetics (Santa Isabel, Puerto Rico), Brandy Wine Seed
Farms, LLC (Guthrie, KY), GDU Inc., (Marshall, IL), Targeted Growth, Inc. (Johnston, IA), and
Terrell Seeds Research (Washington, IN). New US public sector cooperators include Hirsut
Kebede (stress physiologist from the USDA-ARS CGPRU, Stoneville, MS), David Kendra
(USDA-ARS Mycotoxin Research Unit, NCAUR, (Peoria, IL), and Seth Murray (geneticist from
Texas A&M University, College Station, TX). Our new international public sector cooperator is
Tianyu Wang (Professor and corn breeder at the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science,
Beijing, China).
GEM Line Recommendations for Midwest for 2008 Release:
Seven GEM lines are recommended for 2009 based on 2-years of favorable data for yield, Y/M,
protein content, and adequate resistance to stalk and root lodging. Six of the lines were derived
from 25% tropical breeding crosses, and one line was derived from a 25% temperate breeding
cross. The first GEM line releases from the accessions ANTIG03 and SROGP3 are included.
The pedigree, race, type, and heterotic group relationships are shown in Table 1. Yield data, and
NIR results for protein, oil, and starch can be found on the CD and in the handout for 2009
recommended lines.
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Table 1. Recommended Ames GEM Lines for 2009 Release
Pedigree
ANTIG03:N1218-056-001
DKXL212:S0912-117-001
DKXL212:S0912-012-001
PASCO14:N0424-078-001
SCROGP3:N2017-003-001
SCROGP3:N2017-172-001
UR11002:N0308b-086-001
Race
Criollo
Tropical Hybrid
Tropical Hybrid
Cuban Yellow
Tusón
Tusón
Dente Branco
Type
25% Tropical
25% Tropical
25% Tropical
25% Tropical
25% Tropical
25% Tropical
25% Temperate
Heterotic Gr.
NSS
SSS
SSS
NSS
NSS
NSS
NSS
GEM-Raleigh Highlights (from Dr. Major Goodman):
This report serves to document research conducted under a specific cooperative
agreement between ARS and North Carolina State University. Additional details of the
research can be found in the report of the parent 3625-21000-036-00D-Germplasm
Enhancement of Maize project. Additional details will be reported at the December 2008
GEM cooperators meeting and the December TSG meeting. This subproject is concerned
with eleven aspects of the overall GEM effort. (1) The development of GEM families from
breeding crosses. (2) Making topcross seed of the families. (3) Setting up appropriate
experiments to compare the topcross families with commercial and experimental checks.
(4) Providing seed for these experiments to 13 additional GEM collaborators. (5) Growing
the experiments ourselves at several locations. (6) Analyzing and summarizing our own
and our collaborators data. (7) Selecting the better materials for subsequent-year trials. (8)
Increasing seed of better families, providing it to Ames and other GEM cooperators and to
the NCRPIS. (9) Sampling allelic diversity from representative races not encompassed by
GEM yield-trial efforts. (10) Evaluating GLS resistance of families selected for second-year
yield trials. (11) Identifying new, promising all-tropical lines and arranging with GEM
collaborators to make new 50%-tropical breeding crosses.
31 entries (out of about 900 tested) were advanced from first year to second year trials in
2008, and 18 entries (out of 69 tested) were advanced from second year to third year
testing. Matt Krakowsky will report the overall results for those trials, but Tables 1 and 2
present summary results the better lines for North Carolina, with supplemental information
in Appendix Tables A1 - A3. In 2008, 14,763 plots were coordinated through Raleigh
(7,159 planted at NC State locations). About 1650 nursery rows and 1200 isolation block
rows were planted in 2008 at Raleigh. Nursery work involved 9 new breeding crosses.
Disease evaluation continued in 2008 for GLS, where advanced materials were scored.
Tables 3 and 4 report those results. We have continued routine screening of available
tropical lines, as so little data are available to choose among them for use in GEM or other
research. A summary of some of the most recent work in that area has been published in
Crop Science (48: 85-92; attached as Appendix B); additional data are presented in
Tables 5 - 7. The first breeding crosses from such materials are now being made in
Puerto Rico.
In 2008, over 450 nursery rows were devoted to the Allelic Diversity study, which involves
accessions that are outside the core plant breeding materials utilized by GEM and most
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plant breeding organizations. These represented new F1 hybrids from over 80 accessions.
The F1s were produced last winter by Randy Holley of Pioneer and Jim Deutsch of
Syngenta, using PHB47 and PHZ51 as ex-PVP parents. Backcrosses to the ex-PVP lines
were made this summer; some of the F1 hybrids involving PHB47 are notably earlier than
PHB47 itself. Many of the earlier PHZ51 backcrosses were made this summer by Sherry
Flint-Garcia at Columbia, MO.
A large number of ex-PVP lines have become available for use in GEM; we have tested
most of the ex-PVP lines, many with more than one tester; the most pertinent results are
listed in Tables 8 - 12, with supplemental information in Appendix Tables A4 and A5, and
line relationships are discussed in Nelson et al., 2008 (Crop Science 48:1673 - 1685;
attached as Appendix C.). After eliminating lines which perform poorly per se (LH51,
LH156, Seagull 17), only about 8 lines appear to have much attraction: DJ7, LH132, and
NK794 (SS), LH60, LH150, PHG35, and PHN47 (NSS); DKHBA1 performs reasonably
well in both directions. DK697 and G8288 were checks common to all five trials; in two
trials no ex-PVP topcross was closer than 19 bu/A. to their mean; in two more trials one
ex-PVP line (PHN47) was within 10 bu/A. of their mean and DKHBA1 was within seven. In
the fifth trial, a single-cross trial with NC368 as tester, DKHBA1 was actually 1 bu/A. higher
than the mean of DK697 and G8288 (and several others were close: LH60, LH150, and
PHG35 were within 5 bu/A). All in all, however, the ex-PVPs are not very promising.
We have also continued the development of three temperate-adapted, all-tropical
synthetics; data from the one which underwent yield-testing this year is presented in Table
13. Several of the full-sib families tested were competitive with the better checks (and
much better than the broad-base tester that was used, LH334.LH354). Of 90 families
tested, the lowest yield was 109 bu/A, five bushels higher than the tester. Tables 14 - 16
present data on newly developed, temperate-adapted, all-tropical (TAAT) lines developed
at NC State, comparing them with checks and more established TAAT lines. Those that
survive local testing will be used for GEM.
For the past two years we have been comparing alternative testers; some of these were
new (to us). Four from Pioneer, two from Holden's, one from IFSI (a check we have used
since 1995), and one Holdens x IFSI are currently being considered for further use.
Summary data are presented in Tables 17 and 18. Earlier data (Nelson and Goodman,
2008; Crop Science 48:85-92) eliminated FR992 x FR1064, on the basis of very high g x
year interactions. We replaced it with FR1064 x LH132, and then replaced that with LH244
x LH245, but the latter performs rather poorly in Florida, appears to add no great
advantage in yield, standability or moisture compared to FR1062 x LH132, and is
composed of quite closely related lines. While LH283 x LH284 is a pleasure to work with in
both summer and winter nurseries and adds some yield, its crosses have the highest
lodging percentages of all testers being considered, a serious drawback for GEM, where
lodging (especially in first-year trials) is critical. Our preferred choices among these would
be SS1 x SS2 from Pioneer and NSS3 x NSS4 from Pioneer. We are making trial crosses
with bt-derived relatives of these two testers in the winter nursery and would like to adopt
non-bt versions as one set of testers, if Pioneer will make them available.
Collaborative work with other USDA-ARS scientists and other researchers includes
fusarium molecular marker work with Drs. Holland (USDA-ARS, Raleigh) and Payne (NC
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State); racial classification and association analysis using molecular markers with Drs.
Buckler (USDA-ARS, Cornell) and Doebley (U. WI); southern corn leaf blight resistance
using molecular markers with Dr. Peter Balint-Kurti (USDA-ARS, Raleigh), and southern
rust work with Mike Blanco (USDA-ARS, Ames) and Bill Dolezal (Pioneer). The quantity of
work undertaken this year would not have been possible without the participation of
Matthew Krakowsky, who began working as an ARS scientist at Raleigh in September
2007, after a successful stint in Tifton, GA (also with ARS). Matt brings with him much
experience with CIMMYT's breeding materials, which should greatly help the overall GEM
effort.
Public Cooperator Reports Funded by Specific Cooperative Agreements (SCA):
Nine university projects were funded in 2008 for a total of $192,967.
Name
Martin Bohn
Mark Campbell
Marcelo Carena
Natalia de Leon
Jay-lin Jane
Major Goodman
Jim Hawk
Margaret Smith
Wenwei Xu
Table 2. Public Cooperators Supported In 2008
Institute
Amount
U. of Illinois
15,786
Truman State
10,000
North Dakota State
10,000
U. of Wisconsin
17,181
Iowa State
23,000
N.C. State U.
65,000
U. of Delaware
19,000
Cornell
13,000
Texas A&M
20,000
Total $192,967
A short summary of key highlights from each SCA report is included below. Significant
progress was made this year by all SCA researchers. Space does not allow extensive discussion
of methods, germplasm development, and results in the summaries below. Please see the full
report on the CD submitted by each cooperator. These will be available on the GEM website
in January 2009.
Martin Bohn, University of Illinois: GEM Germplasm-Unlocking maize diversity for
improving host plant resistance against Western corn rootworm and other biotic stresses
The specific goals of this project are to (1) evaluate GEM materials for their resistance against
Western Corn Rootworm (1st selection step), (2) evaluate GEM materials with higher levels of
WCR resistance for their resistance against European Corn Borer and Fusarium (2nd selection
step), (3) recombine new GEM lines with improved levels of resistance to combine or ‘stack’
different resistance mechanisms, and (4) continue the Illinois WCR long term recurrent selection
program to develop new maize cultivars with improved WCR resistance. Due to the heavy floods
and cool season of 2008, the WCR nursery could not support successful evaluations. However,
we were able to continue inbreeding and advance some materials in a protected nursery, and
therefore the WCR nursery will be increased in size 2009. A set of ten S5 inbreds derived from
DKXL212:N11a01 and top crossed to three Pioneer testers were evaluated for grain yield, and
other agronomic characters including ECB resistance at three locations. This was the second
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year for this trial; yield in 2008 was about 60 bushels lower than 2007 yields. In 2008,
significant differences were found for test cross grain yield and ECB (P<0.05), and yield ranged
from 115-171 bushels/acre, with ECB stalk damage ranging from 1.9-5.5 (1=most resistant).
Inbred DKXL212.N11a01-02-5-2-2-11-1 combined well with the three testers and on average
reduced the ECB stalk damage rating by 1.8. This inbred also combined well in 2007 with
respect to the resistance to WCR larvae feeding and general agronomic performance. In close
collaboration between the USDA-ARS (Drs. Bruce Hibbard and Ken Dashiell), AgReliant, and
the University of Illinois, a population of 193 double haploid lines derived from the cross
between AR17056-16 and LH51 was produced and tested in three locations in 2008. The
combined analysis across locations showed highly significant differences between double
haploid lines with respect to their level of WCR resistance. These results are encouraging and
back up the usefulness of the planned molecular marker genotyping of the LH51 × AR17056-16
derived double haploid population. We will reevaluate the tails of the WCR root damage
distribution in 2009.
Mark Campbell, Truman State University: Development and utilization of GEM based
amylomaize hybrids and the identification of amylose modifying genes through QTL
analysis
Two recent advances have increased interest in amylose starch. These include thermoplastic
starch based biodegradable plastics, and resistant starch (RS). Resistant starch has received
significant interest in human nutrition since it lowers glycemic index benefiting patients with
diabetes or obesity. The objective of this research includes the development and release of high
amylose (>70%) germplasm, and mapping the high amylose modifiers (HAM) that were
identified in the Guatemalan breeding cross, GUAT209:S13. Yield trials were conducted in
Ames, IA, and Kirksville, MO. The location at Kirksville had extensive flooding in 2008,
therefore data in Table 2 are only from Ames. Twelve new stiff stalk (SS) lines were evaluated
by crossing to the GEM tester SCR01:N1310-358-1-B-B///GEMS-0067, and 17 new non-stiff
stalks were tested with 2011-01_SE32_S17///GEMS-0067. In addition, 8 retest hybrids (GEM X
GEM) that did not involve either tester were repeated in 2008. The results were disappointing
for the new lines crossed to the common testers. Only one hybrid exceeded the mean of the two
high amylose checks. However, all 8 of the retest hybrids exceeded the yield of both checks
which supported results of yield testing done in prior years. Two lines were of interest for
general combining ability, DKXL370:N11a20-199////DKXL370:N11a20-31///GEMS-0067, and
CHIS775:S1911b-120////AR16035:S02-615///GEMS-0067. Further research was conducted to
map the modifiers of ae in GEMS-0067. Three QTL’s of interest were identified-one on
chromosome 5 bin 3, and two on chromosome 6 bin1, and bin 2. Fine structure mapping will
continue with these regions on the two chromosomes. Endosperm samples obtained 18 days
after pollination were used to determine the presence of isoforms of various starch enzymes.
Altered mobility was found for starch branching enzyme SB1. It was concluded that SB1 (from
GEMS-0067 source) does not appear to be a null mutant, but perhaps a dysfunctional protein that
resulted from selection for high amylose. Further research from generation mean analysis
indicated that total starch content was variable and no linear trend was found with the presence
of modifiers. A linear trend was found for increased levels of resistant starch with the increased
presence of modifiers. Modifiers also tended to raise amylose at the expense of total starch, but
the effect of genetic background may influence the extent of starch reduction. Light microscopy
images of starch granules indicated that modifiers play a role in reducing starch granule
crystallinity.
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Marcelo Carena, North Dakota State University: Development of early maturity GEM
lines with value-added traits
The corn breeding program at NDSU has been developing early maturity (65-95 RM) corn since
1933. NDSU began the EarlyGEM Project in 1999 dedicated to a long term program to increase
genetic diversity and enhance germplasm of hybrids in the North Central Region. In the past two
years North Dakota planted more than 2.5 million acres of corn. A backcross program was
initiated with GEM breeding crosses and ND elite lines used as the recurrent parent. Nine source
populations included three stiff stalk (SS), and six non stiff stalk (NSS). The SS populations
included CUBA117:S1520-388-1-B, CHIS775:S1911b-B-B, AR16026:S17-66-1-B; and the
NSS families included BR52051:N04-70-1, SCR01:N1310-265-1-B-B, FSB(T):N1802-35-1-BB, UR13085:N215-11-1-B-B, CH05015:N15-184-1-B-B, and CH05015:N12-123-1-B-(Table 1
of full report). In 2008, each of these BC1:S1 populations were advanced to BC1:S2, and
simultaneously crossed to testers. LH176 was used as the tester for the SS populations, and
TR3026 x TR2040 was used as the tester for the NSS populations. Test crosses of these
populations will be evaluated in 2009.
So far, yield trials were conducted only for
AR16026:S17-66-1-B (designated GEM21) and fifteen GEM top crosses were identified with
yields over 101% (2007 trial results-see last year report). Grain samples collected from GEM21
top cross plots in 2007 were evaluated in winter for percent protein, oil, starch, including
fermentable and extractable starch. Several GEM top crosses had greater starch and protein
content than the test mean, and seven GEM top crosses had significantly more fermentable
starch, and extractable starch than the test mean (see Table 2 of full report).
Natalia de Leon , Jim Coors, Dustin T. Eilert, University of Wisconsin: Development of
inbreds, hybrids, and enhanced GEM breeding populations with superior silage yield and
nutritional value
In 2008, we continued to evaluate silage yield and nutritional value of GEM top crosses, and
continued nursery activity with GEM derived germplasm. The 2008 trials focused on advanced
generation inbred testing and retesting. Two trials were planted in Arlington, and Madison, WI.
Very wet conditions affected both locations in May, with damage being more severe at
Arlington. Trial 08GEM1 included advanced lines derived from the stiff stalk (SS) population
AR16026:S1719-052-2-B-B crossed to LH287 or W604S with eight checks. Among the 44
hybrids evaluated, 16 exceeded the mean of the checks, and five exceeded check means by 4-6%.
The highest yielding check in this experiment was W605S x LH244. Inbred W605S was
released by the UW Corn Silage Breeding program in 2004 and was derived from the GEM
population AR17026:N1019. Quality evaluation for neutral detergent fiber (NDF), in vitro true
digestibility (IVD), in vitro NDF digestibility (IVNDFD), crude protein (CP), and starch will be
done on 20 GEM hybrids in this trial. Based on these values, milk/ton of forage and milk/acre will
be estimated based on MILK2006, which uses forage composition (NDF, IVTD, IVNDFD, CP,
and starch) to estimate potential milk production per ton of forage. Forage yield is then used to
estimate potential milk per acre. Nutritional evaluation will be completed in approximately one
month and the results posted on our web site http://cornbreeding.wisc.edu. Trial 08GEM2
included advanced lines from three non-stiff stalk (NS) GEM populations: AR17056:N2025508-1-B-B-B-B, DK212T:N11a12-122-1-B-B, and FS8B(T):N11a-322-1-B-B crossed to LH244.
Only the Madison location was considered for analysis since Arlington had excessive water
which may have impacted maturity of hybrids. Four hybrids out of thirteen exceeded the
average of the trial, and quality evaluation will be performed for seven hybrids. Efforts continued
on the GEM Quality Synthetic (GQS) which was 75% derived from CUBA164 and CUBA117
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germplasm. GQS C1 was created in 2007 by recombining 20 selected families. Following
selfing in winter nursery 200 S1 families were planted in summer 2008 and half were eliminated
following selection. Two ears were harvested from the selected rows to produce 200 S2 lines
which will be test crossed in 2009 and yield trialed in 2010. Other nursery activity included
inbred development in five new GEM bulks: GUAT209:S1308a-120, GUAT209:S1308a-104,
CUBA164:S2008c-289, BVIR155:S2012-029 and AR16021:S0908a-075. Top crosses were also made
with AR17056:N2025-508 and DK212T:N11a12-122 to LH244 for 2009 evaluations.
Major Goodman, North Carolina State University: Conducting, coordinating, and
developing inbreds from the Southern GEM trials using 50%-tropical maize germplasm.
See full report under GEM Raleigh highlights submitted by Major Goodman. Additional yield trial
data is available on the GEM CD distributed at the December 2009 Cooperator Meeting and on the
GEM website.
Jim Hawk, University of Delaware: Inbred line development and hybrid evaluation in
GEM breeding crosses
The objective of the research at UDEL is to release lines derived from GEM breeding crosses
having value-added traits (VAT), and/or resistance to biotic stress. A second objective is to
evaluate breeding methods for effective use of exotic germplasm. Sixty-six GEM breeding
crosses were evaluated for adaptability, flowering synchrony, plant and ear height, stay green,
grain quality, and resistance to local diseases and pests. We gave higher ratings for
AR01150:N0402, BARBGP2:N08a46, BIGWHITE:S(PHW17), BR105:N(PHZ51)(PHZ51),
BR105:N1643,
BR105:S(PHB47)(PHB47),
BR105:S1643,
BR105:S1646,
BR106:N(PHZ51)(PHZ51),
CL-G1703:S17c43,
CML323:N1550,
DK888:S08a46,
DKXL212:S0950,
GEMN-0131/DKXL212:N11a-139-1-1-B-B-B-B-B-B-B)B,
GEMS030/GEMS-0091)-B, TZISTRI112:N(PHZ51), and TZISTRI112:s(PHb47) based on per se rating
performance. Three stiff stalk (DK212T:S0640, DKXL212:S0928, and DKXL212:S09)and
three non-stiff stalk (BR105:N16a16b, CL00331:N1834, and CML329:N1834)breeding crosses
were worked in the nursery to generate 1,053 S1 selections. Other nursery work included
selection of 309 S2 ears from four breeding crosses that were advanced by modified single seed
descent bulk procedure, and 90 S3 ears selected from six breeding crosses. We are using a
modified single seed descent method to more efficiently advance S1 families to the S2 stage.
Yield and agronomic performance of lines derived from FS8A(T):N1804 testcrossed to HC33
from Magnolia, DE and Fairfield and Ames, IA indicate that some of the FS8A(T):N1804 x
HC33 hybrids yielded better than the commercial checks. Results are presented in Tables 1, 2,
and 3 (see full report on GEM Data & Report CD). The top 20% from each test will be selected
and further evaluated for yield.
Jay-lin Jane, Iowa State University: Value added utilization of GEM normal and high
amylose line starch
The objective of this project is to characterize starches from GEM germplasm with value-added
utilization. Two types of starch used consisted of (i) high amylose, ae sources (having modifiers
for enhanced amylose) derived from GEMS-0067 (70% amylose) developed at Truman State
University by Dr. Mark Campbell, and (ii) normal starch maize from exotic germplasm sources
developed at the USDA-ARS Ames, IA GEM Project. Objective 1 (high amylose maize) was to
continue the research on the structure and mechanism of resistant starch (RS), and to understand
the mechanism of RS formation in the granule. Objective 2 (normal starch maize) was to
Page 9 of 23
identify germplasm with easily digestible starch for small animal feed with potential for ethanol
production, and associated starch properties.
For the first objective, endosperm starch was isolated from self pollinated GEMS-0067 and
kernels harvested at 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, and 54 days after pollination (DAP). RS content
increased from 8.2% at 15 DAP, up to 30.5% on 54 DAP. Amylose content simultaneously
increased from 27.2% on 15 DAP to 69.5% on 54 DAP and was positively correlated with RS
content (r=0.91). Starch functional properties were measured by a differential scanning
calorimeter (DSC) and thermographs indicated two thermal transition peaks of starch
gelatinization. The temperature corresponding to the first peak was ~79.2°C, which was the
major peak for samples harvested at 15, 20, 25, and 30 DAP. The temperature corresponding to
the second peak was ~97.6 °C, which was the major peak for samples harvested at 35, 40, and 54
DAP. After de-fatting the GEMS-0067 starch with methanol, the second peak height decreased,
reflecting the presence of some amylose-lipid complex. The results suggested that the first peak
was mainly due to the gelatinization of amylopectin crystallites and the second peak was due to
the melting of amylose/intermediates components crystallites and amylose-lipid complex. The
X-ray diffraction patterns of GEMS-0067 starches harvested at different developmental stages
indicated that crystallinity decreased from 24.8% on 15 DAP to 17.6% on 54 DAP while the
amylose content increased. These results suggested that amylose was less crystalline than
amylopectin and gave less diffraction intensity. Starch harvested on 15 DAP had smaller, and
more spherical granule shape, while starch in more developed kernels had an increased number
of rod/filamentous granules as amylose content increased.
For the second objective, four inbred GEM lines designated as 05GEM06031, 06GEM01778,
05GEM02989 and 05GEM06000 were evaluated for starch, protein, lipid, ethanol content,
conversion efficiency, DSC properties, and amylopectin branch length. Inbred 05GEM02989
had the highest starch content (75.2%) and largest ethanol yield (38.0 g/100 g dry corn). Inbred
05GEM06031 had amylopectin with the shortest branch length and the lowest gelatinization
temperature. This inbred also had the highest conversion efficiency of starch to ethanol.
Paul Scott, USDA-ARS, Ames, IA: Amino acid content of GEM germplasm
Amino acid analysis for methionine, tryptophan, and lysine was measured for released GEM
lines and several new GEM sources grown in 2007 (2008 analysis not complete). Seed from self
pollinated seed was ground and analyzed by the microbial method reported previously (Scott et
al., 2004). Data was presented for 3 year and 2 year averages for each amino acid separately,
and for an index where each amino acid is weighted equally. The checks included B101 (high
methionine), and B45 o2 (opaque 2) for lysine and tryptophan. The results were similar to what
was observed in previous years for several GEM releases. In the three year average,
GEMS-0030 (2258-03_XL380_S11_F2S4_71/97_Blk/98), and GEMS-0131(1881002/98_DKXL370AN11F2S3_7521-05) exceeded B101 for the level of methionine (although
not significant), and were significantly greater than the normal checks B73, and Mo17. Four
other GEM lines derived from DKXL370 breeding crosses were also not significantly different
from B101 for high methionine. These included GEMN130, GEMN131, GEMN132, and
GEMN133. In addition, GEMS-0118 (UR11003:S0302-1011-001) had methionine content not
significantly different from B101. Three lines were not significantly different from B45 o2 for
lysine: GEMN-0131, MDI022:N2120-253-001, and DKXL212:N11a-139 (University of DE). In
Page 10 of 23
the 2 year data, two new Cuba derived lines (GEMS-0161), and CUBA164:S2012-602-001 had
good methionine content and slightly above B101.
Margaret Smith, Cornell University: Anthracnose stalk rot resistance from exotic maize
germplasm
Anthracnose stalk rot (ASR) is caused by Colletotrichum graminicola (Ces.) G.W. Wils., and is
one of the most important pathogens contributing to stalk lodging in the US. A multi-year inbred
development effort at Cornell is designed to identify and release lines from GEM breeding
crosses having high levels of resistance to stalk rot and good yield potential. The objectives of
the project for 2008 include (1) Make S2 by tester crosses using selected S2 families from the
GEM population, CH05015:N1204, (2) initiate stalk rot resistance and yield selection in
experimental hybrids derived from UR10001:N1702, and (3) complete testcross formation for a
new population created from the best non-stiff lines derived from Cornell’s GEM work to date
(GEM NSS Synthetic). For the first objective, nine families were selected based on 2007 rank
sum for yield and ASR resistance (data shown in Table 1 see full report). The S2 ears from these
families were planted ear-to-row in 2008 and crossed to B37 (for ASR studies), and LH198 (for
future yield trials). For the second objective, inbreeding and selection for ASR and yield was
initiated in 2008 for UR10001:N1702. Stalk splitting and yield trial harvest at two locations is
now in progress and results will be reported in 2009. For the third objective test cross sets were
completed for the GEM NSS Synthetic in 2008 and will be evaluated in 2009. Some of the lines
included in this new synthetic are the FS8B(T):N1802-derived inbreds NY212 and NY215 and
unreleased lines 222, 259, and 263 from this same population; AR01150:N0406-derived inbred
NY266 and unreleased line 218; and GOQUEEN:N1603-derived lines 233 and 239.
Wenwei Xu, Texas A&M University: Characterization and utilization of GEM breeding
crosses, top crosses, and advanced lines for drought tolerance, grain mold, and corn ear
worm resistance
The objectives of this project include (1) conducting field trials for drought tolerance, Corn Ear
Worm (CEW) resistance, grain mold, and yield under drought stressed and well watered
conditions using LH and public testers, (2) develop inbred lines from GEM populations and
characterize inbred lines for stress tolerance and agronomic traits, and (3) assay aflatoxin levels
of 14 top crosses for the second year, and (4) evaluate 18 new GEM breeding crosses for
drought, CEW, and agronomic performance. Evaluation trials were conducted under drought
stress and well watered conditions by managing water by controlled irrigation at multiple testing
regions in TX (Lubbock, Halfway, and Etter) and a subset of top crosses at four south Texas sites
(College Station, Ganado, Gardwood, and Wharton). Lubbock and Halfway trials have both full
irrigation and drought treatments. Most of the data reported was from Etter since the analysis
was not completed for other locations. Testcrosses of the inbred lines derived from
AR03056:N0902,
BR52051:N04,
CH05012:N12,
CUBA164:S20,
CUBA117:S15,
FS8A(T):N11a, SCROGP3:N2017, SCROPG3:N1411a, FS8A(T):N1801, and DK888:N11
performed well and yielded comparable to commercial checks (Table 1 to Table 5-see full
report). In a 20 hybrid silage study, the average silage yield of Tx205 x B110, DK888:N11-7 x
B110 and DK888:N11-5 x B110 -7 was 25.78, 26.24, and 28.04 tones per acre as compared to
27.01 tones per acre for check mean (Figure 1-see full report). In the 2008 summer nursery, we
made crosses of GEM lines with LH287Bt1RR2-1 and LH310. Lines in the program from
ANTIGO01:N16 are being advanced (ANTIG data in Table 2 of full report). Inbreds from
AR03056:N0902,
BR52051:N04,
CH05012:N12,
CUBA164:S20,
CUBA117:S15,
FS8A(T):N11a, SCROGP3:N2017, SCROPG3:N1411a, FS8A(T):N1801, DK888:N11 are being
Page 11 of 23
characterized for agronomic characters and stress tolerance under well watered and drought
conditions in Lubbock and Halfway for a second year. For the third objective, 14 top crosses of
GEM lines developed from CUBA117:S15, DK888:N11, BR52051:N04, and
SCROGP3:N1411a as well as Tx205 are being grown along with 11 hybrids in Lubbock,
Halfway, Corpus Christi and Beeville in Texas, and in Mississippi for aflatoxin assays where the
test plots were inoculated with A. flavus (Table 6-2007 data). The 2008 samples are currently
being analyzed for aflatoxin. For the fourth objective 18 breeding crosses derived from BR105
and BR106 accessions were grown in Lubbock under well watered and drought stress conditions.
A windstorm with hail contributed to a high incidence of smut and stress. All 18 breeding
crosses were moderately tolerant to CEW, and three breeding crosses had higher yield and
agronomic performance than average (BR105:S15, BR105:N16 and BR106:T33a99a). Seed
samples of Tx204 and Tx205 and four new inbreds were distributed to 14 companies in 2008.
LAB REPORT (Sue Duvick):
Whole grain composition data for protein, oil, and starch content were generated using an NIR
Infratech 1241 with a sample transport module and whole grain calibration from Iowa State
Grain Quality Lab. All lab data are reported on a dry matter basis and available on the CD, and
will be posted on the GEM web site in early 2009. Samples are obtained from a bulk of 8 ears
from self pollinated rows. NIR data on the CD includes 2007 characterization, two year data for
S3’s and S4’s, breeding cross observations grown in Ames in 2008, Raleigh, NC released line
data for 2008.
Data for protein, oil, and starch content for the 2008 recommended lines from Ames, IA and
recommended lines from Raleigh, NC are in Tables 3 and 4. Data from Ames are 2 year averages
(2007 and 2008); Raleigh’s data are from one year (2008).
Last year the GEM project purchased a new Diamond Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC)
with a 48 position auto sampler for the laboratory. The DSC is used to measure the thermal
properties of extracted starch. Selected GEM corn lines are first wet milled with a bench top wet
milling procedure and the resulting starch is evaluated for starch applications using DSC. The
variations in thermal properties are important for identifying and selecting corn lines with unique
endosperm types. DSC data for selected recommended lines appears in table 5, and more data
can be found (more lines shown) on the CD labeled as 2008 DSC data.
In addition to the DSC, the GEM laboratory has a sonic sifter from Avantech. The sonic sifter is
used to measure the particle size distribution of dry milled corn samples. GEM corn lines are
selected based on their whole grain composition as measured with the NIR. The corn is placed
into a vapor sealed chamber to equilibrate to constant moisture. The grain is milled into corn
meal in a hammer mill fitted with a 2mm screen. The corn meal is then poured in to the sonic
sifter and separated on graduated screens using sonic waves and pulses. This particle size
distribution information is used to select corn lines that have superior dry mill characters. Dry
milled corn is used for both food, feed and industrial applications e.g. tortillas, feed rations, and
ethanol.
Page 12 of 23
Table 3. Two year NIR summary (2007-2008) from self pollinated bulk seed.
2009 Line Recommendations- Ames
Pedigree
ANTIG03:N1218-056-001
DKXL212:S0912-117-001
DKXL212:S0912-012-001
PASCO14:N0424-078-001
SCROGP3:N2017-003-001
SCROGP3:N2017-172-001
UR11002:N0308b-086-001
Race
Criollo
Tropical
Hybrid
Tropical
Hybrid
Cuban
Yellow
Tusón
Tusón
Dente
Branco
Country
Antigua
Protein Oil Starch Density
12.2
3.9 70.5
1.271
Brazil
14.1
4.2
68.9
1.278
Brazil
13.8
4.2
68.9
1.268
Peru
St. Croix
St. Croix
11.8
11.9
12.2
3.8
3.4
4.5
70.8
70.9
70.0
1.239
1.245
1.250
Uruguay
12.0
4.2
70.3
1.258
Table 4. GEM Raleigh lines grown in Raleigh, NC in 2008.
Pedigree
CHIS775:N19-042-001-003-B-B-B-B-B
DK888:N11-B-027-005-B-B
DK888:N11-B-022-007-B-B
DK888:N11-B-027-001-011-B
DK888:N11-B-003-001-001-B
DK888:N11-B-027-001-015-B
DK888:N11-002-021-008-B-B
DK212T:N11-040-001-007-B
B73 x Mo17
B73
Mo17
Moisture Protein Oil Starch Density
9.4
14.7
3.4 69.7
1.238
9.5
15.0
4.6 67.5
1.223
9.3
13.5
3.4 69.8
1.224
9.4
13.8
4.7 69.0
1.227
9.6
13.9
4.5 68.8
1.226
9.0
14.3
4.6 68.6
1.229
9.6
13.8
3.9 69.7
1.253
9.3
16.0
5.0 67.1
1.200
9.2
14.6
4.1 68.9
1.201
9.3
14.9
4.1 68.8
1.207
9.2
14.3
3.9 69.6
1.204
DSC data was collected to determine starch functional properties on selected recommended
GEM lines grown in Ames (Table 5).
Page 13 of 23
Table 5. 2008 DSC data (1 year data) collected for selected recommended GEM lines
ToG
ToR
TpG
TpR
RnG
RnR
ΔHG
DHG
ΔHR
ΔHR
Entry
GEM Code
(°C)
(°C)
(°C)
(°C)
(°C)
(°C)
(J/g)
(cal/g)
(J/g)
(cal/g)
PHI
%R
06GEM05176
GEMS-0002
68.6
43.7
72.9
53.3
8.6
19.2
11.2
3.0
4.8
1.3
0.7
42.98
06GEM01778
GEMS-0003
69.9
48.0
73.6
56.7
7.3
17.3
10.8
2.9
4.8
1.3
0.8
43.89
06GEM01782
GEMS-0014
69.1
48.1
72.2
56.7
6.3
17.2
11.6
3.1
4.7
1.2
1.0
40.29
06GEM01783
GEMS-0016
65.8
48.3
73.2
56.5
14.9
16.5
11.0
2.9
4.4
1.2
0.4
40.03
06GEM01785
GEMS-0025
70.7
48.5
74.1
57.2
6.8
17.4
11.5
3.0
4.9
1.3
0.9
42.36
06GEM01792
GEMS-0027
69.8
48.6
73.4
57.2
7.2
17.1
10.6
2.8
4.4
1.2
0.8
41.08
06GEM01787
GEMS-0030
69.7
48.4
72.6
57.2
5.8
17.5
10.8
2.9
4.8
1.3
1.0
44.13
06GEM01699
GEMS-0032
67.7
44.2
73.4
54.5
11.3
20.6
10.9
2.9
5.0
1.3
0.5
45.58
06GEM01789
GEMS-0032
68.6
48.3
71.7
56.8
6.4
17.2
10.6
2.8
4.6
1.2
0.9
43.18
06GEM02150
GEMN-0046
71.6
42.1
75.1
53.1
6.9
22.1
12.0
3.2
4.3
1.2
0.9
36.10
00GEM08398
GEMN-0059
71.4
43.1
74.1
54.2
5.3
22.1
11.5
3.1
5.0
1.3
1.1
43.12
06GEM05109
GEMS-0061
69.1
43.3
73.1
52.8
8.0
19.0
10.7
2.8
4.1
1.1
0.7
38.10
07GEM02672
GEMS-0067
70.2
41.6
74.7
52.7
6.7
1.8
06GEM01657
GEMS-0073
69.0
44.5
72.9
54.2
7.7
19.4
9.5
2.5
4.4
1.2
0.7
46.65
06GEM05106
GEMN-0088
69.3
43.8
73.6
53.0
8.4
18.3
10.5
2.8
2.8
0.8
0.7
27.05
06GEM01717
GEMN-0096
69.3
47.0
74.4
56.3
10.2
18.7
11.6
3.1
5.0
1.3
0.6
43.54
06GEM05171
GEMN-0097
71.0
43.7
74.6
53.7
7.1
19.9
11.7
3.1
5.3
1.4
0.9
45.57
06GEM01654
GEMN-0111
67.0
40.4
72.0
52.0
10.0
23.2
9.3
2.5
5.3
1.4
0.5
56.80
06GEM05130
GEMS-0113
68.7
43.4
72.1
53.0
6.8
19.2
11.0
2.9
4.2
1.1
0.9
38.13
06GEM01704
GEMS-0115
67.6
44.8
72.6
54.5
9.9
19.4
10.5
2.8
4.7
1.2
0.6
44.70
06GEM01708
GEMS-0116
67.6
45.6
73.7
55.2
12.2
19.1
11.1
2.9
5.5
1.5
0.5
49.27
06GEM01672
GEMN-0117
69.5
43.4
72.7
53.3
6.5
19.9
11.4
3.0
4.6
1.2
0.9
40.67
06GEM01695
GEMS-0118
68.0
44.0
73.1
54.2
10.2
20.3
11.1
3.0
5.3
1.4
0.6
47.21
07GEM02622
GEMN-0121
68.6
46.7
73.4
55.5
9.6
17.5
11.0
2.9
4.4
1.2
0.6
40.37
06GEM01756
GEMN-0122
67.7
47.2
72.4
56.2
9.4
18.0
10.6
2.8
4.8
1.3
0.6
45.42
07GEM00009
GEMN-0123
71.1
44.5
73.9
54.6
5.6
20.2
11.2
3.0
4.5
1.2
1.1
40.47
06GEM01759
GEMN-0127
67.1
47.8
71.4
56.7
8.5
17.8
10.8
2.9
4.3
1.2
0.7
40.37
06GEM01760
GEMN-0130
67.7
48.2
71.6
57.0
7.7
17.6
10.4
2.8
4.3
1.1
0.7
41.09
06GEM01776
GEMN-0131
67.9
48.0
71.6
56.7
7.3
17.4
10.5
2.8
4.3
1.1
0.8
41.34
06GEM01762
GEMN-0132
67.1
48.0
72.1
56.7
9.8
17.4
10.5
2.8
4.4
1.2
0.6
42.36
06GEM01770
GEMN-0137
67.1
48.0
73.6
57.0
13.0
18.0
10.9
2.9
4.8
1.3
0.4
43.44
06GEM02093
GEMN-0138
69.2
47.9
74.4
56.6
10.3
17.5
11.2
3.0
3.9
1.0
0.6
34.80
06GEM02094
GEMN-0139
67.4
48.0
73.4
56.5
12.1
17.0
11.2
3.0
3.8
1.0
0.5
34.07
06GEM02095
GEMN-0140
70.7
48.2
75.1
56.8
8.8
17.2
11.9
3.1
4.3
1.1
0.7
35.87
06GEM02096
GEMN-0141
67.6
47.9
73.2
56.1
11.3
16.4
10.9
2.9
3.7
1.0
0.5
33.46
06GEM02104
GEMS-0142
68.6
41.1
73.7
51.8
10.3
21.5
11.3
3.0
6.4
1.7
0.6
56.51
06GEM02097
GEMS-0143
70.6
48.5
74.1
56.8
7.0
16.6
11.5
3.0
3.6
0.9
0.9
31.22
12.4
Page 14 of 23
06GEM02098
GEMN-0144
68.2
48.4
72.7
56.5
9.0
16.2
10.9
2.9
3.6
1.0
0.6
33.08
06GEM02099
GEMN-0145
70.5
48.5
74.3
56.8
7.5
16.7
11.0
2.9
3.8
1.0
0.8
34.29
06GEM02100
GEMS-0146
70.4
48.6
73.7
57.0
6.7
16.7
11.1
2.9
3.5
0.9
0.9
31.97
06GEM02101
GEMS-0147
69.7
49.0
74.3
57.0
9.2
15.8
10.9
2.9
3.6
1.0
0.6
33.13
06GEM02102
GEMS-0148
69.3
49.8
73.1
57.6
7.5
15.8
10.2
2.7
3.3
0.9
0.7
32.41
06GEM02103
GEMS-0149
69.6
48.9
73.6
57.1
8.0
16.5
11.2
3.0
3.4
0.9
0.7
30.50
06GEM02105
GEMS-0150
70.2
41.6
74.7
52.7
9.0
22.3
12.4
3.3
6.7
1.8
0.7
53.93
07GEM02958
GEMN-0154
71.2
46.7
75.1
55.5
7.7
17.6
11.6
3.1
4.8
1.3
0.8
41.28
07GEM02959
GEMN-0155
71.9
47.3
75.4
56.0
7.1
17.5
11.8
3.1
4.7
1.3
0.9
40.21
07GEM02960
GEMN-0156
67.4
47.2
72.1
56.0
9.4
17.7
10.5
2.8
4.5
1.2
0.6
42.79
07GEM02961
GEMN-0157
68.2
46.9
73.7
55.8
11.0
17.8
10.8
2.9
4.4
1.2
0.5
40.34
07GEM02962
GEMN-0158
69.2
47.5
72.7
56.0
7.0
17.0
11.0
2.9
4.1
1.1
0.8
37.33
07GEM02963
GEMN-0159
71.2
47.8
74.7
56.8
7.0
18.1
11.2
3.0
5.0
1.3
0.8
44.80
07GEM02964
GEMS-0160
69.2
47.5
73.2
56.0
8.1
17.1
10.6
2.8
4.6
1.2
0.7
43.71
07GEM02965
GEMS-0161
69.0
48.0
74.2
56.5
10.4
16.9
10.4
2.8
4.7
1.2
0.5
45.40
07GEM02966
GEMS-0162
71.2
47.7
75.4
56.0
8.5
16.5
10.5
2.8
4.9
1.3
0.7
46.32
07GEM02967
GEMS-0163
71.6
48.0
74.6
56.2
6.0
16.3
11.5
3.1
5.2
1.4
1.0
44.89
06GEM01721
GEMN-0174
70.4
47.4
73.6
56.7
6.4
18.5
11.0
2.9
5.1
1.4
0.9
46.31
07GEM02381
GEMS-0175
70.3
45.6
74.1
55.0
7.6
18.8
11.9
3.1
5.0
1.3
0.8
42.15
07GEM02402
GEMS-0176
69.8
46.4
74.2
55.6
8.8
18.5
11.4
3.0
4.8
1.3
0.7
42.38
07GEM02476
GEMN-0177
68.9
46.3
73.4
55.3
9.1
18.1
10.8
2.9
4.5
1.2
0.6
41.92
07GEM02475
GEMN-0178
69.9
46.2
73.6
55.2
7.3
17.8
11.1
2.9
4.5
1.2
0.8
40.34
07GEM02436
GEMN-0179
70.2
45.8
74.1
55.2
7.8
18.7
11.7
3.1
5.0
1.3
0.8
42.91
07GEM02289
GEMS-0180
68.9
44.7
72.4
54.3
6.9
19.2
11.5
3.0
4.9
1.3
0.9
42.78
07GEM02291
GEMS-0182
69.0
45.0
72.9
54.5
7.8
18.9
11.0
2.9
4.6
1.2
0.7
42.23
07GEM02296
GEMS-0183
68.6
45.1
72.7
54.3
8.3
18.4
10.7
2.8
4.9
1.3
0.7
45.97
07GEM02288
GEMS-0184
69.1
44.6
73.4
54.7
8.6
20.2
11.0
2.9
4.8
1.3
0.7
43.83
06GEM01703
Mo17
71.9
44.7
74.4
54.8
5.1
20.3
12.3
3.3
5.8
1.5
1.3
46.95
06GEM01719
B73
69.4
47.2
72.7
56.0
6.6
17.6
11.0
2.9
4.5
1.2
0.9
41.21
ToG (°C) = Temperature Onset of gelatinization
ToR (°C) = Temperature Onset of regelatininzation for retrogradation value
TpG (°C) = Temperature peak of gelatinization
TpR (°C) = Temperature peak of regelatinization for retrogadation value
RnG (°C) = Temperature range of gelatinization, calculated peak temperature - onset temperature x 2.
RnR (°C) Temperature range of the regelatinization for retrogradation value
DHG (°C) is the energy needed to gelatinize 4mg of starch and 8ul of water
DHR (°C) is the energy needed to remelt the crystallized starch after 7 days at 4 0C.
PHI is a discription of the thermal curve calculated as gelatinization enthalpy divided by peak - onset value.
%R is the enthalpy of retrogradation divided by the enthalpy of gelatinization x 100.
Page 15 of 23
TSG Meeting, Sept 17, 2008- Highlights:
The TSG held their meeting in Ames, IA at the North Central Regional Plant Introduction
Station (NCRPIS) on September 17, 2008, and participated in the GEM Field Day on September
18. TSG Chair Tom Hoegemeyer welcomed two new TSG members, David Beck from
Syngenta Seeds and Bill Forgey from PANNAR Seed. An important item discussed included the
coordination of the GEM Project programs in Ames, IA and Raleigh, NC, and how the programs
interact and share responsibilities to make new breeding crosses, advance lines, make top
crosses, and test hybrids. Discussions continued on the topics of Allelic Diversity and new
Germplasm Acquisition by the respective sub-teams.
Updates were presented on the status of germplasm in the trials and nurseries at Raleigh, Ames,
and from several private cooperators. Floods in 2008 impacted everyone’s projects to some
degree. Fortunately losses in Ames were less serious than expected. New germplasm sources
were discussed during a field tour at the Ames nursery. This included observations of 70 new
breeding crosses, new germplasm sources from Peru, and Thailand, a photoperiod (shade house)
study with 27 different tropical sources, and the allelic diversity nursery.
PERSONNEL UPDATE:
Ames: USDA-ARS Plant Introduction Research Unit
Dr. Mike Blanco, GEM Coordinator and Geneticist
Mack Shen, IT Specialist
Sue Duvick, Quality Traits Lab Manager
Andrew Smelser, GEM Technician
Fred Engstrom, GEM Technician
Dr. Candice Gardner, Research Leader
Raleigh: USDA-ARS Plant Science Research Unit
Dr. Matt Krakowsky, Southeast GEM Coordinator, joined the Plant Science Research
Unit at NC State in September, 2007. Previously he was a Research Geneticist for the
USDA-ARS in Tifton, GA, where his work focused on reducing aflatoxin contamination
in maize.
Dale Dowden, Agricultural Research Technician
Dr. Jim Holland, Maize Research Geneticist, GEM Collaborator.
Dr. Peter Balint-Kurti, Research Geneticist, GEM Collaborator
Dr. David Marshall, Research Leader and Fund holder.
NC State University
Dr. Major Goodman, William Neal Reynolds Distinguished Professor
Page 16 of 23
IN KIND SUPPORT MIDWEST GEM PROJECT IN 2008:
Table 6. Private In-Kind Nursery Support – Summer 2008
Company
3rd Millennium Genetics
AgReliant Genetics LLC
APEX-Agri (France)
BASF Plant Science LLC
Beck’s Superior Hybrids, Inc.
Brandy Wine Seed Farms LLC
Brodbeck Seeds
G and S Crop Services LLC
GDU Inc.
Genetic Enterprises Int’l
Hoegemeyer Enterprises
Hyland Seeds (Canada)
Illinois Foundation Seeds, Inc.
JFS & Associates, Ltd.
MBS Genetics LLC
Monsanto Company
Mycogen Seeds
National Starch
Nugenplasm, LLC (Indonesia)
PANNAR Seed
Pioneer Hi-Bred Int.
PRIME Farm Seeds, Inc.
Professional Seed Research, Inc.
Prosemillas (Peru)
Schillinger Seeds
Seed Asia Co. Ltd. (Thailand)
Syngenta Seeds, Inc.
Terrell Seed Research
Wyffels Hybrids
Breeding Cross
Evaluate germplasm for tropical insect resistance
Make S1’s in CUBA173:S0446
Make new breeding crosses
Make S1’s in UR05017:S0409
Breeding cross observations/evaluation
Make S1’s in UR01089:S0548
Advance to S2’s in BR51403:N1617
Advance to S2’s in UR10001:N1702
Make breeding crosses
Make S1’s in UR05017:S0414
Make new breeding crosses
Breeding cross observations/evaluation
Make S1’s in DKXL380:S08a15
Make S1’s in AR16042:S2028
Make S1’s in AR01150:N0402
Make S1’s in AR03056:N0902a
Make S1’s in UR10001:S1802
Make S1’s in UR11003:S17h02
Make new breeding crosses
Advance to S2’s in UR10001:N1708e
Make new breeding crosses
Advance to S2’s in ANTIG03:N1216-B
Make S1’s in UR10001:S99x51
Top cross re-test lines
Advance S1’s to S2 in BR105:N16a16b
Advance S1’s to S2 in NEI9004:S2809
Make S1’s in CL-0031:N1834
Breeding cross observations/evaluation
Make new breeding crosses
Backcross wx into advanced GEM lines
Regenerate wx increases
Breeding cross observations/evaluation
Make new breeding crosses
Make S1’s in AR03056:N0902
Make new breeding crosses
Advance allelic diversity races
Disease and insect evaluations of lines & breeding crosses
Make S1’s in AR13026:N08a04
Advance to S2’s DK212T:n11a10-B
Multi-disease evaluations of lines and families
Make new breeding crosses
GEM families evaluation
Breeding cross observations/evaluation
Make S1’s in AR13035:S11b46
Breeding cross observations/evaluation
Downy Mildew evaluations
Make S1’s in DKB844:N11b18
Make S1’s in CUBA164:T26bS41
Make S1’s in DKXL212:S0928
Make S1’s in BR51039:S1540
Page 17 of 23
Table 7. Private In-Kind Support – Winter 2008-2009
Company
3rd Millennium Genetics (Puerto Rico)
AgReliant Genetics, LLC
BASF Plant Science, LLC
Beck’s Superior Hybrids, Inc.
Brandy Wine Seed Farms LLC
Chinese Inst Crop Sci
Hoegemeyer Enterprises
Illinois Foundation Seeds, Inc
JFS & Associates, Ltd.
Monsanto Company
Mycogen Seeds
National Starch
PANNAR Seed
Pioneer Hi-Bred Int.
Prosemillas (Peru)
Semillas Tuniche Ltda (Chile)
Syngenta Seeds, Inc.
Targeted Growth Inc.
Table 8. Yield Trials 2008
Cooperator
Making
Experiment Topcross*
08101
GEM
08121
GEM
08122
GEM
08123
GEM
08124
GEM
08131
GEM
08132
GEM
08133
GEM
08134
GEM
08135
GEM
08136
AGR
08137
IFS
08138
MON
08139
MYC
08141
GEM
Breeding Cross
Evaluate germplasm for tropical insect resistance
Top cross breeding crosses to SS testers and NS testers
Advance to S2’s in UR01089:S0548
Make S1’s in GEMS-0002 x GEMS0003
Make S1’s in DK212T:S0640
Top cross S2’s in BR51403:N1716
Top cross S2’s in UR10001:N1702
Make new breeding crosses
Make new breeding crosses
Breeding cross observations/evaluation
Evaluate germplasm for mycotoxin resistance
Make new breeding crosses
Advance to S2 in UR1103:S1749a-B
Make new breeding crosses
Top cross S2’s in BR105:N16a16b
Make new breeding crosses
Top cross S2’s in NEI9004:S2809
Top cross S2’s in BG070404:D2742
Top cross S2’s in CML329:N1834
Backcross wx into advanced GEM lines
Make S1’s in CML323:N1550
Make new allelic diversity F1 crosses
Advance allelic diversity races
Make new breeding crosses
Breeding cross observations/evaluation
Make S1’s in CL-G1703:S1703:S17c43
Make new allelic diversity F1 crosses
Make S1’s in GUAT209:N11c50
% Exotic
25, 50%
50%
50%
50%
50%
25%
25%
25%
25%
25%
25%
25%
25%
25%
12.50%
Tester
SS
nSS
nSS
nSS
nSS
nSS
SS
SS
SS
SS
nSS
SS
nSS
SS
nSS
Page 18 of 23
Zone of
Germplasm
Tropical
Tropical
Tropical
Tropical
Tropical
Tropical
Temperate
Tropical
Tropical
Tropical
Tropical
Tropical
Tropical
Tropical
Tropical
Number
of
Number
Entries of Reps
40
8
65
5
55
5
65
5
15
5
50
5
20
5
60
5
60
5
55
5
70
6
56
5
67
5
50
5
50
5
Experiment
08142
08143
08144
08145
08501
08521
08531
08532
08533
08534
08535
08536
08537
08538
08539
08601
08602
08603
08604
08605
08606
08631
08641
08642
08643
08644
08645
081310
081311
081312
085310
085311
085312
085313
085314
085315
085316
085317
085318
085319
085320
Total
Cooperator
Making
Topcross*
GEM
GEM
PAN
GEM
GEM
GEM
GEM
GEM
GEM
GEM
GEM
GEM
GEM
GEM
GEM
GEM
GEM
GEM
GEM
GEM
GEM
GEM
GEM
BEC
GEM
STA
AGR
SCH
SYG
SYG
GEM
BAS
BAS
HYL
HYL
HYL
HYL
MON
MYC
SYG
SYG
% Exotic
25%
25%
25%
12.5, 25%
25, 50%
50%
25%
25%
25%
25%
25%
25%
25%
25%
25%
25, 50%
25, 50%
25, 50%
25, 50%
25, 50%
25, 50%
50%
GEMxGEM
37.50%
25, 50%
12.5, 25 %
25, 50%
25%
25%
25%
25%
25%
25%
25%
25%
25%
25%
25%
25%
25%
25%
Tester
nSS
SS
nSS
SS/nSS
SS
nSS
nSS
nSS
nSS
nSS
SS
SS
SS
SS
SS
SS
SS
nSS
nSS
nSS
SS
nSS
mix
nSS
SS/nSS
SS/nSS
SS/nSS
nSS
SS
SS
SS
SS
SS
SS
SS
SS
SS
SS
nSS
nSS
nSS
Page 19 of 23
Zone of
Germplasm
Tropical
Tropical
Tropical
Trop/Temp
Temperate
Temperate
Temperate
Temperate
Temperate
Temperate
Temperate
Temperate
Temperate
Temperate
Temperate
Trop/Temp
Trop/Temp
Trop/Temp
Trop/Temp
Trop/Temp
Trop/Temp
Trop/Temp
Trop/Temp
Trop/Temp
Trop/Temp
Trop/Temp
Trop/Temp
Tropical
Tropical
Tropical
Temperate
Temperate
Temperate
Temperate
Temperate
Temperate
Temperate
Temperate
Temperate
Temperate
Temperate
Number
of
Number
Entries of Reps
50
5
25
5
75
5
34
5
50
8
25
5
50
5
35
5
50
5
70
5
80
5
50
5
50
5
50
5
55
5
50
8
60
8
60
8
50
8
55
8
45
8
45
8
50
5
70
5
15
5
35
6
43
10
46
4
56
5
56
5
55
5
35
6
35
6
11
6
21
6
21
6
21
6
67
5
65
5
44
5
44
5
2682
PUBLICATIONS:
Blanco, M. Germplasm Enhancement of Maize (GEM) Project Overview. 48th Annual Corn Dry
Milling Conference, p. 17-18, May 29-30, 2008, Peoria, IL
Carena, M.J.2008. Development of New and Diverse Elite Lines for Early-Maturing Hybrids:
Traditional and Modern Maize Breeding. Proceeding of the 18th EUCARPIA General Congress
pp.335-340, Sept. 9-12, Valencia, Spain (invited presentation).
Carena, M.J. 2008. Increasing the Genetic Diversity of Northern U.S. Corn Hybrids: Integrating
Pre-breeding with Cultivar Development. Proceedings of the 70th International Conference on
Conventional and Molecular Breeding of Field and Vegetable Crops.
Nov. 24-27, 2008, Novi Sad, Serbia (invited plenary lecture presentation).
Goldstein, W.A. L.M. Pollak, C. Hurburgh, N. Levendoski, J. Jacob, C. Hardy, M. Haar, K.
Montgomery, S. Carlson, C. Sheaffer. 2008. Breeding maize with increased methionine content
for organic farming. Pp.262-275. In: Proceedings Organic Agriculture in Asia. ISOFAR
international symposium on soil fertility and international symposium on organic agriculture.
Editors U. Koepke, S M Sohn. March 13-14, 2008 at Dankook University, Research Institute for
Organic Agriculture.
Goldstein, W., L. Pollak, M.P. Scott, R. Philips, S. Carlson, M. Haar, C. Fernholz, and K.
Montgomery. 2008. Breeding maize with increased methionine content for organic farming in
the USA. ASA-CSSA-SSA Annual Meetings Abstract 635-8 [CD-ROM]. Houston, TX, Oct. 59, 2008.
Jiang, H., Li, L. , Campbell, M., Blanco, M., and Jane, J. Characterization of enzyme-resistant
starch in maize amylose-extender mutant starches. 6th Corn Utilization and Technology
Conference in Kansas City, MO, June 2-4, 2008. Page 33.
Jiang, H., M. Campbell, and J. Jane. 2008. Crystalline structure of enzyme-resistant maize ae
mutant starches. American Association of Cereal Chemists International Annual Meeting,
Honolulu, Hawaii, September 21-24, 2008.
Krakowsky, M., Holley, R., Deutsch, J., Rice, J., Blanco, M., Goodman, M. Maize allelic
diversity project. 50th Annual Maize Genetics Conference, February 27-March 2, 2008,
Washington, D.C.
Li, L., Jiang, H., Campbell, M., Blanco, M., and Jane, J.-L. 2008. Characterization of maize
amylose-extender (ae) mutant starches. Part I: Relationship between molecular structures and
resistant starch contents. Carbohydrate Polymers 74:396-404
Lorenz, A., C.N. Hansey, and N. de Leon. 2008. Variation for compositional attributes of maize
plant parts across hybrids and associations between plant developmental stages. The Pan
American Congress on Plants & BioEnergy. Merida, Mexico, June 22-25, 2008.
Mayfield, K., T. Isakeit, W. Xu, D. White, W.B. Henry, G. L. Windham, B. Guo, H. Abbas, S. Moore,
Q.J. Rabb, D.P. Gorman, J.M. Perkins, R.D. Lee, and M.D. Krakowsky. 2007. SERATS: the Southern
Page 20 of 23
Reghion Aflatoxin Trial. Page 97 in Proceedings of the 2007 Annual Multi-Crop Aflatoxin/Fumonisin
Elimination & Fungal Genomics Workshop, Oct.22-24, 2007. Atlanta, GA.
Nelson, P.T., and M.M. Goodman. 2008. Evaluation of elite exotic maize inbreds for use in
temperate breeding. Crop Sci. 48:85-92.
Nelson, P.T., N.D. Coles, J.B. Holland, D.M. Bubeck, S. Smith, and M.M. Goodman. 2008.
Molecular characterization of maize inbreds with expired U.S. Plant Variety Protection. Crop
Sci. 48:1673-1685.
Pollak, L., W. Goldstein, J. Golden, K. Montgomery, and P. Scott. 2008. Potential of adapted x
exotic crosses for breeding maize for organic farming in the USA. ASA-CSSA-SSA Annual
Meetings Abstract 635-11 [CD-ROM]. Houston, TX, Oct. 5-9, 2008.
Srichuwong, S., J. Gutesa, M. Blanco, S. Duvick, and J. Jane Effects of kernel composition and
starch structure on ethanol yield produced from dry-grind corn. American Association of Cereal
Chemist International Annual Meeting, September 21 – 24, 2008, Honolulu, Hawaii.
Trevisan, W., and M. Blanco. The Importance of the Germplasm Enhancement of Maize
Project (GEM) for US Seed Companies. Proceedings 44th Annual Illinois Corn Breeding School,
p.9-15, March 3-4, 2008, Urbana-Champaign, IL
Williams, W.P., M.D. Krakowsky, G.L. Windham, P. Balint-Kurti, and W.B. Henry. 2008.
Identifying maize germplasm with resistance to aflatoxin accumulation. Toxin Reviews 27:319345.
Wittrcock, E., H. Jiang, M. Campbell, Margaret Campbell, J. Jane, E. Anih, and Y. Wang. 2008.
A simplified isolation of high amylose maize starch using neutral proteases. Die Starke 60:601608.
Wu, Y., M. Campbell, Y. Yen, Z. Wicks III, and A.M.H. Ibrahim. Genetic analysis of high
amylose content in maize (Zea mays L.) using triploid endosperm model. Euphytica (accepted).
Wenwei, Xu, Gary Odvody, and W. Paul Williams. 2007. Progress in breeding aflatoxin-resistant corn.
Page 86 in Proceedings of the 2007 Annual Multi-Crop Aflatoxin/Fumonisin Elimination & Fungal
Genomics Workshop, Oct.22-24, 2007. Atlanta, GA.
Xinzhi Ni, Wenwei Xu, Matthew D. Krakowsky, G. David Buntin, Steve L. Brown, R. Dewey Lee, and
Anton E. Coy. 2007. Field screening of experimental corn hybrids and inbred lines for multiple earfeeding insect resistance. Journal of Economic Entomology. 100: 1704-1713.
Page 21 of 23
PUBLIC RELATIONS AND FIELD DAYS:
Iowa Field Day, September 11, 2008, USDA-ARS and Practical Farmers of Iowa (PFI)
sponsored a field day on Breeding Corn for Sustainable Agriculture project near Ames, Iowa for
farmers and seed companies. The meeting was organized by USDA-ARS, PFIa, and MFAI.
Presentations were made by Linda Pollak, Kevin Montgomery, Sue Duvick, Michael Blanco,
Paul Scott, Walter Goldstein, Earl Hafner and others.
Iowa Field Day, September 18, 2007, GEM Project Field Day held at North Central Regional
Plant Introduction Station, Ames, IA. Visitors included the GEM TSG members, University
staff, graduate students, and private companies. . The potential impact of the Field Day is greater
utilization of exotic germplasm by providing new knowledge on methods and germplasm traits
by observation planting.
Iowa Field Day, September 24, 2008, farm field day at the farm of Dan Specht in McGregor,
Iowa. Mr. Specht spoke of his work growing a GEM derived population for use on his farm.
Iowa Meeting. March 7, 2008, Breeding Corn for Sustainable Farming held its annual meeting
in Dubuque, Iowa, for farmers and seed companies highlighting the development of corn with
enhanced protein quality. Much of the corn with enhanced quality was developed from GEM
lines.
Seminar, November 25, 2008, “Midwestern field photoperiod study of tropical adapted maize
germplasm” by GEM Tech Fred Engstrom, for a creative component in partial fulfillment of the
requirements for Master of Science in Agronomy.
Minnesota Meeting, July 10, 2008. A presentation on high methionine corn was held at a
meeting at the University of Minnesota South West Research and Outreach Center in Lamberton,
MN. Participants toured the plots which featured some high methionine hybrids, several of
which were developed from GEM lines.
North Dakota Market Place for Ideas, January 16, 2008, Grand Forks, North Dakota.. Poster
presentation by Marcelo Carena on screening early maturing corn hybrids for ethanol utilization.
North Dakota Corn Growers Association Annual Meeting, February 6, 2008, Fargo, ND.
Poster presentation by Junyun Yang (Ph.D. graduate student of Marcelo Carena) on developing
new and diverse inbred lines for early maturing hybrids in North Dakota.
North Dakota Nursery Field Day, Fargo, ND. October 1, 2008. Presentation by Marcelo
Carena on advanced EarlyGEM lines adapted to North Dakota. Industry, North Dakota Corn
Growers Assn., and ND Corn Council Utilization.
NDSU MS Thesis Proposal, Fargo, ND, November 2, 2008. Written presentation by Santosh
Sharma (MS graduate student of Marcelo Carena) on Testcross evaluation of GEM (Germplasm
Enhancement of maize) lines for adaptation and quality traits in US Northern Corn Belt. This is
the first thesis utilizing GEM germplasm at NDSU.
Page 22 of 23
Texas Field Day, Etter, TX, August 7, 2008. A demonstration section devoted to GEM
germplasm was shown and discussed to visitors representing corn producers, seed companies,
consultants, USDA-ARS scientists, and policy makers.
Presentation to Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China. November 14,
2008, by Wenwei Xu, Texas A&M University, “U.S. GEM Project and Use of Exotic
Germplasm to Improve Drought Tolerance in Maize.”
Page 23 of 23