Germplasm Enhancement of Maize
Germplasm Enhancement
of Maize Project (GEM)
Derived Varieties
1
M.H. Blanco1, C.A.C. Gardner1, W.
Salhuana2, and N. Shen1
USDA-ARS and 2 Retired Pioneer Fellow
and GEM TSG Chair
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.
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
Garst Seed Company*
Golden Harvest Seeds, Inc.
Hoegemeyer Enterprises
Illinois Foundation Seeds, Inc.
Monsanto Company*
Mycogen Seeds*
National Starch and
Chemical Co.
NC+ Hybrids*
PAU Seeds, Inc.
Pioneer Hi-Bred Int., Inc.*
Professional Seed
Research, Inc.
Schillinger Seeds
SEEDirect
Syngenta Seeds, Inc.*
Wyffels Hybrids
* 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
1
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)
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
1
2
Maharlika Genetics,
Mexico
Nidera, Argentina
Sursem S.A., Argentina
The University of
Guelph, Canada
Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa, Agropecuaria (EMBRAPA); Brazil
Instituto Nacioanal de Tecnologia Agropecuaria (INTA) Argentina
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 Pedigree Protocol
First
Accession Cross
Second
Cross
Pedigree
Status
CUBA164:S20
50% tropical B.C. CUBA164
SS 20
NA
CUBA164:S2012
25% tropical B.C. CUBA164
SS 20
SS 12
CUBA164:S2012
-444
S1 ear 444
CUBA164:S2012
-444-1
S2 ear 1
CUBA164:S2012
-444-1-B
S3 "bulk"
Legend:
SS12 is stiff stalk inbred-company 12
SS 20 is stiff stalk inbred-company 20
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
Field Resources Required
Populations
Rows Needed
S1
Nursery
S2
Nursery
Seed
Increase
ISO
Rows
Trial
Plots
10 (in winter)
500
---
600
---
---
20 (in summer)
1000
7500
---
3600
11400
S1
Nursery
S2
Nursery
Seed
Increase
ISO
Rows
Trial
Plots
20 (in winter)
1000
---
1200
---
---
40 (in summer)
2000
15000
---
7200
22800
Scenario 1
Scenario 2
GEM Germplasm Releases
(105 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
7
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
UW EX 01*
AR17026:N1019
Silage yield and quality
* Projected for release in spring, 2005, by J. Coors, U. of WI.
Expt. 02122 (6 Locations) with Tester
LH200xLH198 in Year 2002
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
Expt. 046011 (8 Locations) with
Tester LH198 in Year 2004
Stalk Root
Lodge Lodge
Pedigree
Yield
Moist
Y/M
BARBGP2:N08a18332-1-B
183.1
19.7
9.4
1.9
1.0
Test Entry Means
175.4
19.7
9.0
2.1
2.4
Check Means
202.1
19.8
10.4
3.3
1.2
CV
9.6
6.5
LSD (p=0.05)
16.7
1.3
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
GEM Field Day Demo
Silage Yield & Quality of EX 01 Grown
in Wisconsin in 2004
Hybrid
Yield Milk/ac
(t/ac) (lbs)
CP
(%)
NDF
(%)
IVD
(%)
EX01 (U. W.)
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
UW EX01 = 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, 2004.
NDFD Starch
(%)
(%)
Fusarium/Fumonisin Results
Rot
Fumonisin
% kernels rotted
ppm
2011-01_SE32_S17_F2S4
0.6
0.1
NC244
2.4
0.3
CUBA164:S2008a-157-1-B-B
2.0
1.4
AR16035:S19-285-1-B
2.7
1.5
PASCO14:S0105-198-1
2.1
1.6
CUBA164:S1511b-325-1-B
1.8
1.6
UR13085:N0215-21-1-B-B-SIB
1.8
2.4
NC336
21.9
35.9
Avg. (52 entries)
6.3
6.4
LSD(0.05)
11.3
13.4
Pedigree
J. Holland, USDA-ARS, NC, 2003
Percent Aspergillus Ear Rot and
Aflatoxin Level of GEM Lines
Pedigree
2003
aflatoxin
Ng/g
2004
2 year
aflatoxin mean ear
Ng/g
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
LSR/ LSD α=0.05
6
2
13
Grand mean (96 inbreds)
546
1309
23
Coefficient of Variation
18
8
44
M. Clements, USDA-ARS, Mississippi State, MS, 2004.
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.
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 allocated-sampling new races
vs. focusing on existing races
What breeding methodology research will be needed to
effectively utilize allelic diversity?
UDEL: single seed descent research to save resources
UWI: pop development of CUBA164 as SS silage base
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
Issues: target traits? races? pop structure, candidate genes
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 for your support!