2015-2016 Funded Research Abstracts
TITLE:
Developing improved winter wheat cultivars for Oregon
INVESTIGATOR: Robert Zemetra
Crop & Soil Science Department
Oregon State University (OSU)
FUNDING HISTORY: 2012-2013 - $299,525 2013-2014 - $300,663 2014-2015 - $300,000
APPROVED FUNDING:
$240,000
ABSTRACT:
Essential to the economic survival of the Oregon wheat producers is the development of new soft
white, hard white and hard red winter wheat cultivars with improved yield potential, improved
biotic and abiotic stress resistance/tolerance, and superior end-use quality. To achieve this goal
the wheat breeding program will utilize a combination of classical and molecular breeding
techniques. Diverse sources of germplasm will be utilized to produce new gene combinations for
selection. Early generation material (F1 – F4) will be evaluated in the field in both western and
eastern Oregon to identify lines with disease resistance, abiotic stress tolerance, high yield potential
and good end-use quality. Complimenting the field testing will be evaluation at the molecular level
to identify lines carrying desired genes for traits such as disease resistance and abiotic stress
tolerance to pyramid multiple resistance genes within the same genotype. Intermediate generation
material (F5 – F6) will be evaluated in preliminary yield trials for yield, agronomic adaptability,
disease resistance and milling quality. Lines will also be tested in the greenhouse and field for
abiotic stress tolerance such as aluminum toxicity associated with low pH soils. Advanced
generation material (F7 – F8) will be evaluated at multiple locations in the state for agronomic
adaptability, disease resistance/tolerance, yield stability and milling and baking quality. Elite lines
(F9 – F10) will be provided to Mike Flowers for evaluation in the Oregon Winter Elite Yield Trial
(OWEYT) and Hard Winter Elite Yield Trial (HWEYT) to identify superior lines for release as
cultivars. Elite lines will also be entered into regional testing and the extension trials in Washington
and Idaho for evaluation under additional climatic conditions. Prior to release, potential cultivars
will be submitted for evaluation by the Pacific Northwest Wheat Quality Council to confirm the lines
have the desired end-use quality for that market class. In addition to the breeding research, specific
projects will continue on development and utilization of molecular markers in soft winter wheat and
hard winter wheat. Breeding efforts will continue on the development of improved herbicide
resistant wheat cultivars.
Project: Oregon Barley Variety Development and Deployment
Investigator: Patrick Hayes. Dept. of Crop and Soil Science, Oregon State University, Corvallis,
Oregon 97333
1
Funding History: FY2014: $38,000; FY 2013: $46,000; FY 2012: $20,000
Approved Funding: $36,900
Abstract: We propose to develop and deploy barley varieties for Oregon. We will continue
development and statewide testing of malting, feed, food, and forage varieties with an emphasis
on facultative and winter growth habit. We will expand spring-planted testing of potential
varieties targeted to the craft industry. We will conduct a second year of winter feed barley trials
in cooperation with Larry Lutcher in Morrow county with the goal of identifying winter hardy
varieties suitable for low rainfall areas. New this year is a collaborative effort with OSU
colleagues at key irrigated locations around the state to conduct large-scale spring 2-row malting
variety trials with the goals of providing data on agronomic and brewing performance. Oregon is
not only a world leader in craft brewing and distilling, but also has the potential to develop
strong commercial and craft malting industries – and to create a true “all-Oregon beer”. In
addition to a strategically located commercial malting facility (Great Western Malting), Oregon
has a developing craft malting industry with two malt houses scheduled to start production in
2015. Oregon growers are ideally positioned to provide these industries with barley, but
additional variety and management information is needed to ensure the integrity and superiority
of the Oregon “brand”. The craft malting industry has lower specifications for grain protein (8 –
12%) and protein-related malting quality traits than the commercial industry. The focus this year
is on three irrigated environments: Klamath, Linn, and Union counties. The data we generate
will allow stakeholders to make agronomic, malting, and brewing decisions based on variety and
nitrogen management. In order to generate sufficient grain for malting and brewing we will
produce 200 or more pounds of grain per variety/nitrogen combination at each location.
Therefore, this is a larger-than-average trial. Funding is requested from the OWC for the
agronomic testing component of the proposal, with supplemental funding provided by the
participating industry partners for malting and brewing of selected samples.
Title:
Wheat and Spring Barley Variety Testing in Oregon
Investigator: Michael D. Flowers, Associate Professor and Extension Cereal Specialist, Crop
and Soil Science Department, Oregon State University (OSU), Corvallis
Funding History: 2012 – 2013 - $100,363, 2013 – 2014 - $79,050, 2014 – 2015 - $63,900
Approved Funding: $73,182
Abstract:
The Oregon statewide variety testing program provides growers with performance information
on commonly grown and newly released wheat and spring barley varieties from the public and
private breeding programs. Wheat varieties are split into three categories (Oregon Winter Elite
Yield Trial or OWEYT; Hard Winter Elite Yield Trial or HWEYT; and Oregon Spring Elite
Yield Trial or OSEYT) for evaluation. Spring barley varieties are evaluated in the Oregon
Spring Barley Variety Trial (OSBVT). Each year the testing program has approximately 17
winter and eight spring locations throughout Oregon, eastern Washington, southeastern Idaho,
and northern California. The southeastern Idaho and northern California trials are done in
collaboration with Idaho and California extension programs, respectively. Trial locations are
chosen to capture a range of environmental conditions and/or cropping systems (such as no-till)
in the wheat production areas of Oregon. Trial results are reported through email alerts, web
publications, grower meeting, crop tours, and field days.
TITLE: Oregon State University Cereal Quality Laboratory
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATORS:
Dr. Andrew S. Ross, Dr. Teepakorn Kongraksawech: Crop & Soil Science, Oregon State
University (OSU)
FUNDING HISTORY:
2012-13: $76,515; 2013-14: $78,548, 2014-15: $81,872, 2015-16 -Requested $88,600
APPROVED FUNDING: $86,322
ABSTRACT:
Over the last decade the OSU cereal quality laboratory (CQL) has provided documented benefit
to Oregon growers by improving the quality of Oregon State soft-white wheat varieties. This was
achieved by extensive testing based on three core objectives: selecting appropriate lines for the
breeding program, increasing our fundamental knowledge of grain composition and
functionality, and improving our analytical methods. During 2014 the CQL processed in the
order of 13000 analyses at a cost of ~ $6 per analysis, based on 2014/15 funding. Other funds
supported our OWC mission: Wheat royalties, the Nixon Family of Junction City OR, and the
Mexican National Council of Science and Technology (1 PhD student). Looking to 2015-16, the
following specific objectives support our core objectives. 1: Complete the current phases of these
studies: Falling Number, gluten proteins in varieties grown over the last 110 years, cakes and
cake batters, and validating the prediction of dough strength using a rapid screening technique.
The batter and Falling Number studies encompass ongoing studies of grain and flour storage
(aging). We propose to apply new technology to observe gluten protein behavior during
processing, with the first task providing fundamental information to support the soft-wheat
blending project. We will commission and validate the “SRC-Chopin” robot for automating an
essential quality test for the breeding program. We propose to initiate investigations into frozen
doughs and crackers to improve breeding outcomes for these products. We will also participate
in a PNW-wide inter-laboratory study aimed validating our laboratory-milling protocols. We
have recently completed studies on pancake quality, the genetics of unexpectedly good quality in
a hard x soft cross, two studies on oxidative gelation in soft wheat, and study of the influence of
fungicides on Falling Number.
Project Title: Transition of Pre-breeding Research on Disease Resistance and End-Use Quality
into Cultivar Development for Oregon Wheat
Investigator: Robert S. Zemetra, Department of Crop and Soil Science, OSU
Previously investigated by J. Leonard.
Funding History:
2012-2013, $46,821; 2013-2014, $46,200; 2014-2015, $34,135
Funding Requested: $36,000
Abstract:
Previous research by the wheat molecular genetics laboratory (WMGL) has introgressed genes
for improved disease resistance and end-use quality into adapted Pacific Northwest (PNW)
germplasm. The next step is to utilize these genes in the cultivar development program by
introgressing the genes into elite soft white winter and hard white winter wheat breeding lines
and cultivars. The proposed research will focus on continuing the transfer of resistance gene(s)
for Cephalosporium stripe resistance into soft white winter wheat breeding lines and the transfer
a null Polyphenol Oxidase (PPO) gene and an enhanced glutenin gene into hard white winter and
hard red winter wheat breeding lines. This research will entail using molecular markers,
cytogenetic analysis and field evaluation.
Title: Oregon Wheat Statewide Weed Management Research and Extension – 2015-2016
Investigators:
Andrew G. Hulting, Extension Weed Management Specialist, Corvallis
Carol Mallory-Smith, Weed Research Project Leader, Corvallis
Funding History: 2012-2013 - $58,740; 2013-2014 - $61,070; 2014-2015 - $55,935;
Approved Funding: $63,150
Abstract: We will conduct a coordinated program to test herbicides for use in wheat across
statewide environments thereby facilitating a more rapid registration and statewide labeling for all
Oregon wheat production systems. Because of the extreme diversity between eastern and western
Oregon wheat cropping environments and spectrum of weed species across the region, it is
necessary to test new compounds in both regions before a complete data package can be submitted
to EPA for statewide product registration. All of the major herbicide manufacturing companies
collaborate with the investigators listed on this proposal and rely on their data to successfully obtain
new herbicide registrations for Oregon wheat. However, chemical company funding alone is not
adequate to maintain the OSU program infrastructure necessary to carry out year-to-year
cooperative efforts for herbicide evaluation. In addition, we will conduct more in-depth studies to
determine best methods for management of problem weed species and biotypes in wheat including
scouring rush and multiple resistant Italian ryegrass. New information derived from statewide weed
research will be disseminated to Oregon wheat growers and consultants using an array of Extension
programming methods.
TITLE: Impacts of mixed cereal-oilseed cropping systems on weed communities in the PNW
INVESTIGATOR: Dr. Judit Barroso, OSU-Columbia Basin Ag. Research Center, Pendleton &
Moro
FUNDING HISTORY (last 3 years): None
APPROVED FUNDING: $30,130
ABSTRACT:
Glyphosate is an effective herbicide in the inland Pacific Northwest region. However, over
reliance on this chemical has led to the occurrence of herbicide resistant weeds. For example,
glyphosate resistant Italian ryegrass is now common in Oregon (Perez-Jones et al, 2014) and
resistant Kochia has been documented as well (Felix, 2014). Decreases in the retail price of
glyphosate have encouraged producers to increase applications of this chemical, particularly in
farm fields that receive direct seeding, thereby further increasing the potential for glyphosateresistant weed species. Diversification of crop rotations may reduce the abundance of dominant
weed species (Liebman & Dyck, 1993) and decrease reliance on herbicides to control weeds.
Cropping diversification as a best management practice for controlling weeds (and preventing
weed resistance to glyphosate) has not been adequately assessed in dryland wheat production
systems of the inland PNW. We will determine the influence of four different cropping systems:
1) winter wheat – summer fallow, 2) winter wheat – reduced tillage fallow, 3) winter wheat –
spring barley – reduced tillage fallow, and 4) winter wheat – spring oilseed – reduced tillage
fallow and the associated weed management practices on weed population dynamics such as
changes in the abundance, diversity, and composition of weeds over time.
Specifically, we will determine whether: 1) reduced tillage fallow, which increases the
water available in the seed zone for winter wheat, will enhance stand establishment thereby
increasing crop competitiveness against weeds, 2) spring barley and spring oilseed crops in
rotation with winter wheat reduces competitiveness of economically important weeds such as
Russian thistle and downy brome, and 3) the level of weed density above which weed
management is profitable (e.g., economic threshold). Impacts of weeds on winter wheat, spring
barley, and spring oilseed yields will be estimated with and without herbicide treatment. Crop
specific, curvilinear models will be developed to indicate the economic threshold (ET) where the
cost of control equals the net economic benefit.
TITLE: Screening for Resistance to Major Wheat Diseases in Oregon
INVESTIGATOR: Chris Mundt, Botany and Plant Pathology, Oregon State University (OSU),
Corvallis
FUNDING HISTORY: $43,838 for 2012-2013; $44,599 for 2013-2014; $42,630 for 2014-15
APPROVED FUNDING: $48,731
ABSTRACT: A combination of locations, production practices, and inoculation techniques will
be used to provide high levels of disease pressure in trials of stripe rust, Cephalosporium stripe,
Fusarium crown rot, strawbreaker foot rot, Septoria tritici blotch, and barley yellow dwarf virus.
Resistance levels of entries in elite and advanced yield trials will be determined to evaluate
potential varietal releases and to allow growers to make the best varietal decisions when new
varieties are first available to them. Molecular mapping of three populations with potential to
contribute to the next generation of disease resistant, higher yielding winter wheat varieties for
Oregon growers will be completed. A new mapping population, Madsen x Foote, will be grown
to evaluate the genetics of durable stripe rust resistance in Madsen and to evaluate and combine
genes for quantitative resistance to Septoria from Madsen and Foote. Improved markers will be
developed in two populations via genotyping-by-sequencing. A field trial will be established to
test Oregon wheat varieties for ability to suppress build-up of the take-all pathogen, based on
promising research that has recently been reported from England. The overall project will result
in data collection from 12,000 to 16,000 plot observations. The studies are crucial to continued
progress in the OSU Wheat Breeding Program, increased profitability for Oregon wheat growers,
and ability to adopt conservation tillage practices.
Title: Developing applications of on-combine optical sensing for precision nitrogen
management of dryland wheat production systems in eastern Oregon
Investigator(s): Stephen Machado, OSU-CBARC Pendleton
Funding History: 2011-2012: $32,000 for “The Status of Soil Organic Carbon on Eastern
Oregon Fields under Summer Fallow Project”.
Approved Funding: $50,000
Abstract:
Traditional uniform crop management ignores inherent spatial variability in topography, soil
type, soil depth, soil moisture, soil fertility, weeds and diseases within fields resulting in over
application of crop inputs in some areas and under application in others. By accommodating this
variability, site-specific management (SSM) has the potential to improve cropping input
efficiency and farm profits. To implement SSM, prescription maps are often constructed from
soil maps, aerial imagery, electrical conductivity, grain yield maps, and other source documents
to divide fields into smaller areas that differ in crop productivity and can receive different levels
of fertilizer and other farm chemicals. Unfortunately, there is no single method available that
can be used reliably to accurately derive these maps, particularly in semiarid conditions in
eastern Oregon where water is the most important factor limiting crop yields. The objectives of
this study are to (1) evaluate the performance of an advanced optical sensor for measuring the
protein concentration of soft white wheat as it is harvested on a combine; (2) adapt an affordable,
off-the-shelf spectrometer for use on a combine harvester and compare its performance with the
advanced sensor; (3) map grain yield, grain protein, and straw yield from the combine during
harvest, and apply this information into (a) construction of management zones for precision
nitrogen application in a following year, (b) post-harvest assessment of water/nitrogen stress, and
(c) mapping of weeds at harvest by detecting the concentration of chlorophyll in the grain stream
while harvesting; and (4) transfer knowledge of multi-sensor, on-combine data collection to
wheat producers by means of workshops, field days, conferences, and field demonstrations. A
19-acre spring wheat field will be spatially characterized for soil depth, bulk electrical
conductivity (EC), soil physical and chemical properties, topography, soil-borne diseases, and
weeds using various mapping techniques. A ruggedized Polytec 1720 spectrometer with an
advanced InGaAs detector will be mounted to a Case IH combine and the spectra obtained will
be used to estimate the protein concentration of the grain stream during harvest. Grab samples of
grain will be analyzed in the laboratory and compared with the on-combine measurements.
Affordable, off-the-shelf spectrometers will be tested both on a test stand and on-combine to
determine sensor mounting requirements and ability to measure protein of conveyed grain. At
end of season, grain protein, grain yield, and straw yield will be measured using an on-combine,
multi-sensor data collection system consisting of mass flow and optical sensors. The goal of this
study is to identify simple and cost effective ways of applying on-combine information into
precision N management, weed/disease mapping, and interpretation of crop yield variability.
TITLE:
Base Funding for OSU Wheat Research Programs
PROGRAM MANAGER: Jay Noller, Head, OSU Crop and Soil Science
FUNDING REQUEST:
$265,000
Given financial conditions in the State of Oregon and the United States, base funding for
Agricultural Experiment Station (AES) and Extension programs has been cut significantly over
the past decade. Reductions in funding have reached a point where continuation of some AES
and Extension activities is not be possible without identification of other funding sources.
Accordingly, the Oregon State University (OSU) College of Agricultural Sciences (CAS) has
asked its clientele groups to provide base funding for activities in which they have interest. Base
funding provides dollars for staff salaries and facilities operation support, areas for which
clientele groups historically did not provide funding. Funding sources identified by clientele to
date have included funds directly contributed by commissions and associations, from special tax
districts, and through endowments.
The Oregon Wheat Commission has been a long-time partner in wheat research activities at OSU
and has provided base funding over the past several years and agreed to provide $265,000 in
base funding for 2015-16. Russ Karow (former CSS department head) and experiment station
directors from the cereal-related stations across the state –Clint Shock (Malheur Experiment
Station), Valtcho Jeliazkov (Columbia Basin Ag Research Center), Phil Hamm (Hermiston Ag
Research and Extension Center), Carol Tollefson (Central Oregon Ag Research Center), and
Willie Riggs (Klamath Basin Research and Extension Center) conferred and established an
agreement that allocates available OWC base funding. Two-thirds of funds are to be allocated to
CBARC given its dominance in and near complete focus on cereal work. MES receives a lesser
amount of funding given that a smaller amount of cereal work is being done at MES at this time.
Remaining funds are to be split equally among COARC, CSS, HAREC and KBREC.