Conservation of Seed Crops Joanne A Labate Molecular

Conservation of Seed Crops Joanne A. Labate Molecular Biologist and Acting Curator USDA, Agricultural Research Service Plant Genetic Resources Unit 2017 Envirothon Advisors Tour NYSAES Geneva, NY

USDA, ARS National Plant Germplasm System - Cooperative effort by State, Federal, and other organizations to preserve genetic diversity. - Genetic uniformity increases crop vulnerability to pests and stresses. We must have access to genetic diversity to help bring forth new varieties that can resist biotic and abiotic stresses. -The NPGS serves science and education by: acquiring, preserving, evaluating, documenting, and distributing plant germplasm.

NPGS Repositories Phaseolus, alfalfa berries ornamentals potato lily, iris small grains apple grape vegetables corn tree fruit, nut grape agave, opuntia soybean citrus, dates rice pineapple papaya, guava GRIN-Global pecan, hickory National Arboretum peanut, sorghum sub-tropical fruits and nuts cacao https: //npgsweb. ars-grin. gov/gringlobal/search. aspx?

National Plant Germplasm System Holdings in 2016 Number of families: 217 Number of genera: 2, 393 Number of species: 15, 091 Number of accessions: 574, 764

PGRU seed crops repository holds 151 plant species represented by 12, 609 accessions Acquire Characterize Regenerate Store Distribute

Major Seed Crop Collections at PGRU: Crop Number of accessions Allium (onion) 1, 133 Apium (celery) 243 Brassica (cole crops) 1, 583 Cucurbita (squash) 838 Fagopyrum (buckwheat) 255 Solanum (tomato) 6, 600 Raphanus (radish) 715

Acquisition 2013 Germplasm exchange, Dr. Zhong and Dr. Robertson (PGRU) Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China 29 Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa) 33 buckwheat 23 radish

Regeneration Mesh cages using honeybees

Regeneration Cabbage storage overwinter

Regeneration Cabbage 2 nd year planting

Regeneration Cabbage flowering in isolation cage

Regeneration Drying

Regeneration Threshing

Regeneration Cleaning seed with air column

Maintenance - Pre-anteroom: 27 o. C with a RH of 20% for all seed packaging, inventory, and distribution activities. - Anteroom: 78 m 3 of 5º C seed storage and drying facility (20% relative humidity controlled by silica gel dryer), seed moisture content is reduced to 6% before packaging and storage - Seed store: 124 m 3 -20º C long-term seed storage facility

Distribution – web-based ordering using GRIN-Global

Distribution Calendar year 2015 Samples 6, 637 Accessions 3, 885 Domestic Orders 185 Foreign Orders 66

Characterization cabbage head shape Triangular Spherical Ovate Obovate Cylindrical Elliptic Transverse elliptic

Molecular Characterization Wild tomato relationships based on DNA sequencing of 39 accessions r = 0. 22 within species r = 0. 35 between species

Outreach and Education Extract DNA from a banana using common household chemicals

Outreach and Education Northern Organic Improvement Collaborative • • • Breeding new crops for organic agriculture Identifying best varieties for organic farms Cultivating farmer-breeder partnerships Educating on organic seeds, variety trials and on-farm breeding Plant Genetic Resources Unit-seed cleaning demonstrations and outreach Crops • • • Tomato Cabbage Winter Squash Bell Pepper Sweet Corn

Seed Crops Staff Joanne Labate, Molecular Biologist and Acting Curator Paul Kisly, Greenhouse Manager Greg Noden, Farm Manager Nancy Consolie, Gene Bank Manager Sherri Tennies, Database Manager Susan Srmack, Research Support Specialist Jackson Bartell, Field Technician Temporary Biological Science Aids Matthew Everdyke Sara Volo Katie Rogan