2008 ANNUAL REPORT

Seed Biotechnology Center ACADEMIC DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE

he UC Davis Seed Biotechnology Center (SBC) has past decade. At UC Davis this is enabled by the Ralph M. enjoyed a steady increase in activities and personnel Parsons Foundation Plant Transformation Center established Tsince its inception 10 years ago, all made possible by the with funds originally solicited by the SBC. continuing partnership between the University of California We also worked with the seed industry to raise funds for offices and the seed industry. In particular, generous funding from and laboratories for the SBC, resulting in our location in the the California Seed Advisory Board has enabled the SBC to Plant Reproductive Biology building. In addition to the SBC, employ staff to compound that support from diverse sources. this building houses a vibrant group of plant researchers and It is not possible to review all the accomplishments of the last students, as well as the Public Intellectual Property Resource decade in this short essay, but a brief overview will illustrate for Agriculture (PIPRA). These fund-raising campaigns the impact of this ongoing collaboration. spearheaded by the SBC have paid remarkable dividends. Kent J. Bradford When the concept of the SBC was initiated, genetically hrough the efforts of Allen Van Deynze, SBC Director Come help us engineered crops had just been introduced commercially Tof Research, the SBC has become a leader in the 1 in cotton and corn, and their rapid acceptance by growers celebrate 10 development of molecular markers in numerous crops, led to expectations of similar developments in other crops. including cotton, tomato, potato, lettuce, pepper, and years of research However, reluctance of the public to accept such crops, carrots. The identification and mapping of these markers is particularly in Europe, and the development of a separate at our Seed greatly facilitating breeding efforts in these crops. The SBC regulatory system specifically for these crops largely stymied is centrally involved in the Chile-California Partnership for Biotechnology further commercialization in additional species. Nonetheless, the 21st Century, a program that will enhance crop variety Symposium at UC research using recombinant DNA methods has advanced our development through collaborative research and education knowledge of plant genetics and biology remarkably in the programs. Davis in May.

ON THE COVER: Chilean President Michelle Bachelet and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger toast during a luncheon at the UC Davis Chancellor’s Residence on June 12, 2008, after signing agreements creating the Chile-California Partnership to support plant breeding and wine and grape research. See story on Page 14. Photo by Karin Higgins/UC Davis A Successful First Decade: Collaboration Was Key

pressing need for trained plant scientists and breeders was crops. In particular, a Specialty Crops Regulatory Assistance program has A emphasized at the American Seed Research Summit organized in been developed, modeled after the IR-4 program for agricultural chemicals, cooperation with the American Seed Trade Association, the American to aid specialty crop developers through the regulatory process. The SBC Seed Research Foundation and the National Council of Commercial Plant has worked with the California Seed Association to provide scientific input Breeders. The SBC played a key role in organizing this summit and in and to educate legislators and the public about the significance of seeds and preparing a white paper to publicize its conclusions. variety improvement to agriculture. Due to the success of these programs and partnerships, the SBC is expanding its staff and taking on new projects, The SBC has taken the initiative in educating the next generation of plant guided by stakeholder feedback. breeders by establishing the Plant Breeding Academy (PBA). This program graduated 15 breeders in 2008 and another 23, including participants o celebrate 10 years of research, service and partnership, the SBC is from nine foreign countries, are currently in the second PBA class. Our Torganizing a symposium on “Seed Biotechnologies: Filling the Gap continuing education courses for seed professionals have served over 1,500 between the Public and Private Sectors” May 11-12, 2009, at UC Davis. We participants since March 2000. have invited outstanding international scientists to participate, as well as 2 In 2007, the SBC organized an international symposium on “Translational leading researchers from the University of California. We invite you to this Seed Biology: From Model Systems to Crop Improvement” that brought discussion of the latest developments in molecular and transgenic breeding, outstanding seed scientists to California to discuss application of new commercialization of new varieties, technology transfer, and educational discoveries for seed improvement. programs to meet the manpower gap in the seed industry. More details can be found at sbc.ucdavis.edu. This symposium’s themes illustrate SBC’s n the biotechnology regulatory arena, the SBC has participated in both collaborative activities over the past 10 years, and we look forward to national and international efforts to develop science-based and pragmatic I celebrating them with you and aiming even higher for the next decade. regulatory systems for the commercialization of genetically engineered RESEARCH

he SBC is dedicated to achieving research the United States. The SBC is continuing to Cotton breakthroughs that advance the science work with Larry Teuber (UC Davis), Shannon Tof seed technology and plant breeding. Mueller (UC Cooperative Extension), James Gene Flow We focus on applied research that will enable Hagler (USDA/ARS, Maricopa, AZ) and Forage Studies the seed and plant biotechnology industries to Genetics International to determine gene flow incorporate new discoveries for agricultural between commercial-scale seed fields of alfalfa. alifornia and consumer benefits. The SBC expended In 2008, seed samples taken in 2006 and 2007 Cgrew 275,000 $1.3 million in extramural research support in from conventional fields at 1 mile, 3 miles and 5 acres of cotton 2008 and secured grant funds extending until miles from a commercial seed field of Roundup in 2008, 155,000 2012. These projects range from single crop Ready (RR) alfalfa were tested for gene flow acres (56%) of investigations in the San Joaquin Valley to multi- using resistance to the herbicide as a marker. By which was Pima. crop initiatives with collaborators around the crushing a pool of seeds sampled and testing We previously world. We would like to give special recognition with commercial test strips specific to the protein conducted studies of gene flow in Acala cotton, to the UC Discovery conferring the RR trait, we estimated the percent and understanding gene flow in Pima cotton is Program and our gene flow in each sample. Preliminary data critical to maintaining genetic purity for specific 3 collaborators for their on 2006 samples are consistent with previous seed markets. In collaboration with Robert continued generous plot-scale studies and herbicide resistance Hutmacher (UC Cooperative Extension), the support of our assays. Gene flow decreased with distance from SBC is studying gene flow in Pima cotton and research agenda. the source field ranging from 0.09% at 1 mile between Pima and Acala cotton. In 2008, the to 0.008% at 2.75 miles. No gene flow was SBC completed a two-year study by conducting Alfalfa detected at 3 and 5 miles. The results of this herbicide bioassays on seed samples collected in study have helped growers and seed certification 2006 and 2007 from commercial, conventional alifornia grows agencies refine isolation distances between seed Pima cotton fields at distances from 10 feet to 1 Capproximately production fields to maintain genetic purity. mile from herbicide-resistant fields. Seed samples 30% of the alfalfa Funding for this research is from the USDA were also assayed from a small-scale field seed produced in National Research Initiative. experiment conducted at the Kearney Research Achieving Breakthroughs in Seed Technology, Plant Breeding

and Extension Center to supplement commercial is being confirmed in the field. A series of field samplings. The positive seed samples lines selected for drought resistance are being were confirmed using test strips specific for the evaluated. The physiological characteristics herbicide resistance protein. The proportion combined with local climate data will help of seeds with herbicide resistance is a direct predict the potential invasiveness of switchgrass measure of gene flow. Gene flow in Pima cotton and determine the best regions for production. is 1/10 to 1/5 that of Acala cotton (published in Funding for this research is from the UC 2005 by the SBC) at a given distance. This work Discovery Program and Ceres, Inc. was funded by the California Crop Improvement Association and Cotton Incorporated. Switchgrass Tomato and Potato Sampling Nucleotide Diversity in Cotton witchgrass has been identified as a Solanaceae Spromising source for ethanol production Coordinated he SBC is dramatically expanding its due to its capacity to produce large amounts of Agricultural Project 4 Tresearch in cotton genomics. The SBC is biomass annually. It is native to the U.S. prairies, working with David Stelly (Texas A&M), Chris he SBC is working but not to California. The SBC is continuing Towne, Foo Cheung (J. Craig Venter Institute), Twith David to work with Joe DiTomaso, Eduardo Blumwald and Jeffrey Chen (University of Texas) to Douches and Robin (UC Davis) and Ceres Inc., a California- characterize the genetic diversity in four cotton Buell (Michigan State varieties and five crossable species, Gossypium based genomics company, to evaluate the University), David Francis (The Ohio State barbadense, G. mustelinum, G. longicalyx, G. desireable habitats and potential invasiveness University), Walter DeJong and Lukas Mueller armourianum and G. tomentosum. DNA markers for switchgrass in different California climates. (Cornell University) and Alexandra Stone (Oregon State University) on a $5.45 million to manipulate agronomic and quality traits In 2008, the tolerance of lowland and upland Solanaceae Coordinated Agricultural project will be rapidly identified by using ultra high switchgrass was evaluated in the greenhouse (msu.solcap.edu) to translate genomic research throughput sequencing of genes. under flooding and drought regimes. This work in potato and tomato into applied breeding tools. The Project will identify DNA sequence tomato that will be available to the community quality target traits have already been identified. variation in genes associated with high value to rapidly screen for novel traits and genetic This project is funded by the UC Discovery traits, such as carbohydrate and vitamin content, analysis. This work is supported by the USDA Program, Harris Moran/Vilmorin, Rijk Zwaan and link these traits with breeder-friendly National Research Initiative. B.V and Enza Zaden B.V. markers. Extension and education programs Regulation of Seed Thermodormancy aimed at graduate students and plant breeders Lettuce are being developed. This work is supported by the USDA National Research Initiative. ettuce (Lactuca sativa) seeds are susceptible A Whole Genome Approach to thermodormancy when planted at warm to Marker Discovery in Lettuce L Development of Induced Mutation temperatures, leading to failures or delays Resources for the Tomato in germination and seedling emergence and he SBC and Maria Genomics Community resulting in yield losses and higher costs. The TJose Truco, Alex Kozik Bradford lab has identified a gene (LsNCED4) and Richard Michelmore utagenesis of plants has been used encoding an enzyme in the biosynthetic in breeding for the last 60 years with (UC Davis) partnered with M pathway for abscisic acid (ABA) that co- over 2,200 commercial varieties of field and an industry consortium localizes with a quantitative trait locus (QTL) horticultural crops harboring unique traits to develop and apply 5 termed high-temperature germination 6.1 (Htg6.1) as a result of induced mutagenesis. One of microarray-based tools for that regulates the temperature sensitivity of the challenges of this technology is that large DNA marker discovery germination. Increased expression of this gene populations (thousands of plants) must be and application. With these and elevated seed ABA contents are associated screened for a trait to identify a desirable plant. tools, approximately 35,000 lettuce genes have been simultaneously screened for diversity in with thermodormancy in susceptible genotypes. By screening at the DNA level, large populations breeding germplasm. The resulting markers have In addition, expression of multiple genes in can be rapidly screened for mutations in genes been validated in a high-density map of over the ABA, gibberellin and ethylene biosynthesis encoding complex traits. The identified lines can 15,000 genes to identify and manipulate loci and signaling pathways are also altered by high then be evaluated for the associated novel trait. linked to important traits in lettuce. This project temperature and Htg6.1 (Argyris et al. 2008). The SBC has been working with Luca Comai and is directly benefiting the lettuce industry by Roger Chetelat from UC Davis to develop and providing new tools (high throughput molecular Originally funded by the National Science validate several induced-mutation populations in markers, SNPs) to improve lettuce. Several high Foundation as part of the Compositae Genome Project, Bradford was awarded a three-year grant been defined in 31,000 genes. The SBC is using the and provide relative rankings of seed lots. Seed from the USDA National Research Initiative program microarray to genetically map these genes. The array respiration following imbibition is an indication of to determine whether LsNCED4 is responsible for has proved to be useful also in tomato, eggplant metabolic activity and is correlated with seed vigor. the effect of Htg6.1 on lettuce seed thermodormancy. and potato. Additional collaborators are Molly Jahn A new approach to respiration measurements called (University of Wisconsin) and Michael Mazourek the Q Technology ( ) allows the The lettuce microarray designed to detect sequence 2 www.astec-global.com (Cornell University). This research is funded by the UC polymorphisms will be employed to identify molecular respiration rates of individual seeds to be measured. Discovery Program, Rijk Zwaan B.V., Enza Zaden B.V., The respiratory activity of each seed is recorded over markers near Htg6.1 and for global transcriptome BayerCrop Sciences/Nunhems, DeRuiter Seeds, Syngenta time, and Q software determines several parameters analysis of seeds having different LsNCED4 alleles 2 Inc., Seminis Inc. and Harris Moran/Vilmorin. that characterize the respiratory patterns and the imbibed at high and low temperatures. variation among seeds in these patterns. Carrot

Pepper The Bradford lab has been working with the Q2 since DNA Sequences from Carrot 2006, funded by a grant from the Vegetable and Flower A Whole-Genome Approach Seed Permanent Research Fund of the American Seed Trade Association and in-kind support from ASTEC. to Characterizing Genes in Pepper he SBC is developing the first public They have tested seeds of a number of species in the comprehensive sequence resource in T Q and conducted comparisons of Q values and other alifornia grows 40% of the peppers in the carrot. Over 20,000 gene sequences will 2 2 measures of seed vigor. Various aspects of the oxygen United States. Pepper lags behind most crops be generated from a key breeding line and C consumption curves provide information on seed 6 in the development of genomic tools and molecular high-throughput sequencing will be used quality, as characteristic patterns of respiratory activity to identify genetic diversity in three other markers that are useful in breeding. are associated with seed vigor, priming and aging. The breeding lines. Partners in the project are: Phil Simon The SBC, James Prince (California values characterizing these patterns are associated with (USDA/ARS, Wisconsin), Rijk Zwaan B.V., Bejo, State University, Fresno), Alex Kozik the time of initiation of rapid respiration, the rate of BayerCrop Sciences/Nunhems, Takii and Vilmorin. (UC Davis) and a consortium of respiration and the minimum oxygen level and were seed companies have developed a related significantly to seed vigor. The measurement comprehensive Affymetrix microarray Seed Technology of individual seeds also provides insight into the to discover and apply DNA markers variability that can exist within seed lots that may not (Single Feature Polymorphisms) Measurement of Single-seed Respiration Rates be evident in germination uniformity. Results from in pepper. In 2008, we established the protocols to the studies were recently reported at the International assay breeding lines. The diversity of 43 pepper eeds vary in quality or vigor, and a number of Workshop on Seeds in Olsztyn, Poland and are being lines representing sweet, hot and wild lines has Svigor tests have been devised to assay seeds prepared for publication. Applying New Technologies

Technology at the UC Davis Genome Center allows us to simultaneously resequence genes for one-thousandth of the cost of only a few years ago. It is being used by the SBC for cotton, pepper, carrot, tomato and potato. 7

hanks to the UC Davis Genome Center, species. Technology at the Genome Center, such researchers at UC Davis have access to as the Illumina Genome Analyzer, allows us to Tthe latest technologies, including ultra- simultaneously resequence the genes expressed in a high throughput sequencing and genotyping. given breeding line for one-thousandth of the cost The SBC works closely with the Genome Center of only a few years ago. This technology is being to develop and apply new technologies to used by the SBC for cotton, pepper, carrot, tomato California seed crops. The basis of DNA marker and potato. The SBC is also accessing technology to development for plant breeding is the ability to rapidly score (genotype) up to 10,000 DNA markers rapidly and cost-efficiently sequence the DNA at a time in hundreds of breeding lines to map traits of many representative breeding lines in a given for breeding and genetic studies. 2008 PUBLICATIONS

Argyris, J.M., Dahal, P., Hayashi, E., Still, D.W., and Bradford, K.J. cation, and sorption isotherms. Seed Science & Technology 36: 2008. Genetic variation for lettuce seed thermoinhibition is associ- 311-324. ated with temperature-sensitive expression of abscisic acid, gibber- ellin and ethylene biosynthesis, metabolism and response genes. National Alfalfa and Forage Alliance. 2008. Coexistence for Organ- Plant Physiology 148:926-947. ic Alfalfa Seed & Hay Markets. www.alfalfa.org/pdf/CSOrganic.pdf

Bradford, K.J., Benech-Arnold, R., Côme, D., and Corbineau, F. Van Deynze, A.E, Fitzpatrick, S., Hammon, R., McCaslin, M.H., 2008. Quantifying the sensitivity of barley seed germination to oxy- Putnam, D.H., Teuber, L.R., and Undersander, D.J. 2008. Gene gen, abscisic acid and gibberellin using a population-based thresh- Flow in Alfalfa: Biology, Mitigation, and Potential Impact on Produc- old model. Journal of Experimental Botany 59:335-347. tion. Council for Agricultural Science and Technology. www.cast.org Hill, H., Bradford, K.J., Cunningham, J., and Taylor, A.G. 2008. Primed lettuce seeds exhibit increased sensitivity to moisture dur- Yao, J., Lin, H., Van Deynze, A., Doddapaneni, H., Francis, M., ing aging. Acta orticulturae 782:135-141. Gertrudes Macedo Lemos, E., and Civerolo, E. L. 2008. Primer- 8 SNP: a web tool for whole-genome selection of allele-specific and Hill, T. A., Ashrafi, H., Yao, J., De Jong, W., Francis, D., Kozik, A., common primers of phylogenetically-related bacterial genomic Van Deynze, A. 2008. The aplication of a whole genome pepper sequences. BMC Microbiology 8:185. array to Solanaceae crops. In: Solanaceae Genomics. Cologne, Germany; Oct 12-16, 2008. www.sol2008.org 100 Years of Breeding: UC Davis Plant Breeding Program. 2008. www.plantsciences.ucdavis.edu Moravec, C.M., Bradford, K.J., and Laca, E.A. 2008. Water rela- tions of drumstick tree seed (Moringa oleifera): imbibition, desic- Complete list of SBC publications available at sbc.ucdavis.edu

Introducing the 2008 SBC Research Team: Allen Van Deynze, Kevin Stoffel, Theresa Hill, Nicholas Eattock, Jessica Lund, Hamid Ashrafi and Hans van Leeuwen Kent Bradford, Peetambar Dahal, Andres Schwember, Pedro Bello and Alfred Huo EDUCATION PBA Class I

The technical nature of plant breeding and seed production requires a highly educated workforce. In 2008, the SBC continued to provide ongoing education for professionals in the 9 global seed industry. The graduation of Class I of the Plant Breeding Academy was a milestone for the SBC. This was

followed a few months Graduates of the inaugural PBA class, listed alphabetically: Joel Canestrino, California; Adam Dick, Ontario; later with the start of Cory Dombrowski, Florida; Michael Ferguson, California; Catalina Ferro, Florida; Dan Gardner, California; Keith Hardy, Idaho; John Heintzberger, California; Michael Koda, California; Ruby Pui Chi Leung, China; Class II. Jessica Lundberg, California; Peter Martini, California; Anne Noble, California; Margaret Rekoske, Minnesota; and Sara Searcy, California. The PBA Program Representative: Cathy Glaeser. Instructors (front row): Larry Teuber, Todd Wehner and Doug Shaw. PBA Class II

The Plant Breeding Academy he Plant Breeding TAcademySM (PBA) has grown from a stakeholder suggestion into a thriving resource for trained plant breeders worldwide. We are proud to report that the PBA graduated its inaugural Class I in June 2008 and that Class II got underway in September 2008.

The industry concern 10 was this: the number of graduate students being trained in plant breeding has declined while the seed industry’s need for them has risen - hence, a shortage of trained breeders.

Participants of PBA Class II (now under way), listed alphabetically: Dustin Batt, Idaho; Bob Brunick, Idaho; There are, however, many Damien Courtier, Australia; Bruno Efombagn, Cameroon; Cody Fasbinder, Hawaii; Anthony Gorin, France; people involved in plant Donny Gray, Arizona; Randy Kallem, Iowa; Marty Madesko, California; Andrea Maraldi, Italy; Arnon Osri, Israel; Andrea Pabon, California; Lisa Polewczak, Florida; Esther Pullen, Florida; Paul Readly, California; breeding who could direct Aneta Strachota-Jacobs, Maine; Marcel Sturre, The Netherlands; Carolina Uquillas-Herrera, Chile; Andre breeding programs if they vant Slot, Spain; Richard Volz, New Zealand; Matthew Wilson, California; Bruce Winter, Australia; and Adam had a deeper knowledge Young, California. Instructors: Doug Shaw, Larry Teuber and Todd Wehner. of genetics and statistics, from 130 applicants – We’re here to help along with breeding began Class II. The 2008 theory and methods. participants travel from as far away as Africa, The PBA was designed Australia, New Zealand, to fill that education Chile and Europe. The gap. The international inaugural class also had academy is modeled an international flavor on professional MBA with students from across programs that allow the U.S. and from as participants to continue far away as Canada and in their current jobs. China. Participants meet for Do you have an six one-week courses The PBA is taught over two years, and the by internationally educational need? Our number of participants recognized plant breeders SBC staff offers customized is limited to provide a Doug Shaw and Larry personalized learning Teuber, both of UC Davis, classes tailored to meet environment. and Todd Wehner from companies’ specific needs. 11 North Carolina State The 15 students in Class University, with guest Let us know what type of I began in fall 2006 and lecturers speaking on their graduated in June 2008. specific areas of expertise. training could best serve Three months later, an For more information on you and your employees international group of 23 the PBA, see pba.ucdavis. professionals – selected edu and we can design a class to address it. Please share Breeding with Molecular Markers your thoughts with us he SBC offered its third “Breeding with Molecular Markers” course in February 2008. TAttended by 65 students, the course was designed for professional plant breeders who want to directly or through an learn or expand their knowledge on when and how to incorporate molecular markers into their online survey available at breeding programs. The course was taught by experienced academic and industry professionals. Separately, this course was also offered to one private company. sbc.ucdavis.edu. OUTREACH

As a public, independent A Centennial Look American Seed at Plant Breeding Research Summit voice, the SBC actively he SBC took the lead in n September 2008, the SBC engages in promoting producing “100 Years of Iand the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) worked Breeding,” a Centennial science-based decisions for T together to convene a forum publication tracking the history of to address major challenges in policy and regulations. The plant breeding at UC Davis. This seed research. The American range of outreach activities publication captures the impact Seed Research Summit brought UC Davis has had on developing together over 40 research leaders from industry, academia and includes everything from crops through plant breeding over government to discuss critical the last century and highlights the writing scientific articles to challenges facing the seed and people who have made significant plant breeding research community. explaining genetic engineering contributions. The SBC’s Academic Director, Kent Bradford, and 12 to a California county board keynote speakers from Ball Horticultural (Anna ummarizing 100 years of history in plant Ball), USDA Agricultural Research Service (Eliot of supervisors to testifying in Sbreeding was a formidable task. As a land grant Herman), the University of Wisconsin (Molly Jahn), University, UC Davis has played a major role in DuPont/Pioneer (William Niebur), and the Monsanto Europe before an international developing and managing the majority of the 250 Company (Robert Fraley) provided viewpoints on seed research today and the challenges and opportunities forum. The SBC is always plant commodities now grown in California. The diversity of crops ranges across vegetables, fruits, nuts, for tomorrow. Participants worked through a structured workshop format to identify and prioritize looking for opportunities to grains and forages. The application of plant breeding the key research topics and policy issues facing the and training of breeders at UC Davis allows not seed industry and to formulate strategies to address connect scientific information only California, but the United States and the world them. The Summit was made possible through and expertise with interested to enjoy fresh produce year around. “100 Years of the support of ASTA, the American Seed Research Breeding” is available in print from the SBC or online Foundation (ASRF), and the National Council of audiences. at www.plant.sciences.ucdavis.edu Commercial Plant Breeders (NCCPB). Promoting Science-Based Decisions

Gene Flow in Alfalfa: Biology, Mitigation The CPB aims to regulate the transboundary The SBC participated in updating the California and Potential Impact on Production. movement of biotech crops worldwide. Although Seed Association policy on biotechnology. It also the U.S. has not signed the convention, the participated in two focus groups – one to limit llen Van Deynze moderated a National Alfalfa SBC took particular interest in this subject as it the liability to farmers from adventitious presence A& Forage Alliance-sponsored workshop, “Peaceful Coexistence: Creating a Strategy for directly affects public research and co-existence of biotech traits and another to develop prudent Harmony among GM, Organic, and Conventional of crops in the seed industry as a whole. The SBC strategies for co-existence of safflower production Alfalfa Producers” in Denver, Colorado, in 2007. participated as a member of the Public Research systems in California. In 2008, as an outcome of that workshop, Van and Regulation Initiative (PRRI, www.pubresreg. Transgenic Field Trials Deynze helped create a publication summarizing org), an international group of public researchers three key issues: the biology of alfalfa, the markets interested in biotechnology regulations. Van Deynze ome groups have expressed concern that and market sensitivities to biotechnology in participated in week-long meetings that curbed regulated field trials represent a risk for alfalfa, and production considerations important S a proposed ban on GM trees and allow public transgene escape to cultivated crops. Allen Van to gene flow and seed purity in alfalfa. The aim research in field trials to objectively evaluate the of the publication is to inform scientists, growers, Deynze led a SBC team in evaluating current 13 potential benefits and risks of GM trees. Through legislators and the public of the complexity and transgenic field trials in the U.S. to determine current knowledge of this topic. It was distributed the PRRI, the SBC participated in developing whether there were potential risks associated with to over 500 growers at the National Alfalfa Seed information documents on risk assessment and such trials. The study identified the crops and Symposium in San Diego and to legislators in liability to inform delegations and focus groups for acreages of active field trials under permit in June Washington, D.C. Van Deynze also co-authored the CPB. 2007. The largest acreages were in the Midwest, and reviewed other whitepapers on the topic Puerto Rico and Hawaii associated with corn, sponsored by the National Alfalfa and Forage he SBC hosted the USDA Animal and Plant soybean and cotton. While California reported 78 Alliance. (www.alfalfa.org). THealth Inspection Service (APHIS) in 2008 active trials, this represented a maximum of 845 for a public meeting on biotechnology regulations. acres. The study concluded that field trials occupy Biotechnology and Co-existence It also provided comments to APHIS on proposed less than 0.01% of crop land and that co-existence he SBC participated in recent negotiations in new procedures for regulation of plants developed between biotech, conventional and organic crops is TBonn, Germany, concerning the Cartagena using biotechnology and on a petition to the EPA to possible. The study may be accessed at Protocol on Biosafety (CPB, www.cbd.int/biosafety). deregulate a virus-resistant plum variety. sbc.ucdavis.edu. SBC Plays Central Role in Chile-California Partnership

C Davis has been at the heart ing funded by the Chilean government. of the state’s teaching and Uresearch collaborations with he SBC was instrumental in bring- Chile since the 1960’s when dozens Ting this Chile-California Partner- of Chilean graduate students known ship to fruition. In late 2007, the SBC as the “Davis Boys” studied at UC began meeting with the Chilean Am- Davis in agricultural sciences under a bassador to the United States, Mariano program sponsored by the Ford Foun- Fernandez in Washington, D.C. In the dation. They subsequently returned spring of 2008, the Seed Biotechnology home and are credited with playing a Center hosted Ambassador Fernandez major leadership role in revolutioniz- and U.S. Ambassador to Chile Paul ing Chilean agriculture. US Ambassador to Chile Paul Simons hosted a reception at his home recognizing Kent Bradford, Mike Campbell and Simons for an investigative tour of the Andres Schwember from the Seed Biotechnology Center dur- campus. Ambassador Fernandez was a uilding on this long and produc- ing their visit to Chile in March. Over 100 guests attended the key player in developing the Chile-Cali- 14 tive relationship between Chile B event with those pictured above being UC Davis alumni. fornia Partnership. His visit introduced and California, Chilean president the capabilities of the campus and ac- Michelle Bachelet signed two landmark celerated the partnership process. agreements with UC Davis in June 2008 designed to strengthen research and teaching collaborations in the areas of crop genetics and plant breed- he partnership is designed to equally benefit both Chilean and Cali- ing along with grape growing and winemaking. The Seed Biotechnology Tfornia agriculture. California tomato, potato, and pepper growers Center will be the primary campus partner in the first of the two agree- have benefitted from collecting expeditions in Chile, where species related ments which lays the groundwork for a new research, development and to these plants grow wild. The tomato expeditions were begun by UC training program focused on the conservation of plant genetic resources, Davis professor Charles Rick and have been continued by Roger Chetelat, development of new and hardier crop varieties, release of new crop variet- the director of the C.M. Rick Tomato Genetics Resource Center (TGRC) ies for the global market and collaborative graduate training programs in on campus. The TGRC holds the largest collection of tomato accessions plant genetics and plant breeding. The Chile-California Partnership is be- in the world, of which 10% are from from Chile. SBC Supporters Advisors

inancial support has been critical to the success of the Seed Biotechnology Center during 2008. The California ur Advisory Council is comprised of dedi- FSeed Advisory Board and its 450 member companies was the Center’s largest external supporter. Within Ocated industry leaders who volunteer their the University of California, the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and Department of Plant Sci- time and talents to improve operations and out- ences continue to be our largest contributor of operations funding and the UC Discovery Program our largest con- reach at the SBC. The breath of their service is tributor of research funding. We greatly appreciate the support for our research, education and outreach activities extensive: they collaborate on research projects provided by the following companies, individuals and state and federal entities in 2008. and support fund-raising activities, help create and promote new programs, serve as liaisons to A.B. Seeds Johnny’s Selected Seeds Agronomix Lundberg Family Farms the plant science industry, and provide the SBC American Takii, Inc. Magnus Kahl Seeds with industry access and credibility. We are very Astec Maraldi Sementi grateful for their service. Australian Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries MARS Inc. Bayer CropSciences/Nunhems MillerCoors New Zealand Horticultural Research Bejo Phil Ashcraft, Verdant Partners Betaseed, Inc. Paragon Seed, Inc. Pioneer Hi-Bred Rick Falconer, American Takii, Inc. California Crop Improvement Association Paul Frey, Cal/West Seeds California Seed Advisory Board Pybas Seed Co., Inc. Rijk Zwaan B.V. George Gough, Monsanto Ceres, Inc. Gary Hudson, Gary Hudson and Associates 15 Chilean Institute of Agricultural Research SeedQuest Seeds to the World Joseph Hurley, Ralph M. Parsons Foundation Clover Seed Company Limited Seminis Vegetable Seeds (Monsanto) Francois Korn, SeedQuest College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, UC Davis STA Laboratories, Inc. George Kotch, Syngenta Cotton Incorporated Sunseeds Jeff McElroy, Mendel Biotechnology Crookham Company Syngenta Seeds, Inc. Nathan Olivas, Progeny Advanced Genetics Dairyland Seed UC Cooperative Extension Gabe Patin, G. Patin Consultants Department of Plant Sciences, UC Davis UC Discovery Program Betsy Peterson, California Seed Association DeRuiter Seeds Takii Frank Plescia, Monsanto Driscoll Strawbery Associates Technisem Chip Sundstrom, FJS Consulting DNA LandMarks Tomato Solutions Bill Van Skike, Mazzei Injector Company, LLC Enza Zaden B. V. University of Groningen Mary Wadsworth, J.G. Boswell Company Forage Genetics International Vegetable and Flower Seed Permanent Research Fund Gary Whiteaker, Verdant Partners Harris Moran Seed Co. of the American Seed Trade Assn. Chris Zanobini, California Seed Association HSR Seeds Pty Ltd. USDA National Research Initiative Jade Seed Co. USDA SolCap J.G. Boswell Foundation WestBred LLC

The SBC would like to thank all SBC course participants and speakers who have made these programs successful over the last 10 years.

Photo by Nathaniel Fong Mission STAFF

The mission of the Seed Biotechnology Center is to mobilize the research, (left to right) educational and outreach Kent Bradford, Academic Director Mike Campbell, Executive Director resources of the University Allen Van Deynze, Professional Researcher Susan DiTomaso, Manager of Outreach of California, in partnership Cathy Glaeser, PBA Program Representative Jeannette Martins, Outreach Representative with the seed and plant 16 Welcome Dr. Jamie Miller biotechnology industries, amie Miller is a UC Discovery Fellow and Assistant Director of the Seed Biotechnology JCenter, working to develop substantial, long-term collaborations between faculty and the seed and to facilitate discovery industry. Before joining the SBC in 2008, Miller received a H.B.S in Biochemistry/Biophysics from Oregon State University and a Ph.D. from the University of California, Davis in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology where she studied cellular signaling pathways in breast cancer. The UC Discov- and commercialization of ery Fellowship is a one-year program funded by the University of California Industry-University Cooperative Research Program as part of its mission to foster and support novel early stage research, accelerate the new seed technologies for transfer of technological advancements to California industry, enhance the training of California’s future workforce and industry leaders and enhance California’s economic competitiveness. Currently, the program involves 15 Fel- agricultural and consumer lows spread over 8 of the 10 UC campuses. We are fortunate to have such a talented Fellow on our team. benefit. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE

eeds are a global cornerstone of produced important scientific results to acceler- human civilization, the first step in ate and disseminate genetic discoveries, and Sproviding food security for the world’s in so doing established itself as a global leader population. In California, arguably the most in seed research. In 2008 alone, our research diverse agricultural region in the world, crops expenditures were equal to the amount raised on nearly 8 million of the state’s 10.5 mil- between 1997 and 2000 to fund the start-up lion acres of field crops, vegetables, trees and of the SBC - a 100% return on the industry’s vines are produced from seeds. Given this, it initial investment. is highly appropriate that the industry-inspired Mike Campbell s you read this year’s annual report, you Seed Biotechnology Center was founded in A realize that 2008 was filled with many We had many California at UC Davis, an institution with 17 great successes at the SBC. Our focus continues a century-long reputation for plant science successes in 2008. to be on expanding our research, education and research, extension and teaching. Our focus is on outreach contributions through partnerships. expanding our t the urging and with the support of Our collaboration with the American Seed the seed industry, the SBC was created Trade Association resulted in the highly suc- research, education A to focus on seed research and outreach and cessful American Seed Research Summit – and outreach to better connect industry with the research bringing together for the first time leading seed contributions, often capabilities of the plant scientists at UC Davis. researchers from American companies, univer- through partnerships. It is very exciting how quickly the SBC has sities and government to clearly define the SBC: A Global Leader in Seed Research major challenges facing the American seed industry mine the economic value of the California seed indus- We encourage you and to develop and implement a plan of action. One try. The results will be used by the industry to inform to bring your legislators, regulators and the public of the economic major challenge identified was increasing the number important ideas of trained plant breeders. The graduation of our Plant importance of the California seed industry. Our new and challenges to Breeding Academy’s Class I and the start of Class II in Web site will be unveiled with a special link to expert our Center. Please 2008 are vital actions to meet this international need. researchers at UC Davis and other UC campuses. In Our partnership with the Chilean government and addition, thanks to our friend and Advisory Council share your thoughts agricultural industry will soon develop into agricultural member Francois Korn, we will have our own Key Word with us directly or Section, Seed Biotechnologies, on research projects that will have equal benefit in both SeedQuest.com. through an online Chile and California. e are most grateful for the support of our Ad- survey available at visory Council, research partners, industry and 18 n 2009, we will expand our emphasis on scientific W sbc.ucdavis.edu. governmental investors, the California Seed Advisory Idiscovery for agricultural, consumer and humanitar- Your feedback could Board, the UC Davis College of Agricultural and Envi- ian benefit, and we will plan for a new Plant Breeding ronmental Sciences, the Department of Plant Sciences lead to our next Academy in Europe. Supported by seed companies, and the UC Discovery Program that allow us to con- major research we will lead an international survey of both public and tinue to raise the performance bar higher and higher at project or education private plant breeders to determine the optimum plant the SBC. On behalf of the team at the SBC, we thank breeding curriculum for both developed and develop- program. everyone that made 2008 an outstanding year! ing countries and we will share the results globally. We will also lead an industry-wide investigation to deter- Seed Biotechnology Center University of California One Shields Avenue Davis, CA 95616 Phone: (530) 754-7333 E-mail: [email protected] Fax: (530) 754-7222 Web: sbc.ucdavis.edu

Seed Biotechnology Center