Project Number: S-009

Project Title: Plant Genetic Resources Conservation and Utilization

Period Covered: 08/2014 through 8/2015

Date of this Report: September 16, 2015

Annual Meeting Dates: July 21 – July 22, 2015

Participants: www.ars.usda.gov/Main/docs.htm?docid=9514

Minutes: www.ars.usda.gov/Main/docs.htm?docid=9514

Accomplishments and Impacts:

USDA – Plant Genetic Resources Conservation Unit Plant genetic resources collected or obtained from throughout the world are valuable sources of genetic diversity for use in agronomic and horticultural crop improvement programs in the U.S. This project forms part of a comprehensive nationwide program, National Plant Germplasm System, to preserve plant genetic resources for use today and for use by future generations. The primary objectives of this project are to 1) acquire and conserve genetic resources of crops and related wild species of importance to the Southern Region such as sorghum, peanut, watermelon, chili peppers, warm-season grasses, cowpea, clover, tropical/subtropical legumes, and others; 2) conduct genetic characterizations and phenotypic evaluations of the conserved crops and related wild species for commercially important genetic and agronomic traits; 3) incorporate characterization and evaluation information into the Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN-Global) or other public databases; and 4) distribute genetic resources and associated information to researchers, educators, and plant breeders in the Southern Region and worldwide. Seed and clonal genetic resources acquired, maintained, characterized, evaluated, documented, and distributed by this project will provide researchers with a broad range of clearly-identified crop genetic diversity to utilize. This broad genetic diversity enables research programs to efficiently produce new cultivars, develop new knowledge, discover value-added uses, and preserve food security for the general public. This project has grown from 811 accessions of 41 genera in 1949 to one of the largest collection of the four NPGS regional multistate projects with 92,232 accessions of 257 genera and 1,548 species in 2014. In 2014, a total of 34,884 seed, tissue culture, and clonal accessions were distributed to researchers and educators at universities, private companies, agricultural and medical research foundations, seed conservatories, federal agencies, farmer-owned cooperatives, and foreign universities and companies. All accessions were requested from the Griffin location directly by researchers and distributed in 964 orders to users in 47 states and 40 foreign countries with 15,172 accessions distributed to users in the Southern Region. Genetic resources maintained at the Griffin location are in great demand by the research community and provide a valuable resource for crop improvement research. The quantity and quality of plant genetic resources maintained at Griffin make this location one of the leaders in the National Plant Germplasm System. Germplasm Maintenance A new 4C seed storage facility was completed and an existing 4C facility was converted to -18C freezer storage. This storage space enabled almost 5,000 more accessions to be stored at -18C. Currently, 19% of the accessions are maintained solely at -18 C and 80.9% of the accessions (73,495 accessions) have at least one inventory in -18C long-term storage. Most plant genetic resources in genebanks are maintained under short-term (4C) rather than long-term (- 18C) storage temperatures, which increases the need for frequent seed regeneration that can reduce genetic variability. At Griffin, GA, original seed and seed of species rarely requested are maintained solely at -18 C. Other accessions are maintained as split samples with the bulk of the seed maintained at -18 C and a small distribution sample maintained at 4 C. When needed, seed will be removed from the -18 C sample to replenish the distribution sample. These plant genetic resources will remain viable longer with reduced need for regeneration and better retention of genetic variability of the original sample for users. Prior to 2002, seed samples of over 84,000 accessions of plant genetic resources maintained at the Griffin location had not been tested for germination, and the quality of seed distributed to researchers was not known. A concentrated effort was made to conduct germination tests on this large collection. Currently germination tests have been completed for 82,436 accessions (90.7% of the collection) including almost all available accessions of most crops maintained at Griffin. Viability of most crops (sorghum, cowpea, mung bean, watermelon, okra, eggplant, cucurbits, legumes, annual clover, pearl millet, and sesame) was very good for most accessions in these collections. Warm-season grass, pepper, and peanut collections have several accessions with low viability. This germination testing enables curators to properly identify accessions with poor quality seed that need to be regenerated resulting in better quality seed being distributed to researchers upon request. Biosecurity and availability of plant genetic resources are of major concern to the U.S. agricultural research community. Preserving germplasm by maintaining accessions at two sites reduces the risk of losing valuable germplasm. A total of 90,307 accessions (97.9% of collection) have been deposited for safety back up at the National Center for Genetic Resource Preservation, Ft. Collins, CO, and 89.6% of the accessions are available for use by the research community. For the large sorghum germplasm collection, only 239 of 38,202 sorghum accessions are not available for distribution to researchers. Additionally, 12,090 accessions (13.1% of the collection) are also backed up at the Global Seed Bank in Svalbard, Norway. Backing up safely secures these plant genetic resources for future use by researchers and good availability provides users with a wide array of currently available germplasm. Curation and Research Acquisitions made to the collection included 30 sorghum, 29 okra, 131 warm-season grass, and 8 other accessions. Seed regenerations and characterization were conducted on 381 wild and cultivated peanut, 96 warm-season grass, 43 cowpea, 120 legume, new, and misc. crop, 38 annual clover, 20 cucurbits, 4 squash, 17 okra, 6 chile pepper, 10 eggplant, and 16 other vegetable accessions. Over 1,200 sorghum accessions were regenerated in St. Croix. Long-term maintenance of 207 wild peanut and 435 warm-season grass clonal accessions was continued in the greenhouse or field. A total of 1,100 peanut accessions regenerated in Citra, FL, in 2013 and 2014 were shelled and will be added to the collection shortly. The peanut core, mini collection, and commercial standards were evaluated in the field at Citra, FL, for multiple morphological, genetic, and biochemical traits over a two year period. Molecular markers are being utilized to analyze the genetic diversity as well as associate markers with the traits evaluated in the field. Permanent PI numbers were assigned to all clonal GRIF peanut accessions. Over 5,000 images of peanut seed, pods, flowers, and plots were uploaded to the GRIN database. The finger millet core collection of 85 accessions was grown in the greenhouse for nutritional characterization. Fatty acid content, 100 seed weight, protein, amino acid content, mineral content, and seed image data were collected using harvested seeds. Three ornamental little bluestem cultivars are being developed in cooperation with the University of Georgia. A total of 34 little bluestem selections were made for ornamental potential. With cooperators in St. Croix, 52 cowpea and 40 legume accessions are being regenerated. Hydroponic systems are being used to regenerate poor viability Vigna and Macrotyloma species in the greenhouse. A total of 741 sweetpotato accessions were maintained in tissue culture and backed up in Ft. Collins. The remaining 18 accessions in the chile pepper core collection infected with Pepper Mild Mottle Virus were increased in the greenhouse and virus-free seed was produced for distribution. Virus testing was conducted on 15 sweetpotato and 12 cowpea accessions prior to regeneration or distribution. Germination testing has been conducted on 82,436 accessions (almost 91% of collection) since 2002. Over 190 sorghum accessions tested in 2002 were retested to determine the change in viability while stored in -18C freezer storage. Seed oil content and fatty acid composition was determined for 200 accessions of Solanum melongena. Clean seed was produced for eight Citrullus accessions with low seed numbers and fungal infections. To clarify taxonomic relationships among specific vegetable crop species, pollen was subjected to scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for characterization. Several anomalies were noted and are being further investigated. Genomic characterization of sweetpotato and its allied species continues. An assessment was made of existing sweetpotato-related germplasm available globally and related taxa deserving of further collection were identified. Genomic characterization revealed the expression of Agrobacterium genes in the cultivated sweetpotato and several related species. Oil content has been determined for 5,500 peanut accessions and fatty acid composition has been determined for 4,800 accessions so far in an evaluation of the entire peanut collection. Two peanut accessions from Pakistan have been identified as high oleate types. In collaboration with ARS locations in Puerto Rico and Lubbock, TX, 212 sweet sorghum accessions have been evaluated for early-spring cold tolerance in both lab and field conditions. Two accessions with good tolerance to early-spring cold temperature were identified. A total of 13 guar accessions were evaluated for the identification of superior flavonoid accessions. The sesame FAD2 gene for fatty acid desaturase was sequenced. Genetic diversity of 7-15 Neonotonia wightii accessions for morphological traits, anthocyanin, and genistein was determined. Leaf protein content and amino acid composition of 95 bamboo accessions has been quantified from samples collected for two years. A sesame mutagenesis project was continued with 500 M3 lines from 1,414 M2 mutant lines evaluated for morphological changes and fatty acid composition alteration. Specific Accomplishments: Improved Germplasm Availability and Safety: Valuable plant germplasm preserved in cold storage is of immediate value to researchers if it is available for distribution and safely preserved at more than one location. ARS researchers at Griffin, GA, have improved sample availability and safe preservation of the USDA germplasm collection maintained at Griffin to the highest levels in the past 19 years. Almost 90% of the samples are currently available for distribution to researchers worldwide and 98% of all samples are safely preserved at a second location. Researchers now have a greater range of crop and wild relative genetic variability to utilize in their research program and almost all samples are safely preserved at a second location for research utilization in the future. Selection of the most Viable Seed Samples for Distribution for Research: Germination testing of seed samples of the same germplasm accession grown in different years is critical to ensure that the most viable seed sample is distributed to researchers. Following germination testing of most accessions and inventories in the last 13 years, ARS researchers in Griffin, GA, selected the most viable seed inventory from each accession for distribution when multiple inventories of the same accession were tested for germination. This has resulted in few (15%) seed samples available for distribution having viability of less than 50% and the majority (58%) of the seed samples available for distribution having viability of greater than 75%. Researchers are receiving seed samples that have the best viability for utilization in their research program. Identification of Wild Relatives Useful for Sweetpotato Improvement: Crop wild relatives of sweetpotato have the potential to improve sweetpotato. The limited availability of germplasm and the difficulty of incorporating genes from wild species into sweetpotato has limited their utilization and conservation. ARS researchers at Griffin, GA, identified wild species with the potential to contribute desirable agronomic traits such as adaptation to extreme temperature, precipitation, and soil characteristics. Most of these wild species were under- represented in germplasm collections. Specific wild species and geographic locations for future collection of additional samples of these valuable wild species were identified. Identification of High Oleate Peanut Accessions: High oleate peanuts are used in peanut breeding for improved seed quality including improved shelf life and health benefits. ARS researchers at Griffin, GA identified two peanut accessions with 80% oleate and the mutation responsible for this increased oleate content by screening over 4,800 accessions of the USDA peanut germplasm collection. These high oleate peanuts are new genetic sources for high oleate content that will be used by breeders to improve peanut seed quality.

Florida The state of Florida was very active in 2014 for plant genetic resources distribution. According to records provided by S-9, 36 different individuals requested materials from 47different plant species and a total of 385 PIs distributed. Sixteen of the 36 individuals requesting material appear to be private individuals requesting one to 3 accessions of one or two species, while the remainder appear to be research focused projects. Affiliation of research focused individuals include University of Florida scientists, USDA scientists, private research organizations, and public schools. Most individuals who responded to a request for information indicated a high level of satisfaction with materials provided and appreciation for the availability of the germplasm. Listed below are reports submitted by cooperators. Dr. Scott Adkins, Research Plant Pathologist (Virology), USDA ARS USHRL, 2001 South Rock Road Fort Pierce, FL 34945 provided the following report: In April 2014 we requested 36 PIs of bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria) for evaluation for resistance to a variety of viruses (known and unknown). The experiments are ongoing. Mr. Robert Beiriger, EREC, University of Florida, Belle Glade, FL reported the following - We continue to work with the older germplasm we received. We have crossed these lines to some of our inbred lines and populations and are now in the F3-6 stage of selfing these crosses in an attempt to produce good disease resistant, high yielding inbreds. Some of the these lines did show good resistance to northern corn leaf blight this spring while producing good quality plants, good ear and yields. We plan to select finished inbreds next year and to start making hybrids with these lines fall of 2016 or spring 2017. We received 38 European Corn Borer resistant lines in late 2013, most were inoculated with neonate Fall Army Worm during spring of 2015. We found that most of these lines were highly susceptible to fall arming worm leaf feeding and will not be advanced. We will re-evaluate the couple lines that show weak resistance during fall 2015. If they continue to show some resistance, will be crossed into our Fall Army Worm resistant populations. Ms. Heather Kates reports: Accessions of Cucurbita germplasm from the Plant Genetics Resource Conservation Unit at Griffin, GA have been integral to my phylogenetic study of wild and crop Cucurbita species. Preliminary phylogenetic results obtained using samples from S9 (and other germplasm banks within the NPGS) were vital to the success of my NSF Doctoral Dissertation Improvement Grant proposal (An integrative genomic study of multiple domestication events in squash and pumpkin (Cucurbita, Cucurbitaceae)), funded in 2014. I have included additional samples from S9 in a more thorough phylogenetic investigation of the genus. So far, this phylogenetic study (44 nuclear gene introns sequenced for 96 individuals) has yielded insignificant results, including its lack of support for the previously suggested two independent domestications of the subspecies C. pepo that includes C. pepo subsp. pepo (zucchini, jack-o-lantern pumpkin, and many others) and C. pepo subsp. ovifera (acorn squash, ornamental gourd, and other often inedible ornamental forms). This study also provided insight into the relationships of the two Cucurbita crops that have no putative wild ancestors (C. moschata (butternut squash) and C. ficifolia (fig leaf gourd)) to wild species in the genus; additional analyses of these results may lead to a better understanding of the origin of these two crops. Results from this study have been presented at national (1) and local meetings (2), and publications are in prep. Dr. Kevin Kenworthy, University of Florida, turf and forage breeder in Agronomy reported that a significant evaluation effort on bahiagrass continues regarding the use of mutagenic treatments to improve the aesthetic value of apomictic Argentine and Wilmington bahiagrass. A significant effort continues in the breeding of St. Augustinegrass and zoysiagrass for improved turfgrass performance in Florida and reduced susceptibility to large patch. The breeding of seashore paspalum continues to progress to develop finer textured lines that are less susceptible to dollar spot. The bermudagrass program continues to breed for improved responses to the sting nematode with PI 291590 showing positive responses for further evaluation.

Dr. Greg MacDonald is assisting in evaluation of peanut yield, grade and biochemical data from the USDA peanut core collection – regeneration, evaluation and characterization study. Peanut yield and grade were taken from 1098 plot samples comprising 687 core cultivars, 107 mini-core cultivars (3 replications each) and 14 commercial varieties (3 to 9 replications each). Cultivars ranged widely in terms of yield, while most commercial lines exhibited typical grower yields. Grade was also variable, but most cultivars showed >65% total sound mature kernels. Seeds from the 321 peanut mini-core standard lines (107 lines x 3 replications) were assayed for total oil, fatty acid composition and protein content. In addition, 14 commercial lines comprising high oleic and non-high oleic peanut cultivars were assessed. Tissue was coarse ground using a coffee grinder and then pulverized using a mortar and pestle with liquid nitrogen. Protein content was determined spectrophotometrically using the Bradford assay compared to known standards. Oil was extracted, esterified and analyzed using gas chromatography. Most cultivars ranged from 25-35% protein and 45-60% oil. Most cultivars did not exhibit the high- oleic acid oil profile. Biochemical data from the remaining 687 core cultivars is currently being assessed. In addition, he has worked with Melanie Harrison (interim Peanut Curator) to regenerate 163 lines from the base collection, 51 descriptor lines (from the USDA Peanut Descriptor Handbook), and 114 lines from the ICRISAT mini-core collection. He also collaborated with the peanut breeders- Corley Holbrook, Peggy Ozias Akins, Barry Tillman, Mark Burow and Naveen Puppala to showcase their breeding lines to international visitors. He held a Peanut Germplasm Tour on July 9th, 2015 at PSREU for 55 participants from over 11 countries and 4 state universities. This tour was in conjunction with The Feed the Future Peanut and Mycotoxin Innovation Lab (PMIL), which is the funding agency for his peanut project in Haiti. Dr. Patricio Munoz provided the following report on annual ryegrass bermudagrass. Annual Ryegrass: The objective was to characterize the variability of the GRIN collection under Florida conditions, part of the dissertation of the Graduate Student Esteban Rios. We planted an experiment the cold season 2013-2014 from the whole collection we acquired from GRIN. We selected 28 accessions that were also planted in the cold season 2014-2015. We evaluated different traits, including flowering, morphology, and yield, among others. Additionally, he characterize the ploidy of the whole population with flow cytometry and publish the results in Crop Science in 2015. We expect to measure the population diversity using SSR markers in the fall of 2015. Bermudagrass: The objective was to evaluate the variability of the GRIN collection under Florida conditions to select material for starting a breeding program, part of the thesis of the graduate student Alexandra Rucker. We planted the whole collection of germplasm acquired from GRIN and plan to evaluate spread capacity, yield, disease, pest tolerance and quality. We established 2 more experiments with the same material in Marianna and Ona Florida, one additional one in Tifton Georgia in 2014 and 2 more in 2015 in North Carolina and Oklahoma. We expect to estimate the ploidy level for the whole collection using flow cytometry in the fall of 2015. Dr. Ken Quesenberry, emeritus forage and turf breeder in the Agronomy Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL reports that planting material of two newly released limpograss hybrids (Kenhy and Gibtuck) was distributed to selected cattlemen growers in August 2014. Parents of these two hybrids were Bigalta (P.I. 299995) and Floralta (P.I. 364888). A new planting of 11 mutant bahiagrass lines selected for superior turfgrass qualities was initiated in fall 2014 at the Plant Science Research & Education Unit at Citra, FL under both full sunlight and 60% shade. Research is ongoing focused on seed production and alternative vegetative propagation methodologies for these lines. A new planting of 80 St. Augustinegrass hybrids was initiated in summer 2014 at Gainesville, FL and with a cooperator in North Carolina. A new 2,4- D resistant red clover (FL24D, P.I. 673130) was approved for release in 2014 and production and marketing will begin in 2015. Ocoee white clover (P.I. 658492) with resistance to root-knot nematodes was registered in the Journal of Plant Registrations. Dr. Jay Scott, tomato breeder, GCREC, University of Florida, reports the following: Accessions used in the UF/IFAS tomato breeding program have been primarily from the Tomato Genetics Resource Center, which gets some funding from the USDA germplasm system. These have LA#s as opposed to PI#s. The sequence variation of begomovirus resistance genes was reported in the Caro paper below. The Solanum chilense accessions studied were LA1932, LA1938, LA1971, LA2779, and LA1960. We recently released breeding lines with begomovirus resistance. The Ty-6 gene was derived from either LA1938 or LA2779 Solanum chilense accessions. This is described in the Scott and Hutton paper that will be in the next HortScience. The Hutton and Scott release is a line that resulted from extensive work to drastically reduce the wild introgression near the Ty-3 gene. The source of this gene was Solanum chilense accession LA 2779. Ph.D. student, Jian Li, is screening 42 Solanum pennellii accessions for resistance to the 3 races of Fusarium wilt and for Fusarium crown and root rot, in an effort to identify novel sources of resistance. The accessions are: LA0716, LA0750, LA0751, LA1272, LA1273, LA1275, LA1277, LA1282, LA1297, LA1299, LA1302, LA1303, LA1340, LA1356, LA1367, LA1376, LA1515, LA1522, LA1649, LA1656, LA1657, LA1674, LA1693, LA1724, LA1732, LA1733, LA1734, LA1735, LA1809, LA1911, LA1912, LA1920, LA1926, LA1940, LA1941, LA1942, LA1943, LA1946, LA2560, LA2580, LA2657, LA2963. Dr. Vance Whitaker reported on strawberries that during the last calendar year, the University of Florida strawberry breeding program has utilized wild strawberry species in population improvement efforts. Wild accessions include those from Fragaria virginiana and F. chiloensis sourced from the USDA National Clonal Germplasm Repository (NCGR) in Corvallis, OR. The first major effort in the past 12 months has been in crossing with elite UF breeding selections to introgress important traits such as day neutral flowering, heat tolerance and disease resistances. Some introgression efforts have reached the BC3 and BC4 stage. The second major effort has been in screening wild species for resistance to an important disease in Florida, crown rot caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. A student has identified a wide range of resistance, with some accessions of F. virginiana being highly resistant, with zero plant death in inoculated field trials. Ms. Michelle Ropp provided the following report: I have been observing the overall effectiveness and practicality of polyculture versus the more traditional monoculture in the growing of crops or other desired plants. These observations are intended to compare the advantages and disadvantages of each method with regard for its application for organic gardening and agriculture, and also compares the effective use of space and resources, overall productivity, potential environmental impact, and explores any possible differences in overall health and, especially, pest damage. Included in this is the exploration of the actual effectiveness of companion planting, and whether proximity to specific species is beneficial, detrimental, or has no effect. It compares the effectiveness (or ineffectiveness) of different plant families and species as a companion plant to discourage pests and/or the spread of disease. Some results can be viewed at http://exploringpolyculture.blogspot.com/ Ms. Pamela Boye reported the following: We are a public high school in Brevard County Florida. I wrote a grant Project G.R.O.W. (Goals Reached Our Way) and received some start-up money to start a garden project with our 4 special education classrooms. The 35 students in those classrooms range from moderately mentally and physically handicapped to profoundly mentally and physically handicapped. Thanks to your germplasm system we were able to not only purchase plants from a local nursery but also see the entire life cycle of a plant from seed to harvest. We ended up with a late fall garden and a spring garden as well. Some of our endeavors were more successful than others....due to our inexperience and variations in depth of planting beds, soil amendments and water conditions. We thank you for your contribution to our first year of Project G.R.O.W. and for enhancing our grant. Ms. Heather Burton Reports that the one accession each of Capsicum annuum and Sorghum bicolor did not germinate for her. Mr. Richard Carnivale reports the following: I received the seeds of pepper and eggplant last year. As A Master Gardener we like to inform the public about gardening. The seeds came in very handy to offset the cost of planting. I wanted to show the public how to grow their own vegetables. I especially wanted to reach the young children. As a young person many years ago I was involved in working for the Cleveland garden center in the public school track garden program for six years. From that time on, I became a lifetime gardener. MS. Lisa Rackley reports: Last year, the only thing I received as a few hot pepper seeds. I have not planted those yet. However, I recently received a large shipment from the UC Davis clonal repository. All those are in pots and being rooted. We (R-Farm) planted 300 pomegranate trees last year. We are trying to see companion plants for the pomegranates.

Georgia During 2014, ninety-three different requests for plant germplasm were made to the S-009 unit by citizens of Georgia. As a result of these requests, 509 plant accessions were supplied to University scientists, USDA scientists, consultants, seed companies, gardeners, and citizens of Georgia. The most requested crops were sorghum, peanut, warm-season grasses, peppers, cowpea, and watermelon. The University of Georgia maintains strong emphasis on plant breeding and continues to expand its advanced molecular biology programs. The Institute of Plant Breeding, Genetics, and Genomics currently has 30 faculty members and 27 graduate students as well as many research scientists, and post-docs involved in various aspects of plant improvement. These programs supply new crop cultivars and associated technologies to our agricultural sector and rely heavily upon the plant materials maintained within the S-009 unit. UGA currently has active cultivar development programs in soybean, peanut, small grains, cotton, turfgrasses, forages, blueberries, pecan, grape, watermelon, and numerous ornamental crops that frequently utilize the plant genetic resource collections. These cultivar development programs have released 24 cultivars or crop germplasm lines in the past year (Table 1). Research programs in crop science, horticulture, plant pathology, entomology and other disciplines continue to utilize the genetic resources of the S-009 unit in both basic and applied research projects designed to address the needs of Georgia and U.S. agriculture. Projects currently underway involving the S-009 germplasm include: 1) Evaluation of the entire available seashore paspalum (warm-season turfgrass) collection for salt tolerance and the development of molecular markers that could be used by breeding programs to improve salt tolerance in grasses. 2) Evaluation of seashore paspalum assessions for tolerance to dollar spot disease (Sclerotinia homoeocarpa) 3) Evaluation of a large portion of the zoysiagrass germplasm collection for salt tolerance. 4) Identification of genes and pathways involved in Cucurbit disease resistance. 5) Identyfying QTLs associated with important traits in watermelon. 6) Translational genomics for enhancing disease resistance in plants, an internet-facilitated education program for training plant breeders. 7) Inheritance of P. capsici resistance in pepper. 8) Sequencing plant genomes in soybean, peanut, common bean, pigeonpea, and chickpea. 9) Genetic analysis of shattering of the sorghum inflorescence. 10) Transmission genetics of Sorghum halepense x S. bicolor crosses. 11) Genome-wide association study of sorghum growth and development. Ornamental grasses are included in a butterfly, bee, and beneficial insect conservation garden at the Griffin Campus. In summary, the S-009 unit remains a critical component of our research and cultivar development programs in Georgia.

Table 1. Cultivar Releases from UGA Breeding Programs in 2013-2014

Blueberry TH-917 Soybean G12PR-7R2 Blueberry TH-921 Soybean Germplasm – G07-6012 Blueberry TH-948 Soybean Germplasm – G07-6029 Muscadine GA 1-148 Vitex V0502-33 Ornamental Grass Tift 114 Vitex V0509A-7 Ornamental Grass Tift 125 Vitex V07-2 Peanut C1805-3-43 Vitex V07-SC-OP-4 Peanut GA 072716 (‘GA-13M’) Vitex Vhet-3kr Pecan – Selection #121 (‘Tom’) Wheat GA 031086-10E26 Soybean G06-3182RR Wheat GA 031134-10E29 Soybean G12PR-54R2 Wheat GA 031257-10LE34 Soybean G12PR-63R2 Wheat GA 04570-10E46

Guam Plant collection, conservation and distribution: Bananas (Musa spp.) In-vitro cultures of selected bananas (Musa spp.) were continued for local distribution at Guam Department of Agriculture. Sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas) Tissue cultured sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas) were obtained from the University of the Virgin Islands with help of Dr. Tom Zimmerman. These tissue cultured I. batatas are being multiplied in a horticulture lab at the University of Guam. Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) Seeds of roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) were obtained from the University of the Virgin Islands for future evaluation of adaptability to Guam’s environment to produce hibiscus tea, which is made from crimson or deep magenta-colored calyces of the flower. This is a new crop for Guam. Evaluation of germplasm adaptation to Guam’s climate Breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis) Clones of breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis) ‘Ma'afala’ were planted in the field of calcareous Guam cobbly clay soil on March 20, 2012 for evaluation of its adaptability in Guam. Breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis) ‘Ma'afala’ planted in the field of calcareous Guam cobbly clay soil on March 20, 2012 had first flowering was observed in February 2014. It matured in two years to produce fruits with supplemental irrigation and mulch. Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) Eighteen tomato cultivars were studied at five commercial farms in Guam during rainy season of 2014 to determine resistant lines against Ageratum yellow vein virus (AYVV) by Sheeka Tareyama and Dr. R. Shlub, Extension Plant Pathologist. This virus was identified earlier as tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV). However Dr. Kai-Shu Ling at USDA, ARS, Vegetable Laboratory, Charleston, SC re-examined the provided samples and identified the virus species as AYVV. Cultivars ‘Carmine’ and ‘Felicity’ showed resistance to AYVV and their field visual observation ranked higher than control ‘Season Red.’ Microgreens Six different microgreens were tested for their growth performance in an aquaponics system at University of Guam Triton Farm. Germination rate and plant growth of Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa var. pekinensis ‘Kogane’), radish (Raphanus sativus ‘Red Rambo’), mizuna (Brassica rapa var. japonica), pak choi (Brassica rapa var. chinensis ‘Red Choi’), Beet (Beta vulgaris ‘Early Wonder Tall Top’) and sorrel (Rumex spp) were examined for 10 days in a randomized complete block design with three replications. About 22 g of seeds was scattered + onto the top of the sheet, immersed in water with 0.023 mg/L of NH4 , 0.189 mg/L of NO2-N, 25.2 of mg/L NOx/NO3, 4.87 of PO4, 76.1 ppm of Ca, 12.5 ppm of Mg, and a pH level of 7.24. On the 10th day, fresh weight, shoot length, and root length were recorded. Average weights of radish, mizuna, cabbage, pak choi, beet, and sorrel were 528 mg, 322 mg, 290 mg, 160 mg, 85 mg, and 42 mg, respectively. There was a great variation in germination rate and plant growth among different microgreen species tested. Based on shoot length, vigorous germination, and thriving growth, mizuna is found to be the best microgreen species to grow in aquaponics in Guam. This study was conducted as a part of NIH STEP program by a high school student. Zucchini (Cucurbita pepo) Six zucchini (Cucurbita pepo) commercial cultivars, ‘Reward,’ ‘Eight Ball,’ ‘Felix,’ ‘Noche,’ ‘Fordhook’ and ‘Dunja’ were evaluated during dry season of 2014 (March to June) at Guam Agricultural Experiment Station. Cv. Eight Ball had earliest maturity. Powdery mildew and mosaic virus diseases had become the main problems during April to June 2014 to severe damages on crops. Outcomes / Impact: Regeneration of selected lines of tropical crops for Guam will support the increase in local farming production and diversification of agricultural crops as well as conservation of germlines. Evaluation of important tropical plant germlines will support development of sustainable agriculture in the region. The search for new germlines and commercial cultivars with tolerance and pest resistance will assist growers in choosing locally adapted vegetables and windbreak plants to sustain their manageable farming operation in Guam.

Kentucky Recent germplasm requests for material housed at Griffin and sent to KY in 2014 includes sorghum, cowpea, peanut, pepper, and various warm season grasses. A total of 117 accessions were sent to KY in 2014, an increase from 86 accessions sent to KY in 2012, but less than the 221 accessions sent to Kentucky during 2013. George Antonious, a researcher at Kentucky State University acquired 29 pepper accessions for use in screening pepper accessions for variation in antioxidant content, pungency, and insect resistance. In total, 19 different individual people in KY received accessions from S-009 in 2014, with several representing small farms. At the University of Kentucky, John Snyder in the Department of Horticulture received five pepper accessions for use in his insect resistance research. Tim Phillips received 21 accessions, mainly sorghum and sudangrass, for use in a graduate student’s research on nitrogen use efficiency. The following table summarizes numbers of accessions from Griffin sent to Kentucky during 2009-2014: Recipient Year University of KY Other KY Private/other Universities 2009 38 1 30 2010 4 25 4 2011 83 0 11 2012 66 3 17 2013 29 160 32 2014 27 31 59

Louisiana Sorghum seed was requested to test if resistance to Schizaphis graminum would correlate to resistance to Melanaphis sacchari. Sorghum is also being studied for genetic research of agronomicly important traits such as biomass and sugar yield in sorghum. The final goal is to map and functionally identify the underlying genes. A new breeding program on grain sorghum was initiated. The Sorghum Association Panel was evaluated in 2014 for agronomic productivity. Accessions were also rated for their reaction to the sugarcane aphid, an increasingly important pest. Selected lines were further evaluated in the greenhouse using artificial inoculation. Some lines were also selected for nex-gen sequencing to initiate a search for microsatellite markers linked to aphid reaction. Germplasm for southernpea variety ‘Louisiana Purchase’ was requested; it no longer existed in the local collection. Seed of Vigna unguiculata Plant Introductions reported to be either salt or drought tolerant were requested from the repository. These lines are being used in crosses for these traits. Systematic studies on the crop wild relative Batatas group has relied heavily on the S-9 collection. There are efforts underway to study the taxonomy of the Batatas group. ‘Bellevue’ sweetpotato was released. The variety has high yield, consistent shape, southern root knot nematode resistance, and adaptability across environments.

Mississippi Germplasm requested from GRIN during 2014 were used for various research and extension activities, though it appears five requests that were personal in nature. During the last year there were 26 requests for germplasm made from the S-009 Unit by entities identifying themselves at being from Mississippi. The greatest number of accessions (20 legume species) were requested by a single Mississippi State University scientist in Entomology for pest/viral vector screening. Jasper County Antioch Community Center requested (Citrullus) seed as part of an outreach program for children in the community. Additional requests for material (four for pepper; one for cowpea) were made by private individuals for personal use. Requests for 2014 were two and a half times last year’s (26 vs 10).

North Carolina Plant introductions are critical components of plant improvement at NC State University and all plant breeding programs make use of germplasm maintained in the National Plant Germplasm System (NPGS). Faculty in the Crop Science and Horticultural Science Departments at NC State University conduct research on strawberry, blueberry, brambles, tree crops, ornamentals, maize, soybean, peanut, cotton, tobacco, small grains, turfgrasses, sweet potato, cucurbits, and other crops. Priorities are on incorporating disease and insect resistance, abiotic stress resistance, and quality factors into improved breeding lines and cultivars. The Plant Breeding Center also is supporting a large group of graduate students who are studying plant breeding, many of whom are involved with plant germplasm collections. In addition to germplasm and cultivar development, the Plant Pathology Department manages a micro-propagation unit to assure that strawberry and sweet potato germplasm and root stocks are virus free. This unit is critical for maintaining disease-free cultivars in North Carolina. A distance education program in plant breeding was started. Four plant breeding courses are now available on-line, and a graduate certificate in horticulture with a plant breeding emphasis is available. Brambles: Dr. Hamid replaced James Ballington as the blueberry breeder in the department of Horticulture. A program with blackberry and raspberry is attempting to adapt germplasm to North Carolina environments. Cotton: The research focus of the cotton program is developing germplasm, genetic stocks, and mapping genomic resources for enhancing the cotton productivity. Interspecific hybrids are being developed to introgress genes for improved cotton fiber quality and yield. Lines with improved yield fiber quality and fusarium resistance have been released as germplasm lines. Interspecific hybrids are being evaluated for thrips tolerance. The first agronomic gene cloned in cotton using map-based cloning approach where leaf shape locus L, which controls the leaf shape and canopy architecture in cotton was chemically isolated. The program is leading a multi-institutional Genome Wide Association Studies (GWAS) initiative in Upland cotton and a diversity panel of 360 accessions was evaluated for lint yield, fiber quality and flowering time. Cucumber: The cucumber breeding project at NC State has been working on developing new hybrids of the pickling type for use by North Carolina growers. Research is continuing on resistance to downy mildew in cucumber, and parthenocarpy in cucumber. Cut flowers: The cut flower breeding program is emphasizing efforts to improve zinnias and Eucomis. Zinnias are a popular cut flower crop grown widely throughout the U.S. and Eucomis is a new crop with potential for the Southeast. Efforts are being made to develop Z. violacea cultivars with powdery mildew resistance and cultivars of Eucomis with stronger flower racemes to reduce lodging. Maize: The maize breeding program has one state-supported and two USDA scientists. Projects are investigating several Latin American accessions identified in the Allelic Diversity GEM project that failed to set seed as F1 hybrid females in backcrosses with standard lines. Efforts are being made to study incompatibility factors in U.S. and Mexican maize. These factors have both historic interest and potential economic value. The GEM site at Iowa State, the Panzea site at Cornell, and the maize genetics site at Cornell all have data from the maize program at NC State. In addition, genetic diversity is being investigated using molecular markers for a very large array of agronomically important traits. Butterfly bush is being bred for compact and sterile forms with reduced or no invasive potential. Traditional cultivars are very vigorous and challenging to manage in a home landscape. Six advanced selections have potential for improved cultivar releases. Raspberries are being adapted to all climates found in North Carolina, with emphasis on superior horticultural traits and long shelf life. Redbud is being bred for weeping and compact forms encompassing the range of leaf variants (purple leaf, variegated leaf, golden leaf) and flower color variants. Hybridization of eastern redbud with Texas redbud is incorporating genes for drought and heat tolerance from the Texas forms into eastern redbuds. Arachis species: Collections of Arachis cultivars and wild species are being maintained in the peanut program. An Arachis species collection is being maintained as a backup the USDA materials and 432 are currently propagated. In addition, 172 Arachis species accessions are in a field seed-increase nursery and additional plants of Arachis accessions are being propagated in the greenhouse for seed increase. Germplasm in the USDA peanut germplasm collection were evaluated and errors in species identities were identified which will be corrected in the national database. Genetic resources of wild peanuts were catalogued, accessions propagated, and plans outlined to complete and maintain the U.S. germplasm collection. Peanut breeding efforts are being made to pyramid genes for disease resistances into single genotypes, investigate the inheritance of Sclerotinia blight and tomato spotted wilt virus resistances, develop drought resistant genotypes, and higher yields. In the 2015 peanut trials conducted by NCSU, we have 526 total entries. Of them, 503 have ancestry from registered breeding line N96076L, in turn derived from species-derived registered breeding line GP-NC WS 13 and Arachis cardenasii accession GKP10017. One hundred seventy-seven lines have more recent species ancestry, 13 have the "black pod" trait from PI 599606, 40 have ancestry from CRSP breeding lines derived from a Bolivian PI Bayo Grande and look-alikes from Bolivia as well as from hirsuta-type ancestor PI 576638 via Florida breeding line FNC94022-1-2-1-1-b3- B, and 5 from the very early maturing Spanish type cultivar 'Chico' (PI 565455). 508 lines (96.6% of all test entries) have at least some PI ancestry. Introgression lines with Arachis species germplasm are now in more than 95% of the NCSU breeding lines in the cultivar development program and the source of leaf spot, Sclerotinia, tomato spotted wilt virus and insect resistances. Small grains: The wheat breeding program is utilizing wild species to introgress genes for scab and other diseases into the cultivated species. Both breeding lines and cultivars are being released for the North Carolina environment. Genes were validated that confer resistance to Fusarium Head Blight in the varieties NC-Neuse and Bess. These varieties are being heavily utilized as sources of resistance in south eastern wheat breeding programs. Significant progress made on research on mapping genes for Stagonospora resistance in wheat, crown freezing tolerance in oats, and end-use quality and weed suppressive ability in wheat. Also, the Eastern Regional Small Grains Genotyping Laboratory at NCSU is involved in use of markers to characterize germplasm and deployment of genes/QTL by marker-assisted selection. Soybean: The soybean breeding program has two USDA scientists who are concentrating on utilizing exotic germplasm to improve drought resistance and to breed for altered fatty acid profiles. Significant progress has been made during recent years to increase yields of non-GMO cultivars. The state supported soybean breeding position is vacant and the time frame for refilling the vacancy is uncertain. A new USDA soybean breeder was employed during the past year. Strawberry: The objectives of the strawberry breeding program are to maintain germplasm, select improved genotypes for anthracnose resistance, superior horticultural traits, and different maturity levels. Sweet potato: Research emphasis for sweet potatoes is to develop disease and insect resistances in table-stock cultivars and to develop specialty-type sweet potatoes with improved root quality. Efforts are being made to improve resistances to insects and pathogens by utilizing wild and/or related plant germplasm as a source of commercially important traits. In addition, the breeding program is selecting ornamental types for urban landscapes. Tobacco: The U.S. collection of cultivated and wild Nicotiana species is maintained at NCSU and numerous seed requests have been received by U.S. and international individuals and organizations. The tobacco breeding program continues to develop hybrids for both the flue- cured and burley markets with enhanced disease and virus resistances. The tobacco program has developed a total of 27 low nornicotine tobacco varieties. The most advanced of these varieties, NC 7 SRC, is on target to be grown commercially in 2016. These new cultivars are expected to serve as an important resource for producing tobacco products with significantly reduced levels of NNN. In collaboration with colleagues in China, the tobacco program has placed the location of a major gene responsible for conferring susceptibility to the tobacco pathogen Potato Virus Y to a 5 Mb DNA scaffold located on Chromosome 21. Multiple regions of the tobacco genome contributing to high levels of non- race-specific black shank resistance were identified. Also, two flue-cured tobacco cultivars with a combination of high yield and high black shank resistance were entered into the 2015 OVT. Tomato: The tomato breeding program at NC State University aims to improve tomato fruit quality, disease resistance and stress tolerance by conventional and molecular breeding methods. Current emphasis is to combine resistances for early blight, late blight, fusarium wilt, bacterial wilt, tomato spotted wilt virus, tomato mosaic virus and root knot nematode. Conventional and molecular approaches are adopted to improve the tomato for fruit quality, fruit smoothness, size and color. Turfgrasses: The turfgrass breeder is working to improve turf sustainability by developing cultivars that require reduced inputs and that are capable of tolerating biotic and environmental stresses. Specific projects include breeding for drought tolerance in tall fescue, breeding for cold tolerance in St. Augustine grass and Bermuda grass, evaluation of St. Augustine grass germplasm for gray leaf spot resistance, evaluation of zoysia grass germplasm for large patch resistance, and developing EMS mutants in centipede grass. A turfgrass genetics program has both biotechnology and cultivar improvement components. High throughput transformation protocols were developed for switchgrass and perennial ryegrass, and useful genes have been transferred into these two species. A collection of Cynodon transvaalensis PIs was screened for cold tolerance in the field and a few of them have been selected for their superior performance. Recurrent selection has been used in tall fescue to develop populations with improved heat and drought tolerance. Watermelon: Watermelon is being developed with resistance to bacterial fruit blotch, and inheritance of citrulline content are being studied. Watermelon populations with orange flesh, canary yellow flesh, small fruit, high yield, high quality, and gummy stem blight resistance are being selected for use in cultivar development. Breeding is continuing on eastern shipping cantaloupes, sprite melons and canary melons.

Cultivar and Germplasm Releases Blueberry: Pentaploid cultivar 'Heintooga' Buddleja 'Blue Chip Jr' Buddleja 'Miss Pearl' Buddleja 'Miss Violet' Buddleja 'Pink Micro Chip' Cercis canadensis 'Pink Pom Poms' Deutzia ‘NCDX2’ Yuki Cherry BlossomTM Hydrangea arborescens ‘NCHA2’ Invincibelle™ Spirit II Hydrangea arborescens ‘NCHA3’ Invincibelle™ Ruby Hydrangea arborescens ‘NCHA4’ Incrediball™ Blush Ilex verticillata ‘NCIV1’ Little GoblinTM Ligustrum ‘NCLX1’ Golden TicketTM Maize: germplasm line ‘1222-2’ that blocks normal pollen and pollen from Ga1-m sources Miscanthus: ‘NCMS1’ My Fair Maiden™ Peanut: 'Emery' high-oleic large-seeded Virginia-type peanut cultivar Peanut: Interspecific germplasm lines ‘NC-GP WS 16’ and ‘NC-GP WS 17’ with multiple disease resistances Prunus ‘NCPH1’ Pink Cascade™ Soybean: ‘N6001’ and ‘N6002’ germplasm lines with high yield St. Augustinegrass: ‘DALSA 0605’ Viburnum ‘NCVR1’, Emerald Envy™ Viburnum‘NCVX1’ Shiny Dancer ™ Oat cultivar: ‘NC10-5069’ Oat cultivar: ‘FL720’ Tobacco: 27 cultivars with low levels of nornicotine Triticale cultivar ‘FL01143’ Triticale cultivar: GA-041052-11E52 (‘DynaGro’) Patents Issued On Feb. 28, 2014 a patent entitled “Tobacco inbred plants NCBEX1F, NCBEX1MS and NC EX90” was granted by the European Patent Office. R.S. Lewis and R.E. Dewey, inventors Patents Filed On Jan. 10, 2014 a patent application entitled “NCTG-61 SRC, NC1562-1 SRC, NC196 SRC, K326 SRC, K346 SRC flue-cured tobacco lines and hybrids” was filed both with the USPTO and the European Patent Office. R.S. Lewis and R.E. Dewey, inventors On Sept. 26, 2014 a provisional patent was filed with both the European Patent Office and the USPTO entitled “Reducing tobacco specific nitrosamines through alteration of the nitrate assimilation pathway”. R.E. Dewey, J. Lu and R.S. Lewis, inventors.

Oklahoma In the last reporting period, 133 plant accessions maintained at the USDA ARS Plant Genetic Resources Conservation Unit at Griffin, GA were distributed to organizations or individuals in Oklahoma, according to the plant germplasm distribution record. This represents about 20 percent more accessions sent to OK than the previous year. The accessions were distributed in 39 requests. The requested plant germplasm in 2014 included peppers (Capsicum annuum, P. pubescens and P. chinense) (8 accessions), sorghum plants (Sorghum bicolor and S. propinquum) (84 accessions), Panicum species (virgatum, amarum, capillare, coloratum, hallii, repens, trichanthum, and virgatum var. cubense) (15 accessions), Pennisetum glaucum (1 accession), peanuts (Arachis hypogaea) (3 accessions), watermelon (Citrulus lanatus) (3 accessions), Vigna unguiculata plants (3 accessions), and some other warm-season grasses. Receivers of the plant accessions include researchers at Oklahoma State University and USDA- ARS laboratories, and residents in the state.

Puerto Rico Eighteen quenepa cultivars are in the tenth year of evaluation. In 2014 fruit production was erratic and yields were poor. Citrus germplasm collections are being maintained in screenhouses at Isabela and Rio Piedras, and the collections were tested for citrus greening, Citrus Tristeza Virus, and Phytophthora. This germplasm is available for citrus producers. New germplasm evaluation experiments were established with 'Nova' mandarin and 'Pera', 'Trovita', 'Marr's Early' and 'Hamlin' oranges. A total of 151 fungal isolates were collected from the Dioscorea collection, with the main genera being Colletotrichum, Fusarium, Botrydiplodia and Nigrospora. An experiment with 'Maiden' plantain showed that yield and other plant characteristics were affected by chicken manure soil amendment but not by leaf removal. Visits continue to citrus experimental plantings at UPR-AES’s substations at Isabela and Corozal for the detection of Phytophthora with ELISA tests. Seeds of the following available rootstocks were obtained from experimental plantings at UPR’s substations at Isabela, Corozal and Adjuntas: 'Swingle' citrumelo, 'Cleopatra' mandarin, 'Carrizo' citrange and HRS-812 (C. reticulata x P. trifoliata). The relative susceptibility of these rootstocks for foot rot and root rot caused by Phytophthora nicotianae and P. citricola are in progress in the greenhouse. Data for growth characteristics of shade grown achachairu (Garcinia sp.) seedlings with different growth regulator treatments were collected and analyzed. Two field collections of Artocarpus altilis have been established, one in Lajas and another in Isabela. Plants in those collections are being characterized and will serve as a germplasm bank for propagation of selections of interest, for either scientific research and/or for release to growers. Additionally, two replicated field experiments have been established, one at Lajas and another at Isabela, comparing five selections of Artocarpus altilis in each location. Plant height, leaf number and chlorophyll concentration are evaluated regularly. Germplasm collections being maintained in the field include the following accessions: 5 breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis), 18 quenepa (Melicoccus bijugatus), 17 plantain and 28 banana (Musa sp.), 23 yam (Dioscorea sp.), 22 cassava (Manihot esculenta), 20 sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas), and 75 tannier (Xanthosoma sp.). USDA germplasm requests in Puerto Rico in 2014 include 25 accessions of Hibiscus sp., 20 of sweet potato, and 1 of Capsicum annuum.

South Carolina Germplasm Received from the Plant Genetic Resources Conservation Unit, Southern Regional Plant Introduction Station, Griffin, GA: According to records provided by the repository at Griffin, 18 university scientists, USDA scientists, consultants, seed companies, gardeners, and citizens of South Carolina made 70 separate requests for germplasm curated by the National Plant Germplasm System (NPGS) during the calendar year 2014 representing a total of fifty-four species. In return, 3,763 accessions were distributed by NPGS. The following is a list of received accessions by genus: Genus Total Arachis 28 Basella 3 Benincasa 5 Capsicum 36 Citrullus 366 Cymbopogon 1 Hibiscus 3 Ipomoea 7 Paspalum 4 Pennisetum 7 Solanum 2 Sorghum 3279 Vigna 22

Plant Research at Clemson University: Genetic diversity of sorghum (Dr. Stephen Kresovich): Researchers with Dr. Kresovich made 13 requests for sorghum germplasm for a total of 3,278 accessions received. Approximately 3,122 of these accessions were sent to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico during 2014-2015 winter nursery to be increased in preparation for a DOE ARPA-E sorghum bioenergy grant that was submitted as a letter of intent in November 2014. The accessions germinated well in Mexico and have been selfed, threshed, and shipped to and received for final cleaning and storage back at Clemson and soon will be provided to collaborators for concurrent planting in field sites across the southern U.S. sorghum belt. This grant was invited for full proposal, submitted March 2015, and was selected for funding in June 2015. The remaining 156 accessions were planted in summer 2014 field plots at the Pee Dee REC in Florence, SC and were phenotyped for biomass yield and composition traits using near Infrared spectroscopy technology (NIRS) and were associated with known genotypes for candidate gene discovery (papers in preparation). The peanut breeding program of Dr. Tallury, received 44 accessions of diverse genera of peanuts during the past year. These accessions were planted in the greenhouse for seed increase. Some did not produce seed. The accessions that were successfully increased will be used for crosses during the summer 2015 in field plots at the Pee Dee REC in Florence, SC. The soybean breeding program of Dr. Fallen is continuing use of previously requested accessions maintained by NPGS to incorporate genetic diversity into the program, particularly for insect-pest resistances and increased oil and protein content. The insect-pests included foliar feeding insects, soybean looper, velvet bean caterpillar, corn earworm and root-knot nematode. Two other plant introductions, PI 647081 and PI 647082 have three QTLs associated with insect resistances. Additionally, PIs 424444, 594191, and 58777 were obtained to develop soybeancultivars adapted to South Carolina with improved oil/ protein content. The peach breeding program of Dr. Gasic continues to develop high quality, disease resistant peach varieties adapted to environmental conditions of southeastern U.S. by utilization of the peach genetic diversity in landraces, NPGS collections and Kousik elite germplasm for germplasm enhancement. Dr. Gasic, Lawton-Rauh, Saski, and Kresovich have been integrated into the RosBREED2 project initiated this year. The population genomics program of Dr. Lawton-Rauh is continuing research utilizing species from three genera to elucidate genome patterns and processes of domestication and contemporary rapid adaptation to abiotic stresses, including pesticides (herbicide tolerance/resistance), water (drought and flooding) and temperature fluctuations using crop, weed and wild relative accessions of Amaranthus, Oryza, and Echinochloa obtained from NPGS, cooperators and colleagues, and private sources. The maize diversity program of Dr. Sekhon has just started in August 2015 and employs high-resolution genotypic data, tissue-specific transcriptomes, and statistical genomic approaches to identify genetic elements underlying quantitative traits using diverse maize and sorghum germplasm from NPGS. He also is interested in understanding the dynamics of plant epigenome during developmental transitions.

Tennessee ROW CROPS: CORN Project Title: Cereal Breeding Subtitle: Breeding maize lines with exotic germplasm Personnel: Dennis West, Univ Tenn Collaborators: Major Goodman, Matt Krakowsky, NCSU and USDA Objective: Develop improved maize germplasm for the southern region. Approach: Early generation lines from the Germplasm Enhancement of Maize (GEM) project, expired PVP lines, and other germplasm obtained from the North Central Regional Plant Introduction station maize collection are crossed with elite adapted lines. Progeny from crosses are advanced by traditional breeding methods, to develop new maize parental lines. In 2014 we obtained the following maize germplasm from the NPGS for inclusion in our maize breeding project: PI/code cultivar 1. Lines from the GEM project; GEMN-0246 GEMN-0247 GEMS-0248 GEMN-0249 GEMS-0250 GEMS-0251 GEMN-0252

2. Expired PVP lines; PI 565104 PHHB9 PI 578030 PHEG9 PI 578034 PHTE4 PI 601570 PHP02 PI 548803 PHR03 PI 601574 PHT60 PI 574390 LH218

SOYBEAN Project Title: Germplasm Resources for Enhancing Glyphosate Herbicide Resistant Soybean Seed Yield Personnel: Vince Pantalone, Professor; Chris Smallwood, Research Associate; Ben Fallen, Research Associate; Debbie Ellis, Research Associate; Rachel Fulton, Research Associate; Lauren Richardson, Graduate Research Assistant, Jeneen Abrams, Graduate Research Assistant, Jeff Boehm, Graduate Research Assistant, Department of Plant Sciences, Univ. of Tennessee Objective: Utilize germplasm resources to develop elite herbicide resistant soybean lines Approach: A set of high yielding glyphosate herbicide resistant soybean lines were yield tested in 2014 as replicated field trials in West Tennessee, Middle Tennessee and East Tennessee. This material was derived from reselecting advanced homozygous single plants from a recent population containing exotic germplasm parentage developed by our TN program (TN01-294RR × and LG98-1445). The female parent contains the original Monsanto glyphosate herbicide resistance gene (event 40-3-2) whose patents expired March 2015. We developed the female of the cross by making three backcrosses with our high yielding recurrent parent line TN93-99, which is registered germplasm line GP-280 in the USDA Germplasm Collection. The male pollen donor line is registered germplasm line GP-318 in the USDA Germplasm Collection and it contains two exotic pedigree sources (PI 227333 and PI 91730-1) that collectively contribute less than 10% of the genes to U.S. soybean cultivars. The opportunity to instill new high yield genes for continued future genetic gains was a milestone objective of this project. Results: Our new line TN13-5537RR1 ranked #1 for seed yield in the 2014 Tennessee State Variety Test, where it produced 8 bushels per acre above the test average of 47 Roundup Ready varieties. Our line has excellent resistance to SCN Race 2 which is a particularly difficult race to breed resistance against. Moreover, TN13-5537RR1 showed very healthy plants with vigorous green leaves during a strong natural field infestation of sudden death syndrome that left some varieties devastated at Milan, TN in 2014.

Project Title: Germplasm Resources for Conventional Soybean Seed Yield Improvement Personnel: Vince Pantalone, Professor; Chris Smallwood, Research Associate; Ben Fallen, Research Associate; Debbie Ellis, Research Associate; Rachel Fulton, Research Associate; Beth Meyer, Research Associate; Lauren Richardson, Graduate Research Assistant, Jeneen Abrams, Graduate Research Assistant, Jeff Boehm, Graduate Research Assistant, Department of Plant Sciences, Univ. of Tennessee Objective: Develop elite conventional soybean lines through germplasm resources Approach: 1) A cross was made between two high yielding cultivars (5601T, CV-441 and 5002T, CV-466) that we developed and registered in the USDA Germplasm Collection. The progeny line TN05-5018 (relative maturity 4.9) was released as excellent high yielding conventional (non-GMO) cultivar ‘Ellis’ in 2013. 2) A cross between two registered cultivars in the USDA Germplasm Collection (Fowler × Anand) produced progeny line TN09-008 which was evaluated in the 2013 Southern Uniform Test (MG V) over approximately 22 environments.

Results: 1) Our new variety Ellis was field tested in various advanced yield trials in 2014 where it was the top yielding entry. Four example, in the UniSouth Genetics Advanced Lines test in Arkansas, Missouri, and Tennessee, Ellis ranked #1 for seed yield at 71.6 bu/A producing 8.7 bu/A more than the test average. In the 2014 Arkansas State Variety Test Ellis ranked #1 for seed yield, producing a tremendous 73.1 bu/A statewide average which was 8 bu/A more than the test average of 74 varieties (nearly all of which are modern commercial varieties with biotech herbicide resistance genes). Ellis soybean currently serves as a USDA Southern Uniform Soybean Test high yield check for the maturity group (MG) IV-Late and the MG V southern regional trials. We are presently drafting a manuscript to register and deposit Ellis to the USDA Soybean Germplasm Collection. 2) We registered and deposited to the Soybean Germplasm Collection the new soybean germplasm line JTN-5203 (Reg. No. GP-393, PI 664903) with excellent SCN resistance plus resistance to many pathogens common in the southern U.S. (Arelli et al., 2015). 3) We developed line TN12-4100 with excellent SCN resistance. In the 2014 Tennessee State Variety Test, that line ranked #1 for seed yield, producing 6 bu/A above the average of all entries in the test. 4) Although not field tested in 2014 due to insufficient seed stock, the prior year TN09-008 was grown in the 2013 USDA Southern Uniform Preliminary Test MG V over approximately 22 southern environments. Our line TN09-008 was among the 3 top yielding entries of the 27 entry test that included two glyphosate resistant commercial high yield checks and three conventional high yield checks. It is notable that TN09-008 showed excellent seed yields with a mean of 61.9 Bu/A which exceeded that of every check. Moreover, TN09-008 pathogen testing results showed extraordinary SCN resistance, with the best possible scores (1, 1, 1) for resistance to SCN Race 2, SCN Race 3, and SCN Race 5 (HG types 1.2.5.7, 5.7, and 2.5.7, respectively. This line is presently being considered for possible cultivar release and deposit as a high yielding SCN resistant soybean to the USDA Soybean Germplasm Collection. We currently plan to grow approximately 5 acres of seed stock production of TN09-008 in 2015 to provide the initial Breeders Seed production lot.

BIOFUEL CROP: SWITCHGRASS Project Title: Evaluation of Lowland Switchgrass Germplasms Personnel: Hem Bhandari, Assistant professor, Jessica Hentchel, Research Associate, Fred Allen, Professor, Dept. of Plant Sciences, Univ. of Tennessee. Objective: Characterize switchgrass germplasms for biomass yield and other agronomic traits

Approach: Twenty three lowland switchgrass germplasm acquired from USDA-GRIN were established in a space-planted nursery in spring 2013. Each germplasm is represented by 15 genotypes. Biomass yield, yield components, and composition will be recorded in 2014 and 2015.

Project Title: Breeding improved cultivars of lowland switchgrass Personnel: Hem Bhandari, Assistant professor, Jessica Hentchel, Research Associate, Fred Allen, Professor, Dept. of Plant Sciences, Univ. of Tennessee. Objective: Development of high biomass yielding cultivar of switchgrass Approach: Several hundred plants were selected in fall of 2011 from four-year-old swards of Alamo and Kanlow populations of switchgrass that were previously established and maintained by Dr. Fred Allen. Seeds harvested from the selected plants were used for progeny testing during 2012 and 2013. Nine Alamo and 7 Kanlow parental clones of superior progeny were identified. The selected clones will be intercrossed to produce improved experimental varieties of Alamo and Kanlow population sources. One MS and one Ph.D. students are involved in the project. Fifty biparental crosses were made between genotypes of Alamo x Kanlow populations during 2013. The bi-parental cross families will be evaluated in two Tennessee locations in 2014 and 2015. Parental clones demonstrating superior hybrid potential will be identified. The selected parental clones will be clonally multiplied for used in hybrid production.

Project Title: Deciphering Allelic Variation Associated with Feedstock Trait in Switchgrass Personnel: Hem Bhandari, Assistant professor, Jessica Hentchel, Research Associate, Alex Aust, Research Associate, Fred Allen, Professor, Dept. of Plant Sciences, Univ. of Tennessee. Objective: Identification and mapping of important quantitative trait loci in switchgrass Approach: A Nested Association Mapping (NAM) population was developed at the Noble Foundation by chain-crossing 10 diverse switchgrass genotypes that were previously selected from germplasm acquired from USDA-GRIN. The mapping population was generated by crossing chain-cross families with AP13 genotype. The phenotypic experiment is planted in Knoxville during summer of 2013 (1 replication) and 2014 (two replications) for identification of important gene quantitative trait loci associated with biomass yield trait. The Noble Foundation is pursuing genotypic by sequencing. The phenotypic data and genotypic data will be analyzed and QTL will be identified.

ALTERNATIVE CROPS: NIGER Project Title: Evaluation of Niger (Guizotia abyssinica L.)Accessions for Seed Production & Agronomic Traits Personnel: Fred Allen, Professor and Victoria Benelli, Grad Research Assistant, Dept. of Plant Sciences, Univ. of Tennessee Objective: Evaluate seed yield and seed oil potential of niger accessions, and evaluate crosses from selected parent lines for seed yield, oil and fatty acid profiles in the seed.. Approach: Fourteen niger accessions from the USDA Germplasm collection were evaluated during the summer of 2012 for seed production potential and agronomic traits. Based on those evaluations crosses were made among 6 chosen parental lines in order to determine if the feasible of selecting improved lines as new cultivars. The parental lines, F1, F2, BC and reciprocal were evaluated at three locations in TN during 2014. The project was completed in the form of a MS thesis in 2015.

Requests from Tennessee in 2014 for germplasm: Beill, P., Tennessee Seed Research Service Peanuts (cultivated) Arachis hypogaea Blair, M., Tennessee State University Vigna (mungbean) Vigna radiata Vigna radiata var. radiata Vigna radiata var. sublobata Vigna (other spp.) Vigna angularis Vigna angularis var. nipponensis Vigna unguiculata group Butler, D., University of Tennessee Vigna (cowpeas) unguiculata Legumes (special Cooley, M., Stony Creek Colors purpose) Indigofera suffruticosa Indigofera tinctoria Grant, J., University of Tennessee Grasses (warm season) Panicum virgatum Kwit, C., University of Tennessee Grasses (warm season) Panicum amarum Panicum amarum var. amarulum Lambert, D., The Free Church Clover (annuals) Trifolium incarnatum McCaleb, A. Miscellaneous spp. Catharanthus roseus Pendergrass, D., New Hope Seed Company Cucurbit spp. Cucurbita moschata Vigna (cowpeas) Vigna unguiculata Vigna unguiculata subsp. unguiculata Watermelon Citrullus lanatus Reagan II, R., Pelissippi State Community College Peanuts (cultivated) Arachis hypogaea Todd, A., Carroll County Health Eggplant Solanum melongena Watermelon Citrullus lanatus Vito, L., University of Tennessee Grasses (warm season) Panicum virgatum Willis, J., University of Tennessee Sorghum Sorghum bicolor subsp. bicolor Xu, W., The University of Tennessee Grasses (warm season) Pennisetum alopecuroides Pennisetum bambusiforme Pennisetum basedowii Pennisetum flaccidum Pennisetum mezianum Pennisetum orientale Pennisetum purpureum Pennisetum setaceum Pennisetum setigerum Pennisetum spp. Pennisetum squamulatum Pennisetum unisetum Pennisetum villosum Texas Dr. Jessup's perennial grass breeding program (Soil and Crop Sciences, TAMU) is developing interspecific hybrids between pearl millet and napiergrass. Germplasm of Pennisetum alopecuroides and P. flaccidum were requested for use in interspecific hybrids between these species and napiergrass. Sorghum accessions from different African locations were sequenced at Texas A&M University to look at the evolution of particular traits based on origin. Scott Seed Co. is using sorghum accessions as parental lines for hybrid development. Current evaluation programs include reaction to sugarcane aphid. Dr. John Mullet’s lab at TAMU is currently conducting diversity analysis (~1200 accessions) and screening sorghum (~1000 accessions) for flowering time and drought tolerance traits. Three different Trifolium spp. were used to sequence chloroplast and mitochondrial genomes of legume species at the University of Texas. To date, the chloroplast genomes have been completed, deposited on GenBank and resulted in two publications (see below). Results show that legume chloroplast genomes are highly rearranged compared to other angiosperms and that there are sporadic gene losses and reduced sizes in some legumes. The Juenger lab at the University of Texas has longstanding interests in exploring natural genetic variation and local adaptation in C4 perennial grasses, including switchgrass (Panicum virgatum). Most recently the lab has attempted to compile a diverse set of switchgrass germplasm for future common garden, genetic, and genomic analyses. As one avenue for new material, we requested a large number of accessions held by the USDA GRIN. We received over 200 seed packages from GRIN and have screen individuals plants from these packets for genome size (using flow cytometry) and inference of ploidy status (tetraploid versus octoploid status). We have also extracted high quality genomic DNA from this material and screened each plant for upland/lowland distinguishing cytotype markers. These data will be shared with Melanie Harrison at GRIN (the perennial grasses manager). A subset of this material has been submitted for full-genome resequencing through the DOE Joint Genome Institute Community Science Program. The material is currently held as a living collection in Austin Texas and will be clonally propagated for future studies funded through the DOE Biological Science Division. Dr. Auld, Texas Tech University, has evaluated 135 accessions of sesame and 28 sorghum accessions at Lubbock for agronomic traits. Browning Seed, Inc. is increasing seed of castor bean and starting a new breeding effort with this plant. Dr. Malinowski, Texas A&M AgriLife Research, evaluated yellow-flowered Hibiscus to determine hybridization potential with H. moscheutos. None of the PI lines would hybridize with H. moscheutos. The lines were displayed in the evaluation field at Vernon for the visiting public. A total of 12 cultivars/clones of Ipomoea batatas was provided to Dr. Ming Gao, at Prairie View A&M University around May of 2014. Research objectives are listed below. 1. Breeding to improve texture of previously selected purple-flesh sweetpotato lines. We have performed a “group” hybridization last summer, and successfully obtained ~500 true seeds. We’re currently germinating these seeds for screening. 2. Genomics studies, especially genomics resource development, which is supported by a NIFA grant (2014-38821-22429) to Ming Gao, et al. They are mainly used for deep-coverage transcriptome analyses by NGS, allele-specific marker development, and development of Agrobacterium rhizogenes-mediated root transformation system in sweetpotato. Twenty-nine cowpea accessions were evaluated at Overton, TX (Texas A&M AgriLife Research) for seed production and date of flowering in 2014. Fifteen of these lines were selected for further evaluation. A large set (500+ accessions) of Vigna spp. lines is currently being screened at Uvalde,TX for high pH tolerance.

Publications

Plant Genetic Resources Conservation Unit

Barkley, N.L. 2014. Roadmap of the USDA peanut germplasm collection: past, present and future direction. Advances in Arachis through Genomics and Biotechnology.

Barkley, N.L., Klevorn, C.M., Hendrix, K., Dean, L.L. 2015. The complex tale of the high oleic acid trait in peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.). Plant and Animal Genome Conference Proceedings. Paper No. 16750.

Chen, C., Butts, C.L., Dang, P.M., Wang, M.L. 2015. Advances in Phenotyping of Functional Traits. DOI 10.1007/978-81-322-2226-2_11, #Springer India. pp 163-180.

Chen, Z., Tonnis, B.D., Morris, J.B., Wang, R.B., Zhang, A., Pinnow, D.L., Wang, M.L. 2014. Variation in Seed Fatty Acid Composition, and Sequence Divergence in the FAD2 Gene Coding Region between Wild and Cultivated Sesame. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 62:11706-11710.

Cho, A., Chase, C.A., Treadwell, D.D., Koenig, R.L., Morris, J.B., Morales-Payan, J.P. 2015. Apical Dominance and Planting Density Effects on Weed Suppression by Sunn Hemp (Crotalaria juncea L.). HortScience. 50(2):263-267.

Harrison, M.L. 2015. Warm-season Grass Conservation. Southern Pasture and Forage Crop Improvement Conference Proceedings. March 31-April 1, 2015, Apalachicola, FL. p. 14-16.

Harris-Shultz, K.R., Harrison, M.L., Wadl, P.A., Rinehart, T.A. 2015. Development and characterization of microsatellite markers for a little bluestem collection. Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science. 140(1):78-87.

He, G., Barkley, N.L., Zhao, Y., Yuan, M., Prakash, C. 2014. Phylogenetic relationships of species of genus Arachis based on geneic sequences. Genome. 57:327-334.

Holbrook Jr, C.C., Isleib, T.G., Ozias-Akins, P., Chu, Y., Knapp, S.J., Tillman, B., Guo, B., Barkley, N.L., Chen, C., Burow, M.D. 2015. Genetic resources for phenotyping. Proc. Amer. Peanut Res. and Educ. Soc. 46:15-16.

Jarret, R.L. 2014. Observations on anatomical aspects of the fruit, leaf and stem tissues of four Citrullus spp. African Journal of Plant Science. 8(11):521-527.

Jarret, R.L. 2015. Semi Rigid Culture Vessel. Patent Application. US Patent No. 9,067,202.

Kyndt, T., Quispe, D., Zhai, H., Jarret, R.L., Ghislain, M., Liu, Q., Gheysen, G., Kreuze, J. 2015. The genome of cultivated sweet potato contains Agrobacterium T-DNAs with expressed genes: An example of a naturally transgenic food crop. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 112(18):5844-5849.

Khoury, C.K., Heider, B., Castaneda-Alvarez, N.P., Achicanoy, H.A., Sosa, C.C., Miller, R.E., Scotland, R.W., Wood, J.R., Rossel, G., Eserman, L.A., Jarret, R.L., Yencho, G.C., Bernau, V., Juarez, H., Sotelo, S., De Haan, S., Struik, P.C. 2015. Distributions, ex situ conservation priorities, and genetic resources potential of crop wild relatives of sweeetpotato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam. I. series Batatas). Frontiers in Plant Science. doi:10.3389/fpls.2015.00251.

Liu, H., Liu, H., Zhou, L., Zhang, Z., Zhang, X., Wang, M.L., Li, H., Lin, Z. 2015. Parallel domestication of the heading date 1 gene in cereals. Molecular Biology and Evolution. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/molbev/msv148.

Morris, J.B. 2014. Hydroponic rescue and regeneration of Aeschynomene, Corchorus species, and Lablab purpureus (L.) sweet genetic resources. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting. Paper No. 731.

Morris, J.B., Wang, M.L., Tonnis, B.D. 2014. Research progress in some traditional and non- traditional medicinal species in the USDA, ARS, PGRCU (S9) germplasm collection. Proceedings Assoc. for Advancement of Industrial Crops (AAIC) Annual Meeting. Paper No. 20.

Morris, J.B., Cho, A.H., Chase, C.A., Treadwell, D.D., Koenig, R.L., Morales-Payan, J.P., Murphy, T., Antonious, G. 2015. Effect of Sunn Hemp (Crotalaria juncea L.) Cutting Date and Planting Density on Weed Suppression in Georgia, USA. Journal of Environmental Science and Health. 50(9):614-621.

Morris, J.B. 2014. Phenotype and seed production among hyacinth bean (Lablab purpureus L. Sweet) accessions rescued using hydroponic techniques. Seed Technology Journal. 35(2):189- 198.

Pandey, M.K., Wang, M.L., Qiao, L., Feng, S., Khera, P., Wang, H., Tonnis, B.D., Barkley, N.L., Wang, J., Holbrook Jr, C.C., Culbreath, A., Varshney, R.K., Guo, B. 2014. Identification of QTLs associated with oil content and mapping FAD2 genes and their relative contribution to oil quality in peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.). Biomed Central (BMC) Genomics. 15:133.

Pederson, G.A. 2014. Centralized NPGS order approval: An idea for discussion. ASA-CSSA- SSSA Annual Meeting. Paper No. 734.

Wang, M.L., Cole, M.R., Tonnis, B.D., Pinnow, D.L., Xin, Z., Davis, J., Hung, Y., Yu, J., Pederson, G.A., Eggleston, G. 2014. Comparison of stem damage and carbohydrate composition in the stem juice between sugarcane and sweet sorghum harvested before and after late fall frost. Journal of Sustainable Bioenergy Systems (JSBS). 4:161-174.

Wang, M.L., Khera, P., Pandey, M.K., Wang, H., Qiao, L., Feng, S., Tonnis, B.D., Barkley, N.L., Pinnow, D.L., Holbrook Jr, C.C., Culbreath, A.K., Varshney, R.K., Guo, B. 2015. Genetic mapping of QTLs controlling fatty acids provided insights into the genetic control of fatty acid synthesis pathway in peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.). PLoS One. 10(4):e0119454. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0119454.

Wang, M.L., Tonnis, B.D., Pinnow, D.L., Morris, J.B., Pederson, G.A. 2015. Development of an EMS-induced sesame mutant population for target induced local lesions in genomes (TILLING). Plant and Animal Genome Conference. p.292.

Wang, M.L., Tonnis, B.D., Pinnow, D.L., Davis, J., Morris, J.B., Pederson, G.A. 2014. Variability of seed oil content and fatty acid composition in the entire USDA sesame germplasm collection. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting. Paper No. 115-4.

Yu, X., Li, X., Wu, Y., Mitchell, S.E., Roozeboom, K.L., Wang, D., Bernardo, R., Wang, M.L., Pederson, G.A., Tesso, T.T., Yu, J. 2015. Genomic selection of 1,000 biomass sorghum accessions and empirical validation. Plant and Animal Genome Conference. p.194.

Florida

Aina, O.O., K.H. Quesenberry, and M. Gallo. 2015. Culture vessel and auxin treatments affect in vitro rooting and ex vitro survival of six Arachis paraguariensis genotypes. Scientia Horticulturae 183:167-171.

Caro, M., M.G. Verlaan, O. Julian, R. Finkers, A.A. Wolters, S.F. Hutton, J.W. Scott, R. Kormelink, R.G.F. Visser, M.J. Diez, A. Perez-de-Castro, and Y. Bai. 2015. Assessing the genetic variation of Ty-1 and Ty-3 alleles conferring resistance to tomato yellow leaf curl virus in a broad tomato germplasm. Mol Breeding 35:132.

Chambers, A.H., J. Pillet, A. Plotto, J. Bai, V.M. Whitaker and K. Folta. 2014. Identification of a strawberry flavor gene using an integrated genetic-genomic-analytical chemistry approach. BMC Genomics 15:217 doi:10.1186/1471-2164-15-217.

Chandra, A., A.D. Genovesi, B.G. Wherley, S.P. Metz, J.A. Reinert, Y-Z. Wu, P. Skulkaew, M.C. Engelke, D. Hargey, L.R. Nelson, B.M. Schwartz, P.L. Raymer, Y.Q. Wu, D.L. Martin, S.R. Milla-Lewis, G. Miller, K.E. Kenworthy, and P. Munoz. 2014. Registration of ‘DALSA 0605’ St. Augustinegrass. J. of Plant Registrations 9(1):27-34.

Cherry, K. Quesenberry, and P. Busey. 2015. Registration of ‘NUF-76’ St. Augustinegrass. J. of Plant Registrations. doi:10.3198/jpr2014.10.0073crc.

Freyre, Rosanna, Chad Uzdevenes, Liwei Gu and Kenneth H. Quesenberry. 2015. Genetics and anthocyanin analysis of flower color in Mexican Petunia. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 140:45-49.

Freyre, Rosanna, S.B. Wilson, G.W. Knox, C. Uzdevene, L. Gu, and K.H. Quesenberry. 2015. Breeding and genetic studies of Ruellia at the University of Florida. Acta Horticulturae. Submitted.

Harris-Shultz, K.R., S. Milla-Lewis, A.J. Patton, K. Kenworthy, A. Chandra, F.C. Waltz, G.L. Hodnett, and D.M. Stelly. 2014. Detection of DNA and ploidy variation within vegetatively propagated zoysiagrass cultivars. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 139:547-552.

Hutton, S.F., Y. Ji, and J.W. Scott. 2015. Fla. 8923; a tomato breeding line with begomovirus resistance gene Ty-3 in a 70kb Solanum chilense introgression. HortScience 50(6): (in press)

Kennedy, C.K., T. Hasing, and V.M. Whitaker. 2014. Characterization of Fragaria virginiana and F. chiloensis in a minimal-chill, winter annual production system. HortScience 49:848-855.

Kennedy, C.K., L.F. Osorio, N.A. Peres, and V.M. Whitaker. 2014. Additive genetic effects for resistance to foliar powdery mildew in strawberry revealed through divergent selection. Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science 139:310-316.

Lu, H., R. Nagata, K. Kenworthy, R. Ma, L., K.E. Kenworthy, H. Lu, R. Cherry. 2014. Genetic variability of reproductive traits in common carpetgrass. HortScience 49(7):856-858.

Quesenberry, Kenneth, Ananta Acharya and David Wofford. 2015. Registration of ‘Ocoee’ root- knot nematode resistant white clover. Journal of Plant Registrations 9:149-153.

Rios, E.F., K.E. Kenworthy, and P.R. Munoz. 2015. Association of phenotypic traits with ploidy and genome size in annual ryegrass. Crop Sci. doi:10.2135/cropsci2015.01.0039.

Scott, J.W. and S.F. Hutton. 2015. Fla. 8638B and Fla. 8624 tomato breeding lines with begomovirus resistance genes ty-5 plus Ty-6 and Ty-6, respectively. HortScience 50(6): (in press)

Georgia

Meru G & C McGregor. 2013. Genetic mapping of seed traits correlated with seed oil percentage in watermelon. HortScience 48:8 955-959

Prothro J, Abdel-Haleem H, Bachlava E, White V, Knapp, S & CE McGregor. 2013. Quantitative trait loci associated with sex expression in an inter-subspecific watermelon population. Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science 138(2):125–130.

McGregor CE. 2012. Citrullus lanatus germplasm of Southern Africa. Israel Journal of Plant Sciences 60(4): 403 – 413.

Prothro J, Sandlin K, Abdel-Haleem H, Bachlava E, White V, Knapp, S & CE McGregor. 2012. Mapping of seed traits in Citrullus lanatus. Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science 137(6): 452–457.

Prothro J, Sandlin K, Gill R, Bachlava E, White V, Knapp, S & CE McGregor. 2012. Mapping of the egusi seed trait locus (eg) and quantitative trait loci associated with seed oil percentage in watermelon. Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science 137(5): 311–315.

Sandlin K, Prothro J, Heesacker A, Khalilian N, Okashah R, Xiang W, Bachlava E, Caldwell D, Seymour D, White V, Chan E, Tolla G, White C, Safran D, Graham E, Knapp, S & CE McGregor. 2012. Comparative mapping within Citrullus lanatus. Theoretical and Applied Genetics 125 (8): 1603-1618.

Candole BL, Waters V, McGregor CE & PJ Conner. 2012. The disease reactions of heirloom bell pepper ‘California Wonder’ to Phytophthora capsici. Agricultural Sciences 3: 417-424.

McGregor CE, Waters V, Nambeesan S, MacLean D, Candole BL & P Conner. 2011. Genotypic and phenotypic variation among pepper accessions resistant to Phytophthora capsici. HortScience 46: 1235–1240.

Karen Harris-Shultz, Paul Raymer, Brian E. Scheffler, and Renée S. Arias. 2013. Development and characterization of seashore paspalum SSR markers and identification of markers potentially associated with salt tolerance. Crop Sci. 53:6 2679-2685.

Braman, S.K., P .L. Raymer, M. Harrison-Dunn and S. Nair. 2013. Antibiosis Among Selected Paspalum Taxa to the Fall Armyworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). J. Entomol. Sci. 49:11-20.

Guam

Panaguiton, J. Growing microgreens in aquaponics. Poster presented at Annual NIDDK STEP- UP Conference in August 2014 at the NIH in Bethesda, MD.

Kentucky

Antonious, G. F. (2015). Elevating concentrations of capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin in hot peppers using recycled waste. Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part B, 50(7), 523- 532.

Antonious, G. F., & Snyder, J. C. (2015). Repellency and oviposition deterrence of wild tomato leaf extracts to spider mites, Tetranychus urticae Koch. Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part B, 50(9), 667-673.

Louisiana

LaBonte, D.R., C.A. Clark, T.P Smith, A.Q. Villordon, and C.S. Stoddard. 2015. ‘Bellevue’ sweetpotato. HortSci. 50:930-931.

North Carolina

Cardinal, A.J., R. Whetten, S. Wang, J. Auclair, D. Hyten, P. Cregan, E. Bachlava, J. Gillman, M. Rameriz, R. Dewey, G. Upchurch, L. Miranda, and J.W. Burton. 2014. Mapping the low palmitate fap1 mutation and validation of its effects in soybean oil and agronomic traits in three soybean populations. Theor. Appl. Genet. 127: 97-111.

Brown, A. G. Yousef, K. Chebrolu, P. Perkins-Veazie, D. Werner, M. Parker, and K. Gasic. 2014. Variation in carotenoids and polyphenolics in peach (Prunus persica L.) and implications for breeding for modified phytochemical profiles. J.A.S.H.S. 139: 676-686.

Andres, R.J., D.T. Bowman, B. Kaur, and V. Kuraparthy. 2014. Mapping and genomic targeting of the major leaf shape locus (L) in Upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.). Theor. Appl. Genetics 127: 167-177.

Bertucci, M., G. Brown-Guedira, J. P. Murphy, and C. Cowger. 2014. Genes conferring sensitivity to Stagonospora nodorum necrotrophic effectors in Stagonospora nodorum blotch- susceptible U.S. wheat cultivars. Plant Dis. 98:746-753.

Brown, A. G. Yousef, K. Chebrolu, P. Perkins-Veazie, D. Werner, M. Parker, and K. Gasic. 2014. Variation in carotenoids and polyphenolics in peach (Prunus persica L.) and implications for breeding for modified phytochemical profiles. J.A.S.H.S. 139: 676-686.

Chandra, A., A.D. Genovesi, B.G. Wherley, S.P. Metz, J.A. Reinert, Y.Z. Wu, P. Skulkaew, M.C. Engelke, D. Hargey, L.R. Nelson, B.M.., Schwartz, P.L. Raymer, Y.Q. Wu, D.L. Martin, S.R. Milla-Lewis, G.L. Miller, K.E. Kenworthy, and P. Muñoz. 2015. Registration of DALSA 0605 St. Augustinegrass. J. Plant Reg. 9(1):27-34.

Chavez, J. , T. Beckman, D. Werner, and J. Chaparro. 2014. Genetic diversity in peach [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch] at the University of Florida: past, present and future. Tree Genetics and Genomes. 10: 1399-1417.

Chavez, J., T. Beckman, D. Werner, and J. Chaparro. 2014. Genetic diversity in peach [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch] at the University of Florida: past, present and future. Tree Genetics and Genomes. 10: 1399-1417.

Dewey, R.E. and Lewis, R.S. 2014. Molecular biology-based approaches for facilitating compliance of future tobacco products in an FDA regulatory environment. Recent Adv. Tob. Sci. 40: 47-62.

Dewey, R.E., and R.S. Lewis. 2014. Molecular biology-based approaches for facilitating compliance of future tobacco products in an FDA regulatory environment. Rec. Adv. Tob. Sci. 40:47-62.

Drake, K.E., J.M. Moore, P. Bertrand, B. Fortnum, P. Peterson, and R.S. Lewis. 2015. Black shank resistance and agronomic performance of flue-cured tobacco lines and hybrids carrying the introgressed Nicotiana rustica region, Wz. Crop Sci. 55:1-8.

Eickholt, D.P. and R.S. Lewis.. 2014. Effect of an introgressed Nicotiana tomentosa leaf number QTL on yield and quality characteristics in flue-cured tobacco. Crop Sci. 54:586-594.

Goodman, M.M. 2014. Taking the long view: Changes over time and what is a future course? Pp. 116 – 128 in Tracy, B. and Sligh, M. (eds). Proc. 2014 Summit on Seeds and Breeds for 21st Century Agriculture. Rural Advancement Foundation International, Pittsboro, North Carolina

Goodman, M.M., J.B. Holland, J.J. Sánchez González. 2014. Breeding and genetic diversity of maize. Pp 14-48 In: M. Bohn, J. Lai, and R. Wusirika (eds.) Genetics, Genomics and Breeding of Maize. CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL.

Gottula, J., R.S. Lewis, and M. Fuchs. 2014. Genomic basis of nonhost virus resistance. BMC Evolutionary Biology 14:149.

Guedira, M., P. Maloney, M. Xiong, S. Petersen, J. P, Murphy, D. Marshall, J. Johnson, S. Harrison, and G. Brown-Guedira. 2014. Vernalization duration requirement in soft winter wheat is associated with variation at the VRN-B1 locus. Crop Sci. 54:1960-1971.

Haines, S., R. Gehl, J. Havlin, and T.G. Ranney. 2015. Nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer effects on establishment of giant miscanthus. BioEnergy Res. 8:17-27.

Harris-Shultz, K.R., Milla-Lewis, S.R., Patton, A.J., Kenworthy, K.E., Chandra, A., Waltz, F.C., Hodnett, G., and Stelly, D.M. 2014. Detection of genetic and ploidy variation within vegetatively propagated zoysiagrass cultivars. J. Am. Soc. Hort. Sci. 139 (5):547-552.

Holbrook, C.C., T.B. Brenneman, H.T. Stalker, W.C. Johnson III, P. Ozias-Akins, Y. Chu, G. Vellidis, and D. McClusky. 2014. Peanut. In: Yield Gains in Major U.S. Field Crops. S. Smith, B. Diers, J. Specht, and B. Carver (eds.). Crop Sci. Soc. Amer., Madison, WI. pp. 101- 122.

Isleib, T.G., J.L. Day, A.E. Coy, J.P. Beasley, and W.D. Branch. ND. Genotype-by-irrigation interaction in the Georgia peanut official variety test. Peanut Sci. 41: 1-7.

Isleib, T.G., S.R. Milla-Lewis, H.E. Pattee, S.C. Copeland, M.C. Zuleta, B.B. Shew, J.E. Hollowell, T.H. Sanders, L.O. Dean, K.W. Hendrix, M. Balota, J.W. Chapin, and W.S. Monfort. 2015. Registration of ‘Sugg’ peanut. J. Plant Regist. 9: 44-52.

Kozik, E. U. and T. C. Wehner. 2014. Tolerance of watermelon seedlings to low-temperature chilling injury. HortScience 49: 240-243.

Lattier, J.D., D.H. Touchell, and T.G. Ranney. 2014. Micropropagation of an interspecific hybrid dogwood (Cornus ‘NCCH1’). Propagation of Ornamental Plants. 14(4):184-190.

Lattier, J.D., T.G. Ranney, P.R. Fantz, and T. Avent. 2014. Identification, nomenclature, genome sizes and ploidy levels of Liriope and Ophiopogon Taxa. HortScience 49(2):145-151.

Lennon, J., M. Krakowsky, M. Goodman, S. Flint-Garcia, P. Balint-Kurti. 2015. Identification of alleles conferring resistance to gray leaf spot in maize derived from its wild progenitor species teosinte (Zea mays ssp. parviglumis). Crop Science In Press.

Lewis, R.S., H.O. Lopez, S.W. Bowen, K.R. Andres, W.T. Steede, and R.E. Dewey. 2015. Transgenic and mutation-based suppression of a Berberine Bridge Enzyme-Like (BBL) gene family reduces alkaloid content in field-grown tobacco. Plos One In Press.

Ma, S. and T. C. Wehner. 2015. Flowering stage resistance to bacterial fruit blotch in the watermelon germplasm collection. Crop Sci. 55: 727-736.

Maloney, P. V., S. Petersen, R. A. Navarro, D. Marshall, A. L. McKendry, J. M. Costa, and J. P. Murphy, 2014. Digital image analysis method for estimation of Fusarium-damaged kernels in wheat. Crop Sci. 54:2077–2083.

Mulkey, S.E., Zuleta, M.C., Keebler, J.E., Schaff, J.E., and Milla-Lewis, S.R. 2014. Development and characterization of simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers for St. Augustinegrass (Stenotaphrum secundatum (Walt.) Kuntze). Crop Sci. 54:401-412.

Nimmakayala, P., V. L. Abburi, A. Bhandary, L. Abburi, V. G. Vajja, R. Reddy, S. Malkaram, P. Venkatramana, A. Wijeratne, Y. R. Tomason, A. Levi, T. C. Wehner and U. K. Reddy. 2014. Use of VeraCode 384-plex assays for watermelon diversity analysis and integrated genetic map of watermelon with single nucleotide polymorphisms and simple sequence repeats. Mol. Breeding, DOI 10.1007/s11032-014-0056-9.

Oates, K.M., T.G. Ranney, D.H. Touchell, Z. Viloria. 2014. Campsis × tagliabuana 'Chastity': A highly infertile triploid trumpet vine. HortScience 49:343-345.

Palmer, I.E., R.J. Gehl, T.G. Ranney, D. Touchell, and N. George. 2014. Biomass yield, nitrogen response, and nutrient uptake of perennial bioenergy grasses in North Carolina. Biomass Bioenergy 63:218-228.

Patel M., S. Milla-Lewis, W. J. Zhang, K. Templeton, W. C. Reynolds, K. Richardson, M. Biswas, M. C. Zuleta, R. E. Dewey, R. Qu, and P. Sathish. 2014. Overexpression of ubiquitin- like LpHUB1 gene confers drought tolerance in perennial ryegrass. Plant Biotechnol. J. DOI:10.1111/pbi. 12291

Rosas-Anderson, A. Shekoofa, T.R. Sinclaira, M. Balota, T.G. Isleib, S. Tallury, and T. Rufty. 2014. Genetic variation in peanut leaf maintenance and transpiration recovery from severe soil drying. Field Crops Res. 158: 65–72.

Rosas-Anderson, P., T.R. Sinclair, M. Balota, S. Tallury, T.G. Isleib, and T. Rufty. 2014. Genetic variation for epidermal conductance in peanut. Crop Sci. 54: 730-737.

Saminathan, T., P. Nimmakayala, S. Manohar, S. Malkaram, A. Almeida, R. Cantrell, Y. Tomason, L. Abburi, M. A. Rahman, V. G. Vajja, A. Khachane, B. Kumar, H. K. Rajasimha, A. Levi, T. Wehner and U. K. Reddy. 2014. Differential gene expression and alternative splicing between diploid and tetraploid watermelon. J. Exp Bot. 66:1369-85.

Santa-Cruz, J. H., K.L. Kump, C. Arellano, M. Goodman, M.D. Krakowsky, J.B. Holland, P.J. Balint-Kurti. 2014. Evaluation of two southern leaf blight resistance QTL for their effect on yield and disease resistance in isogenic maize hybrids. Crop Sci. 54: 882-894

Singh, D., E. Collakova, T.G. Isleib, G.E. Welbaum, S.P. Tallury, and M. Balota. 2014. Differential physiological and metabolic responses to drought stress of peanut cultivars and breeding lines. Crop Sci. 54: 2262-2274.

Singh, D., M. Balota, T.G. Isleib, E. Collakova, and G.E. Welbaum. 2014. Suitability of canopy temperature depression, specific leaf area, and SPAD chlorophyll reading for genotypic comparison of peanut grown in a sub-humid environment. Peanut Sci. 41: 100-110.

Sun, M. J.F. Spears, T.G. Isleib, D.L. Jordan, B. Penny, D. Johnson, and S. Copeland. 2014. Effect of production environment on seed quality of normal and high-oleate large seeded virginia-type peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.). Peanut Sci. 41: 90-99.

Tallury, S.P., J.E. Hollowell, T.G. Isleib, and H.T. Stalker. 2014. Greenhouse evaluation of Section Arachis wild species for Sclerotinia blight and Cylindrocladium black Rot resistance. Peanut Sci. 41: 17-24.

Tallury, S.P., T.G. Isleib, S.C. Copeland, P. Rosas-Anderson, M. Balota, D. Singh and H.T. Stalker. 2014. Registration of two multiple disease-resistant peanut germplasm lines derived from Arachis cardenasii Krapov. & W.C. Gregory, GKP 10017 (PI 262141). J. Plant Regist. 8(1): 86-89.

Teixeira, J.E.C., T. Weldekidan, N. de Leon, S. Flint-Garcia, J.B. Holland, N. Lauter, S.C. Murray, W. Xu, D.A. Hessel, A.E. Kleintop, J.A. Hawk, A. Hallauer, R.J. Wisser. 2014. Hallauer’s Tusón: A decade of selection for tropical-to-temperate phenological adaptation in maize. Heredity 114: 229-240.

Tyagi, P., D.T. Bowman, K. Edmisten, F. Bourland, D. Fraser, B.T. Campbell, T. Wallace, V. Kuraparthy. 2014. Components of hybrid vigor in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) and their relationship with environment. Euphytica 195: 117-127.

Tyagi, P., M.A. Gore, D.T. Bowman, B.T. Campbell, J.A. Udall, V. Kuraparthy. 2013. Genetic diversity and population structure of the U.S. Upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.). Theor. Appl. Genetics 127: 283-295.

Worthington, M., J. Lyerly, S. Petersen, G. Brown-Guedira, D. Marshall, C. Cowger, R. Parks, and J. P. Murphy. 2014. MlUM15: an Aegilops neglecta-derived Powdery Mildew Resistance Gene in Common Wheat. Crop Sci. 54:1397–1406.

Youngs, K.M., Milla-Lewis, S.R., Brandenburg, R.L., and Cardoza, Y.J. 2014. St. Augustinegrass germplasm resistant to southern chinch bug, Blissus insularis Barber (Hemiptera: Blissidae). Econ. Entomol. 107(4): 1688-1694.

Zhao B., R. Qu, R. Li, B. Xu, and T. Frazier (2014) Tissue culture, genetic transformation, and improvement of switchgrass through genetic engineering. In: Compendium of Bioenergy Plants – Switchgrass. Luo, H., and Wu, Y. (eds), CRC Press, Tailor & Francis Group, pp 253-293.

Zhu, L., and V. Kuraparthy. 2014. Molecular genetic mapping of the major effect photoperiod response locus in pima cotton (Gossypium barbadense L.). Crop Sci. 54: 2492-2498.

Zila, C.T., F. Ogut, M.C. Romay, C.A. Gardner, E.S. Buckler, and J.B. Holland. 2014. Genome- wide association study of Fusarium ear rot disease in the U.S.A. maize inbred line collection. BMC Plant Biology 14:372.

Oklahoma

Tan, C.C., Y.Q. Wu, C.M. Taliaferro, G.E. Bell, D.L. Martin, and M.W. Smith. 2014. Development and characterization of genomic SSR markers in Cynodon transvaalensis Burtt- Davy. Molecular Genetics and Genomics. DOI 10.1007/s00438-014-0829-1. 289: 523-531.

Tan, C.C., Y.Q. Wu, C.M. Taliaferro, G.E. Bell, D.L. Martin, M.W. Smith, and J.Q. Moss. 2014. Selfing and outcrossing fertility in Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. var. dactylon under open pollinating conditions examined by SSR markers. Crop Science. DOI: 10.2135/cropsci2013.12.0816.

Gouzaye, A., F.M. Epplin, Y.Q. Wu, and S.O. Makaju. 2014. Yield and nutrient concentration response to switchgrass biomass harvest date. Agronomy Journal. 106:793-799.

Liu, L.L., S.Y. Lu-Thames (co-first author), and Y.Q. Wu. 2014. Lowland switchgrass plants in populations set completely outcrossed seeds under field conditions as assessed with SSR markers. BioEnergy Research. 7: 253-259. DOI: 10.1007/s12155-013-9367-7.

Puerto Rico

Cardona Colon, J. and A. Gonzalez Velez. 2012. Rendimiento y morfologia de la raiz de dos genotipos de yuca en tres ciclos de cosecha. J. Agric. Univ. P.R. 96(1-2):117-123.

Gonzalez Velez, A. 2014. Comportamiento de los clones de platano Maricongo y FHIA-21 en presencia de la sigatoka negra en la zona de altura humeda en Puerto Rico. J. Agric. Univ. P.R. 98(1):21-30.

Gonzalez Velez, A. and A. Bosques-Vega. 2012. Comportamiento de dos cultivares de yautia (Xanthosoma spp.) con pulpa amarilla en la zona central de Puerto Rico. Proceedings Caribbean Food Crops Society 48:264-268.

Morales-Payan, J.P. 2014. Propagation of the fruit crop Artocarpus altilis by root cuttings of various lengths and diameters. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the American Society for Horticultural Science, July-August 2014, Orlando, Florida.

Morales-Payan, J.P. 2013. Evaluation of branch cuttings for propagation of breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis). Presentation at the annual meeting of the Puerto Rican Society for Agricultural Sciences, November 2013, Hormigueros, Puerto Rico.

South Carolina

Rhodes, D.R., L. Hoffman, W.L. Rooney, P. Ramu, G.P. Morris, and S. Kresovich. 2014. Genome- wide association study of grain phenol concentrations in global sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] germplasm. J. Ag. Food Chem. 62: 10916-10927.

Shakoor, N., R. Nair, O.R. Crasta, G.P. Morris, F.A. Feltus, and S. Kresovich. 2014. A Sorghum bicolor expression atlas reveals dynamic genotype-specific expression profiles for vegetative tissues of grain, sweet, and bioenergy sorghums. BMC Plant Biology 14:35.

Ward SM, Cousens RD, Bagavathiannan MV, Barney JN, Beckie HJ, Busi R, Davis AS, Dukes JS, Forcella F, Freckleton RP, Gallandt ER, Hall LM, Jasieniuk M, Lawton-Rauh A, Lehnhoff EA, Liebman M, Maxwell BD, Mesgaran MB, Murray JV, Neve P, Nuñez MA, Pauchard A, Queenborough SA, and BL Webber. 2014. Agricultural weed research: a critique and two proposals. Weed Science 62:672-678

Gressel J, Stewart CN, Giddings LV, Fischer AJ, Streibig JC, Burgos NR, Trewavas A, Merotto A, Leaver CJ, Ammann K, Moses V, Lawton‐Rauh A. 2014. Overexpression of epsps transgene in weedy rice: insufficient evidence to support speculations about biosafety. New Phytologist 202:360-362.

Fret, T.J., Reighard, G.L.R, Okie, W.R. and Gasic K. 2014. Mapping quantitative trait loci associated with blush in peach [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch]. Tree Genetics and Genomes

A. F. Brown, G. G. Yousef, I. Guzman, K. K. Chebrolu, D. J. Werner, M. Parker, K. Gasic and P. Perkins-Veazie. 2014. Variation of carotenoids and polyphenolics in each and implications on breeding for modified phytochemical profiles. Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science. 139:676-686.

C. Y. Yue, R. K. Gallardo, J. J. Luby, A. L. Rihn, J. R. McFerson, V. McCracken, T. Gradziel, K. Gasic, G. L. Reighard, J. Clark and A. Iezzoni. 2014An evaluation of U.S. peach producers' trait prioritization: evidence from audience surveys. Hortscience. 49:1309-1314.

Tennessee

Arelli, Prakash R., Vincent R. Pantalone, Fred L. Allen, Alemu Mengistu, and Lisa A. Fritz. 2015. Registration of JTN-5203 Soybean Germplasm with Resistance to Multiple Cyst Nematode Populations. J. Plant Registrations 9:108-114.

Benelli, Victoria. 2015. Comparison of Seed Yield, Oil and Phenotypic Traits among Selected Parents and Crosses of Niger. M.S. Thesis, University of Tennessee.

Texas

C. Dowling, B. Burson, J. Foster, L. Tarpley & R. Jessup, "Confirmation of Pearl Millet- Napiergrass Hybrids Using EST-Derived Simple Sequence Repeat (SSR) Markers", American Journal of Plant Sciences, Vol. 4, No. 5, 2013, pp. 1004-1012. DOI: 10.4236/ajps.2013.45124

C. Dowling, B. Burson, & R. Jessup, “Marker-Assisted Verification of Kinggrass (Pennisetum purpureum Schumach. x Pennisetum glaucum [L.] R. Br.)”, Plant Omics Journal, Vol. 7, No. 2, 2014, pp. 72-79. URL:http://www.pomics.com/dowling_7_2_2014_72_79.pdf

Charlie Dowling, Byron Burson, Russell Jessup, “Development of Cold-Tolerant Napiergrass as a Bioenergy Feedstock”, Poster presented at 3rd Annual Conference of the National Association of Plant Breeders; 2013 June 2-5; Tampa, FL. http://www.plantbreeding.org/napb/Meetings/2013/NAPB%202013%20Annual%20Meeting%20 Program%20(1).pdf (pg. 28 of program)

Sabir J, Schwarz EN, Ellison N, Zhang J, Baeshen NA, Mutwakil M, Jansen RK, Ruhlman TA. 2014. Evolutionary and biotechnology implications of plastid genome variation in the inverted- repeat-lacking clade of legumes. Plant Biotechnology Journal 12(6): 743–754.

Schwarz EN, Ruhlman TA, Sabir JSM, Ajarah NH, Alharbi NS, Al-Malki AL, Bailey CD, Jansen RK. 2015. Plastid genome sequences of legumes reveal parallel inversions and multiple losses of rps16 in papilionoids. Journal of Systematics and Evolution (in review).