Overview

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In a world without plant breeding, wild plants would support a population of a few hundred million people. Today's population of more than six billion far exceeds that number. We have kept up with this growth through the skill of both ancient and modern plant breeders. Today, plant breeding is continual because change is continual as global population continues to grow; natural and economic circumstances change constantly; and consumer needs and preferences change. Plants we depend on for food, materials, energy, and beauty must be constantly adapted for optimum performance in these new circumstances. CSREES/land-grant partnerships are in the forefront of new research in plant breeding. They develop and use new tools and techniques in the fields of quantitative and molecular genetics and genomics. They are part of the world's largest plant genetic resources system. Together, they provide new varieties of more than a hundred different crops, tailored to a wide range of agricultural systems, environments, and consumers.

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In Focus

• CSREES and several federal agencies seek stakeholder input for the interagency National Plant Genome Initiative.
• CSREES and the National Plant Genome Initiative advance plant biology through plant genomics research.
• The National Research Council recommends continuation of National Plant Genome Initiative research activities.
• CSREES National Research Initiative awards more than $4.7 million in plant genome grants for tomato and potato specialty crops.
• CSREES and Forest Service program leaders meet with project directors on the Conifer Coordinated Agricultural Project.
• CSREES, National Science Foundation, and the University of Illinois sponsor maize genetics planning meeting.


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Partnerships

• CSREES is a partner in the Interagency U.S. Rice Genome Sequencing Project.
• CSREES and the Department of Energy partner share resources and coordinate the study of plant and microbial genomics.
• The U.S. National Plant Germplasm System, a federal-state collaborative effort including CSREES, conserves plant genetic diversity.


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Events

• Competitive Grants Grantsmanship Workshops, Washington, DC/Salt Lake City, UT, September/October, 2008.
• Galaxy III Conference: "Celebrating the Extension System: Strengths, Diversity, and Unique Qualities," Indianapolis, IN, September 15-19, 2008.

Selected Results and Impacts

• CSREES NRI Plant Genome-funded researchers map genes for pasta quality in durum wheat.
• CSREES NRI Plant Genome, Genetics and Breeding project advances gene discovery for genomics-assisted crop improvement.
• CSREES alfalfa-funded research studies genomic disease resistance in alfalfa.


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Resources

• Soybean Genomics Research, A Strategic Plan for 2008-2012, CSREES.
• Crop Science Society of America. Information about quantitative genetics, genomics, and breeding of field crops.
• Participatory Plant Breeding, Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research. A network of the Future Harvest centers.


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Contacts

Ann Marie Thro

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