Project Number: 6645-21000-026-32
Project Type: Specific Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Apr 21, 2008
End Date: Feb 28, 2009

Objective:
a. Publicly release a germplasm with <3% linolenic acid, containing the two publicly available desaturase gene isoforms for breeders to utilize for crossing for applied development of conventional, Roundup Ready2, or GAT varieties. b. Publically release a 1% linolenic conventional variety and use it to transfer that trait to Roundup Ready2, and/or GAT varieties. c. Publically release a mid-oleic germplasm coupled with <3% linolenic acid that yields equal to a deployed variety for other breeders to utilize in applied variety development.

Approach:
Molecular marker assisted backcrossing of oleic acid quantitative trait loci to MG V cultivars; gas chromatography of fatty acid methyl esters to identify mid-oleic and/or low linolenic lines; near infrared reflectance for oil, protein, and other seed characteristics; field evaluations for stability of oil quality phenotypes and agronomic quality.