MINUTES OF THE WHEAT CROP GERMPLASM COMMITTEE

March 24, 2000

Las Vegas, NV, USA

The meeting was called to order by Chairman Stephen Jones, Washington State University, and seven members were in attendance. Members in attendance were Stephen Jones, Steven Leath, Harold Bockelman, John Moffatt, Alan Stoner, Gina Brown-Guedira, and Kim Campbell.

Jones passed out copies of the updated and revised by-laws and the new membership list.

Jones and Stoner reviewed the history of the committee, from formation in the 1970's as a subcommittee of NWIC to its independence in the 1980's.

Bockelman - Collection report.

The collection continues to grow. New additions included more from the Sando collection and more triticale entries.

ARS may add up to 6,000 - 7,000 wheats from Iran to the collection. A question was raised as to whether we add all the entries or be selective. Many of them are other species and durums but most are aestivum.

We know the source geographic source but not other descriptors, and some may be duplicates.

ARS continues to add images of heads for entries in the collection.

Aberdeen facilities are adequate to increase the collection by 30 - 35,000 more total entries.

General Announcements.

Campbell reported that the USDA, ARS Line position is open and will close soon.

Leath gave an update on positions in St. Paul and on National Program Staff.

Campbell USDA/PVP issues.

Discussion on whether ARS should use PVP for cultivars and/or germplasm. Its clear that ARS still wants full access and availability to germplasm that it releases.

Leath discussed recent release examples, such as those with ARS and Nebraska.

Trait evaluations in the collection and national priorities.

A discussion was held on the need to prioritize trait evaluations for entries in the collection.

Currently evaluations ar being completed by:

Line Eversmeyer Brown Hatchett McVey

Radcliffe Steffenson (barley) Yue Jin (no money) Leath (no money)

A goal was set for the meeting in 2001 to have a summary of germplasm evaluations and funding for it.

It was noted that there is a lack protein and other quality data. The committee felt that the collection needs a priority list of screening needs including quality evaluations and $150,000/year for exploration.

The trait evaluation subcommittee of Campbell and Brown have made a list of current priorities and the committee should review the list every year.

Bockelman noted that molecular data should be considered for evaluation needs.

Discussion of Vavilov Collection.

Summary of IPGR Report:

Bokelman/Stoner - indicated collection was much worse than most western researchers realized.

Stoner will get accurate report of collection and report to the committee if a letter of support is needed.

Ownership issues as related to International Centers.

Moffatt reported that Sears at NWIC informed him that CIMMYT may start charging for germplasm based on CIMMYT's estimation of what recipients could afford. Fees could be as high as $100,000/year.

Stoner reminded the committee that FAO holds this germplasm and it is "in trust" at centers. Part of material is to be freely exchanged; for example, gene bank material.

"Non-designated material" from their programs can be "sold".

He further explained that centers did lose European money under new EU laws/guidelines, for example Germany cut contributions by 50%.

Jones will get accurate information on the germplasm issues. Letters to ARS administration and AID administration may be needed.

Meeting dates and locations.

The committee discussed the merits of meeting with NWIC and NAWG. There was interest in meeting with NWIC. However, the committee feels it can better interact with NAWG by meeting in the fall and sending a representative to the NAWG meeting with finalized ideas. The committee voted to meet early in 2001 with NWIC and NAWG and in Beltsville, MD in the late fall of 2001 and then send a representative to NWIC (if necessary) and NWAG.