National Plant Genome Initiative Annual Report
The annual report of the National Plant Genome Initiative (NPGI) highlights the progress made in 2008 by the U.S. plant genomics research community. Exciting new discoveries over the past year include the finding that genetic variants of tropical corn have novel sugar composition with potential uses for biofuel production. Outcomes from the research supported under the NPGI are also providing important inputs for improved agricultural practices in peanut breeding, fruit tree cultivar development, as well as breeding of disease resistant and salt tolerant plants. Technological advances made in the past year include the development of innovative technology to enable automated, high-throughput analysis of plant growth and development and a novel X-ray system to analyze root development. Continued advances in both biological discovery as well as technology development will be important as reliance on plants increases for materials, energy, and fuels. Plants will continue to serve as a key resource as we address the challenges of increasing population, decreasing agricultural land area, and the impacts of climate change.
The NPGI was established in 1998 as the coordinated national plant genome research project. The completion of the tenth year marks the fourth year of the initiative under the second NPGI Five-Year plan entitled, “National Plant Genome Initiative: 2003-2008.” Coordination of activities, guidance, and oversight is provided by the Interagency Working Group on Plant Genomes under the auspices of the Committee of Science of the National Science and Technology Council with the Office of Science and Technology Policy. Participating agencies include the National Science Foundation, Department of Agriculture, Department of Energy, National Institutes of Health, the U.S. Agency for International Development, the Office of Science and Technology Policy, and the Office of Management and Budget. Each agency participates in the development of the NPGI plans and participates in its activities in a manner consistent with its specific mission and based on available resources.
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