Agenda Item: 12.1
Presenter: Adrianna Hewings, Director, Midwest Area
Agenda Item Title: Midwest Area Director's Brief
Background Information:

The President's FY 2001 budget recommendation for ARS is $894,258,000, which would be an increase of $57,390,000 over FY 2000. The MWA allocation is $97,465,872, an increase of $4,234,248 over FY 2000. We anticipate all FY 2001 budget issues will be resolved by October 1, 2000.

Our Deputy Administrator, Dr. K. Darwin Murrell, retired in June and we are conducting a search for a replacement. In the meantime, the duties of the office are being taken care of on a rotational basis by the Associate Deputy Administrators, Drs. Dedrick, Rexroad and St. John.

I am pleased to announce the establishment of a new ARS Office of Scientific Quality Review (OSQR), staffed in 1999 to manage the Agency's research project peer review system. In this system, ARS research project plans are being reviewed for scientific and technical quality by convened panels of scientific experts predominantly composed of non-ARS scientists. Each panel simultaneously reviews all those research project plans that comprise a broader ARS program activity defined as a National Program (NP). The entire ARS mission responsibility is segmented into 23 such NPs, each having a particular commodity, research approach, and/or problem orientation. The goals and outcomes for each NP are established through a process involving broad-based input from scientists, customers, and stakeholders. In addition to assessing technical quality of individual research project plans, the peer review panels also help assure project relevance to NP goals and complementarity among all those projects that make up the NP.

Primary policy responsibility for the peer review system rests with the ARS Office of Administrator. The OSQR staff provides administrative and operational support for the peer review process. There are several NP reviews ongoing throughout this year which involve Midwest Area programs.

Action Requested: Information only.

Action Taken: None.

Midwest Area Research Briefs Attached.

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INDIANA

West Lafayette
Larry Dunkle, RL, Crop Production and Pest Control Research, W. Lafayette, IN

Agenda Item Title: Control of Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus on Wheat
Background Information: Barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV) is the most economically important virus of small grain cereal crops in the US and worldwide. Because cultivated wheat does not contain resistance to BYDV, resistance has been introgressed from a related resistant wheatgrass. Previous work has centered around resistance contained on the 7E chromosome from the wheatgrass Thinopyrum intermedium. This work is continuing with the development of elite wheat cultivars containing small 7E translocations that give substantial levels of resistance to BYDV. Because this resistance is moderately effective towards the most economically important BYDV strain, a project was initiated to generate wheatgrass chromosome 1 and 2 translocations to pyramid resistance genes on these two wheatgrass chromosomes with that on the 7E translocations.

Action Issues: The ARS scientists on these projects work closely and cooperatively with AES personnel as well as other ARS scientists in the Crop Production and Pest Control Research Unit. The cooperative molecular and plant breeding effort has been and continues to be an essential component in developing germplasm with effective and durable resistance to BYDV.

Agenda Item Title: Proteomic Analysis of Pathogen and Pest Resistance in Wheat
Background Information: The ARS scientists involved in wheat research have taken an integrated approach to define resistance to major pests of wheat. They have formed a collaborative effort with Purdue faculty to develop high throughput tools, capable of measuring thousands of proteins in hours, that will identify wheat proteins that change in abundance during pest/pathogen attack and characterize these proteins to determine their role in plant defense.

Action Issues: This project forms a collaboration between two internationally recognized programs, the Purdue Chemistry Department and the Purdue/USDA-ARS Small Grain Breeding and Genetics Program, which will foster a unique approach to defining the basis of pest and pathogen resistance in wheat. This interdisciplinary partnership offers the strong prospect that we will become international leaders in plant proteomics (qualitative and/or quantitative analyses of large numbers of proteins simultaneously) in general and specifically in the area of plant-pathogen relationships.

Agenda Item Title: Gray Leaf Spot of Corn: A Global Problem
Background Information: Gray leaf spot (GLS) of corn has been a serious problem in the USA for the last two decades, especially associated with no-till production practices. During the last five years, GLS has increased in incidence and severity to become a yield-limiting factor in Africa and South America. Molecular analyses of the GLS fungal pathogen by ARS scientists have indicated that two closely related sibling species of Cercospora zeae-maydis can cause GLS. Both of these occur in the USA, but only one form, designated Group II, is the sole representative of the species in Africa. Unlike its sibling isolates, Group II isolates do not produce the phytotoxin, cercosporin, suggesting that this secondary metabolite is not essential for the fungus to damage corn. ARS scientists are investigating the role of cercosporin in the disease process. A transformation system and gene disruption experiments will provide clues to the role of cercosporin. The application of this information can be used to reveal vulnerable points in the disease process for genetic modification of the host or selection of resistant corn germplasm.

Action Issues: Considerable research in the private sector involves approaches to transform genes for cercosporin resistance into corn to provide resistance to gray leaf spot. The information outlined above will be essential to determine the potential effectiveness of such approaches. Research on this project involves the collaboration of ARS and Purdue scientists. Fungal biology is a definite strength at Purdue University, particularly in the Department of Botany and Plant Pathology. A wealth of expertise is available, and many scientists cooperate or consult on a number of research projects, including population genetics, transformation and gene disruption protocols, and analysis of gene expression during plant pathogenesis. Information on the genes that are essential for disease development is critical for achieving innovative control strategies that minimize the use of fungicides and for genetic manipulation of crop plants with durable resistance.

Agenda Item Title: Soybean Varieties with Rps Gene Combinations to Control Phytophthora Root Rot in the 21st Century
Background Information: Soybean is the major oilseed crop in the world. About 95% of the soybean oil produced is consumed as a vegetable oil in margarine, shortenings, and as salad and cooking oils. Soybean yield losses due to Phytophthora root rot have increased during the 1990s and were estimated at $124,000,000 for the U.S. in 1994. This disease is potentially devastating in soybean varieties lacking Rps genes that confer resistance to specific races of the soilborne pathogen. To date, 46 races have been reported in the U.S. TheRps1-k gene controls several different races or strains of the Phytophthora sojae pathogen and is the most widely used Rps resistance gene in soybeans. However, it is not effective against several of the new races identified in IN, OH, IL and IA during the 1990s. Effective control by Rps resistance genes requires current information about new and dominant races of the root rot pathogen. At present, little is known about the population dynamics of these races except for the current research in Indiana. Results of this continuing project indicate that races 1,3,4,7,13,25,28,33,43 and 44 still occur most frequently and that Rps gene combinations (1-k or 1-c + 3-a or 6) are needed to effectively control diverse races of this important pathogen. Managing Phytophthora root rot with genetic resistance currently available would provide full season disease control and result in significant economic benefit and reduce the need for fungicide treatment that only provides partial or temporary control.

Action Issues: This research and education activity comprised of personnel and funds from ARS, Purdue University, and the Indiana Soybean Growers Association is focused on reducing disease losses in soybean. Documentation of new races or biotypes of major soybean pathogens and identification of host resistance permit enhancement of soybean germplasm and contributes to the development of soybean varieties that minimize yield losses caused by soybean pathogens. This information is used regularly by soybean breeders and extension educators throughout the Midwest. A new initiative to establish and maintain a culture collection of Phytophthora races described in the US has begun at West Lafayette. This repository will serve as a resource for public and private soybean breeders.

Agenda Item Title: Control of Hessian Fly on Wheat
Background Information: Hessian fly injury to wheat in the eastern U.S. soft winter wheat region increased significantly in fall 1999 and spring 2000. Particularly hard hit were areas in southeastern Delaware and Maryland, eastern North Carolina, and south central Georgia and South Carolina. Much of this increase was attributed to mild winter weather and/or increased fall and winter rainfall, factors that are beneficial to Hessian fly survival and increase. Hessian fly resistance genes present in wheat cultivars adapted to the mid-Atlantic states region are no longer effective against biotype L, which is the predominant biotype in many local fly populations. The increased severity of the Hessian fly in 2000 in the eastern U.S. and subsequent failure of 'resistant' wheat varieties, points out the need for a continuing strong effort to improve durability of Hessian fly resistance in future varieties. Our projects address various aspects of the Hessian fly/wheat interaction that require interpretation to improve durability of resistance.

One program focuses on the responses of wheat to infestation by Hessian fly larvae. Wheat genes that turn on or off during infestation are being identified. Some of these genes will be involved in mounting the plant defenses against attack, leading to resistance. Other genes will operate in susceptible plants, changing the development to an optimal habitat for growth of Hessian fly larvae. Once these genes and their regulatory mechanisms are cloned, we will better understand the processes leading to resistance and susceptibility. One of the genes that we have cloned resembles genes that are involved in both biotic and abiotic stress. It is similar to genes that encode proteins that bind to large molecules and participate in resistance responses. In addition, we are identifying molecular markers for new wheat genes that confer resistance. These markers are being used in the wheat breeding program at Purdue.

Another project concentrates on the population biology and distribution of the Hessian fly to facilitate deployment of the most effective resistance gene(s). Cooperative research by USDA/ARS and SAES personnel in Delaware, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina and South Carolina enabled collection of Hessian fly populations from 60 locations in this region of the eastern U.S. in fall 1999 and winter/spring 2000. Although research to determine the biotype composition of these populations is still in progress, we have enough information to identify the effectiveness of presently deployed resistance genes in much of this area. Also, by testing representative fly populations from the five states against the Purdue/USDA wheat cultivar INW9811, we have determined that it should be highly resistant throughout its area of adaptation (southern Midwest and mid-south) and that the H13 resistance carried by the cultivar should be highly effective against fly populations from Mid-Atlantic and southeastern states.

The third project seeks to determine how the insect overcomes resistance in wheat, information that is essential for continued control with genetic resources. Continued effective and durable control of the insect will require molecular markers for analysis of the genetic structure of field populations of the insect, an understanding of the molecular interaction between the insect and wheat, genetic manipulation of the insect's genome, and identification of transgenes for Hessian fly resistance. ARS entomologists have contributed toward genetic and molecular analyses that have revealed three genes controlling virulence in Hessian fly to resistance in wheat are part of a linkage group. These data will make map-based positional cloning of these genes feasible. Research is also directed toward developing genetic transformation and gene tagging in the Hessian fly. An important activity has been research on a mariner transposon recovered from Hessian fly that appears to be biologically active. Transposons in the insect genome can influence genetic variation and biotype evolution. Mitochondrial DNA analysis is being developed to analyze phylogeography and population structure of Hessian fly in the U.S. and from locations in the Old World. The mitochondrial genome has several advantages for this objective, including a faster evolution than many nuclear sequences and a lack of recombination. Such analyses may allow identification of haplotypes from geographic localities with specific biotype composition. The genetic control of virulence in Hessian fly to a durable resistance in wheat that is still effective is being investigated to better understand the basis of its durability.

Action Issues: The ARS scientists on these projects work closely and cooperatively with the AES personnel. The Small Grains Group at Purdue is a prime example of the productive associations between ARS and Experiment Station personnel. They were awarded the Purdue Agriculture Team Award for the year 2000. All components of this research are essential for the continued effective management of the Hessian fly. In addition to the collaborations with Purdue scientists, the projects on germplasm development and biotype composition also involve work with scientists at 13 other universities throughout the Midwest and other parts of the country and with entomologists in Manitoba, Canada.

Darrell Norton, RL, USDA-ARS National Soil Erosion Research Laboratory
Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907

Agenda Item Title: Potential Changes in Rainfall Erosivity in the United States under Global Climate Change Scenarios for the 21st Century

Background: Soil erosion will change in response to changes in climate. Greenhouse gas emissions are expected to cause increases in global temperatures, as well as to cause significant changes in rainfall. Some areas of the United States are expected to experience increases in rainfall, and some can expect decreases in rainfall over the next century. In addition to changes in total rainfall, the distributions of rain through the year and the intensity of rainfall can be expected to change as well. With changes in rain will come changes in erosion. We call the power of rain to cause erosion the "erosivity" of rainfall.

This study looks at possible changes in rainfall erosivity for the United States in the coming century. We used and compared results from two different climate change models. The results show that changes in erosivity, and thus changes in soil erosion, are to be expected in the 21st century. Some areas of the U.S. will experience increased erosion, and some will experience less.

The results of this study will help us as a society plan better conservation strategies for the future. This will lead to better assessments of our soil resource, better targeting of resources to control erosion, and less soil erosion for our country. The impact will ultimately be continued and higher food production capability for our country.

Action Issues: Plans should be made at the national level to begin to monitor and take into account climate change effects on conservation compliance programs.

MICHIGAN

East Lansing, MI
George L. Hosfield, RL, Sugar beet and Bean Research Unit (SBRU), Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI

The mission of the SBRU is to 1) supply customers and stakeholders with new sugarbeet and dry bean germplasm with improved production efficiency, disease resistance, and food quality using traditional and contemporary technologies, and 2) apply engineering solutions including the development of equipment, systems, and sensors to detect and insure fruit and vegetable quality for the American Consumer.

Agenda Item Title: Release of ARS Dry Bean Germplasm
Background Information: ARS-R93344, ARS-R93346, and ARS-R93349 are three new small-red dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) germplasm lines developed by the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, and the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station. The new lines combine an upright architecture with a narrow profile and short vine growth habit with the preferred seed size, shape, and pigmentation characteristics of the small-red market class. The three new lines have improved yield and longer maturity than the previously released ARS upright, short vine germplasms, ARS-R93001 to ARS-R93008.

Comparisons for yield, agronomic characteristics, and culinary quality were made between the three new small-red germplasm lines and the "check" varieties, `Rufus' and `Garnet'. `Rufus' and `Garnet' are commercially grown small-red cultivars possessing a Type III prostrate growth habit and characteristic of the commercial cultivars of this market class. ARS-R93344 and ARS-R93346 were grown in ten tests from 1993 to 1998 (seven in Michigan, two at Prosser, Washington, and one in North Dakota) and had average yields of 2,528 and 2,373 kg/ha, respectively. ARS-R93349 was present in all the tests as the other two germplasm lines, except Prosser, Washington in 1997.

ARS-R93349 yielded an average 2,527 hg/ha in the tests. The mean yield of the three new germplasm lines was 88% of that of `Rufus' but was 17% higher than `Garnet'.

Dry seed of the three new germplasm lines meet the seed appearance criteria of the small-red market class and are slightly lighter in color than `Rufus' and `Garnet'. The hue angle data indicated that seed color of the new germplasm lines are perceived by the human eye as having a more intense red color than `Rufus' or `Garnet'. The weight per 100 seeds of the lines averaged 35.3 g and was similar to `Rufus' (35.9 g) but heavier than `Garnet's 100 seed weight (29.9). Bean breeders recognize the weight per 100 seed as a trait that estimates seed size. Seed size in dry bean is a market class restriction. The three lines were tested for their aggregate culinary quality, which reflects consumer and processor preferences and requirements for the cooked grains. The culinary quality of the three lines was judged satisfactory based on objective and subjective criteria.

Action Issues: ARS-R93344, ARS-R93346, and ARS-R93349 provide the dry bean industry with new germplasm while broadening the genetic base of small-red germplasm with the Type IIa growth habit; thus, providing greater choice for breeders, growers, and other industry stakeholders. Also, the three germplasm lines, with their higher yield and longer maturity compared to other available upright Type IIa small-red germplasm, should be valuable as parents in national small-red breeding programs. These new germplasm lines, with their upright plant structure and concomitant superior lodging resistance compared to commercial cultivars represent a commitment of ARS breeding efforts to improve the adaptation of small-red beans in the Great Lakes region of the American Midwest.

Agenda Item Title: Seedling Disease of Sugarbeet
Background Information: Michigan sugarbeet growers have expressed concern over poor stand establishment in recent years; seedling disease caused by a complex of pathogens contributes to this problem. Pythium spp. are the pathogens most frequently isolated from diseased seedlings in MI. In 1999 we surveyed for Pythium spp. in fields exhibiting seedling disease problems. While P. ultimum was most commonly isolated, other isolates included: P. aphanidermatum, P. irregulare, and several tentatively identified as P. dissotocum and. There was a close association between pathogenicity and tolerance to metalaxyl (>50% reduction in colony growth rate by 1 ug/ml metalaxyl), a fungicide applied to all commercial sugarbeet seed to control Pythium disease. The presence of pathogenic Pythium spp. with metalaxyl tolerance indicates the need for improved control measures for this pathogen.

Action Issues: This is one of a group of coordinated research and education activities comprised of personnel from, and receiving funding from ARS, Michigan State University, Michigan Agricultural Extension Service, Beet Sugar Development Foundation, Sugarbeet Advancement, Monitor Sugar Co., and Michigan Sugar Co., focused on solving problems important to the continued survival and growth of the sugarbeet industry in MI.

Agenda Item Title: Development of Sensing Technologies for Nondestructive Assessment of Fruit Postharvest Quality
Background Information: Currently, fruit are sorted based on color, size or weight but not on internal quality. Firmness and sugar content are two most important attributes determining the quality of apples. The fruit industry is looking for new technologies that would allow for inspection of individual fruit for its internal quality, mainly firmness and sugar, so that the industry can provide the consumer with consistent, better quality fruit and, thus, gain competitive advantages. Another important issue confronting the fruit industry is the segregation of inferior or defective fruit from superior fruit. At present, sorting for surface defects is still performed by human inspectors, which has been a major source of costs in postharvest handling as labor resources become increasingly scarce and expensive. Research is being conducted in the ARS research lab at Michigan State University to develop new sensing technologies to measure sugar content and firmness and to automatically segregate defective fruit from good ones. We are applying near-infrared reflectance and laser imaging for nondestructive determination of sugar content and firmness of apples. Hyperspectral imaging is used to identify and segregate surface defects. Successful implementation of this research will lead to new sensors or sensing technologies for sorting apples and other tree fruits based on sugar and firmness and for automatically segregating defective fruit from superior ones. This research should benefit the fruit industry by providing new technologies to improve and/or enhance the postharvest quality of fruit and, therefore, increase the competitiveness and profitability of the industry.

Action Issues: This is just one research and education activity involving ARS, Michigan State University, Michigan and national fruit growers, packers, shippers, exporters and retailers that seek to solve the most serious problems

Agenda Item Title: Sugarbeet germination, emergence, stand establishment, and persistence.
Background Information: Economic losses to sugarbeet growers from poor sugarbeet stands have been conservatively estimated at over $10 million annually in Michigan. On average, 50 of 100 seeds planted emerge in the field and 30 of these will survive to harvest. Standardized germination tests show that planted seed is of high quality. Reasons for differences between standardized germination tests and field emergence relate to moisture availability, temperature extremes, physical properties of soils, disease pressure and varietal and seed lot differences. Research has shown that field emergence and stand persistence can be considered to have substantially different causes. Field emergence varies widely between years and shows a high dependence on moisture. Stand persistence, defined as the number of plants surviving after maximal emergence, appears influenced by disease pressure, especially at the seedling stage. Two approaches are being undertaken to develop genetic solutions to these abiotic and biotic stressors. For emergence, a novel, simple, and reliable laboratory assay has been developed that mimics field results. Using this assay, research has conclusively demonstrated that genes are expressed under abiotic stress but not in standardized tests. Differences in gene expression between good and poor emerging varieties are being used to identify possible target genes in the focus for improved emergence. Recent results obtained with mRNA differential display shows that the good emerger US H20 expresses a large suite of genes in aqueous solutions that are not expressed in the poor emerger ACH 185. Further, one of these genes, germin aka oxalate oxidase is induced to high levels in US H20 but at low or undetectable levels in ACH 185. This finding is significant because the reaction catalyzed by germin produces hydrogen peroxide, and hydrogen peroxide stimulates germination to high levels in both varieties in the submerged germination assay. In both varieties germin is negatively regulated relative to water in the hydrogen peroxide assay. Thus, a molecular marker for good and poor germination appears to be in hand. For persistence, disease nursery testing showed marked differences between infested and non-infested plots in a collection of breeding lines and wild species. One of these accessions is an apparently overlooked USDA-ARS release, SP85303, that showed excellent performance in a Pythium-infested disease nursery. Seed is currently being increased from this accession for further testing in replicated trials, with crosses to susceptible germplasm also being done to map the genetic determinants responsible for the reported high resistance to Aphanomyces, Phytophthora, and now Pythium.

Action Issues: This is one research and education activity comprised of personnel from ARS, Michigan State University, Beet Sugar Development Foundation, Sugar Beet Advancement, Michigan Sugar Co. and Monitor Sugar Co. focused on solving serious problems of the continued viability of the sugar industry.

Agenda Item Title: Genetics and Genomics of Sugar Beet and Related Germplasm.
Background Information: Genetics of agronomic, morphological, and disease resistance traits in beet and related species are not well defined in most cases. Progress is being made in our laboratory and worldwide on developing molecular maps and superimposing trait analyses on these maps. The breeding system of Beta species complicates genetic analysis due to the self-incompatibility system that prevents generating selfed progenies from hybrids that facilitates genetic analyses in many other crops, and pollen dispersal by wind that requires strict pollination control. Virtually nothing is known of the actual genes involved in specific expression of agronomic traits in beets, or any other member of this large plant family. Two approaches are being followed to rectify these deficiencies. The first is the deployment of a dominant self-fertility gene which is allowing selfed progeny of experimental hybrids to facilitate molecular dissection of the appropriate traits. Four second generation progeny sets are being analyzed currently, including a red beet X sugar beet population, a Rhizoctonia resistant X susceptible segregating population, and two Aphanomyces resistance X susceptible populations that are derived from a `traditional' resistant source as well as a novel wide cross. Markers being used include AFLP and ESTs, however the marker screens have not coalesced into a unified linkage map to date. The ESTs isolated to date include genes expressed under stress germination isolated via subtractive hybridization, with their nucleotide sequences having been deposited in Genbank dbEST. These efforts have doubled the available nucleotide sequence data for beets in public databases, and their warm reception by the scientific community has prompted us to develop a comprehensive EST program for beet with funding requested through a USDA-CREES IFAFS consortium approach. This approach includes sequencing 100,000 expressed genes (ESTs), constructing a 10X Bacterial Artificial Chromosome (BAC) library, mapping ESTs to BACs, and developing a microarray facility to serve needs of US sugar beet researchers.

Action Issues: This is one research activity comprised of personnel from ARS, Michigan State University, University of Georgia, University of Wyoming, University of Minnesota, and the Beet Sugar Development Foundation as well as Betaseed, Inc. and the University of Kiel, Germany to develop a comprehensive, state-of-the-art, public resource for beet researchers. Funding is not yet secure, but the need is keen.

Agenda Item Title: Sugarbeet......Rhizoctonia crown and root rot control: New resistant germplasm EL52 released, and herbicide toxicity to the pathogen shown to be minimal.
Background Information: Rhizoctonia solani (RZT) is a facultative saprophytic fungus that causes economic losses in sugarbeet from crown and root rot. Prompted by the question of whether RZT populations in the soil might be controlled incidentally by herbicides targeting nitrogen metabolism and likely to be used as part of upcoming herbicide-resistant cultivar packages, the sensitivity of pure cultures of RZT to three herbicides was tested. Of the three herbicides (Roundup, Liberty and Pursuit), Pursuit is known to be persistent in soil for years. RZT was sensitive to Pursuit, Roundup, and Liberty, in that increasing order. The most noteworthy finding was that RZT growth at the highest Pursuit concentration (ie, 21,000 @M) was at least 50% of the growth with no herbicide. This appears to be a remarkable tolerance of RZT to the herbicide. Any prospective benefit of these three herbicides, each of which generally inhibits biosynthesis of specific amino acids, in controlling Rhizoctonia in production fields where herbicide-resistant cultivar packages will be used, will need to be demonstrated in the field.

A team of two geneticists and a plant physiologist at East Lansing released sugarbeet germplasm EL52. EL52 is the first USDA germplasm with resistance to Rhizoctonia crown and root rot in combination with high resistance to Cercospora leafspot and Aphanomyces seedling and root rot diseases characteristic of germplasm developed at East Lansing. EL52 is also monogerm and enriched in the frequency of the recessive male sterility factors needed for hybrid cultivar development. It appears to represent a new source of resistance to Rhizoctonia.

Action Issues: Sugarbeet cultivars with moderate resistance to Rhizoctonia are available, but they yield less sugar per acre than popular susceptible cultivars. The development of new resistance sources and of combined resistances to Rhizoctonia as well as to Aphanomyces and Cercospora is critical to helping supply the beet sugar industry with increasingly productive cultivars. Scientists and commercial seedsmen, as well as beet sugar processors, in half a dozen states where Rhizoctonia as well as Aphanomyces and Cercospora impact beet sugar production, await research progress from which they can promptly profit.

Agenda Item Title: Development and Testing of Vegetable Postharvest Sanitation, Storage, and Sorting Methods
Background Information: The public's growing appetite for fresh-cut and minimally processed food raises health concerns. The safety of the food that we consume is of primary concern. There are many different treatments for the cleaning, washing, and storage of vegetables. Our focus is on the evaluation of these methods and the development of new approaches. For example, chlorine dioxide is a powerful sanitizer and it is purposed to use this treatment on potatoes. Research is underway evaluating the efficacy of chlorine dioxide on potato pathogens. Additionally, the corrosion of application equipment and storage facilities is also being examined. Current testing is being conducted with chlorine dioxide, but there are plans to test other technologies as well, namely copper ion and copper/silver ion generators. Ion generators are not new, but their use in agriculture is relatively new, especially when they are used as sanitizers. There is movement into the area of automated sorting of produce. Our focus will be on sorting using quality and food safety as our criteria. The results of these efforts will enable us to make better recommendations to area growers and help to ensure food safety.

Action Issues: This is an overview of one research and education activity. Participants on this project include personnel and funds from ARS, Michigan State University, Potato Industry Commission, greenhouse growers, and farmers. This group is concerned with providing safe, high-quality agricultural products to the public.

Aly M. Fadly, RL, USDA-ARS Avian disease & Oncology Laboratory (ADOL) , East Lansing

The mission of the ADOL is to provide leadership in solving current and future problems in neoplastic and other viral diseases of poultry using basic and applied multi disciplinary team approaches thereby benefitting the poultry industry and consumers.

Agenda Item Title: Characterization of pathogenesis of novel neurological syndromes induced by Marek's disease virus
Background Information: Marek's disease (MD), the most common cancer-like disease of chickens is caused by a herpesvirus (MDV). MD represents a $160 million a year problem for the U. S. poultry industry. Although the disease can be controlled by vaccination, vaccination program is becoming less effective in controlling this disease, as the virus mutate to a high virulence. Understanding the role of MDV in induction of disease is an important factor in designing programs for control of this important disease of chickens. Classical MDV-induced transient paralysis (TP) was characterized by a sudden onset of paralysis at about 9 days post inoculation (dpi) that totally disappeared in 2-3 days. The new distinct neurological syndromes termed: a) acute TP began at 8-9 dpi and resulted in death usually within 48 hours; b) persistent neurological disease (PND) designates birds which showed a variety of neurological signs after recovery from paralysis (12-15 dpi), that either persisted through the observation period or presented a cyclical pattern; and c) Late paralysis (LP) was a rare syndrome characterized by the late onset of the paralytic stage (about 20 dpi). The new data presented evidence that these syndromes can be induced by various pathogenic strains of MDV in susceptible unvaccinated chickens. Because the research proved that MD vaccines can protect chickens against these novel form of TP, the information is indeed of practical significance to the broiler industry, particularly where flocks are not vaccinated against MD.

Action Issues:
This is one research activity that comprised personnel from ARS, Michigan State University, and the poultry industry focused characterization of neurological orders that can be induced by Marek's disease virus, an economically important virus infection of chickens.

Agenda Item Title: Influence of Marek's disease virus on response of chickens to infection with subgroup J avian leukosis virus.
Background Information: Marek's disease (MD) is the most common virus-induced cancer-like disease of chickens. MD represents a $160 million a year problem for the U. S. poultry industry. Although the disease can be controlled by vaccination, vaccination program is becoming less effective in controlling this disease, as the virus mutate to a high virulence. On the other hand, subgroup J avian leukosis virus (ALV-J) is an emerging economically important virus infection that can cause cancer-like disease and other production problems in meat-type chickens. Field observations suggest a relationship between MD outbreaks and an increased in incidence of ALV-J infection in meat-type chickens. Understanding the basic mechanism of interaction between MDV and ALV-J is an important factor in designing programs for control of these two important disease of chickens. The research provided evidence that MD vaccines containing serotype 2 and 3 MDV may reduce ALV-J-induced viremia and shedding. In contrast, serotype 1 MD vaccines significantly increased incidence of viremia and shedding of ALV-J. This information is of practical importance and should help broiler breeders and grower in selecting the proper MD vaccine for flocks that are exposed ALV-J.

Action Issues: This is another research activity coordinated by personnel from ARS, Michigan State University, and the poultry industry focused elucidating the mechanism of interaction between two important virus infections of chickens.

MINNESOTA

Morris
Ward. B. Voorhees, RL, North Central Soil Conservation Research Laboratory, Morris, MN. (320)- 589-3411.

Agenda Item Title: Alternative Crops for Cool Wet Soils.
Background: Much of the current economic pressures facing producers in the North Central region is due to lack of sustainable crop diversity. There are many crops that can be successfully grown in the cooler regions, but unless there is a market, these crops are of little value to the farmer. The USDA-ARS NCAUR has extracted oil from a native plant Cuphea (also known as waxweed) that is the oil used in manufacturing commercial detergents. The US currently imports all of this oil (from palm kernel). Proctor and Gamble has been funding breeding research in Oregon because it was thought Cuphea might be well adapted to the growing conditions in the Willamette Valley. However, it appears that a wetter regime such as the North Central Region may be better. Small plot trials initiated at Morris, MN during 1999 are continuing in 2000 to define agronomic management strategies related to planting date, herbicide weed control, row spacing, and time of harvesting.

Action Issue: Field trials in 2000 are being coordinated with other field trials being conducted in Illinois under the direction of personnel at ARS-NCAUR, and with the breeding efforts at Oregon State University . Although Cuphea's potential seems to be as a niche crop (since a large acreage may not be needed to supply current needs), it has the advantage of not displacing a current crop grown in the US. The ARS-Morris Laboratory recently hired an Agricultural Economist and a Plant Physiologist, both of whom are working with our Weed Scientist in our Cuphea study. We have local farm managers who have expressed an interest in being involved. We are considering using the Cuphea project as a model involving ARS-University-private sector-producer collaboration to develop alternative cropping systems. The crop itself may be incidental; the process would be important.

Agenda Item Title: Nitrogen Decision Aid
Background: Approximately 10 billion kg of nitrogen fertilizer are applied to cropland in the US annually at a cost of about $3.5 billion. The estimated efficiency of this applied nitrogen ranges from 30% to 70%; large amounts of fertilizer N is lost or wasted each year. We developed a Nitrogen Decision Aid (computer software program) that predicts the amount of N mineralized from planting to side-dress time (about 5-leaf growth stage). The difference between this amount and the desired critical soil nitrate concentration is then an estimate of the amount needed as a side-dress application. On-farm testing of this Decision Aid strongly suggest that significant savings in applied N can be realized without sacrificing corn yield. The computer software can be down loaded at no charge from our Web site Home Page. We have received several hundred request for this software from all over the world.

Action Issue: The Nitrogen Decision Aid was developed for northern climates that have some frost in the soil during the winter. It does not apply when the corn crop was preceded by a legume; nor does it take into account nitrogen from a manure source. This decision aid needs to be subjected to more extensive field testing over a larger portion of the North Central region, and should involve both extension service personnel and farm managers. Some of the basic data used in developing this model came from a multi-state effort of the NC 218 Committee, and this effort should continue.

Agenda Item Title: Residue Management for Soil Carbon Storage.
Background: Tillage has been documented as a major factor in the loss of organic matter from soil in the form of carbon dioxide flux to the atmosphere. There is a large effort within the agricultural and environmental arena to find cost effective ways to store more carbon in the soil. There are incentives to pay producers to adopt no-till practices. It is becoming increasingly evident that there are several pools/forms of carbon in the soil. These different forms of carbon are the result of complex interactions between soil microbes, plant residue and soil environment. The biochemistry involved in optimizing near-future nutrient re-cycling and long-term carbon storage are not known.

Action Issues: The ARS-Morris laboratory expects to have a new Biochemist research scientist on board by October 1, 2000, to increase our current effort in soil carbon sequestration. This will be part of a multi-disciplinary, multi-location effort to define the role of soil environment and plant residue in mediating microbial activity, nutrient cycling and soil carbon storage.

St. Paul
R. H. Dowdy, RL, Soil and Water Conservation Research, St. Paul, MN

Agenda Item Title: Crop Residue and Conservation Tillage Management Carbon Sequestration
Background Information: Recent studies are showing that conservation tillage is a means to improve crop residue placement to reduce mineralization of carbon and reduce CO2 loss. In fact farmers have recently changed from a carbon source to atmospheric CO2 now they are providing a carbon sink from atmospheric CO2. A long-term field experiment in St Paul with 13 years of continuous corn followed by 6 years of continuous soybean is showing the importance of tillage systems and N fertilization on soil organic carbon (SOC) storage when crop residues are retained (tradition) or harvested for biofuels. With moldboard (MB) or chisel (CH) tillage systems, the SOC declined modestly and independently of the residue harvest option, but SOC increased at least 14% in no till (NT) when stover was not harvested. Natural isotope abundance analysis separated relic from current SOC deposition as derived from the continuous corn. The NT system with high N and no stover removal produced the highest storage in the corn derived carbon, but MB and CH did not influence soil storage of corn derived carbon. The corn derived carbon, as a fraction of the SOC, was roughly 5% for NT with stover harvested, 15% for NT with stover retained, and 10% for any form of tillage. Decomposition of the relic carbon was accelerated when stover was harvested. Mixing N with unharvested stover reduced the decomposition of relic carbon.

Action Issues: This research activity comprised of personnel and funds from ARS and University of Minnesota is fundamental and timely for cooperation between six ARS locations and the Department of Energy as they assess the feasibility of using corn residues as a feedstock for biofuel production.

MISSOURI

Columbia
R. L. Matteri, RL, Animal Physiology Research, 573/882-1047, Columbia, MO

Agenda Item Title:
Physiological mechanisms of stress and growth in neonatal pigs.
Background Information: Research in this unit is directed at understanding the complex interface between stress and productivity in the neonatal pig. Highly significant production losses occur in the neonatal pig, despite previous long-standing attempts to solve the problem. Approximately 15% of newborn piglets die soon after birth. In addition, the surviving piglets are susceptible to depressed growth performance due to adverse environmental conditions. The cost of maintaining these marginal animals until market weight constitutes a significant economic burden. Piglets with naturally higher weaning weights have better survival rates and reach market weight sooner and more efficiently than their smaller littermates. An increase in survival of 1 piglet per litter would have significant annual value to the US swine industry ($10M for every $1 of feeder pig price). While highly dependent on economics (market demand, feed costs, number of hogs marketed), a conservative estimated savings of more than $10M would be realized for each day taken off the time to reach market weight.

The problem area is highly complex, requiring an integrated multidisciplinary approach. Accordingly, this research program was initiated as a cooperative effort between ARS and the University of Missouri-Columbia (UMC). Collaborative interactions have also been established with other Universities across the country, agricultural biotechnology companies, and various ARS laboratories. A range of whole animal to molecular studies is being utilized to define important controlling factors of neonatal growth, health, and well-being.

Report: Appetite Control
Feed intake is a major limiting factor of early piglet growth. Feed intake and subsequent growth are drastically affected by environmental conditions and stressors associated with production practices such as weaning. A variety of hormones and neuropeptides are involved in appetite control. At this point, our research unit is credited with the cloning of ten porcine genes involved in appetite control. Reports on this work have appeared in Feedstuffs and Pork. Our unit will be presenting the lead-off talk for an appetite-control symposium at the national meeting of the American Society of Animal Sciences this summer.

Report: Stress Responses
It is generally accepted that piglets with a lower ability to cope with production stressors comprise a major component of neonatal loss. Ongoing research with feed additives and nutritional supplements has shown that dietary management may be useful in promoting beneficial changes in the stress response of the young pig. Portions of this work have been reported in Pork. Recent findings indicate that dietary plasma proteins in weaning diets provide protection to infectious disease. This work received the 2000 Innovation Award for Basic Research by the National Pork Producers Council.

R. M. Wagner, RL, Biological Control of Insects Research, Columbia, MO

Agenda Item Title:
Artificial diets for mass rearing of beneficial insect predators.
Background Information: Beneficial insect predators are desirable alternatives to synthetic pesticides for the control of insect pests of the food and fiber industries. A major obstacle to the use of beneficial insects is our limited ability to produce large numbers of beneficial insects at a reasonable cost. The use of natural hosts as the diet of the beneficial insects is expensive, but this cost could be reduced with the use of artificial diets. Some insects develop normally when reared on an artificial diet during their immature development but then require natural host for complete development through the adult stage. Similarly, the development of some beneficial insect predators is affected by both juvenile and adult nutrition. For the beneficial predator Podisus maculiventris, the nutritional quality of the food that is consumed during the juvenile stage of development had a significant impact on early folicle development within the ovary. In contrast, the quality of the food consumed during the adult stage had the greatest impact on the accumulation of yolk protein during late folicle development. An important finding is that a single diet formulation fed throughout the entire life time is capable of supporting full development.

Action Issues: Our research activity comprised of personnel and funds from ARS, University of Missouri, and Monsanto is focused on expanding our knowledge of the biochemical processes involved in the digestive physiology of insects, in order to better understand how insects interact with their food, and to improve our ability to mass rear beneficial insect predators on artificial diets.

Agenda Item Title: Growth of the biopesticidal baculovirus (HzSNPV) in a clonal cell line from Helicoverpa zea (cotton bollworm/corn earworm) in suspension culture.
Background Information: Baculoviruses are insect viruses which are found in nature and which may be used to control insect pests of agricultural importance. These viruses are produced on a large scale by infecting susceptible insects and recovering the virus from dead larvae as occlusion bodies (protein capsules) containing the viral particles. Cell culture provides an alternative method for producing biopesticidal baculoviruses by infecting insect cells grown in suspension culture in flasks placed on a rotary shaker. Such a method produced high numbers of occlusion bodies as compared with cells grown in stationary (attached) culture. Occlusion bodies can then be recovered from such infected cells, formulated and used as a biological control agent. The baculovirus used in this study is highly infectious for the corn earworm/cotton bollworm complex, a major pest of field crops. This accomplishment will serve as a paradigm for the large scale production of insect cells using fermenters and for the production of this virus and will benefit scientists, industry and the farming community.

Action Issues: This is part of an ARS-funded research program designed to discover, develop and refine systems for the cost-effective in vitro production of microbial and metazoan biological control agents for the management of pest insect population and invasive plants.

E. E. Alberts, RL, Cropping Systems and Water Quality Research, Columbia, MO

Agenda Item Title: An integrated systems approach to watershed management and water quality.
Background Information: Most farmers apply agricultural chemicals every year to supplement natural soil fertility and control weeds and other pests. Unfortunately, these chemicals can move from their point of application into surface water supplies. Pollution from non-point sources is currently perceived as one of the nation's most serious water quality problems. The claypan soil region in Missouri and Illinois is noted for high surface runoff and chemical losses in the spring following agrichemical application. Current research and education efforts are focused on i) developing alternative cropping and management systems that are economically profitable and environmentally sound, ii) evaluating and refining mathematical models to better predict the movement of water, sediment, and agricultural chemicals from fields, farms, and watersheds, and iii) developing an integrated systems approach to optimize the management of 80 to 100 sq. mi. watersheds for improved water quality protection. Outcomes will provide baseline information to evaluate farmer adoption of Best Management Practices (BMP) in targeted watersheds; reduce concentrations and loads of herbicides, nutrients, and sediment in targeted watersheds and river basins; assist in the creation and building of watershed and river basin databases essential to the development and testing of Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) models; improve TMDL prediction tools useful to state agencies in evaluating and reducing non-point source pollution; increase the ease and speed at which model users can make non-point source pollution assessments and predictions of BMP improvements in water quality; and improve decision-support systems for managing agricultural watersheds to maximize water quality for downstream water users and ecosystem protection.

Action Issues: An integrated systems approach is needed to improve watershed management and water quality at multiple watershed scales by developing new and improved management tools that integrate knowledge, information, and technology from many scientific and educational disciplines. Measurement of the fate and transport of agricultural chemicals, synthetic chemicals and biological organisms is required to determine sources of contamination within watersheds and their most effective control practices. Improved management practices are needed to retain applied chemicals and biological organisms on the application target. New modeling technology is required to predict water quality impacts at any point in the watershed system and to help transfer specific farm management systems from one geographical area to another.

L. L. Darrah, RL, Plant Genetics Research, Columbia, MO

Agenda Item Title: FY2000 program increase for maize germplasm.
Background Information: The demands placed on the U.S. crop production system by a rapidly changing world can only be met by ample supplies of easily accessible, healthy, and well-characterized genetic resources, and by technologies that optimally harness the inherent genetic potential of plants. With superior genetic resources and technology, the industry can maximize profits, security of supply, price stability, market competitiveness, and avoid crop losses from genetic vulnerability, and environmental deterioration from accumulated pesticides and excess nutrients.

Specific program objectives include, but are not limited to: 1) in cooperation with collaborators throughout the United States, evaluate and characterize maize germplasm accessions in the National Germplasm System, especially those for which there are few data on GRIN and/or MaizeDB, for genes conditioning adaptation, productivity, and host-plant resistance to major pathogens and pests of maize, 2) employ up-to-date genetic/genomic technology (e.g., SSRs, SNPs) to detect allelic diversity in Zea, and to develop genetic markers closely associated with agriculturally important traits to facilitate their incorporation into adapted germplasm; incorporate the preceding characterization and evaluation data in GRIN and/or MaizeDB, 3) together with cooperators throughout the United States, conduct one component of the Germplasm Enhancement of Maize Project, which is genetically enhancing public maize germplasm by incorporating alleles from unadapted germplasm for productivity, quality, and resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses, 4) collaborate with personnel at Columbia, MO; Ames, IA; and elsewhere to conduct a database development and refinement effort that ties the MaizeDB database more closely to maize germplasm databases such as GRIN in the United States, and SINGER for the CGIAR centers, especially the CIMMYT maize database.

Action Issues: Applications for the established scientist position have been received for review.

See attached resolutions.

WHEREAS, David G. Topel on January 31, 2000, retired from his position as Dean, College of Agriculture and Director of the Iowa Agriculture and Home Economics Experiment Station, a position he has held since 1988; and

WHEREAS, David has been appointed to the M.E. Engsminger Professorship in the Animal Science Department at Iowa State University; and

WHEREAS, David has had a highly productive career in animal science gaining international recognition for his research on pork quality and Porcine Stress Syndrome, developing undergraduate courses in animal growth and coaching successful judging teams, promoting strong ISU extension programs to serve the meat processing industry, and serving as head of the Animal and Dairy Sciences and Auburn University; and

WHEREAS, David has brought superior leadership to the College of Agriculture and Experiment Station by guiding a funding initiative that added $12 million to the base budget of the Station; and by restructuring the undergraduate curriculum to emphasize communication, problem solving, and development of leadership skills; and by leading the people of Iowa through changes in the structure of agriculture; and

WHEREAS, David has strengthened international programs for the College through his own international experience and by encouraging faculty to assist in transfer of technology to other countries; and

WHEREAS, David has received various honors and awards including the recently awarded 1999 Secretary of Agriculture's Honor Award; and

WHEREAS, David has been an effective consensus builder and leader in agriculture and higher education, a listener and mentor for faculty, and a skilled liaison between the College of Agriculture and external constituencies;

THEREFORE the North Central Regional Association both commends and thanks David Topel for his outstanding service to the Association, to the Land-Grant mission, and the people of the North Central Region.

Presented July 13, 2000
NCRA Meeting, Ames, Iowa

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WHEREAS, Carol Meeks resigned from her position as Assistant Director of the Iowa Agriculture and Home Economics Experiment Station, a position she has held since 1997; and

WHEREAS, Carol has had an outstanding academic career as an Extension Assistant Professor at the University of Massachusetts; Assistant Professor/Associate Professor at Cornell University College of Human Ecology, Consumer Economics and Housing; Associate Professor/Professor/Department Head at the University of Georgia College of Family and Consumer Science; and Dean/Professor of Human Development and Family Studies at Iowa State University; and

WHEREAS, Carol has served as a Supervisory Economist and Housing Section Head for the U.S. Department of Agriculture Economic Research Economic Development Division and as a LEGIS Fellow on the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing. and Urban Affairs; and

WHEREAS, Carol is an international presenter and consultant on topics ranging from elderly housing issues, to housing markets and government housing projects in the U.S., to future needs in housing education; and

WHEREAS, Carol has been actively involved in national scientific and professional societies including her service as Treasurer, Board of Human Sciences; President, American Association of Housing Educators; Chair, the Research Initiatives Committee, American Council on Consumer Interests; and other leadership positions; and

WHEREAS, Carol has faithfully served Iowa State University's College of Family and Consumer Sciences and Agriculture and Home Economics Experiment Station as a member of the University Food Grant Initiative, University Strategic Planning Committee, Steering committee, World Bank India Project, and the Year of the Family committee;

THEREFORE, the North Central Regional Association both commends and thanks Carol Meeks for her outstanding service to the Association, to the Land-Grant mission, and the people of the North Central Region.

Presented July 13, 2000
NCRA Meeting, Ames, Iowa

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WHEREAS, Prem S. Paul resigned from his position as Assistant Director of the Iowa Agriculture and Home Economics Experiment Station, a position he has held since 1996; and

WHEREAS, Prem has had a noteworthy academic career as Associate Professor/Professor at the Veterinary Medical Research Institute and Veterinary Microbiology and Preventive Medicine at Iowa State University (ISU), Chair of the Immunobiology Interdisciplinary Graduate Program, Director of Graduate Education of Microbiology Immunology and Preventive Medicine at ISU, Professor-in-Charge/Associate Director of the Veterinary Medical Research Institute at ISU, and as Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies at the College of Veterinary Medicine, ISU; and

WHEREAS, Prem has been involved in various professional and scientific societies including the American Veterinary Medical Association, the American College of Veterinary Microbiologists, the American Society for Virology, the American Association of Swine Practitioners, the Conference of Research Workers in Animal Diseases, the Iowa Veterinary Medical Association, and the Iowa and National Cattlemen's Beef Association; and

WHEREAS, Prem has been honored for his research by the National Veterinary Research Institute, the SmithKline Beecham Award, and a Certificate of Merit from the National Animal Disease Center; and

WHEREAS, Prem's productive research program has resulted in patents on five vaccines, reagents, and antibiotics; and

THEREFORE the North Central Regional Association both commends and thanks Prem Paul for his outstanding service to the Association, to the Land-Grant mission, and the people of the North Central Region.

Presented July 13, 2000
NCRA Meeting, Ames, Iowa

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WHEREAS, Colin Guy Scanes resigned from his positions as Executive Associate Dean/Associate Director of the College of Agriculture at Iowa State University (ISU) and Assistant Director of the Iowa Agriculture and Home Economics Experiment Station, positions he has held since 1995; and

WHEREAS, Colin has received various awards and honors including an honorary membership to the Board of Directors, Sustainable Agriculture and Natural Resource Management Collaborative Research Support program; and

WHEREAS, Colin has served ISU by representing the University on the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture Board, the National Agricultural Biotechnology Council, and by serving on the Board of Directors of the National Alliance for Food Safety; and

WHEREAS, Colin also has acted as Interim Director of the Plant Sciences Institute at ISU since 1999 where he has established six new centers and strengthened two existing centers; and

WHEREAS, he has published more than 200 refereed papers, authored over 200 abstracts and 64 chapters, and owns three patents; and

WHEREAS, Colin has served the North Central Region as a member of administrative and national committees including Organization and Policy, Budget, Legislative, Advocacy and Marketing, and Rural Development;

THEREFORE the North Central Regional Association both commends and thanks Colin Scanes for his outstanding service to the Association, to the Land-Grant mission, and the people of the North Central Region.


Presented July 13, 2000
NCRA Meeting, Ames, Iowa