Breeding the Next Generation of Corn Products

Transcription

1 Breeding the Next Generation of Corn Products Marcelo J. Carena Professor & Corn Breeder NDSU Corn Breeding Program 2013 Releases Grown in Winter Nursery Research with Controlled Conditions for Short-Season Cold Tolerance (Planted early Sept under Hard Frost Conditions)

2 Why Corn Production Limited? Why Corn Breeding Limited?

3 Where Should Public Corn Breeding Programs be Located? NEED Strategic Locations to Breed for Climate Changes, to Develop Products Faster Using Adverse Conditions

4 Corn Production Challenges/Opportunities in the North Short Period Between Killing Frosts Less Effective Heat Supply as we Move North Less Water as we Move West Late Hybrids (>80RM) with Similar Genetics Need Yield as well as Dry Down, Cold Tolerance, Earliness Opportunities to Breed Better Products Products are Bred under Ideal Southern MN Environments and Brought North to Marginal Locations Often with Production Failures due to Lack of Adaptation Opportunities to Develop Better Breeding Methods For Phenotyping Genetically Complex Traits

5 Challenge to Move Corn North to Cooler Areas NORTHERN NORTH DAKOTA

6 Challenge to Move Corn West to Drier Areas WESTERN NORTH DAKOTA

7 Challenge to Increase Corn Starch WESTERN and EASTERN NORTH DAKOTA

8 Challenge to Breed for Better Quality NORTH DAKOTA

9 NDSU Challenge to Move Corn West to Drier Areas WESTERN NORTH DAKOTA In the Northern U.S., YIELD is as Important as other Traits BREEDER VS. PRODUCER/EXTENSION MIND SET While Challenging Weather can be a Disadvantage for Production, It is a Permanent Breeding Advantage to Screen and Discard Unstable, Weak Corn Genotypes Corn Breeding Programs in Marginal Environments can Quickly Identify Strengths and Weaknesses of Genotypes under Uniform Trials (e.g., Lattices). Genetic Diversity and Breeding for Local Adaptation in Marginal Conditions are Essential.

10 NDSU Corn Research Program 112 Years of Corn Testing and 85 Years of Corn Breeding Research Most Northern Public Corn Breeding Program in North America Developing Products Very Fast (in 4 vs. 15 Years), Moving Corn North to Cooler Seasons and West to Drier Areas. Continuity has been Essential! ISU without corn breeder, revamp cost? Unique Genetic Provider to the Corn Processing Industry, Seed Companies, and Breeders Nationally and Internationally Leads a Large Network of Public and Private Cooperators Without the Need of Costly Academic Labs becoming Obsolete, Intellectual Property, Testers, Checks, GMOs, Equipment, Plots, Locations, etc. (an Estimated $1 Million Annual Savings).

11 2013 NDSU Major Corn Breeding Cooperators USDA-GEM = Diversity/Adaptation of Tropical Corn to North Dakota Foundation Companies = Exclusive Partners for Marketing NDSU Lines Other Seed Companies = Non-exclusive Partners, one of them Producing two NDSU Hybrids (10-20% Royalties for NDSU) + Ethanol and Feedstock Value Minor Seed Companies = Exclusive Partners for Improving Top Industry Lines! Should be Example for Major Companies MN and ND Corn Growers = Non-Exclusive for Cold /Drought /Dry Down Products AgReliant Genetics = Partner for Developing Fast-Drying Hybrids Monsanto = Partner for Basic Science Technology and Grain Quality/Recruitment DuPont/Pioneer = Partner for Graduate Fellowships and cholarships State Universities = Partner for Training and Education

12 NDSU Corn Research Program It is Strategically Located to to Quickly Identify Strengths and Weaknesses of Hybrids Fast, using Extreme Short-Season Environmental Conditions and Winter Nurseries. Why Breeding Centers were Traditionally Located in Ideal Environments? NDSU Provides Genetically Diverse Hybrids with Green Snap and Lodging Resistance, Cold and Drought Tolerance, Fast Dry Down, Stay Green, and High Quality (Traits Important fr our Area) LUXURY OF PUBLIC PROGRAMS: Active Applied Corn Breeding Program Integrating Pre-Breeding with Cultivar Development (Long as well as Short-Term Goals) Multiple Locations for Corn Breeding Research Serving All Farmers in not only Desirable (High Industry Investment) BUT also, and especially, in Marginal (Low Industry Investment) Environments.

13 TESTING LOCATIONS OF NDSU CORN BREEDING RESEARCH How Diverse are Corn Hybrids within and across Companies? How Many Companies Breed Hybrids under these Conditions?

14 NDSU Corn Breeding Program and Industry COOPERATION/COMPLEMENTATION WITH INDUSTRY WAS KEY: NDSU Research Influences Industry to Invest in THE NORTH. 54 New Elite and Diverse Corn Products Sent to Industry in the Past 5 Years. Top NDSU Lines and Hybrids were Shared, Re-coded, Tested, and Positioned within Industry. Most were Exclusive Releases : With the Support of the Corn Industry and the Minnesota and North Dakota Corn Grower Organizations, >1 M Genotypes (1/2 for Grain Quality) were Screened in 3 Breeding Nurseries and 75 Hybrid Experiments Across >50 NDSU + Industry Locations, Unique for NDSU in Location Numbers and Number of Cooperators 2013: NDSU Product Requests Generated >$60,000 in fees and $6,840 in royalties (a first in the USA), and $Millions Through Untracked Products in a Very Confidential Business. Could be Larger w/public Hybrids (NDSU RF + NDSU Seed Stock Division Sells Seed from other Crops, not Corn). 2014: Moving Target to 70RM Hybrids, Manitoba/WN Breeding Locations.

15 Acreage (000) Corn Productivity (Bu/ac) Annual Planted Acreage and Productivity of North Dakota Corn Manitoba is like ND in mid-1990s

16 Investing in Corn Breeding Corn has Contributed > $9.73 Billion to ND Economy in (1,500,000 vs 150,000 hectares!). Still, tip of the iceberg (e.g. Manitoba) Genetic Improvement is the Best Investment for Increasing Corn Yields BUT under Challenging Environmental Conditions. We need to Re-Think Breeding Locations! NDSU was, in 2013, the Only Genetic Provider with True 70 and 75 RM Hybrids. Industry Data Showed Top NDSU Products for Several Traits, NDSU Showed even Better Data under Marginal Conditions. Why not use NDSU Hybrids Directly? It Could be a Good Strategy 2013 State and NDSU Corn Hybrid Performance Trials have Shown NDSU Hybrid Checks (non GMO) to be the Lowest in Grain Moisture at Harvest and among the Top Performing for Yield, TW, and Ethanol and Feedstock Quality in Northern Trials. Politics? Resources? Corn Growers and Current/Former Students are Planning to Enter the Market w/ndsu Future Products What would you do as Institution? Complement industry? How do we Make them? Start with Adaptation

17 HELPING INDUSTRY MOVE CORN NORTH FASTER. As an Alternative to High Cost Research, we have Moved Diverse Corn North Fast. Cost to Move North: $500 per Variety Result: 1-2 Weeks Earlier than Original Varieties 25, , , Cycle 3 (C3). Plants Evaluated Plants Selected How Long Has Taken to Industry? Why? Narrow Genetics and 25,000 vs. 50 Individuals, a Matter of Sampling.

18 Flowering Time Results from Selection for Earliness y = 0.5x 2-5.5x + 85 R 2 = Regression Trend for Corn Varieties Selected for Earliness, Very Successful for all Varieties without Exception! Visual Selection where E does not Fool you! Fast in a Trait that is Easy to Screen for, Simple Genetically, Less E Influence. Would you Spend Lab Resources for Simple Traits?

19 Designation Heterotic Group Genetic Background Tropical (%) NDSHLC(FS-M)C5 SS ND Tropical Highland 100 Synthetic (MEXICO) NDBSK(HI-M)C3 SS ND Krug Yellow Dent 0 Top 4 in the List were Adapted and Released. New Lines are Already being Developed. Bottom 6 Varieties are in Process of Adaptation. NDBS11(FR-M)C3 non-ss ND Pioneer Two-Ear 0 Synthetic NDBS1011 UR ND Pioneer/Iowa Synthetic 0 NDBSSS(HI-M)C4 SS ND/IA Stiff Stalk Synthetic A 0 NDBS13(S-M)C4 SS ND/IA Stiff Stalk Synthetic B 0 NDBS39 non-ss ND Tuson Composite(M)C (CUBA) NDBS16(S)C5 non-ss ND ETO Composite (COL) 100 NDBS28(R)C5 SS ND Tuxpeño Composite (MX) 100 NDBS29(R)C5 non-ss ND Suwan-1 (THAILAND) 100 Adapted from Hallauer and Carena (2013) Adaptation of tropical maize germplasm to temperate environments

20 GERMPLASM PRE-BREEDING SOURCES FOR NDSU CORN INBRED LINE DEVELOPMENT (adapted from Carena et al., 2009b). Germplasm Improved by Intra & Inter Population Recurrent Selection (RS) (Advanced Cycles, ~15%) Germplasm Adapted from Stratified Mass Selection (~5%) Elite x Elite (within Heterotic Groups, ~40%) Elite Industry Lines, ex-pvp or MTAs (~2%) Elite x Elite (across Heterotic Groups, ~3%) Top Progenies from RS (full sibs, half sibs, S1s, and S2s per or w/tester) NDSU Breeding Sources Inbred Line Development Top Backcross Progenies from NDSU EarlyGEM Adapted Breeding Crosses (~35%)

21 Inspiration!

22 GENETICALLY DIVERSE UNIQUE COMPETITIVE LINES/HYBRIDS IDENTIFIED! NDSU Created the EarlyGEM Program to Increase the Genetic Diversity of Northern U.S. Hybrids. Had the Uniqueness to Adapt Tropical Corn to Short- Seasons Carrying Unique Diversity and Providing Tolerance to Climate Changes Results so far have Shown we can Break Environmental Margins for Corn Production. NDSU Tropical Adapted Products Expressed Unique Genes for Yield, Cold/Drought Tolerance, Disease Resistance. We Expect Similar Genes for New Uses and Markets, Very Positive Implications for Farmers in the Long Run In Search for Unique Alleles not Present in Sequenced Genomes (tropical/short-season)

23 New Genetically Diverse Releases Since 2011: 15 New Corn Inbred Lines, 10 New Breeding Populations, and 2 New Hybrids. Several Derived from our NDSU EarlyGEM Program, not Available in Industry Programs today. 10 New NDSU EarlyGEM Corn Varieties were Created and Released Ranging from 0% to 100% Tropical Germplasm in their Genetic Background. Same Concept can be Applied to other Research (e.g. NDSU EarlyQPM and Early QPMF Programs) Derived Inbreds Evaluated by Foundation Companies showed Very Strong Agronomic Traits in Hybrids, Promising not only for Yield but also for Green Snap, Stalk Quality/Lodging Resistance, Dry Down, Vigor, Test Weight, Large Kernels/Long Ears, Seed/Pollen Producer, and Quality Industry ( ) This is Consequence of the Elite Diversity Brought to the Program and the Cost/Effective Breeding Tools Utilized in their Quick Process of Adaptation. NDSU is the Sole Genetic Provider for these (99 Decision)

24 Pedigree Name Heterotic Number Accession Group of Lines Origin NDSU EarlyGEM22a Non-SS 21 Chile NDSU EarlyGEM22b Non-SS 20 Chile NDSU EarlyGEM4 Non-SS 22 St. Croix NDSU EarlyGEM5 Non-SS 26 Brazil NDSU EarlyGEM10 SS 20 Mexico NDSU EarlyGEM3 SS 20 Cuba NDSU EarlyGEM26 Non-SS 20 USA (Tropical) NDSU EarlyGEM21a SS 16 Argentina NDSU EarlyGEM21b SS 9 Argentina NDSU EarlyGEM21c SS 18 Argentina Adapted from Carena (2013b) Source of the next generation of lines

25 Designation Heterotic Group Genetic Background Tropical (%) NDSS(FR) SS North Dakota Stiff Stalk 0 Synthetic NDL(FR) non-ss North Dakota Lancaster 0 NDSM(M-FS) non-ss North Dakota Synthetic M 0 NDSCD(FS-CS) non-ss North Dakota Synthetic CD 0 NDBS21(R-T) and UR or non-ss North Dakota Synthetic 21 0 (FR) NDBS22(R-T) and SS North Dakota Synthetic 22 0 (FR) NDCG(FS) and (FR) SS North Dakota Synthetic CG 0 NDSAB(MER-FS)C15 non-ss North Dakota Synthetic AB 0 NDLEAM(FR) non-ss Leaming(S-FS)C6 Adapted 0 from Hallauer et al (2010)

26 Large Pool of Adapted VERY Short-Season Germplasm (Large Sample Size Matters!) Mating Designs and Creation of New Heterotic Patterns Elite x Elite (40%) Recurrent selection Progeny evaluation Inbred development Family structure development Evaluation Recombination NDSU Fargo Corn Trials (south of 19 Ave N) Testcross trials Release of inbred lines Improved populations

27 Reciprocal Recurrent Selection and Inbred Line Development S0 S0 S1 S1 S2 S3 Winter Nursery Selection and Hybrid Testing S2 S3 S4 S4 S5 S5 Ultimate F1 Hybrid

28 NDSU Challenge to Move Corn North to Cooler Areas Economic Impact of Developing Faster Drier Products The Upper Midwest Consumes more than $1.4 Billion of Fossil Fuels to Dry $19.7 Billion of Corn Grain. The Program has Developed not only New and Unique Products but also New Methods and Trained Breeders now Industry Leaders AUDDC, Already Saving $ Millions in Artificial Drying to Farmers and Screening Costs to Industry (co-inventor now Monsanto Lead)

29 CREATORS OF THE HYBRID CORN IDEA Cold Spring Harbor Lab, Long Island CONNECTICUT, NEW HAVEN AES ( ) ( ) MN & ND Public Creativity + Industry Vision = Business We Have Worked with the Same Method for > 100 Yeas BUT Industry Exploited the Practical Value of Heterosis or Hybrid Vigor

30 2013 Trials Advanced NDSU lines have Shown Better Performance in Hybrid Combinations when Compared with Commercial Checks, Especially in Northern Challenging Environments Controlled Winter Nursery Conditions (no rain and extreme cold when wanted and needed during ND winters), to Screen Thousands of Corn Lines for Drought and Cold tolerance under Guaranteed Stresses, was Essential for Identifying Stable Hybrids in the North We Succeeded Maximizing Efficiency and Genetic Gains with Winter Nurseries (WNs). 94% of 2013 Experiments Produced Lines Beating TOP COMMERCIAL INDUSTRY CHECK vs. 54% when Heat and Cold WNs Started. Still Only One Exclusive Partner is Accessing them Is it wise???

31 Breeding the Next Generation of Short- Season Products 2013 Top Line Very Good Stay Green Excellent Lodging Resistance RM = TR3026 (check) Excellent Stay Green Excellent Lodging Resistance RM < TR3026 (-5 Days) Excellent Stay Green Excellent Lodging Resistance RM << TR3026 (-8 Days)

32 How NDSU Provides These Unique and Diverse Corn Products not Present in Industry How should the Public Sector Act? History NDSU x NDSU (Low Industry Use, some ND246), Public Ownership Transfer NDSU x Industry, PVP, System Open to All Provided Cheap $500/request ( Requests/Yr., 100% Full Funds to Research). Three types of Agreements (MTA, Inbred Research, Commercialization). Quick Releases. Registrations. On-Going Efforts NDSU x Industry and NDSU x NDSU Lines. NDSU Provides Experimental Lines to Foundation Seed Companies Re-Coding, Market, and Sell to Retailer Companies. Exclusive Releases are Delayed to Give Advantage. No PVP (companies protect), No Registration, 4 agreements (Populations)

33 ND2000 Reg. No. PL-306, PI Released after 4 Years of Hybrid Tests and RS For Breeding Programs Developing Early-Maturing High Quality Hybrids Distribution to more than 100 institutions NDSU Research Foundation is the Owner Distribution was not Exclusive (Equal Access to All) Developed by Recurrent & Pedigree Selection Work Horse Line for Seed Production Use as Recurrent Parent for EarlyGEM Carena et al. (2005)

34 ND2015 No Reg. No. PL-, No PI Released after 5 Years of Hybrid Tests For Breeding Programs Developing Early-Maturing Unique Hybrids Distribution to 1 Institution! NDSU Research Foundation is the Owner Distribution was Exclusive (Not Equal Access to All) PVP Protection by Exclusive Partner NDSU EarlyGEM Product Sharma and Carena (2011)

35 Conclusions Growing Short-Season Unique Corn Solves Most of the Agronomic Problems Facing Farmers in the U.S. Northern Environments. The Future of Northern U.S. Corn Production Relies on Short-Season Cold Tolerant Fast Dry Down Hybrids Carrying Diverse Genetics. Fortunately, There is enough Corn Genetic Variability to Maximize Genetic Improvement of Germplasm. LAMP alone had 12,000 Accessions in 34 Regions! Applicable to Different Corn Producing Regions Farmer Corn Options need to Increase. Testing of Genetically Diverse Hybrids is Needed even with Different Trait Options (e.g., RR, BT, etc.) within and among Companies. Larger sampling is Needed to Move Corn Faster Across Latitude/Altitude and to find good combination of traits Need to Target Cost/Effective Methodologies on Traits that are Genetically Complex, Difficult to Measure, and Influenced by E. These Considerations will Fill the Gap between Geneticists, Physiologists, and Breeders to Develop the Next Generation of Products with Maximum Efficiency.

36 Cooperation with the Public Sector Will Have a Major Effect on Seed Industry Business Training (if product development is included) Long-Term Research, Genetic Diversity, Breeding Rights. Public-private partnerships to develop the next generation of corn products are encouraged. The ideal hybrid for northern U.S. farms is still missing due to intellectual property limitations. How can Public Breeders Improve Weak Industry Lines? Exploiting Unique Environments for Climate Changes

37 Cooperation is Essential Minnesota Corn Growers Association North Dakota Corn Council Utilization North Dakota Corn Growers Association North Dakota State Board of Ag. Research North Dakota Ethanol Producers Assn. USDA-GEM BASF/Thurston Genetics AgReliant Genetics Monsanto DuPont/Pioneer Hi-Bred International Syngenta Laboulet Semences Ag Solutions Dow/Mycogen SGI Genetics CIMMYT/FAO/European public partners