MINUTES OF THE WHEAT CROP GERMPLASM COMMITTEE

13 January, 2005.
San Diego, CA, USA.

Attendees: Harold Bockelman, Gina Brown-Guedira (Vice-Chair), Kim Garland Campbell (Chair), David Marshall (Secretary), Dave Matthews, Jackie Rudd, Kay Simmons, Maarten Van Ginkel, and David Van Sanford.

Chairperson Kim Campbell convened the meeting at approximately 2:15 PM.

Harold Bockelman, Curator of the USDA-ARS National Small Grains Collection (NSGC), distributed information concerning the PI assignments during 2004. The PI number assignments for all wheat, rye, triticale, and Aegilops accessions were disseminated to the attendees. Within the collection, some difficulties in germination and viability have been encountered, which are being investigated. All seed previously produced in Arizona is being destroyed because of potential Karnal bunt contamination. A nursery in Parlier, CA, is now being used instead of Maricopa, AZ. The status of ancestral species of wheat was discussed. Recent collections, such as the TTCC (Texas-Turkey Cereal Collection) at Texas A&M University and recent collections from Tajikistan and Kazakhstan have not yet made in into the National Collection.

Maarten Van Ginkel presented an overview of the wheat genetic resources at CIMMYT. Following a recent inventory, efforts have been made to delete duplications, add GPS coördinates where possible, and move into a role of evaluation and application of the germ plasm and information present in the CIMMYT germ plasm bank. Recent additions to the CIMMYT collection include approximately 10,000 Mexican landrace selections, 2,300 Iranian landrace selections, and about 1,000 spring and 200 winter synthetic wheats. A motion was made, seconded, and passed for the USDA­ARS NSGC (Harold Bockelman) to obtain the 1,200 synthetics from CIMMYT. M. Van Ginkel also updated the Committee on the 2004 reorganization of CIMMYT.

Kay Simmons explained the National Plant Disease Recovery System, which is to provide the tools, infrastructure, and capability to mitigate plant disease outbreaks. Plant germ plasm plays a key role in the ability to recover from a devastating disease. A motion was made, seconded, and passed to reinstitute uniform disease screening nurseries in order to determine resistance and susceptibility levels in U.S. germ plasm.

D. Matthews presented the activities of GrainGenes for 2004. Included were potential interactions with other databases and the need for better interface for data queries and graphical displays of sequences.

The report on the status and future of wheat germ plasm was hoped to be completed by February 2005.

The meeting concluded at approximately 6:00 PM.