2012 Annual Report 1a.Objectives (from AD-416): 1) To identify marker trait associations between elite North American oat varieties and total dietary fiber, beta glucan, disease resistance and agronomics using association genetics. 2) Develop predictive assays for total dietary fiber, beta glucan, and disease resistance. 3) Implement TDF and BG predictive assays in marker-assisted breeding to develop oat varieties with higher levels of each trait. 1b.Approach (from AD-416): Six-hundred and twelve oat lines representing the diversity important to North American Oat breeding programs and elite lines from each breeding program will be grown in ID, ND, Saskatoon, and Winnipeg. Seed harvested from these locations will be milled in Aberdeen and assayed for total dietary fiber and beta glucan levels in Winnipeg. Disease data (Crown rust, Stem rust, and BYDV) will be collected in IN, IL, NY, WI, and MN. Genotypic and phenotypic data will be used to determine marker-trait association using JMP Genomics and TASSEL. An open array real-time TaqMan assay will develop to run predictive assay on marker-trait associations. The predictive assays will then be employed through the ARS Genotyping center in Raleigh, NC, to begin development of oat varieties with improved levels of TDF, BG, and disease resistance. 3.Progress Report: Progress was made on the objective, which fall under National Program 301, Component 2, Crop Informatics, Genomics, and Genetic Analyses. Progress on this project focuses on problem of assessment of new marker development and quality traits of oat lines. Development of new genetic markers for oat improvement and phenotype 685 oat lines for key agronomic, milling, and quality traits. Phenotypes were measured for the key traits. In addition, total dietary fiber and beta glucan analysis will be done on selected oat lines. New markers will be identified for the traits. Results support Objective 3 in the parent project plan, development of improved oat lines.