Project Number: 5428-21000-014-19
Project Type: Nonfunded Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Jan 20, 2011
End Date: Jan 19, 2016

Objective:
To develop novel cool-season grass and legume germplasm and associated managemment technologies for use in irrigated and non-irrigated temperate growing environments.

Approach:
Collaborative experiments will be designed and implemented, either in the laboratory or the field, depending upon the specific research objectives. Laboratory experiments will be conducted jointly in Logan, Utah, and the Department of Grassland Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing (DGS) where research concerning the evaluation of germplasm for abiotic stress environments and associated management practices are being conducted. Where experiments involve the development of breeding and management technologies for the identification and use of unique grass and legume genotypes, work will be performed in Logan, Utah, and by the DGS. Germplasm evaluation of Chinese and U.S. grass and legume accessions (cultivars and lines) will be conducted in the Great Basin Region of Utah and in Hebei Province (north, near Inner Mongolia), China, under irrigated and non-irrigated growing conditions and in the greenhouse as deemed appropriate. This research will attempt to: 1) assess the genetic diversity of grasses, legumes, and forage shrub germplasm native to dry, temperate regions of China; 2) develop grass, legume, and forage shrub plant materials with improved pasture, turf, and rangeland characteristics; 3) develop plant materials adapted to dry, temperate regions under reduced management inputs (e.g., irrigation and fertilizer); 4) develop improved breeding procedures and management practices; and 5) develop new genetic methodologies for use in evaluation and breeding.