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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Ames, Iowa » Plant Introduction Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #196079
Title: MAIZE RACES AND TRAITS IDENTIFIED FROM THE GEM PROJECT

Author
item Blanco, Michael
item Gardner, Candice
item SALHUANA, WILFREDO - RETIRED PIONEER FELLOW
item Shen, Nuo

Submitted to: ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/12/2006
Publication Date: 11/12/2006
Citation: Blanco, M.H., Gardner, C.A., Salhuana, W., Shen, N. 2006. Maize races and traits identified from the GEM project [abstract]. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting Abstracts, November 12-16, 2006, Indianapolis, Indiana. Abstract number 162-11.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The Germplasm Enhancement of Maize Project (GEM) is a cooperative effort of the USDA-ARS, land grant universities, private industry, international, and non-governmental organizations (NGO) organizations to broaden the germplasm base of maize. The project is administered through the USDA-ARS Plant Introduction Research Unit in Ames, IA, and the Plant Science Research Unit in Raleigh, NC. The Latin American Maize Project (LAMP) preceded the GEM Project; it identified and provided the valuable primary source material of exotic germplasm used by GEM. GEM breeding research in Ames is focused on 25% tropical, and 25% and 50% temperate derived germplasm; Raleigh, NC focuses on 50% tropical germplasm. Private companies provide elite proprietary germplasm by crossing their inbreds to GEM/LAMP accessions, and furnish support with developmental nurseries, yield testing, and disease/insect evaluations. Public cooperators provide new knowledge on the characterization, breeding, and evaluation of exotic germplasm. During the past 5 years, GEM released 135 lines from S3 to S6 generation, representing 20 races of maize. Some of the more important traits derived from GEM breeding crosses include abiotic stress resistance from Dentado Blanco Rugoso (ARZM 01150), Fusarium ear rot, and anthracnose stalk rot from the US mixed racial sources FS8A(S), and FS8B(T) respectively, and Corn Root Worm resistance from the accession URZM 13085, representing the Cateto Sulino race. Germplasm derived from 50% tropical breeding crosses have been excellent sources of resistance to Fusarium, Gray leaf spot, and southern rust. Value added traits include high protein, and silage quality identified in Cuba 117, and Cuba 164, (races Argentino and mixed Criollo respectively). The Tusón racial accession, GUAT209, was found to be a source of modifiers for high amylose. Cristalino Colorado accessions ARZM 17026, and ARZM 17056 are good sources of silage quality, and starch digestibility respectively. These accessions are publicly available, and should provide useful sources of diversity for enhancing and broadening the germplasm base.