Location: Plant Science Research
Project Number: 6070-22000-019-035-A
Project Type: Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Aug 2, 2026
End Date: Jul 31, 2028
Objective:
The overall goal is to support winter oat breeding and genetic improvement and deliver improved varieties to U.S. farmers. The award supports coordination of the Winter Oat Uniform Nursery each year and will generate consistent, multi-location performance data to support variety selection release decisions.
1. Coordinate acquisition of breeder entry information and seed for annual nursery cycles. 2. Maintain and communicate standardized nursery procedures to all participants.
3. Manage seed handling and packaging.
4. Produce high-quality check-entry seed for consistent evaluation across years and sites. 5. Collect phenotypic data at designated test locations.
6. Coordinate data submission, perform multi-location analyses, and distribute results.
Approach:
Approaches Obj 1: Maintain regular communication with regional oat breeders to obtain entry details and seed within the required timelines. Track breeder submissions and follow up to ensure completeness and accuracy.
Approaches Obj 2: Provide annual updates to breeders, communicate nursery procedures, checks, timetables, data standards, and distribution processes. Develop and distribute clear written guidelines outlining nursery expectations.
Approaches Obj 3: Supervise student workers to prepare labels, organize entry seed, pack envelopes, and ensure coordination with breeders, collaborators, and all testing cooperators. Maintain accurate records of entry lists and communicate updates to collaborators.
Approaches Obj 4: Obtain check-entry seed, establish and manage large increase blocks, and implement proper field management practices. Harvest and process check-entry seed to meet nursery quality standards.
Approaches Obj 5: Grow and manage the nursery at one or more field sites in Louisiana. Collect disease resistance, yield, and additional opportunistic phenotypes at those locations to be included in multi-location data.
Approaches Obj 6: Organize and curate cooperator-submitted data; conduct entry-mean and multi-location statistical analyses. Distribute summarized results to all nursery participants and periodically prepare datasets for public deposition in database.