Skip to main content
ARS Home » Midwest Area » Ames, Iowa » Plant Introduction Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #386326
Research Project: Plant Genetic Resource Management and Information System Development

Location: Plant Introduction Research

Title: Evaluating the lifespan of maize germplasm regenerations

Author
item Bernau, Vivian
item Millard, Mark
item Peters, David

Submitted to: Agronomy Society of America, Crop Science Society of America, Soil Science Society of America Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/1/2021
Publication Date: 11/10/2021
Citation: Bernau, V.M., Millard, M.J., Peters, D.W. 2021. Evaluating the lifespan of maize germplasm regenerations [abstract]. Agronomy Society of America, Crop Science Society of America, Soil Science Society of America Meeting. Paper No. 137827.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Regenerating germplasm is the most risky operation in genebank management, yet also the most critical. Regeneration poses risks to the genetic integrity of the accession and is also very expensive--especially for maize (Zea mays subsp. mays (L)), which requires hand pollination. Therefore, it is important to limit the number of regenerations an accession undergoes, and thus the risk of losing or significantly altering the accession. A seed-propagated germplasm accession typically becomes unavailable for one of two reasons: low seed viability or low seed inventory. In order to reduce the number of regenerations needed by an accession, and the resources required for the regeneration (labor for controlled hand pollination, harvest, processing), we aim to evaluate the historical supply (seed viability and inventory) and demand (seed requests) of maize germplasm seed lots in the NCRPIS collection.