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Reproductive biology of Texas wild rice The US Fish and Wildlife Service
Genetic diversity of Texas wild rice Michael Antolin, Biology Dept.
Preservation of grape germplasm Harrison Hughes, Horticulture Dept.
Longevity of wheat and rye seeds Polish NAS Botanical Garden
Cold storage of garlic Garlic growers
Population structure of Bristlecone pine US Forest Service
Population genetics and preservation of crops PRIMES, CSU
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Pollination and embryo development in Texas wild rice are studied in greenhouse grown plants Environmental factors that influence flowering in Texas wild rice are studied in the greenhouse. Reproductive biology of Texas wild rice

NCGRP and collaborating scientists are investigating the reproductive biology of Zizania texana (Texas wild rice) in order to understand components of seed quality that contribute to genebanking efficiency. Questions relating to phenology, pollen physiology, degree of outcrossing and embryo development will be addressed using greenhouse-grown plants. Molecular marker systems to measure geneflow have been developed and components of embryo development relating to desiccation tolerance and cryopreservability have been established.
More information: Biophysical and physiological aspects of seed development and quality
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River populations of Texas wild rice are sampled to measure existing genetic diversity of the species Banding pattern for microsatellite markers in wild rice are used to genotype individuals. Texas wild rice plants harvested from the river are grown in a local fish hatchery-turned-refugium to maintain genetic diversity in a protected area. Seeds of Texas wild rice are germinated and to see whether genetic diversity is maintained. Genetic diversity of Texas wild rice

This research serves as a “proof of concept” that genetic diversity within and among wild populations can be measured and genetic shifts that occur during ex situ conservation can be monitored. Last year, a comparison of allelic frequencies in an embryo population before and after cryoexposure (70% survival) showed that the cryopreservation procedure did not cause selection. This year, genetic diversity in wild and refugia populations was quantified. Plants were also established in the greenhouse to facilitate future studies of reproductive biology.
More information: Biophysical and physiological aspects of seed development and quality and Population genetics and genomics.
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Grape can be grown in vitro to produce shoot tips that will be used in cryopreservation studies. Scions from grape vines are harvested in the winter. Stored scions of grape can be rooted after more than a year of storage at –3C. Preservation of grape germplasm

Short-term storage of mature, winter-collected grape vine sections is a simple method to back-up field plantings of grape that are at risk of disease or insect infestation, such as Pierce’s disease spread by the glassy winged sharpshooter. Grape sections can be sprouted after 1.5 years of storage at –3C. Research was also directed at evaluating tolerance to cryoexposure of grape shoot tips from selected lines placed in axenic culture. The development of a method for long-term preservation of grape germplasm will be valuable for establishing a base collection for this genus.
More information: Cryobiology of Vegetatively Propagated Germplasm.
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Seeds of rye (Secale cereale), wheat, (Triticum aestivum) and the intergeneric cross (triticale) exhibit different longevities. Longevity of wheat and rye seeds

The research is part of larger programs to regenerate germplasm and to determine the genetic basis of seed longevity. Rye seeds age more rapidly than wheat seeds and seeds from the intergeneric cross, triticale, have intermediate longevity. The rate at which volatiles are emitted from seeds will be used as a non-invasive test of seed aging. The study shows that traits that control how long a seed survives can be inherited.
More information: Biophysical and physiological aspects of seed development and quality.
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Fruits from a tree grown from wild germplasm vary in color, size and flavor and are quite different from cultivated varieties. Apple fruits from wild populations in Kazakhstan were collected in 1993 and 1995. Plum, peach and apricot seeds, harvested from plants growing in the wild, will be germinated and genotyped to measure the genetic diversity of the collection. Population genetics and preservation of crops

Wild relatives of fruit crops are genebanked using vegetative-propagation methods that have limited success. An assessment of the genetic diversity and the risk of change will allow this germplasm to be stored as seed. Parent and progeny from wild-collected accessions of apple, peach, cherry and grape were genotyped and will be used to develop simulations that guide curators on how best to regenerate germplasm from diverse, cross-pollinating, perennial crops.
More information: Cellular and Molecular Aspects of Plant Cryopreservation and Population genetics and genomics.
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There are about 250 different types of garlic in the USDA collection that vary in growth habit, appearance and flavor. Garlic bulbs stored for 3 months at room temperatures (25 and 15C) sprout. Refrigeration at (5 or 0C) delays sprouting. Storage at –5C nearly stops sprouting, but is not cold enough to cause freezing damage to cells. Cold storage of garlic

The garlic collection must be regenerated every year because bulbs either sprout or lose viability quickly. This research shows how physiological processes can be arrested by storage at -3C. Spring planting and less frequent regeneration of garlic is now possible. The research also shows that flavor is maintained during cold storage so that market quality of freshly harvested garlics can be prolonged.
More information: Cellular and Molecular Aspects of Plant Cryopreservation.
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A bristlecone pine tree dated to be over 2400 years old. Pinecones of bristlecone pine carry seeds. Seeds of bristlecone pine can be placed in genebanks to preserve the genetic diversity of wild populations. Population structure of bristlecone pine

The research is part of a larger effort to develop the tools needed to quantify and apportion genetic diversity that will enable subsequent studies on genetic influences on preservability and genetic erosion during genebanking. Work with Bristlecone pine (Pinus aristata) provides access to and logistical support for collecting germplasm and tissues from wild populations that are congeneric to species used in the wood industry. We found that AFLP methods do not sufficiently resolve population structure needed for this study and are currently screening for variation in retro-transposon sequences.
More information: Population genetics and genomics.
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