Planning Grant: I/UCRC for Area Wheat Genetics: Wheat Genetics Resource Center
1238313 Kansas State University; Bikram Gill
Kansas State University (KSU), as the lead institution, will partner with Oklahoma State University to establish an I/UCRC for Wheat Genetics that will feature integrated application of genomics, bioinformatics, high- throughput genotyping, mapping, phenotyping, and cytogenetics to accelerate alien gene introgressions for crop improvement. The proposed I/UCRC will build upon the already existing Wheat Genetics Resource Center (WGRC) at Kansas State University.
Managing bread wheat genetic diversity within domesticated varieties and wild wheat species, as well as workforce training, are critical success factors for the wheat research enterprise. Both will be major functions of the proposed I/UCRC. Adding value to wheat genetic resources will also be a major function of the proposed center. Another focus of the center will be mobilization of genetic diversity to improve crop performance. Finally, a key focus of the center will be the development of new methods for the rapid deployment of useful genetic diversity. Technical innovations will allow rapid transfer of useful traits to elite germplasm through genotyping by sequencing, marker assisted breeding and doubled haploid and other innovations by center scientists.
The primary research impact of the proposed activity could be, potentially, the characterization (genotypic and phenotypic) of thousands of wild wheat relatives and alien introgression lines, a resource of immense value to the broader wheat improvement community (public and private). The value of this work will be even greater with the proposed I/UCRC investing effort in reducing the segments of alien introgressions carrying genes of interest to wheat improvement programs. WGRC's impressive track record of training and mentorship will be expanded upon in the new I/UCRC by providing additional training and educational activities including industry mentorship and internships, undergraduate research and potential dual degree programs in the plant sciences and various K-State departments.
The planning meeting resulted in establishing a National Science Foundation Industry University Cooperative Research Center for Wheat Genetic Resources. The Center will quickly and efficiently derive valuable genetic diversity from wild wheat species to breed into commercial wheat varieties. The research at the Center will ultimately deliver better wheat varieties to farmers, faster. The Center will also be a hub for the comprehensive training of the next generation of wheat industry scientists. Kansas State University is the lead institution and Colorado State University is a research site. The following 12 industry members have joined the Center: Bayer CropScience, DowAgro Sciences, General Mills, Heartland Plant Innovations, Kansas Department of Agriculture, Kansas Wheat Alliance, Kansas Wheat Commission, Limagrain, Syngenta, ConAgra, Colorado Wheat Commission, and Colorado Wheat Administrative Committee. Merit: The complex wheat genome, up to five times bigger than the human genome, has presented a major challenge in applying methods such as biotechnology to solve problems that face the wheat industry. Furthermore, because of its recent origin, bread wheat has a narrow genetic base. Managing wheat genetic diversity for germplasm enhancement to improve crop performance as well as workforce training, are critical success factors for the wheat research enterprise. Both will be major functions of the WGRC-I/UCRC. Adding value to wheat genetic resources will also be a major function of the proposed Center. Chromosome and genomics based methodologies offer innovative new methods for analyzing and adding value to wheat genetic resources. Generation of chromosome introgression libraries and allele mining can be greatly expedited by next generation sequencing and related methodologies. Collaborative networks of laboratories and linkages will be leveraged for evaluating genetic resources including chromosome introgression libraries for 1) abiotic stress tolerance and adaptation to climate change, 2) resistance to disease and insects, 3) yield potential and 4) improving grain quality and end uses. Technical innovations will allow rapid transfer of useful traits to elite germplasm through genotyping by sequencing, marker assisted breeding and doubled haploid and other innovations by Center scientists. Broader Impacts: Wheat adds an estimated $30 billion to the US economy, accounts for one-fifth of all calories consumed and is the most important source of food protein worldwide. The wheat crop has nonetheless been in decline. Temperature increases due to climate change may decrease average wheat yields by 20-30%, as wheat is a cool season grass. Failure to enhance wheat production will lead directly to increased food prices, generating global food shortages for over 1.2 billion underprivileged wheat-dependent and 2.5 billion wheat-consuming people in developing countries. Currently, the time needed to identify and validate genetic traits to address food security needs may take 3-10 years. Integrating these traits into a market-ready wheat variety usually takes another 7-14 years. The goal of the Center will be to reduce this time and enhance the wheat variety commercialization capabilities of major industry partners. To date, the WGRC has mentored 13 Master’s students, 23 Ph.D. students, and 19 post-doctoral fellows more than 60 visiting scientists from all over the globe; in almost equal ratios of gender, ethnicity, US, foreign-developed and foreign-developing countries. Dozens of undergraduate students perform research in WGRC laboratories. The WGRC’s impressive track record of manpower training and mentorship mirroring US society at large will be expanded upon in the new I/UCRC by providing additional training and educational activities including industry mentorship and internships, and undergraduate research.
