Participatory breeding of high-value wheat for the Northeast

Participatory breeding of high-value wheat for the Northeast

Summary

Over the four months since the project started in September of 2015, collaborators have progressed toward project goals.

During the summer of 2015, the graduate researcher facilitated farmer selection of superior wheat varieties for their farms. We calibrated a single seed non-destructive NIR to identify wheat heads with highest protein content. Using the NIR, we selected the 50% of farmer-selected wheat heads with the highest protein content. For 312 F2:F3 headrows of winter wheat grown on two research stations, the graduate researcher used a multi-trait selection index to advance the wheat plants with the best resistance to Fusarium Head Blight, leaf disease, highest protein, appropriate maturity timing, and winter hardiness.

At Cornell University, breeders have developed crossing populations of top-performing emmer lines with free-threshing varieties. After growing in the greenhouse this winter, we will prepare the BC1 and BC2 populations for planting in the field this spring. We also selected among einkorn populations bred for free threshing. After recognizing that our selection methods may not be producing the desired results, we are seeking germplasm of free-threshing einkorn to establish new breeding populations.

Farmers throughout the Northeast also selected stable F6 spring wheat populations. In preparation for yield testing during the summer of 2016, the graduate researcher sent the farmer-selected populations to an off-season nursery for seed increase. Unfortunately, the nursery that we chose to work with in California destroyed the majority of seed as a result of poor land management. As an alternative, we planted 533 plants for seed increase in a greenhouse at Cornell University.

Objectives/Performance Targets

1. 1. Conduct participatory breeding of wheat, spelt, and einkorn on farms and research stations according to traits that are most important to farmers;

1. 1. Breed free-threshing populations of emmer, einkorn, and spelt;

1. 1. Test homozygous F7 farmer-selected wheat populations for performance throughout the Northeast, and compare selected populations for local vs. broad adaptation;

1. 1. Develop a roadmap with farmers and the seed industry to release top-performing varieties.

Accomplishments/Milestones

1. 1. Conduct participatory breeding of wheat, spelt, and einkorn on farms and research stations according to traits that are most important to farmers

During the summer of 2015, the graduate researcher facilitated farmer selection of superior wheat varieties for their farms. Five participating farmers planted bulked F3 biparental families from winter wheat crosses in the fall of 2014. Each farm established two replicates of five biparental family plots and one check variety commonly grown by organic farmers in the region: ‘Warthog’. Plot sizes varied from 4.65 to 9m², depending on the size of regional planting equipment. Farm-specific selection protocols facilitated the selection of phenotypes best suited to the priority traits of each farmer. With the help of the graduate investigator, the farmer visually separated each biparental family plot into four quadrants and selected the 10% of plants or spikes that best met priority traits in each quadrant. The graduate investigator also randomly collected the same number of spikes from each biparental family plot to form F3:F4 winter wheat and F4:F5 spring wheat baseline populations to track gains in selection. In addition to farmers selecting based on their priority traits in the field, we were able to select for protein content, which was the second highest rated trait by participating winter wheat farmer breeders. For farmers who selected protein as a priority trait, a single seed non-destructive NIR machine allowed the selection of 50% of spikes with highest protein. The graduate researcher calibrated the NIR instrument using a partial least squares model calibrated to a destructive nitrogen test (LECO TrueMac N), obtaining an r² of 0.87. One hundred and ninety-two seeds each from six wheat varieties from a range of protein contents and color classes comprised the calibration set. Using the NIR, we selected the 50% of farmer-selected wheat heads with the highest protein content. Selected seed was pooled from the two replicate plots of each biparental family at each farm for planting in 2016.

In tandem with on-farm selection, researchers selected biparental families on research stations for the most important regional traits. For spring wheat, researchers screened 210 headrows of F2:F3 individuals for the trait of most importance to spring wheat farmers in the region: weed competitive ability. Flagged plants and headrows with the highest early vigor (1-5) and leaf width (1-5) at third to fifth leaf stage advanced to the second year of selection in 2016.

For winter wheat, research station selection protocols focused on traits of most importance to regional winter wheat farmers: FHB tolerance, high protein content, and desirable baking and sensory qualities. From the same winter wheat biparental families planted on farms, researchers planted 312 headrows of F2:F3 individuals and parental varieties at Freeville, NY and at a Fusarium head blight nursery in Ithaca, NY in the fall of 2014. At the disease nursery, headrows were inoculated at anthesis with Fusarium, and screened for FHB index (infection rate x severity). Other metrics of headrow evaluation included average height, leaf disease severity (1-9), glume blotch severity (0-3), and date at which 50% of heads emerged. Index selection provided a quantitative way to select the 30% best headrows, weighted strongly against fusarium index, and to a lesser extent, against late heading, very tall height, leaf disease, and glume blotch (Equation 1). For baking and sensory quality, the third most important trait ranked by winter wheat farmers, the index added points to crosses with parents that have desirable quality characteristics. Researchers collected seed from 10 individual plants in each selected headrow. Eight seeds from each plant entered NIR evaluation for protein content. The 50% of plants with highest protein from each selected headrow, assed through NIR, were planted in the same headrow nurseries in the fall of 2015.

Index Score = IF(FHB index>10,-20,0)+(50/FHB index))+(IF(Heading Day after May1<38,0, Heading Day after May1*-0.5))+IF(Height<110,0,(Height*-1/20))+IF(RC(leaf disease<7,0,leaf disease*-1)+IF(leaf disease<5,(8/leaf disease),0)+IF(glume blotch=3,-5,IF(glume blotch=0,5,IF(glume blotch=1,3,0)))+(5 to 10 for parents with good qualities) Equation 1. (Excel 2013)

2. 2. Breed free-threshing populations of emmer, einkorn, and spelt;

The most commonly cited barrier for farmers in the Northeast to growing ancient grains is dehulling. In the spring of 2015, superior varieties ‘Lucille’, ‘ND Common’, and ‘Red Vernal’ were crossed with the free-threshing emmer variety, ‘Debra’, that is poorly adapted to the Northeast, in addition to a free-threshing emmer relative, Kamut®. In the greenhouse, F1 progeny were backcrossed to each parent during flowering. After selecting the seed from the BC1 generation that thresh free of glumes, we are preparing to plant the progeny in the spring of 2016.

In the fall of 2014, einkorn and spelt seeds from various F3 biparental populations that most easily separated from the hull were selected. After rolling in a simple rubber tube, small portions of the hulled seed broke free of the glume. These seeds were planted in F2:F3 headrows at two sites for winter hardiness, heading date, height, and FHB tolerance. In the fall of 2015, we repeated this process, selecting the most easily dehulled seed from superior performing headrows. This selected seed was replanted as F2:F4 in the fall of 2015 for another year of agronomic evaluation. In the fall of 2015, the most easily dehulled F5 seed from top-performing headrows were selected and planted on a research station in Freeville, NY and on farm at Lakeview Organic Grain. After recognizing that our selection methods for free-threshing einkorn may not be producing the desired results, we are seeking germplasm of free-threshing einkorn to establish new breeding populations.

3. 3. Test homozygous F7 farmer-selected wheat populations for performance throughout the Northeast, and compare selected populations for local vs. broad adaptation;

Stable F6 spring wheat populations were selected by farmers throughout the Northeast. In preparation for yield testing during the summer of 2016, the graduate researcher sent the farmer-selected populations to an off-season nursery for seed increase. Unfortunately, the nursery that we chose to work with in California destroyed the majority of seed as a result of poor land management. As an alternative, we planted 533 plants for seed increase in a greenhouse at Cornell University.

4. 4. Develop a roadmap with farmers and the seed industry to release top-performing varieties.

The graduate researcher has informally surveyed farmers, bakers, millers, and researchers about the best date to host a visioning session and field day in 2016. June, especially a rainy day, is preferred by stakeholders.

Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes

41 new populations of spring wheat have been developed by organic farmers from New York to Maine. After testing these populations in 2016, the superior varieties are available for immediate variety release. Once released, these varieties can immediately boost performance, sustainability, and profitability of organic farms in the region. Moreover, the varieties will help build local grain economies that are emerging throughout the Northeast. We are also developing similar quantities of new winter wheat varieties over the next two years.

The development of free-threshing emmer and einkorn varieties can allow small farmers to incorporate high-value small grains in their rotations. Without the need for dehulling, these grains can be profitable for small farmers. These high-value grains would improve soils, reduce erosion, and reduce pests when incorporated in rotation with demanding high-value crops grown more commonly by small farmers, such as vegetables. Moreover, this product will help satisfy a booming consumer demand for these ancient wheat species, which are perceived to be less harmful for individuals with wheat sensitivity.

Collaborators: