Maize Varieties From Ancient Mexico

Sequencing of ancient corn landraces to ensure genetic diversity and resources

Maize was first domesticated in the highlands of Mexico about 10,000 years ago and is now one of the most important crop plants in the world. It is a member of the grass family, which also hosts the world's other major crops including rice, wheat, barley, sorghum, and sugar cane. As early agriculturalists selected plants with desirable traits, they were also selecting genes important for transforming a wild grass into a food plant. Since that time, Mexican farmers have created thousands of varieties suitable for cultivation in the numerous environments in the Mexican landscape—from dry, temperate highlands to moist, tropical lowlands. Because of its importance as food, the need to improve yield, and the challenges presented by changing climate, the maize genome of the B73 cultivar is being sequenced. However, because maize has a complex genome and many varieties, the genome sequence from just one variety will not be adequate to represent the diversity of maize worldwide. Mexican scientists are also sequencing and analyzing the genomes of the ancient landraces to recapture the full genetic diversity of this complex and adaptable crop.

Dr. Vielle-Calzada and his colleagues, Octavio Martinez de la Vega, Julio Vega-Arrenguin, Gustavo Hernandez-Guzman, Enrique Ibarra-Laclette, Beatriz Jimenez-Moraila, Guilermo Corona-Armenta, Cesar Alvarez-Mejia, Araceli Fernandez-Cortes, Gustavo de la Riva, Alfredo Herrera-Estrella, and Luis Herrera-Estrella, are in the process of sequencing one of the ancient popcorn races, Palomero, and analyzing its molecular and functional diversity relative to other maize races. Dr. Vielle-Calzada, of the National Laboratory of Genomics for Biodiversity, Cinvestav, Mexico, will be presenting this work at a symposium on Maize Biology at the annual meeting of the American Society of Plant Biologists in Mérida, Mexico (June 28, 11:30 AM).

Like other varieties of maize, the popcorn landraces are used throughout the world. Archeological evidence traces the earliest popcorn in the USA to New Mexico, suggesting an overland dispersal from the highlands of central Mexico into the northern plains of Mexico and then into the southwestern USA. Recent studies also support the hypothesis that popcorns are some of the oldest races of maize and group closely with teosinte in phylogenetic analyses.

Palomero is an ancient popcorn landrace of the Central and Northern Highlands Group. Vielle-Calzada and his colleagues estimated that its genome is about 22% smaller than that of B73. Their structural and functional analysis of this genome reveals a large number of unreported sequences, suggesting that the ancient landraces contain a large pool of unexplored genetic diversity that could be useful in new crop generation as well as the study of the evolution and domestication of maize and other cereals. Other studies in Mexico and elsewhere have shown that Mexican maize varieties are extraordinarily diverse.

Maize is a good model plant for studying the development of cereal crops because of its complex genome, numerous developmental mutants, and thousands of varieties. It is thought that as many as 1200 genes were selected in the process of transforming maize into a versatile food plant, and the process continues today. In regions throughout Mexico, farmers still cultivate local or criollo maize varieties in traditional ways as well as generating new varieties. They are thus contributing to conservation of the genetic diversity of maize and preserving traits that could be useful in yet unforeseen circumstances.

Many of the ancient varieties like Palomero were adaptations to different environmental conditions such as different soils, temperature, altitude, and drought. Preservation of these varieties and knowledge of their genetic and adaptive histories are of paramount importance as farmers around the world cope with changes in temperature and water availability and struggle to maintain a food supply for growing populations. These sequencing efforts are providing the data for genomic and mutant analyses that are needed for the genetic engineering of crops to improve yield as well as resistance to pests and tolerance for difficult growing conditions. The knowledge gained from these efforts can also be applied in crop and yield improvement efforts for other cereals.

Image from Velozramos

Contacts:
Dr. Jean-Philippe Vielle-Calzada
vielle@ira.cinvestav.mx
462- 623-9634
Fiesta Americana Merida : +52-999-942-1111

Brian Hyps
bhyps@aspb.org
240-354-5160
Contact: Dr. Jean-Philippe Vielle-Calzada
vielle@ira.cinvestav.mx
462-623-9634
American Society of Plant Biologists

Tags: Maize, grass family, maize genome, American Society of Plant Biologists, Palomero Maize, criollo maize

Survival Of Winged Seed, At The Age Of Global Warming.

(Kingston, ON) – The hardiest plants and those most likely to survive the climatic shifts brought about by global warming are now easier to identify, thanks to new research findings by a team from Queen's University.

"Predicting the speed at which plants are likely to migrate during climate warming could be key to ensuring their survival," says Queen's Biology professor Christopher Eckert.

Populations of plants growing at the outer edges of their natural "geographic range" exist in a precarious balance between extinction of existing populations and founding of new populations, via seed dispersal into vacant but suitable habitat. "Policy makers concerned with preserving plant species should focus not only on conserving land where species are now, but also where they may be found in the future," says Dr. Eckert.

This observation stems from his recent study – published in the scientific journal New Phytologist – which shows for the first time that natural selection gives a boost to the seed dispersal traits of those plants growing at the edges of their natural ranges.

If species are going to persist in the face of a changing climate, they must move to stay within the climate zone to which they are best adapted, Dr. Eckert explains. Their ability to relocate with shifts in regional climate brought about by global warming will largely depend on their capacity for dispersal, especially in populations near the limit of their geographical distributions.

With undergraduate student Emily Darling and PhD student Karen Samis, Dr. Eckert studied the geographic distribution and dispersal biology of Abronia umbellata (pink sand verbena), a flowering plant endemic to the Pacific coastal dunes of North America. By surveying plants throughout the 2000-km geographic range, and measuring seed dispersal with a wind tunnel in the Faculty of Applied Sciences, they showed that plants at range limits produce seeds with larger wings, thus increasing dispersal in the winds that commonly buffet costal habitats.

"The way evolution works at range limits has been brought into sharper focus by the debate over how species will respond via migration to climate warming," says Dr. Eckert. "It's clear that these marginal populations are adapted in ways that more central populations aren't."

According to Cornell University biologist Monica Geber, in an editorial focused on this new research, the Queen's team has "flipped the question of dispersal limitation on its head to ask whether range-edge populations have diverged, through adaptive evolution, from central populations to increase their colonizing ability."

There has been considerable debate as to whether these northern peripheral populations are worth conserving, Dr. Eckert notes. If they possess adaptations that will enhance their ability to expand their range during climate change, then the answer is yes, he says. His team has recently shown that in Vaccinium stamineum (deerberry) – a threatened plant related to the blueberry – the capacity for seed dispersal appears to increase sharply towards the range limit in Canada.

In addition, some threatened Canadian populations produce high-quality seeds that exhibit rapid germination and particularly high seedling growth.

"These observations are consistent with our work on coastal dune plants, suggesting that our results may have general relevance and significance for species conservation in changing global environments" says Dr. Eckert.

Contact: Nancy Dorrance
nancy.dorrance@queensu.ca
613-533-2869
Queen's University

Life on the edge: To disperse, or become extinct?

Plants existing at the edges of their natural habitats may enhance survival of the species during global warming, says Queen's professor.

Survival Of Winged Seed, At The Age Of Global Warming.

Tags: Winged Seed, Global Warming, Plant Science

Roll Of Silicon In Flowering Plants

STILLWATER, OK -- Vibrant, showy sunflowers are revered worldwide for their beauty and versatility. While many varieties of sunflower are grown specifically for their nutritional benefits, ornamental sunflowers have become standards for commercial growers and everyday gardeners. As sunflowers' popularity grows, scientists are looking for new supplements and growing methods to enhance production and quality of this celebrated annual.

Horticulturists have found ample evidence that plants depend on "essential nutrients"; naturally occurring elements that are found in normal plant tissue that are essential for the completion of the life cycle of the plant. Although silicon, a predominant element in mineral soil, is not considered to be an essential nutrient for most plants, there has been limited evidence that silicon supplements affect the aesthetic qualities of ornamental flowers and crops.

Drs. Sophia Kamenidou and Todd J. Cavins, formerly of the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture at Oklahoma State University, published a research study in the February, 2008 issue of HortScience in which they examine the effects of silicon supplements on sunflowers grown in greenhouse environments.

"In greenhouse production, most floricultural crops are cultivated in soilless substrates, which often supply limited amounts of plant-available silicon. The goal of this study was to determine the effects of silicon supplementation on greenhouse-produced ornamental sunflower (Helianthus annuus L. ‘Ring of Fire’).", explained Cavins. "This is one of the first studies to highlight supplemental silicon impact on horticultural traits. Most previous research on silicon has focused on disease suppression in hydroponic vegetable production. This is also one of the few examples of detrimental effects seen from high silicon concentrations."

Depending on the source and concentration of silicon used, several horticultural traits were improved as a result of silicon supplementation. "We observed thick, straight stems, increased flower and stem diameters, and increased height in some of the treatments, upgrading sunflower quality compared with untreated controls. However, growth abnormalities were observed when concentrations of silicon at 100 and 200 mg per liter were supplied as potassium silicate substrate drenches. In these treatments, plants appeared stunted with deformed flowers and were delayed in flowering. Consequently, the effects of silicon supplementation on greenhouse-produced sunflowers can vary from beneficial to detrimental depending on the applied source and concentration.", stated Cavins.

Summarizing the study outcomes, Cavins said, "Silicon is a key component in mineral soil, but it has been overlooked for years since it is not considered an essential element for plant growth and development. Sunflowers are capable of accumulating silicon from multiple sources and we found major benefits to some silicon supplements, such as increased stem diameter and improved quality."

The complete study and abstract are available on the ASHS HortScience electronic journal web site: http://hortsci.ashspublications.org/cgi/content/abstract/43/1/236

Tags: Flowering Plants, HortScience, sunflower, Ring of Fire, silicon in plants

CropDesign develops ‘traits’ for the global Rice seed market.

Genetically modified rice seedlings. During the first few weeks, cell clusters (so-called calli) develop from the seeds which then grow into seedlings. These are initially grown in climate-controlled growth chambers. Once the plants are big enough, they are transferred to the greenhouse until they are ready to be harvested.

Belgian biotechnology company CropDesign develops ‘traits’ for the global seed market. A trait is a genetic feature that gives a crop an economically useful characteristic, such as higher yield. Traits are determined by a plant’s genes. CropDesign specializes in traits for yield enhancement, higher drought and salt tolerance, and improved take-up of nutrients in crops such as cereals and rice. CropDesign became a subsidiary of BASF Plant Science in 2006.
tag: global seed market, CropDesign, Genetically modified rice seedlings, BASF Plant Science, Seed traits,

Better European Opportunities For Seed Markets

Speaking at the Credit Suisse 2008 Global Agrochemicals Conference in London yesterday, DuPont Vice President and General Manager and Pioneer Hi-Bred President Paul Schickler  said Pioneer is well positioned to serve the vast agricultural opportunity in Eastern Europe.

“We expect rapid expansion in the high growth Eastern Europe agriculture markets,” Paul said.  “Eastern Europe accounts for close to 60 percent of the corn acres in Europe and our seed corn products are performing very well against competitive products.  Our new sunflower and canola (oilseed rape) products also are well adapted for the area and sales are growing rapidly.”

Pioneer has grown its seed corn market share for all of Europe by more than four points over the last five years, Paul said. The Pioneer volume of seed corn has grown by 39 percent during that time while total hectares planted to corn have remained relatively stable.

Paul said Pioneer, which had USD 3.3 billion in revenue in 2007 and is a key growth engine for DuPont, is extending its leadership in all international seed markets with particularly strong gains in Brazil and Argentina, where biotech crops are being widely adopted.

In North America, he said, the business is on track to hold corn market share and grow soybean seed market share in 2008. 

“We are seeing strong demand for our high-yielding products in North America,” Paul said.  “Our strong line-up of new products bodes well for this year’s growing season and the years that follow.”

Paul’s presentation is available in the DuPont Investor Center at http://www2.dupont.com/Investor_Center/en_US/.

All EU farm aid recipients to be published by April 2009

All recipients of European Union agricultural and rural development payments will be published in detail under new rules adopted today by the European Commission. By 30 April, 2009, the full name, municipality and, where available, postal code of every recipient will be published in a clear, harmonised manner on nationally-managed websites with a search tool which enables the public to see how much money each person or company received. Amounts will be broken down in direct payments to farmers and other support measures. For rural development policy, which is co-financed between the EU and the national government, the information will cover both EU and national money. This information will be available by 30 April every year for the previous financial year and must remain on the website for two years from the date of its original publication. In addition, the European Commission will manage its own website which will have links to each national site.

"This is taxpayers' money, so it is very important that people know where it is being spent," said Mariann Fischer Boel, Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development. "Transparency should also improve the management of these funds, by reinforcing public control of how the money is used. Only in this way can we guarantee an informed debate about the future of the Common Agricultural Policy. This level of transparency is something both we and the European Parliament have been pushing for and we're glad we now have agreement on how the system will work."

The new Financial Regulation, adopted in 2006, sets out the principle that Member States have to ensure the publication of a list of all recipients of all forms of EU agricultural and rural development funds for each financial year. The Commission Regulation adopted today, which has received the support of the Member States, sets out the details of how this publication will be done, after the Council had agreed on the main elements last November.

It provides that each Member State shall publish the information on a website which allows people to search for the beneficiaries by name, municipality, amounts received (and the currency concerned) or a combination of these three criteria and to extract the information as a single set of data. It requires Member States to inform the beneficiaries that their data will be made public and that they enjoy the rights accorded to them by EU data protection rules, thus ensuring that the system complies with the requirements of data protection.

This information will be available from 30 April of the year after the money was paid and remain on the website for two years after the initial date of publication. The publication of data on rural development funds will begin slightly earlier than data for direct farm payments. For all rural development funds spent between 1 January and 15 October 2007, the information will be published by 30 September 2008.

Given the different organisational structures across the EU, the Member States themselves will decide who will be in charge of setting up and maintaining their single website. They can also decide to publish more detailed information if they so choose. The Commission will run its own website, providing a link to the individual national sites.

A number of Member States already publish the recipients of EU agricultural funds. The Commission already provides a link to allow members of the public to find these national websites.

http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/funding/index_en.htm

Today's decision is the latest stage in the Commission's long-running Transparency Initiative, an idea which aims to increase openness and accessibility of EU institutions, raise awareness of the use of the EU budget and make the Union's institutions more accountable to the public.

For more information:

http://ec.europa.eu/commission_barroso/kallas/transparency_en.htm

tag: EU Farm Aid, EU Transparency Initiative, EU agricultural funds,

PepsiCo to Buy Bulgaria's Leading Nuts and Seeds Company, Penelopa

PURCHASE, N.Y., Jan. 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- PepsiCo announced today that it has reached a definitive agreement to purchase Penelopa, Bulgaria's leading producer and seller of branded nuts and seeds. Penelopa, founded 10 years ago by current owner Yanko Lolov, sells peanuts, sunflower seeds and other savory snacks throughout Bulgaria, principally through its dedicated national direct distribution system. The company operates one plant, located in Sliven, and employs nearly 200 people. "Penelopa is an outstanding company that will dramatically increase our presence in Bulgaria, a consumer market enjoying robust economic growth, as well as in the broader Balkans region," said Michael White, PepsiCo vice chairman and chief executive officer of PepsiCo International. "Furthermore Penelopa's line of high quality nuts and seeds is very consistent with our global focus on addressing consumers' growing interest in health and wellness."
Currently PepsiCo savory snacks under the Lay's, Ruffles, Cheetos and Doritos brands are imported into Bulgaria from Romania, Greece and Turkey. A variety of PepsiCo beverage brands also are available in Bulgaria, including: Pepsi, Pepsi Light, Pepsi Twist, Pepsi X, 7UP, Mirinda, Evervess, Mountain Dew and Gatorade.
Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
tag: seeds, nuts, Seed Business, pepcico, Penelopa,

Seed Technology Aids Seed Treatment Of Potato In Imphal

IMPHAL, Dec 31: Experts of the Integrated Pest Management, IPM today demonstrated to the farmers of Kakching Lousipat seed treatment of potato before planting.
In the demonstration which was conducted as a part of the ongoing Farmers Field School programme of the agriculture officer (chemistry) under IPM was interestingly attended by womenfolk who were planting potato in their fields.
While teaching the farmers, associate professor of the Central Agriculture University, Ibohal said treatment of potato seeds before planting can prevent various diseases of potato caused by fungus during germination and insects after growing.
He said disease of potato caused by fungus which mostly infected during the germination period can be totally prevented.
Other diseases of potato caused by insects like fathid, cut worm, potato silver moth were totally resisted if the potato seed was treated before planting.
He also taught the farmers the controlled use of chemical fertilizers.
According to the IPM experts, the soil found in Lousipat was among the kind of soil best suited for potato as the plant needs high percentage content of organic substances.
The programme was conducted as a joint venture of the IPM team with the Farmers Development Organization, an unit of the Society for People Advancement, Manipur, SPAM.
SPAM along with the AO, Chemistry has been campaigning among the farmers of the state on the IPM method of cultivation for higher yield with minimum investment and production of health hazard free food in the state.
At Lousipat, the SPAM is targeting to grow potato to the extend of 10 hectares with full technical support of the IPM team, according to the president of the SPAM, Hemanta.
Kangla Online.


tag: IPM, seed treatment, Seed Technology

2007 California Alfalfa & Forage Symposium

The 2007 California Alfalfa Symposium has the theme ‘Alfalfa-Back to the Basics’, and will contain up-to-date information about alfalfa production and utilization. Several important current topics (prices, industry trends) will be presented, along with a special session ‘Producing Alfalfa A-to-Z’ which walks through the entire process of alfalfa production and utilization, from site selection and stand establishment to feeding and economics. This is based upon the 300-page publication ‘Irrigated Alfalfa Management for Mediterranean and Desert Zones’ , a 25 chapter manual which will be published about the time of the symposium. This symposium promises to be an excellent opportunity to learn about alfalfa production methods, and a great refresher course for even experienced growers.

The last day to pre-register is Friday, December 7, 2007. Late registration will be available at the symposium, however you may not be entitled to a banquet lunch. The rate for late registration is $160.

No refunds or cancellations will be made after Monday, December 10, 2007.

The Symposium encourage you to register online!

For information on the Conference Tour, Hotel Reservations, or just general information, please see the main Symposium page.

For help or more information, please contact Janice Corner.

Online and Mail-in Registration Forms

Type	Online Form	Mail-in Form (pdf)
General	General Online Form	General Mail-in Form
Exhibitor	Exhibitor Online Form	Exhibitor Mail-in Form
Sponsor	Sponsor Online Form	Sponsor Mail-in Form
Complimentary(speakers, press, organizers)	Complimentary Online Form	Complimentary Mail-in Form

Monday, December 17, 2007

Timing	Event
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.	Agricultural Tour
5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.	Exhibition Setup
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.	Registration
6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.	Exhibitor/Organizer Reception

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Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Timing	Event
6:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.	Registration
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.	Exhibition Hall
8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.	Main Session
12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.	Banquet Lunch
1:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.	Breakout Session
5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.	Exhibitor Reception
5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.	Growers' Auction

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Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Timing	Event
6:15 a.m.	CAFA Breakfast
6:30 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.	Registration
12:00 p.m.	Adjourn

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