May 2006 E-News

Plant Breeding Academy
The Seed Biotechnology Center is offering a Plant Breeding Academy to enhance the knowledge of seed industry personnel about the principles of plant breeding. This two-year course addresses the reduced numbers of plant breeders being trained in academic programs in field and horticultural crops. It is an opportunity for companies to invest in dedicated personnel who are currently involved in their own breeding or seed production programs, but lack the genetics and plant breeding background to direct a breeding program. Participants will meet at UC Davis for one six-day week per trimester over two years (six sessions) to allow participants to maintain their current positions while being involved in the course. The program commences in September 2006. For details, go to: Plant Breeding Academy. The program is limited to 25 participants, so sign up now to reserve your spot!

2005 Annual Report
The Seed Biotechnology Center is pleased to announce its newest publication, the 2005 Annual Report. To learn more about Center’s recent research, educational and outreach activities, please click here .

Compositae Researchers:
In order to further research on Compositae species, a white paper was drafted to help set research and hence funding priorities. This was initially directed to Federal granting agencies in the USA; however, it is hoped that it will serve as a template for international research and funding efforts as well. It may also be a precursor to white papers for genome sequencing of individual species. The current draft is reflective of the goals of the Compositae Genome Project, but input from the broad community of researchers working on Compositae species is needed. Therefore, a public planning meeting to discuss this further is scheduled for August 17th in Davis. This will be a one-day meeting at the UC Davis Genome Center. The program will consist of scientific presentations in the morning and break-out groups to discuss priorities followed by an integrating session in the afternoon. Any suggestions as to modifications to the program are welcome. If you are interested in please register at: http://compgenomics.ucdavis.edu/cwp/index/php 

Cotton Pollen Study

The SBC has received a grant from the California Crop Improvement Association to study gene flow within Pima cotton and among Pima and upland cottons growing in California. California produces 3% of the cotton in the United States, but exports over 20% of the American crop and 11% of the seed. As approved transgenic traits are not segregated in the US, pollen-mediated gene flow can pose problems for export of cottonseed into countries where the biotech trait may not be approved. The California crop is approximately one-third Pima (G. barbadense/G. hirsutum) and two-thirds upland (G. hirsutum) cottons, with 50% of the upland cotton being transgenic, although the proportion of Pima and transgenic Pima is projected to increase in coming years. There are no reports on outcrossing rates in Pima cotton. Current outcrossing rates between commercial fields of upland cottons in the Southern US and California are less than 1% beyond 100 feet. Although isolation for certified seed is 2,640 ft between different cotton types, hybrids between upland and Pima cottons are often identified in California fields. The objective of this study is to determine gene flow within Pima and between Pima and upland cotton in commercial fields in California.

Growing the SBC!
The SBC’s growth initiative has received pledges of over $200,000 per year for three years, including a recent commitment of $50,000 per year from the California Seed Advisory Board. These funds will be used to hire an Executive Director and other staff who will be focused on development and communications activities to better serve the needs of our clientele and to identify additional resources to expand our programs and services. We plan to initiate a search for the Executive Director in the near future. We appreciate the support that this initiative has received and are excited about expanding our research, education and public service activities.

Questions or comments? Please contact Sue at the:

Seed Biotechnology Center
University of California
Plant Reproductive Biology
Extension Center Drive
Davis CA 95616
phone: 530.754.7333
fax: 530.754.7222
scwebster@ucdavis.edu