Small Grains Genetics Research Program

Our basic research projects are primarily focused on comparative genomics that emphasize comparison of genes and genomes across species and genera using sequence and map-based tools. Elucidation of structure-function relationships of genes and genomes is more efficient in model species and efficient methods of transferring that information to other species are vitally important for crop species with large, complex genomes such as wheat and oats. We also use trait dissection, integration of information about metabolic pathways, gene expression, and chromosome location to facilitate the rational selection of candidate genes. Association analysis and allelic diversity experiments are employed to facilitate the identification of superior alleles for genes of economic importance so that they can be assembled in superior crop varieties.
Our small grains breeding program integrates molecular approaches with conventional methods such as bulk, pedigree, single seed descent, and backcross, depending on the breeding objectives. A significant portion of the breeding effort involves developing efficient forward breeding or backcross methodologies with marker-assisted-selection to enhance the quality or disease resistance of successful cultivars. Current projects include the gene expression, genetics and physiology of preharvest sprouting resistance (seed dormancy), milling and baking quality, and plant pigments with the goal of identifying and cloning the genes controlling these traits.

Variety Development Program

The small grains breeding project at Cornell was established at the same time as the department in 1907 by Dr. H.J. Webber. Dr. J.B. Norton began the oat breeding program and Dr. H.H. Love came to the department as a graduate student that same year. The following year, Norton left to rejoin the USDA and Dr. Love assumed supervision of the oat project. Wheat research began in the fall of 1907 and Dr. Love expanded and continued small grains breeding research until his retirement in 1949. Dr. N.F. Jensen came to Cornell in 1945 and became the program leader in 1949. I joined the project in 1978 and Dr. Jensen retired in 1979.

The more applied goals of our program are to: (1) develop, evaluate, and introduce new cultivars and germplasm of small grains having improved yield, nutritional quality, disease resistance, and other characteristics that increase the crop value and production efficiency; (2) develop and evaluate novel breeding strategies for crop improvement and (3) elucidate the inheritance of agronomic plant characters, the gene expression controlling these characters, and their correlations with other traits. A regional variety testing program is conducted annually for wheat, oats, and barley.

We collaborate with plant breeders and geneticists from many different parts of the world including international centers on projects that involve the use of molecular markers to assess genetic relationship, construct linkage maps, and map genes.