State Board
of
Agricultural Research Fund

SBAR Wheat Granting Committee

Northern Crops Institute, Fargo, ND

November 17, 1998

The SBAR Wheat Granting Committee meeting was called to order at 9:00 a.m. by Chairman Larry Lee. Members present were Chairman Lee, Louis Arnold, Alan Lee, Dale Overton, Richard Haugeberg, Neal Fisher, Lawson Jones, Dr. Al Schneiter, and Dr. Michael Peel. Others present were George Heller and Tim Bryan of SBAR and Lori Capouch, Coordinator.

Proposal Presentations

1. Spring Wheat Response to Copper Sources ad Rates

Presenter: Dr. David Franzen Amount Requested: $20,000

Spring wheat responses in yield and disease reduction will be evaluated at ten sites with varying soil copper levels and soil properties. Results will better direct growers in the appropriate soils and soil test levels likely to respond to copper fertilization. The grant funds will be used to support a graduate student with travel, supply and analysis support necessary to carry on and complete the project.

2. Effects of Different Environments on Protein Factors and Breadmaking Quality of Hard Red Spring Wheats

Presenter: Dr. Khalil Khan Amount Requested: $33,800

Wheat (gluten) proteins from hard red spring wheat varieties grown in different environments in North Dakota will be studied to identify protein factors that may be responsible for breadmaking quality differences. Then, wheat breeders and cereal chemists can plan strategies to address the effect of environment on breadmaking quality. The grant funds will be used to pay the salary of a visiting scientist.

3. Continued Operation of 16 Western North Dakota Agricultural Weather Network (NDAWN) Stations

Presenter: Dr. John Enz Amount Requested: $7,200

The North Dakota Agricultural Network (NDAWN) was begun in 1989 to provide timely, detailed, reliable weather data for all areas of agriculture. Since then it has expanded to 50 stations that are distributed across the state. Varying weather conditions throughout the growing season determine the rate of development of crops, weeds, insects, and diseases during all years. Producers can make management decisions using computer program models that predict crop and pest development based on current NDAWN weather data. Models can warn of impending disease or insect infestations so that corrective action may be taken at the optimum time; or, they may indicate no action is required, saving a producer time and money as well as reducing pesticide use and its potential adverse environmental effects. Continued availability of NDAWN weather data from all areas of the state is essential for the operational use of these agricultural models and to the research programs of nearly all agricultural scientists at NDSU. Funds will be used to pay 50% of the non-labor operational costs for 16 NDAWN stations located near the cities of Baker, Beach, Bottineau, Bowman, Columbus, Dazey, Edgeley, Harvey, Hazen, Linton, Mohall, Robinson, Rolla, Towner, Turtle Lake, and Watford City.

4. Rapid Development of Wheat Lines by Double Haploid Production

Presenter: Dr. William Berzonsky Amount Requested: $87,694

Homozygous and homogeneous wheat lines will be produced from crossing wheat and maize. This procedure will help breeders develop improved wheat varieties faster, and it will improve the efficiency of the entire breeding process. The grant funds will be used for hiring one research specialist and one research associate. Funds will also be used to purchase chemical and material supplies necessary to produce double haploid.

5. Inoculation and Infection: A Prelude to a Fusarium Head Blight Forecast System

Presenter: Dr. Leonard Francl Amount Requested: $20,550

This research seeks to develop a Fusarium head blight forecasting system for wheat farmers. The weather, disease-causing pathogen, and wheat growth stage will be monitored, modeled and researched experimentally. For 1999, a trial forecast system based on airborne pathogen spore counts and regional weather conditions will be implemented in eastern North Dakota and western Minnesota. The grant funds will be used to purchase equipment to implement a pathogen spore monitoring system and for labor and operational expenses to maintain the system.

6. Development of Molecular Marker Tags for Resistance to FHB in Durum Wheat

Presenter: Dr. Shahryar Kianian Amount Requested: $15,000

This project is aimed at developing molecular marker tags for Fusarium head blight (FHB) or scab resistance. These tags can be used by durum and common wheat breeding programs to rapidly develop FHB resistant cultivars. Markers developed by this project could greatly reduce the cost associated with breeding for FHB resistance. The grant funds will be used to support a person and the supplies needed to complete the stated objectives of this project.

7. Introgression of FHB Resistance Genes from Triticum Dicoccoides to Hard Red Spring Wheat

Presenter: Dr. Shahryar Kianian Amount Requested: $15,000

This project is aimed at transferring Fusarium head blight (FHB) or scab resistance genes from wild relatives of wheat (Triticum Dicoccoides) to North Dakota adapted cultivated hard red spring wheat varieties. DNA marker technology will be used to accelerate the transfer of genes and eliminate the undesirable donor material. The FHB resistant germplasm developed as part of this project will be invaluable to the continued breeding effort at NDSU and other regional universities in developing better wheat varieties. The grant funds will be used to support a person and supplies needed to complete the stated objectives of this project.

8. Monitoring for Wheat Midge in North Central North Dakota

Presenter: Drs. Janet Knodel & Kent McKay Amount Requested: $8,500

This project will address some important questions on pest management of the wheat midge in North Dakota. For example, how do we effectively monitor for the wheat midge? Can sticky traps be used as economic threshold indicators? Can the insecticide sprays for wheat midge be effectively combined with timing for fungicide sprays for wheat scab? Are the insecticides effective at reduced rates? Overall, this project provides a network for monitoring midge and integrates multiple strategies for managing the wheat midge with minimal inputs. The grant funds will be used to purchasing trapping supplies, travel costs to field sites, and part-time support for field scouts and cooperators.

9. Evaluation of Crop Rotations, Cultural Practices, and Herbicide Combinations to Control Canada Thistle

Presenter: Dr. Brian Jenks Amount Requested: $22,300

The researcher proposes to evaluate the impact of 8 crop rotations, cultural practices, and herbicide combinations to control Canada thistle. The study is designed to control Canada thistle with an intensive 3-year management effort. The degree of Canada thistle control and the profitability associated with each rotation will be documented. The grant funds will be used to cover salaries for a research associate, summer employees, supplies, travel costs, and publication costs.

10. Rotation and Tillage Effects on Bread Making Characteristics of Hard Red and White Spring Wheat

Presenter: Dr. Patrick Carr Amount Requested: $25,961

This project will determine if crop rotation and tillage affect the bread making quality of hard spring (HS) wheat. Agronomic and bread making quality will be determined for Amidon and 2375 hard red spring wheat, and Argent hard white spring wheat following canola, field peas, and fallow in conventional-, reduced-, and no-tillage environments. The brad making quality of hard spring wheat also will be determined following other crops. Results of this research could be used to develop crop rotations and tillage systems which ensure that superior quality HS wheat is grown by producers in the state.

11. Identification of Fungicide Application Technique that Maximize Control of Scab

Presenter: Dr. Marcia McMullen Amount Requested: $5,250

This project's goal is to improve efficacy of fungicides for Fusarium head blight (scab) control by improving fungicide application techniques. Various spray parameters that may affect fungicide efficacy are being examined in a greenhouse environment during the winter/spring of 1998-1999. Results will be provided to growers prior to the 1999 spraying season. A temporary greenhouse has been built that will house winter and spring studies of application techniques. The grant funds will provide the means to purchase lights and propane for the greenhouse, plus be used to purchase potting media and potting supplies so plants can be grown for the tests with the sprayer.

12. Durum Variety Development for the Semi-Arid Region of North Dakota and Eastern Montana

Presenter: Dr. Jerald Bergman Amount Requested: $10,000

This project will select durum varieties adapted to dryland production for western North Dakota and eastern Montana and for irrigated production under sprinkler and flood irrigation systems. The grant funds will be used for labor and operating expenses including a winter greenhouse to select and advance superior durum progeny with adaptation to the semi-arid climate of the Mon-Dak region.

Funding Decisions

It was moved to discuss proposals in the order presented and make funding determinations following the discussion. The motion was seconded and carried.

The committee agreed to consider funding for the first year. Multi-year proposals will submit a progress report in conjunction with their request for funding during next year's funding round.

Voting members are Chairman Lee, Dr. Al Schneiter, Louis Arnold, Alan Lee, Dale Overton, and Richard Haugeberg. The remaining members are ex-officio.

It was moved by Alan Lee and seconded by Dr. Al Schneiter to grant funding of up to $20,000 for "Spring Wheat Response to Copper Sources and Rates."

It was moved to amend the motion to recommend the proposal also include durum by using the same personnel but reducing the number of field tests. The motion was seconded and carried unanimously.

The amended motion carried unanimously.

It was moved by Alan Lee and seconded by Dale Overton to grant funding of up to $33,800 for "Effect of Different Environments on Protein Factors and Breadmaking Quality of Hard Red Spring Wheat." The motion carried on a roll call vote. Dr. Al Schneiter voted nay and Louis Arnold abstained from voting

It was moved by Alan Lee and seconded by Dr. Al Schneiter to deny funding for the NDAWN proposal.

It was moved by Louis Arnold and seconded by Dale Overton to amend the motion to request the Committee submit a resolution to the state legislature in support of acquiring a state appropriation for this project for future years. The amendment carried unanimously.

The amended motion failed. Dr. Al Schneiter and Chairman Lee voted aye. Louis Arnold, Alan Lee, Dale Overton and Richard Haugeberg voted nay.

It was moved by Richard Haugeberg and seconded by Louis Arnold to grant funding of up to $6,200 along with the above proposed resolution for long-term funding. The motion carried on a roll call vote. Chairman Lee and Dr. Al Schneiter voted nay.

It was moved by Alan Lee and seconded by Richard Haugeberg to grant funding of up to $29,231 for the first year of "Rapid Development of Wheat Lines by Double Haploid Production." The motion carried unanimously.

It was moved by Louis Arnold and seconded by Dale Overton to grant funding of up to $20,550 for "Inoculation and Infection: A Prelude to a FHB Forecast System." It was the consensus of the committee that the project proposed was not broad enough and they would like to see it further expanded west and north. They agreed to leave this project open for further discussion once all of the proposals have been discussed. The motion carried unanimously.

It was moved by Richard Haugeberg and seconded by Dr. Al Schneiter to grant funding of up to $15,000 for the first year of "Development of Molecular Marker Tags for Resistance to FHB in Durum Wheat." The motion carried unanimously.

It was moved by Dr. Al Schneiter and seconded by Alan Lee to grant funding of up to $15,000 for the first year of "Introgression of FHB Resistance Genes from Triticum Dicoccoides to HRS Wheat." The motion carried unanimously.

It was moved by Louis Arnold and seconded by Dale Overton to grant funding of up to $8,500 for "Monitoring Wheat Midge in North Central North Dakota." The motion carried unanimously.

It was moved by Alan Lee and seconded by Louis Arnold to grant funding of up to $7,433 for the first year of "Evaluation of Crop Rotations, Cultural Practices, and Herbicide Combinations to Control Canada Thistle." The motion carried unanimously.

It was moved by Dr. Al Schneiter and seconded by Alan Lee to deny funding for "Rotation and Tillage Effects on Breadmaking Characteristics of Hard Red and White Spring Wheats." The motion carried on a roll call vote. Dale Overton, Dr. Al Schneiter, Louis Arnold, and Alan Lee voted aye. Richard Haugeberg and Chairman Lee voted nay.

It was moved by Dr. Al Schneiter and seconded by Louis Arnold to grant funding of up to $5,250 for "Identification of Fungicide Application Techniques that Maximize Control of FHB." This funding is not to replace the funding provided by the SBAR Barley Committee but to supplement it. The motion carried unanimously.

It was moved by Richard Haugeberg and seconded by Dale Overton to grant funding of up to $10,000 for "Durum Variety Development for the Semi-Arid Region of North Dakota and Eastern Montana." The motion carried unanimously.

The committee revisited proposal #5. It was moved by Dr. Al Schneiter and seconded by Alan Lee to grant an additional $21,410.62 to this proposal with the following stipulations:

a. the proposal include the upgraded equipment,

the proposal be expanded further west and north, to as far as Divide County, for total of at least 10 sites,

the research contact chemical companies, Dakota Growers Pasta Company, and the Durum and the Durum Growers for additional matching funds.

It was the consensus of the committee to submit letters of support to the chemical companies, Dakota Growers Pasta Company and the Durum Growers on behalf of this project. The letter will include the names and affiliations of all committee members and be signed by Chairman Lee.

The motion carried unanimously.

It was moved by Dr. Al Schnieter and seconded by Alan Lee to apply any funds already committed to the above projects but unable to be used by the applicant for any reason, i.e., the inability to secure matching funds, to subsequent years of project #4. The motion carried unanimously.

The committee meeting was adjourned.

Attachment A

Tentative commitments for projects

Attachment A, Tentative Commitments for projects

North Dakota State University
Morrill Hall 314
Fargo, North Dakota 58105-5562
PHONE: (701)231-7656
FAX: (701)231-7566
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