Plant Breeding Coordinating CommitteePlant Breeding Coordinating CommitteeSCC-080SCC-080

P. Stephen BaenzigerP. Stephen Baenziger& Friends& Friends

University of Nebraska University of Nebraska

Plant Breeding Coordinating Plant Breeding Coordinating Committee (PBCC):Committee (PBCC):• The NeedThe Need

• What the PBCC is organizationallyWhat the PBCC is organizationally

• PurposePurpose

• Key Focus AreasKey Focus Areas

• Expected OutputsExpected Outputs

• Next three meetingsNext three meetings

Number of plant breeders engaged in breeding activities on different crop groups in the public and private sectors of the U.S. in 1994 and 2001.Crops SAES ARS/USDA Private sector Total

1994 2001 1994 2001 1994 2001 1994 2001

Grain 246 200 54 89 903 1026 1203 1315

Fiber 20 24 13 11 103 123 136 157

Forage 38 27 33 13 51 65 122 105

Sugar 4 4 15 0 25 4 44 8

Vegetables 99 55 22 25 268 123 389 203

Ornamentals 18 39 5 0 64 83 87 122

Fruit & Nut 60 41 29 23 32 12 121 76

Lawn & Turf 15 16 0 0 41 9 56 24

Others 28 18 6 0 10 100 44 118

Total 528 424 177 161 1497 1545 2202 2130

Adapted from: Frey (1996); Traxler et al. (2005); Morris et al. (2006).

The Need: (cont.)The Need: (cont.)

• Plant breeding is an undervalued science.Plant breeding is an undervalued science.

• Plant breeding is an underfunded science.Plant breeding is an underfunded science.

• We run the risk of letting others define our We run the risk of letting others define our science and field.science and field.

PBCC (SCC-080) OrganizationPBCC (SCC-080) Organization• Multi-Statewide Coordinating CommitteeMulti-Statewide Coordinating Committee• Part of the Landgrant University/CSREES federal funds.Part of the Landgrant University/CSREES federal funds.• Though based in CSREES, the committee is open to all, Though based in CSREES, the committee is open to all,

and has liaisons to USDA-ARS & USDA-FS, to many and has liaisons to USDA-ARS & USDA-FS, to many Scientific/Professional Societies, and to Industry.Scientific/Professional Societies, and to Industry.

• Formed in 2006 and held it first workshop in February, Formed in 2006 and held it first workshop in February, 2007 at Raleigh, NC. 2007 at Raleigh, NC.

• http://cuke.hort.ncsu.edu/gpb/pr/pbccmain.htmlhttp://cuke.hort.ncsu.edu/gpb/pr/pbccmain.html• http://lgu.umd.edu/lgu_v2/homepages/http://lgu.umd.edu/lgu_v2/homepages/

home.cfm?trackID=7536 home.cfm?trackID=7536

PBCC Purpose:PBCC Purpose:

• The Plant Breeding Coordinating Committee The Plant Breeding Coordinating Committee will be a forum for leadership regarding issues, will be a forum for leadership regarding issues, problems and opportunities of long-term problems and opportunities of long-term strategic importance to the contribution of strategic importance to the contribution of plant breeding to national goals. The plant breeding to national goals. The committee will create the only regular committee will create the only regular opportunity to provide such leadership across opportunity to provide such leadership across all crops. The nature of plant breeding as an all crops. The nature of plant breeding as an integrative discipline integrative discipline par excellence par excellence will be will be reflected in multidisciplinary committee reflected in multidisciplinary committee membership. membership.

• http://cuke.hort.ncsu.edu/gpb/pr/pbccmain.htmlhttp://cuke.hort.ncsu.edu/gpb/pr/pbccmain.html

PBCC Objectives:PBCC Objectives:1.1. Enhance communication between plant Enhance communication between plant

breeders in different sectors and crops breeders in different sectors and crops 2.2. Assemble information about the U.S. plant Assemble information about the U.S. plant

breeding effort breeding effort 3.3. Describe and promote plant breeding in Describe and promote plant breeding in

terms of national goals terms of national goals 4.4. Identify research and/or education priorities Identify research and/or education priorities 5.5. Other activities related to leadership and Other activities related to leadership and

strategic planning for plant breeding, as strategic planning for plant breeding, as identified by the members identified by the members

http://cuke.hort.ncsu.edu/gpb/pr/pbccmain.htmlhttp://cuke.hort.ncsu.edu/gpb/pr/pbccmain.html

PBCC Expected Outcomes:PBCC Expected Outcomes:• A stable forum for identifying and analyzing A stable forum for identifying and analyzing

issues of strategic importance to plant issues of strategic importance to plant breeding. breeding.

• A broader understanding of the role of plant A broader understanding of the role of plant breeding for meeting national goals breeding for meeting national goals

• Resources for leadership, for example: Resources for leadership, for example: – Materials for communicating about the role of plant Materials for communicating about the role of plant

breeding for meeting national goals breeding for meeting national goals – Strategies for responding to challenges and Strategies for responding to challenges and

opportunities for plant breeding opportunities for plant breeding

http://cuke.hort.ncsu.edu/gpb/pr/pbccmain.htmlhttp://cuke.hort.ncsu.edu/gpb/pr/pbccmain.html

National Goals: USDANational Goals: USDA• Excellence in Science and Technology • A Globally Competitive Agricultural System • Competitiveness, Sustainability and Quality of

Life in Rural America

• Safe and Secure Food and Fiber System • Healthy, Well-nourished Population • Harmony Between Agriculture and the Environ

ment

• Education and Training of Plant Breeders (newly-formed, not a national goal)

http://cuke.hort.ncsu.edu/gpb/pr/pbccmain.htmlhttp://cuke.hort.ncsu.edu/gpb/pr/pbccmain.html

• Excellence in Science and Technology – David Stelly, Chair David Stelly, Chair – Craig Yencho, Secretary Craig Yencho, Secretary

• Globally Competitive Agricultural Globally Competitive Agricultural System System

– Rob Bertram, Chair Rob Bertram, Chair – James McFerson, Secretary James McFerson, Secretary

• Competitiveness, Sustainability and Competitiveness, Sustainability and Quality of Life in Rural America Quality of Life in Rural America

– Marcelo Carena, Chair Marcelo Carena, Chair – Keith Woeste, Secretary Keith Woeste, Secretary

Subcommittees: Subcommittees:

• Safe and Secure Food and Fiber Safe and Secure Food and Fiber System System

– Travis Frey, Chair Travis Frey, Chair – James Holland, Secretary James Holland, Secretary

• Healthy, Well-nourished Population Healthy, Well-nourished Population – Linda Pollak, Chair Linda Pollak, Chair – Michael Havey, Secretary Michael Havey, Secretary

• Harmony Between Agriculture and the Harmony Between Agriculture and the Environment Environment

– Charlie Brummer, Chair Charlie Brummer, Chair – Richard Pratt, Secretary Richard Pratt, Secretary

Subcommittees: (cont.)Subcommittees: (cont.)

• Education and Training of Education and Training of Plant Breeders Plant Breeders

– Thomas Stalker, Chair Thomas Stalker, Chair – David Knauft, Secretary David Knauft, Secretary

Subcommittees: (cont.)Subcommittees: (cont.)

• Stephen Baenziger, Stephen Baenziger, ChairChair (Email: (Email: pbaenziger1@unl.edu) pbaenziger1@unl.edu)

• Phil Simon, Phil Simon, Vice chairVice chair (Email: (Email: psimon@wisc.edu) psimon@wisc.edu)

• Todd Wehner, Todd Wehner, SecretarySecretary (Email: (Email: todd_wehner@ncsu.edu) todd_wehner@ncsu.edu)

Officers:Officers:

• Mark Hussey, Mark Hussey, Administrative Administrative advisoradvisor

• Anne Marie Thro, Anne Marie Thro, CSREES CSREES representativerepresentative

• Kay Simmons, Kay Simmons, USDA-ARS USDA-ARS representativerepresentative

• Randy Johnson, Randy Johnson, US Forest Service US Forest Service advisoradvisor

Representatives:Representatives:

• Ronnie Coffman, Ronnie Coffman, Liaison to International Liaison to International Plant Breeding CentersPlant Breeding Centers

• Bill Tracy, Bill Tracy, Liaison to Private Non-Profit Liaison to Private Non-Profit BreedersBreeders

• Steve McKeand, Steve McKeand, Liaison to Forestry Plant Liaison to Forestry Plant BreedersBreeders

• Herb Ohm, Herb Ohm, Liaison to CSSA Plant BreedersLiaison to CSSA Plant Breeders • Linda Wessel-Beaver, Linda Wessel-Beaver, Liaison to ASHS Liaison to ASHS

Plant BreedersPlant Breeders • Greg Tolla, Greg Tolla, Liaison to NCCPBLiaison to NCCPB

Liaisons:Liaisons:

ImpactImpactKnowledge & productsKnowledge & products

Excellence in ScienceExcellence in ScienceBreeders & scientists, vision, information & outcomesBreeders & scientists, vision, information & outcomes

Breeding infrastructure Requires:Breeding infrastructure Requires:Investment, facilities, teaching, research, experience, careersInvestment, facilities, teaching, research, experience, careers

Shared SupportShared SupportProvided by individuals, businesses, public agencies, and institutionsProvided by individuals, businesses, public agencies, and institutions

Plant Breeding… Nature, Life, HealthPlant Breeding… Nature, Life, Health

Plant Breeding

Natural Variation

Creative Innovation

Genetic Improvements

New Knowledge

New Varieties

Sustainable Ecosystems

Science

&

Technology

Testing

&

Delivery

•Safe, Nutritious Food

•Animal Feed

•Fibers & Natural Products

•Pharmaceuticals, Drugs

•Renewable Energy

•Urban & Rural habitats

….Public Education and Research...........

……………………………… Business and Industry

Life Sustaining Products

We want to be inclusive and we recognize the continuum of research.

Plant Breeding: The Ultimate Plant Breeding: The Ultimate Impact ScienceImpact Science

• We need a better definition. We need to We need a better definition. We need to emphasize our science, lessen our “art” and emphasize our science, lessen our “art” and “business”. Reframing ourselves.“business”. Reframing ourselves.

• We need a definition that is readily understandable We need a definition that is readily understandable by lay audiences. by lay audiences.

• If we describe plant breeding as an impact scienceIf we describe plant breeding as an impact science—we need to have examples.—we need to have examples.

• Note: We do not want others to define ourselves.Note: We do not want others to define ourselves.

Examples: Impact ScienceExamples: Impact Science

• Opaque-2Opaque-2 maize---improve nutrition maize---improve nutrition• Low phytate crops---reduce pollutionLow phytate crops---reduce pollution• Green Revolution crops---feed the starvingGreen Revolution crops---feed the starvingCommon threads are:Common threads are:

• Great needGreat need• Excellent science and outcomesExcellent science and outcomes• Draws in and expands related sciences and our Draws in and expands related sciences and our

own science.own science.

Other Examples: Impact Other Examples: Impact ScienceScience

• Plant domesticationPlant domestication

• HeterosisHeterosis

• Disease & insect resistance (host-parasite Disease & insect resistance (host-parasite interactions)interactions)

• Wide environmental adaptabilityWide environmental adaptability

• Increased productivityIncreased productivity

Strategic Positioning for Future Strategic Positioning for Future Impact Impact

• Reliable supply of well-educated and Reliable supply of well-educated and capable scientists and technologists in plant capable scientists and technologists in plant breeding breeding and the related disciplinesand the related disciplines..

• Excellence in science and technology which Excellence in science and technology which requires excellence in education and requires excellence in education and infrastructure. infrastructure.

• Our Goal: To be the early adopter of new Our Goal: To be the early adopter of new information and technology.information and technology.

Failure to Act Alternative: Failure to Act Alternative: • Without achieving excellence in science, we can be Without achieving excellence in science, we can be

assured that agriculture will not be competitive, the assured that agriculture will not be competitive, the environment will suffer, and human populations will environment will suffer, and human populations will suffer from lack of food security and have a stagnant suffer from lack of food security and have a stagnant economy (e.g. the food tax). economy (e.g. the food tax).

• In 30 to 40 developing countries there is insufficient In 30 to 40 developing countries there is insufficient plant breeding infrastructure for food security or plant breeding infrastructure for food security or sustainable agribusiness sector. FAO report. sustainable agribusiness sector. FAO report.

• Alternative: Last to know, last to use, none to benefit.Alternative: Last to know, last to use, none to benefit.

What Does Excellence in What Does Excellence in Science Mean? Science Mean?

• Do we need an International Plant Breeding Do we need an International Plant Breeding Society?Society?

• Do we need focused, professional conferences that Do we need focused, professional conferences that discuss the science of plant breeding and foster a discuss the science of plant breeding and foster a cohesive and common voice?cohesive and common voice?

• If plant breeding conferences are held in If plant breeding conferences are held in conjunction with other societal meetings, does that conjunction with other societal meetings, does that send a message that plant breeding is not relevant send a message that plant breeding is not relevant in its own right?in its own right?

What Does Excellence in What Does Excellence in Science Mean? Science Mean?

• What is the strategy for renewal and What is the strategy for renewal and sustainability of our profession?sustainability of our profession?

• Can we develop a set of metrics to measure Can we develop a set of metrics to measure our profession’s health?our profession’s health?

• How are breeders recognized currently or in How are breeders recognized currently or in the future as impact scientists by the larger the future as impact scientists by the larger scientific community and general society? scientific community and general society? Is accreditation desired or needed?Is accreditation desired or needed?

How is Excellence Measured? How is Excellence Measured?

• Where does plant breeding fit in the Where does plant breeding fit in the panorama of scientific excellence?panorama of scientific excellence?

• What are the impacts of the products and What are the impacts of the products and outcomes from plant breeding (cultivars, outcomes from plant breeding (cultivars, new knowledge, breakthroughs)? new knowledge, breakthroughs)?

• Status and standing of education/training Status and standing of education/training program? Do we need a report card?program? Do we need a report card?

Breakthroughs of the Breakthroughs of the Year:AAAS Year:AAAS

• 2006: Poincar2006: Poincaréé Conjecture Proved. Conjecture Proved.• 2005: Watching Evolution in Action.2005: Watching Evolution in Action.• 2004: Water on Mars2004: Water on Mars• 2003: Understanding Cosmic Microwaves 2003: Understanding Cosmic Microwaves

(to understand the Universe)(to understand the Universe)• 2002: Small RNAs (note sequencing rice 2002: Small RNAs (note sequencing rice

genome made it to the top ten)genome made it to the top ten)• 2001: Nanoscale computing circuits 2001: Nanoscale computing circuits

Building the BaseBuilding the Base

• The base should be very broad (public, non-The base should be very broad (public, non-profit, private, international).profit, private, international).

• It is more than Ph.D.s. It is M.S., B.S. It is more than Ph.D.s. It is M.S., B.S. scientists and those that work in related scientists and those that work in related fields who need plant breeding experience.fields who need plant breeding experience.

• It includes outreach and education at It includes outreach and education at diverse levels. We need freedom to operate diverse levels. We need freedom to operate in a modern world.in a modern world.

Future job opportunities in different breeding activities in developed and developing countries of the public and private sectors.

Type of job based on breeding activities

Public sector Private sector

Developed Developing Developed Developing

Breeding research/teaching ♦♦ ♦♦ ♦♦ ♦

Cultivar development ♦ ♦♦♦ ♦♦♦♦ ♦♦

Germplasm enhancement ♦♦♦ ♦♦♦ ♦♦ ♦

Lab support technologies

Genomics & markers ♦♦♦♦ ♦♦ ♦♦♦♦ ♦♦

Transgene biology ♦♦♦ ♦ ♦♦♦♦ ♦♦

Cell/tissue culture ♦♦♦ ♦♦♦ ♦♦ ♦♦♦

Plant pathology/breeding ♦♦ ♦♦ ♦♦♦ ♦♦

Field support technologies ♦♦ ♦♦♦ ♦♦♦♦ ♦♦♦

Extension/parabreeder ♦ ♦♦♦ ♦♦ ♦♦

Intellectual property/regulatory ♦♦♦ ♦ ♦♦♦♦ ♦♦

Product development & marketing ♦ ♦ ♦♦♦ ♦♦

Business management/admin. ♦♦ ♦♦ ♦♦♦ ♦♦

Note: Four diamonds indicate relatively greater opportunities, one diamond lesser future opportunities.

Plant Breeding Education:

• Innovative.Innovative.

• Creative.Creative.

• Evolving (our tools are changing, as is our Evolving (our tools are changing, as is our access to these new techniques).access to these new techniques).

• Partnerships with industry—most of our Partnerships with industry—most of our graduates will work in industry.graduates will work in industry.

The Next Three Meetings:The Next Three Meetings:

• 2008: Monsanto2008: Monsanto

• 2009: University of Wisconsin2009: University of Wisconsin

• 2010: Pioneer Hi-Bred2010: Pioneer Hi-Bred

Summary: Plant Breeding Has

• Vibrancy based upon knowledge creation Vibrancy based upon knowledge creation and impact.and impact.

• Optimism based upon past and future Optimism based upon past and future successes.successes.

• Openness and sharing.Openness and sharing.

• Strength and need to face the future.Strength and need to face the future.

Thank youThank you