Interim evaluation of the spring and winter wheat project (931-0621)

External evaluation covers the period 1/86-7/88. The project has been exceptionally well-implemented by Oregon State University. (1) OSU has an excellent working relationship with the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT): 60% of CIMMYT spring wheat advanced lines can be traced to some spring x winter parentage derived from OSU germplasm. (2) Genetic diversity of wheat has been enhanced by the collection and evaluation of over 10,000 cultivars. (3) Systematic crossing of winter and spring genepools has significantly increased genetic variability for many traits including more durable disease resistance and higher, more stable grain yield. (4) Genetic lines from several countries have resistance to diseases that may cause serious crop losses in the U.S. or other wheat producing areas. (5) Barley breeding, initiated in 1986, is in its initial stages but has already achieved some significant results, the most exciting being the development of a doubled haploid technique. (6) The project developed a microcomputer database application for cereal breeding research; project personnel can retrieve the most current agronomic, disease, quality, genetic, or yield information. Thus, poor performing breeding materials can be discarded as they are harvested. (7) Fifteen graduate students are enrolled in the program with three receiving stipends from project funds and others receiving thesis research support. (8) The program is benefiting small farmers by selecting germplasm with greater stress tolerances. (9) Spring habit varieties developed from OSU materials have been released by national programs in at least 19 LDC's. Worldwide, it is estimated that these varieties cover around 10 million ha, or about 10% of the total developing country wheat area. (10) National programs in Chile and Turkey have released winter habit varieties developed from the winter x spring program. Argentina, Peru, and Bolivia are very near release of varieties. South Africa has released a winter habit variety that has scored the most rapid increase of adoption ever recorded in that country. (11) Because of the vernalization requirement, the winter wheat program has progressed more slowly than the spring wheat program, but several very promising cultivars have been developed. (12) About 30% of the advanced lines now being developed for use in Oregon soft white winter wheat are derived from winter x spring crosses. A hard red winter wheat is nearing release to Oregon farmers. (13) Financial support by the Oregon Wheat Growers League amounts to about 27% of the cereal research budget. They recently provided $500,OOO - together with a matching fund by the Oregon Legislature - to endow a wheat research chair at OSU. The Wheat Growers League is vocal in support of the international aspects of the program and feel they are benefiting from the sizable collection of barley and wheat enhanced germplasm at OSU. The following lessons were learned. essential to a cereal breeding program; it takes about 10 years to develop a new variety of spring wheat, longer for winter wheat. (2) Land grant institutions can encourage support for international research. OSU has done this by arranging for Oregon farmers to visit CIMMYT/Mexico, and informing them of the sources of breeding materials with special characteristics. Also, screening nurseries located on various farms in Oregon are frequently visited by international guests. (3) A graduate program coupled with a breeding program helps to establish long-term international relationships. (Author abstract, modified)