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Display category headings
National Programs
Plant, Microbial & Insect Genetic Res., Genomics, & Genetic Improv. I
Program Summary:
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By 2002, this national program will have incrementally increased the number of well-documented plant, microbial, and beneficial insect germplasm accessions so as to safeguard and improve the U.S. system of renewable resource production. The rate by which new germplasm is acquired must be balanced with the effective maintenance of existing germplasm collections. Attaining this programmatic outcome in this period of rapid change in the international environment will be an urgent matter for the future of United States and world agriculture.
By 2002, this national program will develop improved methods for germplasm conservation, breeding, and genome characterization. The USDA/ARS will thereby enhance the continuum of the germplasm conservation, genetic research, and breeding process--from identifying a useful gene in its original source, through its ultimate deployment in an end product for the consumer. It will thereby serve as the primary steward of not only the Nation's crop germplasm and associated descriptive information, but also of traditional and innovative approaches for crop improvement.
By 2002, this national program will broaden genetic diversity in crops, beneficial insects, and microbes throughout their production areas and under different production conditions. Genetic diversity will be enhanced by developing (from an array of different genetic sources) genetically diverse cultivars, lines, strains, or even "new crops" with high productive efficiency, capacity, and reliability. Such broadened genetic bases may reduce the likelihood of losses due to environmental extremes or epidemics of pests or pathogens, and also enable the system of renewable resource production to react and adapt relatively rapidly to altered world market demands.
By 2002, this national program will elucidate (via rapid gene sequencing, mapping, and identification methods) the structure and function of plant, microbial, or insect genomes. It will also foster the emerging scientific fields of genomics and bioinformatics, which combine computer science-information management, molecular genetics, and biotechnology-genetic engineering. Whenever genetic repertoire and gene order are conserved across insects, microbes, or crops (e.g., many grain crops), genomic information and technology developed for one organism can be deployed to simultaneously improve closely or distantly related organisms.
By 2002, this national program will improve methods for breeding crops, microbes, and beneficial insects. More effective procedures for manipulating germplasm via marker-assisted selection, elucidating genetic bases of traits with complex inheritances, identifying and characterizing novel heterotic groups and quantitative trait loci, identifying optimal germplasm for specific breeding objectives, and monitoring response to selection and breeding progress will be developed.
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| Program Planning Documents |
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