Project Number: 1230-21000-049-00
Project Type: Appropriated

Start Date: Jun 11, 2004
End Date: Jun 10, 2009

Objective:
The overall objectives of this project statement on woody landscape plant germplasm repository (WLPGR) are to conserve a broad spectrum of woody landscape plant genetic resources and associated information for use in research and crop improvement. Specific objectives are to collect and conserve genetic resources, evaluate genetic resources for horticultural merit, and characterize them genetically, and transfer technology in the form of the preceding genetic resources and associated information to researchers and breeders' world wide

Approach:
Collect, propagate, and establish sexual and vegetative propagules of appropriate germplasm. Identify cold-hardy and heat tolerant accessions, and species/hybrids lacking excessive sensitivity to high temperature. Document accessions in GRIN. Evaluate accessions for required characteristics. Characterize germplasm using molecular markers and development of molecular markers for certain morphological characters. Make propagules of germplasm available to user community. Maintain seed storage facilities at the National Arboretum and utilize National Center for Genetic Resources Preservation as base collection and for a long storage. Evaluate seed germination as influenced by storage condition and temperature manipulation. Investigate seed maturity using magnetic resonance imaging. Develop national network for the preservation of WLP germplasm using collaborators with the North American Plant Collection Consortium (NAPCC). Transfer technology of genetic resources and associated information to researchers and breeders world wide. Move germplasm to South Farm, Beltsville, and U.S. National Arboretum, Washington, D.C campus.