PaSS Research

Grass Breeding and Genetics - Yanqi Wu

Breeding and Evaluation of Turf Bermudagrasses

The United States Golf Association and the Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station sponsor the turf bermudagrass breeding program at Oklahoma State University. The goal of the program is to develop fine-textured, cold-tolerant, seed- and vegetatively-propagated cultivars for the transition zone. Supporting objectives of the project are to: 1) assemble, evaluate and maintain Cynodon germplasm with potential for contributing to the breeding of improved turf cultivars, 2) improve bermudagrass germplasm for seed production potential, cold tolerance, leaf firing resistance, and other traits that influence turf performance, and 3) develop, evaluate and release seed- and vegetatively-propagated turf bermudagrass varieties.

Bermudagrass Greenhouse	New Cultivar Patriot Bermudagrass Turf Plot	New Cultivar Riviera Bermudagrass Turf

Breeding and Testing of New Switchgrass Cultivars for Increased Biomass Production in Oklahoma, Arkansas, Texas and Kansas

The research project is sponsored by the South Central Sun Grant’s 2007 Competitive Grants Program and the Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station. The switchgrass breeding and genetics research at the Oklahoma State University was initiated in 1992. The long term goal of the research is to implement and conduct a breeding program to genetically increase biomass yield capability in switchgrass and to develop new cultivars which have higher biomass production potential over currently commercially used cultivars by classical population improvement techniques and modern biotechnology for the south and central United States. Supporting research objectives include: (1) switchgrass germplasm collection, maintenance and enhancement; (2) elucidation of genetic mechanisms controlling important agronomic, reproductive, and breeding traits; (3) development of more efficient breeding procedures; (4) development of synthetic and hybrid cultivars; (5) field testing new experimental varieties in target regional environments.

OSU Switchgrass Breeding Population	OSU Switchgrass Breeding Populations	OSU Switchgrass Breeding Nursery

Biomass Based Energy-Feedstock Development

The research project is sponsored by USDA and the Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station. Objectives are: (1) to characterize the relative biomass production capability and chemical composition of perennial grasses with potential for use in bioenergy feedstock production systems in Oklahoma and the surrounding Great Plains region; (2) to characterize the effects of cultural and harvest management variables on biomass yield, stand persistence, and chemical composition of perennial grasses with potential for use in bioenergy feedstock production systems in Oklahoma and the surrounding Great Plains region; (3) to establish working germplasm collections of bermudagrass and switchgrass for use in basic research and breeding; (4) to evaluate accessions in the bermudagrass and switchgrass germplasm collections for descriptor traits important to their use in breeding and scientific investigation; and (5) to develop experimental cultivars. Seed scale-up is underway for the best of the current breeding lines in anticipation of commercialization.

OSU Switchgrass Crop	Sampling Switchgrass	Harvesting Switchgrass Biomass Crop
	OSU Switchgrass Yield Trial

Pasture, Range and Turf Grasses Breeding

The hatch project is sponsored by the Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station. Our long term goal is to develop improved cultivars in forage, turf, and biofuel grasses for Oklahoma and surrounding regions. Supporting objectives are to (1) collect, characterize and maintain germplasm accessions in bermudagrass, switchgrass and other important species; (2) Conduct breeding efforts to improve germplasm, and develop and test new cultivars; (3) Conduct basic research that will significantly add to the knowledge base regarding basic biology, breeding behavior, and genetic improvement potential of the grasses using molecular marker technology, genomics, and conventional genetic methodology; (4) train undergraduate students, graduate students, and postdoctoral scientists in plant breeding and genetics.