McFadden Redux 21 st Century Challenges and Breeding Sonny Ramaswamy Norman and monococcum wheats photo, courtesy of Bikram Gill, Kansas State University Background image, courtesy of Robert Zemetra, Oregon State University

Edgar S. McFadden ( ) “Where there is no hope, people perish.” Emmer photo, courtesy of Jude Maul, USDA-ARS Bread wheat photo, courtesy of Bikram Gill, K-State Mcfadden and Hope wheat photo from Stem rust photo from Perseverance Innovation Impact Emmer Bread Wheat

Nutritional SecurityAn Existential Threat

Science Perfect Storm

Path Forward Transformative Discoveries 21 st Century Extension Farming Systems Education Policies, Regulation, Marketing Human Dimensions Communications

Path Forward

Abiotic Variables –S oil characteristics, nutrients, sunlight, temperature, and other weather and climatic conditions Biotic Variables –Plant genes and physiology, pathogenic and non- pathogenic microbes, invertebrates –Microbiomes and plant performance E.g., Endophyte impacts on plant hormones and plant development –Nematodes, arthropods, other invertebrates and plant performance Productivity

Cellular Level Gene Interactions Gene Networks Signalling Environment Organismal Level Efficiency Photosynthesis Nutrient & Water Use Environmental Signals Resource Allocation Community Level Interactions Biotic Abiotic New Approaches/New Opportunities Systems Approaches

Genotyping and Phenotyping Technologies –High-throughput next-gen tools –Data management and processing –Computational infrastructure –Standards for metadata for machine inter-operability –Access and human resources Statistical and Quantitative Genetics –Genomic selection and new technologies (e.g., genomics, phenomics, image analysis) for rapid, low cost breeding Observational Science to Information Science to Predictive Science –Genotype X Environment X Management

Genome Editing, Heterosis, Doubled Haploids –Defined genetic changes to complement traditional marker- assisted breeding approaches –Polyploids and genome editing challenges –Genes to change, delete, or substitute to enhance productivity –Optimizing heterosis and mechanisms to increase yields –Innovative technologies to enable creation of high throughput doubled haploids –Communicate value of genome editing technologies is an important step in easing public angst

Productivity and Efficiency –Photosynthesis: C3 to C4 –N fixation in cereals –N, P, and water use efficiency –Resistance and tolerance to biotic and abiotic constraints Nutritional Traits –E.g., Resistant starch: TCAP project Component of dietary fiber, reduced blood glucose and insulin levels, increased satiation, lower cholesterol, and improved gastrointestinal health –E.g., Bioavailability of macro- and micronutrients in bean and rice bran: Colorado State University

Genomes to Field

#BigData

Big Data: Milieu Analytics Informatics Evidence-Based Tools Meta-Analysis and Synthesis Complex Systems Computational Sciences Data Engineering Data Mining Cloud Computing Implementation and Evaluation Data Security and Cybersecurity Predictive Modeling Data Visualization Decision Analytics Embedded Systems Machine Learning Multidimensional Data Network Science Sensor Networks Spatial Analytics Bandwidth Cyberphysical Systems

Big Data: Opportunities Open Data is a powerful, evidence-based tool for long- term sustainable development by improving economic opportunities for farmers and health of consumers. Open access to research, meta- analysis, and open publication of data are vital resources for nutritional security. Iain Chalmers: Cochrane Collaboration Transparent, Collaborative, Participatory Archibald Cochrane

Big Data: Challenges Standards Ownership –Open Ag Technology Systems Decision Support Tools –Open Ag Toolkit – NIFA funded –FarmBot Cost Bandwith Quality Curation Disambiguation Connectivity Cybersecurity Storage Courtesy: Dennis Buckmaster;

Policies/Regulation/Marketing Governance Socially beneficial policies, programs Poverty reduction Education Trade – “glocalization” Jobs Environmental degradation/conservation

NIFA’s Role

AFRI Foundational Plant Health and Production and Plant Products Program –Pre-breeding and germplasm enhancement, cultivar development, selection theory, applied quantitative genetics, and breeding –Conventional breeding for development of publicly available cultivars AFRI Foundational CARE and ERG program AFRI Food Security Challenge Area –Breeding and phenomics of crops to produce varieties with improved resilience to extreme weather and increased protection from pests –Enhanced nutritional composition for improved human health –Training next generation of plant breeders AFRI Education and Literacy Initiative –Undergraduate, predoctoral, and postdoctoral fellowships Funding Opportunities

NIFA International Wheat Yield Partnership –Breakthrough breeding, genetics, and genomics NIFA/DOE Joint Plant Feedstock Genomics for Bioenergy Program –Breeding and genomics to develop new feedstocks Early Concept Grants for Exploratory Research (EAGER) NSF/NIFA Joint Funding –Breakthrough technologies for animal and plant phenomics and microbiomes Plant Biotic Interactions Program NSF/NIFA Joint Funding –Processes mediating beneficial and antagonistic interactions between plants, symbionts, and pests NIFA/ARPA-E –TERRA Genomes to Phenomes/Field program NIFA/NIDDK Dietary Biomarkers –Food specific molecular profiles and dietary biomarkers

Humans Matter Consumers, businesses, groups, communities, towns, states and countries make decisions Acceptance of technologies People impacts Social Sciences  Behavior, Choices, Attitudes  Risk and Change Nexus of Bio-Physical and Social Sciences Communications

….think anew, and act anew. - Abraham Lincoln