Institute of Plant Breeding, Genetics, and Genomics (IPBGG) Joe Bouton, Interim Director University of Georgia College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences

A Brief History of “Modern” Plant Breeding at the University of Georgia 1994 UGA Research Foundation (UGARF) formalizes the licensing of GAES-developed cultivars 1995 UGARF Cultivar Development Grant Program Uses royalty returns to fund applied cultivar development projects 11 projects initially funded Currently > $1.0 million/year + $0.7 million/year to program enhancements 2

Plant Breeding at UGA 21 ~500 $3,800,000 per year Faculty in Plant Breeding in CAES at UGA More than any other US university ~500 Cultivars released Many diverse species $3,800,000 per year Annual royalties from UGA-developed cultivars since 2007

Enhancing Infrastructure and Programs 1997 UGARF funds Plant Genome Analysis Equipment Grant ($0.75 million) 1998 Georgia Research Alliance (GRA) funds UGA Plant and Animal Genomics Initiative ($27 million) 2001 Center for Applied Genetic Technologies (CAGT) Building completed 2003 GA Seed Development Commission and GRA endow Eminent Scholar in Crop Genomics ($1.5 million) 2005 Michael A. Dirr Professorship (HORT) 2007 Vincent J. Dooley Professorship (HORT) 4

Formation of the Institute Response to need for breeders & strong support from state and national seed companies 2006 USDA designates Plant Breeding, Genetics & Genomics as a ‘National Needs’ area 2008 – Spring Board of Reagents approve Institute of Plant Breeding, Genetics, and Genomics– officially begins 1 July 2008. (Jerry Cherry and Roger Boerma) 2008 – Fall BOR approves MS and PhD programs in Plant Breeding, Genetics, and Genomics (David Knauft) 2010 – Summer PBGG course designation obtained Have 16 PBGG courses 5

UGA/CAES Institute of Plant Breeding, Genetics and Genomics Missions To develop improved plant cultivars (varieties) from agronomic and horticultural species of importance to Georgia, the United States, and worldwide. To conduct research and train graduate students in modern plant breeding methodology and technique – including applying genetic and genomic tools to cultivar (variety) development.

Institute of Plant Breeding * Only Institute in the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences 19 Graduate Faculty from: Crop & Soil Sciences and Horticulture Athens, Griffin, & Tifton Campuses 6 Adjunct members & Affiliate members (including USDA-ARS) * *

Organizational Information Director (Interim) Joe Bouton Steering Committee David Knauft, Brian Schwartz, Paul Raymer Graduate Coordinator Dayton Wilde Administrative Assistant Sally McDonald

The UGA Institute of Plant Breeding, Genetics, and Genomics We define success as Benefitting our clientele by providing improved plant cultivars for licensing Enhancing the teaching mission of UGA by educating and training the next generation of plant breeders and plant geneticists Accelerating the rate of genetic gain in plants Establishing an “Area of Excellence” at UGA/CAES/CRSS/HORT for the future Maintaining or increasing the capacity for plant breeding at UGA 9

IPBGG Supporters Strong support from many groups – especially GA Crop Improvement Association GA Seed Development Commission GA Seedsmen Association UGARF 10

Graduate Degree Programs Institute is attracting very high quality applicants Currently 10 M.S. students and 13 Ph.D. students First 5 students graduated in spring 2009 9 graduated since then Most students have jobs months before graduating Starting salary ~$90K More jobs than students

Undergraduate Programs Lack of undergraduate program Major gap/deficiency 2 Georgia Seed Development Internships Undergraduate research training in individual programs Would like to be involved with the undergraduate Applied Biotechnology major Great feeder program for graduate school in PBGG

Future Challenges Retain faculty positions as breeders retire or move Boerma, Brummer, Dirr & Johnson Research farm availability Greenhouse space Maintain Cultivar Development Grant Program Increase student numbers, particularly at Griffin and Tifton Increase assistantships for students Applicant number exceeds assistantship availability