by Ken Hough, OCPA Director of Research and Market Development

Descriptions of research projects sponsored by OCPA in 2002 are provided below for the areas of genetic improvement, pest management, value-added markets and tillage. Nitrogen and weed management projects were highlighted in the July issue.

Corn Breeding, Genetic Engineering and Management of Ear Moulds, Mycotoxins and Corn Pests

Fusarium Resistance and Genetic Improvement in Ontario Corn through Biotechnology
L. Harris, S. Gleddie, T. Ouellette, AAFC, Ottawa; P. Pauls, E. Lee, U. of G., Guelph
OCPA Contribution: $60,088
4-year project (2001-2004; extension of previous 4-year project)
(also supported by Ont. Pork, Pioneer, Syngenta Seeds, FPCCQ -- Quebec cash crop producers; AAFC-MII for ECORC portion of research & NSERC/AAFC partnership fund for Guelph portion of research)
• Identify new, and continue development of current genes and gene-control technologies (directing expression in the appropriate plant parts and at the appropriate time and levels), through genetic engineering, that convey Pink Ear Mould resistance (Fusarium/Gibberella) and reduced mycotoxins contamination in grain corn
• Continue to develop genetic engineering technologies for use in corn, such as gene identification and isolation, plant transformation/ regeneration systems, and gene control systems for application to genes providing particular advantage to corn inbreds/hybrids adapted for Ontario's corn-growing areas
• Convert previously identified molecular markers to more easily used forms, develop larger scale marker selection techniques, and identify and validate additional markers for use in selection and breeding of corn with increased Fusarium/Gibberella Ear Mould resistance and reduced mycotoxins occurrence
ROI: hybrids with significantly improved Fusarium Ear Mould resistance; improved livestock feed value; a few to many $million per year, depending on severity of Fusarium infection and mycotoxin production in corn

Development of Fusarium and Multiple Pest Resistance in Ontario Corn
L. Reid, AAFC, Ottawa
OCPA Contribution: $46,000
Multi-year project (1997- ?)
(also supported by AAFC-MII)
• Support existing AAFC breeding program for Fusarium (Gibberella) ear rot resistance, including understanding mechanisms of resistance to Fusarium
• Select and breed for resistance to other corn diseases (stalk rot, eyespot, leaf blight, rust) and insects (European corn borer, corn rootworm)
• Improve grain quality for both feed and food products, primarily through reduced contamination of mycotoxins and lower damage from other insects/diseases
ROI: hybrids with significantly improved Fusarium Ear Mould resistance; improved livestock feed value; a few to many $million per year, depending on severity of Fusarium infection and mycotoxin production in corn

Genetic Mapping of Corn Leaf Diseases
E. Lee, U. of G., Guelph; L. Reid, AAFC, Ottawa
OCPA Contribution: $7,000
2-year project (2001-2002)
• Using corn breeding lines from Dr. Reid’s Multiple Pest Resistance Breeding Program, develop genetic maps for aiding selection of major leaf diseases in corn in Canada
ROI: improved efficiency of corn breeding programs (public, private sector) - reduced costs, greater progress, better hybrids sooner

Genetic Engineering Enhancement of Cold Tolerance during Grain Filling in Field Corn
J. Simmonds, L. Reid, L. Dwyer, AAFC, Ottawa; T. Tollenaar, E. Lee, P. Pauls, U. of G., Guelph
OCPA Contribution: $60,000
7-year project (Phase II: 2001-2004)
(also supported by Syngenta, Pioneer, AAFC-MII; NSERC support requested)
• Develop reliable techniques to assess tolerance of corn hybrids/inbreds to chilling during grain filling, and determine if chilling tolerance during grain filling is correlated to early season cold tolerance
• Map genes related to cold tolerance in Ontario-adapted germplasm
• Investigate genetic engineering opportunities to enhance plant defense mechanisms, modify chloroplast membrane composition, and/or modify carbohydrate levels under low temperature conditions, to improve resistance of corn to low temperatures during grain filling
ROI: long-term; up to 15% yield gain; comparable return to improved grain quality; greater than $50/ac

Integrated Management of Emerging Field Crop Pests
New In 2002
A. Schaafsma, U. of G., Ridgetown
OCPA Contribution: $20,000
3-year project (2002-2004)
(also supported by CanAdapt and a broad coalition of commodity and industry groups)
• Develop a management strategy for European Chafer in corn
• Develop a management strategy for the ‘soybean-adapted’ Western Corn Rootworm, a potential pest in Ontario
• Adapt new solutions for control of sporadic but significant pests such as common armyworm, black cutworm, European corn borer
• Develop management strategy for the soybean aphid in Ontario
ROI: minimal to significant for individual growers, depending on occurrence and severity of infestation of these pests

Economic Impact of Feeding High Protein Grain Corn and Silage to Beef Cattle
New in 2002
P. McEwen, U. of G., Ridgetown
OCPA Contribution: $6,000
2-year project (2002-2003)
(also supported by Ontario Forage Council, Glenn Seeds; CanAdapt support requested)
• Evaluate economics of beef feeding comparing high protein grain corn to conventional grain corn
• Evaluate the effect of corn silage feeding level on feedlot performance and carcass merit
• Determine the economic effects of feeding high protein corn silage and high protein grain corn to feedlot cattle
• Compare the performance and carcass merit of Holstein and Charlois crossbred steers under these various feeding regimes
ROI: potential cost reduction of $30-$50 per head

University of Guelph Corn Breeding Researcher
E. Lee, Guelph
OCPA Contribution: $14,000
Multi-year commitment (1998- ?)
• Cost-share in support of corn breeder faculty position at University of Guelph, with 82.5% of faculty position dedicated to corn breeding and research activities
• Conduct field corn breeding program to release commercially useful, Ontario-adapted inbreds that complement the industry breeding programs (may focus on toxin reduction, grain quality, introduction of novel genes, etc.)
• Improve breeding methods, breeding germplasm, and understanding of genetics
• Teach/train graduate and undergraduate students in corn breeding and genetics
ROI: difficult to quantify; long-term; nevertheless, very significant

Corn Handling, Processing and Value-added Corn
Literature Review of Value-Added Products from Corn and Corn Co-products
New in 2002
D. Morris, consultant; F. Lai, AAFC, Guelph
OCPA Contribution: $5,000
1-year project (2001/02)
• Guide OCPA investment in new product research and market development activities by providing:
- detailed understanding of what products and research have been or are currently being pursued in this area
- an overview of where there may be opportunities to develop products or uses for products that can be derived from corn and corn processing co-products, and
- a ‘big picture’ snapshot of the potential value that might be attained for farmers through development of such products or uses.
ROI: better targeting of OCPA research and market development efforts; $thousands in short-term; much greater value in long-term

Ionic Hydrogenation Catalysts for Conversion of Carbohydrate Biomass to Biochemicals
New in 2002
M. Schlaf, U. of G., Guelph
OCPA Contribution: $5,000
3-year project (2002-2004)
(also supported by OMAF Special Research Program; NSERC funding applied for)
• Develop new environmentally friendly chemical technology based on man-made catalysts, to convert agricultural products such as corn sugar or corn stalks into valuable synthetic building blocks (components of everyday polymers, which are ultimately used in the manufacture of fabrics, garments, carpets or car seat-belts)
ROI: new platform for efficient conversion of grain (starch) to industrial biochemical feedstocks; vast market, untapped demand

Producing High Quality Food-Grade Corn in Ontario
New in 2002
E. Lee, R. Brown, U. of G., Guelph; Art Schaafsma, Scott Jay, U. of G., Ridgetown
OCPA Contribution: $50,000
3-year project (2002-2004, building on prev. 3-year project)
(also supported by CanAdapt)
• Continue breeding and evaluation of white and yellow food grade corn for yield, grain quality and adapted maturity for southwestern Ontario
• Conduct genetic studies and mapping for quality-linked traits
• Pre-commercialize user-friendly dryer control and storage monitoring systems to minimize energy consumption and maximize grain quality preservation
• Complete investigation of drying characteristics and drying management of food grade corn
• Determine pest and environmental factors, and identify mitigating agronomic practices to minimize kernel red streak
• Encourage investment in new or expanded corn processing facilities in Ontario
ROI: development of food-corn production in Ontario; 5-50 million bu @ 30-40 cents/bu – up to $20 million/yr

Within-Field Variability of Corn Grain Quality and its Relationship to Soil/Site Characteristics and N Fertilization
I. O’Halloran, A. Schaafsma, U. of G., Ridgetown; D. Aspinall, A. Hayes, OMAF
OCPA Contribution: $14,000 in 2001 (analyses still underway)
2-year project (2000-2001)
• Evaluate the impact of N fertilization on corn grain quality parameters (test weight, starch, oil and protein content) within fields with different N-response areas
• Determine if variations in corn grain quality parameters can be attributed to differences in measured soil fertility parameters under different N application rates
ROI: determine if quality is adversely affected by N variability; protect potential premium value market opportunities

Novel Corn-based Enzyme-Resistant Starches for Value-Added Food Ingredients
Q. Liu, G. Poushinsky, AAFC, Guelph
OCPA Contribution: $27,000
3-year project (2000-2002)
(also supported by AAFC-MII)
• Isolate and quantify digestive-enzyme-resistant starches from Ontario corn types (dent, waxy, high amylose)
• Characterize the molecular components and micro-structure of enzyme-resistant starches and relate starch functionality to the mechanism of enzyme-resistance
• Formulate and develop new starches and starch products with high level enzyme-resistance for food uses as non-caloric ‘fibre-simulants’
ROI: potential value-added market for corn component; long-tem development outlook, but returns could be high

Tillage and Cropping Systems

Fall semi-ridge tillage and fertility placement techniques
B. Deen, U. of G., Guelph; G. Stewart, OMAF, Guelph
OCPA Contribution: $13,500
2-year project (2001-2002)
• Evaluate the impact of fall semi-ridge tillage systems relative to conventional and no-till on soil properties and corn growth
• Evaluate corn response to banding of P and K in the fall in a semi ridge-tilled zone system compared to fertilizer applied as fall broadcast or spring starter bands
ROI: $10/ac on 40% of Ontario corn – $8 million

Effect of Tillage System Continuity on Crop Yield and Soil Parameters
W. Deen/K. Janovicek, U. of G., Guelph; C. Topp, AAFC, Ottawa; B. Curnoe, U. of G., Kemptville; C. Drury, AAFC, Harrow
OCPA Contribution: $25,000
8-year project (1996-2004)
(also supported by AAFC-MII)
• Evaluate the effect of intermittent tillage on yield and soil quality, within an otherwise no-till system
• Develop recommendations on yield
expectation for reduced tillage systems relative to the length of time in no-till and conventional tillage
• Improve recommendations for no-till corn production through identification of production-limiting, soil-related parameters under no-till
ROI: identify pros and cons of intermittent tillage systems – difficult to estimate economic payback, ~ %5-20/ac

Effect on Corn Development of Anaerobic Micropores in Soils with Higher Clay Content, Larger Aggregate Size or Reduced Tillage
B. Kay, T. Tollenaar, W. Deen, U. of G., Guelph
OCPA Contribution: $31,200
(also supported by NSERC and OMAF)
• Determine the role of anaerobic micropores on corn physiology during early growth in various soil structures
• Determine if this role varies with stage of corn development, and/or if anaerobic micropores reduce the rate of corn development under no-till
ROI: identify possible causes of yield
reduction under no-till in heavy soils; then further research required

Miscellaneous Projects
OCPA also supports several other smaller, but important projects in 2002, including:
•Ontario Corn Committee “Hybrid Performance Trials”, as well as the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association project “Ontario Field Trials On-Line”
•“Farm Input Price Monitoring” project, operated by Ridgetown College
•Membership in OAFT, to help focus agri-food biotech research activity to ensure maximum economic and competitive advantage for Ontario, solicit new private investment in agri-food research and development in Ontario, and assist in commercialization of results of research & development activity
•Support for several aspects of G. Stewart’s Corn Lead activities, including: documenting innovative practices at the farm level; establishing a database of soil compaction research pertinent to Ontario; and development of diagnostic inserts for distribution to Ontario Corn Producer magazine recipients.