To our Maize Genetics Colleagues,
We finished planting last week the materials that you may wish to
come and screen this summer. Material to screen includes EMS
mutagenized and Ac transposon tagged material, as well as a
collection of diverse inbred lines. All maize scientists in public
and private sectors are invited to participate in screening for
mutants and natural variants.
Planting was earlier than last year. We planted portions of different
sets of materials in the same field, and then at different dates to
reduce risk of having a complete loss to one set of material due to
field problems, such as a torrential thunderstorm right after
planting. Thus far, everything is going well.
Given that I do not know what the weather will be, and the heat
units, it is hard to predict when this material will come in for
tassels and pollen shed. Please bear this in mind and try to allow
for flexibility.
That said, I expect the materials to come in earlier than last year.
If we have an 'average year' then sometime the end of the week of
July 6 some of the A619 planted on May 5/6 may start to tassel. The
Brutnell material is in an W22 background and will be about a week
later we are guessing. So we are looking at early/mid July this
summer based on planting date and genetic maturities.
As we get into mid/late June, I can give a little better guestimate
based on the weather to that point.
We will develop an overall plan for ensuring that all the materials
will be examined at different developmental time points. We plan to
have a dedicated computer-based entry of all notes. This can be
accomplished either locally or remotely.
Based on how well planting went this spring, new logistical plans
being implemented, it is looking like a real good year.
Regards, Torbert
Here are planting dates for screen fields.
5/6 : A619 EMS and Brutnell Ac
5/11 : Neuffer A619xB73, Mo17, and A619 EMS, Brutnell Ac, plus
Goodman/Buckler Diversity Lines.
5/12 : IBM, Brutnell Ac, and A619 EMS
--
Torbert Rocheford trochefo at uiuc.edu
Department of Crop Sciences 217-333-9643
University of Illinois 217-333-9817 FAX
AW-101 Turner Hall
1102 South Goodwin Ave
Urbana, IL 61801 USA
