In the realm of plant breeding, the Plant Breeding Coordinating Committee (PBCC) stands as a key player in fostering collaboration, communication, and innovation. Duke Pauli, associate professor in the School of Plant Sciences at the University of Arizona, is the outgoing chair of the PBCC. He offered his insights at the recent meeting of the National Association of Plant Breeders (NAPB) in Greenville, SC. He talked about the PBCC’s recent strides, highlighting their commitment to organizational efficiency, information management, and groundbreaking research in the world of plant breeding.
Streamlining Operations: A Foundation for Success
“I’m biased, but I thought it went pretty well,” says Pauli of his time as chair of the committee, a torch he has passed to Iago Hale. He dives into PBCC’s dual objectives in the recent past. The first objective centered on structuring the committee’s operational document, an essential step in ensuring seamless functioning.
“Every organization needs to have an operating document,” Pauli emphasizes. With a touch of his characteristic Type-A personality, Pauli undertook the task of organizing the committee’s rules and bylaws, creating a cohesive framework for PBCC’s operations.
The second goal involved enhancing communication, particularly with the state experiment station directors and deans. Pauli notes that the information provided to PVCC was outdated, leading him to scrape the internet and compile a comprehensive database. This dynamic task showcased his dedication to improving the committee’s information resources, demonstrating the value of proactive engagement in communication.
Germplasm Transition Planning: Bridging the Gap
Pauli delves into a subject crucial to the future of public plant breeding: germplasm transition planning. As public plant breeding programs face closures or limited resources, the question of how to manage existing germplasm arises. Pauli laments the lack of consensus and cites instances where valuable germplasm was mishandled or lost. He emphasizes the challenge faced by new breeders who inherit programs without the institutional knowledge necessary to make informed decisions.
PBCC recognized the urgency of this issue and decided to take action. Pauli explains that the committee surveyed the community and solicited use cases to guide their efforts. They are committed to providing case studies that shed light on successful approaches to germplasm transition planning. The goal is to ensure that valuable resources aren’t lost, that the collective investment in public plant breeding continues to bear fruit, and that future breeders inherit a legacy of knowledge and genetic material.
Collaboration for Success: Looking Ahead
Pauli discusses the transition of leadership within PBCC, particularly as Hale steps into the role of chair. Drawing from his experience working closely with Hale, Pauli acknowledges Hale’s strengths in building consensus within the volunteer-driven group. “Go build consensus,” Pauli advises, acknowledging the challenge of aligning diverse viewpoints to achieve common goals.
On a broader scale, Pauli introduces an innovative communication tool developed within his research group: comics. These visual summaries distill complex scientific concepts into digestible and attractive formats, making plant breeding accessible to wider audiences.
