b'Variety Verification: JIM SCHWEIGERTPRESIDENT GRO ALLIANCECan You Test for That? jim.schweigert@groalliance.com @jim_schweigert www.groalliance.com IT IS PRETTYcommon that by the early part of the growing season, I willHow the Andes Helps begin to get calls asking if we can test a set of plants from the field that just does not look right. Perhaps the plants did not emerge with the expectedPlant Breeders Develop vigor, or the early vegetative growth of the crop is not what the grower anticipated. Perhaps the plants were sold to the grower as being herbicideNew Varietiestolerant. The field was sprayed with the recommended herbicide. The entire field is now showing symptoms of herbicide damage. Or worse, all the plants are dying. These are all typical issues growers regularly bring to us. Ultimately,THE ANDES MAYBEplant breedings most they ask, Can you test my plants to see if they are the correct variety orimportant mountain range. This imposing geo-hybrid? Our answer is usually: Yes, we can! graphical feature runs more than 4,500 miles, has A variety verification test is what the name implies, a genotype or an average elevation of more than 13,000 feet and fingerprint of a plant. We determine and compare the plants genotype witha peak elevation of more than 22,000 feet. It might a known genotype in our database. Alternatively, we may need to test anot seem like this massive wall of rock has anything plant known to be the correct variety to verify whether the variety is theto do with bringing new plant varieties to life, but same or different. It is important to have viable tissue to test. Green, healthyits impact cannot be overstated.leaf tissue is usually the best for DNA extraction. We have, however, The Andes proximity to the Pacific Ocean cre-successfully extracted DNA from desiccating or dying tissue as long as it isates a 100-mile wide, 750-mile long, natural green-not too far gone. house that is perfectly suited for breeding activities When working with an herbicide-tolerant species, we conduct an event- with almost any plant species. The low humidity specific assay to determine if the leaf tissue contains the desired event. Thisand sparse summer rainfall greatly reduce disease test is especially important for a company having both a conventional and aand insect pressure. This allows for open field seed transgenic version of the same variety or hybrid. Occasionally the genotypenursery work on sensitive and hard-to-grow crops. is indistinguishable between the converted plant and the conventional non- The low humidity reduces cloud cover and allows traited plant.for up to 300 days of sunshine each year. This Having remnant seed from the grower or sourceenvironment, combined with close to zero summer seed of the specific lot that was planted within thestorms, helps make Chile one of the most predict-effected field is also useful as we can conductable growing environments in the world. This is both genetic purity tests and trait purity assays.critical as planting breeding projects can start with These tests allow us to ensure that the properas little as a handful of seeds.genetics and traits are being delivered to theThe Andes also provide the life-giving water grower. necessary to plant breeding success in such a dry In-season testing is a useful analysis forclimate. This water travels to fields through a vast agronomists and seed sellers to ensure that thenetwork of interconnected irrigation canals and proper seed was planted and has the traits andensures an adequate and predictable supply each characteristics to ensure a successful crop foryear.growers. So, the next time you have a questionGro Alliance operates just such a nursery sta-about what variety was planted in your customerstion about 30 miles South of Santiago with our field, remember, Yes, they can test for that! joint venture (JV) partner CIS Semillas. Each year, the JV named CIS Alliance plants 10-15 different crop species from seed companies around the world. Plant breeders working on oilseeds, row crops and vegetables from Asia, North America and Europe recognize the unique environment cre-CRAIG NELSON ated by the Andes. VICE PRESIDENT, EUROFINSSo, the next time you see pictures (or visit!) this BIODIAGNOSTICS COMPANYstunning mountain range, youll understand the CraigNelson@eurofinsUS.comwww.eurofinsus.com/biodiagnostics important role it plays in improving the crops we farm and food we eat!26/ SEEDWORLD.COMSEPTEMBER 2020'