Published in Probe Volume 1(1-2): Spring-Summer 1991
Randy C. Shoemaker, Research Geneticist
Field Crops Research Unit
Iowa State University
Agricultural Research Service, USDA
Until recently, information on soybean genetics has developed slowly in relation to data gathered on other major crops. However, the increased speed with which genetic data on the soybean currently is being accumulated rivals that of any other genetic system.
The importance of the soybean as a major world oilseed crop plus the increased volume of genetic information accumulating have made the soybean an important focus of the USDA Plant Genome Research Program's thrust to develop a plant genome database management system. The database, to be located at the National Agricultural Library (NAL), will include information on four agricultural commodities--soybean, corn, wheat, and pine.
Soybean Conference Held
At a conference held recently in St. Louis, Missouri, over 30 participants from 14 states and Canada met to discuss developing a prototype soybean genome database. Participants provided information on the long-term needs of the project and established a priority for accomplishing the tasks required to develop a database.
The group included scientists from state and federal institutions and private industry, and representatives from the Germplasm Resource Information Network (Mark Bohning), the American Soybean Association (Keith Smith), the USDA Plant Genome Research Program (Jerry Miksche), and the National Agricultural Library (Susan McCarthy). In addition, Mary Berlyn, a cooperator in the USDA program and co-developer and curator of the E. coli genetic stock center database at Yale University, provided useful input and facilitated discussions.
Working Committees Formed
Seven committees listed below were formed during the conference to address specific concerns according to their areas of expertise. The committees will determine the probable relationships between their respective segment of the database and the other areas. In addition, the soybean team will examine strategies developed for other databases and genome initiatives, including those for human and bacterial genetics. The following is a list of the committees and respective chairpersons.
Disease/Pathology: Roger Boerma, University of Georgia
Phone (404) 542-0927
Germplasm: Jim Specht, University of Nebraska
Phone (402) 472-1536
Maps: Nevin Young, University of Minnesota
Phone (612) 625-2225
Metabolic Pathways: Tom Cheesebrough, South Dakota
State University
Phone (605) 688-5504
Organelles: Beth Grabau, Virginia Polytechnic
Institute and State University
Phone (703) 231-9597
Quantitative Traits
and Quality Control: Randy Shoemaker, Iowa State University
Phone (515) 294-6233
Group members have had extensive discussions with industry representatives to ensure that a maximal amount of user needs will be met. In addition, to avoid duplicated efforts, the Quantitative Traits Committee will interact closely with a similar committ ee of the maize database group. The Quality Control Committee will explore methods to maintain the integrity of the information in the database while facilitating access by its users. The soybean team also will work closely with the Germplasm Resource I nformation Network (GRIN) so that a smooth interface is established between the modified GRIN database and the developing soybean database.
If the conference was any indication, the enthusiastic "grass- roots" support shown there will assure the momentum needed to establish a comprehensive plant genome database for soybeans.