First quarter (March 2019)
• Send seed to collaborators (Dorrance, Michel, Niblack) for greenhouse assays.
• Perform compositional analysis (protein and oil) on NIR & GC (~200).
• Perform protein subunit composition analyses.
• Make selections based on yield, disease, & seed composition data. Begin planting plans.
Second Quarter (June 2019)
• Propose releases to the Crop Variety Release and Distribution Committee (for material not released in winter/fall of 2018).
• Send seed to collaborators for additional trial locations (regional uniform tests).
• Plant field tests (~10000) and seed increases, plant greenhouse crossing blocks.
Third Quarter (September 2019)
• Carry out crosses in greenhouse (>200).
• Collect DNA samples from F2 nursery lines, assay markers, make selections.
• Collect field notes. Rogue seed increases to maintain purity.
Fourth Quarter (December 2019)
• Harvest plots and crosses, analyze yield and agronomic data from harvest.
• Plant hybrid seed (>200) in greenhouse, send seed to winter nursery for advancement.