New F1 and open-pollinated spinach varieties for organic systems: A farmer, seed company, and non-profit model of participatory breeding
Organic farming, a system which strives for reduced inputs and optimized ecological health, requires plant varieties adapted to organic growing conditions. While organic producers primarily plant varieties bred by and for conventional systems, new models of participatory plant breeding (PPB) are emerging in which populations may be continually selected on-farm for adaptation to diverse and evolving ecological conditions. Organic growers in the US serving fresh baby leaf and bunch markets desire varied spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) types yet conventional breeders have focused on smooth leaf varieties for packaged baby spinach salad over the last decade. Organic growers and breeders would benefit from new, more erect, semi-savoy spinach varieties for fresh market, selected and produced under organic conditions. F1 and open-pollinated spinach varieties are being developed through a PPB model involving a commercial organic seed company (Seeds of Change, New Mexico), a non-profit research and education organization (Organic Seed Alliance (OSA)), and nine organic farms in Washington, USA.
Materials and methods OSA staff, including a PhD plant breeder, developed initial breeding populations in western Washington, designed breeding methodologies, conducted statistical analysis, and trained farmers in selection, seed production, and trial layout procedures. Farmers identified desired traits, managed crops on-farm, and participated in on-farm selections and evaluations. All project partners were invited to participate in evaluations as an educational opportunity and to garner broad farmer-input. Nine open-pollinated breeding populations were mass selected over four generations for general adaptation to organic growing conditions along with desired phenotypic traits including savoyed texture, dark color, erectness, bolt resistance, and uniformity. These genetically diverse populations were crossed to create twelve experimental F1s in 2005 and eight in 2006. These were not inbred lines, but phenotypically refined, genetically elastic populations which can be further selected. This approach differs from traditional hybrid breeding of cross-pollinated species which aims for mono-genotypic populations through crossing of static, homozygous inbred lines. The resulting F1s were evaluated spring and fall on a single organic farm in two-replicate observation plots in 2006 and replicated complete block design trials in 2007 along with ten commercially available F1 and five open-pollinated varieties.
Results and discussion Two of the experimental F1s, 509 and 515, identified as commercially promising semi-savoy varieties, will be further evaluated on larger-scale organic farms in varied regions in 2008. Of twenty seven varieties compared 515 and 509 were significantly more erect than twenty six and twenty one varieties respectively (p=0.05). 515 and 509 were significantly more uniform than seven and three of the commercial varieties respectively. Positive outcomes of this participatory model include new, adaptive organic varieties, new releases for an organic seed company, non-profit support, improved farmer skills and education, and improved open-pollinated populations for future production and breeding activities.
OSA staff presenting at "Hua Ka Hua- Restore our Seed"
A public seed symposium on April 17-18, 2010 in Kona, Hawaii.
Hawaii imports nearly 90% of its food and 99% of its seed, and the supply of both depends upon a fragile network of long-distance water and dir transport...read more
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Organic farming, a system which strives for reduced inputs and optimized ecological health, requires plant varieties adapted to organic growing conditions. While organic producers primarily plant varieties bred by and for conventional systems, new models of participatory plant breeding (PPB) are emerging in which populations may be continually selected on-farm for adaptation to diverse and evolving ecological conditions. Organic growers in the US serving fresh baby leaf and bunch markets desire varied spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) types yet conventional breeders have focused on smooth leaf varieties for packaged baby spinach salad over the last decade. Organic growers and breeders would benefit from new, more erect, semi-savoy spinach varieties for fresh market, selected and produced under organic conditions. F1 and open-pollinated spinach varieties are being developed through a PPB model involving a commercial organic seed company (Seeds of Change, New Mexico), a non-profit research and education organization (Organic Seed Alliance (OSA)), and nine organic farms in Washington, USA.
procedures. Farmers identified desired traits, managed crops on-farm, and participated in on-farm selections and evaluations. All project partners were invited to participate in evaluations as an educational opportunity and to garner broad farmer-input. Nine open-pollinated breeding populations were mass selected over four generations for general adaptation to organic growing conditions along with desired phenotypic traits including savoyed texture, dark color, erectness, bolt resistance, and uniformity. These genetically diverse populations were crossed to create twelve experimental F1s in 2005 and eight in 2006. These were not inbred lines, but phenotypically refined, genetically elastic populations which can be further selected. This approach differs from traditional hybrid breeding of cross-pollinated species which aims for mono-genotypic populations through crossing of static, homozygous inbred lines. The resulting F1s were evaluated spring and fall on a single organic farm in two-replicate observation plots in 2006 and replicated complete block design trials in 2007 along with ten commercially available F1 and five open-pollinated varieties. 
