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New Directions for
Biosciences Research
in Agriculture
High-Reward! Opportunities
Committee on Biosciences
Research in Agriculture
Board on Agriculture
National Research Council
NATIONAL ACADEMY PRESS
Washington, D.C. 1985
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National Academy Press · 2101 Constitution Avenue, NW · Washington, DC 20418
NOTICE: The project that is the subject of this report was approved by the Governing
Board of the National Research Council, whose members are drawn from the councils of
the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, and the
Institute of Medicine. The members of the committee responsible for the report were
chosen for their special competences and with regard for appropriate balance.
This report has been reviewed by a group other than the authors according to
procedures approved by a Report Review Committee consisting of members of the
National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, and the Institute
of Medicine.
The National Research Council was established by the National Academy of Sciences
in 1916 to associate the broad community of science and technology with the Academy's
purposes of furthering knowledge and of advising the federal government. The Council
operates in accordance with general policies determined by the Academy under the
authority of its congressional charter of 1863, which establishes the Academy as a
private, nonprofit, self-governing membership corporation. The Council has become the
principal operating agency of both the National Academy of Sciences and the National
Academy of Engineering in the conduct of their services to the government, the public,
and the scientific and engineering communities. It is administered jointly by both
Academies and the Institute of Medicine. The National Academy of Engineering and the
Institute of Medicine were established in 1964 and 1970, respectively, under the charter
of the National Academy of Sciences.
This project was supported under Agreement No. 59-32R6-3-217 between the Agricul-
tural Research Service of the U. S. Department of Agriculture and the National Academy
of Sciences.
Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 85-60530
ISBN 0-309-03542-2
Printed in the United States of America
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Committee on Biosciences Research
in Agriculture
RALPH W. F. HARDY (Chairman), BioTechnica International, Inc., and
Cornell University
C. EUGENE ALLEN, University of Minnesota
CHARLES J. ARNTZEN, E. I. du Font de Nemours & Co., Inc.
DALE E. BAUMAN, Cornell University
OLLE BJORKMAN, Carnegie Institution of Washington, Stanford
WALTER E. BOLLENBACHER, University of North Carolina
ROBERT H. BURRIS, University of Wisconsin
JOHN E. CASIDA, University of California, Berkeley
J. M. DALY, University of Nebraska
WILLIAM C. DAVIS, Washington State University
ROBERT M. GOODMAN, CaIgene, Inc.
BERNARD O. PHINNEY, University of California, Los Angeles
WILLIAM R. PRITCHARD, University of California, Davis
GEORGE E. SEIDEL, JR., Colorado State University
WILLIAM H. STONE, Trinity University
CHAMP B. TANNER, University of Wisconsin
ANNE M. K. VIDAVER, University of Nebraska
MILTON ZAITLIN, Corned University
Subcommittee on Animal Science
WILLIAM R. PRITCHARD (Subchairman)
C. EUGENE ALLEN
DALE E. BAUMAN
Subcommittee on Plant Science
ROBERT H. BURRIS (Subchairman)
CHARLES J. ARNTZEN
OLLE BJORKMAN
· · .
111
WILLIAM C. DAVIS
GEORGE E. SEIDEL, JR.
WILLIAM H. STONE
ROBERT M. GOODMAN
BERNARD O. PHINNEY
CHAMP B. TANNER
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Subcommittee on Plant Diseases and Insect Pests
MILTON ZAlTLIN (Subchairman)
WALTER E. BOLLENBACHER
JOHN E. CASIDA
Consultants
J. M. DALY
ANNE M. K. VIDAVER
BRUCE HAMMOCK, University of California, Davis
JAMES TRUMAN, University of Washington
THOMAS WAGNER, Ohio University
ROBERT K. WAS~NO, University of California, Davis
Staff
JAMES E. TAVARES, Project Officer
PHILIP ROSS, Senior Staff Officer
SELMA P. BARON, Staff Officer
CARLA CARESON, Editor
AIDA NEEL, Administrative Secretary
1V
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Board on Agriculture
WILLIAM T=. BROWN (ChairmanJ, Pioneer Hi-Bre~ international, inc.
JOHN A. PINO (Vice ChairmanJ, inter-American Development Bank
LAWRENCE BOGORAD, Harvard University
ERIC T=. ELLWOOD, North Carolina State University
JOSEPH P. FONTENOT, Virginia Polytechnic institute an] State Univer-
sity
ROBERT G. CAST, Michigan State University
EDWARD H. GLASS, Cornell University
RALPH W. F. HARDY, BioTechnica international, Zinc., and Cornell
University
ROGER it. MITCHELL, University of Missouri
CHARLES C. MUSCOPLAT, Molecular Genetics, Tnc.
ELDOR A. PAUL, University of California, Berkeley
VERNON W. RUTTAN, University of Minnesota
JAMES G. TEER, Welder Wildlife Foundation
VIRGINIA WAEBOT, Stanford University
CHARLES M. BENBROOK, Executive Director
v
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Preface
In April 1982 the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) of the U.S.
Department of Agriculture began a major ongoing review by
sponsoring an internal symposium aimed at defining comprehen-
sive, long-range planning goals in bioregulation. The agency also
recently completed a program document that includes an accompa-
nying six-year implementation plan focused on more immediate
goals in research.)
As a part of this ongoing review and planning process, Terry B.
Kinney, Ir., administrator of the ARS, requester! that the Board on
Agriculture of the National Research Council undertake a study of
the ARS research programs concerned with bioregulation. Admin-
istrator Kinney asked that the board identify and recommend ARS
programs in bioregulation that should be initiated or strengthened
to ensure the highest dividends to agriculture. In the organization
and execution of this request, bioregulation was interpreted broad-
ly as basic studies of key processes in the biosciences.
The Board on Agriculture appointed a committee of 18 members
with wide-ranging expertise to undertake this study. The Commit-
tee on Biosciences Research in Agriculture represents a breadth of
knowledge across the disciplines of science and also represents a
combination of experience in research, management, and adminis-
tration in both academe and industry.
The committee was divided into three subcommittees to explore
current and proposed ARS research efforts on mechanisms that
regulate the biology of animals, plants, and insects and plant
U.S. Depallll~ent of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. 1983. Agricultural
Research Service Program Plan: 6-Year Implementation Plan, 1984-1990. Miscellaneous
publication number 1429. Washington, D.C.
· .
V11
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pathogens, respectively. Committee members interviewed a large
number of research scientists and laboratory chiefs during 23 sepa-
rate visits to 19 of the 147 ARS research centers throughout the
United States and abroad (see Appendix). Some of these included
ARS units that are affiliated with universities.
Although it was not possible for subcommittee members to meet
with all ARS scientists in each laboratory group, open periods were
arranged during many site visits so that any ARS scientist who
wished to present ideas on priority research areas had an opportun-
ity to do so. At university-associated laboratories, discussions in-
cludec! some of the university scientists who were conducting re-
lated research.
The committee members sought, through discussions with ARS
scientists about both current and future programs, to obtain a clear
view of the present capabilities of the ARS and to specify how these
capabilities might be augmented to take advantage of the newer
biotechnologies. They also recognized the importance of making
recommendations about the conditions that combine to create an
optimal climate for research, based on visits to ARS laboratories and
on general experiences with changing climates in some of the
outstanding laboratories practicing the new biology.
Committee members were pleased with the open and enthusias-
tic discussions that took place at all centers. The interest, coopera-
tion, and contributions of ARS scientists were exemplary.
It is significant to note that the final conclusions—on both re-
search opportunities and the optimal climate for basic research—of
the Committee on Biosciences Research in Agriculture were pre-
pared in response to the request from ARS, but they apply broadly
to the agricultural research community. The conclusions are based
on the thoughts and suggestions of many of the ARS scientists
themselves, coupled with the experience and ideas of the commit-
tee members. Although other reports have addressed new oppor-
tunities in agriculture, especially in the plant sciences, this report
provides a uniquely holistic view of agriculture, generated by an
integrated committee of plant and animal scientists.
Ralph W. F. Hardy
Chairman
. . ~
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Acknowledgments
The committee wishes to express its appreciation to the ARS area
and center directors, laboratory leaders, and scientists at the 19
locations visited for preparing background materials and research
summaries for subcommittee members prior to their visits, and for
assistance in organizing the visits. The committee acknowledges
the staff of the Board on Agriculture Selma P. Baron, Staff Officer;
Philip Ross, Senior Staff Officer; and lames E. Tavares, Project
Officer and their support and guidance during committee meet-
ings and subcommittee site visits. The committee wishes to thank
Aida Neel, Project Secretary, for her technical support during
meetings and in the preparation of this report.
The committee members wish to express special gratitude to
James E. Tavares and Carla CarIson, consultant and editor of this
report, for drawing our ideas and conclusions into final form.
1X
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Contents
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
1. INTRODUCTION...
2. MOLECULAR GENETICS AND GENETIC
ENGINEERING ..................................
Structure, Organization, and Expression of Genes, 12
Isolation, 12; Cloning, 13; Transfer, 14; Expression, 14
Opportunities in the Plant Sciences, 14
Gene Isolation, 15; Gene Transfer, 16; Cell Culture and
Plant Regeneration, 19; Gene Expression, 20; Research
Status, 23
Aspects of Molecular Genetics of Food Animals, 24
Gene Transfer, 25; Gene Identification and Cross
Cloning, 27; Gene Expression, 28; Research Status, 29
Potential Impact on U.S. Agriculture, 30
3. ANIMAL SCIENCE
Molecular Basis of Disease, 33
Genes Regulating the Immune Response, 34; Pathogens
and Vectors, 37; Disease Control, 40; Research Status, 41
Molecular Basis for Metabolic Regulation, 43
Characterization of Endogenous Chemical Mediators, 43;
Metabolic Control and Function of Cells, 44; Factors
Influencing Intake and Digestion, 45; Research Status, 46
Ma
11
32
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Developmental Biology and Reproduction, 48
Differentiation, 48; In Vitro Manipulation of Gametes
and Embryos, 49; Addition of Genetic Information to
Embryos, 50; Reproductive Efficiency, 51; Research
Status, 52
4. PLANT SCIENCE ..............................
Carbon and Nitrogen Input for Plant Growth, 55
Photosynthesis, 55; Chioroplast Functions, 56; Carbon
Fixation, 56; Photosynthetic Efficiency, 58; Harvest
Index, 60; Nitrogen Metabolism, 61; Biological Nitrogen
Fixation, 62; Improving Symbiotic Nitrogen Fixation, 63;
Other Aspects of Nitrogen Metabolism, 65; Research
Status, 66
Regulation of Plant Growth and Development, 68
Biosynthetic Pathways, 69; Gene Expression, 71; Cell
Culture and Plant Regeneration, 73; Research Status, 74
Physicochemical Stress, 74
Plant Responses to Stress Factors, 76; Stress-Tolerance
Mechanisms, 77; Research Status, 78
.. 54
5. PLANT DISEASES AND INSECT PESTS 81
Molecular Bases of Plant-Pathogen Interactions, 83
Molecular Determinants of Resistance and Susceptibility,
83; Molecular Basis of Cellular Damage in Susceptible
Hosts, 88; Research Status, 91
Modification of Microorganisms for Biological Control
and Organic Pesticide Disposal, 92
Microbial Agents for Biological Control, 92; Research
Status, 95
Molecular Basis of Pesticide Action, 96
Research Status, 97
Insect Neurobiology and the Regulation of
Development and Reproduction, 98
Insect Neurobiology, 98; Endocrine Regulation of
Metamorphosis, Diapause, and Reproduction, 101;
Research Status, 103
· .
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6. THE OPTIMAL CLIMATE FOR BASIC RESEARCH . 105
Introduction, 105
Recommendations, 108
Periodic Outside Review, 108; Leadership, 109; National
Program Staff, 109; New Centers, 110; Interdisciplinary
Activities, 111; Consolidation, 111; Leveraging, 112;
Postdoctoral Program, 112; Appointment of New Staff,
113; Budget' 113; Support Staff, 114;
Sabbaticals/Retraining, 114; Scientific Meeting
Attendance, 115; Publications, 115; University
Relationships, 116; Industry Relationships, 116; Public
Relations, 116
Conclusion, Il7
APPENDIX ....
. · .
X111
... 118
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