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2 CapitalPress.com January 1, 2016 People & Places ‘Cyber breeder’ improves wheat varieties Zhiwu Zhang sorts through field, molecular data to help breeding Western Innovator By MATTHEW WEAVER Capital Press PULLMAN, Wash. — Zhiwu Zhang rarely actually touches wheat, but his work helps put better varieties of the popular grain into grow- ers’ hands. As a statistical geneticist — he calls himself a “cyber breeder” — at Washington State University in Pullman, Wash., Zhang combines in- formation from “field” wheat breeders and researchers who identify molecular markers. Wheat farmers are most concerned with yield, end- use quality and production cost, all traits determined by how genetics and the envi- ronment interact, Zhang said. “There are hundreds and even thousands of genes as- sociated with yield,” he said. “Gathering favorite genes to- gether takes time. Fortunate- ly, DNA sequencing technol- ogies provide the opportunity to pinpoint where those genes are on the genome.” Deoxyribonucleic acid — called DNA — is a molecule that carries the genetic in- structions within most living organisms. Attributes such as drought tolerance are located at specific spots on the lat- tice-like structure of DNA. “We’re trying to get them together, turn this big data into some knowledge,” he said. “Then field breeders can turn it into a variety that can really increase the income of Zhiwu Zhang Title: Assistant professor, Washington State Univer- sity; Washington Wheat Distinguished Professorship for Statistical Genetics Age: 55 Current location: Pullman, Wash. Hometown: Shulan, China Matthew Weaver/Capital Press Washington State University assistant professor Zhiwu Zhang stands in the middle of his lab Oct. 16 in Pullman, Wash. As statistical geneticist, Zhang compiles information from field breeders and molecular DNA sequencing to enable wheat breeders to improve the varieties they develop for farmers. the farmer.” Zhang is developing the computer programs and da- tabases necessary for wheat breeders to sort through mil- lions of data points associated with genetic markers and gene sequences, said Rich Koenig, associate dean of the College of Agricultural, Human and Natural Resource Sciences, di- rector of WSU Extension and interim chairman of the crop and soil sciences department. “The explosion of data has created a need for ‘genetic software engineers’ to enable breeders to sort through all of these data and make good breeding and selection deci- sions,” Koenig said. Zhang’s work should help breeders better select lines that have the potential to outperform other cultivars in the field, WSU winter wheat breeder Arron Carter said. “Effectively, we are test- ing better material under field conditions, which should have higher yield potential, better disease resistance and better end-use quality,” Carter said. “It will speed up the process a little bit, but mainly helps us get the best material out to the field as a starting point.” Breeders will still have to do years of field testing to ensure stability across loca- tions and years, Carter said. Zhang’s work helps identify the best wheat lines early in the process, allowing breed- ers to begin making crosses sooner. Zhang has an agricultural background. He raised ani- mals and worked in the field from childhood in China, and got his bachelor’s degree in animal science. He went on to study genetics, statistics and computer science in getting his master’s and Ph.D. de- grees and postdoctoral train- ing. His first job was predicting breeding values, helping beef breeders select bulls for better yield, carcass quality and less calving difficulty. Zhang’s second job was to develop statistical meth- ods and computing tools to dissect the genetic architec- ture of key complex traits in maize. Zhang developed a compressed model that re- duced computing time from weeks to hours. Jobs such as Zhang’s did not exist a decade ago, Koe- nig said. Now, they are in high demand among modern breeding programs. “Zhiwu has an interna- tional reputation and is rec- ognized for developing lead- ing platforms to process and screen genetic information,” Education: Bachelor’s de- gree in animal science and master’s degree in animal breeding and genetics, Jilin Agriculture University, Changchun, China; Ph.D. in animal breeding and genet- ics, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China; Ph.D. in statistical genetics, Michigan State University Family: Married; son James, 26; daughter Joia, 14 Website: http://css.wsu.edu/ zhiwu-zhang/ Koenig said. Zhang hopes his work will increase farmers’ net income, be environmentally friendly and sustainable. Sequencing wheat vari- eties is currently limited by cost. The wheat genome is five times bigger than the human genome, with many gaps, Zhang said. “Mathematically and ac- curately filling those gaps is critical to transform DNA se- quencing into a useful tool for wheat breeding,” he said. ‘Owlcapone’ returns? Time to call Elliot Nest SALEM, Ore. (AP) — Maybe it’s time to call crime-buster Elliot Nest to take down that pesky bird of prey “Owlcapone.” A few blocks away from the state Capitol in Salem, the year is ending the way it be- gan — with an aggressive owl going after people. At least two attacks have been reported more than a mile north of a park where joggers were attacked in Janu- ary, said Julie Curtis, spokes- woman for the Department of State Lands. Dwight French said he was jogging from his office to a parking garage Monday when he felt a bump on the back of his head. He turned around AP Photo/Statesman-Journal, Danielle Peterson John Kleeman, Parks Operations Supervisor for Salem, Ore., installs signs at Bush’s Pasture Park last February, warning visitors of owl attacks. An owl has again begun to attack joggers north of the park. and saw an owl fly into the trees and stare at him. As he crossed a street, the owl hit him again and then a third time. “At the moment it was just really bizarre and kind of scary for a minute,” he told the Statesman Journal. French sustained several little cuts. He said it looks like he “got a really violent hair- cut.” The January attacks on several joggers got national attention, most of it humor- ous. Inspired by a segment from MSNBC host Rachel Maddow, Oregon’s capital city posted “angry owl” warn- ing signs in the park where the owl was likely defending its nest against perceived threats. The Statesman Journal had an online naming contest, with “Owlcapone” getting the most votes. And, of course, there’s Fungus kills trees critical to Hawaii’s native forests By AUDREY MCAVOY Associated Press HONOLULU — A newly dis- covered fungus is killing a tree that’s critical to Hawaii’s water supply, endangered native birds and Hawaiian cultural traditions like hula. The disease called rapid ohia death has hit hundreds of thousands of ohia lehua trees on the Big Is- land. As of last year, it was found to have affected 50 percent of the ohia trees across 6,000 acres of for- est, but it’s believed to have spread further since then. To date, it’s been found primarily in Puna but also in Kona and Kau. It hasn’t been seen anywhere else in the world. Robert Hauff, the forest health coordinator at the state Department of Land and Natural Resources, said the state is planning aerial sur- veys next month to learn how many acres are affected by the fungus. A world expert in similar diseases is also expected to visit the islands to advise the state on how to control the outbreak. “Worst case scenario is that it spreads statewide and it decimates all of our ohia forests. It’s a pretty bleak picture,” Hauff told reporters at a news conference in Honolulu. Ohia is important to the water supply because it’s so effective at soaking water into the ground and replenishing the watershed. It’s crit- ical for native birds because the an- imals feed on its nectar. It provides a canopy to native plants growing underneath it in the forests. The state Department of Agri- culture has created rules prohibiting moving wood, flowers and other parts of the ohia tree between is- lands. Christy Martin, a spokeswoman for the Hawaii Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species, said the fun- gus is “sneaky” because it can in- fect a tree for months before show- ing any symptoms. “So somebody could think they’re walking through a healthy forest, picking up wood and doing whatever they’re doing collecting for lei and not know they’re dealing with an infected tree,” Martin said after the news conference. Sam Ohu Gon III, senior scien- tist and cultural adviser at the Na- ture Conservancy of Hawaii, said ohia wood was used for weapons, hula instruments, homes and tem- ples in ancient Hawaii. Many Ha- waiian proverbs and sayings refer- ence the tree. an Owl Attacks Facebook page. David Craig, a biology professor and animal behavior specialist at Willamette Uni- versity, said there’s no way of knowing if the owl that attacked French is the noto- rious Owlcapone establishing a new home or if it’s another barred owl. He said this is the time of year when owls are courting and establishing their territo- ry, which makes them aggres- sive. They lay eggs as early as February. If an owl scratches you and it breaks the skin, Craig recommends monitoring the wound like you would a cat scratch. Man leaves chickens in lobby of Oregon tax office EUGENE, Ore. (AP) — Police say an Or- egon man angry with his tax situation left a flock of seven chickens inside the state revenue office. Police in Eugene said in a news release they responded to a report Wednesday afternoon of chickens left in the lobby of the Oregon Depart- ment of Revenue. Police and an animal welfare officer rounded up the fowl, and they were taken to an animal shelter. Officers gave 66-year-old Louis Adler, of Creswell, a trespass notice requiring him to stay away from the office or risk a citation. The Register-Guard reports no people or ani- mals were injured. Adler couldn’t immediately be reached for comment. State agency spokesman Derrick Gasperini told the Guard the staff had prior dealings with Adler and he was “frustrated by the outcome.” Calendar To submit an event go to the Community Events calendar on the home page of our website at www. capitalpress.com and click on “Sub- mit an Event.” Calendar items can also be mailed to Capital Press, 1400 Broadway St. NE, Salem, OR 97301. American Farm Bureau Annual Convention, Orlando, Fla. Thursday, Jan. 7 American Farm Bureau Annual Convention, Orlando, Fla. 2016 Precision Farming Expo, Three Rivers Convention Center, Kennewick, Wash. Idaho Irrigation Equipment Show and Conference, Nampa Civ- ic Center, Nampa, Idaho. Friday, Jan. 8 2016 Precision Farming Expo, Three Rivers Convention Center, Kennewick, Wash. Kennewick, Wash. Saturday, Jan. 9 American Farm Bureau Annual Convention, Orlando, Fla. Far West AgriBusiness Asso- ciation annual winter conference, College of Southern Idaho, Twin Falls, Idaho. Sunday, Jan. 10 Potato Expo 2016, Mirage Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nev. Wednesday, Jan. 13 Monday, Jan. 11 American Farm Bureau Annual Convention, Orlando, Fla. Tuesday, Jan. 12 Cropping Systems Conference, Three Rivers Convention Center, Kennewick, Wash. Cropping Systems Conference, Three Rivers Convention Center, Far West AgriBusiness Asso- ciation annual winter conference, College of Southern Idaho, Twin Falls, Idaho. American Farm Bureau Annual Convention, Orlando, Fla. American Farm Bureau Annual Convention, Orlando, Fla. Potato Expo 2016, Mirage Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nev. Thursday, Jan. 14 Far West AgriBusiness Asso- ciation annual winter conference, College of Southern Idaho, Twin Falls, Idaho. Oregon Mint Growers 67th An- nual Meeting, Salishan Lodge and Golf Resort, Gleneden Beach, Ore. Potato Expo 2016, Mirage Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nev. Friday, Jan. 15 Oregon Mint Growers 67th An- nual Meeting, Salishan Lodge and Golf Resort, Gleneden Beach, Ore. Wednesday, Jan. 20 2016 EcoFarm Conference, Asi- lomar Conference Grounds, Pacific Grove, Calif. Capital Press Established 1928 Board of directors Mike Forrester ..........................President Steve Forrester Kathryn Brown Sid Freeman .................. Outside director Mike Omeg .................... Outside director Corporate officer John Perry Chief operating officer Capital Press Managers Mike O’Brien .............................Publisher Joe Beach ..................................... Editor Elizabeth Yutzie Sell .... Advertising Director Carl Sampson ................Managing Editor Barbara Nipp ......... Production Manager Samantha McLaren .... Circulation Manager Entire contents copyright © 2016 EO Media Group dba Capital Press An independent newspaper published every Friday. Capital Press (ISSN 0740-3704) is published weekly by EO Media Group, 1400 Broadway St. NE, Salem OR 97301. Periodicals postage paid at Portland, OR, and at additional mailing offices. 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