Cornell University Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics

For many years, Cornell has had an extensive maize breeding research project including population improvement, inbred and hybrid development, and variety testing programs. My research continues in this tradition, with the objectives of developing elite early maturing varieties for New York's relatively short growing season, incorporating high levels of resistance to important disease and insect pests into agronomically useful germplasm, and assessing the potential for improving varietal performance under sustainable production systems. Conventional breeding approaches are utilized for inbred development and population improvement, and are complemented by molecular approaches through collaboration with molecular geneticists. Studies on the genetics and mechanisms of tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses and on selection methodologies complement the on-going applied breeding efforts.

Various aspects of my research involve extensive international cooperation. Work on biotic and abiotic stress tolerance has often taken graduate students to countries in the tropics, where these stresses are much more severe than they are in temperate climates. Collaborators from other countries provide germplasm sources, research sites, and expertise to contribute to this work. In addition, collaborative projects in Mexico and Honduras in recent years have investigated the potential for variety improvement through farmer-participatory plant breeding approaches, particularly to meet the needs of resource poor farmers in the tropics. My International Agriculture responsibility also includes consulting with colleagues throughout the tropics on maize breeding and agricultural research and development issues.

In addition to my research, a major share of my effort is devoted to extension, both related to my corn breeding and variety testing work and in my capacity as the Department Extension Leader for the Department of Plant Breeding & Genetics. My extension educational effort focuses on variety testing, choosing appropriate varieties, seed quality, seed certification, and genetic engineering in crop plants. Audiences include the agricultural sector (farmers, seed producers, seed industry personnel, extension educators, crop consultants, etc.) and the broader public (particularly regarding genetic engineering).

Additional Field membership: International Agriculture and Rural Development; Conservation and Sustainable Development; Crop and Soil Sciences..

Recent Publications

Smith, M.E. 2004. Genebanks: Utilization in plant breeding. In: R.M. Goodman (ed.), Encyclopedia of Plant and Crop Science, Update 1. Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York. www.dekker.com

O’Leary, N. and M.E. Smith. 2004. Uncovering corn adaptation to intercrop with bean by selecting for system yield in the intercrop environment. Journal of Sustainable Agriculture: In Press.

Weltzien, E., M.E. Smith, L. Meitzner, and L. Sperling. 2003. Technical and Institutional Issues in Participatory Plant Breeding – From the Perspective of Formal Plant Breeding. PPB Monograph No. 1. PRGA Program, CIAT, Cali, Colombia. 208pp.

Ho, J.C., S.R. McCouch, and M.E. Smith. 2002. Improvement of hybrid yield by advanced backcross QTL analysis in elite maize. Theoretical and Applied Genetics 105:440-448.

Gethi, J.G., J.A. Labate, S. Kresovich, M.E. Smith, and K.R. Lamkey. 2002. SSR variation in important US maize inbred lines. Crop Science 42(3):951-957.

Smith, M.E. 2002. Biotechnology: State of the science and review processes. p.23-34. Perspectives on Agricultural Biotechnology: Proceedings from “Biotechnology: Progress or Problem?”, 17-19 January 2002. NRAES-144, Ithaca NY.

© 2006 Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Cornell University