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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Columbia, Missouri » Plant Genetics Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #65436
Title: MARCUS S. ZUBER: AN APPRECIATION

Author
item Darrah, Larry
item Barry, B
item Coe Jr, Edward

Submitted to: Maydica
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/27/1995
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: For decades, Marcus S. Zuber's stimulation of ideas, and his motivating of others towards collaborative research work, have contributed to the effectiveness of the corn breeding community. He always had an idea for another little experiment if there was land left unplanted. Zuber's research encompassed root and stalk lodging resistance, selection for earworm and European corn borer resistance, pipe corn hybrids, food-corn hybrid testing, high amylose starch and modified amino acid mutants, screening for resistance to stalk rots, and screening for aflatoxin resistance. Along with development of tools and techniques, basic research questions were answered. Often, genetically improved populations or inbreds resulting from the particular research were released to hybrid corn breeders for utilization and improvement of hybrids grown by farmers. Corn inbred lines released from his USDA-ARS project at the University of Missouri, especially Mo17, contributed to the rapid adoption of single-cross corn hybrids having wide adaptability. His development of techniques for measurement of root and stalk strength provide more effective selection tools for hybrid and population improvement, and are now applied in public and private breeding programs. Colleagues benefit greatly from Zuber's "open door policy" and availability for discussion. For many associated with him, you need not do formal literature reviews; you just talked to Marcus Zuber. His near-photographic memory would recall subject matter details and authors of 20-year-old journal articles. The synthesis of all that knowledge enables him to define areas of needed research and to recommend approaches most likely to succeed.

Technical Abstract: For decades, Marcus S. Zuber's stimulation of ideas, and his motivating of others towards collaborative research work, have contributed to the effectiveness of the corn breeding community. He always had an idea for another little experiment if there was land left unplanted. Zuber's research encompassed root and stalk lodging resistance, selection for earworm and European corn borer resistance, pipe corn hybrids, food-corn hybrid testing, high amylose starch and modified amino acid mutants, screening for resistance to stalk rots, and screening for aflatoxin resistance. Along with development of tools and techniques, basic research questions were answered. Often, genetically improved populations or inbreds resulting from the particular research were released to hybrid corn breeders for utilization and improvement of hybrids grown by farmers. Corn inbred lines released from his USDA-ARS project at the University of Missouri, especially Mo17, contributed to the rapid adoption of single-cross corn hybrids having wide adaptability. His development of techniques for measurement of root and stalk strength provide more effective selection tools for hybrid and population improvement, and are now applied in public and private breeding programs. Colleagues benefit greatly from Zuber's "open door policy" and availability for discussion. For many associated with him, you need not do formal literature reviews; you just talked to Marcus Zuber. His near-photographic memory would recall subject matter details and authors of 20-year-old journal articles. The synthesis of all that knowledge enables him to define areas of needed research and to recommend approaches most likely to succeed.