Thomas E. Devine Papers

Collection

Identifier: MS0386

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Years and topics of research include: 1967 1969, research geneticist, breeding and genetics of birdsfoot trefoil, Ithaca, NY; 1969-1974, insect and disease resistant alfalfas for the Eastern United States, Beltsville, Maryland; 1974-1997, research program on the genetics and breeding of soybeans, Plant Nutrition Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland; 1997-2009, breeding legume winter cover crops for use in sustainable agricultural systems, Weed Science Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland. Successful projects from Dr. Devine's work include: eight soybean germplasm releases, five soybean cultivar releases, and two hairy vetch cultivar releases; interspecific hybridization; the allopolyploidization of induced tetraploids by means of x-ray irradiation; selection for tolerance to herbicides, air pollutants and edaphic stresses; the development of disease and insect resistance; the genetics and coevolution of host/microsymbiont nitrogen-fixing interactions; mapping the soybean genome; breeding legumes for sustainable agricultural systems; research on anthracnose resistance in alfalfa production; the first anthracnose resistant alfalfa variety, Arc; development and release of nine alfalfa clones as bioindicators of air pollution, and nine disease resistant alfalfa stocks.

Scope and Contents

The Thomas E. Devine Papers contain materials from his 42 years of research for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS) on the genetics and breeding of legumes (birdsfoot trefoil, alfalfa, and soybeans). Papers include research-related correspondence, information on conferences attended and his advisory capacities, and documents regarding professional organizations to which he belonged. Many of Devine’s 90 publications are included in the papers. Years and topics of research include: 1967-1969, breeding and genetics of birdsfoot trefoil, Ithaca, NY; 1969-1974, insect and disease resistant alfalfas for the eastern United States, Beltsville, Maryland; 1974-1997, genetics and breeding of soybeans, Plant Nutrition Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland; 1997-2009, breeding legume winter cover crops for use in sustainable agricultural systems, Weed Science Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland.

Detailed field plans and evaluations are included from various research projects. Successful projects from Devine’s work include: eight soybean germplasm releases, five soybean cultivar releases, and two hairy vetch cultivar releases; interspecific hybridization; the allopolyploidization of induced tetraploids by means of x-ray irradiation; selection for tolerance to herbicides; air pollutants and edaphic stresses; the development of disease and insect resistance; the genetics and coevolution of host/microsymbiont nitrogen-fixing interactions; mapping the soybean genome; breeding legumes for sustainable agricultural systems; research on anthracnose resistance in alfalfa production; the first anthracnose resistant alfalfa variety, Arc; development and release of nine alfalfa clones as bioindicators of air pollution; and nine disease resistant alfalfa stocks.

Dates

Creation: 1953-2009

Conditions Governing Access

Contact Special Collections for access.

Biographical Sketch

Dr. Thomas E. Devine conducted research for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service on the genetics and breeding of legumes (birdsfoot trefoil, alfalfa, and soybeans) for 42 years. From 1967 to 1969, he served as a research geneticist with responsibility for the breeding and genetics of birdsfoot trefoil at Ithaca, New York. He served concurrently as a member of the graduate faculty of the Department of Plant Breeding and Biometry at Cornell University. Devine moved to Beltsville, Maryland, in 1969 to develop insect and disease resistant alfalfas for the Eastern United States. In 1974, he transferred to the Plant Nutrition Laboratory to conduct a research program on the genetics and breeding of soybeans. He assumed responsibility for breeding legume winter cover crops for use in sustainable agricultural systems in 1997. He retired from USDA in 2009.

Biographical / Historical

Thomas E. Devine conducted research for the Agricultural Research Service on the genetics of legumes (birdsfoot trefoil, alfalfa, and soybeans) for 42 years. In 1959 Devine graduated from Fordham University with a Bachelor of Science degree in biology and minor in philosophy. In 1963 he received a Master of Science degree in genetics and breeding and a minor in botany from Pennsylvania State University. He received a Ph.D. in plant breeding and minor in genetics and botany from Iowa State University in 1967. From 1967 to 1969 he served as research geneticist with full responsibility for the breeding and genetics of birdsfoot trefoil at Ithaca, New York. He transferred to Beltsville, Maryland, in 1969 to develop insect and disease resistant alfalfas for the eastern United States. In 1974, he transferred to the Plant Nutrition Laboratory to conduct a research program on the genetics and breeding of soybeans. In 1997, his research assignment was augmented with responsibility for breeding legume winter cover crops for use in sustainable agricultural systems with his transfer to the Weed Science Laboratory after the Plant Molecular Biology Laboratory was abolished in 1997.

He is the author of 90 publications including three United States Department of Agriculture Bulletins. He has published in prestigious international journals such as Nature, Crop Science, Euphytica, Journal of Plant Physiology, Theoretical and Applied Genetics, Symbiosis, and the Canadian Journal of Microbiology. He has authored 32 peer reviewed journal articles. He is sole or senior author of four book chapters. In addition to the listed publications, he has many reports in the Soybean Genetics Newsletter including several reports of studies of genetic linkage.

Devine made eight soybean germplasm releases and five soybean cultivar releases. He conducted research in seven broadly diverse areas: (1) interspecific hybridization; (2) the allopolyploidization of induced tetraploids by means of x ray irradiation; (3) selection for tolerance to herbicides; air pollutants and edaphic stresses; (4) the development of disease and insect resistance; (5) the genetics and coevolution of host/microsymbiont nitrogen-fixing interactions; (6) mapping the soybean genome; and (7) breeding legumes for sustainable agricultural systems. He established the significance of anthracnose resistance in alfalfa production, and developed and released the first anthracnose resistant alfalfa variety, Arc. In addition, he developed and released nine alfalfa clones as bioindicators of air pollution, and nine disease resistant alfalfa stocks. These disease resistant releases have served as the genetic foundation for the anthracnose resistant cultivars now predominant in United States agriculture.

Devine served as a member of the Soybean Variety Review Board, participated in international symposia, and served as Associate Editor of Crop Science. He has been a member of numerous scientific committees. He was elected chairman of the Soybean Genetics Committee and the Soybean Crop Germplasm Committee. He was elected a "Fellow" of both the American Society of Agronomy and the Crop Science Society of America.

Total Size of Collection

18 records_box

22.5 Linear Feet (18 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Content Description

The Thomas E. Devine Papers contain materials from Devine’s career in research on the genetics and breeding of legumes (birdsfoot trefoil, alfalfa, and soybeans). Papers include information on conferences attended, advisory functions, professional organizations, and research-related correspondence. Many of Devine's 90 publications are included in the papers. There are also detailed field plans and evaluations from various research projects. The papers also include yearly performance records from Devine’s federal service documenting work plans, successes, and challenges.

Bibliography

Devine, T.E. Registration of TW 98-1 Soybean Genetic Stock. Crop Science. 45: 1674-1675. 2005.

Mebrahtu, T., Devine, T.E., Donald, P.A., & Abney, T.S. Registration of ‘Randolph’ Vegetable Soybean. Crop Science. 45: 2644-2645. 2005.

Devine, T.E. & McMurtrey, III, J.E. Registration of PA 15 Soybean Germplasm. Crop Science. 46: 999-1000. 2006.

Devine, T.E., McMurtrey, III, J.E., Mebrahtu, T., Abney, T.A., Donald, P.A., Starner, D.E., Hashem, F.M., & Dadson, R.B. Registration of Mooncake Vegetable Soybean Cultivar. Crop Science. 46: 1810-1811. 2006.

Green, V.S., Dao, T.H., Stone, Jr., G.N., Cavigelli, M.A. Baumhardt, R.L., & Devine, T.E. Bioactive Phosphorus Loss In Simulated Runoff From A P-Enriched Soil Under Two Forage Management Systems. Soil Science. 172: 721-732. 2007.

Mebrahtu, T., Devine, T.E., Donald, P.A., & Abney, T.S. Registration of ‘Owens’ Vegetable Soybean. Journal of Plant Registrations. 1: 95-96. 2007.

Mebrahtu, T., & Devine, T.E. Combining Ability Analysis For Selected Green Pod Yield Components of Vegetable Soybean Genotypes (Glycine Max). New Zealand Journal of Crop and Horticultural Science. 36: 97-105. 2008.

Mebrathu, T., & Devine, T.E. Diallel Analysis of Sugar Content of 10 Vegetable Soybean Lines. Plant Breeding. 128: 249-252. 2009.

Boateng, A.A., Mullen, C.A., Goldberg, N.M., Hicks, K.B., Devine, T.E., Lima, I.M., McMurtrey, III, J.E. Sustainable Production of Bioenergy and Bio-Char From Straw of High Biomass Soybean Lines via Fast Pyrolysis. Journal of Environmental Progress and Sustainable Energy. 29: 175-183. 2010.

Maul, J., Mirsky, S., Emche, S., & Devine, T.E. Evaluating A Germplasm Collection of the Cover Crop Hairy Vetch for Use In Sustainable Farming Systems. Crop Science. 51: 2615-2625. 2011.