Thad Cochran Southern Horticultural Laboratory
The objectives of the production management research team are to develop new and improved crop production practices and disease and insect control practices for ornamental, small fruit and other horticultural crops adapted to the U.S. Gulf Coast region. The developed management techniques are needed to minimize production losses and improve crop quality and yield for the purpose of increasing net income.
The objectives of the small fruit and ornamental genetic research team are to develop improved germplasm for ornamental plants and small fruit crops adapted to the Gulf Coast Region. Research will also determine genetic factors that regulate plant disease, growth characteristics, and tolerance to environmental stress, as well as accelerate the development and release of improved cultivars for production. Objectives will also focus on the development of molecular tools, such as TILLING (Targeting Induced Local Lesions IN Genomes) and/or microarray methods to identify and/or map Quantitative Trait Loci (QTLs), candidate genes, and/or "functional genetic markers" for cold tolerance, drought tolerance, and/or pest and pathogen resistance in priority ornamental genera for the Gulf States, including Cercis (redbud), Cornus (dogwood), and Hydrangea in collaboration with university and U.S. National Arboretum cooperators, to enhance breeding programs of woody landscape plants.
Printable Version
E-mail this page
