Project Number: 1931-21000-020-06
Project Type: Specific Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Aug 01, 2012
End Date: Jul 31, 2013

Objective:
The objective of the project is to improve genetic resources in Prunus by providing genomic information for peach accessions held at the National Center for Germplasm Resources (NCGR) in the form of short read sequences and linking this information to peach germplasm with enhanced water use efficiency. This information can be used for marker discovery using the genotyping by sequencing (GBS) protocol and association mapping to facilitate identification of markers linked to genes responsible for improved water use efficiency and/or drought resistance.

Approach:
Peach germplasm held at NCGR will be analyzed using a combination of physiological measurements for water use and genotyping with the GBS approach. Water use efficiency will be screened initially with the shoot ash analysis procedure described by ARS SYs for fruit trees. Selected germplasm will then be analyzed for stable carbon isotope discrimination. Individuals exhibiting the highest and lowest water use efficiencies will be analyzed by GBS.