Research Project: Genetic Improvement of Blueberry and Cranberry Through Breeding and Development/Utilization of Genomic Resources

Location: Genetic Improvement for Fruits & Vegetables Laboratory

Publications (Clicking on the reprint icon will take you to the publication reprint.)

An intersectional hybrid between Darrow’s blueberry (V. darrowii Camp) and lingonberry (V. vitis-idaea L.) - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Ehlenfeldt, M.K., Bassil, N.V., Zalapa, J.E., De La Torre, F., Luteyn, J.L. 2024. An intersectional hybrid between Darrow’s blueberry (V. darrowii Camp) and lingonberry (V. vitis-idaea L.). Plants. 13(11):1572. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13111572.

Where the wild things are: Genetic associations of environmental adaptation in the oryza rufipogon species complex - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Wang, D.R., Kantar, M.B., Murugaiyan, V., Neyhart, J.L. 2023. Where the wild things are: Genetic associations of environmental adaptation in the oryza rufipogon species complex. Genes, Genomes, Genetics. https://doi.org/10.1093/g3journal/jkad128.

Cranberry fruit epicuticular wax benefits and identification of a wax-associated molecular marker - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Erndwein, L., Kawash, J.K., Johnson-Cicalese, J., Vorsa, N., Polashock, J.J. 2023. Cranberry fruit epicuticular wax benefits and identification of a wax-associated molecular marker. BMC Plant Biology. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-023-04207-w.

Asymmetric reciprocal crossing behavior of an andean blueberry (V. Meridionale) × lingonberry (V. Vitis-idaea) Hybrid - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Ehlenfeldt, M.K., Rowland, L.J., Ogden, E.L., Luteyn, J.L. 2022. Asymmetric reciprocal crossing behavior of an andean blueberry (V. Meridionale) × lingonberry (V. Vitis-idaea) Hybrid. Plants. 11(22):3152. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11223152.

Fertile Intersectional F1 Hybrids of 4x Andean Blueberry (Vaccinium meridionale) and 4x American Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Ehlenfeldt, M.K., Polashock, J.J., Vorsa, N., Zalapa, J.E., De La Torre, F., Luteyn, J.L. 2023. Fertile Intersectional F1 Hybrids of 4x Andean Blueberry (Vaccinium meridionale) and 4x American Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon). HortScience. 58(2):234-239. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI16824-22.

Genomic-environmental associations in wild cranberry (vaccinium macrocarpon ait.) - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Neyhart, J.L., Kantar, M.B., Zalapa, J.E., Vorsa, N. 2022. Genomic-environmental associations in wild cranberry (vaccinium macrocarpon ait.). G3, Genes/Genomes/Genetics. https://doi.org/10.1093/g3journal/jkac203.

Register of new fruit and nut cultivars list 51 - (Literature Review)
Ehlenfeldt, M.K. 2022. Register of new fruit and nut cultivars list 51. HortScience. 57(9):1174–1233.

Andean blueberry (v. meridionale swartz) hybrids with 4x highbush blueberry - (Proceedings)
Ehlenfeldt, M.K., Polashock, J.J., Luteyn, J.L. 2023. Andean blueberry (v. meridionale swartz) hybrids with 4x highbush blueberry. Acta Horticulture Proceedings. 1357:137-143. https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2023.1357.20.

Breaking interspecific barriers in vaccinium: Hybrids of andean blueberry (V. Meridionale swartz) with highbush blueberry, cranberry, and lingonberry - (Proceedings)
Ehlenfeldt, M.K., Polashock, J.J. 2023. Breaking interspecific barriers in vaccinium: Hybrids of andean blueberry (V. Meridionale swartz) with highbush blueberry, cranberry, and lingonberry. Acta Horticulture Proceedings. 1357:151-156. https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2023.1357.22.

Accurate predictions of barley phenotypes using genomewide markers and environmental covariates - (Peer Reviewed Journal)

Evaluation of yield and quality traits in Russet-Chipper and 4x-2x crosses in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Graebner, R.C., Haynes, K., Charlton, C.A., Yilma, S., Sathuvalli, V. 2022. Evaluation of yield and quality traits in Russet-Chipper and 4x-2x crosses in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.). American Journal of Potato Research. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12230-021-09858-9.

Relationships among blueberry species within the section cyanococcus of the vaccinium genus based on est-pcr markers - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Rowland, L.J., Ogden, E.L., Ballington, J.R. 2021. Relationships among blueberry species within the section cyanococcus of the vaccinium genus based on est-pcr markers. Canadian Journal of Plant Science. https://doi.org/10.1139/cjps-2021-0221.

Fertile intersectional hybrids of 4x andean blueberry (Vaccinium meridionale) and 2x lingonberry (V. vitis-idaea) - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Ehlenfeldt, M.K., Polashock, J.J., Rowland, L.J. 2022. Fertile intersectional hybrids of 4x andean blueberry (Vaccinium meridionale) and 2x lingonberry (V. vitis-idaea). HortScience. 57:525-531. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI16285-21.

Optimizing the choice of test locations for multi-trait genotypic evaluation - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Neyhart, J.L., Gutiérrez, L., Smith, K.P. 2021. Optimizing the choice of test locations for multi-trait genotypic evaluation. Crop Science. 62(1):192-202. https://doi.org/10.1002/csc2.20657.

Application of plant defense elicitors fails to enhance herbivore resistance or mitigate phytoplasma infection in cranberries - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Rodriguez-Saona, C., Polashock, J.J., Kyryczenko-Roth, V., Holdcraft, R., Jimenez-Gonzalez, G., De Moraes, C.M., Mescher, M.C. 2021. Application of plant defense elicitors fails to enhance herbivore resistance or mitigate phytoplasma infection in cranberries. Frontiers in Plant Science. 12:Article 700242. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2021.700242.

High-density linkage map construction and QTL identification in a diploid blueberry mapping population - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Qi, X., Ogden, E.L., Boston, H., Sargent, D.J., Ward, J., Gilbert, J., Orizzo, M., Rowland, L.J. 2021. High-density linkage map construction and QTL identification in a diploid blueberry mapping population. Frontiers in Plant Science. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2021.692628.

Intersectional F1 hybrids of 4x vaccinium meriodionale (section pyxothamnus) and highbush blueberry, V. corymbosum (section cyanococcus) - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Ehlenfeldt, M.K., Luteyn, J.L. 2021. Intersectional F1 hybrids of 4x vaccinium meriodionale (swartz) (section pyxothamnus) and highbush blueberry, V. corymbosum (section cyanococcus). HortScience. 56(3):318–323. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI15523-20.

A low malic acid trait in cranberry fruit: genetics, molecular mapping, and interaction with a citric acid locus - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Fong, S.K., Kawash, J., Wang, Y., Johnson-Cicalese, J., Polashock, J.J., Vorsa, N. 2021. A low malic acid trait in cranberry fruit: genetics, molecular mapping, and interaction with a citric acid locus. Tree Genetics and Genomes. 17(1):1-14. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11295-020-01482-8.

Molecular and ecological plant defense responses along an elevational gradient in a boreal ecosystem - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Benevenuto, R., Seldal, T., Polashock, J.J., Moe, S.R., Rodriguez-Saona, C., Gillespie, M.A., Hegland, S.J. 2020. Molecular and ecological plant defense responses along an elevational gradient in a boreal ecosystem. Ecology and Evolution. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.6074.

Characterization and analysis of anthocyanin-related genes in wild-type blueberry and the pink-fruited mutant cultivar 'Pink Lemonade': New insights into anthocyanin biosynthesis - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Die, J.V., Jones, R.W., Ogden, E.L., Ehlenfeldt, M.K., Rowland, L.J. 2020. Characterization and analysis of anthocyanin-related genes in wild-type blueberry and the pink-fruited mutant cultivar 'Pink Lemonade': New insights into anthocyanin biosynthesis. Agronomy. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10091296.

Field performance of backcross (BC1)blueberry hybrids of vaccinium padifolium (section hemimyrtillus) with v. corymbosum/v. angustifolium - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Ehlenfeldt, M.K. 2020. Field performance of backcross (BC1)blueberry hybrids of vaccinium padifolium (section hemimyrtillus) with v. corymbosum/v. angustifolium. HortScience. 55:1788-1793. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI15279-20.

‘Talisman’ northern highbush blueberry: a productive late-midseason cultivar - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Ehlenfeldt, M.K. 2020. ‘Talisman’ northern highbush blueberry - A productive late-season cultivar with concentrated ripening, suitable for mechanical harvest. HortScience. 56(1):101–103. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI15321-20.

Production of dwarfs in rabbiteye blueberry (V. virgatum Aiton) crosses - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Ehlenfeldt, M.K. 2021. Production of dwarfs in rabbiteye blueberry (V. virgatum Aiton) crosses. Journal of American Pomological Society. 75:31-37.

The ecology of autogamy in wild blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium Aiton): Does the early clone get the bee? - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Drummond, F.A., Rowland, L.J. 2020. The ecology of autogamy in wild blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium Aiton): Does the early clone get the bee?. Agronomy. 10(8):1153. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10081153.

Phenotypic evaluation of a hybrid diploid blueberry population for plant development and fruit quality traits - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Rowland, L.J., Ogden, E.L., Vinyard, B.T. 2020. Phenotypic evaluation of a hybrid diploid blueberry population for plant development and fruit quality traits. Agronomy. 10(8), 1067. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10081067.

Transcriptome analysis identifies genes associated with the waxy coating on blueberry fruit in two northern-adapted rabbiteye hybrid breeding populations - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Qi, X., Ogden, E.L., Die, J.V., Ehlenfeldt, M.K., Polashock, J.J., Darwish, O., Alkharouf, N., Rowland, L.J. 2019. Transcriptome analysis identifies genes associated with the waxy coating on blueberry fruit in two northern-adapted rabbiteye hybrid breeding populations. Biomed Central (BMC) Plant Biology. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-019-2073-7.

Pollen-mediated gene flow in managed fields of lowbush blueberry - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Rowland, L.J., Ogden, E.L., Bell, D.J., Drummond, F.A. 2020. Pollen-mediated gene flow in managed fields of lowbush blueberry. Canadian Journal of Plant Science. https://doi.org/10.1139/cjps-2019-0109.

Dataset of de novo assembly and functional annotation of the transcriptome of blueberry (Vaccinium spp.) - (Research Notes)

Dataset of de novo assembly and functional annotation of the transcriptome of blueberry (Vaccinium spp.) - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Qi, X., Ogden, E.L., Ehlenfeldt, M.K., Rowland, L.J. 2019. Dataset of de novo assembly and functional annotation of the transcriptome of blueberry (Vaccinium spp.). Data in Brief. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dib.2019.104390.

Genetic diversity of lowbush blueberry throughout the United States in managed and non-managed populations - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Beers, L., Rowland, L.J., Drummond, F.A. 2019. Genetic diversity of lowbush blueberry throughout the United States in managed and non-managed populations . Agriculture. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture9060113.

Phytoplasma infection influences gene expression in American cranberry - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Pradit, N., Rodriguez-Saona, C., Kawash, J., Polashock, J.J. 2019. Phytoplasma infection influences gene expression in American cranberry. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution. 7:178. https://doi.org/10.3389/fevo.2019.00178.

Species shift in the stem blight pathogen complex - (Abstract Only)

Transcriptional profiling of methyl jasmonate-induced defense responses in bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Fonseca Benevenuto, R., Seldal, T., Hegland, S.J., Rodriguez-Saona, C., Kawash, J., Polashock, J.J. 2019. Transcriptional profiling of methyl jasmonate-induced defense responses in bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.). Biomed Central (BMC) Plant Biology. 19:70. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-019-1650-0.

Genotypic variation and phenotypic plasticity in gene expression and emissions of herbivore-induced volatiles, and their potential tritrophic implications, in cranberries - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Delange, E.S., Salamanca, J., Polashock, J.J., Rodriguez-Saona, C. 2019. Genotypic variation and phenotypic plasticity in gene expression and emissions of herbivore-induced volatiles, and their potential tritrophic implications, in cranberries. Journal of Chemical Ecology. 45(3):298-312. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10886-018-1043-0.

Simultaneous LC-MS quantification of anthocyanins and non-anthocyanin phenolics from blueberries with widely divergent profiles and biological activities - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Grace, M.H., Xiong, J., Esposito, D., Ehlenfeldt, M.K., Lila, M. 2018. Simultaneous LC-MS quantification of anthocyanins and non-anthocyanin phenolics from blueberries with widely divergent profiles and biological activities. Food Chemistry. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2018.10.101.