Location: Vegetable Research
Project Number: 6080-21000-020-000-D
Project Type: In-House Appropriated
Start Date: Apr 11, 2023
End Date: Apr 10, 2028
Objective:
1. Phenotype genetic populations and germplasm and utilize genetic and genomic methodologies to identify gene loci associated with biotic and abiotic stresses, or with horticultural traits in watermelon, broccoli, and leafy Brassicas.
1.A. Evaluate and identify germplasm sources and gene loci useful for improving watermelon cultivars for resistance to the emerging virulent race 3 of Fusarium wilt.
1.B. Optimize light-emitting diode (LED) illumination spectrum for growth and development of collard plants and select genotypes rich in phytonutrients and suitable for cultivation in controlled environment agriculture (CEA) production systems.
2. Use marker assisted selection (MAS) and/or genomic selection (GS) approaches to develop and release watermelon, broccoli, and leafy Brassica germplasm with improved biotic and abiotic stress tolerance, combined with desirable horticultural traits.
2.A. Breed and release small-seeded watermelon lines with desirable fruit qualities and improved resistance to Fusarium oxysporum sp. niveum (Fon) Fon race 1 and to the common aphid-transmitted potyviruses papaya ringspot virus (PRSV) and zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV).
2.B. Use GS approach to improve Fon race 2-resistance in watermelon cultivars.
2.C. Use GS approach to improve powdery mildew-resistance in watermelon cultivars.
2.D. Use GS approach to improve heat tolerance in broccoli germplasm.
Approach:
Germplasm collections will be evaluated for resistance to the emerging virulent race 3 of Fusarium wilt. Marker assisted selection (MAS) will be employed to pyramid qualitative traits of resistance to Fusarium wilt race 1 and potyviruses, while “genomic selection (GS)” approaches will be used to improve watermelon cultivars with complex traits of resistance to Fusarium wilt race 2 and powdery mildew. This project has devoted efforts to elucidate gene loci and to breed for broccoli lines with improved tolerance to high-temperature stress. As with watermelon, GS methods will be employed to uncover all or most gene loci, including those with minor or major effects in conferring heat tolerance and production of high-quality mature broccoli heads. A different objective of this project focuses on evaluating and selecting for collard genotypes suitable for cultivation in controlled environment agriculture (CEA) production systems, used as an alternative to meet the increased demand for local growing food crops. Here, collard genotypes rich in phytochemicals will be selected and bred for cultivation in CEA. Successful completion of this project objectives will contribute to the long-term improvement of disease resistance and abiotic tolerance in cucurbit and brassica crops. It will also greatly benefit seed company breeders, growers, and consumers of these important vegetable crops.
