Location: Vegetable Crops Research
Project Number: 5090-21220-007-027-S
Project Type: Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Aug 1, 2022
End Date: Jul 31, 2026
Objective:
Identify cranberry genes and quantitative trait loci (QTL) that explain yield and quality differences among genotypes.
Horticulturally, phenotypically, and genetically characterize a USDA cranberry diversity and breeding collection in terms of yield and quality.
• Perform controlled crosses to improve yield and quality based on molecular and phenotypic data of a cranberry diversity and breeding collection.
Approach:
We will conduct QTL analyses using two recently developed molecular maps (SSR-SNP) and their composite map derived from two elite breeding crosses populations, consisting of 72 and 236 and F1 individuals derived from ‘Stevens’ x ‘Crimson Queen’ and ‘Mullica Queen’ x ‘Crimson Queen,’ respectively. Additionally, we will use a diversity panel (n=288) housed at the Wisconsin Cranberry Research Station in Tomah, Wisconsin for association mapping using the 15K SNP genotyping platform. We will use existing cranberry phenotypic data and newly collected data during this project to genetically map traits of horticultural importance providing genetic locations and associated effects of desirable and undesirable cranberry characteristics. At least 2-3 years of phenotypic data for as many as 30 traits from plantings in Wisconsin and New Jersey will be used to map key traits in the two elite breeding populations and the diversity panel. A series of cranberry inbreds and hybrids will be developed and evaluated.
