Location: Floral and Nursery Plants Research
Project Number: 8020-21000-087-010-S
Project Type: Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Jun 1, 2023
End Date: May 31, 2025
Objective:
The objective of this research is to use biotechnology tools to enhance germplasm of Lagerstroemia (crapemyrtle) for downstream use in the ARS breeding program.
Approach:
The PIs will use a regeneration system for Lagerstroemia established by the cooperator to create gene-edited or transgenic plants. A visible marker (PDS) will be used to test gene-editing constructs and efficacy. Once the CRISPR/Cas9 system is established, the system will be used to target genes associated with cold hardiness (such as COLD1, OsSRFP1, SGD1, and OsMYB30), plant architecture, or resistance to crapemyrtle bark scale or other pests or diseases.
