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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Geneva, New York » Plant Genetic Resources Unit (PGRU) » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #191131
Title: DIVERSITY AND CHARACTERIZATION IN USDA MALUS AND TETRAPLOID CHERRY GERMPLASM IN GENEVA, NY

Author
item Forsline, Philip
item ALDWINCKLE, HERBERT - CORNELL UNIVERSITY
item IEZZONI, AMY - MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
item Volk, Gayle

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/15/2006
Publication Date: 3/15/2006
Citation: Forsline, P.L., Aldwinckle, H., Iezzoni, A., Volk, G.M. 2006. Diversity and characterization in usda malus and tetraploid cherry germplasm in geneva, ny. Meeting Abstract. 3rd International Rosaceae Genomics Conference. Pg. 74.

Interpretive Summary: Not Applicable

Technical Abstract: The Malus and tetraploid cherry (Prunus cerasus and P. fruticosa) collections of the USDA, Geneva, New York are the World’s most diverse collections for these species. The Malus collection includes 2400 clones grafted to EMLA 7 rootstock and represents a broad spectrum of M. ×domestica, hybrids, and 36 Malus species. A core collection of 250 accessions within this group has been identified and characterized. To greatly expand genetic diversity in the Malus collection, 1600 seedlots from wild habitats have been collected from sites in: 1) North America (4 species); 2) China (7 species); 3) Central Asia, the main center of origin for commercial apples (M. sieversii); 4) Caucasus region (M. orientalis); and 5) Germany (M. sylvestris). Over 5000 seedlings from 350 of the seedlots were grown and evaluated for 30 morphological descriptors and are being screened for resistance to apple scab (Venturia inaequalis), fire blight (Erwinia amylovora) and cedar apple rust (Gymnosporangium juniperi-virginianae). In addition, extent of genetic diversity and genetic structure in these populations have been characterized with molecular tools. Disease resistant individuals are being used in scion and rootstock breeding. The tetraploid cherry collection contains ca. 100 accessions with recent addition of germplasm of Russian origin. Some of these new accessions are resistant to cherry leaf spot (Blumeriella jaapii) and are being used as parents in the sour cherry breeding program at Michigan State University.