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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Corvallis, Oregon » National Clonal Germplasm Repository » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #303783
Title: Toward understanding genotype x environment interactions in black raspberry (Rubus occidentalis L.)

Author
item Bushakra, Jill
item BRADISH, CHRISTINE - North Carolina State University
item WEBER, COURTNEY - Cornell University
item SCHEERENS, JOE - The Ohio State University
item DOSSETT, MICHAEL - Pacific Agri-Food Research Center
item Peterson, Mary
item FERNANDEZ, GINA - North Carolina State University
item Lee, Jungmin
item Bassil, Nahla
item Finn, Chad

Submitted to: Proceedings American Society of Horticultural Sciences
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/25/2014
Publication Date: 3/25/2014
Citation: Bushakra, J., Bradish, C.M., Weber, C.A., Scheerens, J., Dossett, M., Peterson, M.E., Fernandez, G., Lee, J., Bassil, N.V., Finn, C.E. 2014. Toward understanding genotype x environment interactions in black raspberry (Rubus occidentalis L.) [abstract]. American Society for Horticultural Science Annual Conference.

Interpretive Summary: Since the early 1900s, the black raspberry industry in the United States has steadily declined due to lack of cultivars that are adapted to a range of environments and that have disease resistance. Interest in developing new cultivars has been fueled by research that supports the health benefits of consuming dark-pigmented fruit in general and black raspberries in particular. We are developing methods to study the genetics of black raspberry that will benefit both black and red raspberry U.S. breeding programs. We are measuring traits of economic interest in multiple sites across the North American production region. This data will be used to identify and implement molecular tools that will assist plant breeders in selecting parents to develop new cultivars that will satisfy the demands of growers and consumers regionally and nationally.

Technical Abstract: Over the last 75 years, the black raspberry (Rubus occidentalis L.)industry in the United States has undergone a steady contraction because of a lack of adapted, disease resistant cultivars. Recent research supporting the health benefits of a diet rich in polyphenolics, and black raspberries in particular, has led to a resurgence of interest in this fruit and a renewal of breeding efforts. This study seeks to advance and streamline identification of traits of interest to growers and consumers in black raspberry germplasm through the development of genomic tools, phenotyping, and socioeconomic analyses. Two related full-sib populations, designated ORUS 4304 (192 progeny) and ORUS 4305 (115 progeny), were planted across North American production regions. Primocane (non-fruiting canes) vigor was rated from 1 (dead) to 9 (very vigorous) at each site. Initial analysis of genotype by environment influences on primocane vigor indicated that individual genotypes showed significant variation depending on site conditions. Vigor data will be compared with the genetic linkage map to determine which genomic regions contribute to the control of this complex trait. The information will be integrated into breeding programs with the goal of developing disease resistant cultivars that satisfy the demands of the marketplace, adding to the sustainability and profitability of the industry. The genomic tools we are developing will be applied to the identification of quantitative trait loci and alleles important for breeding objectives regionally and nationally.