DEVELOPING GENOMIC TOOLS TO FACILITATE BREEDING OF STRAWBERRY WITH IMPROVED SALINITY TOLERANCE

The United States is the top producer of strawberries in the world, accounting for nearly a third of total strawberry production. The loss of production due to abiotic stressors, namely increasing soil salinity levels, results in the loss of millions of US dollars annually to growers. The primary goal of this project is to develop a cost-effective solution to address crop loss in strawberry associated with high levels of salt present in the soil or irrigation water. The proposed research will not only permit us to gain valuable insight into the underlying genetics of salinity tolerance in strawberry, but develop molecular markers that will enable breeding programs to release superior cultivars. The specific objectives are to: 1) Identify candidate gene(s) associated with improved salinity tolerance in strawberry, 2) Functionally characterize candidate genes and 3) Development of diagnostic molecular marker for high salinity resistance. Our research team has the needed preliminary data, genomic resources, and genetic mapping populations in hand for the proposed research. This includes having a known genetic source of high salinity tolerance. Furthermore, chromosome-scale reference genomes for both a high salinity tolerant and susceptible genotype, combined with existing genetic mapping populations, will enable high-resolution mapping of candidate genes and simplify molecular marker development. This is expected to enhance economic and environmental sustainability of strawberry production. This project addresses the following Program Area priority: "To improve crop productivity, efficiency, quality, and performance, particularly for local and regional adaptation to soils and climates of U.S. farming systems".