GENETIC MAPPING AND IMPROVEMENT OF BLUEBERRIES FOR HIGH-TEMPERATURE STRESS TOLERANCE

The main goal of this project is to develop genetic and genomic resources and utilize them for the genetic improvement of blueberries that can grow and adapt to temperate and subtropical environments and minimize yield losses due to seasonal high-temperature events. The current research is aimed to develop a high-density genetic linkage map to identify QTLs and candidate genes for HTS tolerance and incorporateHTS traits into tetraploid varieties. We have the required genomic resources, mapping population, and genetic mapping expertise for the proposed research. The specific objectives of this project are as follows: 1. Development of a high-density genetic linkage map and identification of QTLs for high-temperature stress tolerance in blueberries; 2.Combining QTL mapping and transcriptome profiling of bulked F2progenies for the identification of high-temperature stress-responsive genes in blueberries; 3.Incorporation of high-temperature stress tolerance traits from diploid progenies into tetraploid northern highbush cultivars;4.Integration of the knowledge and resources from this project in teaching/training students and researchers at Delaware State University and local blueberry farmers.