An official website of the United States government.
<ol> <LI> Apply classical and molecular genetic tools to the study of genetic diversity in horticultural crops and wild relatives, with an emphasis on perennial woody crop plants. <LI> Use molecular approaches to identify cultivated and wild germplasm of horticultural crops for breeding improved disease resistance, pest resistance, and/or improved horticultural characteristics. <LI> Development of new biofuel crops for California. Genetic and breeding research may involve both field and laboratory research. <LI> Test microbial approaches to the control of diseases and plant pests in horticultural crops. Screen microbial diversity for use in agricultural and horticultural applications. Evaluate the effectiveness of microbial products for biocontrol of pests and diseases in agronomic and horticultural crops.</ol> Outputs: <ol> <LI> Production of basic genetic information, including molecular markers, QTLs<LI> Identification of germplasm for use in horticultural crop breeding programs with improved disease/pest resistance. <LI> Produce the basic knowledge to evaluate the commercial potential of Jatropha curcas as a biodiesel crop. <LI> Development of superior J. curcas selections for California (and other) growers to produce biodiesel and provide a carbon neutral liquid hydrocarbon fuel source for processing and/or direct use. <LI> Identify biocontrol yeast strains with good field potential for disease control. Where economically viable pathogen control can be demonstrated, to develop information needed for registration.
Non-Technical Summary This project supports the development of modern genetic/genomic tools and techniques to characterize horticultural crop germplasm for application in breeding programs. The project supports collection and identification of germplasm both for conventional horticultural crops and the development of new crops for California growers, including biofuel crops. Perennial biofuel crops may produce either biomass or produce oil directly from biodiesell crop such as Jatropha curcas. These crops will need to be tested for use in California conditions and will need to be genetically modified to improve adaptation to California conditions and to maximize biofuel output. The project also supports the goal of developing a more sustainable agricultural system by identifying materials with improved disease resistance to reduce pesticide sprays and to develop microbial alternatives (biocontrol yeast) to pesticide sprays for control of fungal and bacterial pathogens in the field. <P> Approach: Methods 1. Molecular markers that will be used to pursue this objective are AFLPs, SSRs, ESTs, RFLPs, SNPs and the identification of conserved sequences that can be used to amplify specific gene regions of interest. Target genes or sequences may be amplified and BLASTED to evaluate potential functionality. 2. Identify target crops for which improved genetic materials would be desirable. Identify target crops for which funding sources can be identified. Survey critical problems within the target crop. Determine which problems can be solved using conventional breeding approaches vs. alternative approaches such as marker assisted selection or insertion of gene via transformation technology. Identify germplasm resources. Construct a crossing scheme to produce materials for selection and generate genetic information about traits being improved. Develop improved screening protocols. Select improved materials for advanced trials. 3. Continue to collect Jatropha curcas germplasm , evaluate genetic diversity with SSRs, AFLPs, and ISSRs, and develop materials that are better able to tolerate environmental stresses, eg. cold, drought. New materials may be developed by direct testing of germplasm, cross progeny, or genetically engineered materials. This is an excellent subject for GMO development since it has no native relatives in CA and all parts of the plant are non-edible. 4. Continue to test biocontrol yeast strains from the USDA-Albany program for use in controlling fungal pests in horticultural crops, both tree crops and some vegetables. Target pathogens may include A. flavus, Alternaria sp., crown gall, and possibly Salmonella if regulatory and funding issues can be worked out. Improved methodologies need to be developed for greenhouse testing and testing in the field will be done where feasible.