NEXT GENERATION GRAPE BREEDING: INTEGRATED APPROACHES TO IDENTIFY ROOT-HYPOXIA RESISTANCE MECHANISM IN NATIVE AMERICAN MUSCADINIA.

The main proposal's strategic goals are as follows:(1) Identify metabolomic components and molecular mechanisms underlying root-hypoxia stress tolerance in muscadine grapevines;(2) Develop a robust training program capable of generating a qualified workforce to support the regional/national viticulture industry and reinforce FAMU's strategic role by accommodating more trainees.The main objectives to achieve the proposal's goals are as follows:(1) Evaluate the variability of hypoxia-tolerance traits in the muscadine population. The target is to determine the precise traits associated with tolerance and identify muscadine genotypes exhibiting high tolerance and high susceptibility to stress.(2) Conduct genome-wide association studies (GWAS) for evaluated traits. The target is identifying potential QTLs and genetic variations associated with hypoxia tolerance/susceptibility.(3) Evaluate the changes in transcriptome profile during stress. The target is identifying transcription factors and gene networks associated with hypoxia tolerance, particularly genes located within the identified QTLs.(4) Evaluate the changes in metabolome profile during stress. The target is to identify metabolites and potential defense elicitors that can enhance the resiliency of vines to stress.(5) Engage growers in muscadine grapes and technology on emerging more efficient vineyard management strategies.(6) Develop training modules in grape genomics. The target is to expand the body of knowledge, disseminate accomplishment throughout the local communities and recruit students into plant genomics at FAMU.