2008 Annual Report 1a.Objectives (from AD-416) The long-term objective of this project is to improve the genetics of peanut for disease resistance and the oleic acid content of oil. Objective 1. Develop peanut germplasm that is high-oleic in nature with improved resistance to Sclerotinia blight and southern blight. Objective 2. Develop molecular markers for peanut associated with resistance to Sclerotinia blight and southern blight. Objective 3. Develop improved methodology to characterize the reaction of Sclerotinia minor and Sclerotium rolfsii on inoculated peanut germplasm and breeding lines under greenhouse conditions. 1b.Approach (from AD-416) Advanced peanut breeding lines will be tested for their reaction to important pathogens in small plots under field conditions, and in the greenhouse by using improved methodology under controlled environmental conditions to select for resistance. These peanut lines will also be tested for the presence or absence of the "hard kernel trait" via near infrared spectra and biochemical analysis. Peanut lines known to possess desirable traits will be used in crossing experiments to produce progeny peanut lines (Spanish and other types) that are suitable for production in the Southwest and are resistant to known pathogens, such as Sclerotinia minor, but do not produce hard kernels. Pathogenic and genetic variability of peanut pathogens will be tested using plant pathological and DNA procedures. Peanut pods with normal and enhanced calcium content will be challenged with cell wall degrading pathogens and disease reaction will be evaluated. Weeds, common in peanut fields, will be tested for their hostability to peanut pathogens, and the consequential effect on pathogen population in soil. Molecular markers to assist in resistance selection will be developed using various genomic methods. 3.Progress Report This is a new CRIS that started on Feb 9, 2008. Progress will be fully documented in 2009. 6.Technology Transfer None