Project Number: 1245-21000-185-05
Project Type: Specific Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Feb 01, 2009
End Date: Sep 30, 2012

Objective:
The overall research goal is to add SSR and SNP markers to the current genetic linkage maps of a diploid blueberry mapping population (interspecific population derived from V. darrowii x V. corymbosum hybrid) developed by the USDA/ARS, Beltsville, MD, and a tetraploid blueberry mapping population (V. corymbosum) developed by the Michigan State University.

Approach:
Genetic linkage maps will be developed for a diploid interspecific blueberry (V. darrowi x V. corymbosum) mapping population developed by the USDA/ARS, Beltsville, MD, and for a tetraploid highbush blueberry (V. corymbosum) mapping population, derived from a cross between the northern highbush cultivar ‘Draper’ and the southern highbush cultivar ‘Jewel’, developed by Michigan State University. SSR and SNP markers will be added to the current maps. Markers will be tested on parent plants first. Markers that detect differences between the parents will be followed in the appropriate mapping populations and added to the current genetic linkage maps using computer software programs such as MAPMAKER or JoinMap for the diploid population and Tetraploid Map for the tetraploid population. The populations are segregating for chilling requirement, cold tolerance, and various fruit quality traits; thus, they should be useful for identifying QTL associated with these traits.