Project Number: 1245-21220-251-01
Project Type: Specific Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Jul 20, 2009
End Date: Sep 30, 2013

Objective:
Develop reliable high throughput methods of phenotyping common scab resistance. Accelerate selection of breeding lines combining chip processing, late blight and scab resistance.

Approach:
In cooperation with Sklarczyk Minitubers, Johannesburg, MI, a hydroponic tuberization system (nutrient film technology or NFT) has been set up at Michigan State. Initial experiments will be conducted to examine how nutrient solution pH, inoculum concentration and timing of inoculation influence scab lesion development on a set of four lines that differ in their scab reaction under field conditions. The validated NFT system will be further used to evaluate commonly grown varieties and breeding material, as well as for phenotyping scab tolerance in populations developed during other research projects. Evaluation of 117 crosses comprising about 500 selections segregating for common scab resistance, late blight resistance and chip-processing will allow selection of optimal lines with good agronomic traits that also combine these three characteristics for further advancement in the ARS breeding program. In addition, 53 lines that may combine scab resistance, late blight resistance and chip-processing will be evaluated in replicated trials for agronomic performance in 2009 and also screened in replicated trials for late blight and scab resistance.