Project Number: 6402-21310-003-11
Project Type: Specific Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Sep 29, 2010
End Date: Sep 29, 2013

Objective:
Collaborate with ARS researchers to provide germplasm for Cotton Leaf Curl Virus (CLCuV) screening and transfer resistance identified into adapted cotton lines. Transferring traits from diploid to cultivated tetraploid cotton is a difficult process. ARS at Stoneville, MS, and Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, are the two locations in the U.S. successfully transferring genes from diploid lines into tetraploid cotton. These groups will cooperate to transfer the resistance genes as quickly and efficiently as possible. The lines will be advanced more rapidly by using DNA markers to verify successful transfer of the resistance gene(s) in each generation of the introgression process. The efficiency will be improved by cytogenetic analyses to confirm the lines produced are cytogenetically stable with a complete set of chromosomes.

Approach:
The university collaborator will work with ARS to increase seed of exotic diploid species and provide technical support for increase of germplasm and preparation of seed for CLCuV resistance screening. Lines identified as resistant will be used as donor parents in crosses to transfer the resistant trait (genes) into adapted cotton lines. The transfer of the trait will be tracked using DNA markers and resistant progeny from the crosses will be cytogenetically evaluated to select lines with a complete set of chromosomes and no chromosomal abnormalities.