Location: Vegetable Research
Project Number: 6080-21000-019-008-R
Project Type: Reimbursable Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Oct 1, 2015
End Date: Aug 31, 2020
Objective:
The Cucurbitaceae family includes many high-value, flavorful, and nutritious crops consumed as vegetables and fruits in the American diet. U.S. production of watermelons, melons, cucumbers, squash, and pumpkins contributed an average of $1.65 billion farm gate value per year during the previous five years (2009-2013; USDA-NASS). The objective of this proposed project is to develop genomic tools useful for enhancing disease resistance in cucurbit crops, in order to provide growers with superior varieties that deliver high yield, excellent fruit quality, and protection against major diseases.
Approach:
In this proposed project we will combine research efforts with ARS and university scientists to use genetic populations and advanced genomic technologies to genetically map quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with resistance to major cucurbit diseases.
