Skip to main content
ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Corvallis, Oregon » National Clonal Germplasm Repository » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #256773
Title: RosBREED: Enabling Marker-Assisted Breeding in Rosaceae

Author
item IEZZONI, AMY - Michigan State University
item WEEBADDE, CHO - Michigan State University
item LUBY, JIM - University Of Minnesota
item YUE, CHENGYAN - University Of Minnesota
item WEG, ERIC VAN DE - Plant Research International - Netherlands
item Fazio, Gennaro
item Bassil, Nahla
item MAIN, DORRIE - Washington State University
item PEACE, CAMERON - Washington State University
item MCFERSON, JIM - Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission

Submitted to: Acta Horticulturae
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/1/2009
Publication Date: 6/20/2010
Citation: Iezzoni, A., Weebadde, C., Luby, J., Yue, C., Weg, E., Fazio, G., Bassil, N.V., Main, D., Peace, C., Mcferson, J. 2010. RosBREED: Enabling Marker-Assisted Breeding in Rosaceae. Acta Horticulturae. 859:389-394.

Interpretive Summary: Genomics tools, though available, have not yet been translated into routine practical application in breeding Rosaceae fruit crops (peach, apple, strawberry, cherry, apricot, pear, raspberry, etc.). The potential of genomics approaches to enhance crop improvement, particularly through marker-assisted breeding (MAB), is enormous, but unfulfilled. The U.S. Rosaceae genomics, genetics, and breeding community, with strong international involvement, has collaborated on the development of large-scale USDA grant proposals. RosBREED, funded for four years from September 2009, incorporates eight teams in a transdisciplinary framework that involves significant educational and outreach activities and stakeholder participation. Objectives are to (1) enhance the likelihood of new cultivar adoption, enlarge market potential, and increase consumption of Rosaceae fruits with socio-economics knowledge objectively used in breeding decisions; (2) establish a sustainable technical infrastructure for an efficient MAB Pipeline in Rosaceae; (3) integrate breeding and genomics resources with a standardized breeding information management system incorporating Pedigree-Based Analysis; (4) implement MAB in core RosBREED breeding programs with a common focus on fruit quality traits; and (5) enhance sustainability of cultivar development with MAB technology transfer to current and future U.S. Rosaceae breeders and engagement of key stakeholder groups. Coordinated action is now required to make RosBREED a reality and fulfill the promise of genomics.

Technical Abstract: Genomics research has not yet been translated into routine practical application in breeding Rosaceae fruit crops (peach, apple, strawberry, cherry, apricot, pear, raspberry, etc.). Through dedicated efforts of many researchers worldwide, a wealth of genomics resources has accumulated, including EST libraries, genetic and physical maps, QTLs, and whole genome sequences. The potential of genomics approaches to enhance crop improvement, particularly through marker-assisted breeding (MAB), is enormous, but unfulfilled. The U.S. Rosaceae genomics, genetics, and breeding community, with strong international involvement, has united behind the goal of translational genomics and collaborated on the development of large-scale USDA grant proposals. RosBREED, funded for four years from September 2009, incorporates eight teams (Breeding, Socio-Economics, Pedigree-Based Analysis, Breeding Information Management System, Genomics, Genotyping, MAB Pipeline, and Extension) in a transdisciplinary framework that involves significant educational and outreach activities and stakeholder participation. Objectives are to (1) enhance the likelihood of new cultivar adoption, enlarge market potential, and increase consumption of Rosaceae fruits with socio-economics knowledge objectively used in breeding decisions; (2) establish a sustainable technical infrastructure for an efficient MAB Pipeline in Rosaceae; (3) integrate breeding and genomics resources with a standardized breeding information management system incorporating Pedigree-Based Analysis; (4) implement MAB in core RosBREED breeding programs with a common focus on fruit quality traits; and (5) enhance sustainability of cultivar development with MAB technology transfer to current and future U.S. Rosaceae breeders and engagement of key stakeholder groups. Coordinated action is now required to make RosBREED a reality and fulfill the promise of genomics.