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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Salinas, California » Crop Improvement and Protection Research » Research

Research Programs and Projects at this Location

ARS research is organized into National Programs. Within each National Program are research projects. Listed below are  the National Programs and research projects currently conducted at this location.

Clicking on a National Program (NP) will take you  to the main ARS site for more information on the program. Clicking on a research  project title will take you to more information on the project.


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Human Nutrition (NP #107)
Genetic Improvement of Lettuce, Spinach, Celery, Melon, and Related Species
(In-House Appropriated)
Controlled Self-pollination of the Melon Core Set for Genetic Analysis and Development of the Set for Long-term Improvement of Melon
(Non-Funded Cooperative Agreement)
Assessing the Effect of Exogenous Silicon Application on Yield and Quality of Lettuce Produce
(Reimbursable Cooperative Agreement)
Characterization of Lettuce Resistance to Impatiens Necrotic Spot Virus
(Reimbursable Cooperative Agreement)
CucCAP 2: Harnessing Genomic Resources For Disease Resistance And Management In Cucurbit Crops – Bringing The Tools To The Field
(Reimbursable Cooperative Agreement)
Development of Germplasm Resources and Molecular Breeding Tools to Combat Endemic and Emerging Diseases in US Spinach Production
(Reimbursable Cooperative Agreement)
Enhancing Resource Utilization for Sustainable Lettuce Production in Changing Climates
(Reimbursable Cooperative Agreement)
Improving Lettuce Cultivars against Bacterial Leaf Spot (BLS) through Breeding, Genetics, and Study of the BLS-Lettuce Interaction
(Reimbursable Cooperative Agreement)
Enhancement of Spinach & Leafy Vegetables for Disease Resistance & Nutritional Components using Genome-wide Association Study & Genomic Prediction
(Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement)
Celery Breeding for Resistance to Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. apii Race 2 and Race 4
(Trust Fund Cooperative Agreement)
Lettuce Breeding and Genetics (2021)
(Trust Fund Cooperative Agreement)
Lettuce Breeding for Improved Resistance to INSV, Pythium
(Trust Fund Cooperative Agreement)
Lettuce Breeding for Improved Resistance to INSV, Pythium, Verticillium, and Fusarium
(Trust Fund Cooperative Agreement)
Lettuce Breeding, Genetics, and Physiology
(Trust Fund Cooperative Agreement)
Understanding the Molecular Mechanisms of Resistance to Tipburn and INSV+Pythium wilt
(Trust Fund Cooperative Agreement)
Understanding the Molecular Mechanisms of Viral Infection in Lettuce in Support of the USDA Lettuce Breeding Program
(Trust Fund Cooperative Agreement)
Year 3: Celery Breeding for Resistance to Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. apii (Foa) Race 2 and Race 4
(Trust Fund Cooperative Agreement)
Soil and Air (NP #212)
Strategies and Tools to Improve Soil Resources, Pest Management, and Climate Resilience on Organic and Conventional Vegetable and Strawberry Farms
(In-House Appropriated)
Sustainable Agricultural Systems Research (NP #216)
Strategies and Tools to Improve Soil Resources, Pest Management, and Climate Resilience on Organic and Conventional Vegetable and Strawberry Farms
(In-House Appropriated)
Plant Genetic Resources, Genomics and Genetic Improvement (NP #301)
Genetic Improvement of Lettuce, Spinach, Celery, Melon, and Related Species
(In-House Appropriated)
Controlled Self-pollination of the Melon Core Set for Genetic Analysis and Development of the Set for Long-term Improvement of Melon
(Non-Funded Cooperative Agreement)
Assessing the Effect of Exogenous Silicon Application on Yield and Quality of Lettuce Produce
(Reimbursable Cooperative Agreement)
Characterization of Lettuce Resistance to Impatiens Necrotic Spot Virus
(Reimbursable Cooperative Agreement)
CucCAP 2: Harnessing Genomic Resources For Disease Resistance And Management In Cucurbit Crops – Bringing The Tools To The Field
(Reimbursable Cooperative Agreement)
Development of Germplasm Resources and Molecular Breeding Tools to Combat Endemic and Emerging Diseases in US Spinach Production
(Reimbursable Cooperative Agreement)
Enhancing Resource Utilization for Sustainable Lettuce Production in Changing Climates
(Reimbursable Cooperative Agreement)
Improving Lettuce Cultivars against Bacterial Leaf Spot (BLS) through Breeding, Genetics, and Study of the BLS-Lettuce Interaction
(Reimbursable Cooperative Agreement)
Enhancement of Spinach & Leafy Vegetables for Disease Resistance & Nutritional Components using Genome-wide Association Study & Genomic Prediction
(Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement)
Celery Breeding for Resistance to Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. apii Race 2 and Race 4
(Trust Fund Cooperative Agreement)
Lettuce Breeding and Genetics (2021)
(Trust Fund Cooperative Agreement)
Lettuce Breeding for Improved Resistance to INSV, Pythium
(Trust Fund Cooperative Agreement)
Lettuce Breeding for Improved Resistance to INSV, Pythium, Verticillium, and Fusarium
(Trust Fund Cooperative Agreement)
Lettuce Breeding, Genetics, and Physiology
(Trust Fund Cooperative Agreement)
Understanding the Molecular Mechanisms of Resistance to Tipburn and INSV+Pythium wilt
(Trust Fund Cooperative Agreement)
Understanding the Molecular Mechanisms of Viral Infection in Lettuce in Support of the USDA Lettuce Breeding Program
(Trust Fund Cooperative Agreement)
Year 3: Celery Breeding for Resistance to Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. apii (Foa) Race 2 and Race 4
(Trust Fund Cooperative Agreement)
Plant Diseases (NP #303)
Biological and Biotechnological Approaches for Management of Insect Vectors and Vector-borne Viruses Affecting Vegetable Crops
(In-House Appropriated)
Disease Management and Improved Detection Systems for Control of Pathogens of Vegetables and Strawberries
(In-House Appropriated)
A Metagenomics Marker System for Identification of all Fusarium oxysporum Taxa in Field Soils
(Cooperative Agreement)
Improved Methods for Trapping and Monitoring Thrips in Lettuce Crops (UC Cooperative Extension)
(Cooperative Agreement)
Improved Methods for Trapping and Monitoring Thrips in Lettuce Crops (UC Davis)
(Cooperative Agreement)
Leveraging Population Genomics to Understand the Migration and Evolution of the Causal Pathogens of Boxwood Blight
(Interagency Reimbursable Agreement)
Methyl Bromide Alternatives for Weed and Disease Control in Strawberry Production
(Non-Funded Cooperative Agreement)
A Metagenomics Marker System for Identification of All Fusarium oxysporum Taxa in Field Soils
(Reimbursable Cooperative Agreement)
Delivering Breeding and Management Solutions to Prevent Losses to Emerging and Expanding Disease Threats in Strawberry
(Reimbursable Cooperative Agreement)
Deployment of a Commercial Early-Warning System for Airborne Pathogens
(Reimbursable Cooperative Agreement)
Development of Immuno-detection for Lettuce Dieback Associated Virus and Greenhouse Evaluation of Lettuce for Resistance
(Reimbursable Cooperative Agreement)
Enhancing Virus Control in Lettuce and Melons by Optimizing Immunity Priming Approaches
(Reimbursable Cooperative Agreement)
Identifying Landscape Variables and Cropping Patterns Associated with Viral Epidemics in Lettuce
(Reimbursable Cooperative Agreement)
Improved Methods for Trapping and Monitoring Thrips in Lettuce Crops
(Reimbursable Cooperative Agreement)
Integration of Host Plant Resistance with Immunity Modification for Management of Established and Emerging Virus Threats to Melons
(Reimbursable Cooperative Agreement)
Novel Precision Technologies to Reduce Insecticide Use Targeting Aphids and Thrips in Lettuce
(Reimbursable Cooperative Agreement)
Pathogenomics-based Development of Crop-specific Diagnostics Tools for Emerging and Expanding Fungal Diseases in the U.S.
(Reimbursable Cooperative Agreement)
Receptor Inference: A Novel IPM Technology for Managing Key Insect Pests of Vegetables in California
(Reimbursable Cooperative Agreement)
Reducing Current and Future Fungicide use in California Crops by Providing Decision Support and Rotation Tools for Managing Fusarium falciforme
(Reimbursable Cooperative Agreement)
Aerial Dispersal of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. fragariae and the Airborne Microbiome on the Central Coast of California
(Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement)
Analysis of the Carrot Rhizosphere
(Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement)
Automation Technology for use in Strawberry Production Systems Toward Improving Production Practices and Control of Pests and Diseases
(Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement)
Characterization and Modeling of Strawberry Yield Data Using Remote Sensing Technology
(Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement)
Genomic Sequencing and Assembly of Graminicolous Downy Mildews
(Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement)
Optimization of Precision Strawberry Yield Data Collection and Analysis
(Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement)
Precision Agriculture for Management of Strawberry Production
(Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement)
Site-specific Soil Pest Management in Strawberry & Vegetable Cropping Systems - Characterization of Plant Health
(Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement)
Site-specific Soil Pest Management in Strawberry & Vegetable Cropping Systems - Economic Analysis
(Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement)
Site-specific Soil Pest Management in Strawberry & Vegetable Cropping Systems - Food Origins Yield Quantification
(Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement)
Site-Specific Soil Pest Management in Strawberry & Vegetable Cropping Systems - Fumigation and Weed Management
(Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement)
Site-specific Soil Pest Management in Strawberry & Vegetable Cropping Systems - Modeling Strawberry Yield
(Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement)
Site-specific Soil Pest Management in Strawberry & Vegetable Cropping Systems - Remote Sensing
(Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement)
Site-specific Soil Pest Management in Strawberry & Vegetable Cropping Systems - Santa Maria
(Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement)
Site-Specific Soil Pest Management in Strawberry & Vegetable Cropping Systems - Yield Monitoring
(Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement)
Site-specific Soil Pest Management in Strawberry & Vegetable Cropping Systems – Oxnard Plot Management
(Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement)
Site-specific Soil Pest Management in Strawberry and Vegetable Cropping Systems – Oxnard Trials
(Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement)
Development of a Molecular Assay for Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lactucae
(Trust Fund Cooperative Agreement)
Development of a Molecular Assay for Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lactucae
(Trust Fund Cooperative Agreement)
Downy Mildew Epidemiology and Control
(Trust Fund Cooperative Agreement)
Enhanced Surveillance Strategies of Thrips Vectors and Understanding the Interplay between INSV and Pythium Wilt of Lettuce
(Trust Fund Cooperative Agreement)
Evaluating Genotypic Differences in the Obligate Fungal Plant Pathogen Poylmyxa betae and its Ability to Vector BNYVV
(Trust Fund Cooperative Agreement)
Monitoring and Cultural Strategies to Reduce the Impact of Thrips-Transmitted INSV Affecting Lettuce on the Central Coast of CA
(Trust Fund Cooperative Agreement)
Crop Protection & Quarantine (NP #304)
Methyl Bromide Alternative Treatments for Perishable and Stored Products
(In-House Appropriated)
Minor Use Pesticide Testing on Vegetables and Sugar Crops
(In-House Appropriated)
Strategies and Tools to Improve Soil Resources, Pest Management, and Climate Resilience on Organic and Conventional Vegetable and Strawberry Farms
(In-House Appropriated)