Research Project: Cranberry Genetics and Insect Management

Location: Vegetable Crops Research

Publications (Clicking on the reprint icon will take you to the publication reprint.)

Vaccinium research expands our understanding of complex flavonoid accumulation profiles and regulation in fruit - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Albert, N.W., Lorizzo, M., Mengist, M.F., Montanari, S., Zalapa, J.E., Maule, A., Edger, P.P., Yocca, A., Platts, A., Pucker, B., Espley, R.V. 2023. Vaccinium research expands our understanding of complex flavonoid accumulation profiles and regulation in fruit. Journal of Plant Physiology. 1-15 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1093/plphys/kiad250.

Genetic analysis and QTL mapping of domestication-related traits in chili pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Lopez-Moreno, H., Basurto-Garduno, A.C., Torres-Meraz, M.A., Diaz-Valenzuela, E., Arellano-Arciniega, S., Zalapa, J.E., Sawers, R.J., Cibrian-Jaramillo, A., Diaz-Garcia, L. 2023. Genetic analysis and QTL mapping of domestication-related traits in chili pepper (Capsicum annuum L.). Frontiers in Genetics. 14: 1-14. https://doi.org/10.3389/fgene.2023.1101401.

Characterization of GALA (a-galactosidase) gene family and studying its response to elevated CO2 in Lycium barbarum - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Ma, Y., Cao, B., Mura, J.D., Feng, X., Li, Y., Song, L., Gao, H. 2023. Characterization of GALA (a-galactosidase) gene family and studying its response to elevated CO2 in Lycium barbarum. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 208 (2023) 105270. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envexpbot.2023.105270.

Sustaining yield and nutritional quality of peanuts in harsh environments: Physiological and molecular basis of drought and heat stress tolerance - (Review Article)
Puppala, N., Nayak, S., San Saez, A., Chen, C., Mura, J.D., Nivedita, N., Bao, Y., He, G., Traore, S., Wright, D., Pandey, M., Sharma, V. 2023. Sustaining yield and nutritional quality of peanuts in harsh environments: Physiological and molecular basis of drought and heat stress tolerance. Frontiers in Plant Science. 14:1121462.. https://doi.org/10.3389/fgene.2023.1121462.

Transcriptome Analysis Reveals the Fruit Color Variation in Ailanthus Altissima - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Ma, Y., Mura, J.D., Feng, X., Li, Y., Song, L., Gao, H., Cao, B. 2023. Transcriptome analysis uncovers the fruit color regulatory mechanisms in Ailanthus altissima. Industrial Crops and Products. 2023 Jan;175(1):e13867. https://doi.org/10.1111/ppl.13867.

Cranberry fall nitrogen fertilization promotes subsequent season vegetative growth - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Rojas-Barrow, P., Boivar-Medina, J., Workmaster1, B., Zalapa, J.E., Atucha, A. 2022. Cranberry fall nitrogen fertilization promotes subsequent season vegetative growth. HortScience. 58:1(6-10). https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI16848-22.

Cranberry Fall Nitrogen Fertilization Promotes Subsequent Season Vegetative Growth - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Rojas-Barros, P., Bolivar-Medina, J., Workmaster, B.A., Zalapa, J.E., Atucha, A. 2022. Cranberry Fall Nitrogen Fertilization Promotes Subsequent Season Vegetative Growth. HortScience. 58(1)6-10. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI16848-22.

Genome survey sequencing of Ailanthus altissima and identification of simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Yaping, M., Mura, J.D., Lihua, S., Gao, H., Bing, C. 2022. Genome survey sequencing of Ailanthus altissima and identification of simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. SILVAE GENETICA. 70(1):47-53. https://doi.org/10.2478/sg-2022-0006.

Apex Predator Nematodes and Meso-Predator Bacteria Consume Their Basal Insect Prey through Discrete Stages of Chemical Transformations - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Mucci, N., Jones, K., Cao, M., Wyatt, M., Foye, S., Kauffman, S., Taufer, M., Takizawa, Y., Chikaraishi, Y., Steffan, S.A., Campagna, S., Goodrich-Blair, H., Richards, G.R. 2022. Chemical ecology of a tripartite symbiosis. American Society for Microbiology. 00312-22. https://doi.org/10.1128/msystems.00312-22.

Exosymbiotic microbes within fermented pollen provisions are as important for the development of solitary bees as the pollen itself - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Dharampal, P., Danforth, B., Steffan, S.A. 2022. Exosymbiotic microbes within fermented pollen provisions are as important for the development of solitary bees as the pollen itself. Journal of Experimental Biology. 12:e8788. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.8788.

More than just meat: Carcass decomposition shapes trophic identities in a terrestrial vertebrate - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Barcelo, G., Perrig, P., Dharampal, P., Donadio, E., Steffan, S.A., Pauli, J. 2022. More than just meat: Carcass decomposition shapes trophic identities in a terrestrial vertebrate. Proceedings of the Royal Society B. 36:1473–1482. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2435.14041.

Relationship of Cranberry Soil pH and Microbial Composition - (Abstract Only)

Drones that deliver: Pheromone-based mating disruption deployed via uncrewed aerial vehicles in U.S. cranberries - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Luck, B.D., Chasen, E.M., Williams, P.J., Steffan, S.A. 2021. Drones that deliver: Pheromone-based mating disruption deployed via uncrewed aerial vehicles in U.S. cranberries. Journal of Economic Entomology. 114(5):1910-1916. https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toab068.

Impact of high soil pH on cranberry fruit size - (Abstract Only)
Mura, J.D., Hahn, E.A., Rodriguez Bonilla, L., Zalapa, J.E., Steffan, S.A. 2021. Impact of high soil pH on cranberry fruit size. Wisconsin Cranberry School. 29:19-20.

Novel Bio-insecticide Manufacturing, Application, and Efficacy in Cranberries - (Proceedings)

Chromosome-level genome assembly of the American cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon Ait.) and its wild relative Vaccinium microcarpum - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Diaz-Garcia, L., Garcia-Ortega, L., González-Rodríguez, M., Delaye, L., Iorizzo, M., Zalapa, J.E. 2021. Chromosome-level genome assembly of the American cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon Ait.) and its wild relative Vaccinium microcarpum. Frontiers in Plant Science. 12. Article 633310. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2021.633310.

Genotyping-by-sequencing identifies historical breeding stages of the recently domesticated American cranberry - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Diaz-Garcia, L., Covarrubias-Pazaran, G., Johnson-Cicalese, J., Vorsa, N., Zalapa, J.E. 2020. Genotyping-by-sequencing identifies historical breeding stages of the recently domesticated American cranberry. Frontiers in Plant Science. 12. Article 633310. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2020.607770.

The genetic diversity of crop wild relatives, Vaccinium macrocarpon Aiton and V. oxycoccos L., across their ranges in the US, with special emphasis on National Forests - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Zalapa, J.E., Rodriguez-Bonilla, L., Williams, K.A., Rodríguez-Bonilla, F., Matusinec, D., Maule, A., Coe, K., Wiesman, E.C. 2020. The genetic diversity of crop wild relatives, Vaccinium macrocarpon Aiton and V. oxycoccos L., across their ranges in the US, with special emphasis on National Forests. Plants. 9(11). Article 1446. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants9111446.

(More than) Hitchhikers through the network: The shared microbiome of bees and flowers - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Keller, A., Mcfrederick, Q., Dharampal, P., Steffan, S.A., Danforth, B., Leonhardt, S. 2020. (More than) Hitchhikers through the network: The shared microbiome of bees and flowers. Current Opinion in Insect Science. 44(April 2021):8-15. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cois.2020.09.007.

A new insight into isotopic fractionation associated with de-carboxylation in organisms: implications for amino acid isotope approaches in biogeoscience - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Takizawa, Y., Takano, Y., Choi, B., Dharampal, P., Steffan, S.A., Ogawa, N., Ohkouchi, N., Chikaraishi, Y. 2020. A new insight into isotopic fractionation associated with de-carboxylation in organisms: implications for amino acid isotope approaches in biogeoscience. Progress in Earth and Planetary Science. 7. Article 50. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40645-020-00364-w.

Microbes make the meal: Oligolectic bees require microbes within their host pollen to thrive - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Dharampal, P.S., Hetherington, M., Steffan, S.A. 2020. Microbes make the meal: Oligolectic bees require microbes within their host pollen to thrive. Ecological Entomology. 45(6):1418-1427. https://doi.org/10.1111/een.12926.

Bees eat 'meat:' new perspectives on bee-microbe symbioses - (Abstract Only)

A newly discovered nematode, Oscheius onirici, attacks Drosophila suzukii within fruit - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Foye, S., Steffan, S.A. 2020. A newly discovered nematode, Oscheius onirici, attacks Drosophila suzukii within fruit. Insects. 113(2), 2020, 1047–1051. https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toz365.

Steffan Lab--2019 WSCGA research roundtable - (Abstract Only)

Advances in spray timing and bio-insecticide development - (Proceedings)

A rare, recently discovered nematode, Oscheius onirici (Rhabditida:Rhabditidae), kills Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae)within fruit - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Foye, S., Steffan, S.A. 2020. A rare, recently discovered nematode, Oscheius onirici (Rhabditida:Rhabditidae), kills Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae)within fruit. Journal of Economic Entomology. 113(2):1047-1051. https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toz365.

Bee-microbe symbioses are influenced by fungicides and heat - (Abstract Only)

Exploring the genetic diversity of wild cranberry populations in the Upper Midwest - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Rodriguez-Bonilla, L., Rodriguez-Bonilla, F., Matusinec, D., Wiesman, E.C., Schoville, S., Atucha, A., Zalapa, J.E. 2019. Exploring the genetic diversity of wild cranberry populations in the Upper Midwest. Crop Science. vol 59:2413-2428. https://doi.org/10.2135/cropsci2019.06.0367.

Sympatric red, grey, and flying squirrels trophically partition niche space via mycophagy - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Pauli, J., Manlick, P.J., Dharampal, P.S., Chikaraishi, Y., Niccolai, L., Grauer, J.A., Black, K., Garces Restrepo, M., Perrig, P.L., Wilson, E.C., Martin, M.E., Rodriguez Curras, M., Bougie, T., Thompson, K.L., Smith, M.M., Steffan, S.A. 2019. Sympatric red, grey, and flying squirrels trophically partition niche space via mycophagy. Biology Letters. Vol21. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.FOOWEB.2019.E00124.

Comprehensive analysis of the internal structure and firmness in American cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon L.) fruit - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Diaz-Garcia, L., Rodriguez-Bonilla, L., Phillips, M., Lopez-Hernandez, A., Grygleski, E., Atucha, A., Zalapa, J.E. 2019. Comprehensive analysis of the internal structure and firmness in American cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon L.) fruit. PLoS One. 14(9):e0222451. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0222451.

Cross-transferability analysis of SSR markers developed from the American Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon Ait.) to other Vaccinium species of agricultural importance - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Rodriguez-Bonilla, L., Rohde, J., Matusinec, D., Zalapa, J.E. 2019. Cross-transferability analysis of SSR markers developed from the American Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon Ait.) to other Vaccinium species of agricultural importance . Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution. 66:1713-1725(2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10722-019-00826-1.

Surrounding landscape and spatial arrangement of honey bee hives affect pollen foraging and yield in cranberry - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Guzman, A., Gaines-Day, H., Lois, A., Steffan, S.A., Brunet, J., Zalapa, J.E., Guedot, C. 2019. Surrounding landscape and spatial arrangement of honey bee hives affect pollen foraging and yield in cranberry. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment. 286:106624. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2019.106624.

Two native Wisconsin nematodes represent virulent bio control agents in cranberries - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Foye, S., Steffan, S.A. 2019. Two native Wisconsin nematodes represent virulent bio control agents in cranberries. Biological Control. 138:104042. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocontrol.2019.104042.

Two native Wisconsin nematodes represent virulent biocontrol agents in cranberries - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Foye, S., Steffan, S.A. 2019. Two native Wisconsin nematodes represent virulent biocontrol agents in cranberries. Biological Control. 138. Article 104042. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocontrol.2019.104042.

Domestication, genetics, and genomics of the American cranberry - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Vorsa, N., Zalapa, J.E. 2019. Domestication, genetics, and genomics of the American cranberry. Plant Breeding Reviews. 43:279-310. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119616801.ch8.

Pacbio sequencing reveals identical organelle genomes between American cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon Ait.) and a wild relative - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Diaz-Garcia, L., Rodriguez-Bonilla, L., Rohde, J., Smith, T., Zalapa, J.E. 2019. Pacbio sequencing reveals identical organelle genomes between American cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon Ait.) and a wild relative. Genes. 10(4):291. https://doi.org/10.3390/genes10040291.

Woodland and floral richness boost bumble bee density in cranberry resource pulse landscapes - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Pfeiffer, V., Silbernagel, J., Guédot, C., Zalapa, J.E. 2019. Woodland and floral richness boost bumble bee density in cranberry resource pulse landscapes. Landscape Ecology. 34(5):979. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10980-019-00810-1.

New technology for mating disruption of cranberry fruitworm and Sparganothis fruitworm - (Abstract Only)

Undead food-webs: Integrating microbes into the food-chain - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Steffan, S.A., Dharampal, P.S. 2019. Undead food-webs: Integrating microbes into the food-chain. Food Webs. 16(e00111). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fooweb.2018.e00111.

Relationship between alternate bearing and apical bud development in cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Bolivar, J., Zalapa, J.E., Atucha, A., Paterson, S. 2018. Relationship between alternate bearing and apical bud development in cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon). American Journal of Botany. 97(2):101-111. https://doi.org/10.1139/cjb-2018-0058.

Pheromone loading in cranberry insect lures and trapping data - (Trade Journal)
Chasen, E.M., Steffan, S.A. 2018. Pheromone loading in cranberry insect lures and trapping data. Cranberry Crop Management Newsletter. 31(6):2-3.

Pheromone loading in cranberry insect lures and trapping data - (Trade Journal)
Chasen, E.M., Steffan, S.A. 2018. Pheromone loading in cranberry insect lures and trapping data. Wisconsin Fruit Newsletter. 3(11):5-7.

Cranberry degree-day map and update: September 5, 2018 - (Trade Journal)
Chasen, E.M., Steffan, S.A. 2018. Cranberry degree-day map and update: September 5, 2018. Wisconsin Fruit Newsletter. 3(11):4.

Cranberry degree-day map and update: August 22, 2018 - (Trade Journal)
Chasen, E.M., Steffan, S.A. 2018. Cranberry degree-day map and update: August 22, 2018. Wisconsin Fruit Newsletter. 3(10):5.

Cranberry degree-day map and update: August 14, 2018 - (Trade Journal)
Chasen, E.M., Steffan, S.A. 2018. Cranberry degree-day map and update: August 14, 2018. Cranberry Crop Management Newsletter. 31(5):1.

Cranberry degree-day map and update: August 8, 2018 - (Trade Journal)
Chasen, E.M., Steffan, S.A. 2018. Cranberry degree-day map and update: August 8, 2018. Wisconsin Fruit Newsletter. 3(9):6.

Image-based phenotyping for identification of QTL determining fruit shape and size in American cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon L.) - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Diaz-Garcia, L., Covarrubias-Pazaran, G., Schlautman, B., Grygleski, E., Zalapa, J.E. 2018. Image-based phenotyping for identification of QTL determining fruit shape and size in American cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon L.). PeerJ. 6:e5461. https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.5461.

Cranberry degree-day map and update: July 24, 2018 - (Trade Journal)
Chasen, E.M., Steffan, S.A. 2018. Cranberry degree-day map and update: July 24, 2018. Cranberry Crop Management Newsletter. 31(4):3.

Cranberry degree-day map and update: July 24, 2018 - (Trade Journal)
Chasen, E.M., Steffan, S.A. 2018. Cranberry degree-day map and update: July 24, 2018. Wisconsin Fruit Newsletter. 3(8):5.

Cranberry degree-day map and update: June 28, 2018 - (Trade Journal)
Chasen, E.M., Steffan, S.A. 2018. Cranberry degree-day map and update: June 28, 2018. Wisconsin Fruit Newsletter. 3(6):6.

Massive phenotyping of multiple cranberry populations reveals novel QTLs for fruit anthocyanin content and other important chemical traits - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Diaz-Garcia, L., Schlautman, B., Covarrubias-Pazaran, G., Maule, A., Johnson-Cicalese, J., Grygleski, E., Vorsa, N., Zalapa, J.E. 2018. Massive phenotyping of multiple cranberry populations reveals novel QTLs for fruit anthocyanin content and other important chemical traits. Molecular Genetics and Genomics. 293:1379-1392. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00438-018-1464-z.

Cranberry degree-day map and update: June 13, 2018 - (Trade Journal)
Chasen, E.M., Steffan, S.A. 2018. Cranberry degree-day map and update: June 13, 2018. Wisconsin Fruit Newsletter. 3(5):5.

Genetic diversity and cultivar variants in the NCGR cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon Aiton) collection - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Schlautman, B., Zalapa, J.E., Covarrubias-Pazaran, G., Rodriguez-Bonilla, L., Hummer, K.E., Bassil, N.V., Smith, T. 2018. Genetic diversity and cultivar variants in the NCGR cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon Aiton) collection. Journal of Genetics. 97(5):1339–1351. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12041-018-1036-3.

Cranberry degree-day map and update: June 5, 2018 - (Trade Journal)
Chasen, E.M., Steffan, S.A. 2018. Cranberry degree-day map and update: June 5, 2018. Cranberry Crop Management Newsletter. Vol 31(3):1.

Cranberry degree-day map and update: May 30, 2018 - (Trade Journal)
Chasen, E.M., Steffan, S.A. 2018. Cranberry degree-day map and update: May 30, 2018. Wisconsin Fruit Newsletter. 3(4):6-7.

Pheromone loading in cranberry insect lures - (Trade Journal)
Steffan, S.A., Chasen, E.M., Guedot, C. 2018. Pheromone loading in cranberry insect lures. Wisconsin Fruit Newsletter. 3(3):5.

Preliminary evidence of pheromone loading differences - (Trade Journal)
Steffan, S.A., Chasen, E.M., Guedot, C. 2018. Preliminary evidence of pheromone loading differences. Cranberry Crop Management Newsletter. 31(2):5.

Cranberry degree-day map and update: May 16, 2018 - (Trade Journal)
Chasen, E.M., Steffan, S.A. 2018. Cranberry degree-day map and update: May 16, 2018. Cranberry Crop Management Newsletter. 31(2):1.

Cranberry plant and pest degree-days: May 15, 2018 - (Trade Journal)
Chasen, E.M., Steffan, S.A. 2018. Cranberry plant and pest degree-days: May 15, 2018. Wisconsin Fruit Newsletter. 3(3):6-7.

Cranberry degree-day map and update: May 2, 2018 - (Trade Journal)
Chasen, E.M., Steffan, S.A. 2018. Cranberry degree-day map and update: May 2, 2018. Cranberry Crop Management Newsletter. 31(1):1-2.

Cranberry degree-day map and update: May 2, 2018 - (Trade Journal)
Chasen, E.M., Steffan, S.A. 2018. Cranberry degree-day map and update: May 2, 2018. Wisconsin Fruit Newsletter. 3(2):3-4.

Microbes keep the bees buzzing - (Abstract Only)
Dharampal, P.S., Diaz-Garcia, L., Carlson, C., Currie, C., Zalapa, J.E., Hittinger, C.T., Steffan, S.A. 2018. Microbes keep the bees buzzing. 2018 Annual Meeting, North-Central Branch of the Entomological Society of America. Madison, Wisconsin. March 18-21, 2018.

Breeding trait priorities of the cranberry industry in the United States and Canada - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Gallardo, R., Zhang, Q., Polashock, J.J., Rodriguez-Soana, C., Vorsa, N., Atucha, A., Zalapa, J.E., Iorizzo, M. 2018. Breeding trait priorities of the cranberry industry in the United States and Canada. HortScience. 53(10):1467–1474. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI13219-18.

In vitro rearing of solitary bees: A tool for assessing larval risk factors - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Dharampal, P., Carlson, C., Steffan, S.A. 2018. In vitro rearing of solitary bees: A tool for assessing larval risk factors. Journal of Visualized Experiments. 137(e57876). https://doi.org/10.3791/57876.