Location: Responsive Agricultural Food Systems Research Unit
Project Number: 3093-51000-002-004-S
Project Type: Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Sep 17, 2025
End Date: May 31, 2028
Objective:
The primary objective of the proposed research is to understand the genetic basis of nutrition and post-harvest shelf life of native and improved pecans using metabolomics, transcriptomics, post-harvest physiology, and innovative packaging to deliver the most healthful product and support pecan farmers, breeders, and consumers.
Approach:
Aim 1. Develop a comprehensive profile of nutritional metabolites and micronutrients in several native and improved pecan genotypes and identify the allelic and regulatory mechanisms in two native and two improved genotypes underlying these nutritional differences through time-course developmental transcriptomics and yeast two-hybrid (Y2H) interaction studies. This integrative approach will help identify the genetic determinants that are critical for ensuring the highest nutritional value in pecans.
Aim 2. Evaluate post-harvest physiological traits, including respiration and ethylene evolution, across four pecan genotypes under ambient and cold storage (4°C), while simultaneously profiling changes in nutritional content. This will be integrated with assessing modified atmosphere packaging strategies using visual, sensory, and metabolic indicators to identify approaches that enhance shelf-life, preserve the highest nutritional quality, and support marketability.