Enhancing postharvest tree fruit quality with functional genomics

Authors: Honaas, Loren; Hargarten, Heidi; DER, JOSHUA - California State University; WAFULA, ERIC - Pennsylvania State University; DEPAMPHILIS, CLAUDE - Pennsylvania State University; Rudell, David; Mattheis, James

Submitted to: Plant and Animal Genome Conference
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/26/2017
Publication Date: 1/12/2018
Citation: Honaas, L.A., Hargarten, H.L., Der, J., Wafula, E., Depamphilis, C., Rudell Jr, D.R., Mattheis, J.P. 2018. Enhancing postharvest tree fruit quality with functional genomics. Plant and Animal Genome Conference. January 12, 2018, San Diego, California.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Genetic mechanisms that influence pome fruit quality in the postharvest period are poorly understood. As an initial step towards enhanced postharvest fruit management we are exploring fruit transcriptomes to search for genetic factors that influence various aspects of fruit quality. Identification of these genetic factors will build a tool kit for postharvest researchers, and eventually producers, that can be used to finely monitor fruit status during long storage periods. This information might be then used for diagnostics and risk assessment towards enhancing outcomes in the postharvest period. Within proven experimental frameworks we are studying gene expression in tractable cultivar/disorder systems to develop strategies for gene discovery. An impediment to uncovering crucial genetic factors is the need to make discoveries in genetically distinct cultivars (from the Golden Delicious reference genome) where these differences cause a loss of fidelity in gene expression measurements. Our parallel approach is to develop and refine methods for gene discovery while exploring fruit responses to commercially relevant postharvest treatments and practices.