Articles
VacCAP, a community-based project to develop advanced breeding tools to improve fruit quality in blueberry and cranberry
Article number
1440_1
Pages
1 – 14
Language
English
Abstract
The VacCAP project, funded by the United States Department of Agriculture, is a transdisciplinary research effort to advance genotypic and phenotypic tools in blueberry and cranberry breeding programs, for selecting and pyramiding desirable fruit characteristics and thereby enhancing fruit quality and market value.
Project teams include U.S. and international scientists and breeders.
Outcomes of five years research activities include: 1) released six new reference genomes for blueberry and cranberry, the Vaccinium pangenome and six new genetic linkage maps which enabled tracing the evolutionary divergence among Ericales crops, revealing a high level of synteny among Vaccinium species and elucidating the mode of polyploid genetic behavior in blueberry (Obj. 1); 2) established a high density high-throughput genotyping platform for blueberry (Obj. 1) which expanded the use of genotyping across public and private blueberry and cranberry breeding and research programs; 3) established improved methods to evaluate multiple fruit quality characteristcs (e.g., texture, bruising, fruit rot, fruit size, color and structure) and identification of multiple QTLs and candidate genes associated with fruit quality related traits (anthocyanins, pH, volatiles, soluble solid content, organic acids, texture, yield, epicuticular wax, fruit disease resistance, and fruit weight/size and shape) (Obj. 2); 4) developed DNA markers for fruit quality traits (epicuticular wax, organic acid, and fruit rot resistance), selection of genotypes that combine improved texture, extended shelf life and balanced flavor/taste for advancement in breeding programs (Obj. 3); 5) identified cranberry products and fresh blueberry characteristics that can have a negative and/or positive impact on purchasing decisions (Obj. 4); 6) established and expanded online platforms and social media presence, webinars and workshops, and published newsletters to engage stakeholders and transfer project outcomes.
An overview of the outcomes is presented in this manuscript.
Project teams include U.S. and international scientists and breeders.
Outcomes of five years research activities include: 1) released six new reference genomes for blueberry and cranberry, the Vaccinium pangenome and six new genetic linkage maps which enabled tracing the evolutionary divergence among Ericales crops, revealing a high level of synteny among Vaccinium species and elucidating the mode of polyploid genetic behavior in blueberry (Obj. 1); 2) established a high density high-throughput genotyping platform for blueberry (Obj. 1) which expanded the use of genotyping across public and private blueberry and cranberry breeding and research programs; 3) established improved methods to evaluate multiple fruit quality characteristcs (e.g., texture, bruising, fruit rot, fruit size, color and structure) and identification of multiple QTLs and candidate genes associated with fruit quality related traits (anthocyanins, pH, volatiles, soluble solid content, organic acids, texture, yield, epicuticular wax, fruit disease resistance, and fruit weight/size and shape) (Obj. 2); 4) developed DNA markers for fruit quality traits (epicuticular wax, organic acid, and fruit rot resistance), selection of genotypes that combine improved texture, extended shelf life and balanced flavor/taste for advancement in breeding programs (Obj. 3); 5) identified cranberry products and fresh blueberry characteristics that can have a negative and/or positive impact on purchasing decisions (Obj. 4); 6) established and expanded online platforms and social media presence, webinars and workshops, and published newsletters to engage stakeholders and transfer project outcomes.
An overview of the outcomes is presented in this manuscript.
Publication
Authors
M. Iorizzo, M.A. Lila, P. Perkins-Veazie, M.F. Mengist, A. Colonna, J. Johnson-Cicalese, G. Sideli, P. Edger, N.V. Bassil, T. Mackey, P. Munoz, F. Ferrao, J. Zalapa, J. Loarca, R.K. Gallardo, A. Atucha, J. Russo, D. Main, J.L. Humann, L. Giongo, C. Li, J. Polashock, C. Sims, E. Canales, S. Montanari, D. Chagne, R. Espley, M. Coe
Keywords
blueberry, cranberry, quality traits, genetics, genomics, phenotyping
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