CucCAP Team 2019 Annual Meeting and Report

CucCAP Project Objectives

Each objective includes integrated research and extension/outreach [E/O] approaches:

Obj. 1. Develop genomic approaches and tools for cucurbit species.

  • – Develop genomic and bioinformatic platforms for: genotyping by sequencing (GBS); sequence data processing and analysis; and genotype, phenotype and QTL databases
  • – Perform GBS analysis of PI collections and core populations of the four species to provide a community resource for genome wide association studies (GWAS) for current and future traits of interest
  • – Provide access to cucurbit genomics tools and databases via the International Cucurbit Genome Initiative (ICuGI) website, and by genomics and bioinformatics workshops open to all members of the cucurbit scientific and breeding communities

Obj. 2. Perform genomic-assisted breeding to introgress disease resistance into cucurbit cultivars.

  • – Utilize genomic approaches to map resistance loci for key cucurbit diseases
  • – Develop and verify molecular markers for efficient trait selection and gene pyramiding
  • – Introgress resistances into advanced breeding lines
  • – [E/O] Provide web-based and face to face information via field trials, extension venues, and scientific meetings regarding breeding materials, markers, and breeding progress

Obj. 3 Perform economic impact analyses of cost of production and disease control and provide readily accessible information to facilitate disease control.

  • – Define, parameterize, simulate, and validate production variables based on cucurbit production crop budgets
  • – Use a risk-based simulation model to analyze economic potential of the disease resistant cucurbit cultivars
  • – [E/O] Develop a centralized cucurbit disease website, including content in English and Spanish, providing information about diagnostics and links to disease clinics; disease control recommendations; disease alerts and links to forecasting tools

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Status of resistance breeding for the priority cucurbit diseases at project outset.

Crop and disease

Sources of resistance

Elite germplasm for introgression

Field testing locations

Resistant parental line

Phenotypic data for GWAS

Segregating  populations

Analysis of inheritance

QTL analysis segregating populations

Marker development

Introgression into cultivated types

Advanced breeding lines for release

Cultivars for release to farmer

Watermelon

Fusarium race2 (Fus) PI 482246-USVL246FR2; PI 482252- USVL252FR2 SC
X x X x
Fusarium race 1 Calhoun Gray SC x x X X X X
Gummy stem blight (GSB) PI 482276-UGA1081; PI 526223-UGA157 NC, GA
Standard: Charleston Gray Icebox: Sugar Baby x x X X
Phytophthora (Phyt) PI 494531-USVL531MDR;
PI 560003- USVL003MDR
SC, NC x x X X
Powdery mildew (PM) SC, NC
X X X X
CGMMV Currently evaluating GHb
PRSV-W PI 595203 SC X x x X

Melon

Powdery (PM) MR-1 Cantaloupe: TopMark, Impac Honeydew: Green Flesh Honeydew or PMR Honeydew CA1,2, AZ x X X
Fusarium (Fus) MR-1 CA1 x X X X X
CYSDV PI 313970;  TGR1551 CA1, AZ X x X X
CMV PI 161375;  Freeman cucumber CA1,2, AZ X

Cucumber

Downy mildew (DM) PI 197088;  PI 330628 Slicer: Poinsett 76 Pickling: NC-25, GY14 WI, NC X X X X X X
Phytophthora (Phyt) PI 109483 MI, NY x X

Squash

Phytophthora (Phyt) PI 211996; PI 483347; PI 634693 Butternut: Burpee Butterbush NY X X
Powdery (PM) C. martenezii Tropical pumpkin: Soler,Taina Dorada PR x X x x x x x
PRSV-W Menina, Nigerian Local PR X X x X X
CMV Menina, Nigerian Local PR x x x X X