Stated preference surveys are a relatively new approach to measuring specialty crop producers’ valuation of breeding traits.
CucCAP Featured Articles
The CucCAP website features recently published articles from the four crop teams, (Cucumber, Melon, Squash, and Watermelon) and the Bioinformatics, Breeding, & Genomics group. Integtated crop and disease management activities, articles and reports are also featured.
CucCAP scientists map QTL for resistance to powdery mildew in melon
Powdery mildew is one of the most important diseases of melon. CucCAP researchers used a densely genotyped melon population to identify QTL associated with resistance in multiple plant tissues.
CucCAP researchers identify QTL for Phytophthora resistance in squash
Scientists at the University of Florida led by Geoffrey Meru characterized resistance to Phytophthora crown rot in PI 181761 and identified a major QTL on chromsome 13. Several SNP markers were designed to target this QTL for marker-assisted selection.
CucCAP researchers develop watermelon breeding lines with broad resistance to Phytophthora capsici
CucCAP researchers developed 5 Phytophthora fruit rot resistant watermelon germplasm lines with high levels of resistance against a broad range of diverse P. capsici isolates collected from across the United States.
CucCAP researchers develop new methods for detection and analysis of downy mildew pathogen on cucumber
Researchers in Dr. Mary Hausbeck’s group at MSU have developed a highly sensitive DNA-based protocol to genetically distinguish between spores of cucumber downy mildew and hop downy mildew from spore trap samples. The enhanced sensitivity enables detection 5-10 days before symptoms appear in cucumber fields, providing a broader window for initiation of chemical control.
CucCAP researchers compile analysis of genetic resources and vulnerabilities for cucurbit crops
Germplasm collections maintained by the US National Plant Germplasm System and those of other countries are critical sources of diversity utilized by breeders for crop improvement. This review summarizes status of collections and vulnerabilities for cucurbit crops.
CucCAP researchers genetically characterize more than 2000 melon accessions in the U.S. National Plant Germplasm System
The U.S. National Plant Germplasm System maintains a melon germplasm collection from worldwide melon production areas and regions where primitive melons exist. The CucCAP team genetically characterized the collection to increase understanding of genetic diversity, phylogenetic relationships, and population structure of the collection, and to improve melon taxonomic classifications. A core collection was developed from the analysis to provide a public resource for future research and genomics-assisted breeding. Thirty-five morphological characters were evaluated in the core collection to identify genomic regions potentially related to fruit quality and other horticultural traits important in melon improvement.
CucCAP scientists translate genomic studies into novel detection method for precision management of downy mildew outbreaks
Downy mildew caused by Pseudoperonospora cubensis is the most destructive foliar disease affecting cucurbit crops. Genomic studies by Dr. Lina Quesada-Ocampo and colleagues at North Carolina State University showed that different isolates preferentially infect different cucurbit crops. From this information, a multiplex PCR-based assay was combined with spore trapping to identify which crops are most at risk. These results can facilitate timely and crop-specific fungicide application prior to appearance of symptoms in sentinel plots.
