The CucCAP cucumber team is breeding cucumbers for resistance to downy mildew and Phytophthora fruit rot.
CucCAP Team
Contributions to the CucCAP project by the Bioinformatics Team, Cucurbit Crop Teams, Extension Team, and Socioeconomic Team.
The CucCAP Bioinformatics team
The CucCAP Bioinformatics team is led by BTI plant genomics scientist Zhangjun Fei. Team members include Shan Wu who is working to integrate the watermelon pan genome and Jingyin Yu who is redesigning the data base.
CucCAP scientists identify QTL associated with gummy stem blight in watermelon
We identified QTLs associated with gummy stem blight resistance in an interspecific F2:3 Citrullus population and developed marker assays for selection of the loci in watermelon.
Cucurbit virus disease management resources for growers
USDA-ARS plant pathologist, Bill Wintermantel, collaborated with Mississippi State University Extension to publish information about cucurbit viruses including a video presentation, a factsheet and articles for cucurbit producers.
CucCAP researchers develop genetic tools and diagnostic guide for cucurbit downy mildew
Plant pathologists from the CucCAP disease management team published two articles focusing on CDM: “Population Analyses Reveal Two Host-Adapted Clades of Pseudoperonospora cubensis, the Causal Agent of Cucurbit Downy Mildew, on Commercial and Wild Cucurbits” & “Diagnostic Guide for Cucurbit Downy Mildew”
CucCAP researchers publish articles focusing on Phytophthora
Cornell University scientists Dr. Christine Smart, a plant pathologist and Dr. Michael Mazourek, a vegetable breeder discuss newly developed squash breeding lines and the soilborne oomycete Phytophthora capsici.
CucCAP researchers identify new loci for resistance to powdery mildew in watermelon
The Kousik Lab published “Elucidation of resistance signaling and identification of powdery mildew resistant mapping loci (ClaPMR2) during watermelon-Podosphaera xanthii interaction using RNA-Seq and whole-genome resequencing approach”.
PPI presents Todd Wehner with Hall of Fame Award | NC State News
CucCAP watermelon and cucumber breeder Todd Wehner recently earned a top international industry recognition, Pickle Packers International’s Hall of Fame Award.
