Obj. 2. Map and develop markers for disease resistance
2.1 QTL mapping of resistances
Obj. 3.4. Introgress, pyramid/stack resistances into advanced breeding lines
Meru Lab @ UFL
UF/IFAS plant breeders to release squash cultivars
Geoffrey Meru at UF IFAS Tropical Research and Education Center in Florida and his team have been researching Calabaza’s qualities as a sustainable crop to grow commercially in Florida, Georgia, Alabama and Puerto Rico.
Squash Team | 2023 Progress Report
Early Career Scientist Spotlight | Prerna Sabharwal
Prerna Sabharwal is a graduate student working on her PhD in the Department of Horticultural Sciences at the University of Florida. Her major Professor is CucCAP Squash breeder, Dr. Geoffrey Meru. The focus of Prerna’s research includes plant breeding, plant pathology, and genomics.
CucCAP Squash Team | Research Publications
The CucCAP squash team published 6 journal articles in 2022 & 2023, 7 journal articles in 2021, and 5 journal articles in 2020.
CucCAP Bioinformatics Team | Research Publications
CUCURBITACEAE 2022
CucCAP scientists use genomic approaches to facilitate breeding for PRSV-W resistance in squash
Papaya ringspot virus-W (PRSV-W) causes severe yield losses in squash production. The Meru laboratory at the University of Florida identified a single QTL for resistance on Chromosome 09 of the C. moschata genome. Subsequent testing identified two SNP markers as potential targets for marker-assisted selection. The findings of this study will facilitate breeding for resistance against PRSV-W in commercial squash cultivars.