Downy mildew (DM) is an important disease of cucumber and other cucurbits. Many quantitative trait loci (QTL) have been identified from different resistant resources but very few have been fine mapped or cloned. CucCAP researchers in USDA-ARS and the University of Wisconsin Madison reported identification and functional characterization of the candidate gene for the major-effect QTL, dm5.3, for DM resistance from the plant introduction line PI 197088. This gene, which can enhance plant disease signaling, is currently being used to breed for disease resistance in cucumber.
Weng Lab @ USDA-ARS in Madison
Research Geneticist at the USDA-ARS Vegetable Crops Research Unit in Madison Wisconsin & Professor of Horticulture at the University of Wisconsin.
CucCAP PAGXXIX presentations
CucCAP Cucumber team members made virtual presentations at the 2022 Plant and Animal Genome meeting in January 2022.
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.
Cucumber Team | 2021 Progress Report
The CucCAP Cucumber Team is led by Yiqun Weng. Team objectives are to develop genomic, bioinformatic, mapping approaches and tools for cucurbits, map and develop markers for disease resistance, and QTL introgression into breeding or advanced lines, and release to breeders.
Early Career Scientist Spotlight | Feifan Chen
Feifan Chan’s work in Yiqun Weng’s lab focuses on on pathogen resistance to downy mildew and powdery mildew in cucumber.
Meet the CucCAP Cucumber Team
The CucCAP cucumber team is breeding cucumbers for resistance to downy mildew and Phytophthora fruit rot.
