Progress 10/01/98 to 09/30/04
Outputs
Resistance to cucumber mosaic virus, zucchini yellow mosaic virus, watermelon mosaic virus, papaya ringspot virus, and powdery mildew was transferred from wild Cucurbita species to squash and pumpkin. Summer squash breeding lines and the cultivar `Whitaker' were bred for parthenocarpic fruit set. New sources of anthracnose resistance were found and introgressed into tomato germplasm. Solanum species were screened for verticillium wilt resistance and resistant eggplant germplasm with good horticultural type was derived from interspecific hybridization. Resistance to cucumber mosaic virus was found in Lactuca saligna and was combined with resistance to corky root rot in the lettuce cultivar `Onondaga'. Cucumber germplasm bred for dwarf plant habit, good seed production and quality, and multiple disease resistance was evaluated for adaptation to mechanical harvest.
Impacts
The development and release to seedsmen of multiple disease resistant germplasm for summer squash, winter squash, and pumpkin is likely to lead to the introduction of resistant cultivars with increased yield and reduced need for pesticide application. Summer squash bred for parthenocarpic fruit set should improve fruit set and yield when conditions are poor for pollination. The development of tomato germplasm resistant to anthracnose makes possible resistant cultivars with less fruit rot and pesticide use. Breeding eggplants resistant to verticillium wilt will prevent losses from this important disease that cannot be controlled economically by any other means. Lettuce bred for resistance to cucumber mosaic virus and corky root rot provide a means for control for these important diseases and may reduce pesticide use. The development of pickling cucumber germplasm with the dw gene for dwarf pant habit may make possible the use of higher plant populations with increased
yield and higher proportion of small size grade pickles in a single mechanical harvest.
Publications
- Gao, Yanxin. 2004. Resistance to verticillium wilt (Verticillium dahliae Kleb.) in Solanum species related to eggplant (S. melongena). PhD thesis, Cornell Univ. 202 pp.
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Progress 01/01/03 to 12/31/03
Outputs
Squash and pumpkin was bred to pyramid genes for disease resistance. Germplasm was released to seed companies with combined resistance to zucchini yellow mosaic virus, watermelon mosaic virus, cucumber mosaic virus, papaya ringspot mosaic virus, and powdery mildew. Each of the multiple disease resistant lines that was released in 2003 was segregating for resistance to one or more of those diseases, but research was accomplished to develop germplasm homozygous for resistance to five major diseases. Sequential inoculation was used to achieve this breeding objective. Plants in the greenhouse were inoculated with cucumber mosaic virus, resistant survivors of this test were then inoculated with papaya ringspot mosaic virus, plants selected for resistance to both of these disease were then inoculated with watermelon mosaic virus, and subsequently triple resistant plants from these tests were used to pollinate plants in the field selected for resistance to zucchini yellow
mosaic virus. Selection was made, both in the greenhouse and the field, for resistance to powdery mildew.
Impacts
The development of squash and pumpkin germplasm homozygous for resistance to five major diseases should help bring about the introduction of multiple disease resistant varieties that will reduce pesticide use and improve disease control.
Publications
- Robinson, R. W. 2004. Breeding Cucurbita for Multiple Disease Resistance. 2003 Rpt Vegetable Breeding Programs, Cornell University. Pp 20-22.
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Progress 01/01/02 to 12/31/02
Outputs
One of the primary objectives of this project has been to combine resistance to zucchini yellow mosaic virus, cucumber mosaic virus, papaya ringspot mosaic virus, watermelon mosaic virus, and powdery mildew in the same Cucurbita germplasm. This was achieved this year, for the first time, for both pumpkin and squash. Each of the breeding lines resistant to ZYMV, CMV, PRSV, WMV, and PM segregated for one or more of those resistances, but resistant plants were self pollinated in order to achieve homozygosity for resistance to 5 diseases. Butternut type breeding lines of squash with a very long, straight neck, disease resistance, and good quality were developed. Disease resistant summer squash was bred for an erect plant habit that holds the fruit off the ground, for reduced branching, and for long, nearly spineless petioles. Eggplant germplasm resistant to verticillium wilt and with good horticultural type was bred.
Impacts
The development of squash and pumpkin germplasm resistant to 5 important diseases should lead to the introduction of disease resistant varieties that increase revenue to growers, improve quality for consumers, and reduce pesticide use. The Butternut type breeding lines of squash with a very long, straight neck and other useful characeristics that was developed in this project will increase the proportion of usable flesh in a squash fruit since the neck has no seed cavity and is entirely usable except for the rind. This will be particularly useful for processing since it would increase the case yield, the amount of processed product per ton of fruit. The summer squash germplasm bred for an erect plant habit that holds the fruit off the ground may reduce the amount of fruit that rots due to lying on wet ground. It might also make higher plant populations and yield feasible and possibly facilitate mechanical harvesting. The reduced branching and long, nearly spineless
petioles of these breeding lines should make it easier to see and harvest fruit. The eggplant germplasm bred for resistance to verticilium wilt may lead to the introduction of varieties resistant to an important disease that cannot be controlled by any other economical means.
Publications
- R. W. Robinson and Y. Gao. 2002. Breeding eggplant for verticillium wilt resistance. Abs. XXVI Int. Hort. Congr. p 437.
- Gao, Y., R. W. Robinson, J. W. Shail, and M. Hemmat. 2002. Transferring verticillium wilt resistance from wild Solanum species to Solanum melongena via conventional breeding and biotechnology. Abs. NE Region ASHS.
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Progress 01/01/01 to 12/31/01
Outputs
Summer squash (Cucurbita pepo) was bred for resistance to zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV), cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), papaya ringspot virus (PRSV), watermelon mosaic virus (WMV), and powdery mildew (PM). `Whitaker', a summer squash cultivar resistant to ZYMV, CMV, PRSV, and PM that was previously developed in this project, was crossed with germplasm of interspecific origin that is resistant to WMV in order to pyramid genes for resistance to five important diseases. `Whitaker' was also crossed with pumpkins, and selection was made in advanced generations of these crosses for multiple disease resistance and good jack o' lantern fruit type. Some of the disease resistant breeding lines compared favorably with the best commercial cultivars of pumpkin. Winter squash (Cucurbita maxima and C. moschata) was also bred for resistance to CMV, ZYMV, PRSV, WMV, and PM. Pickling cucumbers were bred for a very compact plant habit due to being homozygous for the dwarf (dw) gene.
The previous association of the dw gene with reduced germination in laboratory tests and reduced seed production was overcome, but there remained a problem with establishing a good stand when dwarf lines were direct seeeded in the field. Dwarf lines with good field germination, desirable fruit quality, and with resistance to PM, CMV, scab, and angular leaf spot are being developed. Solanum species related to eggplant were screened for resistance to verticillium wilt. Resistance to that disease was transferred from S. incanum to eggplant. Breeding lines with good horticultural type were developed but they are still segregating for verticillium resistance. Tomatoes were bred for resistance to anthracnose. Lettuce breeding lnes of interspecific origin were evaluated for horticultural type at NY, Canada, and South Korea.
Impacts
Squash germplasm resistant to five important diseases will be very useful as parental material for breeding, as an inbred line that could be used as a parent of F1 hybrid cultivars, and possibly as an open pollinated cultivar. It would combine resistance to more diseases than that of any squash cultivar available now and provide growers enhanced protection from diseases. Tests indicated that the dwarf cucumber gene has the potential for increasing yield, by permitting higher plant populations before reaching the plateau at which yield is not increased when plant population size is further increased, and for increasing the value per acre in a single mechanical harvest by increased proportion of pickling cucumbers of small size grades that are of more value than larger fruit . Verticillium wilt is a worldwide problem for eggplant production but a cultivar resistant to that disease has never been developed. Growers would benefit by higher yields if a verticillium wilt
resistant cultivar is developed as a result of this research. Anthracnose is a major problem for processing tomatoes, causing fruit rot and increased spore count in the processed product, but all processing cultivars grown now are susceptible to this important disease. Development of a resistant cultivar would help growers, by reducing fruit rot and possible rejection of their fruit by canners, and would help processors by reducing waste in processing and by improving quality.
Publications
- Robinson, R.W., J.W. Shail, and Yanxin Gao. 2001. Interspecific hybridization of eggplant for verticillium wilt resistance and other useful traits. In: R. van den Berg, G. Barendse, G. van der Weerden, and T. Mariani, eds. Solanaceae V: Advances in Taxonomy and Utilization. pp 279-291.
- Robinson, R.W. 2001. Breeding Cucurbita for disease resistance. Abs. 2nd Internatl. Symp. Cucurbits, Tsukuba, Japan. p. 20.
- Robinson, R.W. 2001. Hybrid seed Production of cucurbits. Abs. 2nd Internatl. Symp. Cucurbits, Tsukuba, Japan. p. 12.
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Progress 01/01/00 to 12/31/00
Outputs
Summer squash and pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo) was bred for resistance to zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV), cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), papaya ringspot virus (PRSV), watermelon mosaic virus (WMV), and powdery mildew (PM). `Whitaker', a summer squash cultivar with striped green fruit and resistance to ZYMV, CMV, PRSV, and PM was previously developed in this project, and now we have bred germplasm with resistance to those four diseases but differing by having nonstriped yellow or green fruit. `Whitaker' was crossed with pumpkin in order to breed pumpkins with quadruple disease resistance. Breeding lines derived from this cross were selected for good jack o' lantern fruit type and disease resistance. None of the pumpkin breeding lines was homozygous for resistance to all four diseases that their `Whitaker' parent is resistant to, but crosses were made between breeding lines resistant one or more diseases and lines resistant to other diseases in order to pyramid disease
resistance genes for pumpkin. Resistance to WMV was transferred from Cucurbita ecuadorensis to C. pepo, and crosses were made to breed summer squash and pumpkin with resistance to five diseases. Winter squash (Cucurbita maxima and C. moschata) was also bred for resistance to CMV, ZYMV, PRSV, WMV, and PM. Pickling cucumbers were bred for a very compact plant habit, due to being homozygous for the dwarf (dw) gene. The association of the dw gene with reduced seed production and germination was overcome, and dw lines with good fruit and seed quality and with resistance to PM, CMV, scab, and angular leaf spot were developed. Solanum species related to eggplant were screened for resistance to verticillium wilt. Resistance to that disease was transferred from S. incanum to eggplant.
Impacts
Multiple disease resistant squash and pumpkin germplasm developed in this project has resistance to more important diseases than ever combined for those crops before. It is being used by seed companies as the parent of F-1 hybrid cultivars and new inbred lines. The dwarf pickling cucumbers bred in this project have potential value for a single, mechanical harvest. They can be grown at higher plant populations, with consequent increase in yield, and higher proportion of small, higher value size grade fruit. Verticillum wilt is a serious disease of eggplant throughout the world but a resistant cultivar of eggplant has never been bred. Eggplant breeding lines with verticillium wilt resistance and good horticultural type have been developed from an interspecific cross.
Publications
- Robinson, Richard W. 2000. Rationale and methods for producing hybrid cucurbit seed. Jour. New Seeds 1: 1-47.
- Robinson, Richard W. 2000. In A. S. Basra. Hybrid Seed Production in Vegetables: Rationale and Methods in Selected Crops. Rationale and methods for producing hybrid cucurbit seed. Haworth Press, NY. pp 1-47.
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Progress 01/01/99 to 12/31/99
Outputs
Progress Report: The summer squash variety `Whitaker', developed in this project and previously released, is now being improved. `Whitaker' is resistant to four important diseases, and resistance to additional diseases is now being backcrossed into it. Priority is being given to adding resistance to watermelon mosaic virus (WMV) to `Whitaker' by backcrossing. Cucurbita pepo breeding lines derived from crosses with C. ecuadorensis or C. moschata 'Nigerian Local' were inoculated with WMV, resistant plants were crossed with `Whitaker', and the hybrids backcrossed to that cultivar. Screening tests and crosses were also made to incorporate resistance to squash mosaic virus, gummy stem blight, and cucumber beetles into `Whitaker' and other summer squash germplasm. The plant habit of `Whitaker' and other summer squash lines is being altered by crossing and selection for upright plants with suppressed lateral branching in order to facilitate harvesting and possibly make
higher plant populations feasible. `Whitaker' has striped green fruit, but versions of this cultivar with solid green or yellow fruit are being developed by backcrossing. In each of these backcross programs, selection is being made for good seed production since `Whitaker' is a shy seed producer. Pumpkins resistant to cucumber mosaic virus were developed and crossed with Whitaker'. Selection was made in advanced generations of these crosses for good pumpkin fruit and vine type and for resistance to zucchini yellow mosaic virus, papaya ringspot virus, cucumber mosaic virus, and powdery mildew. Winter squash (Cucurbita maxima and C. moschata) was bred for resistance to these and other diseases and for high soluble solids and good quality. Cucumber breeding lines with the dwarf (dw) gene were selected for disease resistance, type, and for good seed production. The original dw mutant was disease susceptible and produced only a few seed per fruit, but a dw breeding line resistant to CMV,
scab, and powdery mildew and producing <100 seed per fruit was developed. It was evaluated this year in a grower's field that was mechanically harvested. Eggplant and pepper breeding lines of interspecific origin were bred for resistance to verticilium wilt and cucumber mosaic virus, respectively. Lettuce was bred for resisanace to cucumber mosaic virus, corky root rot, and for heat tolerance.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- Robinson, R. W . and S . Reiners. 1999. Parthenocarpy in summer squash. HortScience 34: 715-717.
- Robinson, R. W . and D. S. Decker-Walters. 1999. Cucurbits. 2nd ed. CAB Intl. Wallingford, Oxon, UK. 226 pp.
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Progress 01/01/98 to 12/31/98
Outputs
The summer squash cultivar 'Whitaker', which was developed in this project and introduced last year, is resistant to four important diseases: zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV), cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), papaya ringspot virus (PRSV), and powdery mildew. Crosses were made this year to backcross additional disease resistance into 'Whitaker', and to develop other squash germplasm with multiple disease and insect resistance. Priority was assigned to incorporating resistance to watermelon mosaic virus (WMV) into 'Whitaker' and summer squash germplasm. Breeding lines derived from interspecific hybridization were screened for resistance, and plants with WMV resistance from Cucurbita ecuadorensis or C. moschata `Nigerian Local' were selfed and crossed with 'Whitaker' and selected breeding lines. Summer squash, pumpkin, and winter squash (C. maxima, C. moschata, and C. pepo) breeding lines were evaluated for earliness, yield, and quality and they were screened for
resistance to ZYMV, CMV, PRSV, WMV, squash mosaic virus, powdery mildew, gummy stem blight, and cucumber beetles. Cucumber breeding lines were self- and cross-pollinated, on the basis of selections for horticultural type and resistance to CMV, powdery mildew, and scab. Cucumber breeding lines with the dwarf (dw) gene and good seed production were developed. Lettuce breeding lines were evaluated for resistance to corky root rot and other diseases. Endive and escarole breeding lines were bred for resistance to turnip mosaic virus derived from chicory. Tomato germplasm resistant to anthracnose, verticillium wilt, and fusarium wilt was developed and provided to seed companies. Peppers were bred for resistance to CMV, and eggplant lines were evaluated for verticillium wilt resistance.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- Robinson, R.W. 1998. Breeding and evaluaton of squash and pumpkin with multiple disease and insect resistance. NYS IPM Publication 125: 30-33.
- Robinson, R. W. 1998. New "Whitaker" summer squash officially released. Research Reports for Fresh Market Vegetable Research Fund: 19.
- Robinson, R. W. 1998. Book review of: In Vitro Haploid Production In Higher Plants. S. Mohan, S. K. Sopory, and R. E. Veilleux, eds. HortScience 33: 171.
- Robinson, R. W. and L. C. Merrick. 1998. Dedication: Thomas W. Whitaker. Proc. Cucurbitaceae `98. pp 10-16.
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Progress 01/01/97 to 12/31/97
Outputs
The summer squash cultivar 'Whitaker', formerly breeding line NY 247, was introduced. It is resistant to four important diseases: zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV), cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), papaya ringspot virus (PRSV), and powdery mildew. 'Whitaker' is the first summer squash cultivar with genes introgressed from Cucurbita ecuadorensis and it also has disease resistance genes from C. okeechobeensis ssp. martinezii. Its resistance to all strains tested of ZYMV is from a different source than other resistant cultivars and thus may reduce vulnerability to new strains of that virus. 'Whitaker' was found to have a higher level of ZYMV resistance than some other resistant cultivars, and it is the only summer squash cultivar resistant to PRSV. 'Whitaker' was bred to set fruit without pollination. Its ability to set parthenocarpic fruit may be useful when squash is grown in plastic tunnels or other enclosures that exclude pollinating insects, and when there are
insufficient bees or male flowers for good pollination. 'Whitaker' was found to have good combining ability and should be useful as a parent of hybrid cultivars. Breedng lines from crosses with 'Whitaker' were developed to combine the multiple disease resistance of that cultivar with resistance to additional diseases. Breeding was also done to transfer multiple disease resistance from 'Whitaker' to pumpkin (C. pepo). Progress was made on breeding winter squash (C. maxima and C. moschata) for disease resistance and fruit quality. insects. The crisphead lettuce cultivar `Onondaga' was introduced. It is resistant to CMV and corky root rot. It also is resistant to the physiological disorders of tipburn and premature bolting. Tomato breeding lines of interspecific origin were selected for resistance to anthracnose and other diseases and for attractiveness to pollinating insects.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- Robinson, R. W. and D. S. Decker-Walters. l997. Cucurbits. CAB Intl.Wallingford, Oxon, UK.. 226 pp Robinson, R.W., and R. Provvidenti. 1997. Differential response of Cucurbita pepo cultivars to strains of zucchini yellow mosaic virus. Cucurbit Genet. Coop. Rpt. 20: 58-59.
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Progress 01/01/96 to 12/30/96
Outputs
A summer squash breeding line, NY 247, will be released in 1997 as an open-pollinated cultivar and inbred parent of hybrid cultivars. It is resistant to zucchini yellow mosaic virus, papaya ringspot virus, and cucumber mosaic virus, and sets fruit without pollination. NY 247 was crossed with pumpkin breeding lines resistant to cucumber mosaic virus, and selection was made in the progeny for multiple disease resistant plants. Improvements were made in disease resistance, seed quality, and other attributes of dwarf cucumber breeding lines. Improvements are needed in seed germination and production, however, to develop a dwarf cultivar suitable for mechanical harvesting. Two lettuce breeding lines resistant to corky root rot and tipburn had better seeding vigor, uniformity, and type in a commercial planting than the cultivar used by the grower. Seed is being increased for these lines to permit large scale trials and possible cultivar release in 1997. Tomato breeding
lines were evaluated for anthracnose resistance and other useful characteristics. Breeding lines selected for being the best in anthracnose resistance were late in maturity, but line 96-87 combined earliness with a moderate degree of resistance to anthracnose and with resistance to other diseases, good quality, and other desirable traits. Eggplant and pepper breeding lines derived from interspecific hybridization were selected for resistance to verticillium wilt and cucumber mosaic virus, respectively, and for horticultural type.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- Robinson, R. W. and M. G. Hutton. 1996. Update of gene list for Cucurbita spp. Cucurbit Genet. Coop. Rpt. 19: 91-92.
- Stoewsand, G. S., J. L. Anderson, and R. W. Robinson. Safety assessment of nematode-resistant tomato by a simple, short-term rat feeding study. Regulatory Toxicology Pharmacology 24: 6-8. 1996.
- Robinson, R. W. and D. S. Decker-Walters. Cucurbits.CAB International , Cambridge, England. 226 pp. 1997.
- Hoffmann, M. P., R. W., Robinson, and M. M. Kyle. 1996. Defoliation and infestation of Cucurbita genotypes by Diabroticite beetles. Hortscience 31: 439-442.
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Progress 01/01/95 to 12/30/95
Outputs
Restricted gene recombination, disturbed genetic ratios, and other problems havepreviously prevented the interspecific transfer of multiple virus resistance from Cucurbita ecuadorensis to C. pepo, but these sterility barriers have now been overcome. NY 95-247, a Cocozelle-type summer squash derived from this interspecific cross, has good horticultural type and is resistant to zucchini yellow mosaic virus, cucumber mosaic virus, and papaya ringspot virus. Selection was made for improved seed quality of pickling cucumber breeding lines with the dwarf (dw) gene that permits higher plant populations and increased value of a single mechanical harvest. Tomatoes were bred for resistance to anthracnose and other diseases, and for attractiveness to pollinating insects in order to improve fruit set. Progeny of interspecific crosses were selected for resistance to cucumber mosaic virus for peppers and to verticillium wilt for eggplant. Lettuce was bred for resistance to viruses
and corky rot, and two tipburn resistant breeding lines from the cross Montello x Saladcrisp were selected for seed increase and for commercial trials next season.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
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Progress 01/01/94 to 12/30/94
Outputs
A three year investigation was completed of genetic pea therocarpy in Cucurbita pepo, C. pepo, C. maxima, and C. moschata were bred for multiple virus resistance. A spacing experiment indicated that a dwarf (dw) pickling cucumber breeding line produced a significantly greater dollar value per acre than SMR18 when grown at close spacing. The duo gene was combined with genes for gynoecious set expression and disease resistance and selection was made to improve seed production and germination of dn lines. Tomatoes were bred for resistance to anthracnose and other diseases. Lycopersicon species were evaluated for attractiveness to pollinating insects, and this characteristic was introgressed to tomato to improve fruit set. Lettuce was bred for multiple virus resistance. Eggplant and pepper were bred for resistance to verticillium wilt and cucumber mosaic virus, respectively.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
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