Progress 07/01/84 to 09/30/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: New onion families were developed segregating for health-enhancing fructans, male-fertility restoration, leaf waxiness, and bulb colors. A new haploid mapping family was developed for mapping of molecular markers. These haploid plants were asexually propagated and are being grown in replicated trials for bulb quality evaluations. Studies will continue to identify candidate genes for these unique traits. PARTICIPANTS: This research involves collaborations with SLOVENIA on collaboratiosn on the production of onion haploids for efficient genetic mapping, India on collaborations research on cytoplasmic frequencies in Indian populations of onion, and NEW ZEALAND on the development and mapping of SNP markers in onion. Graduate students working on the project include Claudia Calderon and Janejira Duangjit, who received training on molecular analyses of vegetable crops. TARGET AUDIENCES: Onion breeders, growers, processors, researchers, and seed producers. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
These studies are producing genetic information and molecular markers associated with major genes controlling quality of onion bulbs.
Publications
- Melgar, S., and M.J. Havey. 2010. The dominant Ms allele in onion shows reduced penetrance. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 135: 49 to 52.
- Jakse, M., P. Hirschegger, B. Bohanec, and M.J. Havey. 2010. Evaluation of gynogenic responsiveness of selfed doubled haploid onion lines, chromosome doubling procedure via somatic regeneration, and male fertility. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 135: 67 to 73.
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Progress 01/01/09 to 12/31/09
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Onion bulbs for seed production were planted and seed harvested from breeding plots and cages. Onion seed for bulb production was planted at Palmyra Wisconsin and over 200 plots were harvested. Molecular markers were mapped near two major QTL controlling fructans in the onion bulb. Experiments were concluded on evaluation of the pentatricopeptide gene family in onion, as candidate genes for the Ms locus of onion. Experiments were also completed on proteomic analyses of mitochondrial proteins from male-sterile and male-fertility-restored onions. No markers close to the Ms locus were identified. Seed of two inbreds (B8667 and SKI-1) and one genetic stock (OH-1), released in 2007, by the USDA was distributed to 5 onion-breeding programs world-wide. An F2 family segregating for the semi-glossy phenotype, associated with reduced thrips damage, was developed from the heirloom cultivar Colorado #6. PARTICIPANTS: Parts of the research was completed by two graduate students, Sergio Melgar and Steven Raines. Development of molecular markers in onion was in cooperation with Foo Cheung and Christopher Town of the J Craig Venter Institute, Rockville, MD. Production of onion bulbs was completed at the Kincaid Farms, Palmyra, WI and seed production was at the University of Wisconsin Experimental Station near Arlington, WI. TARGET AUDIENCES: Information produced by this research is of interest to plant breeders and geneticists for the development of elite hybrids and cultivars of onion. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
This research continues to produce genetic information, genetic markers and stocks, and elite breeding lines to enhance productivity and quality of onion.
Publications
- Mahajan, V., J. Jakse, M.J. Havey, and K.E. Lawande. 2009. Genetic fingerprinting of Indian onion cultivars using SSR markers. Indian J. Hort. 66:62-68.
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Progress 01/01/08 to 12/31/08
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Onion bulbs for seed production were planted and seed harvested from breeding plots and cages. Onion seed for bulb production was planted at Palmyra Wisconsin and over 200 plots were harvested. Molecular markers were mapped near two major QTL controlling fructans in the onion bulb. Experiments continued on evaluation of the pentatricopeptide gene family in onion, as candidate genes for the Ms locus of onion. Experiments were initiated on proteomic analyses of mitochondrial proteins from male-sterile and male-fertility-restored onions. Seed of two inbreds (B8667 and SKI-1) and one genetic stock (OH-1), released in 2007, by the USDA was distributed to 10 onion-breeding programs world-wide. PARTICIPANTS: Parts of the research were completed by two graduate students, Sergio Melgar and Steven Raines. Development of molecular markers in onion was in cooperation with John McCallum at Crop and Food Research, New Zealand, and Christopher Town of the J Craig Venter Institute, Rockville, MD. Production of onion bulbs was completed at the Kincaid Farms, Palmyra, WI and seed production was at the University of Wisconsin Experimental Station near Arlington, WI. TARGET AUDIENCES: Information produced by this research is of interest to plant breeders and geneticists for the development of elite hybrids and cultivars of onion. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
This research continues to produce genetic information, genetic markers and stocks, and elite breeding lines to enhance productivity and quality of onion.
Publications
- Jakse, J., Meyer, J.D.F., Suzuki, G., McCallum, J., Cheung, F., Town, and Havey, M.J. 2008. Pilot sequencing of onion genomic DNA reveals fragmented transposable elements, low gene densities, and significant gene enrichment after methyl filtration. Mol. Genet. Genomics 280:287-292.
- McCallum, J., Thomson, S., Pither-Joyce, M., Kenel, F., Clarke, A., and Havey, M.J. 2008. Genetic diversity analysis and single-nucleotide-polymorphism marker development in cultivated bulb onion based on expressed sequence tag simple sequence repeat markers. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 133:810-818.
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Progress 01/01/07 to 12/31/07
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Onion bulbs for seed production were planted and seed harvested from breeding plots and cages. Onion seed for bulb production was planted at Palmyra Wisconsin and over 200 plots were harvested. HPLC analyses were completed for the third year for a replicated trial of 74 families for fine mapping of QTL controlling fructan accumulation 30-days and 90-days after harvest. Molecular markers are being mapped near major QTL controlling fructans in the onion bulb. Experiments continued on evaluation of the pentatricopeptide gene family in onion, as candidate genes for the Ms locus of onion. Bulb colors were determined for a segregating population and candidate structural genes were evaluated as candidates for the R and L loci of onion. A report was prepared from the one-day conference on Allium Translational Genomics was organized and held in 2006 at College Station, TX. Two inbreds (B8667 and SKI-1) and one genetic stock (OH-1) were released by the USDA and seed distributed to
over 30 programs world-wide.
PARTICIPANTS: McCallum, J., M. Pither-Joyce, M. Shaw, F. Kenel, S. Davis, R. Butler, J. Scheffer are at Crop and Food Research in New Zealand J. Jakse is at the University of Ljubljana, Slovenia (former post-doctoral researcher) A. Khar is at the National Research Center for Onion and Garlic, Pune, India (former post-doctoral researcher)
TARGET AUDIENCES: This information will be of interest to onion breeders, processors, and growers towards the production of high quality, health-enhancing onions.
Impacts
This research will produce genetic information and breeding lines to enhance productivity and quality of onion.
Publications
- McCallum, J., M. Pither-Joyce, M. Shaw, F. Kenel, S. Davis, R. Butler, J. Scheffer, J. Jakse, and M.J. Havey. 2007. Genetic mapping of sulfur assimilation genes reveals a QTL for onion bulb pungency. Theor. Appl. Genet. 114:815-822.
- Khar, A., J. Jakse, and M.J. Havey. 2007. Segregations for onion-bulb colors reveal that red is controlled by at least three loci. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 132:1-6.
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Progress 01/01/06 to 12/31/06
Outputs
Onion bulbs for seed production were planted and seed harvested from breeding plots and cages. Onion seed for bulb production was planted at Palmyra Wisconsin and over 200 plots were harvested. A replicated trial of 74 families for fine mapping of QTL controlling fructan accumulation was planted, harvested, and juicing of bulbs completed 30-days and 90-days after harvest. HPLC analyses were completed for the second year of this replicated field trial. Molecular markers are being mapped near major QTL controlling fructans in the onion bulb. Experiments were initiated on evaluation of the pentatricopeptide gene family in onion, as candidate genes for the Ms locus of onion. A one-day conference on Allium Translational Genomics was organized and held on Dec. 6, 2006, at College Station, TX. A white paper is being developed from this meeting.
Impacts
This research will produce genetic information and breeding lines to enhance productivity and quality of onion.
Publications
- Gokce, A.F., and M.J. Havey. 2006. Selection at the Ms locus in open-pollinated onion populations possessing S cytoplasm or mixtures of N and S cytoplasms. Genet. Res. Crop Evol. 53:1495-1499.
- Jakse, J., A. Telgmann, C. Jung, A. Khar, S. Melgar, F. Cheung, C.D. Town, and M.J. Havey. 2006. Comparative sequence and genetic analyses of asparagus BACs reveal no microsynteny with onion or rice. Theor. Appl. Genet. 114:31-39.
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Progress 01/01/05 to 12/31/05
Outputs
The Asparagales and Poales (grasses) are the two most economically important monocot orders. Enormous genetic resources have been developed for the grasses, including complete DNA sequence of rice. The Asparagales include such economically important plants as asparagus, garlic, and onion. In spite of a relatively close phylogenetic relationship between the grasses and Asparagales, it is not clear how useful genetic resources developed for the grasses will be useful for genetic improvement of the Asparagales. We sequenced asparagus and onion BACs to assess genomic DNA differences between the Asparagales and grasses. Sequence analyses revealed very low gene denisities in asparagus and onion and no colinearity with the grasses. These results demonstrate that genomic resources must be independently developed for the Asparagales. These results will be useful to plant geneticists interested in the evolution and genetic improvement of monocot crops.
Impacts
This USDA program has developed the genetic basis of hybrid onion production and transferred this technology to the hybrid vegetable seed industry. We are now concentrating on new technologies to produce new generations of onion hybrids. Onion breeding is a slow process because two years are required per generation. Molecular markers closely associated with major traits in onion will provide the seed industry with a quick and cheap alternative to classical genetic studies and selection. This project will enable the seed industry to react quickly to changes in consumer preferences, production environments, or exploit new markets.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/04 to 12/31/04
Outputs
Onion is a high value vegetable crop that is slow to breed by classical methods because of a long generation time. This project focuses research on development of superior male sterile inbred lines to be used to produce hybrid onion. We continued a major field and laboratory study to establish the genetic bases of correlated flavor, production, and health enhancing attributes of onion. These correlated traits appear to be under the control of genes conditioning the synthesis of inulins, which are complex carbohydrates with well established health benefits in humans. When onion bulbs synthesis inulins, they may up less water at maturity causing the concentration of carbohydrates, as well as the compounds associated with higher pungencies and blood thinning attributes. We identified major chromosome regions that control accumulation of sucrose and health-enhancing fructans in onion bulbs. The higher levels of sucrose open the door for breeding of sweeter onions.
Although selection of lower pungency inbreds will proceed because they are preferred by consumers, medium levels of sucrose and inulin content may be maintained to enhance the health-enhancing attributes of onion. We also completed a major study on the characteristics of onion DNA relative to the grasses. Coding regions in the onion DNA was different being more similar to the eudicots than the grasses. The relatively high GC content of the grass DNA is likely a derived state and not representative of other major monocots. Other major monocot groups must be studied to reveal how widepread or unique the relatively high GC content of the grass DNA is for the monocots as a whole.
Impacts
Our research on the flavor, production, and health enhancing attributes of onion will provide basic genetic information imperative to the development of new value-added onion hybrids for growers and consumers.
Publications
- Kuhl, J.C., F. Cheung, Q. Yuan, W. Martin, Y. Zewdie, J. McCallum, A. Catanach, P. Rutherford, K.C. Sink, M. Jenderek, J.P. Prince, C.D. Town, and M.J. Havey. 2004. A unique set of 11,008 onion ESTs reveals expressed sequence and genomic differences between monocot orders Asparagales and Poales. Plant Cell 16:114-125.
- Havey, M.J., C.R. Galmarini, A.F. Gokce, and C. Henson. 2004. QTL affecting soluble carbohydrate concentrations in stored onion bulbs and their association with flavor and health-enhancing attributes. Genome 47:463-468.
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Progress 01/01/03 to 12/31/03
Outputs
Onion is a high value vegetable crop that has two major classes of health-enhancing compounds, thiosulfinates and fuctans. The thiosulfinates affect the pungent flavor of onion and have blood-thinning attributes. Consumption of fructans is correlated with lower rates of corectal cancers. We continued major field and laboratory studies to establish the genetic bases of correlated flavor and health enhancing attributes of onion. These correlated traits appear to be under the control of genes conditioning the synthesis of fructans. We identified a major locus in onion that controls the amount of sucrose in onion bulbs, which is polymerized into the fructans. The higher fructan concentrations condition less water uptake or retention at maturity, concentrating both carbohydrates and thiosulfinates. We published two papers based on previous research on the production of doubled haploids in onion.
Impacts
Our research on the flavor, production, and health enhancing attributes of onion will provide basic genetic information imperative to the development of new value added onion hybrids for growers and consumers.
Publications
- Bohanec, B., M. Jakse, and M.J. Havey. 2003. Genetic analyses of gynogenetic haploid production in onion. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 128:571-574.
- Jakse, M., M.J. Havey, and B. Bohanec. 2003. Chromosome doubling procedures of onion (Allium cepa L.) gynogenic embryos. Plant Cell Rep. 21:905-913.
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Progress 01/01/02 to 12/31/02
Outputs
Onion is a high value vegetable crop that is difficult to breed by classical methods because of a long generation time. This project focuses research on development of superior male sterile inbred lines to be used by commercial seed companies to produce hybrid onion. We identified differences in the DNA flanking the Ms locus, a major gene that determines whether male sterile inbreds can be developed from a population or family. To make these DNA differences useful in applied breeding programs, we converted these DNA differences to genetic markers revealed by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). It now takes only hours, as opposed to years, to establish the cytoplasm and estimate the nuclear genotype of individual onion plants. We continued a major field and laboratory study to establish the genetic bases of correlated flavor, production, and health enhancing attributes of onion. These correlated traits appear to be under the control of genes conditioning the synthesis
of fructans, which are complex carbohydrates with well established health benefits in humans. When onion bulbs synthesize fructans, they may take up less water at maturity causing the concentration of carbohydrates, as well as the compounds associated with higher pungencies and antiplatelet attributes. We studied the genetic basis of haploid production in onion and efficient chemical treatments to double the chromosome numbers of the haploids. Onion plants and bulbs were scored for genetic attributes or selected for commercially acceptable types. We are in the final seed increase of the first male sterile and male fertile maintainer of a red inbred onion population to be released from the public sector in the US. A source of cytoplasmic male sterility was successfully transferred from onion to leek, opening the possibility of hybrid leek production. The variation among laboratories testing for onion pungency was found to be unacceptably large, requiring the development of a
standardized onion pungency evaluation.
Impacts
Health enhancing attributes of onion offer great potential for consumers. A thorough understanding of the genetic bases of health enhancing characteristics of vegetables will allow for their introgression into commercially acceptable types. The breeding of hybrid onion and leek were enhanced by molecular markers and cytoplasmic transfers.
Publications
- Havey, M.J., M. Cantwell, M.G. Jones, R.W. Jones, N.E. Schmidt, J. Uhlig, J.F. Watson, and K.S. Yoo. 2002. Significant variation exists among laboratories measuring onion bulb quality traits. HortScience 37:1086-1087.
- Gokce, A.F., and M.J. Havey. 2002. Linkage equilibrium among tightly linked RFLPs and the Ms locus in open-pollinated onion populations. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 127:944-946.
- Gokce, A.F., J. McCallum, Y. Sato, and M.J. Havey. 2002. Molecular tagging of the Ms locus in onion. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 127:576-582.
- Peterka, H., H. Budahn, O. Schrader, and M.J. Havey. 2002. Transfer of a male-sterility-inducing cytoplasm from onion to leek (Allium ampeloprasum). Theor. Appl. Genet. 105:173-181.
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Progress 01/01/01 to 12/31/01
Outputs
Onion is a high value vegetable crop that is difficult to breed by classical methods because of a long generation time. This project focuses research on development of superior male sterile inbred lines to be used by commercial seed companies to produce hybrid onion. We identified differences in the DNA flanking the Ms locus, a major gene that determines whether male sterile inbreds can be developed from a population or family. To make these DNA differences useful in applied breeding programs, we converted these DNA differences to genetic markers revealed by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). It now takes only hours, as opposed to years, to establish the cytoplasm and estimate the nuclear genotype of individual onion plants. We developed a genetic marker in the chloroplast DNA that allows for quality control of hybrid onion seed lots by revealing cytoplasmic mixtures. We continued a major field and laboratory study to establish the genetic bases of correlated
flavor, production, and health enhancing attributes of onion. These correlated traits appear to be under the control of genes conditioning the synthesis of inulins, which are complex carbohydrates with well established health benefits in humans. When onion bulbs synthesis inulins, they take up less water at maturity causing the concentration of carbohydrates, as well as the compounds associated with higher pungencies and blood thinning attributes. We continue to study the genetic basis of haploid production in onion to produce instant inbred lines from heterogeneous populations. Plants and bulbs were scored for genetic attributes or selected for commercially acceptable types. We are in the final seed increase of the first male sterile and male fertile maintainer of a red inbred onion population to be released from the public sector in the US.
Impacts
This research will provide unique onion inbreds and cultivars with desirable colors with desirable flavor and production advantages. Technologies will enhance the ability of onion breeders to develop inbreds useful in the production of superior hybrids. Over the long term, we intend to use basic genetic information on the health-enhancing attributes of onion to develop cultivars beneficial to consumers.
Publications
- Lilly, J.W., and M.J. Havey. 2001. Sequence analysis of a chloroplast intergenic spacer for phylogenetic estimates and a PCR-based polymorphism detecting mixtures of male-fertile and male-sterile cytoplasmic onion. Theor. Appl. Genet. 102:78-82.
- Galmarini, C.R., I.L. Goldman, and M.J. Havey. 2001. Genetic analyses of correlated solids, flavor, and health-enhancing traits in onion (Allium cepa L.). Mol. Gen. Genomics 265:543-551.
- Villanueva-Mosqueda, E., and M.J. Havey. 2001. Genetic analyses of seed yield in onion. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 126:575-578.
- McCallum, J., D. Leite, M. Pither-Joyce, and M.J. Havey. 2001. Expressed sequence markers for genetic analysis of bulb onion (Allium cepa). Theor. Appl. Genet. 103:979-991.
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Progress 01/01/00 to 12/31/00
Outputs
Onion is a high value vegetable crop that is difficult to breed by classical methods because of a long generation time. This project focuses research on development of superior male-sterile inbred lines to be used by commercial seed companies to produce hybrid onion. We identified differences in the DNA flanking the Ms locus, a major gene that determines whether male-sterile inbreds can be developed from a population or family. We completed a major field and laboratory study to establish the genetic bases of correlated flavor, production, and health-enhancing attributes of onion. We continue to study the genetic basis of haploid production in onion to produce instant inbred lines from heterogeneous populations. Plants and bulbs were scored for genetic attributes or selected for commercially acceptable types. We identified differences in the DNA flanking the Ms locus, a major gene that determines whether male-sterile inbreds can be developed from a population or
family. These DNA differences have been communicated to commercial hybrid seed companies and are being widely used. We will continue our development of new elite onion inbreds and concentrate on conversion of the DNA differences flanking the Ms locus to markers revealed by the polymerase chain reaction. We continue to study the genetic bases of correlated flavor, production, and health-enhancing attributes of onion. Most, if not essentially all, hybrid onion cultivars grown in the USA are produced using at least one USDA inbred. Generally these are the male-sterile females of hybrid production. We continue to breed and develop superior male-sterile inbreds and develop new technologies to make this process quicker and less costly.
Impacts
Onion breeding is a slow process because two years are required per generation. We are addressing this limitation by developing haploids to produce instant inbreds. Tagging of the Ms locus will provide the seed industry with a quick and cheap alternative to classical genetic studies to determine whether male-sterile inbred lines can be developed from populations or families. These projects will enable the seed industry to react quickly to changes in consumer preferences, production environments, or exploit new markets. Our research on the flavor, production, and health-enhancing attributes of onion will provide basic genetic information imperative to the development of new value-added onion hybrids for growers and consumers.
Publications
- Havey, M.J. 2000. Diversity among male-sterility-inducing and male-fertile cytoplasms of onion. Theor. Appl. Genet. 101:778-782.
- Goldman, I.R. and M.J. Havey. 2000. History and pedigree of public onion releases in the United States. Onion World 16:10-14
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Progress 01/01/99 to 12/31/99
Outputs
Economical agricultural production of onions require new germplasm on an ongoing basis with improved traits, as well as genetic and other information to meet grower and consumer and research needs. Onion is a high value vegetable crop that is difficult to breed by classic methods because of a long generation time. This project focuses research on development of superior male-sterile inbred lines to be used by commercial seed companies to produce hybrid onion. We idendtified differencees in the DNA flanking the Ms locus, a major gene that determines whether male-sterile inbreds can be developed from a population or family. We continued a major field and laboratory study to establish the genetic bases of correlated flavor, production, and health enhancing attributes of onion. We continue to study factors that allow haploid production in onion to produce instant inbred lines from heterogeneous populations. We completed genetic and field analyses of seed yield in onion,
identified onion plants carrying chromosome segments from A. fistulosum, a species with excellent disease resistances. Plant and bulbs were scored for genetic attributes or selected for commercially acceptable types. The bulb-to-seed cycle of onion consisted of self or cross pollinations and large seed increases. We will continue our development of new elite onion inbreds and concentrate on conversion of the DNA differences flanking the Ms locus to markers revealed by the polymerase chain reaction. The USDA program has developed the genetic basis of hybrid-onion production and transferred this technology to the hybrid-vegetable-seed industry. We are addressing this limitation by developing haploids to produce instant inbreds. Tagging of the Ms locus will provide the seed industry with a quick and cheap alternative to classical genetic studies to determine wheather male-sterile inbred lines can be developed from populations of families. These projects will enable the seed industry to
react quickly to changes in consumer preferences, production environments, or exploit new markets. We will be concentrating on the major field and laboratory study to establish the genetic bases of correleated flavor, production, and health-enhancing attributes of onion.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- Havey,M.J. and Leite, D. 1999. Organellar DNA diversity among cultivated accessions of Allium ampeloprasum. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 124:163-165.
- Cramer, C.S. and Havey, M.J. 1999. Morphological, biochemical, and molecular markers in onion. HortScience 34:589-593.
- Havey, M.J. 1999. Release of onion inbred lines B1717, B1828, and B2354. USDA, Beltsville, MD, and University of Wisconsin Agricultural Experiment Station.
- Havey, M.J. 1999. Release of galanthum-cytoplasmic male-sterile onion populations. USDA, Beltsville, MD, and University of Wisconsin Agriculture Experiment Station.
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Progress 01/01/98 to 12/31/98
Outputs
We identified differences in the DNA flanking the Ms locus, a major gene that determines whether male-sterile inbreds can be developed from a population or family. These DNA differences have been communicated to commercial hybrid seed companies and are being widely used.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- King, J.J., Bradeen, J.M. and Havey, M.J. 1998. Variability for RFLPs and relationships among elite commercial inbred and virtual hybrid populations of onion. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 123:1034-1037.
- King, J.J., Bradeen, J.M., Bark, O., McCallum, J.A. and Havey, M.J. 1998. A low-density genetic map of onion......extremely large diploid genome. Theor. Appl. Genet. 96:52-62.
- Havey, M.J., McCreight, J., Rhodes, B. and Taurick, G. 1998. Differential transmission of the cucurbit organellar genomes. Theor. Appl. Genet. 97:122-128.
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Progress 01/01/97 to 12/31/97
Outputs
The 1997 program included both laboratory and field evaluations of onion. In the laboratory, we sequenced cDNA clones revealing duplicated RFLPs in onion. Most were homologous with known gene families, but five showed homology with genes of low copy number in other species. We initiated FISH analysis of interspecific hybrids in onion to document introgression and recombination among the genomes. In the field, we initiated a study of correlated production, health-enhancing, and flavor attributes in a family of onion with extensive genetic mapping information. The field program consisted of 900 one-meter plots (seed-to-bulb) planted at Palmyra, WI. Plants and bulbs were scored for genetic attributes or selected for commercially acceptable types. A six-rep trial of 54 commercial and USDA experimental hybrids was completed. Data were taken on yield, size grades, maturity, and sprouting in storage over 9 nine months. These data are distributed to onion breeders in the
public and private sectors. The bulb-to-seed cycle of onion consisted of 140 self or cross pollinations and 34 large seed increases. Male-fertility restoration was scored for 120 families in an attempt to tag this gene. A one-day onion show was held in February to display the replicated trial and about 30 researchers and growers attended.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- Havey, M.J., J.J. King, J.M. Bradeen, O. Bark, and J.A. McCallum. 1997. Genetic Mapping in Onion: Insights about the Evolution of a Huge Nuclear Genome. Proceedings of the First Congress of the Genetics Society of Slovenia 1:55-57.
- Havey, M.J. 1997. On the origin and distribution of normal cytoplasm of onion. Gen. Res. Crop Evol. 44:307-313.
- Havey, M.J., J.M. Bradeen, and O.H. Bark. 1997. Phylogenies in Allium section Cepa estimated by restriction-enzyme analyses of chloroplast and nuclear DNA. Acta Hort. 433:113-122.
- Havey, M.J., J.J. King, J.M. Bradeen, and O. Bark. 1997. Molecular markers and Mapping in Bulb Onion, A Forgotten Monocot. HortScience 31:1116-1118.
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Progress 01/01/96 to 12/30/96
Outputs
The 1996 program included both laboratory and field evaluations of onion. In thelaboratory, we completed mapping of 115 RFLPs in onion. We completed seed production of F3M families from the segregating family used to map RFLPs and will be used to study correlated production, health-enhancing, and flavor attributes in onion. The field program consisted of 700 one-meter plots (seed-to-bulb) planted at Palmyra, WI. Plants and bulbs were scored for genetic attributes or selected for commercially acceptable types. A six-rep trial of 50 commercial and USDA experimental hybrids was completed. Data were taken on yield, size grades, maturity, and sprouting in storage over 9 nine months. These data are distributed to onion breeders in the public and private sectors. The bulb-to-seed cycle of onion consisted of 40 self or cross pollinations and 30 large seed increases. Male-sterililty restoration was scored for 100 families in an attempt to tag this gene. A one-day onion show
was held in February to display the replicated trial and about 40 researchers and growers attended.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- Bradeen, J. M., and M. J. Havey. 1995. Restriction fragment length polymorphisms reveal considerable nuclear divergence within a well defined maternal clade in Allium section Cepa (Alliaceae). Amer. J. Bot. 82:1455-1462.
- Havey, M. J., and W. T. Randle. 1996. Combining abilities for yield and bulb quality among long- and intermediate-day open-pollinated onion populations. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 121:604-608.
- Havey, M. J., J. J. King, J. M. Bradeen, and O. Bark. 1997. Molecular markers and Mapping in Bulb Onion, A Forgotten Monocot. HortScience 31:1116-1118.
- Havey, M. J. 1996. A one-half brown and one-half black seeded phenotype in onion is not conditioned by the B locus. Allium Improvement Newsletter (in press).
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Progress 01/01/93 to 12/30/93
Outputs
The 1992 field program consisted of 1100 six-foot plots (seed-to-bulb) planted at Palmyra, WI. Plants and bulbs were selected for commercially acceptable types. A six-rep trial of 65 commercial and experimental hybrids was also completed. Data were taken on yield and size grades. Sprouting over nine months was recorded for the 1992 replicated trial. These data were distributed to onion breeders in the public and private sectors. The bulb-to-seed cycle of onion consisted of 500 breeding plots (one to several plants) and four 12x20' cages. A two-day onion show was held in February to display the replicated trial and about 20 researchers attended. The presence of sterile cytoplasm in open-pollinated populations is due to both advertent and inadvertent introgression since its discovery in 1925.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
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Progress 01/01/91 to 12/30/91
Outputs
The 1991 field program consisted of 1100 six-foot plots (seed-to-bulb) planted at Palmyra, WI. Plants and bulbs were selected for commercially acceptable types. A six-rep trail of 65 commercial and experimental hybrids was also completed. Data were taken on yield, size grades, and hardness of bulbs. Sprouting over nine months was recorded for the 1990 replicated trail. The bulb-to-seed cycle of onion consisted of 500 breeding plots (one to several plants) and 25 12x20' cages. Fifty lines were evaluated in seedling screens for resistance to pink root and Fusarium basal rot. A three-day onion show was held in March to display the replicated trial and about 25 researchers attended. Laboratory work concentrated on the identification restriction fragment polymorphisms (RFLPs) in the chloroplast and nuclear 45s ribosomal DNAs. These objective DNA characters were used to identify A. galanthum, A. roylei and A. vavilovii as wild species closely related to the bulb
onion and potentially useful in genetic improvement.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
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Progress 01/01/90 to 12/30/90
Outputs
Continued emphasis was placed on onion breeding through the development of superior inbred lines. Approximately 689 8-foot plots were planted, evaluated and harvested. These onion bulbs are evaluated for economically important traits, e.g. pungency, dormancy, color, rings, etc. A replicated trial of 65 experimental and commercial hybrids was completed. This information is released to seed companies and growers. Onion seed production was completed on 405 breeding plots (early generation materials) and 29 large cages (test inbreds and hybrids or genetic studies). Laboratory work concentrated on assessment of variability for restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) in the chloroplast and nuclear ribosomal DNA of onion. RFLPs in both genomes were used to estimate phylogenetic relationships between the cultivated Alliums and establish the phylogeny of viviparous onion. These results contribute significantly to our understanding of the genetic diversity in
Allium.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
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Progress 01/01/89 to 12/30/89
Outputs
Continued emphasis on onion breeding through the development of superior inbred lines using cytoplasmic male steriles. Approximately 1300 8-foot plots were planted, evaluated and harvested at Palmyra, WI. Seed production at West Madison Farm included 949 breeding plots and 22 large cages. A replicated trial of 65 entries of experimental and commercial onion hybrids was completed. Four potentially superior inbreds were crossed to testers for replicated evaluation next year. Wild sources of resistance to pink root and Fusarium basal rot were crossed to elite onion inbreds. The variability for RFLPs in the chloroplast genome of wild and cultivated Allium species was assessed. The results gave an objective estimate of the phylogenetic relationships and identified two species, A. oschaninii and A. vavilovii as closely related wild species potentially useful in the improvement of onion. Pungency was evaluated in 65 onion hybrids and found to be correlated with soluble
solids, ring number, and internal color. Selection was continued for sweet, mild, long-dormant onions in segregating populations.
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Progress 01/01/88 to 12/30/88
Outputs
Genetic linkage analysis was initiated with six simply scored traits and linkagewas found between white perianth and red bulb color. Initial evaluation of cloroplast DNA indicates diversity among onion-crossable Allium species. Plants of these species were evaluated for pink root and fusarium basal rot resistance and grown to intercross with onion. Onion white rot trails (cooperative with California) indicated that field selection for white rot resistance may be feasible. Higher free amino acid levels were found in more pungent onions. Male fertile garlic was utilized to produce true garlic seed for the first time in the U.S.
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Progress 01/01/87 to 12/30/87
Outputs
Five onion inbreds, B1731, B1750, B1794, B2371 and B9161, and one hybrid, 'Blitz', were released for use in long-day onion production areas where long dormancy is required. Progeny resulting from selection for mild flavor (low pungency) were evaluated for the first time. Since selection successully reduced pungency, selection is being continued. Genetic resistance to pink root and Fusarium basal rot was discovered in undomesticated onion relatives while resistance levels were improved in adapted germplasm. Research to determine the role of male fertility in onion seed set was begun. Male fertile garlic clones were identified for the first time in the U.S. The occurrence of male fertility is the necessary first step in the development of sexual reproduction in garlic.
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Progress 01/01/86 to 12/30/86
Outputs
Progress has incorporated excellent storage quality with resistance to diseases especially pink root and fusarium. The resistance compared in field trials will determine value for industry release. Breeding and genetic stocks are being developed with uniformily high or low pungency to provide improved eating quality.
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Progress 01/01/84 to 12/30/84
Outputs
Cytosterile and maintainer pairs were selected for low pungency and increased inscreen isolation. These mild flavored selections will provide breeders with material adapted to Western Sweet Spanish growing areas where little or no breeding has been carried on during the past 10 years. Other genotypes with long dormancy adapted to northern storage areas will insure the improvement of low pungency parents and hybrids like Sweet Sandwich now enjoying some acceptance in New York and other storage onion areas.
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Progress 01/01/83 to 12/30/83
Outputs
A high quality pink root resistant inbred, (B6693) released in 1983, provides onion breeders with a cytosterile parent having a useful marker gene (white perianth). In hybrid seed production the contaminants in B6693 can be identified and rogued before anthesis, allowing greater precision in maintaining genetic integrity of the inbred parent and its hybrids. Four thrips resistant inbred lines were released to public and private breeders for use in hybrids and as genetic sources for development of parents with thrips resistance. Selection for low pungency has resulted in establishing the initial diverse material designed for use in establishing populations from which milk genotypes can be extracted.
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