Progress 03/28/08 to 03/27/13
Outputs
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416): The primary goals for this project are to conserve, collect, evaluate, and distribute germplasm and associated information for subtropical/ tropical fruit, sugarcane, and Tripsacum. A secondary goal is to investigate the genetic basis of important horticultural traits such as disease resistance and to select improved germplasm. Molecular markers have been developed for genetic diversity analysis and for the production of molecular genetic linkage maps. Families of avocado, mango, and jackfruit have been produced that should allow the mapping of Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) involved with disease resistance, fruit quality, and yield. A candidate gene approach (CGA) is also being used to find genes involved with disease resistance and for control of flowering. Establish at other National Plant Germplasm System sites duplicate, back- up field plantings of Subtropical Horticulture Research Station priority germplasm; rejuvenate current Subtropical Horticulture Research Station field collections in Miami; and, as determined by annual demand, expand the curatorial capacity for distributing germplasm of sugarcane and tropical/subtropical tree crops. Approach (from AD-416): Maintain healthy field collections of current accessions of tropical/ subtropical fruit trees and grasses. We recognize that the genetic diversity available in tropical fruit species is not fully represented in the current collections. Significant loss of biodiversity and increasing difficulty in collecting germplasm in tropical countries makes it imperative that new accessions be collected as quickly as possible. Implement improved horticultural practices to ensure the longevity of current collections by re-propagating old clones on new rootstocks in new fields. Add new accessions as they become available from foreign collaborators and breeding programs. Because most of the species and location priorities for collection have been established, it is essential that we support international collecting expeditions with appropriate benefit sharing. After quarantine requirements have been satisfied, the new accessions will be maintained in field plantings. Backup core collections have been established in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico or Hilo, Hawaii. Adequate daily maintenance and periodic replanting of the sugarcane and Tripsacum collection is required to maintain these genetic resources, some 1,800 accessions, as healthy clones. Progress in this project can be split into several distinct categories: maintenance and expansion of germplasm and research populations, evaluation of germplasm and research populations, distribution of germplasm material and availability of germplasm passport data in GRIN, and molecular genetic assay development for diversity estimation and pathogen presence. Maintenance and expansion: Over the five year span of the project, the sugarcane and Tripsacum collections have been regenerated in new areas of our 200 acre research farm. We have added to our germplasm collections of sugarcane, Miscanthus, Tripsacum, avocado, mango, and other minor collections. New research populations of avocado have been generated: a Florida mapping population of 750 trees of 'Simmonds' x 'Tonnage' and the reciprocal and a California mapping population of 750 trees of 'Bacon' x 'Hass' and the reciprocal. Research populations of mango from an open pollinated polycross design have been expanded as well as F2 populations of mango from 'Tommy Atkins' and 'Haden', which will aid in the production of a genetic map for mango. Evaluation: Each year, fruit from the avocado and mango germplasm collections are evaluated. In addition, fruit from the new Florida mapping population has been evaluated not only for fruit weight, shape, seed weight, etc. but also for lipid content and fatty acid composition. A genetic map has been produced for both the Florida and California mapping populations. Distribution: On average, ~300 distributions of ~8,000 plant materials are made to requestors in 40 states and 10 foreign countries each year . Updating of GRIN is an ongoing process. Marker development: Microsatellite and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers have been developed for cacao and avocado. These markers have been used to produce highly saturated genetic maps for both species. In addition, sensitive quantitative PCR (qPCR) assays have been developed for Cacao Swollen Shoot Virus (CSSV) and Avocado Sun Blotch Viroid (ASBVd). The CSSV assay was designed to be used in cocoa producing countries and has been tested in C�te d'Ivoire. The ASBVd assay is used at SHRS to screen cultivars before they are sent to Hawaii to back up our germplasm collection. Significant Activities that Support Special Target Populations: Mango fruit from varied accessions is supplied to collaborators at Fairchild Tropical Garden as part of their special weekend event on mangos that draws more than 10,000 residents, and the Fruit and Spice Park of Miami Dade County Fruit Festival which attracts hundreds of participants. An open house activity at SHRS for the community was celebrated on March 16, 2013 and more than 280 people attended. Over 40 tours of the repository were given to visitors from USA and foreign countries (e.g. Brazil, Kenya, India, Mexico and Japan). Germplasm is currently distributed to researchers and industry. New and improved varieties become available for distribution as they are released. A total of 518 items were distributed including over 13300 sexual and asexual propagules, and miscellaneous plant parts to six foreign countries and 20 states and territories. Accomplishments 01 New tools for avocado genomics. In 2011, a SNP discovery project was supported by funding from NPS to identify SNPs in the parents of the two avocado mapping populations (Simmonds x Tonnage and reciprocal) and (Bacon x Hass and reciprocal). The project discovered ~600,000 SNPs and, in 2012, 6000 were used in the design of an Illumina Infinium SNP chip also funded by NPS. ARS researchers at the Miami SHRS genotyped 2021 individual trees, including the mapping populations at SHRS, the mapping population at the South Coast Field Station, UC Riverside, CA and germplasm collections at SHRS, Fairchild Tropical Garden and UC Riverside. The genetic map for avocado created from this genotype data will identify genes that are involved in cold tolerance, salinity tolerance, disease resistance and other favorable traits to enhance avocado breeding. 02 Protecting avocado genetic diversity. A protocol with three stages was developed to secure the SHRS avocado collection from the threat of laurel wilt. First, using the ARS Foreign Disease/Weed Science lab in Fort Detrick, MD as an intermediate quarantine, rootstocks were grown from seed sent from Miami. Staff from the NGR in Miami hand-carried scions to Ft. Detrick and grafted them onto the rootstocks until at least one representative of each of the clones at SHRS has been grafted at Fort Detrick. The grafted scions remain in the greenhouse for at least one year or longer as necessary to ensure successful establishment in Hawaii. Second, budwood is sent from Fort Detrick to Hilo and grafted on avocado rootstock. Third, research is ongoing at the National Center for Genetic Resource Preservation (NCGRP) to maintain avocado buds and meristems under cryogenic storage, however, initial experiments with 30 pieces of two cultivars were not successful. Preservation of the SHRS germplasm collection provides needed genetic diversity for avocado breeding programs seeking to identify cold tolerant, salinity tolerant and disease resistant cultivars 03 Sugarcane and energycane evaluation. Enhancement of the sugarcane collection was accomplished by the addition of 121 clones of Saccharum hybrid, S. officinarum, S. barberi, S. sinensis, S. robustum and S. spontaneum. In collaboration with ARS scientists at Canal Point and researchers at the University of Florida, these seedlings and others in the germplasm collection are under evaluation for vigor and enhanced biomass production. Evaluation of genetically diverse sugarcane aids in identifying clones with the greatest biofuel potential.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- Ayala Silva, T., Schnell II, R.J., Goenaga, R.J., Zee, F.T., Irish, B.M. 2013. The National Plant Germplasm System: the subtropical and tropical fruit genebanks. Acta Horticulturae. 975:43-54.
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Progress 10/01/11 to 09/30/12
Outputs
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416): The primary goals for this project are to conserve, collect, evaluate, and distribute germplasm and associated information for subtropical/tropical fruit, sugarcane, and Tripsacum. A secondary goal is to investigate the genetic basis of important horticultural traits such as disease resistance and to select improved germplasm. Molecular markers have been developed for genetic diversity analysis and for the production of molecular genetic linkage maps. Families of avocado, mango, and jackfruit have been produced that should allow the mapping of Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) involved with disease resistance, fruit quality, and yield. A candidate gene approach (CGA) is also being used to find genes involved with disease resistance and for control of flowering. Establish at other National Plant Germplasm System sites duplicate, back- up field plantings of Subtropical Horticulture Research Station priority germplasm; rejuvenate current Subtropical Horticulture Research Station field collections in Miami; and, as determined by annual demand, expand the curatorial capacity for distributing germplasm of sugarcane and tropical/subtropical tree crops. Approach (from AD-416): Maintain healthy field collections of current accessions of tropical/subtropical fruit trees and grasses. We recognize that the genetic diversity available in tropical fruit species is not fully represented in the current collections. Significant loss of biodiversity and increasing difficulty in collecting germplasm in tropical countries makes it imperative that new accessions be collected as quickly as possible. Implement improved horticultural practices to ensure the longevity of current collections by re-propagating old clones on new rootstocks in new fields. Add new accessions as they become available from foreign collaborators and breeding programs. Because most of the species and location priorities for collection have been established, it is essential that we support international collecting expeditions with appropriate benefit sharing. After quarantine requirements have been satisfied, the new accessions will be maintained in field plantings. Backup core collections have been established in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico or Hilo, Hawaii. Adequate daily maintenance and periodic replanting of the sugarcane and Tripsacum collection is required to maintain these genetic resources, some 1,800 accessions, as healthy clones. The redbay ambrosia beetle, Xyloborus glabratus Eichhoff was introduced into the U.S. near Savannah, GA in 2002. The symbiotic fungus (Raffaelea lauricola T. C. Harr., Fraedrich & Aghayeva,) carried by the beetle infects and kills members of Lauraceae including avocado, Persea americana Mill., and has recently been found in avocado groves in Miami- Dade County, Florida. The USDA ARS NPGS collection of avocado is conserved at the National Germplasm Repository (NGR) in Miami-Dade County, Florida. Although the avocado collection is currently free from the ambrosia beetle and the laurel wilt disease, it is believed to be only a matter of time before this insect/disease complex reaches the collection. We have developed a protocol to secure the USDA ARS, NPGS avocado collection at Miami and to establish a backup collection at the ARS germplasm repository in Hilo, HI. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers were identified for avocado, used to design an Illumina Infinium SNP chip and the mapping populations and germplasm collections were genotyped. On May 31 - June 1, SHRS hosted a meeting for the California Avocado Commission and the Florida Avocado Association to present recent research results on avocado breeding in Florida and research on red bay ambrosia beetle and laurel wilt. Three members of the California Avocado Commission attended. The head of the Florida Avocado Association and seven other avocado growers represented Florida. Eight Ivorian scientists and technicians were trained in the use of a SNP assay based on endpoint fluorescence and a real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) SNP assay from July 14 - 24, 2012 at CNRA, Abidjan, C�te d'Ivoire. A presentation was given at the Plant and Animal Genome meetings in San Diego, CA January 15-18, 2012 on the assay (Maul et al. 2012). Significant Activities that Support Special Target Populations: Mango fruit from varied accessions is supplied to collaborators at Fairchild Tropical Garden as part of their special weekend event on mangos that draws more than 10,000 residents, and the Fruit and Spice Park of Miami Dade County Fruit Festival which attracts hundreds of participants. Germplasm is currently distributed to researchers and industry. New and improved varieties become available for distribution as they are released. Over the past year a total of 560 items (64 distributions) including over 9,285sexual propagules, 1,387 asexual propagules and 2,319 miscellaneous plant parts, were distributed to five foreign countries (Australia, Bermuda, Brazil, Canada and Turkey), 18 states and Puerto Rico. Accomplishments 01 New tools for avocado genomics. In 2011, a single nucleotide polymorphi (SNP) discovery project was supported by funding from NPS to identify SN in the parents of the two avocado mapping populations (Simmonds x Tonnag and reciprocal) and (Bacon x Hass and reciprocal). The project discover ~600,000 SNPs and, in 2012, 6000 were used in the design of an Illumina Infinium SNP chip also funded by NPS. ARS researchers at the Miami SHRS genotyped 2021 individual trees, including the mapping populations at SH the mapping population at the South Coast Field Station, UC Riverside, and germplasm collections at SHRS, Fairchild Tropical Garden and UC Riverside. The genetic map for avocado created from this genotype data will identify genes that are involved in cold tolerance, salinity tolerance, disease resistance and other favorable traits to enhance avocado breeding. 02 Protecting avocado genetic diversity. A protocol with three stages was developed to secure the SHRS avocado collection from the threat of laure wilt. First, using the ARS Foreign Disease/Weed Science lab in Fort Detrick, MD as an intermediate quarantine, rootstocks were grown from se sent from Miami. Staff from the National Germplasm Repository (NGR) in Miami hand-carried scions to Ft. Detrick and grafted them onto the rootstocks until at least one representative of each of the clones at SH has been grafted at Fort Detrick. The grafted scions remain in the greenhouse for at least one year or longer as necessary to ensure successful establishment in Hawaii. Second, budwood is sent from Fort Detrick to Hilo and grafted on avocado rootstock. Third, research is ongoing at the National Center for Genetic Resource Preservation (NCGRP) to maintain avocado buds and meristems under cryogenic storage, however, initial experiments with 30 pieces of two cultivars were not successful. Preservation of the SHRS germplasm collection provides needed genetic diversity for avocado breeding programs seeking to identify cold toleran salinity tolerant and disease resistant cultivars. 03 Sugarcane and energycane evaluation. Enhancement of the sugarcane collection was accomplished by the addition of 121 clones of Saccharum hybrid, S. officinarum, S. barberi, S. sinensis, S. robustum and S. spontaneum. In collaboration with ARS scientists at Canal Point and researchers at the University of Florida, these seedlings and others in the germplasm collection are under evaluation for vigor and enhanced biomass production. Evaluation of genetically diverse sugarcane aids in identifying clones with the greatest biofuel potential.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- Reed, S.T., Ayala Silva, T., Brown, J., Glaz, B.S., Comstock, J.C. 2012. Screening Saccharum barberi and sinense accessions for flood tolerance and biomass production. Journal of Agronomy and Crop Science. 198(3):236-244.
- Zhang, J., Nagai, C., Yu, Q., Pan, Y., Ayala Silva, T., Schnell Ii, R.J., Comstock, J.C., Arumuganathan, A.K., Ming, R. 2012. Genome size variation in three Saccharum species. Euphytica. 185:511-519. DOI: 10.1007/S10681- 012-0664-6.
- Arias De Ares, R.S., Borrone, J.W., Tondo, C.L., Kuhn, D.N., Schnell Ii, R. J. 2012. Genomics of Tropical Fruit Tree Crops. Book Chapter. In: Schnell, R.J., Priyadarshan, P.M., editors. Genomics of Tree Crops. Heidelberg, Germany: Springer. p. 209-239.
- Gubbuk, H., Gunes, E., Ayala Silva, T., Ercisli, S. 2011. Rapid vegetative propagation method for carob. University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca. 39(1):251-254.
- Ayala Silva, T., Schnell Ii, R.J., Gordon, G.G., Winterstein, M.C. 2012. APPLICATION OF PROPICONAZOLE IN MANAGEMENT OF LAUREL WILT DISEASE IN AVOCADO (Persea americana Mill.) TREES. Acta Horticulturae. 948:71-78.
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Progress 10/01/10 to 09/30/11
Outputs
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416) The primary goals for this project are to conserve, collect, evaluate, and distribute germplasm and associated information for subtropical/tropical fruit, sugarcane, and Tripsacum. A secondary goal is to investigate the genetic basis of important horticultural traits such as disease resistance and to select improved germplasm. Molecular markers have been developed for genetic diversity analysis and for the production of molecular genetic linkage maps. Families of avocado, mango, and jackfruit have been produced that should allow the mapping of Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) involved with disease resistance, fruit quality, and yield. A candidate gene approach (CGA) is also being used to find genes involved with disease resistance and for control of flowering. Establish at other National Plant Germplasm System sites duplicate, back- up field plantings of Subtropical Horticulture Research Station priority germplasm; rejuvenate current Subtropical Horticulture Research Station field collections in Miami; and, as determined by annual demand, expand the curatorial capacity for distributing germplasm of sugarcane and tropical/subtropical tree crops. Approach (from AD-416) Maintain healthy field collections of current accessions of tropical/subtropical fruit trees and grasses. We recognize that the genetic diversity available in tropical fruit species is not fully represented in the current collections. Significant loss of biodiversity and increasing difficulty in collecting germplasm in tropical countries makes it imperative that new accessions be collected as quickly as possible. Implement improved horticultural practices to ensure the longevity of current collections by re-propagating old clones on new rootstocks in new fields. Add new accessions as they become available from foreign collaborators and breeding programs. Because most of the species and location priorities for collection have been established, it is essential that we support international collecting expeditions with appropriate benefit sharing. After quarantine requirements have been satisfied, the new accessions will be maintained in field plantings. Backup core collections have been established in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico or Hilo, Hawaii. Adequate daily maintenance and periodic replanting of the sugarcane and Tripsacum collection is required to maintain these genetic resources, some 1,800 accessions, as healthy clones. Two thousand seedlings were obtained from California to expand the number of seedlings in the �Hass� x �Bacon� mapping population. These were planted in Miami and at the ARS station in Ft. Pierce, FL for evaluation. The redbay ambrosia beetle, Xyloborus glabratus Eichhoff was introduced into the U.S. near Savannah, GA in 2002. The symbiotic fungus (Raffaelea lauricola T. C. Harr., Fraedrich & Aghayeva,) carried by the beetle infects and kills members of Lauraceae including avocado, Persea Americana Mill., and has been found in Palm Beach County, Florida. The USDA ARS National Plant Germplasm System (NPGS)collection of avocado is conserved at the National Germplasm Repository in Miami-Dade County, Florida. Although the avocado collection is currently free from the ambrosia beetle and the laurel wilt disease, it is believed to be only a matter of time before this insect/disease complex reaches the collection. We have developed a protocol to secure the USDA ARS, NPGS avocado collection at Miami and to establish a backup collection at the ARS germplasm repository in Hilo, HI. With funding provided from Office of National Program, we have sequenced the transcriptome of the parents of our avocado mapping populations and identified over 100,000 Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) markers. These have been filtered and a 6000 marker SNP chip has been designed and will soon be fabricated. This chip will be used on both mapping populations and on the entire germplasm collection. Genotyping of the mapping populations will saturate the genetic recombination maps and improve the resolution of Qualitative Trait Loci QTLs for cold tolerance, oil content and composition, and other agronomic traits. Genotyping of the entire germplasm collection will make possible the association of unique traits in the collection with genetic markers. Significant Activities that Support Special Target Populations Mango fruit from varied accessions is supplied to collaborators at Fairchild Tropical Garden as part of their special weekend event on mangos that draws more than 10,000 Miami residents of diverse backgrounds. In July and August of 2011 over 3,000 lbs. of fresh mango fruit from the germplasm collection was provided to charities in the Miami area to feed disadvantaged families. Accomplishments 01 A protocol was developed to secure the avocado collection from the threa of laurel wilt. The protocol has three different activities. First, using the ARS Foreign Disease/Weed Science lab in Fort Detrick, MD as an intermediate quarantine, rootstocks were grown from seed sent from Miami Staff from the National Germplasm Repository in Miami hand-carried scion to Ft. Detrick in August 2009 and grafted them onto the rootstocks. Thi procedure was repeated again in July of 2010 and 2011 and now all non- Avocado Sun Blotch Viroid positive clones have been grafted at Fort Detrick. The grafted scions will remain in the greenhouse for at least one year or longer as necessary to ensure successful establishment in Hawaii. Two sets of scions have been sent from Fort Detrick to Hilo and grafted. Second, a backup collection has been grafted in the greenhouse in Miami. Third, research is ongoing at the National Center for Genetic Resource Preservation (NCGRP) to maintain avocado buds and meristems und cryogenic storage. The impact of these backup locations is an attempt t preserve the avocado collection. 02 Enhancement of the sugarcane collection was accomplished by the addition of 2,000 S. spontaneum seedlings germinated from 150 maternal clones. These seedlings are under evaluation for vigor and enhanced biomass production. The mango collection was increased with the addition of 52 accessions, cacao increased by 14 accessions, Pouteria sapote (mamey) collection increased by 8 accessions and the avocado collection was increased by 20 accessions. The impact of these activities is to conser and collect tropical/subtropical fruit for the future.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- Reed, S.T., Joseph, R., Ayala Silva, T., Glaz, B.S. 2011. The effects of natural and induced short-term floods on four sugarcane accessions. International Sugar Journal. 113:64-70.
- Gunes, E., Gubbuk, H., Ayala Silva, T., Gozlekci, S., Ercisli, S. 2011. Effects of various treatments on seed germination and growth of carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.). Pakistan Journal of Botany. 39(1):251-254.
- Schnell Ii, R.J., Tondo, C.L., Kuhn, D.N., Winterstein, M.C., Ayala Silva, T. 2011. Spacial analysis of avocado sunblotch disease in an avocado germplasm collection. Journal of Phytopathology. DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0434. 2011.01838.x.
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Progress 10/01/09 to 09/30/10
Outputs
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416) The primary goals for this project are to conserve, collect, evaluate, and distribute germplasm and associated information for subtropical/tropical fruit, sugarcane, and Tripsacum. A secondary goal is to investigate the genetic basis of important horticultural traits such as disease resistance and to select improved germplasm. Molecular markers have been developed for genetic diversity analysis and for the production of molecular genetic linkage maps. Families of avocado, mango, and jackfruit have been produced that should allow the mapping of Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) involved with disease resistance, fruit quality, and yield. A candidate gene approach (CGA) is also being used to find genes involved with disease resistance and for control of flowering. Establish at other National Plant Germplasm System sites duplicate, back- up field plantings of Subtropical Horticulture Research Station priority germplasm; rejuvenate current Subtropical Horticulture Research Station field collections in Miami; and, as determined by annual demand, expand the curatorial capacity for distributing germplasm of sugarcane and tropical/subtropical tree crops. Approach (from AD-416) Maintain healthy field collections of current accessions of tropical/subtropical fruit trees and grasses. We recognize that the genetic diversity available in tropical fruit species is not fully represented in the current collections. Significant loss of biodiversity and increasing difficulty in collecting germplasm in tropical countries makes it imperative that new accessions be collected as quickly as possible. Implement improved horticultural practices to ensure the longevity of current collections by re-propagating old clones on new rootstocks in new fields. Add new accessions as they become available from foreign collaborators and breeding programs. Because most of the species and location priorities for collection have been established, it is essential that we support international collecting expeditions with appropriate benefit sharing. After quarantine requirements have been satisfied, the new accessions will be maintained in field plantings. Backup core collections have been established in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico or Hilo, Hawaii. Adequate daily maintenance and periodic replanting of the sugarcane and Tripsacum collection is required to maintain these genetic resources, some 1,800 accessions, as healthy clones. A genetic linkage map has been developed for avocado and Quantitative Trait Loci (QTLs) have been identified. Two thousand additional seedlings were obtained from California to expand the number of seedlings in the �Hass� x �Bacon� mapping population. The redbay ambrosia beetle, Xyloborus glabratus Eichhoff was introduced into the U.S. near Savannah, GA in 2002. The fungus infects and kills other members of Lauraceae including avocado, Persea americana Mill., and has been found in Palm Beach County. The USDA-ARS-NPGS (National Plant Germplasm System) collection of avocado is conserved at the NGR in Miami- Dade County Florida. Although the avocado collection is currently free from the ambrosia beetle and the laurel wilt disease, it is believed to be only a matter of time before this insect/disease complex reaches the collection. We have developed a protocol to secure the USDA ARS, NPGS avocado collection at Miami. Significant Activities that Support Special Target Populations Mango fruit from varied accessions is supplied to collaborators at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden as part of their special weekend event on mangos that draws more than 10,000 residents. Accomplishments 01 Development of the highly resolved linkage map for the Florida avocado population. (Simmonds x Tonnage and reciprocal) has allowed the identification of QTLs for cold damage, thrip resistance and flowering type (A vs. B). 02 A protocol was developed to secure the avocado collection from the threa of Laurel Wilt. The protocol has three different activities. First, usi the ARS Foreign Disease/Weed Science lab in Fort Detrick, MD as an intermediate quarantine, rootstocks were grown from seed sent from Miami Staff from the NGR in Miami hand -carried scions to Ft. Detrick in Augus 2009 and grafted them onto the rootstocks. This procedure was repeated again in July of 2010 and now all non-ASBVd positive clones have been grafted at Fort Detrick. The grafted scions will remain in the greenhou for a least one year or longer as necessary to ensure successful establishment in Hawaii. In July 2010 the first set of scions were sent from Fort Detrick to Hilo and grafted. Second, a backup collection has been grafted in the greenhouse in Miami. Third, research is ongoing at t National Center for Genetic Resource Preservation (NCGRP) to maintain avocado buds and meristems under cryogenic storage. 03 Enhancement of the sugarcane collection was accomplished by the addition of the 40 Saccharum officinarum accessions obtained from Barbados and Guadeloupe. Additionally seed of over 150 of S. officinarum and spontaneum accessions from the NCGRP have been germinated and will be added to the collection. The mango collection was increased with the addition of 52 accessions, cacao increased by 14 accessions, Pouteria sapote (mamey) collection increased by 8 accessions and the avocado collection was increased by 20 accessions.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- Ayala Silva, T., Schnell Ii, R.J. 2010. THE TROPICAL AND SUBTROPICAL GERMPLASM COLLECTIONS AT THE NATIONAL GERMPLASM REPOSITORY IN MIAMI, FL. Journal of American Pomological Society. 64(1):28-37.
- Schnell Ii, R.J., Tondo, C.L., Brown, J.S., Ayala Silva, T., Borrone, J.W., Davenport, T.L., Kuhn, D.N. 2009. Out-crossing between 'Bacon' pollinizers and adjacent 'Hass' avocado trees and the description of two new lethal mutants. HortScience. 44(6):1522-1526.
- Brown, J.S., Schnell Ii, R.J., Ayala Silva, T., Moore, J.M., Tondo, C.L., Winterstein, M.C. 2009. Broad-sense heritability estimates for fruit color and morphological traits from open-pollinated half-sib mango families. HortScience. 44(6):1-5.
- Postman, J.D., Bretting, P.K., Kinard, G.R., Cyr, P.D., Weaver, B., Millard, M.J., Gardner, C.A., Bohning, M.A., Emberland, G.P., Sinnott, Q.P. , Ayala Silva, T., Hummer, K.E., Franco, T., Mackay, M., Guarino, L. 2010. GRIN-Global: An International Project to Develop a Global Plant Genebank Information Management System. Acta Horticulturae. 859:49-55.
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Progress 10/01/08 to 09/30/09
Outputs
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416) The primary goals for this project are to conserve, collect, evaluate, and distribute germplasm and associated information for subtropical/tropical fruit, sugarcane, and Tripsacum. A secondary goal is to investigate the genetic basis of important horticultural traits such as disease resistance and to select improved germplasm. Molecular markers have been developed for genetic diversity analysis and for the production of molecular genetic linkage maps. Families of avocado, mango, and jackfruit have been produced that should allow the mapping of Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) involved with disease resistance, fruit quality, and yield. A candidate gene approach (CGA) is also being used to find genes involved with disease resistance and for control of flowering. Establish at other National Plant Germplasm System sites duplicate, back- up field plantings of Subtropical Horticulture Research Station priority germplasm; rejuvenate current Subtropical Horticulture Research Station field collections in Miami; and, as determined by annual demand, expand the curatorial capacity for distributing germplasm of sugarcane and tropical/subtropical tree crops. Approach (from AD-416) Maintain healthy field collections of current accessions of tropical/subtropical fruit trees and grasses. We recognize that the genetic diversity available in tropical fruit species is not fully represented in the current collections. Significant loss of biodiversity and increasing difficulty in collecting germplasm in tropical countries makes it imperative that new accessions be collected as quickly as possible. Implement improved horticultural practices to ensure the longevity of current collections by re-propagating old clones on new rootstocks in new fields. Add new accessions as they become available from foreign collaborators and breeding programs. Because Most of the species and location priorities for collection have been established, it is essential that we support international collecting expeditions with appropriate benefit sharing. After quarantine requirements have been satisfied, the new accessions will be maintained in field plantings. Backup core collections have been established in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico or Hilo, Hawaii. Adequate daily maintenance and periodic replanting of the sugarcane and Tripsacum collection is required to maintain these genetic resources, some 1,800 accessions, as healthy clones. Significant Activities that Support Special Target Populations A genetic linkage map has been developed from a population resulting from a Simmonds x Tonnage cross. This is the first highly resolved linkage map for avocado and will facilitate QTL location for important traits. The redbay ambrosia beetle, Xyloborus glabratus Eichhoff was introduced into the U.S. near Savannah, GA in 2002. Within three years, a wilt and dying of the red bay tree, Persea borbonia was associated with the insect and its associated symbiotic fungus, Raffaelea lauricola. Laurel wilt disease has caused very high mortality of redbay trees along the Atlantic coast from south of Charleston, SC, to Okeechobee County, FL. The fungus infects and kills other members of Lauraceae including avocado, Persea americana Mill. USDA, ARS, NPGS collection of avocado is conserved at the NGR in Miami-Dade County Florida. Although the avocado collection is currently free from the ambrosia beetle and the laurel wilt disease, it is believed to be only a matter of time before this insect/disease complex reaches the collection. We have developed a protocol to secure the USDA, ARS, NPGS avocado collection at Miami by establishing a backup collection in Hawaii and in California.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- Ayala Silva, T., Schnell Ii, R.J., Meerow, A.W., Brown, J.S., Gordon, G.G. 2009. A Study on the Morphological and PhysicoChemical Characteristics of Five Cooking Bananas. Journal of Agronomy. P.1-6.
- Ayala Silva, T., Gordon, G.G., Heath, R.R. 2008. Use of Satellite Data to Study the Impact of Land-Cover/Land-Use Change in Madison County Alabama.. American Journal of Applied Sciences 6(4):688-692.
- Irish, B.M., Crespo, A., Goenaga, R.J., Ayala Silva, T., Niedz, R.P. 2009. Ploidy level and genomic composition of the USDA-ARS Tropical Agriculture Research Station Musa sp. Germplasm Collection. Journal of Agriculture of the University of Puerto Rico, 93(1-2):1-22.
- Iyer, C.P., Schnell II, R.J. 2009. Classical Breeding and Genetics: In the Mango, Botany, production and uses Vol II.. The Mango. Ed. Richard E. Litz. CAB International ISBN 978 1 84593 489 7 pages 67-96.
- Borrone, J., Brown, J.S., Tondo, C.L., Mauro-Herrera, M., Kuhn, D.N., Violi, H., Sautter, R.T., Schnell Ii, R.J. 2009. An EST-SSR based linkage map for Persea americana Mill. (avocado). Tree Genetics and Genomes. 10. 1007/s11295-009-0208-y
- Ying, Z., Davenport, T.L., Faber, B., Zhang, T., Schnell Ii, R.J., Tondo, C.L. 2009. Re-evaluation of honeybees and wind on pollination of avocado. Journal of Horticultural Science and Biotechnology. 84(3)255-260.
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Progress 10/01/07 to 09/30/08
Outputs
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416) The primary goals for this project are to conserve, collect, evaluate, and distribute germplasm and associated information for subtropical/tropical fruit, sugarcane, and Tripsacum. A secondary goal is to investigate the genetic basis of important horticultural traits such as disease resistance and to select improved germplasm. Molecular markers have been developed for genetic diversity analysis and for the production of molecular genetic linkage maps. Families of avocado, mango, and jackfruit have been produced that should allow the mapping of Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) involved with disease resistance, fruit quality, and yield. A candidate gene approach (CGA) is also being used to find genes involved with disease resistance and for control of flowering. Approach (from AD-416) Maintain healthy field collections of current accessions of tropical/subtropical fruit trees and grasses. We recognize that the genetic diversity available in tropical fruit species is not fully represented in the current collections. Significant loss of biodiversity and increasing difficulty in collecting germplasm in tropical countries makes it imperative that new accessions be collected as quickly as possible. Implement improved horticultural practices to ensure the longevity of current collections by re-propagating old clones on new rootstocks in new fields. Add new accessions as they become available from foreign collaborators and breeding programs. Because Most of the species and location priorities for collection have been established, it is essential that we support international collecting expeditions with appropriate benefit sharing. After quarantine requirements have been satisfied, the new accessions will be maintained in field plantings. Backup core collections have been established in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico or Hilo, Hawaii. Adequate daily maintenance and periodic replanting of the sugarcane and Tripsacum collection is required to maintain these genetic resources, some 1,800 accessions, as healthy clones. Significant Activities that Support Special Target Populations Progress on this project relates to National Program 301, Plant Genetic Resources, Genomics, and Genetics Improvement, Component 2: Crop Informatics, Genomics, and Genetic Analyses. A new database, on which we had been working for a few years, became ready for release to the public and was placed on a new server at the ARS Miami location with the Intellectual Property (IP) address, http://199. 133.11.11. The database will have a Universal Resource Locator (URL) as soon as it is assigned by Office of Chief Information Office (OCIO); we have requested http://shrsplantsciences.ars.usda.gov. Cocoa currently has the majority of the data in this database, but the database contains results from avocado and mango, also, and will contain other tropical fruit crops in the future. The database is constantly growing, and has added a pedigree construction algorithm for crops for which data is available. The �CMap� function, a common piece of software in such databases, is currently being added for detailed comparison of pairs or sets of chromosomes of maps contained in the database. In November we moved into a new lab that was not, and is still not, fully functional. We have had serious limitations in our ability to perform molecular genetic analysis because of the non-functionality of many of the lab systems. Technology Transfer Number of Web Sites managed: 1
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- Borrone, J.W., Tondo, C.T., Kuhn, D.N., Brown, J.S., Schnell Ii, R.J., Violi, H.A. 2008. Out-crossing in Florida avocados as measured using microsatellite markers. J. Amer. Soc. Hort Sci. 133(2):255-261.
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