Progress 05/15/23 to 05/14/24
Outputs
Target Audience:Attendees who visited the plant science posters of the Plant and Animal Genomics conference in San Diego in January 2024.Attendees who will be presenting at the 1890 Association of Research Directors meeting in Nashville, TN, during April 6-10, 2024. Virginia and Maryland Strawberry growers who attended the field walk organized Virginia Poly Tech at Hampton Roads AREC. Growers heard about the study's objectives, and field data collected to date were shared via a handout.AgFest Field Day was held at the Randolph Research Farm, and about 300 visitors were provided with information on the research project and results. Co-PI Dr. Taghavi discussed our project goals and approaches. She has also presented at the American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS) annual general meeting on "Response of Strawberries to Postharvest Application of Plant Volatiles." She gave one oral presentation virtually at the 9th International Strawberry Symposium in Italy. Many from all over the world attended the meeting. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Post-Doctoral Research Associate working in this grant was sent to University of Delaware to be trained in gene editing technologies. Another postdoc associate working in the Co-PIs lab visited DSU for three weeks to learn molecular breeding techniques. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Undergraduate student Mr. Anthony Mirto who is getting trained in this project presented a poster on plant screening methods at the plant and animal genomics meeting held at San Diego in January 2024 and will also be presenting at the 1890 ARD meeting in Nashville, TN during April 6-10, 2024. Local growers and extension agents attended a field walk organized by Co-PI Dr. Jayesh Samtani, was held on 17 May at the Hampton Roads AREC research plots and had 9 growers in attendance. Growers heard about the study's objectives and field data collected to date were shared via a handout. Our Co-Pi, Dr. Toktam Taghavi, provided the information on the research project and results during the AgFest Field Day held at the Randolph Research Farm for about 300 visitors. She also presentedat the American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS) annual general meeting on "Response of Strawberries to Postharvest Application of Plant Volatiles." And anoral presentation was made virtually at the 9th International Strawberry Symposium in Italy. Scientists from all over the world attended the meeting. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Virginia and Maryland Strawberry growers who attended the field walk organized Virginia Poly Tech at Hampton Roads AREC. Growers heard about the study's objectives, and field data collected to date were shared via a handout. AgFest Field Day was held at the Randolph Research Farm, and about 300 visitors were provided with information on the research project and results. Co-PI Dr. Taghavi discussed about our project goals and approaches. She has also presented at the American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS) annual general meeting on "Response of Strawberries to Postharvest Application of Plant Volatiles." and gave One oral presentation virtually at the 9th International Strawberry Symposium in Italy. Many from all over the world attended the meeting.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Phenotypic data against Botrytis infection has been collected from germplasm (consecutive years), which includes phenotypic parameters of fruit and leaf susceptibility and morphology to find associations. Quality-checked DNA for all the genotypes was sent for genotyping. Field trials were conducted at the Hampton Roads AREC in Virginia Beach by our Co-PI, Dr. Jayesh Samtani, for the selected genotypes from our Botrytis resistance screening experiments. Strawberry cultivar plugs of "Chandler" and "Flavorfest" (Kube Pak, Allentown, NJ), "Sweet Charlie" (Cottle Farms, Faison, NC) and "Honeoye" (Nourse Farms, Whately, MA) were transplanted on 17 October with 12 plants per cultivar spaced 14 inches in two alternating rows on each side of the drip tape. The study was a split-plot randomized complete block design with three replicates. Three fungicide treatment intervals: i) nontreated, ii) fungicides applied at the 7-day intervals, and iii) fungicides applied at the 14-day intervals were the main plots. Each main plot consisted of all four cultivars (sub-plots) with 2' separation between cultivars. The four cultivars were Flavorfest, Honeoye, Chandler and Sweet Charlie. Nine days after transplant (10/26) all plants were treated with Captan (2lb/A) foliar spray. Two weeks later (11/10) the fungicide spray intervals were initiated using Captan on the rows designated for 7- and 14-day treatments. Elevate (1.5lb/A) was applied the following week (11/18) on the 7-day interval plots. Thiram (2 qts/A) was applied on 11/29 (7- and 14-day) and 12/9 (7- day) as the final fall treatments. Fungicide applications resumed in the spring (4/5) with Captan, then alternating with Switch (12oz/A) on 4/12 (7- day) and 4/19 (7- and 14-day), Luna Sensation (7oz/A) on 4/26 (7- day), Captan on 5/5 (7- and 14-day), Elevate on 5/12 (7- day), Luna Sensation on 5/24 (7- and 14-day), Captan on 6/2 (7- day) and finally Abound (12oz/A)/Thiram mix on 6/9 (7- and 14-day). Plant vigor ratings on a scale of 1 (low vigor) to 10 (extremely vigorous) and stand counts were recorded monthly beginning 17 November to 22 May. Plant canopy measurements were taken on 12/8/22 and 3/30/23. Ripe fruit was harvested from Honeoye and Sweet Charlie on 24 and 28 March; on 31 March ripe fruit was harvested from all cultivars and fruit harvest continued twice a week until 16 June. Fruit from each harvest was graded marketable and non-marketable (less than 10g, deformed, damaged or diseased) and weighed by category. Fruit with botrytis rot were counted and weighed separately. Five marketable fruits were measured weekly for firmness using a penetrometer then stored at -20C for later analysis of pH and total soluble solids (°Brix) using a digital refractometer. On 12 May five fruits from each plot were flash frozen in a dry ice/ethanol bath and stored at -80C for later analysis by Dr. Melmaiee's laboratory at the University of Delaware.A companion study was also conducted on a grower's farm in Fredericksburg, VA, with a focus on cultivar evaluation.
Publications
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Progress 05/15/22 to 05/14/23
Outputs
Target Audience:Virginia and MarylandStrawberry growerswho attended the field walk organized Virginia Poly Tech at Hampton Roads AREC. Faculty, staff and students from the Department of Agriculture and Natural Sciences atDelaware State University and School of Integrated Plant Sciences atCornell who attended our masters student thesis defense.? Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?PI, post doctoral scientist working in the project visited Strawberry research facilities atGeneva to broaden their knowledge and skills in strawberry breeding program. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Virginia and MarylandStrawberry growerswho attended the field walk organized Virginia Poly Tech at Hampton Roads AREC. Faculty, staff and students from the Department of Agriculture and Natural Sciences atDelaware State University and School of Integrated Plant Sciences atCornell who attended our masters student thesis defense. Studentsattended the MANNRS national conference 2023, Atlanta. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Genotyping the strawberry accessions using the best available CHIP, find associations with Botrytis fruit rot resistance and identify candidate genes. Publish atleast two peer reviewed papers from the findings of the project.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
DNA was extracted from fresh and dry leaf samples for around 270 genotypes. Phenotypic data collected against Botrytis infection has been collected from a sub set of samples and we are continuing to collect more phenotypic parameters including fruit and leaf susceptibility and morphology to find associations. For the selected genotypes based on last years experiments; A replicated, randomized trial evaluating four cultivars-Chandler, Sweet Charlie, Flavorfest and Honeoye is being conducted at the Hampton Roads AREC. 'Sweet Charlie' was identified as being susceptible to botrytis in a leaf assay study at Delaware State University. 'Flavorfest' and 'Honeoye' were identified as resistant. These cultivars are being compared to the grower's standard cultivar, Chandler. The experimental design is a split-block design with three replicates. The main plot treatments are the different frequencies of fungicide applications- i) no fungicide application, ii) 7-day fungicide application, and iii) 14-day fungicide application interval. Fungicide applications were made during the fall 2022 and resumed in spring of 2023. The cultivars are the sub-plot treatments with an initial plant stand of 14 plants/replicate. Strawberry plants were transplanted on 17 Oct 2022 and are grown as per cooperative extension recommendations for annual hill plasticulture production. Monthly stand counts and plant health ratings are taken starting Nov. 2022. Fruits are being harvested twice per week starting 24 March 2023. Harvested fruits are sorted into marketable and non-marketable categories. Botrytis-infested fruits are being weighed separately by replicate. Fruit firmness and total soluble solids are collected once per week on the marketable fruits. Data analysis is pending and will be done once harvest season is complete.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2023
Citation:
V. H. Limmada, A. R. Vennapusa, K. Melmaiee, 2023. Evaluating Strawberry Germplasm for Anthracnose Resistance: A Morpho-Physiological Study. 3-MT Thesis, MANNRS National Conference 2023, Atlanta, GA.
- Type:
Theses/Dissertations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2023
Citation:
Characterization and Evaluation of Strawberry Germplasm for Resistance to Anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum acutatum.
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Progress 05/15/21 to 05/14/22
Outputs
Target Audience:Graduate students and post-doctoral Associate were presented at the Association of 1890 Research Directors (ARD) meeting at Atlanta, GA in April 2022. Co-PIs presented the preliminary reports at the Mid-Atlantic Strawberry Educational Program in Virginia Beach, VA, and Facebook blogs about the germplasm maintenance at Delaware State University and importance of controlling gray mold in strawberry. PI also submitted an abstract for an oral presentation at ARD meeting however some organizational issues abstract was not published. High school students were trained during summer and poster presentations can be found at https://underline.io/speakers/131305-kalpalatha-melmaiee Visitors of Dr. Melmaiee laboratory website:https://melmaieelab.github.io/index.html Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?High school students, undergrad and graduate students and post-doctoral associate were trained in isolation, culturing and maintenance of fungal cultures, basic plant pathology laboratory practices, screening large number of germplasm despite of COVID restrictions. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Websites and social media like face book,attending growers meetings and prsenting at the symposiums. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Genotype the germplasm, generate association maps and identify candidate genes, conduct varietal trails for the diverse set of lines selected and also test with volatile compounds if any response can be observed to extend the shelf life of fruits.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
We have screened germplasm for gray mold fungus Botrytis cenerea using leaf disc assay. Top resistant and susceptible lines were identified. This information was shared with the Co-investigators. Dr. Samtani is working on the varietal trails at Virginia Tech. When the grant started there were severe COVID restrictions in the University, students and PI could struggle to get all the materials and supplies needed. We couldn't hire post-doctoral associate until March 2021. That person has left the job because of visa issues. However, for the few months he was here, very productive and made good progress in the project along with student. In the Spring 2021, we obtained dry leaf samples from our Co-PI Dr. Kim Lewers to extract DNA for GBS. We optimized protocols for extracting good DNA from dry tissue. Acquired 100 more strawberry germplasm for in house screening for gray mold resistance.
Publications
- Type:
Websites
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2021
Citation:
https://melmaieelab.github.io/index.html
https://underline.io/speakers/131305-kalpalatha-melmaiee
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Progress 05/15/20 to 05/14/21
Outputs
Target Audience:Graduate students and post-doctoral Associate were presented at the Association of 1890 Research Directors (ARD) meeting at Atlanta, GA in April 2022. Co-PIs presented the preliminary reports at the Mid-Atlantic Strawberry Educational Program in Virginia Beach, VA, and Facebook blogs about the germplasm maintenance at Delaware State University and importance of controlling gray mold in strawberry. PI also submitted an abstract for an oral presentation at ARD meeting however some organizational issues abstract was not published. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Graduate student and post doctoral associate were trained following theCOVID restrictions . How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?
Nothing Reported
What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Screen around 130 strawberry lines for gray mold resistance develop in house screening methods provide CO-PIs information about elite genotypes Present project outcomes at conferences, farmers/growers meetings?
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
When the grant started there were severe COVID restrictions in the University, students and PI could struggle to get all the materials and supplies needed. We couldn't hire post-doctoral associate until March 2021. That person has left the job because of visa issues. However, for the few months he was here, very productive and made good progress in the project along with student. In the Spring 2021, we obtained dry leaf samples from our Co-PI Dr. Kim Lewers to extract DAN for GBS. We optimized protocols for extracting good DNA from dry tissue. Acquired 100. more strawberry germplasm for in house screening for gray mold resistance.
Publications
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