SolCAP Solanaceae Coordinated Agricultural Project

SolCAP: Solanaceae Coordinated Agricultural Project

PROJECT OBJECTIVES and DELIVERABLES

Obj. 1 Create a highly visible integrated education program to train plant breeders, graduate students, and industry cooperators in marker-based breeding techniques aimed at improving vegetable crops in the family Solanaceae.

We will develop curricula to increase the knowledge of translational genomics for annual vegetable crops and deliver these curricula through university courses, industry short courses, and workshops to shape how plant breeders apply genomics to crop improvement.

Obj. 2 Amplify outreach efforts by developing an e-Xtension community of practice directed primarily at extension specialists.

We will enhance what Extension specialists understand about the application of genomics for vegetable crop improvement, provide a central access point for information, and enable transfer of this information to producers and growers.

Obj. 3 Collect standardized phenotypic data across multiple environments for potato, tomato, and pepper.

This will result in a standardized database of phenotypes for key traits across 480 accessions of each commodity, accessible through the Solanaceae Genome Network (SGN) website.

Obj. 4 Develop extensive sequence data of expressed genes, and identify Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) markers associated with candidate genes for sugar, carbohydrate, and vitamin biosynthetic pathways.

We will catalog allelic variation in structural and regulatory genes and subsequently explore correlation with corresponding traits.

Obj. 5 Establish centralized facilities for genotyping a core set of SNPs in standard germplasm panels in potato, tomato, and pepper.

The outcome will be a uniform database (>2.2 M data points) of integrated mapped markers and genotypes for 480 accessions of each crop. The genetic data will resolve population structure and facilitate association mapping in the core collections. (See Germplasm Panels below).

Obj. 6 Address regional, individual program and emerging needs through a small grants program. As a service to the community, we will provide opportunities to genotype populations, validate quantitative trait loci (QTL), convert SNPs into breeder-friendly markers for marker-assisted selection (MAS).

Up to 15 populations will be genotyped leading to increased breeder engagement with genomics, as well as the mapping of agronomic, disease/insect resistance and quality traits.

Obj. 7 Create integrated, breeder-focused resources for genotypic and phenotypic analysis by leveraging existing databases and resources at SGN and MSU.

Breeders, geneticists, and bioinformaticians will work to create integrated genomic and phenotypic databases that serve the entire Solanaceae breeding and genetics community.