Project Number: 6401-21000-001-00
Project Type: Appropriated

Start Date: Jul 01, 2007
End Date: Sep 30, 2009

Objective:
Research of this project will focus on genetics and genomics of sweet potato and other speciality crops for improved quality and resistance to biotic and abiotic factors and enhanced nutrition. Objectives are as follows: 1) develop new sweet potato germplasm that are suited to nutritional needs and consumer-ready product development; and 2) develop superior sweet potato and specialty crop germplasm to replace older varieties that decline in vigor due to biotic and abiotic stresses.

Approach:
Identify and map genes associated with desirable phenotypic traits (e.g. enhanced nutrition, resistance to biotic or abiotic stress) that will result in the development of superior sweet potato and specialty crop germplasm. Gene identification will be through various techniques like EST libraries from key tissues, differential gene expression studies, or candidate gene isolation. DNA molecular markers will be developed and utilized to assist in the mapping of chosen phynotypic traits which can be further used for marker assisted selection for enhanced development of superior germplasm. Development of a genetic map based on DNA markers might be utilized to assist in mapping phynotypic traits.