Project Number: 5303-21220-003-11
Project Type: Trust

Start Date: Jan 01, 2007
End Date: Dec 31, 2007

Objective:
To develop/identify molecular markers and to identify their associations to fiber and pest resistance in order to expand the catalog of potential expressed sequence tag and genomic sequences, creating a dynamic publicly available set of molecular markers for diverse genome studies, and their use in assisting breeding for cotton improvement.

Approach:
DNA markers are useful for a range of basic and applied scientific objectives. Plant breeders find them useful as a selection tool in monitoring alien genome introgression in cotton breeding programs. Alien genome has the potential to increase genetic variability for economically valuable traits in cotton cultivars. Genetic sequence information enables DNA marker development specific to desired genes and leads to research on biochemical function. Genetic diversity in cotton is observed in crosses between different cotton cultivars and even species. These populations are useful for identification and introgression of traits valuable for cotton improvement but also for identification of their associations with polymorphic DNA markers. Markers and polymorphism data will be developed side by side to allow marker-assisted selection (MAS). Our efforts will be highly integrated and dovetail with other breeding efforts across the U.S. through the development and sharing of germplasm, markers and information with other breeding programs. We propose to provide relevant markers and mapped loci. These tools and resources, together with existing mapping information, will considerably enhance mapping efforts and will provide the foundation for an integrated consensus map. In addition, the development and/or identification of molecular markers linked to resistance are important tool incorporating resistance genes into elite cultivars. Once molecular markers linked to resistance genes are developed and/or identified, wide selection for pest resistance in cotton breeding can be achieved through marker-assisted selection (MAS), rather than on morphological selection which is time-consuming, expensive and sensitive to screening conditions. The principal investigator in this project will seek and solicit the input and feedback of colleagues, as well as their contributions and participation as part of a commodity-wide effort to facilitate and advance mapping efforts towards an integrated, molecular consensus map for marker-assisted breeding. Continued growth and competitiveness of the U.S. cotton industry is dependent upon improving varieties with high yield, better fiber quality, and pest resistance. A cotton germplasm collection exists, but is not extensively characterized and, as such, is underutilized in breeding programs. Documents Trust with Cotton Inc. Log 33510.