PLANT GENETIC RESOURCES UNIT - MISSION STATEMENT

PGRU's  mission is to acquire, maintain, characterize, and distribute plant genetic resources of selected crops. These genetic resources are critical biological raw material for continued improvement of the productivity and sustainability of agriculture. Currently, around 20,000 accessions are held, representing nearly 200 species and encompassing both seed-propagated and clonal germplasm. Some of the larger crop collections include: apple, grape, onion, tomato, and vegetable Brassica crops. Research activities focus on problems related to collection management and use, including: application of whole plant, cellular, and molecular markers to assess diversity of germplasm collections; in vitro and cryopreservation of clonal and seed propagules; and virus detection and eradication.

• Conservation and Utilization of Germplasm of Selected Vegetable Crops
• Conservation and Utilization of the Genetic Resources of Apples, Grapes, and Tart Cherries
• Evaluation of Pest, Disease Resistance, and Stress Tolerance in Apple Rootstocks

GRAPE GENETIC RESEARCH UNIT - MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of the Grape Genetics Research Unit is the advancement of grape production through interdisciplinary research, breeding and technology transfer. The goals of the program are to reduce losses to crop yield and quality that result from diseases, pests, and abiotic stress and improve grape and grape product quality and utilization. Enhanced varieties and techniques will be developed using breeding, genetics, genomics, proteomics, and bioinformatics and transferred to grape growers, packers, and processors. The primary research areas are: (1) Development of resistance to pests and diseases in grape scion and rootstock; (2) Superior adaptation to growing conditions and tolerance of abiotic stress; (3) Improved product quality through enhanced knowledge of mechanisms governing color, flavor, aroma, sensory characters, and yield.