Rapid Development of Marketable Root-Knot Nematode Resistant Sweetpotato Varieties: Translation of Genomics and Advanced Phenomics into On-Farm Crop Management Solutions
goals. This project will be jointly undertaken by NC State University (NCSU) and the International Potato Center (CIP)
This project will combine genomic and phenomic tools to develop superior sweetpotato varieties with robust resistance to root knot nematodes (GRKN and SRKN) and desirable storage root yield, shape and quality. An approach taking into account the complex genetics of polyploidy will be used for multi-trait selection. NC State University and the International Potato Center will jointly undertake this project, which will also include a holistic nematode management strategy to maximize economic and farm sustainability goals.
Sponsor
US Dept. of Agriculture - National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA NIFA)
The grant—running from September 1, 2021 to August 31, 2025—is for a total of $5,011,710.
Principle Investigators
George C. Yencho
Adrienne Marie Gorny
Jonathan R. Schultheis
Michael Kudenov
Daniel Trevellan Tregeagle
More Details
We propose to deploy genomic and phenomic tools as an integrated approach for the development of superior sweetpotato varieties with robust resistance to M. enterolobii and M. incognita, and high storage root yield, shape and quality attributes that command a high market value. Beyond identifying the genetic components underpinning these traits, a breeding approach that accounts for the complex genetics of polyploidy (e.g. allele dose-dependent phenotypes) will be designed for combining multiple desirable traits in a single genetic background (i.e. multi-trait selection). This is particularly important in sweetpotato where a single important trait can break an otherwise remarkable variety. Resistance to GRKN and SRKNwill be studied within the context of a holistic nematode management strategy that maximizes economic and farm sustainability