Research Projects
Project 1: Cloning the Potato Virus Y Resistance Gene, Ry-adg
Potato virus Y (PVY) is one of the most serious pathogens threatening potato production worldwide because it is both easily transmissible and causes devastating losses. It is the most important virus in potato production worldwide and was voted the 5th most important plant virus in the world in 2011. One of the most effective ways to manage PVY is to grow resistant cultivars. Ry-adg is an extreme resistance gene meaning a potato harboring it does not allow virus replication or movement of all strains of PVY. Candidate genes for Ry-adg are currently being evaluated via stable potato transformations.
Transformed potato plant with a candidate gene for Ry-adg
Project 2: Pyramiding Globodera pallida Resistance Genes
Potato cyst nematodes (PCN) are significant pests in potato production due to their resilience in soil and the severe damage they cause to potatoes, which has led them to be classified as quarantine pests. The eggs of potato cyst nematodes can remain dormant for 20 or more years while they wait for a host to be planted in the field. Growing resistant cultivars on infested land leads to a decline in PCN populations since fewer females which harbor eggs are being produced. Pyramiding partial resistance genes (Gpa5, Gpa6, Pa2/3_A) in a single potato clone will likely result in higher levels of resistance compared to each gene individually.
Individuals in the pyramiding stacking popualtion being collected in onion bags
Project 3: Breeding for Globodera pallida Resistance Clones
The best way to learn how to be a breeder is to be directly involved with the breeding process and to get your hands dirty. Towards this goal, I have been assigned as the lead for the G. pallida resistance breeding portion of the Cornell potato breeding program.
Several populations have been created to develop potato cultivars that are resistant to G. pallida. Currently, many of the parents of these breeding populations include European cultivars which are not well adapted to our growing region. The progeny from these crosses will likely not result in a cultivar, but selections are made in order to develop resistant germplasm. In future pollinations, these selections will be used as parents to develop G. pallida resistant clones that are adapted to the northeastern United States.
Potato crew helping pick up potato clones selected in the field
Project 4: Increasing the carotenoid content of the creamer cultivar Upstate Abundance
Upstate Abundance produces golf-ball sized white-fleshed creamer at regular planting spacing which reduces seed costs for farmers growing little potatoes. This cultivar has resistance against several important potato pathogens including common scab, late blight, PCN, and PVY. However, there currently is not a large market for white creamers. Transforming Upstate Abundance with a specific allele of beta-carotene hydroxylase 2 (BCH2) with its native promoter will result in a yellow version of the cultivar and satisfy an industry want.
Upstate Abundance harvest from my home garden
