VitisGen3: completing the grapevine powdery mildew pipeline

Abstract

Past VitisGen projects (VitisGen, 2012-2017, and VitisGen2, 2017-2022) generated groundbreaking technologies for the grapevine breeding community, from low-cost DNAmarker platforms to advances in computer vision phenotyping. With a focus on powdery mildew resistance, VitisGen3 has leveraged these resources to complete the pipeline all the way from QTL identification to consumer adoption using a multidisciplinary approach. We will discuss progress on our objectives including candidate gene validation, new disease resistant selections, cutting edge imaging technologies, updated production guidelines, and consumer behavior studies. Creating durable resistance is a key target of most crop breeding programs, and so we will also address our strategy for safeguarding long term genetic disease resistance through Extension and outreach efforts.

Acknowledgements

Funding for VitisGen3 is provided by a Specialty Crop Research Initiative Competitive Grant, Award No. 2022-51181-38240, of the USDANational Institute of Food and Agriculture.