Breeding stone fruit species assisted by molecular tools
Fruit culture is one of the main economic activities of agriculture in Murcia and in Spain, mainly due to our privileged climate in comparison with the rest of Europe.
The Fruit Breeding Group of CEBAS-CSIC
The Fruit Breeding Group of CEBAS-CSIC was founded in the 70s and our breeding programs on almond, apricot and Japanese plum have the national and international appreciation, both at scientific and technical (nurseries, growers, industry, consumers) levels.
New Cultivars
Our new almond and apricot cultivars, due to their interesting characteristics (late flowering, self-compatibility, resistance to diseases, early maturity and high quality fruit) are broadly cultured in Spain, and international contracts with some foreign nurseries are being signed. The Japanese plum breeding program is the youngest, but we have already created large populations for selection during the next years. Our breeding programs have been financed for a long time with regional, national and international projects.
Project of Excellence
During this project of excellence, we aim to address new lines that deal with the main characteristics crosswise involved in the three breeding programs. For this work, we have ready the plant material and the appropriate techniques. These new lines are:
- Study of the genetic mechanisms involved in flowering time in almond and development of molecular markers;
- Identification and characterization of genes associated to floral incompatibility differentially expressed in almond;
- Determination of the genetic control of resistance to ACLSV and development of molecular markers for resistance in apricot and accumulation of PPV and ACLSV resistance in apricot;
- Study and development of molecular markers for ripening time and fruit quality in apricot, and bitterness of almond kernel.
Outreach of Knowledge
The outreach of knowledge acquired during the project will be focused on nurserymen, growers, consumers, students and scientists through scientific and divulgation publications, participation in national and international conferences, diffusion of activities through a website and our strategy of transference and exploitation of new varieties at national and international level.
Financing Requested
The financing requested in this project of excellence aims to deepen into the knowledge of these specific lines outlined to increase the efficiency of our almond, apricot and Japanese plum breeding programs and to enhance the leadership of the Fruit Breeding Group of CEBAS-CSIC at national and international level.