Plant & Animal Genomes XI Conference Plant & Animal Genomes XI ConferenceJanuary 11-15, 2003
Town & Country Convention Center
San Diego, CA
Workshop: Citrus
Citrus genomics research at UF has been underway for more than a decade in the Moore and Gmitter laboratories. The first marker based genetic maps of citrus were published by this group in 1992, and the scope of research has expanded since then as technological capabilities have advanced. The genomics effort has been coupled with projects for the genetic improvement of citrus cultivars. A population from an intergeneric backcross has been the foundation for developing more densely populated maps with new markers, as well as genetic studies of marker linkages with genes for virus and nematode resistance, for cold stress-related genes, and for QTLs involved in vegetative vigor and response to salinization. Markers linked with genes for virus and nematode resistance are used by citrus breeders for selection. Map-based cloning and sequencing strategies have been employed to clone a virus resistance gene, Ctv. Several large insert genomic libraries have been produced using different restriction enzymes, vectors, and genetic resources. Resistance gene candidates (RGCs) have been cloned, based on degenerate primer amplification from genomic DNA and utilization of BAC libraries. Other important genes, such as those involved in complex metabolic pathways, have been cloned based on sequence homology. A review of current programs and future research will be presented to describe the resources available to, and to open opportunities for collaborations with, the international citrus research community.