Extension-Led Breeding of Snap Peas, Enhanced Production of Nutrient-Dense Vegetable Legumes

Vegetables for the fresh and frozen markets contribute $12 billion of farm gate value for USA agricultural economies, positively contributing to farms and rural communities. Processing vegetables contribute $2 billion with peas representing 14% of the total value. In order to compete in the increasingly global economy of vegetable production US farmers must offer the highest quality, nutritionally superior vegetables using competitive production and marketing practices. We propose a strategy of marker-assisted selection quickly followed by genomic assisted breeding to efficiently develop varieties adapted to local markets and environments. Transcriptomes from high through-put sequencing of specific tissues and challenges will identify sufficient SNPs for gene-trait associations to achieve these snap pea breeding objectives. National and international collaborations will permit genome-wide association studies (GWAS) for the most important snap pea traits including maturity classes, market quality, high vitamin C, mineral nutrients, protein and improved genetic resistances to disease and abiotic stress. Combining the expertise and efforts of geneticists, plant breeders, Extension specialists and social scientists, we will create a dynamic synergy to successfully develop and promote nutrient dense snap peas for consumption by children and young adults benefiting growers and their local communities. Few public vegetable breeders are left and thus fewer improved germplasm and cultivars are being released, reducing US competitiveness and sustainability (Dias 2010). Engaging Extension scientists trained in on-farm breeding can open new markets and opportunities for vegetable producers. We will present a model for training Extension scientists in conducting variety trials and in on-farm breeding and present a new web site (www.gabcsfl.org).