The 2011 ASHS Annual Conference

“RosBREED” is a large-scale initiative of the U.S. Rosaceae genomics, genetics, and breeding community with strong international involvement. This project is dedicated to genetic improvement of rosaceous crops by targeted application of genomics and socio-economics knowledge and tools to increase breeding efficiency, engage stakeholders, and train the next generation of plant breeders. Our goal is to sustainably integrate modern genomics tools with traditional breeding approaches. Ten teams carry out the RosBREED mission. The Socio-Economics Team has dissected current breeding priorities of U.S. Rosaceae breeders through a comprehensive survey. The Industry Team has initiated enhanced engagement of industry sectors in regional breeding efforts. The Breeding Team has cooperated across 12 breeding programs to establish reference germplasm sets representing their crops and programs and develop standardized phenotyping protocols with the first season of performance evaluation undertaken in 2010. The Pedigree-Based Analysis (PBA) Team has trained breeders in the use of Pedimap software for visualizing breeding pedigrees, including the portrayal of traits and genotypes over generations. Advanced training in FlexQTL™ software enables participating RosBREED breeders and their breeder-in-training graduate students to identify or validate QTLs with local relevance using routine breeding data from multiple variable-sized and pedigree-linked populations. The Breeders’ Toolbox Team has developed prototype calculation and visualization tools, query interfaces, and databases for managing breeding information that, over time, will increasingly include DNA-based knowledge. The MAB Pipeline Team, aiming for early impact, has helped translate several available marker-locus-trait associations into ready-to-use information for supporting breeding decisions. The Genotyping Team conducted genetic screening for two high priority trait loci each for peach, cherry, and apple. In addition to current use in supporting crossing decisions, these marker data identified a significant proportion of incorrect parentage in breeding records. The Genomics Team led international development of 6K and 9K genome-scanning SNP arrays for peach, cherry, and apple. With so many inter-Team activities to coordinate, events to arrange, and news to announce, the Extension Team has filled a critical role that extends beyond traditional extension responsibilities. The Administration Team has ensured smooth running of this huge project through timely management of reports and budgets with an eye for detail. RosBREED is removing the barriers, dispelling myths, accumulating experience, identifying pitfalls to avoid, and developing MAB success stories for efficiently developing superior new cultivars of the Rosaceae family bearing delicious and nutritious fruit.