PI: Professor Jay Subramanian

Brief Outline of Research Project:

The major goal of this project is to develop molecular markers for the stony hard gene and brown rot (BR) resistance in peach using Genome Wide Association Studies (GWAS). In this proposal the incumbent will work with the grad students to develop markers for peaches that will be suitable for Ontario’s changing climate, by mining the germplasm from Vineland. Conventional breeding and selection process will take at least 15-20 years, and hence we propose to use GWAS so that we can develop molecular markers for this trait. Leaf and fruit samples will be collected from the existing 350-400 genotypes of peaches and they will be subjected in vitro assay for brown rot resistance (leaf and Fruit) to identify the resistant and susceptible genotypes. We have developed a reliable in vitro protocol for assaying for BR resistance, which will be taught to the incumbent and used for the project. Similarly, DNA from the leaves and fruits will be extracted, using commercially available kits. Extracted DNA will be quantified using a NanoDrop and the quality of the DNA will be verified as needed. These DNA samples will be then be outsourced for sequencing and the sequencing results will be used for GWAS. This approach will help us identify potentially BR resistant germplasm at the early stage itself, thus saving time, money and space and thus helps environment as well

Job Description:

Collection of samples from various genotypes: Leaf samples will be collected from May end to July end. From July end, fruits will be assayed for brown rot resistance till August end. Thus, student will learn how to perform in vitro assays for disease resistance and collect data.

Will need to grow fungus in petri plates and adjust spore concentration for inoculation studies. For this the student will also need to prepare agar media and make agar plates on a weekly or bi-weekly basis as needed.

As the sample collection and assay will take only 50% of the time per week, during the rest of the period the student will be assisting in extracting DNA using the kits. Approximately 6-8 samples can be done per 4 -5 hour period in a day.

Major Information:

This job will be at Vineland and hence the incumbent will need to relocate to Vineland and drive to work. Thus a valid G license will be needed.

Job posting closes at noon Friday, March 28, 2025

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