Abstract
Providing hands-on education for the next generation of plant breeders would help maximize effectiveness of future breeding efforts. Such education should include training in introgression of crop wild relative alleles, which can increase genetic diversity while providing cultivar attributes that meet industry and consumer demands in a crop such as cider apple. Incorporation of DNA information in breeding decisions has become more common and is another skill future plant breeders need. The Palouse Wild Cider apple breeding program (PWCabp) was established at Washington State University in early 2014 as a student-run experiential learning opportunity. The objectives of this study were to describe the PWCabp’s approaches, outcomes, and student involvement to date that has relied on a systematic operational structure, utilization of wild relatives, and incorporation of DNA information. Students chose the crop (cider apple) and initial target market and stakeholders (backyard growers and hobbyists of the Palouse region). Twelve target attributes were defined including high phenolics and red flesh. Phase one and two field trials were established. Two promising high-bitterness selections were identified and propagated. By running the PWCabp, more than 20 undergraduate and graduate students gained experience in the decisions and operations of a fruit breeding program. PWCabp activities have produced desirable new germplasm via utilization of highly diverse Malus germplasm and trained new plant breeding professionals via experiential learning.
Highlights
Food insecurity is a global issue that can be addressed efficiently, economically, and sustainably through plant breeding encompassing training the generation of plant breeders in the use of modern breeding tools and strategies
Fruit-bearing habit Annual bearing tendency Leaves and bark Branch angle Yield low seediness, while eight tree attributes chosen included moderate to high resistance for the major pests and diseases of the region, short juvenility, high yield, strong annual bearing tendency, spur-bearing habit, and attractive appearance (Table 1)
This report was a description of the first nine years of an unusual breeding program focused on student training and use of crop wild relatives (CWR) and DNA information
Summary
Food insecurity is a global issue that can be addressed efficiently, economically, and sustainably through plant breeding encompassing training the generation of plant breeders in the use of modern breeding tools and strategies. Plant breeding consists of genetically improving crops over time via controlling inputs (parents) to achieve desired outputs (superior seedlings) that meet the needs of changing commercial and consumer desires as well as pressing global issues such as climate change, disease pressure, and population increase [1,2,3]. If envisioned improvements in crop productivity, stress tolerance, resource utilization, and product quality are to be realized, plant breeders that are educated in modern scientific techniques and knowledgeable about local production practices must be prepared to meet ongoing challenges and opportunities [6]. Developing professionals that are prepared out of college to benefit any breeding program and that can help confront current challenges of the plant breeding field is a need not yet fulfilled
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