POLYPLOIDS

This effort emerged from the realization that polyploid specialty crops were not capitalizing on the rapid advances in genomics as were diploid crops due to the lack of computational tools needed to use the data in these complex genetic systems. This project coordinates efforts to resolve the common analytical issues faced by all polyploid crops across multiple plant families (Asteraceae, Actinidiaceae, Convolvulaceae, Ericaceae, Poaceae, Rosaceae, Rubiaceae, Solanaceae) representing many economically important food, fodder, and ornamental crops throughout the world. The list of polyploid specialty crops used for food includes roots and tubers (potato, sweet potato, yam), fruit (strawberry, blackberry, blueberry, European plum, tart cherry, kiwi, persimmon, banana), vegetables (leek, watermelon), and others (coffee, basil, hops). In addition to food crops, polyploid species are used as ornamentals (rose, chrysanthemum, lily, orchids, lantana) and for turfgrass (bentgrass, Kentucky..