Identification of a Major-Effect Quantitative Trait Loci Associated with Begomovirus Resistance in .

Begomoviruses, viz. squash leaf curl China virus and tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus causative diseases are major concerns of quantitative and qualitative losses in pumpkin () worldwide. Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) in India has identified a resistant source (PVR-1343) against mixed infection (MI-Sq/To) of these begomoviruses.

Identification of single major QTL and candidate gene(s) governing hull-less seed trait in pumpkin.

The hull-less pumpkin () seed does not require de-hulling before use for human consumption, as a result highly preferred by the oil, nut, and baking industries. In hull-less seeds, a single recessive gene is responsible for the absence of outer thick seed coat layers; however, the genomic region and gene(s) controlling the trait are unclear to date. In this study, four crosses attempted to derive F and backcross populations confirmed the single recessive gene inheritance of hull-less seed trait in populations adapted to the sub-tropical climate.

Phospholipids and flowering regulation.

A better understanding of how plants adjust their flowering under unfavourable environmental conditions is key to developing climate-resilient crops. Recently, Susila et al. demonstrated that phospholipids controlling the transport of florigen (FLOWERING LOCUS T; FT) act as an additional layer to prevent flowering under unfavourable conditions.

Doubled Haploid 'CUDH2107' as a Reference for Bulb Onion (Allium cepa L.) Research: Development of a Transcriptome Catalogue and Identification of Transcripts Associated with Male Fertility.

Researchers working on model plants have derived great benefit from developing genomic and genetic resources using 'reference' genotypes. Onion has a large and highly heterozygous genome making the sharing of germplasm and analysis of sequencing data complicated. To simplify the discovery and analysis of genes underlying important onion traits, we are promoting the use of the homozygous double haploid line 'CUDH2107' by the onion research community.