Chlorogenic acid as a molecular marker to identify peach and nectarine genotypes resistant to brown rot disease in Niagara peninsula

Lead Applicant: Jayasankar Subramanian

Research Priority: Competitive Production Systems 

Program Type: Tier 1

Funding Cycle: 2023/2024

Research Centre: NA

Research Summary: More than 60% of fruit loss in tender fruits is due to brown rot disease caused by the fungus Monilinia fructicola. Recent studies suggest a role for chlorogenic acid in fungal disease resistance. Here we propose to correlate the metabolites in the biosynthetic pathway leading to chlorogenic acid in peach/nectarine fruits and develop a marker(s) for brown rot resistance. Using a genomic approach, it is proposed to identify candidate gene(s) that provide a better understanding of genetic control for brown rot resistance in peach/nectarines. Markers discovered from this study will contribute to the understanding of genetics behind brown rot resistance and will be a useful tool to generate brown rot resistant cultivars of peach/nectarine for the Niagara region.