Project Summary (Global Tomato Viruses and Resistance, GTVaR)

Accurate and timely identification of the causal agent is a pre-requisite for effective deployment of a disease management strategy. With the recent release of draft tomato genome sequence, translational genomics is now practical for this important specialty crop. We propose to use Next Generation Sequencing technologies including small RNA sequencing and RNA-Seq to generate a comprehensive global virus distribution map for tomato and to develop translational genomics tools to accelerate tomato breeding for resistance against economically important and emerging viral diseases.

This project has four specific objectives:

1. Develop a global tomato virome and virus distribution map through extensive virus survey and next generation sequencing of small RNAs.
2. Develop tomato translational genomic tools for virus resistance through whole transcriptome analysis to identify genes that are associated with resistance.
3. Provide a benefit-cost analysis of preventing or reducing viral diseases affecting tomato crops.
4. Conduct outreach programs to enhance communication with all segments of the tomato industry, to educate the public and to train the youth.

Our long-term goals are to develop molecular detection methods for emerging tomato viruses and viroids, to identify tomato genes responsible for virus resistance, and to transfer these modern technologies and promising disease resistance materials to our stakeholders to accelerate tomato breeding.  Public availability of such tools and information will also provide the scientific community and government unprecedented possibilities to understand global virus distribution on tomato, guide phytosanitory requirements, predict risk of future epidemics, and suggest regional disease management strategies.

This multi-state, trans-disciplinary research project addresses legislatively mandated focus area #1 (Research in plant breeding, genetics, and genomics to improve crop characteristics), and belongs to SCRI-identified FY2012 priority topics (Facilitate and improve connections between genomic projects and specialty crop breeding programs and legislative mandated focus area #2 (Efforts to identify and address threats from pests and diseases, including threats to specialty crop pollinators), and FY2012 priority topics (Create new scientific developments, technologies, and tools that will help reduce the incidence and impact of industry-critical insect and disease problems.