Molecular DNA markers have become widely used in all areas of genetic
research. The objectives of this thesis were to develop polymorphic markers in sunflower
and utilize the markers for genetic and candidate gene analyses. Amplified fragment
length polymorphism (AFLP) markers were used to estimate genetic similarities and
assess the...
A higher level of efficiency in the production of doubled-haploids must be achieved if
this procedure is to be beneficial in plant improvement. Of equal importance is the
development of protocols, which are not genotypic specific and result in progeny that represent
a random sample of gametes from the parental...
In the midst of double-digit growth in market demand for organic products, there is a lag in the growth of certified organic production in the United States. This thesis investigated the motivations and barriers farmers face when making the transition to organic agriculture. Three distinct organic farmer typologies were identified:...
The success of a plant breeding program depends upon the availability of
useable genetic diversity. Such diversity may be enhanced depending on the type of
hybridization strategy employed. Segregating progenies resulting from F2
populations, a double cross, and a top cross were compared for the amount of
useable genetic diversity...
We isolated and characterized the expression of two genes from Populus
trichocarpa that are homologous to the TERMINAL FLOWER 1 (TFL1) gene from
the model annual plant Arabidopsis. In Arabidopsis, overexpression of the TFL1
gene extends the vegetative growth phase, and the homozygous mutant tfl1 allele
causes early flowering and...
Marker information in the new oilseed crop, meadowfoam, is limited. Molecular markers to facilitate meadowfoam breeding and cultivar improvement are not available. The knowledge of genetic relationships among recent germplasm is not known. The objectives of this study were (i) to gain an understanding of genetic diversity and relationship patterns...
Historically, brewers have used dry-hopping (a cold extraction of nonvolatile and volatile chemicals from hops into fermenting or finished beer) to increase the microbial stability and shelf life of their beer. As hoppy beer styles have gained in popularity over the last decade (2007-2017), the objective of dry-hopping has turned...
Wildtype sunflower typically produces 12-24% oleic acid (18:1) and 70-82%
linoleic acid (18:2). High-oleic sunflower, by contrast, produces up to 80-94% oleic
acid. The monounsaturated oleic acid has a greater oxidative stability than the
polyunsaturated linoleic acid, predominant in wildtype sunflower, and has greater
nutritional benefits than polyunsaturated and saturated...
Attempts to develop dual-purpose durum wheat cultivars for both pasta and bread-making
have been unsuccessful. To better understand this limitation, thirty durum
genotypes, selected based on their diverse geographical origin, and five bread wheat
cultivars were compared as to their flour mixing properties, dough physical characteristics
and baking performance. The...