In recent years, there has been renewed interest in black raspberry (Rubus
occidentalis L.) breeding. This has been spurred, in part, by an increase in black
raspberry consumption due to studies that have shown them to be particularly high in
anthocyanin content indicating high levels of antioxidants. Present cultivars are...
This dissertation describes the application and development of molecular tools that have great potential for use in studying variation in strawberry germplasm. The first study evaluated 91 microsatellite (simple sequence repeat, SSR) markers for transferability in 22 Fragaria species and their utility in fingerprinting octoploid strawberries. Out of the transferable...
The relationship between the level of Phaeocryptopus gaeumannii (Rohde) Petrak colonization and severity of Swiss needle cast (SNC) symptoms, the possibility of early testing of Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. menziesii [Mirb.] Franco) for SNC tolerance, and geographic variation in coastal Oregon with respect to SNC tolerance were investigated. Comparisons between...
Zebrafish, Danio rerio, are widely used as vertebrate research organisms yet little is know about their responses to husbandry stressors. This dissertation examined the whole-body cortisol responses of zebrafish to husbandry stress. Additionally, the effects of stress on the susceptibility to mycobacteriosis and microsporidiosis (Pseudoloma neurophilia) were determined including effects...
Pollen development is an important process in male flower development, the timing of which may be correlated with time of pollen shed in hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.). Early to very late blooming cultivars were identified and the relationship of microsporogenesis and microgametogenesis, and time of pollen shed were studied in...
Hop downy mildew is a devastating disease affecting hop requiring expensive
fungicide applications throughout the growing season. Plant resistance is highly
desirable and theorized as being decidedly quantitative with dominance and epistasis
involved in resistance. An association mapping approach using a mixed-model was
used to identify AFLP markers associated with...
White mold, caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) De Bary, is a destructive yield-limiting disease of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Genetic resistance to this pathogen is limited in common bean. Identification of high levels of partial physiological resistance in a genetically cross compatible species, Phaseolus coccineus, is advisable. The objectives...
Solanum species differ in their degree of frost tolerance and cold acclimation capacity. Cultivated potato species of Solanum tuberosum L. are frost-sensitive, incapable of cold acclimation, and have a maximum freezing tolerance of –3°C. Solanum commersonii Dun is frost-tolerant and can survive to –5ºC pre-acclimation and –10ºC post-acclimation. Breeding attempts...
The cultivated potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is one of the world’s most important staple crops, ranked fourth after maize, rice, and wheat. While the potato’s success is due largely to its high yield, it also benefits from its broad global acceptance, and its ability to be used by the consumer...
European hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.) is an important crop Oregon's Willamette Valley, producing 99% of the hazelnuts grown in North America and brings over US $60 million dollars to the region annually. Hazelnuts are rich in fiber and vitamins, as well in demand by consumers due to their popularity as...