CRIS Project Title:  
Genetics, genetic resource evaluation, and genetic improvement of landscape trees and shrubs

INTRODUCTION:  
The overall objective of this research is to evaluate, breed, and release improved landscape trees and shrubs that are disease and pest resistant, tolerant of environmental stresses, are not invasive, and are of superior ornamental value, with a focus on Cercis, Corylopsis, Gaylussacia, Halesia, Lagerstroemia, Prunus and Syringa. This objective is accomplished by developing new or improved genetic marker systems for assessing genetic diversity and accelerating genetic improvement of these genera; incorporating improved disease and stress resistance and ornamental traits into this germplasm using traditional and new breeding methodologies; and transferring superior landscape plant cultivars to the end users.

PROGRESS:  
Five superior cultivars of landscape plants have been released to the nursery industry in the past six years, including ‘Arapaho’ and ‘Cheyenne’ crapemyrtles; ‘First Lady’ flowering cherry; ‘Don Egolf’ redbud; and ‘Betsy Ross’, ‘Old Glory’, and ‘Declaration’ lilacs. A molecular marker system was established using automated sequencing equipment with fluorescently labeled primers as an efficient and reliable system to fingerprint woody plant germplasm to aid in genetic diversity estimates and to identify hybrid progeny. A reliable regeneration system has been developed for two important landscape plants - ornamental flowering cherry using embryogenic callus or direct organogenesis from leaf pieces, and redbud species using direct organogenesis from leaf pieces.

PLANS:  
Continue with breeding efforts in Cercis, Corylopsis, Halesia, Prunus, and Lagerstroemia, and continue with selections of hybrids plants in Syringa and Viburnum. Coordinate cooperative programs with the nursery industry to evaluate new selections and propagate new releases, to ensure transfer of this research to the end users. Use SSR markers to evaluate genetic relationships among taxa in ornamental Prunus. Establish molecular markers in other genera to aid in characterization, identification, selection and/or evaluation of plant material.

RECENT PUBLICATIONS:

1993. Pooler, M.R., Simon, P.W. Characterization and classification of isozyme and morphological variation in a diverse collection of garlic clones. Euphytica 68: 121-130.

1993. Pooler, M.R., Simon, P.W. Garlic flowering in response to clone, photoperiod, growth temperature, and cold storage. HortScience 28(11): 1085-1086.

1994. Pooler, M.R., Simon, P.W. True seed production in garlic. Sexual Plant Reproduction 7:282-286.

1995. Pooler, M.R., Scorza, R. Plant regeneration of three peach rootstock varieties from cotyledons of mature stored seeds. HortScience 30(2):355-356.

1995. Pooler, M.R., Hartung, J.S. Genetic relationships among strains of Xylella fastidiosa based on RAPD-PCR data. Current Microbiology 31: 134-137.

1995. Pooler, M.R., Scorza, R. 2n egg production in peach. Fruit Varieties Journal 49:239-241.

1995. Pooler, M.R., Hartung, J.S. Specific PCR detection of Xylella fastidiosa strains that cause citrus variegated chlorosis. Current Microbiology 31:377-381.

1995. Maas, J.L., Pooler, M.R., Galletta, G.J. Bacterial angular leafspot disease of strawberry: Present status and prospects for control. Adv. Strawberry Res. 14: 18-24.

1995. Pooler, M.R., Scorza, R. Aberrant transmission of RAPD markers in haploids, doubled haploids, and F1 hybrids of peach: Observations and speculation on causes. Scientia Horticulturae 64: 233-241.

1996. Pooler, M.R., Ritchie, D.F., Hartung, J.S. Genetic relationships among strains of Xanthomonas fragariae based on RAPD PCR, REP PCR, and ERIC PCR data and generation of multiplexed PCR primers useful for the identification of this phytopathogen. Applied and Envrironnmental Microbiology 62: 3121-3127.

1997. Pooler, M.R., Scorza, R.The effects of irradiation and heat on peach pollen germination and fertility. HortScience 32: 290-291.

1997. Pooler, M.R., Myung, I.S., Bentz, J., Sherald, J., and Hartung, J.S. Detection of Xylella fastidiosa in potential insect vectors by immunomagnetic separation and nested PCR. Letters in Applied Microbiology 25: 123-126.

1997. Pooler, M.R., Hartung, J.S., and Fenton, R.G. Characterization of a 1.4 kb plasmid in some strains of Xylella fastidiosa. FEMS Letters 155: 217-222.

1997. Hartung, J.S., Pooler, M.R. Immunocapture and multiplexed-PCR assay for Xanthomonas fragariae, causal agent of angular leafspot disease. Acta Hort. 439 (2): 821-828.

1999. Pooler, M.R. and Dix, R.L. 'Chickasaw', 'Kiowa', and 'Pocomoke' Lagerstroemia. HortScience 34(2): 361-363.

1999. Scorza, R and Pooler, M.R.. Growth and yield of F1 hybrid peaches developed from doubled haploids. HortScience 34(5): 928-931.

1999. McElrone, A.J., Sherald, J.L., and Pooler, M.R. Identification of alternative hosts of Xylella fastidiosa in the Washington, DC area using nested PCR. J. of Arboriculture 25(5): 258-263.

1999. Pooler, M.R. Preservation and DNA fingerprinting of the historic Tidal Basin cherries. Journal of Environmental Horticulture 17(4): 189-192.

2000. Hokanson, K.E. and Pooler, M.R. Regeneration of ornamental cherry (Prunus) taxa from mature stored seed. HortScience 35(4):745-748.

2000. Pooler, M. R. A tour of your National Arboretum and its latest cultivar releases. Combined Proceedings International Plant Propagators' Society 49: 500-503.

2001. Pooler, M.R. Crapemyrtles. In: The New York/Mid-Atlantic Gardeners Book of Lists. B.L. Appleton and L.T. Chaplin (eds.). Taylor Trade Publishing, Dallas, TX. pp. 54-55.

2001. Reed, S.M., G.L. Riedel, and M.R. Pooler. Verification and establishment of Hydrangea macrophylla 'Kardinal' x H. paniculata 'Brussels Lace' interspecific hybrids. J. Environ. Hort 19(2):85-88.

2001. Pooler, M.R. and Dix, R. Screening of Cercis (Redbud) taxa for ability to root from cuttings. J. Environ. Hort. 19(3):137-139.

2001. Pooler, M.R. Plant Breeding at the U.S. National Arboretum: Selection, evaluation, and release of new cultivars. HortTechnology 11(3):365-367.

2001. Dunwell, W.C., D. Fare, M.A. Arnold, K. Tilt, G. Knox, W. Witte, P. Knight, M. Pooler, W. Klingeman, A. Niemiera, J. Ruter, T. Yeager, T. Ranney, R. Beeson, J. Lindstrom, E. Bush, A. Owings, M. Schnelle. Plant evaluation program for nursery crops and landscape systems by the Southern Extension and Research Activities/Information Exchange Group-27. HortTechnology 11(3):373-375.

2001. Pooler, M.R. and Dix, R. Evaluating Cercis species' ability to root from cuttings. Am. Nurseryman 194(10):56.

2002. Pooler, M.R., Dix, R.L., and J. Feely. Interspecific hybridizations between the native bittersweet, Celastrus scandens, and the introduced invasive species, C. orbiculatus. Southeastern Naturalist 1(1):69-76.

2002. Bentz, S.E., Riedel, L.G.H., Pooler, M.R. and A.M. Townsend. Hybridization and self-compatibility in controlled pollinations of eastern North American and Asian hemlock (Tsuga) species. J. Arboriculture 28(4): 200-205.

2002. Pooler, M.R., Riedel, L.G.H., Bentz, S.E., and A.M. Townsend. Molecular markers used to verify interspecific hybridization between hemlock (Tsuga) species. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 127(4): 623-627.

2002. Pooler, M.R., Jacobs, K.A., and M.H. Kramer. Differential resistance to Boyryosphaeria canker among Cercis taxa. Plant Disease 86:880-882.

2003. Pooler, M.R. Breeding for Success. American Nurseryman 197(2): 49-50, 52.

2003. Pooler, M.R. Molecular genetic diversity among twelve clones of Lagerstroemia fauriei revealed by AFLP and RAPD markers. HortScience 38: 256‑259.

2003. Cheong, E. and M.R. Pooler. 2003. Micropropagation of Chinese redbud (Cercis yunnanensis) through axillary bud breaking and induction of adventitious shoots from leaf pieces. In Vitro Cell Dev Biol - Plant 39:455-458.

2004. Elias, T.S. and M.R. Pooler. The identity of the African firebush (Hamelia) in the ornamental nursery trade. HortScience 39:1224-1226.

2004. Cheong, E. and M.R. Pooler. Factors affecting somatic embryogenesis in Prunus incisa cv. February Pink. Plant Cell Reports 22: 810-815.

2005. Pooler, M.R. and A.M. Townsend. DNA fingerprinting of clones and hybrids of American elm and other elm species with AFLP markers. Journal of Environmental Horticulture 23(3):113-117.

2006. Pooler, M.R. 2006. Crapemyrtle – Lagerstroemia indica. In N.O. Anderson (ed). Flower breeding and genetics: Issues, challenges, and opportunities for the 21st century. Vol. 2. p. 428-449. Springer, New York.

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Last Updated   October 30, 2006 12:05 PM
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