US: What’s being done to improve resilience in carrot crops

Published 2024년 8월 20일

Tridge summary

The Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR) is investing $500,000 and partnering with seed companies to develop carrot varieties that are resistant to Alternaria leaf blight and can grow in water-deficient conditions. This initiative, led by the University of California, Davis, aims to tap into the genetic diversity of wild carrots to breed these traits into cultivated carrots, addressing significant challenges faced by carrot growers. The project will identify successful wild carrot types, breed them with cultivated carrots, and provide breeding germplasm and methods to major seed companies and crop breeders.

Disclaimer:The above summary was generated by Tridge's proprietary AI model for informational purposes.

Original content

Carrot growers face a variety of both climate and biological threats, including water access and diseases such as Alternaria leaf blight (Alternaria), a disease that can reduce yield by 40% to 60%. Some cultivated carrots are partially resistant to Alternaria but still require frequent fungicide applications to fully protect crops from this disease. To meet these challenges, the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR) is providing a $500,000 grant to the University of California, Davis (UC Davis) to tap into the genetic diversity of wild carrots to breed into cultivated carrots Alternaria resistance and the ability to grow in water-deficient conditions. FFAR’s Crops of the Future Collaborative partners Bayer, Bejo Seeds, Enza Zaden, Rijk Zwaan, Takii Seed, and Vilmorin Mikado are providing matching funds for a total investment of $1,000,000. “Carrots provide a great source of essential nutrients like beta carotene, yet growers face significant challenges in protecting ...

Source: Growingproduce