ASHS 2025 Conference

Title: Genetic Improvement of Fruit and Vegetable Crops for Enhanced Stress Resistance at CPBGG, SCSU Bazgha Zia1, Fetien A. Abera1. 1Center of Plant Breeding, Genetics and Genomics (CPBGG), Public Service and Agriculture, South Carolina State University, 300 College Street, Orangeburg, SC 29117. The Center for Plant Breeding, Genetics, and Genomics, established in 2024 at SCSU is dedicated to advancing resilient crops through innovative breeding techniques, genetic research, and genomic technologies. The center focuses on creating resilient, high-yield crop varieties to address global food security challenges, particularly under stressors such as drought, unfavorable temperature conditions. By integrating global partnership, classical plant breeding methods with cutting-edge genomic tools, the center aims to develop superior crop varieties that meet the needs of farmers, consumers, and the agricultural industries Vegetable production faces numerous challenges, including disease pressure, drought, salinity, and extreme temperature conditions, all of which compromise the quality, yield, and nutritional value of vegetables. We invite universities, private companies, and other relevant stakeholders to collaborate with us for 1) Genetic improvement: Leveraging cutting-edge genomic tools and resources to develop crops with superior stress resistance, 2) Testing and demonstration: Partnering in the introduction and evaluation of new rootstocks, varieties, and genetic material for practical application in diverse agroecological conditions and 3) On-farm experimentation: Utilizing both on-station and farmer-partnered farms for real-world testing and genetic characterization of diverse crop genotypes. In alignment with our strategic goals, we introduced CPBGG and conducted a rapid assessment to identify the challenges farmers face in growing various crops, vegetables, and fruits in Law and Orangeburg counties. The assessment involved 65 farmers from young farmers' cooperative associations and small-scale farming communities. Our findings revealed a significant demand for better access to knowledge and technology. In fact, a few farmers even invited us to conduct experiments on their farms. This positive process underscores the importance of the center's ongoing efforts to forge partnerships with universities and private companies. We are introducing watermelon rootstocks to demonstrate and test their performance. Additionally, we are keen to collaborate in genetic improvement, using both the on-station farm and the farms of our committed farmers for the genetic characterization and genetic analysis of diverse genotypes. Through collaborative efforts, we aim to create innovative solutions for small-scale farmers and agro-businesses, improving food security and agricultural resilience.