Genomics-assisted introgression for peanut pest & disease resistance
Texas A&M University is actively engaged in genomics-assisted peanut breeding to enhance pest and disease resistance, utilizing modern biotechnologies like marker-assisted backcrossing and high-resolution genotyping. These efforts aim to develop resistant peanut varieties by transferring beneficial alleles from wild relatives, supported by significant funding from USDA's AFRI program.
Texas A&M University is leading a comprehensive project focused on genomics-assisted peanut breeding to improve resistance against pests and diseases. The initiative employs advanced techniques such as marker-assisted backcrossing, high-resolution genotyping, and phenotyping to transfer resistance alleles from wild peanut relatives into cultivated varieties. This multistate, international collaboration aims to identify DNA markers linked to resistance traits and candidate genes responsible for pest and disease resistance, facilitating marker-assisted pyramiding of these traits into commercial peanut lines. Funded by a $650,000 AFRI grant under USDA, the project started in April 2021 and is scheduled to conclude in March 2026, with the goal of developing resilient peanut varieties that reduce chemical use and increase productivity (NIFA project page). The research also involves identifying candidate genes and diagnostic DNA markers to accelerate breeding efforts and improve crop resilience.
About Texas A&M University, College Station
Texas A&M University in College Station is a comprehensive public research university and the flagship of The Texas A&M University System, combining broad academic strengths with a strong applied‑research culture. Industry collaborates on the Texas A&M‑RELLIS campus—an integrated education, research and testing environment that supports large‑scale experimentation and proving grounds—and through the Texas A&M Transportation Institute’s facilities in Bryan‑College Station. A statewide extension network connects university expertise to companies and communities across all Texas counties, enabling rapid piloting and deployment. Research is supported by competitive federal funding from agencies such as NSF, NIH, DOE, USDA and DoD, alongside state and industry sponsorship. Texas A&M Innovation provides IP management, licensing and commercialization pathways across the system.
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