Aphid and whitefly resistance in pumpkin and squash
Viruses cause considerable losses in pumpkin and squash (Cucurbita), and are transmitted by the cotton-melon-aphid Aphis gossypii and the silverleaf whitefly Bemisia tabaci. Breeding of insect resistant varieties is a durable strategy for both insect and virus control. The aim of this project is to identify strong sources of aphid and whitefly resistance in the Cucurbita germplasm, elucidate the genetics and the mechanism of the resistance, and identify markers that will facilitate breeding.