Topics of Ph.D. Dissertations (2000-2005)
2005
Genetic analysis of kernel morphology and quality in hexaploid wheat using linkage and association approaches.
Mechanism of resistance to bean common mosaic virus conferred by the I locus in Phaseolus vulgaris L.
Genetic, developmental, and molecular characterization of SE2.1: A major stigma exsertion QTL associated with the evolution from allogamy to autogamy in tomatoes.
Origins and distribution of allelic diversity in populations of wild and cultivated rice and phenotypic consequences of admixture at a complex flowering time locus.
Identities of the P and D loci in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.).
New and historical issues concerning open-pollinated maize cultivars in the United States.
Inheritance and analysis of high temperature tolerance in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.).
2004
Genetic and developmental characterization of locule number of loci in tomato with emphasis on the fasciated locus.
A molecular population genetics approach to trait discovery in rice (Oryza sativa L.).
Advanced back cross analysis of Zea mays x Zea diploperennis: Identification and verification of novel QTL with agronomic importance in hybrid maize.
Comparative analysis of the wheat and rice genomes based on DNA sequence.
QTL associated with rice seed dormancy, days to heading and pericarp color, and comparative analysis of seed dormancy.
Association of Lycopersicon pennellii introgressions with acylsugar level or deficiencies in horticultural type in acylsugar breeding lines.
2003
Genomic analysis of drought tolerance in wheat and barley.
Resistance studies in pepper (Capsicum spp.) and melon (Cucumis melo).
The Striga problem: genetic resistance in maize, diversity, and soil seed banks in Coast, Western and Nyanza provinces of Kenya.
Identification of agronomic traits associated with quantitative trait loci in a recombinant inbred line population of Tef (Eragrostis tef).
Characterization of the late blight resistance of Lycopersicon pimpinellifolium accession L3708, and its transfer to elite processing tomato lines.
QTL analysis of grain quality traits, fine mapping and genetic characterization of a grain weight QTL in rice.
Analysis of evolutionary history, population structure and genetic diversity of Oryza glaberrima Steud based on microsatellite markers.
Evaluation and introgression of black rot (Xanthomonas campestris pv.campestris) resistance in Brassica oleracea L. and related species.
2002
Heartbreaker (Hbr)-based markers for genetic and evolutionary analyses in maize (Zea mays L.).
Food systems approach to nutrition in Zimbabwe: The case of corn.
Cloning and characterization of FW2.2: A quantitative trait locus key to the evolution of tomato fruit size.
Identification of quantitative trait loci from the rice wild relative Oryza rufipogon and refined mapping of a flowering time QTL.
Identification, near-isogenic line development and fine mapping of quantitative trait loci from the rice cultivar IR64 and its wild relative Oryza rufipogon.
Development of a graph theoretic approach to genetic map integration using rice as a model system.
2001
Characterization of Malus germplasm collected in Central Asia.
Molecular markers for weeping plant habit and powdery mildew (Podosphaera leucotricha) resistance from the ornamental crabapple "Red Jade".
Quantitative trait improvement by advanced backcross breeding in elite maize.
Genetics and applications of heat tolerance in common bean.
Gene characterization and marker development in Sorghum bicolor (L) Moench.
2000
Characterization of Or, a gene causing increased beta-carotene accumulation in cauliflower.
A survey of genetic diversity of eight AA genome species of Oryza using microsatellite markers.
Evaluation and utilization of genetic variation in rice (Oryza spp) and coffee (Coffea spp) using RFLP and SSLP markers.
Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of Brassica oleracea var. italica and B. napus with a Trichoderma harzianum endochitinase gene to enhance resistance against fungal pathogens.
Identification of alleles from exotic maize for maize improvement using advanced backcross QTL analysis.
Genetics of fruit quality and resistance to cucumber mosaic virus to Capsicum.