Cornell University Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics

My research interests are cell culture techniques for genetic manipulation of crop plants (especially vegetables) and molecular analysis of the materials obtained. I also assist other Cornell groups with a variety of tissue culture and gene transfer projects.

My group has produced many types of crucifers resistant to lepidopteran pests through introduction of endotoxin genes from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). Colleagues in the Entomology Department in Geneva have used these plants for empirical tests of resistance management strategies such as use of refuges and pyramiding.

A second major area of work is production of haploid and doubled haploid (DH) plants from several horticultural crops. DHs provide instant inbreds that can greatly speed breeding of improved lines, especially in biennial crops like onion. We have therefore collaborated with M.A. Mutschler to produce large numbers of DH onions for the onion-breeding program. Through culture of parthenogenetic embryos, we are producing DH melons from breeding materials developed by M. Jahn. Tests of recovery of cucurbit DH via gynogenesis are underway.

In previous work, we applied protoplast fusion technology to improvement of Brassica vegetables and oilseeds. This includes both creation of new combinations of Brassica organelles (to obtain more useful cytoplasmic male-sterility for hybrid production) and introduction of nuclear pest-resistance traits from crucifer relatives with which sexual crosses are difficult or impossible.

I am not accepting new graduate students into my program, but can supervise students interested in doing rotation projects in the area of plant tissue culture and gene transfer.

Additional Field membership: Plant Biology

Recent Publications

Cao J, Zhao J-Z, Tang JD, Shelton AM, Earle ED. 2002. Broccoli plants with pyramided cry1C and cry1Ac Bt genes control diamondback moths resistant to Cry1A and Cry1C proteins. Theor Appl Genet 105:258-264

Alan A, Blowers A, Earle ED. 2003. Expression of a Magainin-type antimicrobial peptide gene (MSI-99) in tomato enhances resistance to bacterial speck disease. Plant Cell Rep 22:388-396

Lotfi M, Alan AR, Henning MJ, Jahn, MM, Earle ED. 2003. Production of haploid and doubled haploid plants of melon (Cucumis melo L) for use in breeding for multiple virus resistance. Plant Cell Rep 21:1121-1128

Cao J, Shelton AM, Earle ED. 2005. Development of transgenic collards (Brassica oleracea L. var. acephala) expressing a cry1Ac or cry1C Bt gene for control of the diamondback moth. Crop Protection 24:804-813

Alan AR, Brants A, Cobb E, Goldschmied, PA, Mutschler MA, Earle ED. 2004. Fecund gynogenic lines from onion (Allium cepa L.) breeding materials. Plant Science 167:1055-1066
Cao J, Bates SL, Zhao J-Z, Shelton AM, Earle ED. 2006. Bt protein production, signal transduction, and insect control in chemically inducible PR-1a/cry1Ab broccoli plants. Plant Cell Reports 25:554-560

© 2006 Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Cornell University