Patrick McCachren
Former Crop Science - MS
Bio
- Degree Program: M.S., Crop Science
- Previous Degree: B.S., Turfgrass Science, NC State University
- Advisor: Dr. Ramsey Lewis
- Thesis: Investigating the Genetics of Flowering Time and Black Shank Resistance, and Testing a Novel Method of Paternal Haploid Isolation in Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.).
- Thesis Date: 2012-04-16
Research
1) Map a population of Nicotiana tabacum using SSR markers to determine QTL associated with resistance to the pathogen Alternaria alternata, the causal agent of brown spot. This also includes the characterization of all individuals in the population for their resistance to the disease. 2) Investigate a new method for selecting paternal haploids using a purple plant phenotype (diploid) vs. green plant phenotype (haploid) selection system. Once haploids are selected, diploidy will be restored by crossing the original diploid back onto the haploid, in lieu of the normal midvein tissue culture process. The intent is to introduce cytoplasmic male sterility in one generation of crossing and then restore diploidy in a manner that alleviates the risk of somaclonal variation. 3) Inoculate a group of plants with the TMV virus and test their progeny for increased resistance to the black shank (Phytophthora nicotianae). The intent is to investigate whether TMV inoculation might cause genetic or epigenetic changes, such as disease resistance, that could be of value in a breeding program.