Steven Mulkey
SM
Former Crop Science - MS
Bio
- Degree Program: M. S., Crop Science
- Previous Degrees: B.S. Plant Science, Cornell University
- Advisor: Dr. Susana Milla-Lewis
- Thesis: SSR Development and Mapping of Gray Leaf Spot Resistance Genes in St. Augustinegrass.
- Thesis Date: 2013-03-25
Research
My project involves the examination of genetic biodiversity within the St. Augustinegrass (Stenotaphrum secundatum) germplasm, and to identify QTL conferring resistance to gray leaf spot disease (GLS) (Magnaporthe grisea). To this end my project has three goals: (1) Use of AFLP markers to identify pools of biodiversity amongst public and private germplasm collections; (2) Develop St. Augustinegrass-specific SSRs using a second-generation sequencing platform; and (3) Analysis of a pseudo-F2 population segregating for GLS resistance in order to identify markers linked to the trait.