GLOBAL PEANUT GENOMICS
ALABAMA WIREGRASS: REGIONAL PEANUT
WESTERN AFRICA: PEANUT FOLIAR DISEASES
ARGENTINA: SMUT RESISTANCE
EASTERN AFRICA: GROUNDNUT ROSETTE DISEASE
accurately find genetic contributors to traits of interest. Using Khufu, the team has helped dozens of breeding programs across the globe implement genomic solutions into their programs. In a new project funded by USDA-ARS with support from U.S. Senator Katie Britt, Dr. Clevenger and his team are offering genotyping services to peanut scientists and breeders who want to use genomics to solve global peanut prob- lems and create better peanuts. Individuals can apply for genotyping grants through the Peanut Research Foundation , which is leading the selection of genotyping projects. The samples will come to the Clevenger lab, where they’ll use their cutting-edge genotyping software to find genomic answers to the breeders’ problems, which can range from invasive pests to diseases to drought. Already, the Clevenger lab has identified a region of the peanut genome that confers resistance to a devastating disease called peanut smut, which is prevalent in Argentina and could spread to other countries. The team is also working with the Groundnut Improvement Network of Africa (GINA) to help breeders across Africa combat specific problems in their region. Many households across Africa grow peanuts to feed their families and earn a living.
Not all threats to peanuts are uniform across the continent. Diseases like groundnut rosette virus threaten operations in East Africa, while foliar dis- eases are more prevalent in West Africa. GINA aims to build a core set of genetic diversity of African peanuts so that breeders across the continent can start integrating genomic tools into their breeding programs and react more quickly to emerging threats. By empowering breeders from operations of all sizes, the team is helping create a sustainable peanut industry that can survive environmental, disease, and pest threats for decades to come. Clevenger and his lab are leveraging the peanut genome and the tools they created to make an impact on generations of peanut producers, shell- ers, and manufacturers across the US and on the continents of Africa, South America, and Australia. As we have seen, genomic tools have immense potential to transform the peanut indus- try. By continuing to invest in research, fostering collaboration, and supporting the development of new technologies, we can ensure a sustainable future for this vital crop and the millions of people who rely on it. ■
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RESEARCH REPORT 2023-2024
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