Overview

The vegetable improvement program at Geneva focuses on the breeding and genetics of common bean, crucifer and tomato crops. The goals include the introgression of host plant resistance to economically important pests, tolerance to environmental stresses and the selection of niche-market crops and traits. The program supports the needs of commercial growers and processors, the seed industry, sustainable agriculture, international agriculture, integrated pest management, maintenance of biodiversity and molecular breeding research.

Research Focus

The research focuses on breeding for resistance to economically important disease and environmental stress constraints of vegetable crops. These goals include the selection of snap beans with resistance to aphid-transmitted viruses, common bean rust, white mold and heat stress, Brassica vegetables with resistance to black rot and heat stress and novel tomato traits. The research includes the adaptation of crops to the Great Lakes Region and tropical/sub-tropical environments, including Sub-Saharan Africa. The research involves multi-state, multi-disciplinary and international collaborations with supporting laboratory techniques including molecular breeding and diagnostics, cellular techniques including flow cytometry, tissue culture and embryo rescue, and a large focus on controlled environment screening.

Outreach and Extension Focus

Extension activities include regional, national and international efforts. Regional activities include liasing with New York State growers/companies, presenting at grower meetings and hosting field and greenhouse outreach activities and field days. National activities include committee roles and multi-state research activity and reporting roles. International activities include research and education activities associated with multi-location activities in Africa, and presenting at collaborating seed company field days.

Teaching Focus

I teach PLBR 6180 (Breeding for Pest Resistance)

Additional Links

• Profile page
• Link to CALS Research and Impact
• Link to Research & Expertise Across Cornell

Selected Publications

Journal Publications

• Porch, T. G., Smith, J. R., Beaver, J. S., Griffiths, P. D., & Canaday, C. (2010). Registration of TARS-HT1 and TARS-HT2 heat tolerant dry bean germplasm lines.. HortScience. 45:1278-1280.
• Wasonga, C. J., Pastor-Corrales, M., Porch, T., & Griffiths, P. D. (2010). Targeting Gene Combinations for Broad Spectrum Rust Resistance in Heat Tolerant Snap Beans Developed for Tropical Environments. Journal of American Society of Horticultural Science. 135:521-532.
• Rainey, K. M., & Griffiths, P. D. (2005). Differential responses of common bean genotypes to high temperatures. Journal of American Society of Horticultural Science. 130:18-23.
• Rainey, K. M., & Griffiths, P. D. (2005). Diallel analysis of yield components of snap beans exposed to two temperature stress environments. Euphytica. 142:43-53.
• Griffiths, P. D., & Roe, C. (2005). Response of Brassica oleracea var. capitata to wound and spray inoculation with Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris in juvenile and mature plants. HortScience. 40:47-49.
• Rainey, K. M., & Griffiths, P. D. (2005). Inheritance of heat tolerance during reproductive development in snap beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Journal of American Society of Horticultural Science. 130:700-706.
• Rainey, K. M., & Griffiths, P. D. (2005). Identification of heat tolerant Phaseolus acutifolius A. Gray plant introductions following exposure to high temperatures in a controlled environment. Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution. 52:117-120.
• Tonguc, M., & Griffiths, P. D. (2004). Evaluation of Brassica carinata accessions for resistance to black rot (Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris). HortScience. 39:952-954.
• Tonguc, M., & Griffiths, P. D. (2004). Development of black rot resistant interspecific hybrids between B. oleracea L cultivars and accession A 19182. Euphytica . 136:313-318.
• Tonguc, L., Earle, E. D., & Griffiths, P. D. (2003). Segregation distortion of Brassica carinata derived black rot resistance in Brassica oleracea. Euphytica. 134:269-276.

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