Abstract
Horticulture is Queensland’s second-largest primary industry, but breeding for new horticultural varieties is lengthy, laborious and expensive. Genomics tools offer an opportunity to reduce the breeding cycle and increase genetic gain. Katie will discuss her PhD research in macadamias, including GWAS for nut and kernel traits, and genomic selection for yield. With a comparison between breeding strategies for the different crops, Katie will then describe her current work in the strawberry breeding program using marker-assisted selection and genomic selection.
Dr Katie O’Connor
Dr Katie O’Connor is a strawberry breeder at the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, with a focus on genomics analyses. She completed her PhD research in 2019 at QAAFI in macadamia breeding using genomics and component traits, and went on to post-doctoral research in strategies for the implementation of genome-based phenotype prediction in horticultural tree crops. Katie’s research to date includes twelve peer-reviewed publications, as well as industry publications and presentations to engage with growers.
Dr Katie O’Connor, Plant breeder at the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries E: katie.oconnor@daf.qld.gov.au
For any questions, please contact the QAAFI Science Seminar Committee.
About Science Seminars
Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation hosts science seminars across the disciplines of animal, horticulture, crop, food and nutritional sciences.
With a range of speakers from Australia and abroad, the series explores how high-impact science will significantly improve the competitiveness and sustainability of the tropical and sub-tropical food, fibre and agribusiness sectors.
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The Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation is a research institute at The University of Queensland supported by the Queensland Government via the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.