Crop Genetics and Breeding Platform
Platform and Facilities
Crop Genetics and Breeding Platform
Platform Leader
Research Foci
Trait Discovery (Gene Mapping, Cloning, and Functional Verification)
Rapid Trait Introgression
Generation of Elite Germplasm and New Varieties
Development of New Breeding Methods
Generation of New Traits through Gene Editing
Target Crops
Wheat, Corn (popcorn), Tomato, Watermelon, Melon, Cucumber, Winer Squash (Cucurbita maxima and Cucurbita moschata), Chinese Cabbage and Industry Peper
Supporting Facilities
Molecular Biology Laboratory, Genetic Transformation Laboratory, Plant Pathology Laboratory, Plant Growth Chamber, Intelligent Greenhouse, Plastic Greenhouse and Net House, Open-field Experimental Sites (Weifang, Shandong, and Sanya, Hainan)
Research and Development Model
Independent Research and Development, Open Collaboration (including contracted research projects), Training and Technical Support for other organization.
Team
Team Leader Members:
Dr. Yun Deng
Researcher Professor
Contact Address: No. 699 Binhu Road, Fangzi District, Weifang, Shandong, China
Email: yun.deng@pku-iaas.edu.cn
Education
2017-2024, PhD major in Plant Pathology, Huazhong Agricultural College, China.
2002-2005, MS major in Vegetable Genetics and Breeding, Nanjing Agricultural University, China
1998-2002, BS major in Vegetable Science, Huazhong Agricultural College, China.
Working Experience
March 2020 - Present, Researcher, Research Associate, Peking University Institute of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, China
July 2005- February 2020, Research Associate, Research Assistant, Zhengzhou Fruit Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, China
Research Interests
Genetics and Breeding in Cucurbit Crops, including
Construction and utilization of EMS mutant library
Construction of the reference genomes (T2T, Pangenome)
Exploration, rapid introgression and pyramid of valuable genes
Construction and utilization of rapid breeding system including haploid induction and speed breeding techniques
Generation of enhanced germplasm and breeding of commercial varieties.
Selected Publications
Yun Deng, Xin Liu, Shoucheng Liu, Xiaoni, Lifang, Tian Bai, Binghua Xu, Guoqing Li, Yudong Sun, Xingping Zhang. 2024. Fine mapping of ClLOX, a QTL for powdery mildew resistance in watermelon (Citrullus lanatus L.). Theor Appl Genet 137(3):51. doi: 10.1007/s00122-023-04520-w.
Yun Deng, Shoucheng Liu, Yilin Zhang, Jingsheng Tan, Xiaopeng Li, Xiao Chu, Binghua Xu, Yao Tian, Yudong Sun, Bosheng Li, Yunbi Xu, Xing Wang Deng, Hang He, Xingping Zhang. 2022. A telomere-to-telomere gap-free reference genome of watermelon and its mutation library provide important resources for gene discovery and breeding. Molecular Plant 15: 1268-1284.
Guo S, Zhao S, Sun H, Wang X, Wu S, Lin T, Ren Y, Gao L, Deng Y, Zhang J, Lu X, Zhang H, Shang J, Gong G, Wen C, He N, Tian S, Li M, Liu J, Wang Y, Zhu Y, Jarret R, Levi A, Zhang X, Huang S, Fei Z, Liu W, Xu Y. 2019. Resequencing of 414 cultivated and wild watermelon accessions identifies selection for fruit quality traits. Nature Genetics 51:1616-1623.
China Patents
Yun Deng, Xingping Zhang, XingWang Deng. A method for creating watermelon mutants by EMS mutagenesis, ZL202110010385.X, 2022
CHINA PVP
2023， “Lvguan 6” （China PVP No. CNA20191002914）
2023， “Zhongnonghuami” （China PVP No. CNA20191002918）
2023， “Zhongnong 11” （China PVP No. CNA20191002919）
2023， “Zhongnongcuiyu 9” （China PVP No. CNA20191002922）
2023， “Zhongnongmiguan” （China PVP No. CNA20191004267）
2023， “Zhongnongmiguan” （China PVP No. CNA20191004267）
2019， “Zaochuncuiyu” （China PVP No. CNA20150810.9）
Honorables and Awards
2023 Shen Nong Chinese Agricultural Science and Technology Second Prize
2018 Henan Province Science and Technology Progress Third prize
2015 Henan Province Science and Technology Progress Second Prize
2012 Henan Province Science and Technology Progress Second Prize
Research Achievements
Generation of the first T2T gap-free watermelon reference genome and an EMS mutant library induced by pollen mutagenesis.
Dr. Lugang Zhang
Senior Researcher Professor
Contact Address: No. 699 Binhu Road, Fangzi District, Weifang, Shandong, China
Email: lugang.zhang@pku-iaas.edu.cn, lugangzh@163.com
Education
1995-1999, Ph.D. In Horticultural Department of Northwest Agricultural University, China
1986-1989, M.S. in Horticultural Department of Northwest Agricultural University, China
1980-1984, B.S. In vegetable discipline of Horticultural Department of Northwest Agricultural College, China.
Working Experience
April 2023 - Present, Senior Researcher in Peking University Institute of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, China
2021-2023, the chief scientist of Yangling Seed Industry Innovation Center
September 1999-March 2023: Associate Professor, Professor in College of Horticulture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China.
July 1989-September 1999: Assistant, Associate Professor in Vegetable and Flower Institute of SAAS, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China.
July 1984- September 1986: Administrative fellow in Agricultural Diversification Office in Baoji County, Shaanxi, China.
Research Interests
Innovation of vegetable germplasm resources and breeding, especially innovating excellent Chinese cabbage of good-looking and good-eating with high nutrition and high resistance.
Regulation of secondary metabolites in Chinese cabbage, especially on the expression and regulation of carotenoids, anthocyanins and flavonoids in orange Chinese Cabbage, purple Chinese Cabbage and purple-orange Chinese Cabbage.
Male sterility breeding technology, focus on the genetic, molecular markers and gene function of cytoplasm male sterility, as well as hybrid seed production in Chinese cabbage, breeding restoring line of OguCMS.
Heterosis of Chinese Cabbage, focus on mechanism of heterosis formation and inbred line group division based heterosis in Chinese cabbage.
Mechanism of important trait formation in Chinese Cabbage, such as flower color, leaf color, stamen development etc.
Evaluation method for disease resistance of Chinese Cabbage.
Selected Publications
Jianyu Huo, Ninan Zhang, Ying Gong, Yongrong Bao, Yinyin Li, Lugang Zhang* and Shanshan Nie*. 2024. Effects of different light intensity on leaf color changes in a Chinese cabbage yellow cotyledon mutant. Front. Plant Sci. 15:1371451. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2024.1371451
Zhang Ruixing, Wang Yaxiu, Zhang Ninan, Li Baohua*, Zhang Lugang*. 2023. Blue light induces leaf color change by modulating carotenoid metabolites in orange-head Chinese Cabbage (Brassica rapa L. ssp. Pekinensis). Journal of Integrative Agriculture. 22(11): 2–17.
Lin Chen, Yongrui Shen, Wenjing Yang, Qiming Pan, Chao Li, Qingguo Sun, Qi Zeng, Baohua Li* and Lugang Zhang*. 2022. Comparative Metabolic Study of Two Contrasting Chinese Cabbage Genotypes under Mild and Severe Drought Stress. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 23:5947.
Lin Chen, Xiaoping Kong, Ruofan Wang, Shuai Ma, Yan Meng, Qianqian Lu, Lugang Zhang*. 2021. Heterosis of plant gross weight and heterotic group classification of inbred lines in Chinese cabbage (Brassica campestris L. ssp. pekinensis). Scientia Horticulturae 280:109938.
Qiong He, Junqing Wu, Yihua Xue, Wenbin Zhao, Ru Li, Lugang Zhang*. 2020. The novel gene BrMYB2, located on chromosome A07, with a short intron 1 controls the purple-head trait of Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa L.). Horticulture Research. 7:97.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41438-020-0319-z
Xiaoping Kong, Lin Chen, Tingzhen Wei, Hongwei Zhou, Chengfang Bai, Xiangping Yan, Zenjian Miao, Jianming Xie*, Lugang Zhang*. 2020.Transcriptome analysis of biological pathways associated with heterosis in Chinese cabbage. Genomics 112:4732–4741. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ygeno.2020.08.011
Xue Yihua, He Qiong, Chen Lin, Li Ru, Zhang Lugang*. 2019. Genetic analysis and measurement parameter comparison of the purple trait in purple heading Chinese cabbage. Acta Horticulturae Sinica 46(12):2423-2428.
Huamin Zhang, Junqing Wu, Zihui Dai, Meiling Qin, Lingyu Hao, Yanjing Ren, Qingfei Li, Lugang Zhang*. 2017. Allelism analysis of BrRfp locus in different restorer lines and map-based cloning of a fertility restorer gene, BrRfp1, for polCMS in Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa L.). Theor Appl Genet. 130:539–547.
Yanjing Ren, Qiong He, Xiaomin Ma and Lugang Zhang*. 2017. Characteristics of Color Development in Seeds of Brown and Yellow-Seeded Heading Chinese Cabbage and Molecular Analysis of Brsc, the Candidate Gene Controlling Seed Coat Color. Front. Plant Sci. 8:1410. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2017.01410
China Patents
ZL202310244344.6 A method for accumulating lycopene in the seedling stage of orange Chinese cabbage, 2023
ZL202010212303.5 A method for breeding of purple-orange Chinese cabbage germplasm, 2022
ZL202111346324.7 SSR molecular markers primer linkage with Bryc of Chinese cabbage and its application, 2022
ZL201610655453.7 Molecular markers linked to BrPur gene in purple Chinese cabbage, 2022
ZL201611017150.9 A fertility restoring gene of Chinese cabbage polCMS and its detection method and application, 2022
ZL2017112694958 The genes controlling anthocyanin synthesis in plants and their applications, 2020
ZL20151003103.9 The primers and application of SSR molecular markers linked with Brsc-ye of yellow seed coat gene in Chinese cabbage, 2017
ZL201410165808.5 Molecular markers and application of fertility restoring gene in cytoplasmic male infertility of Chinese cabbage, 2016
ZL201310031871.5 SSR and InDel molecular markers linked with Br-or gene in orange Chinese cabbage and its application, 2014
ZL201210061546.9 A molecular marker of Radish Cytoplasmic Male Sterility and its assisted selection method. 2013
ZL201110060654.X A method for extracting anthocyanins from purple no-heading Chinese cabbage leaves. 2013
ZL200810236450.5 A SRAP marker of cytoplasmic male sterility in Chinese cabbage and its application to assisted selection breeding application. 2013
ZL201110045595.9 Methods of leaf culture in vitro in orange heading Chinese cabbage. 2012
ZL 2009 1 0021165.6 Method for breeding new germplasm of purple heading Chinese cabbage. 2011
ZL200810232067.2 Methods of tissue culture in vitro using segment of cotyledon as explant in orange heading Chinese cabbage. 2011
ZL 200810150294.0 A breeding method of temperature sensitive male sterile line and temperature insensitive male sterile line in Chinese cabbage. 2011
ZL 2007 1 0017403.7 A method of extracting flavone from leaf of Chinese cabbage. 2010
ZL 2006 1 0104743.9 A SCAR marker of orange leaf heading Chinese cabbage and its application in for marker-assisted selection breeding. 2009
ZL 2006 1 0104742.4 A method for Chinese cabbage variety identification and seed purity test using SCAR markers. 2009
ZL2005 1 0043089.0 A breeding method for bolting-resistant Chinese cabbage. 2007
ZL2005 1 0043117.9 A breeding method for color heading Chinese cabbage. 2007
Nederland Patents
2033088 Simple sequence repeat (SSR) molecular marker primers linked with yellow cotyledon gene BRYC in Chinese Cabbage and use thereof, 2023
China PVP
2013 “Qiubai 60” Chinese Cabbage (China PVP No. CNA20080633.5)
2009 “Jinguan 2” orange Chinese Cabbage (China PVP No. CNA20050274.3)
2009 “Guanchun” Chinese Cabbage (China PVP No. CNA20050273.5)
China New Vegetable Varieties bred as first breeder
2017 Common Chinese cabbage “Qiubai 75” (Shaanxi Certificate No. 2016003，National Certificate No. (2018) 610843)
2010 Common Chinese cabbage “Qiubai 80” (National Certificate No. 2010035, Beijing Certificate No.2010008)
2010 Common Chinese cabbage “Qiubai 85” (National Certificate No. 2010038)
2006 Early-ripen Common Chinese cabbage “Qiuzao 55” (National Certificate No. 2006006)
2008 Very Early-ripen Common Chinese cabbage “Qiuzao 50” (Shaanxi Certificate No. 2008002)
2008 Early-ripen Common Chinese cabbage “Qiuzao 60” (Shaanxi Certificate No. 2008001)
2007 Spring Common Chinese cabbage “Guanchun” (Shaanxi Certificate No. 2004013)
2007 Orange Chinese cabbage “Jinguan 1” (Shaanxi Certificate No. 2004009)
2007 Orange Chinese cabbage “Jinguan 2” (Shaanxi Certificate No. 2004010)
2007 Hot pepper “Feng Li 1” (Shaanxi Certificate No. 2003004)
2002 Spring Common Chinese cabbage “Shaanchunbai 1” (Shaanxi Certificate No. 2002003)
Honorables and Awards
Excellent Proposal of Yangling District Committee of the CPPCC in 2022
Model worker in Yangling Demonstration Zone in 2022
Leading personnel of High Innovative Talent Thousand People Plan of Qinghai Province in 2016
The eighth Circle Youth Science and Technology Award of the Chinese Society of Agriculture in June 2002
Expert of China government special allowance in 2001
Member of “Three-Five Personnel Projects of Shaanxi Province” in 1997
Cup as a Prize of Yong and Excellent Personnel in Science and Technology in Xianyang City,
Shaanxi Province in May 1996.
New Star in Science and Technology supported Yangling Agricultural Science and Technology Development Foundation in March 1996.
Academic Pioneer for Next Century Selected by Shaanxi Academy of Agricultural Science in 1995.
Selected Research Achievements
2004 “Breeding and extension of high quality, high yield, multi-resistance of Qinbai Series Chinese cabbage”, won the second prize of China Science and Technology Progress Award. Certificate No 2003-J-201-2-04-R04
1996 “Breeding Technology of Alloplasmic Male Sterile Line in Chinese cabbage”, won the third Prize of National Invention Award. Certificate No13-3-003-4
2012 “Integration and promotion of key technologies of high-quality and efficient vegetable production in Shaanxi Province “Won the first prize of Shaanxi Provincial Agricultural Technology Extension Achievement Award. Certificate No.2012-01-01
2009 “The Breeding of Jinguan No.1 and No.2 of Chinese Cabbage Hybrid with Orange Heading and Its Application”, won the second prize of Shaanxi Provincial Science and Technology Progress Award. Certificate No. 08-2-52-R1
2008 “The research and demonstration of key technology on safety Leek and Chinese Cabbage production in China western area”, won the second prize of Shaanxi Provincial Science and Technology Progress Award. Certificate No. 07-2-44-R4
Selected Social Services
Member of International Society for Horticultural Science
Member of American Association for the Advancement of Science
Member of Committee of the Chinese Society of Agricultural Biotechnology
Member of Executive Committee ofChinese Society for Horticultural Science
Member of Executive Committee of Molecular Breeding Branch of Chinese Horticultural Society
Deputy Secretary-General of Cruciferous Branch of Chinese Horticultural Society
Dr. Xianwen Zhu
Research Associate
Contact Address: No. 699 Binhu Road, Fangzi District, Weifang, Shandong, China
Email: xianwen.zhu@pku-iaas.edu.cn
Education
2010-2015, PhD major in Plant Science, North Dakota State University, USA
2003-2006, MS major in Vegetable Genetics and Breeding, Nanjing Agricultural University, China
1996-2000, BS major in Agronomy, Anhui Science and Technology University, China
Working Experience
August 2020-Present, Research Associate, Peking University Institute of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, China
October 2017-July 2020, Department Manager, Jiangsu Hope Analytech Inc., China
January 2016-March 2017, Agronomist, Northern Plains Ag Research, Inc., USA;
April 2006-February 2010, Visiting Scientist, North Dakota State University, USA
July 2000-May 2002, Technician, Anhui Green Rain Agriculture Co. Ltd, China
Research Interests
Breeding and genetics in Wheat and Popcorn:
Exploration, introgression and pyramid of valuable genes
Generation of new germplasm and development of elite lines
Construction and utilization of rapid breeding system including haploid induction and chromosome doubling techniques
Publications
Xianwen Zhu, Yingxiong Hu, Hongjian Zheng, Xingping Zhang, Yunbi Xu. 2023. Molecular breeding in specialty maize: progress and prospects (in Chinese). Acta Agriculturae Shanghai 39(5):1-12
Xianwen Zhu, YunBi Xu, Jian Li, Xingpin Zhang. 2022. Establishment of heterotic groups for hybrid wheat breeding (in Chinese). Chin Sci Bull 67(26): 3152-3164. doi: 10.1360/TB-2022-0392
Xianwen Zhu, Jeffrey D. Boehm Jr., Shaobin Zhong, Xiwen Cai. 2022. Genomic compatibility and inheritance of hexaploid-derived Fusarium head blight resistance genes in durum wheat. Plant Genome e20183. doi.org/10.1002/tpg2.20183
Xianwen Zhu, Shaobin Zhong, Shiaoman Chao, Yong Qiang Gu, Shahryar F. Kianian, Elias Elias, Xiwen Cai. 2015. Toward a better understanding of the chromosomal region harboring Fusarium head blight resistance QTL Qfhs.ndsu-3AS in durum wheat. Theor Appl Genet 129 (1), 31-43. doi: 10.1007/s00122-015-2606-x
Xianwen Zhu, Shaobin Zhong, Xiwen Cai. 2016. Effects of D-genome chromosomes and their A/B-genome homoeologs on Fusarium head blight resistance in durum wheat. Crop Science 56(3): 1049-1058. doi:10.2135/cropsci2015.09.0535
Rachel I. McArthur, Xianwen Zhu, Rebekah E. Oliver, Daryl L. Klindworth, Steven S. Xu, Robert W. Stack, Richard R.-C. Wang, Xiwen Cai. 2012. Homoeology of Thinopyrum junceum and Elymus rectisetus chromosomes to wheat and disease resistance conferred by the Thinopyrum and Elymus chromosomes in wheat. Chromosome Res. 20:699–715.
Xiwen Cai, Steven S. Xu, Xianwen Zhu. 2010. Mechanism of haploidy-dependent unreductional meiotic cell division in poly wheat. Chromosomal 119:275-285.
Dr. Mingxia Zhao
Research Associate
Contact Address: No. 699 Binhu Road, Fangzi District, Weifang, Shandong, China
Email: mingxia.zhao@pku-iaas.edu.cn
Education
2012-2017, PhD major in Plant Pathology, North Dakota State University, USA
2008-2011, MS in Genetics, Qingdao Agricultural University, China
2004-2008, BS in Bioscience, Qingdao Agricultural University, China
Working Experience
July 2022 - Present, Peking University Institute of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, China
January 2019 - June 2022, Postdoctoral Fellow at Kansas State University, USA
January 2018 - December 2018, Research scientist, North Dakota State University, USA
Research Interests
Mapping of functional genes for important traits of watermelon
Gene cloning and functional validation.
Searching for disease resistance genes in watermelon.
Publications
Zhao M, Peng Z, Qin Y, T M Tamang, Zhang L, Tian B, Chen Y, Liu Y, Zhang J, Lin G, Zheng H, He C, Lv K,Klaus A, Marcon C, Hochholdinger F, Trick H, Liu Y, Cho M, Park S, Wei H, Zheng J, White F, Liu S. 2023. Bacterium-enabled transient gene activation by artificial transcription factors for resolving gene regulation in maize, The Plant Cell 35(8):2736-2749.
Zhao M, Wang G, Leng Y, Wanjugi H, Xi P, Grosz MD, Mergoum M, Zhong S. 2018. Molecular mapping of Fusarium head blight resistance in the spring wheat line ND2710. Phytopathology108(8):972-979.
Zhao M, Leng Y, Chao S, Xu SS, Zhong S. 2018. Molecular mapping of QTL for Fusarium head blight resistance introgressed into durum wheat. Theoretical and Applied Genetics 131(9):1939-1951.
Zhao MX, Sun HY, Ji RR, Hu XH, Sui JM, Qiao LX, Chen J, Wang JS. 2013. In vitro mutagenesis and directed screening for salt-tolerant mutants in peanut. Euphytica 193(1):89-99.
Zhao M, Qiao LX, Sui JM, Tan L, Wang J. 2012. An efficient regeneration system for peanut: Somatic embryogenesis from embryonic leaflets. Journal of Food, Agriculture & Environment. 10(2):527-531.
Other team members:
Baolei Wang (farm manager)
Xiaoni Li (pathology)
Fanhui Kong (tomato breeding)
Li Gong (cucumber breeding)
Xiao Chu (watermelon breeding)
Jingsheng Tan (molecular lab assistant)
Lifang Xue (marker development)
Yao Tian (melon breeding)
Juan Li (winter squash breeding)
Shuangyu Ding (popcorn breeding)
Zhanchao Li (wheat breeding)
Shengnan Zhang (wheat breeding)
Taohong Fang (molecular work)
Xiaochen Qiu (Chinese cabbage breeding)
Jing Sun (biology assistant)
Kanglong Liu (tomato breeding)
Mengxue Lu (administrative support)
Zhiwei Liu (popcorn breeding)
Mengyu Wang (watermelon breeding)
Chao Zhang (farm support)
Visiting Scholars: Xin Liu, Ziwei Hu, Lixia Wang
Visiting Students: Guan Wang, Shiqi Gong, Tian Bai
Former Members: Xueqiang Wang, Liang Wang, Zhaojin Zhu, Junqing Li, Zengmin Yue