In conjunction with breeders, projects are focused on high-value vegetables such as fresh-market tomato and specialty melons rich in nutrients, vitamins and antioxidants, compounds important for human health. We are integrating production strategies with new soil, and canopy sensing methods to screen and select superior germplasm with potential for abiotic/biotic stress tolerance, high nutrition and adapted to hot and water-limited environments. The goal is to design specific cultural practices for new ‘branded products’ for growers, with the hope to create new opportunities to increase market share in Texas. Genotypic traits of interest are high root vigor, improved canopy growth, high fruit set, earliness, pest and disease resistance, water use efficiency, high flavonoids, carotenoids, vitamin C and sugars.
