Published January 15, 2011 Mildew resistance continues to be a focus of Washington State University’s cherry breeding program. Breeder Dr. Nnadozie Oraguzie has identified another new powdery mildew-resistant selection from a cross made in 1998. WSU scientists are seeking new sources of disease resistance and working to identify genes and genetic mechanisms underlying the resistance. A process has been developed to accurately screen seedlings for mildew resistance, and 8,000 seedlings were screened in the greenhouse in 2010. In the long term, Oraguzie would like to develop new cultivars with multiple sources of resistance to mildew, not just a single gene. […]