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Brown, Susan K
Cornell Faculty Member
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Positions
- Professor, Horticulture (HORT), College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS)
- Professor, Plant Breeding and Genetics (PB&G), College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS)
- Dept Chairperson Assoc, Horticulture (HORT), College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS)
The apple breeding program at Cornell is one of the largest fruit breeding programs in the world. My objectives include the development of new superior varieties for the apple industry with unique flavors, exceptional crispness, enhanced storage and shelf life, and the incorporation of resistance to disease and insect pests, and training students in the science of fruit breeding and genetics.
Research Areas
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Affiliations
Extension
has primary specialization area
has secondary specialization area
Research
research overview
- We use both traditional breeding and transgene technology to develop new apple varieties, furthering our knowledge of the genetics of key traits in apples and identifying molecular markers for important characteristics for use in marker-assisted breeding (MAB). We identify outstanding advanced selections for potential variety release, and evaluate populations to study the inheritance of plant form, antioxidants, quality attributes and other characters. Interspecific hybrid populations are providing valuable material to study methylation of genes, as well as offering vast phenotypic diversity for genetic studies.
principal investigator on
- APPLE BREEDING SELECTIONS awarded by MOTTS LLP-CADBURY SCHWEPPES 2006 - 2015
- GENETIC CHARACTERIZATION OF FRUIT QUALITY TRAILS IN THE USDA MALUS GERMPLASM COLLECTION MAINTAINED IN GENEVA, NY awarded by AGRICULTURE RESEARCH SERVICE USDA (USDA-ARS) 2012 - 2015
- ROSBREED: ENABLING MARKER ASSISTED BREEDING IN THE ROSACEAE awarded by NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE-USDA 2009 - 2013
area(s) of concentration/expertise
keywords
- apple breeding, genetics, genomics
- clonal fruit tree crops
- fruit quality
- horticulture
- marker-assisted breeding
- plant architecture
- plant breeding
- plant science
submitted impact statement
Publications
individual publications
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academic article
- The content and in vivo metabolism of gibberellin in apple vegetative tissues. Journal of American Society of Horticultural Science. 138:1-11. 2013
- EST contig-based SSR linkage maps for Malus x domestica Royal Gala and an apple scab resistant accession of M. sieversii, the progenitor species of domestic apple. Molecular Breeding. 29:379-397. 2012
- Fine genetic mapping of the Co locus controlling columnar growth habit in apple. Molecular Genetics and Genomics. 287:437-450. 2012
- Genetic characterization of the Ma locus with pH and titratable acidity in apple. Molecular Breeding. 30. 2012
- Large-scale standardized phenotyping of apple in ROSBREED.. Acta Hort.. 945. 2012
- Rheological characteristics of apple skin and apple firmness.. International Journal of Food Properties. 14:1297-1304. 2011
- In vitro pollen functionality of attacin-transgenic “Royal Gala” apple plants and apples transformed with 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid synthase (ACS)-antisense vector. . Plant Biosystems. 144:6. 2010
- Multiple models for Rosaceae genomics. Plant Physiology. 147:985-1003. 2008
- Multidisciplinary evaluation of new apple cultivars: the 1999 NE-183 regional project planting. Journal of American Pomological Society. 61:78-83. 2007
- Performance of Apple Cultivars in the 1999 NE-183 Regional Project Planting. I. Growth and Yield Characteristics. Journal of American Pomological Society. 61:84-96. 2007
- Effect of cultivar and site on fruit quality as demonstrated by the NE-183 regional project on apple cultivars. HortTechnology. 15:886-895. 2005
- Performance of apple cultivars in the 1995 NE-183 Regional project planting: 111. Fruit sensory characteristics. Journal of American Pomological Society. 59:28-43. 2005
- Performance of apple cultivars in the 1995 NE-183 regional project planting: I. Growth and yield characteristics. Journal of American Pomological Society. 59:18-27. 2005
- Apple breeding at Cornell: genetic studies of fruit quality, disease resistance and plant architecture. Acta Horticulturae. 663:693-698. 2004
- Performance of apple cultivars in the 1995 NE-183 regional project planting: II. Fruit quality characteristics. Journal of American Pomological Society. 58:65-77. 2004
- Performance of ‘Braeburn,’ ‘Golden Delicious’ and ‘Yataka Fuji’ apple on Mark and M.9 rootstocks at multiple locations across North America. Journal of American Pomological Society. 58:78-89. 2004
- A quantitative and qualitative analysis of antioxidant enzymes in relation to susceptibility of apple fruit to superficial scald. Journal of American Society of Horticultural Science. 128:910-916. 2003
- Development of Fire Blight Resistant Apple Cultivars by Genetic Engineering. Acta Horticulturae. 622:105-111. 2003
- Identification and mapping of markers for resistance to apple scab from ‘Antonovka’ and ‘Hansen’s baccata #2’. Acta Horticulturae. 622:153-161. 2003
- Peroxidase activity and superficial scald development in apple fruit. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 51:7182-7186. 2003
- Pome fruit breeding: Progress and prospects. Acta Horticulturae. 622:19-34. 2003
- The genetic improvement of apple. Compact Fruit Tree. 36:48-52. 2003
- T4 lysozyme and attacin genes enhance resistance of transgenic ‘Galaxy’ apple against Erwinia amylovora. Journal of American Society of Horticultural Science. 127:515-519. 2002
- Tagging and mapping scab resistance genes from R12740-7A apple. Journal of American Society of Horticultural Science. 127:365-370. 2002
- Observations on the susceptibility of Japanese apple cultivars and rootstock selections to fire blight. Journal of American Pomological Society. 55:120-124. 2001
- Susceptibility of Japanese apple cultivars and rootstock selections to fire blight. Journal of American Pomological Society. 55:120-123. 2001
- Synergistic activity of endochitinase and exochitinase from Trichoderma harzianum against the pathogenic fungus (Venturia inaequalis) in transgenic plants. Transgenic Research. 10:533-543. 2001
- Effect of untranslated leader sequence of AMV RNA 4 and signal peptide of pathogenesis-related protein 1b on attacin gene expression and resistance to fire blight in transgenic apple. Biotechnology Letters. 22:373-381. 2000
- Self-incompatibility alleles of apple cultivars and advanced selections. HortScience. 35:116-119. 2000
- Anti-attacin polyclonal antibody from an in-vitro derived antigen used for immunoblot to quantify attacin expressed in transgenic apple. Biotechnology Techniques. 13:839-857. 1999
- Factors affecting the transformation of ‘Marshall McIntosh’ apple by Agrobacterium tumefaciens. Plant, Cell, Tissue, Organ Culture. 55:31-38. 1999
- Isolation of attacin E protein from an Escherichia coli expression vector and production of its antibody for use in immunoassays. Acta Horticulturae. 489:267-268. 1999
- Active oxygen species metabolism in ‘White Angel’ x ‘Rome Beauty’ apple selections resistant and susceptible to superficial scald. Journal of American Society of Horticultural Science. 123:299-304. 1998
- Alterations in nptII and gus expression following micropropagation of transgenic M.7 apple rootstock lines. Journal of American Society of Horticultural Science. 123:11-18. 1998
- Development of a DNA marker for Vm, a gene conferring resistance to apple scab. Genome. 41:208-214. 1998
- Molecular marker analysis of quantitative traits for growth and development in juvenile apple trees. Theoretical and Applied Genetics. 96:1027-1035. 1998
- Molecular markers for the scab resistance (Vf) region in apple. Journal of American Society of Horticultural Science. 123:992-996. 1998
- A DNA extraction protocol from different tissues in woody species. HortScience. 32:921-922. 1997
- A DNA marker for columnar growth habit in apple contains a simple sequence repeat. Journal of American Society of Horticultural Science. 122:347-349. 1997
- Apple cultivar development and evaluation. Compact Fruit Tree. 30:53-57. 1997
- Determining the self-incompatibility alleles of Japanese apple cultivars. HortScience. 32:1258-1259. 1997
- Randomly amplified polymorphic DNA-based genetic linkage maps of three apple cultivars. Journal of American Society of Horticultural Science. 122:350-359. 1997
- The Cornell University apple breeding program: Past, present, and future. Fruit Varieties Journal. 51:199-204. 1997
- ‘Cortland’ Apple. Fruit Varieties Journal. 51:66-71. 1997
- Identification of co-dominant RAPD markers tightly linked to fruit skin color in apple. Theoretical and Applied Genetics. 93:222-227. 1996
- An explanation for reports of apple scab infection of fruit of NY 74828-12. Fruit Varieties Journal. 48:34. 1994
- Apple breeding: Objectives, strategies and successes. Compact Fruit Tree. 27:141-145. 1994
- Blood cholinesterase in rats fed an insect resistant apple clone containing a natural cholinesterase inhibitor. Journal Toxicology and Environmental Health. 41:121-127. 1994
- Development and application of molecular marker linkage maps in woody fruit crops. Euphytica. 77:71-75. 1994
- Genetic transformation of peach tissues by particle bombardment. Journal of American Society of Horticultural Science. 119:367-373. 1994
- Isozyme locus Pgm-1 is tightly linked to a gene (Vf) for scab resistance in apple. Journal of American Society of Horticultural Science. 119:1286-1288. 1994
- Management of arthropods on columnar apple trees using exclusionary cages. Crop Protection. 13:346-356. 1994
- Microclimate and columnar apple tree performance within insect-exclusionary cages. HortScience. 29:1008-1015. 1994
- New York apple varieties: New York Perspective. Compact Fruit Tree. 27:141-145. 1994
- Scab-resistant apples for the northeastern USA: New prospects and old problems. Plant Disease. 78:4-10. 1994
- ‘McIntosh Wijcik’: A columnar mutation of ‘McIntosh’ apple proving useful in physiology and Breeding Research. Fruit Varietites Journal. 46:83-87. 1992
- ‘Jonagold’ apple. Fruit Varieties Journal. 45:62-65. 1991
- Enzymatic browning in relation to phenolic compounds and polyphenoloxidase activity among peach cultivars. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 38:99-101. 1990
- Laboratory and field studies of resistance of crab apple clones to Rhagoletis pomonella (Diptera: Tephritidae). Environmental Entomology. 19:565-572. 1990
- Evaluation of cherry genotypes for resistance to infection by Monilinia fructicola (Wint.) Honey. HortScience. 24:1013-1015. 1989
- Evaluation of sweet and sour cherry genotypes for sources of resistance to infection of fruits by Monilinia fructicola (Wint.) Honey. HortScience. 24:1013-1015. 1989
- Rootstock effect on the foliar nutrient content of ‘Redhaven’ peach. HortScience. 24:769-771. 1989
- Assessment of components of fruit firmness in selected sweet cherry genotypes. HortScience. 23:902-904. 1988
- Assessment of fruit firmness in selected sour cherry cultivars. HortScience. 23:882-884. 1988
- Rootstock influenced peach flower bud survival after a natural freeze. HortScience. 23:846-847. 1988
- Sweet cherry breeding prospects for New York State. Compact Fruit Tree. 20:161-164. 1987
- The ‘Napoleon’ sweet cherry. Fruit Varieties Journal. 41:86-87. 1987
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article
- Harvest indices and storage of NY-1 and NY-2: Observations from the 2011 harvest season. 2012
- Choosing the right rootstocks for the new Cornell apple varieties NY 1 and NY 2 2010
- Developing new apple varieties: From Seed to market 2008
- Licensing of New Apple Varieties from Cornell 2008
- Recent advances in apple breeding, genetics and new cultivars 2005
- Honeycrisp apple: Team work and lessons learned. Editorial 2003
- Apple cultivars: A Geneva perspective 2002
- Genetic engineering of apple for resistance to fire blight 2000
- Genetic engineering of apple for resistance to fire blight 2000
- Genetic engineering of apple for resistance to fire blight 2000
- Editorial: What apple variety should you plant? Also back cover featuring color photographs of NY 674 and NY 75414-1 and an insert asking for grower suggestions for names 1999
- What we have learned about new apple varieties 1999
- What we have learned about new apple varieties 1999
- Apple breeding at Cornell. Tradition and transitions 1995
- Genetic improvement of apple: The roles of plant breeding and biotechnology 1995
- Assessing the commercial potential of advanced apple selections and establishing demonstration plantings 1993
- An overview of the best scab-resistant cultivars from New York 1990
- Stone fruit trials reveal cultivars with promise. Cornell Agricultural News Service. . 1986
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chapter
- Apple (Malus x domestica). Chapter 10. Fruit Breeding. Handbook of Plant Breeding.. Fruit Breeding. 2012
- Apples. Temperate Fruit Crop Breeding: Germplasm to Genomics. 1-38. 2008
- Breeding and biotechnology for flavor development in apple (Malus x domestica Borkh.). Biotechnology in Flavor Production. 147-160. 2008
- Malus x domestica Apple. In: Biotechnology of Fruit and Nut Crops. Biotechnology of Fruit and Nut Crops. 475-511. 2004
- Genetic Improvement of Apple: Breeding, Markers, Mapping and Biotechnology. Apples: Botany, Production and Uses. 31-59. 2003
- Galaxy lines transgenic for attacin E and T4 lysozyme genes have increased resistance to fire blight. Plant Biotechnology and In Vitro Biology in the 21st Century. 507-511. 1999
- Apples. Fruit Breeding, Volume I: Tree and Tropical Fruits. 1-77. 1996
- Cherries. Fruit Breeding, Volume I: Tree and Tropical Fruits. 213-255. 1996
- Genetics of Apple. Plant Breeding Rev. 333-366. 1992
- Pollen-incompatibility and self-fertility in sweet cherry. Plant Breeding Review. 367-388. 1992
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conference paper
- RosBREED: Enabling Marker-Assisted Breeding In Rosaceae. Plant & Animal Genome XVIII--The International Conference on the Status of Plant & Animal Genome Research. 2010
- Orchard performance and resistance to Erwinia amylovora (fire blight) of lytic protein transgenic Royal Gala apple. Plant Molecular Biology Reporter Supplement. 2000
- Effects of multiple transgenes on resistance to fire blight of Galaxy apple. Proc 8th International Workshop on Fire Blight. October, 1998. 1999
- Genetic transformation for fire blight resistance in apple. Proc. 8th International Workshop on Fire Blight. October, 1998. 1999
- Genetic transformation for fire blight resistance in apple.. Acta Hortic.. 295-296. 1999
- Isolation of attacin E protein from an Escherichia coli expression vector and production of an antibody for use in ELISA and western analysis. Proc 8th International Workshop on Fire Blight. October, 1998. 1999
- Expression of fungal chitinolytic enzymes in transgenic apples confers high levels of resistance to scab. Proc. IX Int. Congr. Plant Tissue Cell Culture, Jerusalem, June 1998. 1998
- Galaxy lines transgenic for attacin E and T4 lysozyme genes have increased resistance to fire blight. Proc. IX Int. Congr. Plant Tissue Cell Culture, Jerusalem, June 1998. 1998
- Genetic transformation for fire blight resistance in apple. Proc. 8th Inter. Workshop on Fire Blight. 1998
- Observations on the relation of xylem dysfunction to fruit growth, sugar accumulation, softening and cracking of cherries and grapes. Proceedings of the International Cherry Cracking Conference, Mich. State Agric. Exper. Sta. Spec. Bull. 1995
- Development and application of molecular marker linkage maps in woody fruit crops. Euphytica. 71-75. 1994
- The New York apple breeding program: Objectives and realities. Proc. Wash. State Hort. Assoc. 68-74. 1994
- New stone fruit varieties. Proc. N.Y. State Hort. Soc. 133-141. 1987
- Stone fruit varieties and breeding objectives. Proc. 96th Ann. Mtg. Conn. Pom. Society. 14-20. 1986
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document part
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report
- Making sense of new apple varieties, trademarks and clubs: current status. 9-12. 2009
- Licensing of apple varieties discussed at Cornell. 11-15. 2008
- Scab-resistant cultivars (varieties). 3-6. 2008
- What constitutes apple quality to New York consumers and how do we measure it objectively? New York Fruit Quarterly . 3-6. 2006
- Apple genetic/genomic studies at NYSAES 2010
- Towards Understanding the Genetic Basis of Apple Acidity 2010
- Apple facts #1: Varieties of Commercial Interest: ‘Jonagold’ 1997
- List of fruit varieties named at the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station 1997
- Apples 1995
- Quality drives Cornell University’s quest for new apple varieties 1995
- ‘Fortune’ Apple 1995
- Apples 1994
- Improving apples by traditional breeding and biotechnology 1994
- New apple varieties and selections from the Cornell breeding program 1994
- Apple Varieties of Commercial Interest: Braeburn 1993
- Apple Varieties of Commercial Interest: Braeburn 1993
- Apple Varieties of Commercial Interest: Fuji 1993
- Apple Varieties of Commercial Interest: Ginger Gold 1993
- ‘Hartland’ Black Cherry 1993
- ‘Royalton’ Black Cherry 1993
- Disease resistant apple cultivars for the home garden 1992
- Disease resistant apple cultivars for the home orchard 1992
- ‘Northern Lights’ apple 1990
- ‘Royal Empire’ Apple 1990
- Sweet and tart cherry varieties: Descriptions and cultural recommendations 1989
- Peach and nectarine varieties in New York State 1986
featured in archived article
- CU-developed apple varieties tested at 30 N.Y. orchards
- Cornell Enters into an Alliance for Processed Apples with Cadbury Schweppes
- Cornell apple breeder honored by the Massachusetts Horticultural Society
- Geneva's Susan Brown named first Cohn Professor
- International Plant Management and Cornell University Release Two New Cherry Varieties
- The time is ripe for an apple that tastes like berries and one that doesn't brown
- Two new apples released for state growers only
Teaching
teaching overview
- Apple breeding and genetic improvement. Integration of genomic tools in the breeding of clonal fruit tree crops such as apple.
teaching activities
Service
outreach overview
- Emphasis on producing superior advanced selections for possible commercialization. Growers are updated on the status of the breeding program, issues in intellectual property rights and are given the opportunity to sample advanced selections at a yearly variety showcase that I organize. Trees of advanced selections have been established in grower orchards throughout the state to test their adaptation and potential. This is done in cooperation with Cornell Cooperative Extension.
service to the profession
- ASHS Outstanding Graduate Educator Award Committee Committee Member 2006 -
- American Pomological Society's Hedrick Award Committee Member 2006 -
- Malus Crop Germplasm Committee, USDA/ARS Committee Member 1990 -
- National Science and Engineering Research Council of canada Reviewer, Program 2012
- School of Agriculture and Biology at the Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China Reviewer, Program 2012
- Michigan State University Horticulture Department Reviewer, Program 2011
- USDA/ARS Search Committee for Curator Committee Member 2010
- Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service Research Review Panel - 2009
- External Review University of Florida's Citrus Breeding and Genetics program Chairperson 2008
- Rosaceae Genomics, Genetics and Breeding Committee Committee Member 2005 - 2007
- Scientific Advisory Board, Better3Fruits Board of Advisors 2004 - 2005
Background
education and training
- Ph.D. in Genetics, University of California, Davis 1984
- M.S. in Horticulture, Rutgers University 1980
- University of Connecticut 1978
awards and honors
Other
college
- CALS
research keyword
- apple breeding, genetics, genomics
- clonal fruit tree crops
- fruit quality
- horticulture
- marker-assisted breeding
- plant architecture
- plant breeding
- plant science
name prefix
- Professor