ABSTRACT
Plants of the Rosaceae comprise many of the most important specialty crops worldwide. They are grown both for their fruits (peaches, plums, apples, cherries, strawberries, raspberries and others), lumber (black cherry) and ornamental value (roses). Collectively, they comprise one of the most important temperate region plant families. In the genus Prunus, the species that produce drupe fruits (peaches, apricots, almonds, plums, cherries) are significant agriculture crops in many local economies worldwide and provide important components of healthy diets. However, like most crop species, their growth, fruit production and sustainability are influenced by many different biotic and abiotic factors. Rosaceous breeding programs are continually confronted with the need to find genetic solutions to everchanging problems posed by disease and pests (e.g., viruses, fungi, insects) and the everchanging environmental landscape (e.g., drought, global warming, cold temperatures, marginal lands).
