Research interests
Plant breeder, primarily involved in genetic improvement and varietal development in cultivated strawberry (Fragaria X ananassa). Currently involved in all aspects of the strawberry breeding programmes at NIAB EMR including overall management of the East Malling Strawberry Breeding Club (EMSBC) and interaction with industry partners. Past research activities have centered on Defra- and AHDB-commissioned projects related to genetic improvement in strawberry, and these have included: meristem culture for the elimination of Phytophthora cactorum, production of somaclonal variants of strawberry for improved skin colour, developing a breeding strategy for genotypes to be used in the programmed-cropping system and carrying out variety trials on strawberry. Key varieties released have included the short-day cultivar, ‘Malling™ Centenary’.
Research projects
Title: East Malling Strawberry Breeding Club (EMSBC) Tranche 2
Duration: Jun 2013–May 2023
Partners: Asplins PO, BerryGardens, BerryWorld Varieties, DPS, East Malling Services, Farm Fresh PO, Mack, Meiosis, SoloBerry, The Greenery
Funding: Industry
Title: SF96a Strawberry Breeding
Duration: Jun 2013–May 2023
Partners: AHDB
Funding: AHDB
Recent publications
Cockerton, H.M., Karlström, A., Johnson, A.W., Li, B., Stavridou, E., Hopson, K.J., Whitehouse, A.B. & Harrison, R.J. (2021). Genomic informed breeding strategies for strawberry yield and fruit quality traits. 10.1101/2021.06.13.448230. Frontiers in Plant Sci. DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.724847
Whitehouse, A.B., Johnson, A.W., Cockerton, H.M, Nellist, C.F., Li, B., Wilson, F.M., Hopson, K.J., Passey, A.J., & Harrison, R.J. (2021) Recent progress in strawberry breeding and genetics at NIAB EMR, East Malling, UK (2021). Acta Hort. DOI:10.17660/ActaHortic.2021.1309.25
Whitehouse, A.B., Johnson, A.W., Hopson, K.J., Passey, A.J. & Sargent, D.J. (2021) ‘Malling™ Allure’ and ‘Malling™ Champion’: two new strawberry cultivars from NIAB EMR, United Kingdom. Acta Hort. DOI:10.17660/ActaHortic.2021.1309.24
Cockerton, H.M., Karlström, A., Johnson, A.W., Li, B., Stavridou, E., Hopson, K.J., Whitehouse, A.B. & Harrison, R.J. (2021). The genetic architecture of strawberry yield and fruit quality traits. bioRxiv. DOI:10.1101/2021.06.13.448230
Nellist, C.F., Vickerstaff R.J., Sobczyk M.K., Marina-Montes C., Wilson F.M., Simpson D.W., Whitehouse A.B. and Harrison R.J. (2019). Quantitative trait loci controlling Phytophthora cactorum resistance in the cultivated octoploid strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa). Horticulture Research. Volume: 6(60), 1-14.
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