Dr. Gan-Yuan Zhong really loves grapes. Sitting in front of a collage of grape varieties, his passion for one of the Finger Lake Region’s most important crops is apparent as he talks about his role as Research Leader for the USDA-ARS Grape Genetics Research Unit (GGRU) and Plant Genetic Resources Unit (PGRU) at Cornell University AgriTech.

As GGRU Research Leader, his goal is simple: leading a group of top-notch research scientists to improve the productivity and profitability of grape production through breeding, genetic research, and technology transfers. That means focusing on the improvement of grapevine resistance and tolerance to various forms of biotic stress (i.e. powdery mildew and downy mildew), abiotic stress (i.e. low temperature, drought, and adverse soil conditions), fruit quality (i.e. aroma, flavor and healthy nutrients), and plant architecture.

There are more than 1,600 family vineyards, 400 wineries, and almost 40,000 acres of cropland in grapes in New York. The state’s grape crop is valued at $52 million and produces $4.8 billion in annual economic benefits for New York.

A Career Spent Solving Challenges

Dr. Gan-Yuan Zhong

As a research geneticist, Dr. Zhong has more than 30 years of experience studying plant genetics to improve crop traits or attributes for enhancing crop productivity and quality while reducing input costs.

He leads two USDA-ARS GGRU and PGRU teams that are focused on plant genetics and genetic resources. GGRU examines grapes and PGRU concentrates on the development of apple rootstock cultivars, the preservation and distribution of genetic resources for selected fruits and vegetables, including a world-class collection of apple accessions. One new addition is industrial hemp, which is attracting grower interest in New York State. Industrial hemp can produce biofuel, auto parts, paper, upholstery, and fiber for cloth and other textile items.

“We are focused on genetics because if we change the genetics, then we know that the change can be passed on to the next generation,” he explains. He looks at plant DNA, a copy of the organism’s genetic material. Plant DNA, which is similar in some ways to human DNA, carries a complete blueprint of the plant, enabling it to transfer characteristics from one generation to the next.

Plant genetics is a multidisciplinary field that falls under biology and botany, intersecting with other life sciences and linking to the study of information systems. “We emphasize interdisciplinary research involving different scientific disciplines like genetics, genomics, breeding, computation biology, and AI and digital sciences.”

One example is his research developing non-transgenic genome editing to improve grapevine fruit traits. This new method directly tweaks the plant’s own genes, unlike older technology introduces foreign DNA into the plant. “Gene editing is a cutting-edge technology. We are excited to have made significant advancement in adapting this technology to modify a grape trait or attribute by going inside to precisely make a targeted change in the grape genomes. And it is much quicker. We don’t need to wait for making crosses and evaluating progeny to see results.”

A Plant Geneticist is Born

After receiving his bachelor’s degree in agronomy and master’s in plant genetics and breeding in China, Dr. Zhong moved to the United States to earn his Ph.D. in Genetics from the University of California at Davis. There, he worked for several years as a postdoctoral research associate on wheat genetics.

He made the leap to the business world, spending the next 12 years working at Pioneer Hi-Bred International in Des Moines, Iowa. As a Senior Research Scientist, he engaged in his own research and led other scientists in contributing to the development of the first generation of corn hybrids for herbicide and pesticide tolerance. These hybrids have been commercialized and benefited farmers worldwide.

“I loved working in private industry, but I always wanted to become part of the public sector. I wanted to explore ideas that would benefit society,” he explains about his switch to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

He saw a job posting for GGRU two years after its establishment. While his previous work had been with corn and wheat genetics, the science was essentially the same.
Additionally, the USDA wanted someone who had led research teams and had impressive research credentials. Dr. Zhong had achieved both at Pioneer.

“I didn’t know much about grapes, so I dove in deep talking with growers and other researchers,” he says. He jokes that he also loves to eat table grapes. “They’re much better than corn. No, I love a good ear of sweet corn, too.”

Dr. Zhong isn’t much of a wine drinker but can talk about wine and its attributes. “I know how wine grapes should be bred and what wine growers seek. I’m not a winemaker or connoisseur, but I like Finger Lakes wines, especially a good Riesling.”

Production and Flavor

Taking a holistic approach to the grape industry is essential for GGRU. That means his team is intent on helping grape growers be profitable by focusing on high-yielding and good-quality grapes that require less inputs like labor, fertilizer, and pesticides. For example, one of their projects is developing varieties resistant to powdery and downy mildew, two of the most critical diseases in grapevine production.

They also pay attention to weather in the Finger Lakes, particularly conditions like late Spring frosts. Last Spring, warm weather caused grapevines to bud in April but made them vulnerable to below-freezing temperatures in May. GGRU is identifying genes that will help alleviate weather-related stress on the plants and the growers.

Dr. Zhong’s own research passion is flavor, which encompasses taste and aroma. To illustrate, he talks about Concord grapes, which have a strong flavor and unique aroma known as “foxiness.” They are considered the archetypal American grape in contrast to European, or vinifera, grapes.

Concord grapes are a hybrid, created through a cross between a European grape and a North American grape called Vitis labrusca. A gene contributing to the “foxiness” was previously discovered by others in both European and North American grapes, but why only the North American labrusca grapes have the “foxiness” was unknown. After much research, Dr. Zhong’s team now has an answer to it. The knowledge can be used in future breeding to either reduce “foxiness” aroma or enhance it.

Pragmatic Collaboration

Collaboration is at the heart of modern scientific research. Teamwork becomes imperative in an era where the depth and breadth of knowledge have expanded beyond what any individual can grasp. Dr. Zhong says his unit understands that to make a meaningful impact, one must function in collaboration. At the heart of collaboration is the attention GGRU pays its stakeholders. This includes having regular meetings with representatives from the industry across segments.

“It’s essential to join forces with those who have complementary expertise. A prime example of this collaborative spirit is our close-knit relationship with the AgriTech campus of Cornell University. We view our association with them as a professional partnership and a familial bond within the broader researcher community.”

GGRU’s collaboration isn’t limited to just one institution or system. They have established ties with geneticists and breeders nationwide from UC Davis, Michigan State University, University of Minnesota, and South Dakota State University to Cornell, University to Florida, A&M University, and Arkansas and Missouri State Universities. This vast network of experts supports, aids, and uplifts each other’s work.

“Internationally, our reach extends to European and South America countries, having collaborated with researchers from France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Brazil, and other nations. These international ties underline our global approach to research, exemplified by including a postdoc from Spain in our team a few years ago. This collaboration effort will become even more significant shortly.”

Becoming a World Class Center

In 2019, the federal government allocated $68.9 million to build a new GGRU facility in Geneva. The funding will create a new lab for USDA Agricultural Research Service scientists. Dr. Zhong says the new yet unnamed facility is expected to open in three years. Cornell will be involved as a partner in the facility and research once the lab is built.

With several Cornell grapevine research programs set to relocate to this facility, he is optimistic about the collaborative potential and the groundbreaking discoveries that lie ahead. “It will provide a much-need infrastructure for the USDA-ARS Grape Genetics Research Unit to pursue world-class research that addresses the U.S. grape industry’s need to maintain its competitive edge.”

This will be the largest construction project in the history of the AgriTech campus

The new facility will also help with the recruitment of researchers. “Recruiting top scientists is paramount to any leading organization. After all, talent is our most significant asset.” He says that multiple factors make drawing world-class science talent to the Finger Lakes Region possible.

First, researchers are generally passionate about what they do. “Our role is to harness and amplify that passion. By introducing the depths and nuances of our work, we aim to immerse them in the unique excitement that our field offers. It’s not just about igniting their scientific curiosity but delving deep, challenging their thinking, and sparking genuine enthusiasm for our groundbreaking work.”

He says conveying the broader mission of GGRU’s work is crucial. “We emphasize that our research isn’t simply a pursuit of knowledge in isolation. Our work has tangible repercussions, benefiting communities and making a concrete difference in people’s lives. For instance, our commitment to addressing the challenges facing the grape and wine industry translates directly into economic impacts. This is not just science; it’s a noble mission with real-world implications.”

He believes career opportunities stand out, particularly within the USDA. “We provide a clear mission and direction and robust support resources vital for any scientist’s success. Our system, compared to many academic institutions, boasts more consistent funding. This stability and our overarching goals create a sustainable, thriving environment for scientists.”

Finally, location and environment also play a role in attracting talent. “The picturesque surroundings of the Finger Lakes region aren’t just a scenic backdrop; they represent a lifestyle, a community. We often invite potential recruits to visit, believing that experiencing the region’s beauty firsthand is a compelling argument for joining our team.”