Team Profile

Lead Expert: Luan Aiping

Core Members: Yao Yanli, Shu Haiyan, Lin Wenqiu

The team currently consists of 10 members, including 8 senior professionals and 5 Ph.D. holders. Over the past five years, significant breakthroughs have been achieved in the discovery of key genes governing pineapple flowering, quality, and stress resistance, as well as in novel variety breeding. These accomplishments include the establishment of a pineapple genomics research platform, the development of precise phenotypic and genotypic evaluation systems for pineapple germplasm resources, the identification of elite germplasm and gene resources for breeding, the elucidation of molecular regulatory networks underlying important traits, and the breeding of new varieties with superior quality, high yield, and enhanced resistance.

The team has undertaken more than 50 provincial/ministerial and above research projects, including the National Natural Science Foundation of China, Key R&D Programs of Hainan Province, and National Key R&D Plan projects. Over 150 papers have been published in journals such as Journal of Integrative Plant Biology, Horticulture Research, and Food Chemistry, among which over 80 are indexed in SCI. The team has been granted 23 new plant variety rights for pineapple varieties including the ‘Red Pearl’ and ‘Renong’ series, authorized 32 invention patents, and published 8 monographs including Pineapple in Hainan. Five provincial/ministerial and above awards have been received, including the National Award for Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Fishery Harvest, and the China Agricultural Science and Technology Award.

Research Directions

(1) Discovery of Watercore Resistance Genes and Breeding of New Varieties
‎Collection of wild germplasm resistant to watercore disorder, followed by interspecific hybridization and backcrossing with pineapple varieties of excellent fresh-eating quality. Utilization of molecular marker-assisted selection and transgenic techniques for germplasm innovation, and screening/breeding of specific breeding materials/new varieties with superior quality and disease resistance.

(2) Discovery of Yield-Related Genes and Breeding of New Varieties
‎Development of molecular markers tightly linked to fruit size, screening of individuals carrying large-fruit genotypes, and comprehensive field evaluation of fruit size traits to create new large-fruit germplasm.

(3) Development of Watercore-Resistant High-Yield Cultivation Techniques
‎Investigation of watercore occurrence patterns in different pineapple varieties, combined with analysis of fruit morphological indicators and environmental factors. Screening of control formulations for the ‘Bali’ and ‘Jinzuan’ varieties, establishment of a disease-resistant and high-yield technical system, and demonstration base construction in production areas to promote industrial application.

Awards and Achievements

National Award for Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Fishery Harvest
‎China Agricultural Science and Technology Award
‎New Plant Variety Rights and Patents
‎Cover Paper in JIPB
‎Published Monographs
‎Pineapple Genomic Resources Database

Team Highlights

Contact Information
‎Name: Luan Aiping
‎Tel: 18289589521
‎Email: aipingluan@catas.cn