|
|
|
Display category headings
Research Project:
PHYSIOLOGY, BIOCHEMISTRY, AND GENETIC IMPROVEMENT OF SMALL FRUIT CROPS
Location:
Horticultural Crops Research
Project Number: 5358-21000-036-00
Project Type:
Appropriated
Start Date: Jul 22, 2004
End Date: Oct 31, 2008
Objective:
1) Develop new small fruit cultivars and germplasm. 2)Determine the physiological, biochemical, and molecular responses of new and current small fruit cultivars to biotic and abiotic environmental constraints, including water and nutrient availability, insect pests, and fungal pathogens. 3)Develop cultural practices and crop management systems for new and existing small fruit cultivars that mitigate their response to environmental constraints and optimize their genetic yield potential.
Approach:
New cultivars of blackberries, strawberries, blueberries, red and black raspberries, and other minor small fruit crops will be developed that improve yield and marketability (e.g., high consumer satisfaction; high processing suitability; altered seasonality), reduce labor costs (e.g., adaptation to machine harvesting), increase pest and disease tolerance, and address critical industry needs (e.g., thornless cultivars). Germplasm will be collected to supplement existing germplasm and breeding material, and provide genetic variability needed to develop successful cultivars for the future.
The primary factors that limit small fruit production in many regions of the U.S. are soil conditions, temperature, pests, and diseases. Physiological studies will characterize the response of blackberries, blueberries, red raspberry, and strawberry cultivars to water and nutrient deficits or excess, and identify mechanisms of restricted crop development and production. Plant response to one biotic stress, induced by a new class of plant regulators (bruchins) produced by certain insect pests, will be evaluated at the molecular level.
To utilize knowledge of plant stress response (developed in Objective 2) for optimizing small fruit production, research is required that will develop cultural practices and crop management systems that reduce plant stress or avoid responses to environmental constraints. Summers in the Pacific Northwest are dry with little to no precipitation from mid-June to early-September. Therefore, irrigation management is a primary concern for producing healthy, vigorous plants with high fruit-bearing potential. Sprinkler and micro irrigation systems will be evaluated for growing new and existing cultivars of blackberry, blueberry, and red raspberry to identify practices that optimize timing and placement of water and nutrients, increase crop productivity, and limit irrigation drainage losses of soil resources. FY02 $153,000 Program Increase. Replacing 5358-21000-023-00D (3/03)and 535821000-031-00D (6/04). FY03 $75,000 Program Increase.
|
|
| Related National Programs |
|
|
|
|
Email this page
