Progress 10/01/10 to 09/30/15
Outputs
Target Audience:Our target audience included nursery professionals who may grow our new ornamental and nut producing cultivars, retail garden centers, homeowners and farmers who may purchase and plant our releases, students trained at Rutgers University, and other researchers and plant breeders who work within our field of horticulture and plant science. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Several graduate students have been trained while collaborating on this project (Megan Muehlbauer, Robert Mattera, Clayton Leadbetter, and John Capik, and Peninah Feldman) as well as undergraduate students. Most presented some of their work at local and/or national scientific meetings while associated with this project. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Results have been disseminated largely through oral presentaions and poster presentations at professional and grower meetings as well as tours hosted at Rutgers University. New cultivars are introduced to the commercial nursery industry and get disseminated through channels of commerce. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
1. We filed a patent application for Cornus kousa 'Rutpink' Scarlet Fire(TM) dogwood. This is the first Cornus kousa from the Rutgers breeding program. It is also our first dark pink dogwood selection not of Cornus florida origin. Budwood was made available to our licensed propagators last year and the first trees of Scarlet Fire™ dogwood will be sold in spring 2016. We feel confident that this new cultivar will be of significant value to the nursery and landscape industry as well as homeowners and property managers. 2. We have continued to evaluate existing breeding selections. While we do not expect to release any additional white bracted Cornus hybrids from earlier crosses and advanced selections made by Dr. Elwin Orton, we have identified several Ilex accessions that look very promising. They will be sent to collaborators for propagation and further testing in 2016 under material transfer agreements likely with plant patent applications filed soon after. 3&4. Breeding efforts continued. We currently have over 5,000 dogwood seedlings under evaluation in our research trials, from which we hope to select and introduce new cultivars to the nursery industry in the next 5-7 years. These are the next generation hybrids of plants like Scarlet Fire(TM) with very dark pink bracts and great growth habits. We are looking to identify plants with extra large sized bracts and deep pink and fuchsia colors while also retaining disease and pest resistance, great growth form and leaf color and quality. While the Ilex program has been reduced in size since earlier years, we continue to grow out populations of seedlings from controlled crosses of advanced generation interspecific hybrids. We are now evaluating around 100 potential breeding selections to identify the best one or two for cultivar release in the next 4-5 years. 5. Breeding efforts continued on ornamental Corylus. We have focused our immediate efforts on developing an attractive purple leaf form of Corylus amerciana (hybrid) by several generations of backcrossing the purple leaf gene from Corylus avellana (European hazelnut). This was done to get better plant form and leaf texture, cold hardiness, eastern filbert blight resistance, and attractive pink and red fall color (in addition to dark purple leaves in the spring and summer). We have narrowed our attention to about 10 superior plants that will be propagated in 2016 for replicated testing. We hope to release the best one or two in 2017 or 2018. We have also now incorporated contorted, cutleaf, and weeping growth habits into plants with disease resistance genes, improved nuts, fall color, and purple leaf color. These new genotypes will be evaluated over the next 5 years to identify the most interesting individuals to be asexually propagated and tested further and then selected for cultivar release if deemed worthy.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Leadbetter, C.W., J.M. Capik, M. Pisetta, and T.J. Molnar. 2015. Sources of resistance to eastern filbert blight in hazelnuts from the Republic of Georgia. Scientia Horticulturae 193:269275
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Mattera, R., T. Molnar, and L. Struwe. 2015. Cornus � elwinortonii and Cornus � rutgersensis (Cornaceae), new names for two artificially produced hybrids of big-bracted dogwoods. Phytokeys 55:93111 http://phytokeys.pensoft.net/articles.php?id=5829
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Awaiting Publication
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Muehlbauer, M., T. Villani, J. Simon, H. Juliani and T. Molnar. 2015. Lipid profiles of a diverse collection of Corylus species and interspecific hybrids. Acta Hort. In press
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Muehlbauer, M., J. Capik, K. Morey, J. Honig, and T. Molnar. 2015. Genetic Characterization of New Eastern Filbert Blight-Resistant Germplasm Turkey, Latvia, and Lithuania. p. 17. Proceedings of the Twenty-fourth Annual Rutgers Turfgrass Symposium. Center for Turfgrass Science. School of Environmental and Biological Sciences. Rutgers University
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Molnar, T.J., A. Morgan, and J. Capik. 2015. Eastern filbert blight-resistant hazelnut selections: Gordon 1, Gordon 2, Gordon 3, and Gordon 4. Annual Report of the Northern Nut Growers Assoc. 105:6-12
|
Progress 10/01/13 to 09/30/14
Outputs
Target Audience: Our target audience includes nursery professionals who may grow our new ornamental and nut producing cultivars, retail garden centers, homeowners and farmers who may purchase and plant our releases, students trained at Rutgers University, and other researchers and plant breeders who work within our field of horticulture and plant science. In 2014, we strengthened collaborations with nursery growers who produce dogwood liners, discussed breeding goals, and distributed budwood of our most promising new selections for testing. On Rutgers Day April 2014, we ran a well-attended booth that distributed information about our ornamental and nut producing programs and plants to homeowners and interested persons. We reach a number of students every year in the undergraduate Plant Propagation and Plant Breeding courses, in addition to guest lectures and seminars for other classes (Intro to Horticulture and Organic Crop Production). Ornamental plant researchers and breeders were reached through journal publications, presentations, and research posters, which are listed in the Products section. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Professional development and mentoring was provided to four graduate students (John Capik, Clayton Leadbetter, Megan Muehlbauer, and Robert Mattera). Megan Muehlbauer and Robert Mattera are continuing on their PhD path, and were afforded opportunities in the form of laboratory and field research projects, travel to conferences to present their work, and guidance and mentoring on their dissertation topics. John Capik finished his Master's Degree in May 2014. Three of his chapters were published in peer-reviewed journals. Clayton will finish his Masters degree in May 2015. Additionally, Katie Morey, an undergraduate Honors student, was taken on and assisted in research as part of her George H. Cook project. She helped develop new DNA extraction protocols and presented this work at the NE-ASHS conference. She graduated in May 2014 and is now in graduate school in Wisconsin. Three other undergraduate and graduate students were hired as part-time/full-time help over the summer and fall to assist in the plant breeding project. One is doing a G. H Cook Senior thesis on a real-time PCR method to expedite breeding for resistance to eastern filbert blight in hazelnut. They were all afforded opportunities to learn some of the intricacies of plant breeding in a hands-on manner, in addition to learning agricultural and horticultural skills. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Results have been disseminated to interested parties through research publications, conference presentations and posters, class lectures, our annual booth at Rutgers' Day, and direct contact with growers and nurseries. These efforts are described under the previous sections. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? During the next reporting period, we plan to continue evaluation of existing plants to select the best for patent and release. Propagation efforts through rooting cuttings, grafting, and tissue culture will also continue, to develop additional plant material for testing and distribution. Results from our efforts will be presented at several conferences, including the Northern Nut Growers Association, American Society for Horticultural Science, International Plant Propagators Society, and American Phytopathological Society conferences. Additional budwood from our promising dogwood selections will be sent to select nurseries for testing and propagation, and dogwood and hazelnut clones will be planted at various locations to determine their performance in other regions in advance of release. The dogwood genetic diversity study will continue and be expanded. Ornamental selections nearing release will continue to be distributed to and evaluated in diverse locations. All pertinent information gathered through our efforts will be summarized and formatted into appropriate research or trade articles to share our findings
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Goals 1, 2, & 4. New populations of advanced-generation dogwood seedlings, Cornus florida, C. kousa, and interspecific hybrids, were established at our Rutgers research farms in North Brunswick and Cream Ridge, NJ. Existing populations of dogwoods were evaluated for floral bract size and color, disease resistance, vigor, form, fruit set, and other traits important to the nursery and landscape industry. Budwood was distributed to several nurseries to test new selections in other regions and to advance propagation efforts to ensure large plant supplies upon release. Additionally, controlled crosses were performed on select plants to create advanced generation hybrids of C. florida, C. kousa, and C. nuttallii. Emphasis was placed on developing dark-pink/red colored, large-bracted plants with good vigor and form and resistance to powdery mildew and dogwood anthracnose. Our project to fingerprint the Rutgers University collection of Cornus germplasm with SSR markers is nearing completion, which will help determine genetic relationships between our plants and those available in the trade, and for added intellectual property rights protection. We are also making progress to optimize tissue culture as a means to efficiently and effectively propagate new hybrid dogwoods. In 2014, tissue culture clones were planted in the field adjacent to the same genotypes propagated by budding to study differences in plant behavior over time. Goals 1, 2, & 3. We continue to evaluate our diverse collection of hybrid Ilex plants developed by Dr. Elwin Orton for ornamental traits like improved tree form; leaf color, texture, and glossiness; berry color and display; and vigor and disease resistance. In 2014, around 100 new promising selections were planted in the field for further evaluation with three new genotypes being considered for patenting and release in 2015 and 2016. Controlled crosses were made on select plants to advance our breeding goals, with special focus on developing a red-fruited Ilex glabra and Ilex crenata type plants, which are currently unavailable in the nursery trade. Seedlings from last year's crosses were germinated and grown in the greenhouse, to be evaluated and selected for field planting in 2015 and 2016. Goal 5. Evaluation of populations of ornamental Corylus plants continues. Our first generation of green, EFB-resistant, contorted hazelnuts has been narrowed down to several possible plants to be released within the next two years.. Previous year's controlled crosses carrying genes for contorted, pendulous, and cut-leaf forms will be used in breeding in 2015. Breeding populations of C. americana x C. avellana hybrids selected for fall-color have been narrowed down to the top 15% from which to select plants for clonal testing on 2015. As all of the species in question are long-lived, perennial trees, generation times are long (5+ years) and progress evaluated on a yearly basis tends to be incremental.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
25. Muehlbauer, M.F., J.A. Honig, J.M. Capik, J.N. Vaiciunas, and T.J. Molnar*. 2014. Characterization of Eastern Filbert Blight-resistant Hazelnut Germplasm Using Microsatellite Markers. Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science. 139:399-432
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Capik, J.M. and T.J. Molnar. 2014. Flowering and budbreak phenology of hazelnuts in New Jersey. HortTechnology 24:196-208
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
T.J. Molnar, K. Morey and J.M. Capik. 2014. Evaluating Sources of Hazelnut Resistance to Eastern Filbert Blight in New Jersey, USA. Acta Hort. 1052:45-59
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Robert Mattera, Josh Honig, Jennifer Vaiciunas, John Capik, and Thomas Molnar. 2014. Genetic Diversity Analysis of Rutgers Dogwood Selections. American Society for Horticultural Science, Northeast Region Annual Meeting, New Brunswick, NJ. January 6-8, 2014. HortScience 49(9):S4. (Abstr.)
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Kaitlin Morey, Megan F. Muehlbauer, John Capik, Josh Honig, and Thomas Molnar. 2014. Genetic Characterization of New Eastern Filbert Blight-resistant Hazelnut Seedlings from Turkey, Latvia, and Lithuania. American Society for Horticultural Science, Northeast Region Annual Meeting, New Brunswick, NJ. January 6-8, 2014. HortScience 49(9):S8. (Abstr.)
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Megan Muehlbauer, Thomas J. Molnar, Josh Honig, Kaitlin Morey, and Ning Zhang. 2014. Genetic Diversity of Anisogramma anomala and Its Implications for Breeding Eastern Filbert Blight Resistant Hazelnuts. 2014. American Society for Horticultural Science Annual Conference, Palm Desert, CA. July 28 2014. HortScience 49(9):S134. (Abstr.)
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Robert Mattera, Josh Honig , Jennifer Vaiciunas, John M. Capik, and Thomas J. Molnar. 2014. Comparative Genetic Diversity Analysis of Big-bracted Dogwoods. Society for Horticultural Science Annual Conference, Palm Desert, CA. July 29 2014. HortScience 49(9):S168. (Abstr.)
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Muehlbauer, M., K. Morey, J. Capik, J. Honig, and T. Molnar. 2014. Enhancing the Evaluation of New Hazelnut Germplasm from Turkey and the Baltic Region with the Use of Molecular Tools. p. 45-46. Proceedings of the Twenty-third Annual Rutgers Turfgrass Symposium. Center for Turfgrass Science. School of Environmental and Biological Sciences. Rutgers University
- Type:
Theses/Dissertations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
John Capik. 2014. Identifying and evaluating eastern filbert blight resistant hazelnuts (Corylus spp.) in New Jersey. 143 pages. Masters Thesis. Plant Biology Graduate Program, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey. http://dx.doi.org/doi:10.7282/T3H1303K
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Megan F. Muehlbauer, Adam Morgan, and Thomas Molnar. 2014. Effect of Liquid and Gaseous 1-Mcp Applications on Bud Retention of Semi-Hardwood Hazelnut Cuttings. American Society for Horticultural Science, Northeast Region Annual Meeting, New Brunswick, NJ. January 6-8, 2014. HortScience 49(9):S5. (Abstr.)
|
Progress 10/01/12 to 09/30/13
Outputs
Target Audience: Our target audience includes nursery professionals who may grow our new ornamental cultivars, retail garden centers, homeowners who may purchase and plant our releases, students trained at Rutgers University, and other researchers and plant breeders who work within our field of horticulture and plant science. In 2013, we met with several nursery growers who produce dogwood liners, discussed breeding goals, and distributed budwood of our most promising selections for testing. On Rutgers Day April 2013, we ran a well-attended booth that distributed information about our ornamental programs and plants to homeowners and interested persons. We reach a number of students every year in the undergraduate Plant Propagation and Plant Breeding courses, in addition to guest lectures and seminars for other classes and at other universities. Ornamental plant researchers and breeders were reached through journal publications, presentations, and research posters, which are listed in the Products section. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Professional development and mentoring was provided to three graduate students (John Capik, Megan Muehlbauer, and Robert Mattera). Megan Muehlbauer and Robert Mattera are continuing on their PhD path, and were afforded opportunities in the form of laboratory and field research projects, travel to conferences to present their work, and guidance and mentoring on their thesis topics. John Capik finished his Master's Degree and will receive his diploma in January 2014, after publishing two chapters of his dissertation with a third submitted to a research journal in early 2014. Additionally, Katie Morey, an undergraduate Honors student, was taken on and assisted in research as part of her George H. Cook project. She helped develop new DNA extraction protocols and presented this work at the NE-ASHS conference. Three other undergraduate and graduate students were hired as part-time/full-time help over the summer and fall to assist in the plant breeding project. They were afforded opportunities to learn some of the intricacies of plant breeding in a hands-on manner, in addition to learning agricultural and horticultural skills. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Results have been disseminated to interested parties through research publications, conference presentations and posters, class lectures, our annual booth at Rutgers' Day, and direct contact with growers and nurseries. These efforts are described under the previous sections. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? During the next reporting period, we plan to continue evaluation of existing plants to select the best for patent and release. Propagation efforts through rooting cuttings, grafting, and tissue culture will also continue, to develop additional plant material for testing and distribution. Results from our efforts will be presented at several conferences, including the Northern Nut Growers Association, American Society for Horticultural Science, International Plant Propagators, and American Phytopathological Society conferences. Additional budwood from our promising dogwood selections will be sent to select nurseries for testing and propagation, and dogwood and hazelnut clones will be planted at various locations to determine their performance in other regions in advance of release. The dogwood genetic diversity study will continue and be expanded. Ornamental selections nearing release will continue to be distributed to and evaluated in diverse locations. All pertinent information gathered through our efforts will be summarized and formatted into appropriate research or trade articles to share or findings.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Goals 1, 2, & 4. Large, new populations of advanced generation dogwood seedlings,Cornus florida, C. kousa, and interspecific hybrids, were established at our Rutgersresearch farms in North Brunswick and Cream Ridge, NJ. Existing populations of dogwoods were evaluated for floral bract size and color, disease resistance, vigor, form, fruit set, and other traits important to the nursery and landscape industry. Budwood was distributed to several nurseries to test new selections in other regions and to advance propagation efforts to ensure large plant supplies upon release. A plant patent application was filed for ‘KN144-2’, Rosy Teacups’, a pink-bracted C. kousa x C. nuttallii hybrid. Additionally, controlled crosses were performed on select plants to create advanced generation hybrids of C. florida, C. kousa, and C. nuttallii. Emphasis was placed on developing dark-pink/red colored, large bracted plants with good vigor and form and resistance to powdery mildew and dogwood anthracnose. A research project based on genetically fingerprinting our collection of Cornus germplasm with SSR markers was also begun, to determine genetic relationships between our plants and those available in the trade, and for added intellectual property rights protection. Tissue culture efforts were continued on our best dogwood selections to develop an improved protocol to mass-produce clones to aid in their distribution. Goals 1, 2, & 3. We continue to evaluate our diverse collection of hybrid Ilex plants developed by Dr. Elwin Orton for ornamental traits like improved tree form; leaf color, texture, and glossiness; berry color and display; vigor and disease resistance; and others. Promising selections were propagated and planted in the field for further evaluation. Controlled crosses were made on select plants to advance our breeding goals, with special focus on developing a red-fruited Ilex glabra type plant. Seedlings from last year’s crosses were germinated and grown in the greenhouse, to be evaluated and selected for field planting. Goal 5. Evaluation of populations of ornamental Corylus plants continues. Our first generation of green, EFB-resistant, contorted hazelnuts has been narrowed down to several possible plants to be released within the next few years. Our population of red-leaf, EFB-resistant contorted hazelnuts is 1-2 years behind the green plants, and evaluations on those continue as well. Previous years controlled crosses carrying genes for Contorted, Pendulous, and Cutleaf forms are maturing in the field, and will soon provide large sources of ornamental progeny. Additional populations of C. americana x C. avellana hybrids bred for fall-color are also nearing maturity. Our superior selections were propagated by grafting for further testing and distribution. Studies continue on the hazelnut pathogen Anisogramma anomala. In 2013, hazelnut genetic diversity study was completed and submitted for publication. This study allowed us to place disease-resistant hazelnuts within our collection, including the original 'Contorta' and newer ornamental releases, on a dendrogram to assess genetic relationships between and among groups of hazelnuts. This allows us to make better-informed breeding choices, to increase our efficiency, and to preserve genetic diversity within our collection and breeding lines. As all of the species in question are long-lived, perennial trees, generation times are long (5+ years) and progress evaluated on a yearly basis tends to be incremental.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Zaurov, D.Z., T.J. Molnar, S.W. Eisenman, T.M. Ford, R.F. Mavlyanova, J.M. Capik, C.R. Funk, and J.C. Goffreda. 2013. Genetic resources of apricots (Prunus armeniaca L.) in Central Asia. HortScience 48:681691 (cover article).
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Molnar, T.J., E. Walsh, J.M. Capik*, V. Sathuvalli, S.A. Mehlenbacher, A.Y. Rossman, and N. Zhang. 2013. A real-time PCR assay for early detection of eastern filbert blight. Plant Disease 97:813818.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Hosseinpour, A., Seifi, E., and T.J. Molnar. 2013. Position and density of pistillate inflorescences of some hazelnut cultivars grown in Iran. Journal of Agricultural Science 5:135131.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Capik, J.M., M. Muehlbauer*, A. Novy, J.A. Honig, and T.J. Molnar. 2013. Eastern filbert blight resistant hazelnuts from Russia, Ukraine, and Poland. HortScience 48:466473.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Hosseinpour, A., Seifi, E., Javadi, D., Ramezanpour, S.S., and T.J. Molnar. 2013. Nut and kernel characteristics of twelve hazelnut cultivars grown in Iran. Scientia Horticulturae. 150:410413.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Cai, G., C. Leadbetter, M. Muehlbauer, T.J. Molnar, and B.I. Hillman. 2013. Genome-wide microsatellite identification in the fungus Anisogramma anomala using Illumina sequencing and genome assembly. PLoS ONE 8(11): e82408. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0082408
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Molnar, T.J., P.C. Kahn, T.M. Ford, C.J. Funk, and C. R. Funk. 2013. Tree crops, a permanent agriculture: concepts from the past for a sustainable future. Resources 2: 457-488.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Molnar, T.J. 2013. Expanding agriculture with underutilized perennial tree crops: taking a great idea and making it a reality, p. 18-19. Proceedings of the Twenty-second Annual Rutgers Turfgrass Symposium. Center for Turfgrass Science. School of Environmental and Biological Sciences. Rutgers University.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Molnar, T.J. and J.M. Capik. 2013. The Rutgers University woody ornamentals breeding program: past, present, and future. Acta Hort 990:271280.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Muehlbauer, M., J. Capik, J. Honig, G. Cai, B. Hillman, and T.J. Molnar. 2013 Assessing genetic diversity of Anisogramma anomala isolates found throughout North America. Phytopathology. 103:S2.100. (Abstr.)
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Muehlbauer, M., J. Honig, J. Vaiciunas, J. Capik, and T.J. Molnar. 2013. Population structure analysis of eastern filbert blight resistant hazelnut (Corylus spp.) germplasm HortScience 48(9):S191.(Abstr.)
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Capik, J.M. and T.J. Molnar. 2013. Flowering phenology of eastern filbert blight-resistant hazelnut accessions in New Jersey. HortScience 48(9):S2 (Abstr.).
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Molnar, T., M. Muehlbauer, J. Honig, J. Vaiciunas, and J. Capik. 2013. Molecular tools support the efficient utilization of new hazelnut germplasm in breeding. HortScience 48(9):S8. (Abstr.)
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Morey, K., M. Muehlbauer, G. Cai, and T.J. Molnar. 2013. Optimizing DNA extraction from spores of Anisogramma anomala for use in genetic diversity studies. HortScience 48(9):S3. (Abstr.)
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Leadbetter, C., T.J. Molnar, and B. Crawford. 2013. Growing the intern program as the Rutgers Gardens. HortScience 48(9):S2.(Abstr.)
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Muehlbauer, M., J.M. Capik, and T.J. Molnar. 2013. Hazelnuts: an emerging crop for the northeast. Horticultural News 93:2026.
|
Progress 10/01/11 to 09/30/12
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Efforts were made to evaluate and maintain the interspecific Ilex collection held at Rutgers without increasing its size or scope. Significant expansions were made in the breeding and selection of large-bracted dogwoods, focusing on the development of advanced generation hybrids of Cornus kousa, C. florida, and C. nuttallii expressing excellent plant health and vigor, improved leaf characteristics and color, resistance to the disease powdery mildew, and dark-pink floral bracts. Ten select hybrid seedlings were propagated by grafting and cuttings for further evaluation in field plantings. The development of eastern filbert blight (EFB)-resistant ornamental hazelnuts was also continued with new populations of seedlings segregating for ornamental traits and disease resistance in field and greenhouse trials at Rutgers. Five of our best green-leaf, EFB-resistant, contorted hazelnut selections have been propagated and established in several locations in central NJ for additional testing prior to being considered for patenting and release. Efforts were begun to assess the large Cornus germplasm collection with microsatellite (SSR) markers to help characterize the collection, assess genetic diversity, and track specific lineages of interest. The use of tissue culture is being explored as a means to efficiently ramp up production of new breeding selections of Cornus and Corylus in the development pipeline for larger-scale testing and subsequent release. Presentations on the Rutgers woody ornamental breeding program were made at the 2nd International Symposium on Woody Ornamentals of the Temperate Zone, in Gent, Belgium, and the South Jersey Nursery Meeting held at the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Cumberland County Extension Education Center, Millville, NJ. PARTICIPANTS: Not relevant to this project. TARGET AUDIENCES: Not relevant to this project. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
New disease-resistant cultivars in the development pipeline at Rutgers will have a positive impact on the U.S. nursery industry and on property values and quality of life where they are grown. Their resistance to their primary insect and disease pests will reduce the need for harsh pesticide sprays and will add to plant longevity in the landscape. The program to develop ornamental hazelnuts (Corylus spp.) is showing considerable progress. Since very few eastern filbert blight resistant hazelnuts are available, incorporating disease resistance into the ornamental germplasm will provide for the development of novel cultivars, leading to an increase in the diversity of plant species options (including native species) available for use in the landscape. Many of these also produce edible nuts which may allow them to double as components of edible ornamental landscapes.
Publications
- Capik, J.M. and T.J. Molnar. 2012. Assessment of host (Corylus sp.) resistance to eastern filbert blight in New Jersey. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci.137:157-172.
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Progress 01/01/11 to 12/31/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Throughout 2011, hybrid Ilex seedlings that emerged in flats containing seed sown in 2009 and 2010 were transplanted to clay pots and were subsequently transplanted to one-gallon containers later in the year. Similarly, containerized seedlings that had germinated in 2010 were transplanted to larger-size containers as needed (holly seedlings are not field planted until the spring of their third growing season). Selection for attractive leaf and new growth color, leaf gloss, leaf shape, vigor, branching habit, mite resistance, berry production (male or female plants), and other traits are made in the greenhouse before plants are moved to the field. Over 200 new hybrid holly selections were field planted in 2011 for long term evaluation. Approximately 200 hybrid seedlings of Cornus (dogwoods), from seed collected in 2010, were selected down from a population of over 350 plants, based on overall plant health and vigor, leaf characteristics and, especially, response to powdery mildew. These plants were field planted in 2011 for long-term evaluation for traits including plant vigor, resistance to plant pests and diseases, tree form, foliage color and texture, and size, shape and color of the floral bracts, as well as tolerance to drought. Select seedlings from intraspecific hybridization of C. kousa as well as interspecific hybrids of C. kousa x C. nuttallii were propagated by grafting onto rootstock of Cornus kousa for further evaluation in field plantings. Our breeding populations now number around 1500 plants in the field, all from advanced generation parents develop by Elwin Orton. In addition, breeding nurseries and greenhouse collections hold more than two-thousand hazelnut seedlings segregating for ornamental traits, including purple spring and summer leaf color, pink fall color, contorted stems and other attractive characteristics. Efforts continue to develop breeding lines expressing weeping branches, highly-dissected leaves, contorted stems and golden leaf color in various combinations, along with a diversity of genes for resistance to eastern filbert blight disease caused by Anisogramma anomala. In 2010 we recovered attractive interspecific hybrids between C. americana and C. avellana (and advanced generation backcrosses to both species) that have excellent purple leaf color in the spring and summer, bright pink fall color, and attractive purple nut husks and catkins. Our several best green-leaf, EFB-resistant contorted hazelnut selections were propagated in 2011 and planted across several locations in central NJ for additional testing prior to being considered for release. Leaf tissues was collected from several hundred different accessions held in the Rutgers Cornus breeding program germplasm collection and DNA extracted. In 2012, microsatellite (SSR) markers will be used to help characterize the collection, assess genetic diversity, and to track specific lineages of interest. PARTICIPANTS: Not relevant to this project. TARGET AUDIENCES: Not relevant to this project. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
Plant patents were awarded in 2011 for Ilex x 'Spartan' (Plant Patent # 20,804) and Cornus x KF11-1, marketed under the name Hyperion (Plant Patent # 22,219). Further, a plant patent is being prepared for a new advanced-generation interspecific hybrid of Cornus kousa x C. florida that has yet to be named. These new cultivars (and others in the development pipeline at Rutgers) will have a positive impact on property values and quality of life where they are grown, and their resistance to their primary insect and disease pests will reduce the need for harsh pesticide sprays. The program to develop ornamental hazelnuts (Corylus spp.) is showing great progress and will continue. Since very few eastern filbert blight resistant ornamental hazelnuts are commercially available, incorporating disease resistance into the ornamental germplasm will provide for rapid development of new cultivars leading to an increase in the diversity of plant species options (including native species) available for use in the landscape. Many of these also produce edible nuts which may allow them to double as components of edible ornamental landscapes.
Publications
- Capik, J.M. and T.J. Molnar. 2010. Breeding ornamental hazelnuts. Combined Proceedings of the International Plant Propagators Society. 60: 136-146 (printed in 2011)
- Capik, J. and T.J. Molnar. 2011. Breeding ornamental hazelnuts. HortScience 46(9):S3. (Abstr.)
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Progress 01/01/10 to 12/31/10
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Throughout 2010, hybrid Ilex seedlings that emerged in flats containing seed sown in 2008 and 2009 were transplanted to 4-inch clay pots and were subsequently transplanted to one-gallon containers later in the year. Similarly, containerized seedlings that had germinated in 2009 were transplanted to larger-size containers as needed since holly seedlings are not field planted until the spring of their third growing season. Selection for attractive leaf and new growth color, leaf gloss, leaf shape, vigor, branching habit, mite resistance, berry production (male or female plants), and other traits are made in the greenhouse before plants are moved to the field. Over 200 new hybrid holly selections will be field planted in 2011 for long term evaluation. Approximately 300 hybrid seedlings of Cornus (dogwoods), from seed collected in 2009, were selected down from a population of over 800 plants based on overall plant health and vigor, leaf characteristics, and powdery mildew resistance. These plants were field planted in 2010 for longer-term evaluation for traits including plant vigor, resistance to plant pests and diseases, tree form, foliage color and texture, and size, shape and color of the floral bracts, as well as tolerance of the plants to drought. Select seedlings from intraspecific hybridization of C. kousa as well as interspecific hybrids of C. kousa x C. nuttallii were propagated by grafting onto rootstock of Cornus kousa for further evaluation in field plantings. The severe drought of summer 2010 allowed for identification of likely drought tolerant hybrid Cornus seedling selections present in our breeding nurseries, which currently total over 2500 plants, a number of which express pink bracts and will be propagated for testing in multiple locations in 2011. In addition, breeding nurseries and greenhouse collections hold more than five-thousand hazelnut seedlings segregating for ornamental traits, including purple spring and summer leaf color, pink fall color, contorted stems and other attractive characteristics. Efforts continue to develop breeding lines containing recessive genes for weeping branches, highly-dissected leaves, contorted stems and golden leaf color in various combination along with a diversity of genes for resistance to eastern filbert blight. In 2010 we recovered attractive interspecific hybrids between C. americana and C. avellana (and advanced generation backcrosses to both species) that have excellent purple leaf color in the spring and summer, bright pink fall color, and attractive purple nut husks and catkins. Our best green-leaf, EFB-resistant contorted hazelnut selections will be propagated in 2011 for testing in multiple locations. PARTICIPANTS: Not relevant to this project. TARGET AUDIENCES: Not relevant to this project. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
A plant patent is being prepared for a new advanced generation interspecific hybrid of Cornus kousa x C. florida. This new hybrid from Rutgers produces very attractive pink bracts, is winter-hardy, insect and disease resistant and should prove to be a low maintenance plant in the landscape. It has been grown and evaluated by cooperators from the nursery industry, and should be well received by landscape architects, retail garden centers, municipalities, and homeowners. This new cultivar (and others in the development pipeline at Rutgers) will have a positive impact on property values and quality of life where they are grown, and their resistance to their primary insect and disease pests will reduce the need for harsh pesticide sprays in home or public environments where they are grown. The program to develop ornamental hazelnuts (Corylus spp.) is showing great progress and will continue. Since very few eastern filbert blight resistant ornamental hazelnuts are commercially available, incorporating disease resistance into the ornamental germplasm will provide for rapid development of new cultivars leading to an increase in the diversity of plant species options (including native species) available for use in the landscape. Our best green-leaf contorted, disease resistance hazelnut selection, a replacement for the widely planted, yet eastern filbert blight susceptible, Harry Lauder's walking Stick, will be propagated for testing at multiple locations in 2011.
Publications
- Molnar, T.J., J. Capik, S. Zhao, N. Zhang. 2010. First report of Eastern Filbert Blight on Corylus avellana Gasaway and VR20-11 caused by Anisogramma anomala (Peck) E. Muller in New Jersey. Plant Disease 94:1265
- Molnar, T.J., J.C. Goffreda, and C.R. Funk. 2010. Survey of Corylus Resistance to Anisogramma anomala from Different Geographic Locations. HortScience 45:832-836
- Inzano, M. and T.J. Molnar. 2010. The Brown Marmorated Stink Bug: A New Pest of Hazelnuts. The nutshell, quarterly newsletter of the Northern Nut Growers Association. Vol. 64(4):12-16.
- Molnar, T.J. 2010. Eastern filbert blight: does genetic resistance hold up across different regions The nutshell, quarterly newsletter of the Northern Nut Growers Association. 64(2):16-24.
- Molnar, T.J. 2010. A (second) new call for hazelnuts. The nutshell, quarterly newsletter of the Northern Nut Growers Association. 64(2):12.
- Molnar, T.J. 2010. A new call for hazelnuts. The nutshell, quarterly newsletter of the Northern Nut Growers Association. Vol. 64(1):31-32.
- Molnar, T.J., J. Capik, D. Zaurov, A. Morgan, and C. R. Funk. 2010. Hybrid Hazelnut Consortium: a collaborative national effort to expand hazelnut production. pg 47. Proceedings of the Nineteenth Annual Rutgers Turfgrass Symposium. Center for Turfgrass Science. School of Environmental and Biological Sciences. Rutgers University.
- Molnar, T.J. and J. Capik. 2010. Advances in Hazelnut Research in North America. Abstracts of the 28th International Horticultural Congress. Lisbon, Portugal. Volume 2, S06.008 p. 294.
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Progress 01/01/09 to 12/31/09
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Forty-four controlled crosses among 31 different interspecific hybrids of Ilex (hollies) yielded 1121 seed which were immediately sown in seed flats. Throughout 2009, seedlings that emerged in flats containing seed sown in 2008 were transplanted to 4-inch clay pots, and subsequently transplanted to one-gallon containers later in the year. Similarly, containerized seedlings that had germinated in 2007 were transplanted to larger-size containers as needed since holly seedlings are not field planted until the Spring of their third growing season. Many hundreds of older seedlings of Cornus (dogwoods) were field planted for further evaluation of plant characteristics of importance; i.e., plant vigor, resistance to plant pests and diseases, tree form, foliage color and texture, and size, shape and color of the floral bracts as well as tolerance of the plants to drought. Select seedlings from intraspecific hybridization of C. kousa as well as interspecific hybrids of C. kousa x C. nuttallii were propagated by grafting onto rootstock of Cornus kousa f. chinensis for further evaluation in field plantings. Breeding nurseries and greenhouse collections hold more than two-thousand hazelnut seedlings segregating for numerous ornamental traits, including purple spring and summer leaf color, pink fall color, contorted stems and other attractive characteristics. Efforts continue to develop breeding lines containing recessive genes for weeping branches, highly-dissected leaves, contorted stems and golden leaf color in various combinations along with a diversity of genes for resistance to eastern filbert blight. In 2009 we recovered purple-leaf contorted hazelnuts segregating for EFB resistance, as well as attractive interspecific hybrids between C. americana and C. avellana that have excellent purple leaf color in the spring and summer, bright pink fall color, and attractive purple nut husks and catkins. The best of these will be propagated in 2010 for evaluation in multiple locations. PARTICIPANTS: Not relevant to this project. TARGET AUDIENCES: Not relevant to this project. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
A plant patent was issued in December, 2009 for Ilex x Spartan. Plant Patent Applied for Status was received for a new advanced generation interspecific hybrid of Cornus kousa x C. florida which was introduced to commerce as KF111-1, Hyperion. A new and superior intraspecific hybrid of Ilex opaca (American Holly) was introduced to commerce under the cultivar name Pamela Orton. These new hybrids from Rutgers University are all very attractive, winter-hardy, insect and disease resistant, low maintenance ornamental plants. All of them have been grown and evaluated by cooperators from the nursery industry, and will be well received by landscape architects, retail garden centers, municipalities, and homeowners. These new cultivars will have a positive impact on property values and quality of life where they are grown, and their resistance to their primary insect and disease pests will reduce the need for harsh pesticide sprays in home or public environments where they are grown. The program to develop ornamental hazelnuts (Corylus spp.) is showing great progress and will continue. Since very few eastern filbert blight resistant ornamental hazelnuts are commercially available, incorporating disease resistance into the ornamental germplasm will provide for rapid development of new cultivars.
Publications
- Molnar, T.J., J. Capik, D.Zaurov, E. Fargo, and C.R. Funk. 2009. Perennial plants for a sustainable future: Progress and perspectives at Rutgers . pgs. 49-51. Proceedings of the Eighteenth Annual Rutgers Turfgrass Symposium. Center for Turfgrass Science. School of Environmental and Biological Sciences. Rutgers. University.
- Molnar, T.J. and M. Pisetta. 2009. Searching for resistance to eastern filbert blight: hazelnuts from the Republic of Georgia. The Nutshell, quarterly newsletter of the Northern Nut Growers Association. Vol. 63 (4):16-22.
- Molnar, T.J.,N.M. Capid, and J.C. Goffreda. 2009. Response of hazelnut progenies from known resistant parents to Anisogramma anomaala in New Jersey, U.S.A. Acta Hort (ISHS) 845:73-81.
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Progress 01/01/08 to 12/31/08
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Approximately 1,048 seedlings, resulting from crosses among four cultivars of Cornus kousa forma rubra, and three highly-rated superior selections of C. kousa forma rubra hybrids generated at Rutgers, were transplanted to 6.5 cm pots during the early spring and were grown-on for later evaluation of their horticultural characteristics such as vigor, plant form, leaf quality (size, shape, texture and color) and resistance to various insect and disease pests. Similarly, a total of 1,822 seedlings resulting from crosses involving 16 elite advanced generation interspecific hybrids of C. kousa x C. florida (KF), C. kousa x C. nuttallii (KN) and (C. kousa x C. florida) x C. nuttallii (KFN) were transplanted to 6.5 cm and 10 cm pots for evaluation. Also, hundreds of dogwood seedlings, resulting from crosses made in 2006, were transplanted to the field for further evaluation. Three very winter-hardy clones of C. kousa, newly accessioned from the Morris Arboretum, Philadelphia, PA, were grafted at Rutgers to enhance the germplasm collection available for further evaluation and breeding. Also, six plants each of 24 of our elite parental clones and superior selections of advanced generation interspecific hybrids were grafted to obtain additional plants for further evaluation and for use as parental material. A total of 12,105 seed from 41 interspecific hybrid crosses among KF, KN and KFN elite parental plants were placed under conditions of moist chilling to insure germination of the seed in 2009. One seedling from a mating of two plants of C. kousa forma rubra in 2006 was selected this year as a plant that holds great promise, based on foliage color, of being a plant that will bear red bracts of high quality, a long-searched-for end product in this project. Within the genus Ilex, ten controlled crosses involving 13 different advanced generation interspecific hybrids and one clone of Ilex rugosa yielded 377 sinking seed that were planted in seed flats for germination. Many flats of Ilex seed sown in 2007 were maintained throughout 2008 with germinating seedlings transplanted as they emerged. Due to the nature of Ilex seeds, the seed flats were held over throughout the year, as many of the seed from those crosses will continue to germinate in 2009. Also, numerous select hybrids possessing germplasm from three to five different Ilex species have been selected for a very heavy schedule of crosses in the Spring of 2009. Our first green-leaf Corylus seedlings expressing contorted stems containing a single dominant gene for resistance to eastern filbert blight, caused by the fungus Anisogramma anomala, were recovered from controlled crosses made in 2007. These plants were inoculated with spores of the pathogen for evaluation of their disease resistance in 2009. In addition, over 1,000 hybrid ornamental hazelnut seedlings were planted in the field, the result of controlled crosses made in 2007, for evaluation in 2009. Seed generated from controlled crosses made in 2008 will yield our first purple-leaf contorted eastern filbert blight resistant seedlings in 2009. PARTICIPANTS: Not relevant to this project. TARGET AUDIENCES: Not relevant to this project. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
One new interspecific holly (Ilex Spartan) received Plant Patent Applied For status and is being propagated by potential patent licensees. Two new selections of holly and three selections of dogwood hybrids have been identified as worthy of patenting. Most of these new hybrids have been evaluated by cooperators from the nursery industry and they are very pleased to see these plants in the pipeline, as nurserymen, landscape architects, retail garden centers, municipalities and homeowners are constantly looking for new and superior plants of high quality and resistance to insect and disease pests. These hybrids will be widely grown in the U.S., Australia, the E.U., Japan, and China. These new hybrids are all very attractive, winter-hardy, low maintenance plants. In addition one very attractive Eastern Filbert Blight resistant ornamental purple-leaf hybrid hazelnut, resulting from Rutgers breeding efforts, was selected, propagated and shipped to several locations across the eastern U.S. and the Midwest for further evaluations. Overall, the use of the new Rutgers plants will have a positive impact on property values and quality of life where they are grown and their resistance to their primary insect and disease pests will greatly reduce the need for harsh chemical sprays in home or public environments.
Publications
- Molnar, T.J, J.N. Capik, J.C. Goffreda, and E. Orton. 2008. Developing New Woody Ornamental and Edible Landscape Plants at Rutgers. Abstracts of the Northeast meeting of the American Society of Horticultural Science Annual Meeting. HortScience 43:593
- Baxer, S.N. J.A. Crouch, C. R. Funk, T.J. Molnar and B.I. Hillman. 2008. Characterizing variability in Anisogramma anomala populations. Abstracts of the Northeast meeting of the American Society of Horticultural Science Annual Meeting. HortScience 43:593
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Progress 01/01/07 to 12/31/07
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Crosses among four cultivars of Cornus kousa f. rubra and three highly rated C. kousa f. rubra hybrids generated in previous years yielded 2,405 sinking seed (water test for selecting viable seed) which were placed under conditions to provide the 115-135 days of moist-chilling required to overcome the internal dormancy of the seed. In addition, seed resulting from crosses involving 16 elite advanced generation hybrids (kousa x florida (KF) kousa x nuttallii KN, and (kousa x florida) x nuttallii KFN yielded 5713 sinking seed, all of which were placed under conditions of moist-chilling. An interspecific hybrid (KF137) selected in 2007 shows promise of being superior to KN30-8, Venus PP 16,309. Six plants each of 16 select intraspecific and/or advanced generation interspecific Cornus hybrids were grafted in January, 2007 for use in additional tests of their field performance. Twenty-one controlled crosses involving six excellent interspecific evergreen holly (Ilex) cultivars
and nine elite advanced generation interspecific hybrids generated in this project yielded 1510 sinking seed which were sown in flats in the greenhouse. The progeny from most of these crosses will possess germplasm from four and/or five different evergreen species of Ilex. The genetic variability among these seedlings will be very high. Over 2,000 hazelnut seedlings from controlled hybridizations or from germplasm collection trips made in Poland and Central Asia were field planted. Plants will undergo evaluations for resistance to diseases, insects, and environmental stress, as well as enhanced nutritional attributes, ornamental characteristics, wide adaptation, and productivity. Fifty-seven different controlled hybridizations between superior hazelnut genotypes were made in 2007 yielding over 3,000 seed, which is currently undergoing moist-chilling. New hazelnut germplasm was collected or obtained from Poland, Ukraine, Moldova, Estonia, Uzbekistan, and China. This year was the first
time eastern filbert blight (EFB) resistant hazelnut seedlings expressing the contorted growth habit were recovered in the breeding program. Hazelnut research projects were initiated to investigate the inheritance of several newly identified sources of genetic resistance to infection by the fungus Anisogramma anomala, which incites the destructive disease EFB. Also, new studies to closely characterize the mode of resistance expressed by these and other sources of genetic resistance to EFB were initiated.
PARTICIPANTS: Mr. Charles Hardy, Mr. William Messeroll, Cooperators from the Nursery Industry, Mr. Ed Overdevest, Overdevest Nurseries, Bridgeton, NJ, Mr. Robert Blew, Centerton Nursery, Centerton, NJ
TARGET AUDIENCES: Members of the nursery industry and the buying public.
Impacts
Continued evaluation of many select seedlings under test has moved this program closer to making final selection of new and superior clones of advanced generation interspecific hollies (Ilex) and dogwood (Cornus) for introduction to commerce. The nursery industry is constantly seeking new and superior, or unique, cultivars of ornamental trees and shrubs. In addition to the lower maintenance requirements associated with the use of such plants, the reduced need for the use of harsh chemical pesticides in residential or public areas is an important contribution to public health. Cornus Venus, developed in this project was selected as a 2007 winner of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society's Gold Medal Plant Award. Also, in 2007, Cornus Venus received a Thomas Alva Edison Patent Award from the Research and Development Council of New Jersey. Currently, nearly 11,000 seedlings and clonal selections of hazelnuts are under evaluation at Rutgers, with approximately 5,000 of
these the result of controlled hybridizations. From this collection, a significant number of genotypes have been identified that express a very high level of resistance to eastern filbert blight (EFB), as well as later flowering; the traits necessary for reliable and productive growth in the northeastern US. Incorporating a number of different valuable ornamental attributes, such as contorted growth habit, weeping branches, purple leaf color, serrated leaves, peeling bark, and attractive fall color into these advanced EFB resistant lines will allow for the development of new, low-maintenance woody ornamentals for this region.
Publications
- J. Capik and T.J. Molnar. Chip bud layering: an easy way to produce rooted layers of hazelnuts. 2007. The Nutshell, quarterly newsletter of the Northern Nut Growers Association. Vol. 61:15-18.
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Progress 01/01/06 to 12/31/06
Outputs
Ilex opaca, Portia Orton, was introduced to commerce as a new and superior cultivar. The plants are fully winter-hardy in USDA zone 6a, grow vigorously to a dense conical form with attractive dark green leaves and bright red fruit, and are highly resistant to the Holly Berry Midge, Ashondylia iliciola. A second cultivar of I. opaca has been propagated by growers and is ready for formal release. Plants of our hybrid of Ilex cilospinosa x a hybrid of I. x koehneana was named Spartan and plants of this beautiful winter-hardy, evergreen tree-form of Ilex were distributed to nurserymen. The plants have beautiful dark green foliage and produce the highest number of bright red fruit of any holly we have ever seen. The final data needed for completion of a disclosure for a plant patent on a hybrid possessing germplasm of C. florida, C. kousa and C. nuttallii was collected. A new intraspecific hybrid of C. kousa exhibiting a unique floral display of pink bracts was selected
for patenting. Several advanced generation interspecific hybrids of Cornus with high vigor, beautiful large white bracts and unique and highly desirable branching habit were advanced to final stage evaluation. A plant patent disclosure on a highly vigorous, disease and insect resistant, advanced generation interspecific hybrid exhibiting an exceptionally beautiful floral display of large, white bracts is nearly complete. Our Franklinia alatamaha selection has been named and distributed to interested growers and all data needed for a patent application is at hand. Our 2006 large-scale direct field planting of seed from six of our advanced generation interspecific hybrids of C. florida, C. kousa and C. nuttallii resulted in less germination and seedling survival than was anticipated, but 46 seedlings were selected for further evaluation. Six controlled crosses of elite advanced generation interspecific hybrids of Ilex were accomplished and 2114 "sinking" seed were harvested and planted.
Approximately 2000 seed from our elite advanced generation interspecific hybrids of Cornus were harvested and given a moist-chilling treatment prior to planting. Nearly 300 clonal Corylus cultivars and selections and 2,500 seedlings from controlled crosses and new germplasm collections from the United States, Canada, Turkey, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia were field planted. New collections of hazelnuts and walnuts were made in Poland. Approximately 50 controlled pollinations were made between various Corylus parents resulting in over 2,000 hybrid seed. Most crosses were designed to incorporate disease resistance and improved nut quality into a diversity of ornamental lines expressing spring and summer purple leaf color, red fall color, and interesting growth habit. Several superior ornamental hazelnut hybrid seedlings were identified and are being propagated for evaluation at different sites.
Impacts
Our Cornus x Venus hybrid dogwood was selected to receive a Gold Medal Award from the PA Horticultural Society. Venus is receiving international acclaim. Our new hybrids of Cornus and of Ilex will be very well received by members of the nursery industry and our ultimate constituency, citizens of New Jersey and other areas of the United States of American where these plants will grow. Our new hollies and dogwoods will also be grown in Europe, Japan, Great Britain, Australia, and New Zealand. Our new winter-hardy and disease-and-insect resistant interspecific hollies and dogwoods are increasingly replacing many of the standard cultivars of Ilex and Cornus that have been propagated and sold for many years. As our work with numerous genera and species of commercially important nuts progresses, the development of many new and superior cultivars of ornamental and edible nuts will make important contributions to the world's supply of more nutritious nut cultivars as well as
the production of disease resistant and more aesthetically pleasing nut-producing trees for use in home gardens and landscapes.
Publications
- Molnar, T.J., S.A.. Mehlenbacher, D.E. Zaurov, and J.C. Goffreda. 2006. Survey of hazelnut germplasm from Russia and Crimea for response to eastern filbert blight. HortScience. In press, accepted 9/10/2006.
- Molnar, T.J. 2006. Genetic resistance to eastern filbert blight in hazelnut (Corylus). Ph.D. Thesis. 113 pages. Department of Plant Biology and Pathology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey.
- Molnar, T.J. and S. Baxer. 2006. Backyard Breeding: Hazelnuts. The nutshell, quarterly newsletter of the Northern Nut Growers Association. Vol. 62:12-17.
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Progress 01/01/05 to 12/31/05
Outputs
Approximately 2,500 hazelnut seedlings from controlled crosses and new germplasm collections from southern Russia and Central Asia were field planted at three research farms. New hazelnut accessions collected from Turkey, Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania are currently growing in the greenhouse. Two new sources of resistance to the incitant of eastern filbert blight were found during recent evaluation of plant material that originated in Russian and Ukraine. Furthermore, a technique was developed that significantly reduces the time required to identify resistant seedlings from 14-16 months to 6-7 months. Thus, our research holds great promise for developing well-adapted ornamental and/or nut producing cultivars that will thrive where the disease-inciting organism is present. Two horticulturally superior seedlings from controlled crosses within Ilex opaca (American Holly) were selected and propagated for distribution to wholesale propagators. These two clones possess high
resistance to the holly berry midge. A U.S. Plant Patent Application for an F1 hybrid of Cornus kousa x C. florida was filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on August 1, 2005. Also, a disclosure for a superior F1 interspecific hybrid of Cornus kousa x C. nuttallii has been prepared. A dogwood hybrid possessing germplasm from C. florida, C. kousa and C. nuttallii is ready for patenting. It is the most vigorous of all of our Cornus hybrids to date and exhibits excellent horticultural characteristics. A hybrid within C. kousa flowered for the first time in 2006 and had beautiful pink-red bracts and will be further evaluated very closely. We have propagated by stem cuttings 150+ plants of a superior seedling resulting from a controlled cross within Franklinia alatamaha. These plants will be distributed under contract to prominent wholesale nurserymen early this Spring, 2006. Application for a plant patent on this new cultivar will be accomplished during 2006. 16,000+ seed
resulting from six advanced generation interspecific hybrids C. kousa, C. nuttallii, and C. florida were hand-sown in the field in late November, 2005. Plant data and photos have been assembled for the preparation of disclosures for use in applying for a plant patent on a new hybrid of Ilex crenata that is much more winter-hardy and disease-resistant than morphologically similar cultivars currently very popular in commerce. Also, photos and plant data have been assembled for the preparation of a disclosure to obtain a plant patent on a unique and superior winter-hardy (-5 to -10oF), evergreen holly. Plants of this very attractive and endurable, red-berried interspecific hybrid resulted from a controlled cross of I. rugosa x (integra x pernyi) "Accent". Plants of this unique and valuable clone are easy to propagate and grow, and have been found to be remarkably free of damage by insects or disease-causing organisms.
Impacts
Our unique plant of Franklinia alatamaha will be the first patented cultivar of this popular monotypic genus introduced to commerce. Our new hybrids of Cornus and of Ilex will be very well received by members of the nursery industry and our ultimate constituency, citizens of New Jersey and other areas of the United States of America where these plants will grow. Our new hollies and dogwoods will also be grown in Europe, Japan, Great Britain, Australia, and New Zealand. Our new winter-hardy and disease-and-insect resistant interspecific hollies and dogwoods are increasingly replacing many of the standard cultivars of Ilex and Cornus that have been propagated and sold for many years. As our work with numerous genera and species of commercially important nuts progresses, the development of many new and superior cultivars of ornamental and edible nuts will make important contributions to the worlds supply of more nutritious nut cultivars as well as the production of
aesthetically pleasing nut-producing trees for use in home gardens and landscapes.
Publications
- Molnar, T.J., J.C. Goffreda, and C. R. Funk. 2005. Developing hazelnuts for the eastern United States. Acta Horticulturae (International Society for Horticulture Science) 68:609-617.
- Molnar, T.J., S.N. Baxer, and J.C. Goffreda. 2005. Accelerated screening of hazelnut seedlings for resistance to eastern filbert blight. HortScience 40:1667-1669.
- Orton, E.R. 2005. Cultivar Introductions from Rutgers University. Holly Society Journal, Vol. 23(1):3-11.
- Orton, E.R. 2005 New Holly from Rutgers University - Ilex x "Rutzan", Red Beauty (reg. TM). Holly Society Journal, Vol. 23(1):12-13.
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