BREEDING AND GENETICS OF SMALL FRUITS AND GRAPES IN ARKANSAS

• Sponsoring Institution: National Institute of Food and Agriculture
• Project Status: COMPLETE
• Funding Source: HATCH
• Reporting Frequency: Annual
• Accession No.: 0217128
• Project Start Date: Dec 1, 2008
• Project End Date: Sep 30, 2013
• Program Code: [(N/A)]- (N/A)

Recipient Organization
UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS
(N/A)
FAYETTEVILLE,AR 72703

Performing Department
Horticulture

Non Technical Summary
Cultivars of small fruit crops usually have more narrow limits of geographic adaptation than cultivars of other fruit species. It is valuable to have an active breeding program for the development of cultivars uniquely adapted to its particular growing conditions. There continues to be broad interest in the production of small fruit crops in Arkansas. New acreages of blackberries have been widely established in the state, and blueberries continue to be grown in several areas.The high economic returns per acre of these crops make them attractive as alternatives for crops providing marginal returns. These crops are ideally adapted for small farm enterprises and do well on marginally fertile soils. In addition, these small fruit crops have fewer pest problems than other fruits, and can be successfully produced with minimum pesticide usage. Public interest continues in the area of antioxidant or nutraceutical value of foods. Berry crops and grapes have garnered great attention in this area for their antioxidant value. The evaluation of antioxidant levels in Arkansas berries has begun and is intended to continue as a key area of investigation. In order for the small fruit industries of Arkansas to remain viable and reach their full potential, new cultivars will be needed. The development of erect thornless blackberries has stimulated renewed interest in hand-harvested blackberries, but additional cultivars are needed to expand the harvest period. Several diseases currently threaten all the small fruit crops, and the incorporation of genetic resistance into adapted cultivars is imperative for a stable fruit industry to be developed and sustained. A more recent area of intense improvement in the Arkansas blackberry breeding program has been the primocane-fruiting trait. The University of Arkansas released the first primocane-fruiting varieites in 2004 Prime-Janr and Prime-Jimr. Many more cultivars will be forthcoming from this effort, and this type of blackberry could revolutionize blackberry production in the world. Grapes have been a major fruit crop in Arkansas for over 100 years. Traditionally, most of the Arkansas grape production was used for the manufacture of wine or unfermented juice. A small table grape industry was founded on the seedless cultivars `Venus', `Reliance', `Mars', and `Saturn' developed by the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station. Muscadine grapes have been grown in Arkansas for many years. Research in Arkansas has been limited to cultivar testing resulting in both fresh and processing use. In 2005 a small breeding effort was begun in muscadine cultivar improvement. The first selections were made in 2008. Subsequent crosses have yielded several thousand seedlings for future evaluation. Cultivars of bunch and muscadine grapes will need continual improvement for Arkansas to remain economically competitive with other grape growing regions. The present and future cultivar needs for sustaining viable small fruit and grape industries in Arkansas can be met by genetic improvements made in a well organized hybridization/selection program. The output of new cultivars will best address industry needs.

Animal Health Component

(N/A)

Research Effort Categories

Basic

(N/A)

Applied

(N/A)

Developmental

(N/A)

Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)	Subject of Investigation (SOI)	Field of Science (FOS)	Percent
201	1129	1080	10%
202	1120	1080	10%
202	1129	1080	10%
202	1130	1080	10%
203	1130	1081	10%
203	1120	1080	10%
204	1129	1081	10%
212	1129	1081	10%
204	1120	1081	10%
212	1120	1081	10%

Knowledge Area
212 - Pathogens and Nematodes Affecting Plants; 204 - Plant Product Quality and Utility (Preharvest); 203 - Plant Biological Efficiency and Abiotic Stresses Affecting Plants; 202 - Plant Genetic Resources; 201 - Plant Genome, Genetics, and Genetic Mechanisms;

Subject Of Investigation
1120 - Blueberry; 1129 - Berries and cane fruits, general/other; 1130 - Table grapes;

Field Of Science
1081 - Breeding; 1080 - Genetics;

Keywords

small fruits

grapes

vaccinium

rubus

vitis

disease resistance

fruit breeding

fruit quality

antioxidant evaluations

Goals / Objectives
The overall goal of this project is to develop new cultivars of small fruits and grapes. An additional goal is to enhance knowledge of genetics and breeding procedures with small fruits and grapes. Specific objectives are: 1. To develop both thorned and thornless (with primary emphasis on thornless) blackberry cultivars adapted to the upper South which are suitable for hand harvest. Emphasis will be placed on erect plant growth habit, primocane fruiting, high productivity, good fresh and processed quality, large fruit size, firm fruit for shipping ability, small seed size, tolerance to low winter temperatures, heat tolerance of primocane-fruiting types, and resistance to major diseases. 2. To develop blueberry cultivars adapted to various areas of Arkansas. Emphasis will be placed on combining plant adaptation to low organic matter, dry upland soils with large, firm, high quality fruit. Other important characteristics to be stressed are resistance to high summer temperatures and diseases, early ripening, and fruit with good storage and shipping properties. 3. To develop adapted, high quality, attractive, hardy, seedless table grapes, with long shelf life and ability to be transported to distant markets in good condition. 4. To test existing wine grape selections for processing quality and viticulture adapted to Arkansas. 5. To develop adapted, enhanced quality, winter hardy muscadine cultivars adapted to the regions of Arkansas from the Arkansas River valley and southward. 6. To evaluate antioxidant levels of small fruit genotypes developed in the program. 7. To conduct genetic investigations on these crops to elucidate new information on the inheritance of important fruit and plant characters and to use that information to expedite breeding progress. The outputs of this project are new cultivars of small fruits and grapes as the primary output, with secondary output new findings on genetics and breeding procedurues of these crops.

Project Methods
Hybridizations will be continued using as parent material the most promising clones available primarily using advanced genetic material developed in the program previously. New genetic acquisitions will be made as they become available and evaluated for genes of potential value in breeding. Seed germination procedures previously shown to ensure maximum seedling emergence will be used. Seedlings will be grown to fruiting age and evaluated for their potential as new cultivars or for use in further breeding. Promising selections will be established in replicated test plantings in several locations in Arkansas for area adaptability. Advanced selections will be propagated and made available to experiment stations in other states for regional tests. Evaluations of selections and cultivars for antioxidant content will be conducted with the cooperation of the Department of Food Science, University of Arkansas. Genetic studies will be conducted, using appropriate experimental procedures, as needed to facilitate and expedite the cultivar development program. Outputs will be evaluated by peer-reviewed journal submissions, evaluation of genotypes developed in the program by cooperating evaluators, adn by industry acceptance of new cultivars released from this effort.

Progress 12/01/08 to 09/30/13

Outputs
Target Audience: Target audience is small fruit growers in Arkansas and other US states that can utilize the fruit cultivars developed in the program. Communicaiton with this audience has been through grower meetings, website info, email, publications, press releases, and other methods. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? During this period, five graduate students were involved in the project, two completed MS degrees, three more are in degree programs now. Two undergraduates were involved in special topics research also in the project. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? There have been numerous presentations made, primarily on new cultivar developments. These presentations have been made at grower meetings in Arkansas and other states, scientific meetings, and in trade publications. There has also been communication in newsletters and websites, as well as personal contact with the project director. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? The goals were achieved as stated in the project description, except no blueberry nor muscadine cultivars were released in the project period. However, progress with these crops along with those that yield new cultivars was made. Other studies on genetic investigations, nutraceuticals, etc were approached and studies done with these. The major achievements in cultivar development were APF-45 (Prime-Ark 45), APF-153 (Prime-Ark Freedom) and Osage,blackberries, Hope, Faith, Joy, and Gratitude table grapes.

Publications

• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Clark, J.R. 2013. Osage thornless blackberry. HortScience 48:909- 912.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Clark, J.R. and J.N. Moore. 2013. Faith, Gratitude, Hope, and Joy seedless table grapes. HortScience 48:913-919.

Progress 01/01/12 to 12/31/12

Outputs
OUTPUTS: The complete cycle of breeding was conducted for the year including crossing, seed collection, seedling establishment, seedling evaluation and selection evaluation for blackberries and muscadine grapes. Table grape seedlings and selections were evaluated also but no new crosses made. It was a bountiful year for blackberry crossing with over 240,000 hybrid seed attained from 61 crosses. Muscadine seed set was good with just over 6000 hybrid seed attained from 21 crosses. Seedling numbers for these crops from 2011 crossing were fair to good, with the greatest number for blackberries exceeding 5500 and muscadines near 1200. Blackberry selections totaled 54 floricane-fruiting and 33 primocane fruiting, significantly more than most years due to the good crop and large seedling numbers. Muscadine selections totaled 22. Advanced selection trials were evaluated for blackberry (two trials), blueberry (one trial), and table grapes (two trials). A new thornless blackberry was released, Osage (A-2362) which has excellent flavor and high yields intended to complement Ouachita. Four new seedless table grapes were released, Faith (A-2412), Hope (A-2053), Joy (A-2494), and Gratitude (A-2505). PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: Commercial and home garden fruit growers, commercial nurseries, and commercial fruit production companies and marketers. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
Arkansas thornless blackberry varieties continue to contribute to fresh-market production for local and shipping markets in the US with very good postharvest handling and quality. The new 2009-released primocane-fruiting blackberry Prime-Ark 45 is impacting the fall fruiting period of September to early November, the first variety of this type with significant impact. Arkansas table grapes continue to be grown for local markets to diversity fruit crop options for growers.

Publications

• Clark, J.R., B. Strik, A.E. Thompson, and C.E. Finn. 2012. Progress and challenges in primocane-fruiting blackberry breeding and cultural management. Acta Hort. 926:387-392.
• Finn, C. E. and J.R. Clark. 2012. Register of new fruit and nut cultivars list 46. HortScience 47:536-562.
• Lowe, J.D, K.W. Pomper, S. B. Crabtree, J. R. Clark, and J.G. Strang. 2012. Yield of thorny primocane- fruiting blackberries from the University of Arkansas Breeding program grown under organic growing conditions in Kentucky . J. Amer. Pomol. Soc. 66:2-7.
• Strik, B.C, J.R. Clark, C.E. Finn, and G. Buller. 2012. Management of primocane-fruiting blackberry-impacts on yield, fruiting season, and cane architecture. HortScience 47:593-598.

Progress 01/01/11 to 12/31/11

Outputs
OUTPUTS: The complete cycle of breeding was conducted for the year including crossing, seed collection, seedling establishment, seedling evaluation and selection evaluation for blackberries and muscadine grapes. Table grape seedlings and selections were evaluated also but not new crosses made. However, some winter injury (from February freeze, 2F minimum) to blackberries reduced seed set and number from crosses compared to prior years but still over 80,000 hybrid seed were attained from 61 crosses. Muscadine seed set was fair with just over 2700 hybrid seed attained from 11 crosses. Seedling numbers for these crops from 2010 crossing were very good, with the greatest number for blackberries exceeding 10,000 and muscadines near 1000. Blackberry selections totaled 7 floricane-fruiting and 15 primocane fruiting, significantly fewer than most years due to winter injury to many seedlings grown on unirrigated land with severe deer damage. Muscadine selections totaled 22. Advanced selection trials were evaluated for blackberry (two trials), blueberry (one trial), and table grapes (two trials). Four table grape selections were identified for release, two white (green) and two blue. Two blackberry genotypes were identified for release, one thornless primocane-fruiter and one floricane fruiter. PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: Commercial and home garden fruit growers, commercial nurseries, and commercial fruit production companies and marketers. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
The new primocane-fruiting blackberry released for commercial production, Prime-Ark 45, was marketed for the second year with nearly 500,000 plants established in the US. The first commercial crop was produced in the US, with very high yields in California production sites, less so in southern US locations. The latter lower yields were due to heat damage to flowers, fruits and buds. From 2007-2011, over 4 million Arkansas-developed blackberry plants were commercially marketed, providing for a much-expanded fresh market blackberry industry.

Publications

• Clark, J.R. and P. Perkins-Veazie. 2011. Prime-Ark 45 primocane-fruiting blackberry. HortScience: 46:670-673.
• Moore, J.N., J.R. Clark, J. Kamas, L. Stein, F. Tarkington, and M. Tarkington. 2011. 'Victoria Red' grape. HortScience 46:817-820

Progress 01/01/10 to 12/31/10

Outputs
OUTPUTS: The complete cycle of breeding was conducted for the year including crossing, seed collection, seedling establishment, seedling evaluation and selection evaluation for blackberries and muscadine grapes. Overall seeds produced in crossing for blackberry were exceptional, possibly the best success in the life of the program. Muscadine seed set was fair. Seedling numbers for these crops from 2010 crossing were very good, with the greatest number for blackberries exceeding 12,000. Blackberry selections totaled 12 floricane-fruiting and 56 primocane fruiting. Muscadine selections totaled 14. Advanced selection trials were evaluated for blackberry, blueberry, and table grapes. PARTICIPANTS: John R. Clark, University Professor TARGET AUDIENCES: Commercial and home garden fruit growers, commercial nurseries, and commercial fruit production companies and marketers. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
The new primocane-fruiting blackberry released for commercial production, Prime-Ark 45, was marketed for the first year with over 250,000 plants established in the US. This exceptional development has large fruit of good quality on both floricanes and primocanes. Fruit stores well also, with very limited developed of leaks, soft, reddening or mold. Arkansas thornless blackberries continued to be planted widely commercially, and these plus other thorny types had from 2007-2010 approximately 3.3 million plants of these varieties sold by licensed propagators. This has led to substantial expansion of commercial blackberry production for shipping along with local sales. A new table grape, Victoria Red, was released cooperatively with Texas A&M University, and is recommended in the deep South in areas where Pierce's disease is prevalent.

Publications

• Clark, J.R. 2010.Eastern United States table grape breeding. J. Amer. Pomol. Soc. 64:72-77.
• Ruple, A., J.R. Clark, and M.E. Garcia. 2010. An evaluation of fertility in Arkansas primocane-fruiting blackberries. HortScience 45:1-6.

Progress 01/01/09 to 12/31/09

Outputs
OUTPUTS: The complete cycle of breeding was conducted for the year including crossing, seed collection, seedling establishment, seedling evaluation and selection evaluation for blackberries, bunch grapes and muscadine grapes. Blueberry seedling evaluation was not done nor crossing conducted for this crop. Overall seeds produced in crossing were fair to good to provide for 2010 seedling establishment. Seedling numbers for all crops from 2009 crossing were very good for all crops, with the greatest number for blackberries. Blackberry selections totaled 17 floricane-fruiting and 45 primocane fruiting. Table grape selections totaled 29 with almost all seedless. Muscadine selections totaled 18. Advanced selection trials were evaluated for blackberry, blueberry, and table grapes. PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: Commercial and home garden fruit growers, commercial nurseries, and commercial fruit production companies and marketers. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
A new primocane-fruiting blackberry was released for commercial production, Prime-Ark 45. This is the first blackberry of this growth type with commercial shipping potential. This exceptional development has large fruit of good quality on both floricanes and primocanes. Fruit stores well also, with very limited developed of leaks, soft, reddening or mold. Arkansas thornless blackberries continued to be planted widely commercially, and from 2007-2009 approximately 2.5 million plants of these varieties have been sold by licensed propagators. This has led to substantial expansion of commercial blackberry production for shipping along with local sales.

Publications

• Clark, J.R. 2010. Eastern United States table grape breeding. J. Amer. Pomol. Soc. (accepted for publication)
• Hancock, J.F. and J.R. Clark. 2009. Intellectual property protection and the funding of blueberry breeding in the future: the new paradigm. Acta Hort. 810:43-48
• Ruple, A., J.R. Clark, and M.E. Garcia. 2010. An Evaluation of fertility and flowering variables in primocane-fruiting blackberries. HortScience (submitted).
• Thompson, A.E, B.C Strik, C.E. Finn, Y. Zhao, and J.R. Clark. 2009. High tunnel versus open field: Management of primocane-fruiting blackberry using pruning and tipping to increase yield and extend the fruiting season. HortScience 44:1581-1587.