Source: UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI submitted to NRP
DEVELOPING PROMISING NATIVE FRUIT AND NUT CROPS FOR FARM DIVERSIFICATION
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
COMPLETE
Funding Source
HATCH
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
0224931
Grant No.
(N/A)
Cumulative Award Amt.
(N/A)
Proposal No.
(N/A)
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Feb 1, 2011
Project End Date
Jan 31, 2016
Grant Year
(N/A)
Program Code
[(N/A)]- (N/A)
Recipient Organization
UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI
(N/A)
COLUMBIA,MO 65211
Performing Department
Director's Office
Non Technical Summary
A number of woody plant species native to Missouri and the Midwest have promising economic potential as horticultural crops, but remain surprisingly under-developed in terms of genetics, horticulture, and economics. The addition of non-traditional fruit and nut crops to traditional farms can significantly diversify agricultural operations both ecologically and economically. Native plant species are well-adapted to the climate and soils of a given region, and can often be grown without significant inputs compared with non-native crops that usually require very costly inputs (e.g., apples, peaches, and grapes). Some of the most promising yet-to-be-developed native crops in Missouri include black walnut (Juglans nigra), elderberry (Sambucus canadensis), hickory (Carya sp.), pawpaw (Asimina triloba), and persimmon (Diospyros virginiana). All of these species produce unique, edible fruits, and some, such as elderberry and pawpaw, have additional markets for use as medicinals or dietary supplements. We have several examples of other native fruit and nut crops that have been developed from wild plants into economically-viable crops through dedicated research, including pecan (Carya illinoensis), blackberry / raspberry (Rubus sp.), and blueberry (Vaccinium sp.). The successful development of these wild crops into mainstream horticultural crops should serve as a model for successful development of additional native crops. Interest in these five under-developed native crops among present and potential producers is strong, as indicated by the high number of telephone, email, and walk-in inquiries that we receive. Some producers are interested in diversifying their existing operations by adding a single non-traditional crop, while others are interested in planting multiple crops of both traditional and non-traditional horticultural crops. But until these potential new crops are studied thoroughly, and research-based horticultural recommendations are developed, producers are taking substantial risks in planting significant acreages. The needed cultural recommendations as well as improved genotypes that could launch these crops into the mainstream are simply not yet available. Nevertheless, some significant advances have been made with the proposed crops (black walnut, elderberry, hickory, pawpaw, and persimmon) in terms of horticulture, productivity, fruit quality, precocity, and pest and disease resistance. While some of this initial work has been university-based, much has been done by hobbyists.
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
2031219106025%
2111129106025%
1251219106025%
2051199106025%
Knowledge Area
211 - Insects, Mites, and Other Arthropods Affecting Plants; 205 - Plant Management Systems; 203 - Plant Biological Efficiency and Abiotic Stresses Affecting Plants; 125 - Agroforestry;

Subject Of Investigation
1129 - Berries and cane fruits, general/other; 1199 - Deciduous and small fruits, general/other; 1219 - Edible tree nuts, general/other;

Field Of Science
1060 - Biology (whole systems);
Goals / Objectives
The overall objectives for this program are to collect and evaluate the best available germplasm of five under-developed native tree and shrub crops (black walnut, hickory, elderberry, persimmon, pawpaw), to evaluate this germplasm under multiple environmental conditions, to assess and document the pest and disease complex for each species, to develop general horticultural management recommendations for each species (such as pruning and harvest methods), and ultimately to evaluate both the horticultural and economic productivity of each species. Additional objectives and outputs include hosting workshops and Field Days to present the results of this work to current and potential producers, to produce written guidesheets on production of each species, and to submit results of our research for publication in scientific journals.
Project Methods
Black walnut: The largest and most significant study is evaluating the productivity of the best available cultivars for this region. Replicated, randomized blocks of seedling trees, planted in 1993, were grafted to six cultivars (Emma K, Football, Kwik-Krop, Sparrow, Surprise, and Tomboy). Detailed horticultural and economic data are being collected over many years to determine the potential profitability and feasibility of such an enterprise. Elderberry: We are completing a second-generation cultivar evaluation with a goal of identifying and releasing one or more superior cultivars for the Midwest. Hickory: In 1997, 55 'Peruque' pecan seedlings were planted in a 2.3-acre area of the Spring River bottom at the Southwest Center. In 2000, we began grafting a shagbark and shellbark hickory nut cultivar trial onto these pecan seedlings, with grafting nearly completed in 2006. Five shagbark hickory cultivars ('Grainger', 'Porter', 'Walters', 'Weschke', and 'Yoder #1') and two shellbark hickory cultivars ('Selbher' and 'Scholl'), all selected for outstanding nut quality, were grafted with seven replications per cultivar in a completely randomized design. An additional 30 pecan trees there and elsewhere are being used to collect (graft) and observe the best available hickory cultivars of both species (including a few hickory hybrids). Establishment and growth data are being amassed, along with pest and disease incidence pending the onset of nut production, after which detailed production, nut quality, and economic viability data will be documented. Pawpaw: Coordinated pawpaw research orchards have been established at three sites in Missouri (Mt. Vernon, Mountain Grove, New Franklin). The orchards were established in 2001 at New Franklin, and in 2003 at Mt. Vernon and Mountain Grove. Each site has 64 experimental trees surrounded by 36 border trees grafted to additional experimental cultivars (100 trees total per site). Eight of the most promising pawpaw cultivars were selected for the study, based on data from other on-going long-term experiments: Five older, well-known cultivars include 'Sunflower', 'PA-Golden', 'Wells', 'NC-1', and 'Overleese'. Three new cultivars from The Pawpaw Foundation, 'Shenandoah', 'Susquehanna', and '10-32', are also included in the trial. Persimmon: A large American persimmon research orchard (98 trees) has been established at the University of Missouri's Southwest Research Center. A second parallel orchard was established at Missouri State University's State Fruit Experiment Station at Mountain Grove. In addition to a germplasm collection of some 30 superior cultivars for preliminary evaluation, we have a significant cultivar evaluation comprised of 10 of the most promising cultivars for Missouri (Claypool C-100, Claypool H-63A, Claypool I-94, Claypool J-59, Early Golden, Elmo [Claypool A-118], Garretson, Lehman U-20A, Morris Burton, and Szukus). As the trees mature and fruit production begins, horticultural, production, and economic data will be amassed and evaluated.

Progress 02/01/11 to 01/31/16

Outputs
Target Audience:The target audiences forthis work were peer scientists, Extension personnel, andagricultural producers. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Most training opportunities associated with these projects havebeen with undergraduate students. They gained significant hands-on experinece in agricultural productionof these various crops, while learning about research protocols. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Numerous peer-reviewed papers have been published in scientific journals. Results have been presented to Producers at conferences, workshops, and Field Days. A production guide for elderberry has been published. 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 greatest impact from this project, among the five target crops, has been with elderberry. In a relatively short periodof time (10 years), elderberry has moved from a rarely cultivated crop in Missouri and the Midwest to a viable commercial crop. The supply of fresh, de-stemmed elderberries produced cannot presently meet demand. The successful cultivation of elderberry has spawned the development of several dietary supplement products based on elderberry that are now being produced andbottled in Missouri. Likewise, thedemand for these locally produced dietary supplementscannot meet demand. Our efforts to select superior genotypes for Midwest growing conditions, to refine pruning recommendations, to develop an understanding of pest and disease organisms(and how best to manage them), and to understand the composition of the elderberry fruit andhow it is impacted by environmental conditions, have all resulted in moving elderberry from a wild fruit to a serious cultivated crop. We have participated in elderberry workshops annually that are geared toward current andnew producers. For black walnut, we have amassed a tremendous amount of data on the productivity and quality of numerous cultivars, stillto be published. In the last two years, we have obtained advanced selections resulting from a University of Missouri black walnut breeding program. These have been planted and grafted in multiple locations, with the anticipation that these new selections will make a tremendous difference in nut yields andquality, precocity, disease and pest resistance, and ultimately,economic return. For pawpaw, persimmon, and hickory, we continue to collect tree growth, fruit yield, and disease and pest data, some of which has been published.

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2016 Citation: Thomas, Andrew L. and Jordan T. Prindle. 2016 (in press). Grafting Mature Unproductive Black Walnut Trees to Improved Cultivars Demonstrates Horticultural and Economic Feasibility in Missouri, USA. Acta Horticulturae.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Johnson, Mitch C., Andrew L. Thomas, and C. Michael Greenlief. 2015. Impact of Frozen Storage on the Anthocyanin and Polyphenol Contents of American Elderberry Fruit Juice. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 63:5653-5659.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Thomas, Andrew L. 2015. Establishment and Early Development of Improved Nut-producing Hickory Cultivars Grafted to Pecan Rootstocks in Missouri, USA. Acta Horticulturae 1070:137-141.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Thomas, Andrew L., William R. Reid, and Thomas J. Sauer. 2015. Establishment and Early Development of Kanza, Peruque, and other Pecan Cultivars in Northern U.S. Growing Regions. Acta Horticulturae 1070:143-147.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Simonyi, Agnes, Zihong Chen, Jinghua Jiang, Yijia Zong, Dennis Y. Chuang, Zezong Gu, Chi-Hua Lu, Kevin L. Fritsche, C. Michael Greenlief, George E. Rottinghaus, Andrew L. Thomas, Dennis B. Lubahn, and Grace Y. Sun. 2015. Inhibition of Microglial Activation by Elderberry Extracts and its Phenolic Components. Life Sciences 128:30-38.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Levine, Robert A., Kristy M. Richards, Kevin Tran, Rensheng Luo, Andrew L. Thomas, and Robert E. Smith. 2015 Determination of Neurotoxic Acetogenins in Pawpaw (Asimina triloba) Fruit by LC-HRMS. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 63(4):1053-1056.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Thomas, Andrew L., John D. Avery, Jr., Patrick L. Byers, Skip Easter, and Kenneth Hunt. 2015. Ozark Chinkapin Demonstrates Compatibility as a Scion Grafted to Chinese Chestnut Rootstocks: Implications for ex situ Conservation. Native Plants Journal 16(2):117-125.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Wu, Hanzhi, Mitch C. Johnson, Chi-Hua Lu, Kevin L. Fritsche, Andrew L. Thomas, Yongquan Lai, Zongwei Cai, and C. Michael Greenlief. 2015. Peptidomics Study of Anthocyanin-rich Juice of Elderberry. Talanta 131:640-644.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Wu, Hanzhi, Mitch C. Johnson, Chi-Hua Lu, Kevin L. Fritsche, Andrew L. Thomas, Zongwei Cai, and C. Michael Greenlief. 2015. Determination of Anthocyanins and Total Polyphenols in a Variety of Elderberry Juices by UPLC/MS and Other Methods. Acta Horticulturae 1061:43-51.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Thomas, Andrew L., Patrick L. Byers, Sanjun Gu, John D. Avery, Jr., Martin Kaps, Abhinandya Datta, Lakdas Fernando, Paula Grossi, and George E. Rottinghaus. 2015. Occurrence of Polyphenols, Organic Acids, and Sugars among Diverse Elderberry Genotypes Grown in Three Missouri (USA) Locations. Acta Horticulturae 1061:147-154.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Jiang, Jinghua, Yijia Zong, Dennis Y. Chuang, Wei Lei, Chi-Hua Lu, Zezong Gu, Kevin L. Fritsche, Andrew L. Thomas, Dennis B. Lubahn, Agnes Simonyi, and Grace Y. Sun. 2015. Effects of Elderberry Juice from Different Genotypes on Oxidative and Inflammatory Responses in Microglial Cells. Acta Horticulturae 1061:281-288.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Perkins-Veazie, P., A.L. Thomas, P.L. Byers, and C.E. Finn. 2015. Fruit Composition of Elderberry (Sambucus spp.) Genotypes Grown in Oregon and Missouri, USA. Acta Horticulturae 1061:219-224.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Keller, K.E., N.J. Mosier, A.L. Thomas, D.F. Quito-Avila, and R.R. Martin. 2015. Identification of Two New Carlaviruses in Elderberry. Acta Horticulturae 1061:161-164.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Thomas, Andrew L., Patrick L. Byers, John D. Avery, Jr., Martin Kaps, and Sanjun Gu. 2015. Horticultural Performance of Eight American Elderberry Genotypes at Three Missouri Locations. Acta Horticulturae 1061:237-244.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Thomas, Andrew L., Patrick L. Byers, John D. Avery, Jr., Martin Kaps, Sanjun Gu, Hwei-Yiing Johnson, and Marge Millican. 2015. Marge: A European Elderberry for North American Producers. Acta Horticulturae 1061:191-199.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Byers, Patrick L., Andrew L. Thomas, and Manjula P. Nathan. 2015. Effect of Genotype, Environment, Growth Stage, and Foliage Type on American Elderberry Leaf Elemental Status. Acta Horticulturae 1061:183-189.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Sauer, Thomas J., Wayne K. Coblentz, Andrew L. Thomas, Kris R. Brye, David K. Brauer, J. Vaughn Skinner, J. Van Brahana, Sherri L. DeFauw, Phillip D. Hays, David C. Moffitt, James L. Robinson, Travis A. James, and Kevin A. Hickie. 2015. Nutrient Cycling in an Agroforestry Alley Cropping System Receiving Poultry Litter or Nitrogen Fertilizer. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems 101:167-179. DOI 10.1007/s10705-014-9667-0.
  • Type: Books Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Thomas, A.L., D. Charlebois, C.M. Greenlief, P.L.D. Vincent, K. Kaack, P.L. Byers, and M. Kaps (Eds.). 2015. The First International Symposium on Elderberry. Acta Horticulturae 1061. 288 pages. International Society for Horticultural Science.


Progress 10/01/14 to 09/30/15

Outputs
Target Audience:The target audiences for this work include peer scientists and Extension personnel, and agricultural producers. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The main training that has resulted from these projects has been with undergraduate students hired as interns or seasonal employees. These studentshave learned all aspects of horticultural field production (from seed to harvest and processing), as well as research protocols and data collection. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Numerous peer-reviewed papers resulting from these projects have been published in scientific journals. We have also presented results to producers at Field Days, conferences, and workshops. An Elderberry Production Guide was published previously. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?The overall goals remain the same. We need to find supplemental funding to further support these projects.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? The greatest impact from this project, among the five target crops, has been with elderberry. In a realtively short periodof time (10 years), elderberry has moved from a rarely cultivated crop in Missouri and the Midwest to a viable commercial crop. The supply of fresh, de-stemmed elderberries produced cannot presently meet demand. The successful cultivation of elderberry has spawned the development of several dietary supplement products based on elderberry that are now being produced andbottled in Missouri. Likewise, thedemand for these locally produced dietary supplementscannot meet demand. Our efforts to select superior genotypes for Midwest growing conditions, to refine pruning recommendations, to develop an understanding of pest and disease organisms(and how best to manage them), and to understand the composition of the elderberry fruit andhow it is impacted by environmental conditions, have all resulted in moving elderberry from a wild fruit to a serious cultivated crop. We have participated in elderberry workshops annually that are geared toward current andnew producers. For black walnut, we have amassed a tremendous amount of data on the productivity and quality of numerous cultivars, stillto be published. In the last two years, we have obtained advanced selections resulting from a University of Missouri black walnut breeding program. These have been planted and grafted in multiple locations, with the anticipation that these new selections will make a tremendous difference in nut yields andquality, precocity, disease and pest resistance, and ultimately,economic return. For pawpaw, persimmon, and hickory, we continue to collect tree growth, fruit yield, and disease and pest data, some of which has been published.

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Johnson, Mitch C., Andrew L. Thomas, and C. Michael Greenlief. 2015. Impact of Frozen Storage on the Anthocyanin and Polyphenol Contents of American Elderberry Fruit Juice. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 63:5653-5659.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2016 Citation: Thomas, Andrew L. and Jordan T. Prindle. 2015 (in press). Grafting Mature Unproductive Black Walnut Trees to Improved Cultivars Demonstrates Horticultural and Economic Feasibility in Missouri, USA. Acta Horticulturae.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Thomas, Andrew L. 2015. Establishment and Early Development of Improved Nut-producing Hickory Cultivars Grafted to Pecan Rootstocks in Missouri, USA. Acta Horticulturae 1070:137-141.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Thomas, Andrew L., William R. Reid, and Thomas J. Sauer. 2015. Establishment and Early Development of Kanza, Peruque, and other Pecan Cultivars in Northern U.S. Growing Regions. Acta Horticulturae 1070:143-147.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Simonyi, Agnes, Zihong Chen, Jinghua Jiang, Yijia Zong, Dennis Y. Chuang, Zezong Gu, Chi-Hua Lu, Kevin L. Fritsche, C. Michael Greenlief, George E. Rottinghaus, Andrew L. Thomas, Dennis B. Lubahn, and Grace Y. Sun. 2015. Inhibition of Microglial Activation by Elderberry Extracts and its Phenolic Components. Life Sciences 128:30-38.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Levine, Robert A., Kristy M. Richards, Kevin Tran, Rensheng Luo, Andrew L. Thomas, and Robert E. Smith. 2015. Determination of Neurotoxic Acetogenins in Pawpaw (Asimina triloba) Fruit by LC-HRMS. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 63(4):1053-1056.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Thomas, Andrew L., John D. Avery, Jr., Patrick L. Byers, Skip Easter, and Kenneth Hunt. 2015. Ozark Chinkapin Demonstrates Compatibility as a Scion Grafted to Chinese Chestnut Rootstocks: Implications for ex situ Conservation. Native Plants Journal 16(2):117-125.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Wu, Hanzhi, Mitch C. Johnson, Chi-Hua Lu, Kevin L. Fritsche, Andrew L. Thomas, Yongquan Lai, Zongwei Cai, and C. Michael Greenlief. 2015. Peptidomics Study of Anthocyanin-rich Juice of Elderberry. Talanta 131:640-644.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Wu, Hanzhi, Mitch C. Johnson, Chi-Hua Lu, Kevin L. Fritsche, Andrew L. Thomas, Zongwei Cai, and C. Michael Greenlief. 2015. Determination of Anthocyanins and Total Polyphenols in a Variety of Elderberry Juices by UPLC/MS and Other Methods. Acta Horticulturae 1061:43-51.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Thomas, Andrew L., Patrick L. Byers, Sanjun Gu, John D. Avery, Jr., Martin Kaps, Abhinandya Datta, Lakdas Fernando, Paula Grossi, and George E. Rottinghaus. 2015. Occurrence of Polyphenols, Organic Acids, and Sugars among Diverse Elderberry Genotypes Grown in Three Missouri (USA) Locations. Acta Horticulturae 1061:147-154.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Jiang, Jinghua, Yijia Zong, Dennis Y. Chuang, Wei Lei, Chi-Hua Lu, Zezong Gu, Kevin L. Fritsche, Andrew L. Thomas, Dennis B. Lubahn, Agnes Simonyi, and Grace Y. Sun. 2015. Effects of Elderberry Juice from Different Genotypes on Oxidative and Inflammatory Responses in Microglial Cells. Acta Horticulturae 1061:281-288.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Perkins-Veazie, P., A.L. Thomas, P.L. Byers, and C.E. Finn. 2015. Fruit Composition of Elderberry (Sambucus spp.) Genotypes Grown in Oregon and Missouri, USA. Acta Horticulturae 1061:219-224.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Keller, K.E., N.J. Mosier, A.L. Thomas, D.F. Quito-Avila, and R.R. Martin. 2015. Identification of Two New Carlaviruses in Elderberry. Acta Horticulturae 1061:161-164.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Thomas, Andrew L., Patrick L. Byers, John D. Avery, Jr., Martin Kaps, and Sanjun Gu. 2015. Horticultural Performance of Eight American Elderberry Genotypes at Three Missouri Locations. Acta Horticulturae 1061:237-244.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Thomas, Andrew L., Patrick L. Byers, John D. Avery, Jr., Martin Kaps, Sanjun Gu, Hwei-Yiing Johnson, and Marge Millican. 2015. Marge: A European Elderberry for North American Producers. Acta Horticulturae 1061:191-199.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Byers, Patrick L., Andrew L. Thomas, and Manjula P. Nathan. 2015. Effect of Genotype, Environment, Growth Stage, and Foliage Type on American Elderberry Leaf Elemental Status. Acta Horticulturae 1061:183-189.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Sauer, Thomas J., Wayne K. Coblentz, Andrew L. Thomas, Kris R. Brye, David K. Brauer, J. Vaughn Skinner, J. Van Brahana, Sherri L. DeFauw, Phillip D. Hays, David C. Moffitt, James L. Robinson, Travis A. James, and Kevin A. Hickie. 2015. Nutrient Cycling in an Agroforestry Alley Cropping System Receiving Poultry Litter or Nitrogen Fertilizer. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems 101:167-179. DOI 10.1007/s10705-014-9667-0.


Progress 10/01/13 to 09/30/14

Outputs
Target Audience: My projects target local, state-wide, and regional producers of numerous horticultural and nut crops. These include commercial-scale producers, but also some "hobbyist" producers as well as home-owners. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Nothing Reported How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? The main venue for reporting results from this project is via peer-reviewed scineitifc publications. Additional information and results are published as informational (Extension) publications adn made available to producers adn processor of these crops. Project results and dta are also frequently presented at producer workshops, conferences, and Field Days. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? We will continue and expand on-going projects. Numerous specific projects and publications are in various stages of completion and submission. We will continue to search for funding to expand our research efforts.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Excellent progress continued during this time period. In addition to the publications listed, a large numebr of additional scientific publications were written and submitted during the project period that have since been published. The established projects helped to secure significant ancillary funding from NIH, SARE, and othere fundiing partners.

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Reid, W.R. and A.L. Thomas. 2013. Influence of Foliar Fertilization on Foliar Zinc Levels and Nut Production in Black Walnut. In: J.W. Van Sambeek et al. (Eds.) Managing Fine Hardwoods after a Half Century of Research; Proceedings of the Seventh Walnut Council Research Symposium. U.S. Forest Service General Technical Report NRS-P-115:101-105.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Thomas, A.L., P. Perkins-Veazie, P.L. Byers, C.E. Finn, and J. Lee. 2013. A Comparison of Fruit Characteristics among Diverse Elderberry Genotypes Grown in Missouri and Oregon. Journal of Berry Research 3(3):159-168.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Chuang, D.Y., J. Cui, A. Simonyi, V.A. Engel, S. Chen, K.L. Fritsche, A.L. Thomas, W.L. Applequist, W.R. Folk, D.B. Lubahn, A.Y. Sun, G.Y. Sun, and Z. Gu. 2014. Dietary Sutherlandia and Elderberry Mitigate Cerebral Ischemia-induced Neuronal Damage and Attenuate p47phox and Phospho-ERK1/2 Expression in Microglial Cells. ASN Neuro 6(6):1 14; 1759091414554946. DOI: 10.1177/1759091414554946.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Richards, K.M., K. Tran, R.A. Levine, R. Luo, J.G.S. Maia, A.A.U. Sabaa-Srur, M.I.S. Maciel, E. de A. Melo, M.R. de Moraes, H.T. Godoy, M.A. Chaves, C.K. do Sacramento, A.L. Thomas, D. Monroe, and R.E. Smith. 2014. Improved Extraction of Soluble Solids from Some Brazilian and North American Fruits. The Natural Products Journal 4:201-210.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Byers, P.L., A.L. Thomas, M.M. Cernusca, L.D. Godsey, and M.A. Gold. 2014 (revision). Growing and Marketing Elderberries in Missouri (12 pages). Agroforestry in Action Publication # AF1016-2014. University of Missouri Center for Agroforestry.


Progress 01/01/13 to 09/30/13

Outputs
Target Audience: The target audiences for these projects are beginning farmers as well as established growers of fruits, vegetables, and nuts. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Nothing Reported How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Scientific publications, grower guidesheets, and public presentations. The First International Symposium on Elderberry (June 2013) provided research dissemination and interactions among scientists, producers, and processorsfrom 13 countries. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? We will continue current studies and maintain them for long-term production data. A number of new studies on elderberry are planned for 2014 and beyond. Additionally, we will work to publish a back-log of data and reports that will disseminate our study results to various audiences.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? All projects are long-term and on-going. The black walnut trees are now entering full production with excellent results and data being generated. In 2013, a record harvest was experienced. Theresults are permitting us to refine recommendations to current and potential producers, especially in terms of cultivars to use. The elderberry industry in Missouri and the Midwest continue to experiencetremendous growth in terms of both producers and processors. Consumers are also taking notice of the excellent research being generated on animal health benefits of elderberry consumption. Studies on elderberry pests (mites and viruses) have advanced our knowledge and potential management strategies. InJune 2013, a major International Elderberry Symposium washeld in Columbia, Missouri, that not only brought together scientists from around the world, but also producers and processors. Scientific presentations, exhibits, field trips, and tremendous interactionsbenefited all participants.

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Thomas, A.L., P. Perkins-Veazie, P.L. Byers, C.E. Finn, and J. Lee. 2013. A Comparison of Fruit Characteristics among Diverse Elderberry Genotypes Grown in Missouri and Oregon. Journal of Berry Research 3(3):159-168.


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

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Most of my research projects are very long-term, as they deal with tree crops and perennial fruit and berry crops. Tree / plant growth, health, and yields are documented annually. In 2012, we harvested 4 tons of black walnuts and also conducted our first pecan harvest. Numerous projects on elderberry and other crops are on-going. A significant output was the publication of a definitive Growers Guide for Elderberry (listed below) based on years of experience and published research. PARTICIPANTS: University of Missouri Center for Agroforestry ( Mike Gold, Mark Coggeshall, Larry Godsey, Ina Cernusca); University of Missouri Extension (Patrick Byers, Jay Chism); University of Missouri Department of Biochemistry (Dennis Lubahn, William Folk, Grace Sun, et al); Missouri State University - State Fruit Experiment Station (Martin Kaps, John Avery); USDA Horticultural Crops Research Laboratory (Chad Finn, Bob Martin, Kim Hummer); Lincoln University (Sanjun Gu, Hwei-Yiing Johnson, Jaime Pinero, Shon Bishop); Kansas State University (Bill Reid); USDA National Soil Tilth Laboratory (Tom Sauer); University of Arkansas (Elena Garcia, Dirk Philip, Christopher Brye, Van Brahana); Horticulture Research and Development Center - Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (Denis Charlebois); USDA - Dale Bumpers Small Farm Research Center (David Brauer, David Burner); Missouri Botanical Garden (Wendy Applequist). TARGET AUDIENCES: We work with dozens of producers, both established and beginning. Some producers are simply growing raw products (berries, nuts, etc.) while othera are also engaged in developing "value-added" products. We also participate in frequent Field Days and other outreach events where we update producers on the latest information and results. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.

Impacts
Probably the research area with the most tangible current impact is my long-term program on elderberry. What started out as a minor evaluation of the potential of elderberry (a native Missouri shrub) as a viable berry crop some 15 years ago has grown into a very significant program and "movement" with dozens of producers and processors now active throughout Missouri and the Midwest. This program was also critical to the receipt of the current $7.7 million NIH grant to fund MU's Center for Botanical Interaction Studies. Further, the program will be culminating in the hosting of the First International Symposium on Elderberry to be held in Missouri in June, 2013. The Symposium is being organized under the auspices of the International Society for Horticultural Sciences and will bring together elderberry researchers from around the world who are conducting all aspects of elderberry research. I am both the Convener of the Symposium and Editor of the resulting volume of Acta Horticultura. This stand-alone volume of peer-reviewed scientific papers on elderberry will from the foundation for elderberry research, development, and advancement as a food and medicinal crop for years to come.

Publications

  • Reid, William R. and Andrew L. Thomas. 2012 (in press). Influence of Foliar Fertilization on Foliar Zinc Levels and Nut Production in Black Walnut. Proceedings of the 7th Walnut Council Research Symposium.
  • Byers, P.L., A.L. Thomas, M.M. Cernusca, L.D. Godsey, and M.A. Gold. 2012. Growing and Marketing Elderberries in Missouri (12 pages). Agroforestry in Action Publication # AF1016-2012. University of Missouri Center for Agroforestry.