IMPROVED DISEASE-RESISTANT SEEDLESS MUSCADINE GRAPE CULTIVARS UTILIZING CONSUMER-FRIENDLY GENETIC MODIFICATION TECHNOLOGIES

• Sponsoring Institution: Agricultural Research Service/USDA
• Project Status: ACTIVE
• Funding Source: USDA INHOUSE
• Reporting Frequency: Annual
• Accession No.: 0422520
• Project Start Date: Oct 1, 2011
• Project End Date: Sep 30, 2016
• Program Code: [(N/A)]- (N/A)

Recipient Organization
AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH SERVICE
(N/A)
POPLARVILLE,MS 39470

Performing Department
(N/A)

Non Technical Summary
(N/A)

Animal Health Component

50%

Research Effort Categories

Basic

50%

Applied

50%

Developmental

0%

Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)	Subject of Investigation (SOI)	Field of Science (FOS)	Percent
201	1139	1080	100%

Knowledge Area
201 - Plant Genome, Genetics, and Genetic Mechanisms;

Subject Of Investigation
1139 - Grapes, general/other;

Field Of Science
1080 - Genetics;

Keywords

muscadine

grape

seedless

fruit

disease

resistance

marketing

national

institute

of

food

and

agriculture

(nifa)

agriculture

and

food

research

initiative

(afri)

specialty

crops

research

initiative

Goals / Objectives
The goal of this program is to modify quality attributes of muscadine grape (Vitis rotundifolia Micx. and hybrids) in order to broaden its consumer acceptance, thus increasing production and markets. The primary objective is to add the seedless trait to target cultivars. The secondary objective is to increase resistance to fungal diseases that plague certain important cultivars, leading to poor shelf life.

Project Methods
Use genetic engineering to create seedless, rot resistant cultivars and extend the information to growers, wholesalers and retailers.

Progress 10/01/12 to 09/30/13

Outputs
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416): The goal of this program is to modify quality attributes of muscadine grape (Vitis rotundifolia Micx. and hybrids) in order to broaden its consumer acceptance, thus increasing production and markets. The primary objective is to add the seedless trait to target cultivars. The secondary objective is to increase resistance to fungal diseases that plague certain important cultivars, leading to poor shelf life. Approach (from AD-416): Use genetic engineering to create seedless, rot resistant cultivars and extend the information to growers, wholesalers and retailers. Constructs of the two muscadine grape cultivars Alachua� and �Delicious� that contain genes for improved disease resistance and for seedlessness were obtained from the University of Florida. 10 plants each of controls (cultivars) and their genetically modified constructs were established in June at the USDA-ARS blueberry research farm at Stone County, MS. Plot maps were prepared and initial data have been collected on plant characteristics including plant growth and disease ratings.

Impacts
(N/A)

Publications

Progress 10/01/11 to 09/30/12

Outputs
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416): The goal of this program is to modify quality attributes of muscadine grape (Vitis rotundifolia Micx. and hybrids) in order to broaden its consumer acceptance, thus increasing production and markets. The primary objective is to add the seedless trait to target cultivars. The secondary objective is to increase resistance to fungal diseases that plague certain important cultivars, leading to poor shelf life. Approach (from AD-416): Use genetic engineering to create seedless, rot resistant cultivars and extend the information to growers, wholesalers and retailers. ARS scientists have established the vineyard; (erected trellises, dug irrigation system, etc.) for establishing plantings of the experimental muscadine grape. Awaiting the muscandine plant materials from cooperator.

Impacts
(N/A)

Publications