Progress 08/12/13 to 07/31/18
Outputs
Target Audience:Target audience includes research scientists and extension professionals as well as cranberry and blueberry industry, growers, and processors. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?This project provided laboratory and field experience training for several undergraduate students, two graduate students, two postdoctoral associates, and technical staff. Specifically, students were trained in planning and making crosses in the greenhouse; evaluating plant traits in the field, i.e. fruit quality, percent rot, and yield estimates; fruit sample prep, HPLC analysis, DNA extraction, and SSR, GBS and QTL analysis in the lab; data analysis,preparation of journal publications, posters and presentations at scientific meetings. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Research results and implications were presented at scientific meetings including North American Plant Breeders Meeting (Aug 2017 & 2018), North American Cranberry Research and Extension Workers Conf. (Aug 2013, 2015 & 2017), North American Blueberry Research and Extension Workers Conf. (July 2014), Plant & Animal Genome Conf. (Jan 2016 & 2018), International Vaccinium Symposium (Apr 2016), American Society for Horticultural Science Annual Meeting (Sep 2016), American Society for Horticultural Science - Northeast Region (January 2014 & 2015), International Sympiosis Congress (July 2015), American Chemical Society (August 2013 & 2015), and American Phytopathological Society (2013). In an effort to educate growers and extension personnel, presentations were made to several hundred growers at Meetings and Field Days in New Jersey, Wisconsin, Oregon, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, and British Columbia. Outreach activities included providing cultivar information to numerous blueberry and/or cranberry growers in NJ, MA, WI, OR, WA, including Atlantic Blueberry Co., Variety Farms, Pine Island Cranberry Co., Makepeace Cranberry, Cutler Cranberry, Lee Brothers, J.J. White, and Integrity Propagation. Tours were provided to primary school students and their teachers to learn about cranberry and blueberry production, IPM, the impact of fruit rot, and plant breeding. We also had several visits from New Jersey City University students to learn about agricultural research, cranberry and blueberry production, and Pinelands ecosystems. To reach a broader audience, presentations were given at Rutgers Ag Field Day (Apr 2016 & 2018), US Highbush Blueberry Council Annual Meeting (Oct 2016), Rutgers 250 Breeding Celebration and Luncheon (Nov 2016), and Cranberry Harvest Kickoff at Whitesbog, NJ (Sept 2014). What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Impact Statement - Farming of native berry crops, e.g., cranberry and blueberry, provides a significant contribution to NJ and US economies. Thus it is critical to provide blueberry and cranberry growers with varieties that are better suited to current and emerging challenges, both socioeconomic and environmental, enabling the economic sustainability of these crops. Our research is focused on developing these improved varieties. In the past five years, progress has been made in numerous areas, including: Blueberry breeding - Thousands of progeny from our crosses were evaluated in the field and promising selections were planted in replicated trials. The best of these were then harvested with a mechanical picker, and several selections were identified which show improved machine-harvestability traits. Machine harvest of blueberries is increasingly important due to labor shortages and high cost of hand labor. Cranberry breeding - Numerous crosses were made for resistance to fruit rot, with the progeny evaluated under severe disease pressure. Advanced fruit rot-resistant selections were established in three diverse growing areas, NJ, WI and BC trials. The performance of these selections under minimal fungicide inputs will allow us to evaluate them for potential release. Genetic resistance to fruit rot will allow for reduced and/or alternative fungicide applications, reducing costs for grower, environmental impacts, and human health concerns. The latest breeding crosses should result in varieties with further enhancements in disease resistance, fruit quality and fruit chemistry. A better understanding of genetic and environmental factors influencing phytochemicals, associated with human health, has provided guidance to our breeding program. Varieties with enhanced phytochemical levels will improve plant performance, and lead to berry products with improved nutritional aspects. Objective 1 - Develop blueberry cultivars. In 2013 through 2018, 195 blueberry crosses were made: 14 crosses for aphid resistance, several for genetic studies, and the remaining crosses for machine harvestability and extended season. Over 8,600 progeny are currently being evaluated in the field. Parents include the best progeny from 2000-2005 crosses, as well as Duke, O'Neal, Sierra, and Legacy. For improving machine harvestability, progeny were screened for uniform fruit ripening, small fruit scar, good fruit firmness, and ease of disarticulation. After 4-5 years of evaluations, the best progeny were selected for further evaluation. The 30 best selections, 15 plants of each, were then planted in a trial which was harvested with a mechanized harvester to test their suitability for machine harvest. One selection showed exceptional promise and is being considered for release. It had good yield, minimal fruit left on the plant or ground, uniform ripening, and a high percentage of high quality fruit at harvest and 10 days post-harvest. Replicated trials of advanced selections were also planted and evaluated yearly at the Rutgers University PE Marucci Center. In 2010-2013, crosses were made to introgress aphid resistance found in V. darrowii into tetraploid highbush blueberry. These interspecific populations will continue to be screened for aphid resistance. Another critical trait for new commercial highbush blueberry cultivars is self-fruitfulness, because in large production fields flowers are primarily self-pollinated. We evaluated new cultivars and selections for self-fertility in greenhouse trials and differences were found, specifically in fruit set, fruit size and days until ripe, traits which can all impact yield potential. A population of 300 individuals which should segregate for self-fertility has been developed to allow for identification of genetic markers for this trait. Objective 2 - Develop cranberry cultivars. In 2013-18, 639 cranberry crosses were made including the next generation of crosses for improved fruit rot resistance (FRR), yield, fruit chemistry traits and other genetic studies. Climatic conditions in New Jersey subject the cranberry to severe fruit rot pressure, making it the most suitable site for FRR breeding. At the Marucci Center, a screen of our germplasm collection (600 accessions) for FRR identified four resistance genotypes. Our initial set of 50 FRR crosses (1642 progeny) was evaluated in field plots in 2011-2013 and progeny were identified with both good yield and FRR, indicating introgression of resistance into higher yielding genetic background is possible. The most resistant progeny had a 3-yr mean of only 16% rot, compared to 87% rotten fruit in Stevens, the industry standard. These selections are being considered for varietal release and were evaluated in large, replicated plots under reduced fungicide regimes in 2018. Over 150 additional crosses have been made amongst the best selections to combine resistance types, and further improve resistance, yield, fruit quality and chemistry, and we have begun identifying promising progeny. A 2016 trial is unique in its scope because it includes a large family of 219 progeny, replicated four times. This trial is an important asset for phenotypic and genotypic analyses of traits such as FRR, organic acid and flavonoid composition. In 2017 and 2018, new progeny evaluation trials were planted, 1700 progeny from 37 FRR crosses, some between FRR selections and plants with unique fruit chemistry, and additional crosses for yield and fruit quality utilizing selections with Pilgrim parentage, in an effort to broaden our genetic background. Fruit samples (1 ft2) were harvested yearly from over 500 plots to determine yield, fruit size, percent rot, and fruit chemistry traits. Trials of our advanced selections planted at cranberry growers in WA, OR, WI, BC, and Quebec were also evaluated yearly and samples harvested. Recent genomic work includes the use of genotyping by sequencing (GBS) to generate single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers for development of high-density genetic maps and quantitative trait locus (QTL) analyses. Nineteen QTL associated with FRR, distributed on nine linkage groups, were discovered in our populations. Three of these QTL matched previously reported fruit rot resistance QTL. Four newly reported QTL, which explain between 21 and 33% of the phenotypic variance for fruit rot, are of particular interest to our breeding program. These QTL have the potential to expedite screening for FRR and cultivar development. In collaboration with the Polashock and Zalapa labs, progress has been made on developing the cranberry reference genome and fine mapping QTL for discovery of genes controlling organic acids, phytonutrients, and other fruit quality traits. Objective 3 - Flavonoid Profiles. In blueberry, considerable inter- and intraspecific variation was found among accessions in flavonoid and organic acid levels, offering the potential to develop cultivars with unique flavonoid profiles. Crosses were made among interspecific F1 hybrid blueberry plants (V. darrowi x V. corymbosum) to generate large pseudo F2 populations for genetic analysis of fruit anthocyanins, flavonol and organic acids. In cranberry, total anthocyanin (TAcy), proanthocyanidin, Brix (soluble solids), titratable acidity, and organic acid levels were evaluated in breeding populations in NJ, and in advanced selections from trials in NJ, WI, WA and OR. Cranberry accessions were also screened for flavonol content and significant genetic variation was found, but flavonol appears to be less variable than proanthocyanidins or anthocyanins. TAcy is a major fruit quality component, but now with sweetened-dried-cranberries, which account for the major share of the cranberry market, the optimal TAcy is within a narrow range. Samples were also collected from several cranberry breeding populations for analysis of four organic acids. Simple sequence repeats (SSRs) were used for mapping populations segregating for organic acids.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Schlautman B, L Diaz-Garcia, G Covarrubias-Pazaran, N Schlautman, N Vorsa, J Polashock, EL Ogden, A Brown, Y Lin, N Bassil, EJ Buck, C Wiedow, S McCallum, J Graham, M Iorizzo, LJ Rowland, J Zalapa. 2018. Comparative genetic mapping reveals synteny and collinearity between the American cranberry and diploid blueberry genomes. Mol Breeding 38: 9
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Awaiting Publication
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Wang Y, SK Fong, AP Singh, J Johnson-Cicalese, N Vorsa. 2019. Variation of Anthocyanins, Proanthocyanidins, Flavonols and Organic Acids in Cultivated and Wild Diploid Blueberry Species. HortScience: accepted.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Wang Y, Johnson-Cicalese J, Singh AP, Vorsa N. 2017. Characterization and quantification of flavonoids and organic acids over fruit development in American cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) cultivars using HPLC and APCI-MS/MS. Plant Sci. 262:91-102.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Fong, S, J Kawash, J Johnson-Cicalese, J Polashock, N Vorsa. 2018. Characterization and Molecular Mapping of a Low Citric Acid Trait in Cranberry Fruit. Plant & Animal Genome, Jan. 2018, San Diego, CA
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Fong, S, Y Wang, J Johnson-Cicalese, N Vorsa. 2018. Assessment of Genetic and Environmental Variation for Flavonols in American Cranberry. North American Plant Breeders Meeting, Gulph, Aug 7-10.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Kawash, J, S Fong, J Johnson-Cicalese, J Polashock, N Vorsa. 2018. GBS Mapping of Loci Impacting Malic and Citric Acid Content in Cranberry Fruit. North American Plant Breeders Meeting, Gulph, Aug 7-10.
|
Progress 10/01/16 to 09/30/17
Outputs
Target Audience:Target audience includes research scientists and extension professionals as well as cranberry and blueberry industry, growers, and processors. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?This project provided laboratory and field experience training for several undergraduate students, a graduate student, postdoctoral associate, and technical staff. Specifically, students were trained in making crosses in the greenhouse; evaluating plant traits in the field, i.e. fruit quality, percent rot, and yield estimates; fruit sample prep, HPLC analysis, DNA extraction, and SSR analysis in the lab; data analysis,poster preparation of journal publications, posters and presentations at scientific meetings. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Research results and implications were presented at scientific meetings including North American Plant Breeders Meeting (Aug 2017), North American Cranberry Research and Extension Workers Conf. (Aug 2017), and American Society for Horticultural Science Annual Meeting (Sep 2016). In an effort to educate growers and extension personnel, presentations were made to over a hundred growers at Meetings and Field Days in New Jersey and Wisconsin. Outreach activities included providing cultivar information to numerous blueberry and/or cranberry growers in NJ, MA, WI, OR, WA, including Atlantic Blueberry Co., Variety Farms, Pine Island Cranberry Co., Makepeace Cranberry, Cutler Cranberry, Lee Brothers, J.J. White, and Integrity Propagation. Tours were provided to primary school students and their teachers to learn about cranberry and blueberry production, IPM, the impact of fruit rot, and plant breeding. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?In 2018, we will continue working on our blueberry and cranberry breeding objectives including the evaluation of: 1) advanced selections from previous breeding and selection cycles and 2) most recent breeding populations. Analyses will include: 1) horticultural traits, e.g., yield, fruit quality, etc., 2) fruit chemistry, e.g., soluble solids (brix), titratable acidity (TA), flavonoids, and organic acids. Crosses will be made in the greenhouse in early spring, seedlings from last year's crosses will be grown out, and previous year's progeny will be field planted for evaluation. Progeny evaluation trials, advanced selection blocks, and grower trials (in NJ, OR, WI, BC and QC) will be evaluated throughout the growing season and fruit samples harvested. Promising selections will be propagated for establishment of future replicated trials. Laboratory evaluation of fruit chemistry and flavonoid profiles will be conducted. Cranberry progeny will be screened for fruit rot resistance. Genetic mapping work and identification of QTL will continue.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Impact Statement - Farming of native berry crops, e.g., cranberry and blueberry, provides a significant contribution to NJ and US economies. Thus it is critical to provide blueberry and cranberry growers with varieties that are better suited to current and emerging challenges, both socioeconomic and environmental, enabling the economic sustainability of these crops. Our research is focused on developing these improved varieties. In the past year, progress has been made in numerous areas, including: Blueberry breeding - A number of advanced selections were mechanically harvested for the first time in July 2017, and promising selections were identified which show improved machine-harvestability traits. Machine harvest of blueberries is increasingly important due to labor shortages and high cost of hand labor. Cranberry breeding - Advanced selections with resistance to fruit rot disease have been established in three diverse growing areas, NJ, WI and BC trials. The performance of these selections under minimal fungicide inputs will allow us to evaluate them for potential release. Genetic resistance to fruit rot will allow for reduced and/or alternative fungicide applications, reducing costs for grower, environmental impacts, and human health concerns. The latest breeding crosses should result in varieties with enhanced disease resistance. A better understanding of genetic and environmental factors influencing phytochemicals, associated with human health, has provided guidance to our breeding program. Varieties with enhanced phytochemical levels will improve plant performance, and lead to berry products with improved nutritional aspects. Objective 1 - Develop blueberry cultivars. In 2017, 32 crosses were made among advanced blueberry selections with desirable machine harvestability traits (firm berry with small dry scar, uniform ripening, and ease of disarticulation), and either early or late season of ripening. Seedlings from previous year's crosses were prepared for planting in the field in spring 2018. A trial of 30 advanced selections planted in 2013 at a cooperating farm, Hammonton, NJ, in rows of 15 plants, was mechanically harvested for the first time in 2017 and run through a fruit sorter. One selection showed exceptional promise, having good yield, minimal fruit left on the plant or ground, uniform ripening, a high percentage of high quality fruit at harvest and 10 days in post-harvest storage. A number of other selections also showed improved machine-harvestability traits and will be evaluated further. New blueberry cultivars and advanced selections were evaluated for self-fertility (self-fruitfulness), an important trait in large production fields, where flowers are primarily self-pollinated. Differences were found in self-fertility, which impacts yield potential under NJ conditions, i.e., in large plantings. A replicated planting at Marucci Center, Chatsworth, NJ of 200 advanced selections were evaluated for early and late season, machine harvestability, and fruit quality traits. A final evaluation was made of over 300 advanced selections and 2600 progeny at Atlantic Blueberry Co., and plants of interest were propagated. Objective 2 - Develop cranberry cultivars. In 2017, 244 cranberry crosses were made including the next generation of crosses for fruit chemistry traits, improved fruit rot resistance (FRR), improved yield, and other genetic studies. In June 2017, a progeny evaluation trial was planted at Chatsworth, NJ, consisting of 969 plots from 17 crosses combining fruit rot resistance backgrounds. The 2016 progeny trial was maintained for rapid establishment. This trial is unique in its scope because it includes a large family of 219 progeny that are replicated four times. Once established, it will be an important asset for phenotypic and genetic (SSR and GBS) analyses of traits such as FRR, and organic acid and flavonoid composition. Fungicides were withheld for a second year from a 2012 planting of progenies of 26 FRR crosses to screen for FRR. Plots were subjected to severe fruit rot pressure in 2017 and the 1600 progeny were rated for fruit rot and yield in September. Fruit samples (ft2) were harvested from select plots to determine percent rotted fruit and yield and fruit quality traits (Tacy, soluble solids, titratable acidity). Families segregated for FRR and yield, and a few progeny showed consistent promising results. Additional progeny, advanced selections and germplasm accessions were also evaluated, and fruit samples were harvested from over 500 plots in September and October 2017 to determine yield, fruit size, percent rot, and fruit chemistry traits (total anthocyanin, soluble solids, titratable acidity and proanthocyanidin). Trials of our advanced selections planted at cranberry growers in Washington, Oregon, Wisconsin, British Columbia, and Quebec were evaluated and samples harvested for yield and fruit quality traits. Genotyping by Sequencing (GBS) identified SNP markers and a number of putative QTLs from different sources of FRR. FRR QTLs will facilitate future breeding efforts for fruit rot resistance. Objective 3 - Flavonoid Profiles. Anthocyanin, proanthocyanidin and organic acid levels were evaluated in advanced cranberry selections from trials in NJ, WI, WA and OR. Samples were also collected from several breeding populations and are being evaluated for four organic acids. Simple sequence repeats (SSRs) were used for mapping populations segregating for organic acids. GBS identified loci (chromosomal locations) associated with specific phenotypes (i.e. those with desired phytonutrients or low organic acids). We are continuing to develop the cranberry reference genome and fine map QTL for discovery of genes controlling organic acids, phytonutrients, and other fruit quality traits. Analysis of our blueberry germplasm accessions, including multiple blueberry species, for organic acids and flavonoids, revealed that Vaccinium darrowii has unique organic acid profiles. Thus interspecific plants (V. darrowii x V. corymbosum) where used in crosses in 2016 and progeny from these F2 populations were potted up for fruit production and organic acid analysis.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Schlautman B., Covarrubias-Pazaran G., Diaz-Garcia L., Iorizzo M., Polashock J., Grygleski E., Vorsa N. and Zalapa J. 2017. Construction of a high-density American cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon Ait.) composite map using genotyping-by-sequencing for multi-pedigree linkage mapping. G3 7:1177-1189.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Daverdin, G., J Johnson-Cicalese, J Zalapa, N Vorsa, J Polashock. 2017. Identification and mapping of fruit rot resistance QTL in American cranberry using GBS. Mol Breeding 37:38 DOI 10.1007/s11032-017-0639-3
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Daverdin, G., J Johnson-Cicalese, J Zalapa, N Vorsa, J Polashock. 2017. Identification and mapping of fruit rot resistance QTL in American cranberry using GBS. North American Cranberry Research and Extension Workers Conf., Plymouth, MA, Aug 27-30.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Vorsa, N, J Johnson-Cicalese, K Patten, C Bouska, R Donaldson. 2017. Performance of Welker, Haines and other advanced selections in regional trials. North American Cranberry Research and Extension Workers Conf., Plymouth, MA, Aug 27-30.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Vorsa, N, B Schlautman, G Covarrubias-Pazaran, L Diaz-Garcia, J Polashock, J Johnson-Cicalese, G Daverdin, J Zalapa. Genomic regions associated with agronomic traits, fruit quality and disease resistance in the American cranberry. North American Plant Breeders Meeting, Davis, CA, Aug 7-10.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Fong, S, Y Wang, J Johnson-Cicalese, N Vorsa. Loci impacting malic and citric acid content in cranberry fruit. North American Plant Breeders Meeting, Davis, CA, Aug 7-10.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Fong, S, Y Wang, J Johnson-Cicalese, N Vorsa. Pucker Down! Breeding for Lower Acidity in Cranberry Fruit. ASHS Annual Meeting, Waikoloa, HI, Sept 19-22.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Wang Y., Singh, A.P., Nelson, H.N., Kaiser A.J., Reker N.C., Hooks T.L., Wilson T, and Vorsa N. Urinary clearance of cranberry flavonol glycosides in humans. 2016. J Agric. Food Chem. http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acs.jafc.6b03611.
|
Progress 10/01/15 to 09/30/16
Outputs
Target Audience:Target audience includes research scientists and extension professionals as well as cranberry and blueberry industry, growers, and processors. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?This project provided laboratory and field experience training for several undergraduate students, two graduate students, one postdoctoral associate, and technical staff. Specifically, students were trained in making crosses in the greenhouse; evaluating plant traits in the field, i.e. fruit quality, percent rot, and yield estimates; fruit sample prep, HPLC analysis, DNA extraction, and SSR analysis in the lab; and poster preparation and presentation at scientific meetings. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Research results and implications were presented at scientific meetings including Plant & Animal Genome (Jan 2016), and Internat. Vaccinium Symposium (Apr 2016). In an effort to educate growers and extension personnel, presentations were made to several hundred growers at Meetings and Field Days in New Jersey, Wisconsin, Prince Edward Island, and British Columbia. Outreach activities included providing cultivar information to numerous blueberry and/or cranberry growers in NJ, MA, WI, OR, WA, including Atlantic Blueberry Co., Variety Farms, Pine Island Cranberry Co., Makepeace Cranberry, Cutler Cranberry, Lee Brothers, J.J. White, and Integrity Propagation. Tours were regularly provided to primary school students and their teachers to learn about cranberry and blueberry production, IPM, the impact of fruit rot, and plant breeding. Two visits from New Jersey City University students to learn about agricultural research, cranberry and blueberry production, and Pinelands ecosystems. In addition, presentations were given at Rutgers Ag Field Day (Apr 30), US Highbush Blueberry Council Annual Meeting (Oct 4), Rutgers 250 Breeding Celebration and Luncheon (Nov 4). What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?In 2017, we will continue working on our blueberry and cranberry breeding objectives including the evaluation of: 1) advanced selections from previous breeding and selection cycles and 2) most recent breeding populations. Crosses will be made in the greenhouse in early spring, seedlings from last year's crosses will be grown out, and previous year's progeny will be field planted for evaluation. Progeny evaluation trials, advanced selection blocks, and grower trials (in NJ, OR, WI, BC and QC) will be evaluated throughout the growing season and fruit samples harvested. Promising selections will be propagated for establishment of future replicated trials. Laboratory evaluation of fruit chemistry and flavonoid profiles will be conducted. Cranberry progeny will be screened for fruit rot resistance. Genetic mapping work and identification of QTL will continue.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Impact Statement - Farming of native berry crops is a major economic force in NJ and US, thus it is critical to provide blueberry and cranberry growers with varieties that are better adapted to current and emerging challenges, enabling the economic and environmental sustainability of these crops. Our research is focused on developing these improved varieties. In the past year, progress has been made in numerous areas, including: Blueberry breeding - After evaluation in larger plantings for the first time in 2016, promising selections have been identified which show improved machine-harvestability traits. Machine harvest of blueberries is increasingly important due to labor shortages and costs. An evaluation of the most recently released cultivars, for their self-fruitfulness and suitability to NJ blueberry culture, was provided to blueberry growers. Cranberry breeding - Promising new selections with resistance to fruit rot disease havebeen established in NJ, WI and BC, three diverse growing areas. The performance of these selections under minimal fungicide inputs will allow us to evaluate them for potential release. Genetic resistance to fruit rot will allow for reduced and/or alternative fungicide applications, reducing costs for grower, environmental impacts, and human health concerns. The latest breeding crosses should enhance disease resistance. We have obtained a better understanding of genetic and environmental variability of plant phytochemicals and will utilize this knowledge in our breeding program. Varieties with enhanced phytochemical levels will improve plant performance, and lead to berry products with improved nutritional aspects. Objective 1 - Develop blueberry cultivars. In 2016, 21 crosses were made for both genetic studies and cultivar development, including crosses among interspecific F1 hybrid plants (V. darrowi x V. corymbosum) to get large pseudo F2 populations for organic acid analysis. Crosses were also made to develop populations that will segregate for self-fertility and albino fruit, in an effort to find genetic markers for these traits. Ten new blueberry cultivars from various breeding programs, e.g. Cargo, Blue Ribbon, Liberty, were evaluated for self-fertility, an important trait in large production fields, where flowers are primarily self-pollinated. Differences were found in self-fertility, which may impact yield potential under NJ conditions, i.e., in large plantings. Seedlings from 2013 and 2014 crosses were repotted for planting in the field at Atlantic Blueberry Co., Hammonton, NJ in spring 2017. A replicated planting at Marucci Center, Chatsworth, NJ of 200 advanced selections, a replicated machine-harvest trial, and over 500 advanced selections at Atlantic Blueberry Co. were evaluated for early and late season, machine harvestability, and fruit quality traits. Objective 2 - Develop cranberry cultivars. In 2016, 52 cranberry crosses were made; including the next generation of crosses for improved fruit rot resistance (FRR), fruit chemistry traits, improved yield, and other genetic studies. In June, a progeny evaluation trial was planted at Chatsworth, NJ, consisting of 1188 plots from six crosses combining fruit rot resistance types. This trial is unique in its scope because it includes a large family of 219 progeny that are replicated four times. Once established, it will be an important asset for phenotypic and genomic (SSR and GBS) analyses of traits such as FRR, organic acid and flavonoid composition. Fungicides were withheld from a 2012 planting of 26 fruit rot-resistant crosses in order to screen for resistance. Severe disease pressure occurred and the 1600 progeny were rated for fruit rot and yield in September, and sq. ft. fruit samples were harvested from select plots to determine percent rotted fruit and yield. Families segregated for FRR and yield, and a few promising progeny were identified. Additional progeny, advanced selections and germplasm accessions were also evaluated and fruit samples were harvested from over 500 plots in September and October to determine yield, fruit size, percent rot, and fruit chemistry traits (total anthocyanin, soluble solids, titratable acidity and proanthocyanidin). Trials of our advanced selections planted at cranberry growers in Washington, Oregon, Wisconsin, British Columbia, and Quebec were evaluated and samples harvested for yield and fruit quality traits. A new replicated trial was planted in Delta, BC in May 2016 of our top FRR selections, similar to the 2015 NJ trial. Potentially one of these FRR selections will be released. Simple sequence repeats (SSRs) were used for mapping populations segregating for organic acids. Genotyping by Sequencing (GBS) identified SNPs and a number of putative QTLs associated with FRR and organic acids. Objective 3 - Flavonoid Profiles. Anthocyanin, proanthocyanidin and organic acid levels were evaluated in advanced cranberry selections from trials in NJ, WI, WA and OR. Samples were also collected from several breeding populations and are being evaluated for four organic acids. Fruit were collected from many of our blueberry germplasm accessions, including multiple blueberry species, and from our breeding populations for organic acid and flavonoid analysis. Vaccinium darrowii has unique organic acid profiles, thus interspecific plants (V. darrowii x V. corymbosum) where used in crosses in 2016 to get large F2 populations for organic acid analysis.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Covarrubias-Pazaran, G., Diaz-Garcia, L., Schlautman, B., Deutsch, J., Salazar, W., Hernandez-Ochoa, M., Grygleski, E., Steffan, S., Iorizzo, M., Polashock, J. and Vorsa, N., 2016. Exploiting genotyping by sequencing to characterize the genomic structure of the American cranberry through high-density linkage mapping. BMC genomics, 17(1), p.1
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Wang Y, AP Singh, W Hurst, J Glinski, H Koo, N Vorsa. 2016. Influence of degree-of-polymerization and linkage on the quantification of proanthocyanidins using 4-dimethylaminocinamaldehyde (DMAC) assay. J. Agric. Food Chem. 64(11):2190-9. doi: 10.1021/acs.jafc.5b05408.
- Type:
Theses/Dissertations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Wang, Y. 2016. Cranberry Flavonoids: Characterization, Occurrence, Anti-Cancer Property and Bioavailability. Rutgers Univ. Ph.D. dissertation
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Daverdin, G, J Johnson-Cicalese, J Polashock, J Zalapa, N Vorsa. 2016. A GBS-based high density genetic map for detection of cranberry fruit rot resistance-QTL. PAG, Jan. 2016, San Diego, CA
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Fong, S, G Daverdin, J Johnson-Cicalese, J Polashock, J Zalapa, N Vorsa. 2016. GBS Analysis of Genetic Variation of Organic Acids in American Cranberry. PAG, Jan. 2016, San Diego, CA
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Wells-Hansen, L.D., Polashock, J.J., Vorsa, N., Lockhart, B.E.L. and McManus, P.S., 2016. Identification of Tobacco streak virus in Cranberry and the Association of TSV with Berry Scarring. Plant Disease, 100(4), pp.696-703.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Vorsa, N, T Wilson, Y Wang, A Singh. 2016. Vaccinium Phytochemicals Beneficial for Human Health: Bioactivities, Bioavailability, Metabolism and Clearance. Keynote Address, Internat. Vaccinium Symposium, Apr 10-14, Orlando, FL.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Polashock, J, N Vorsa. 2016. Genetic Control of Anthocyanin Glycosylation in a Cranberry Hybrid. Internat. Vaccinium Symposium, Apr 10-14, Orlando, FL.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Vorsa, N, Y Wang, J Johnson-Cicalese. Variation in Flavonoid Content in American Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) Cultivars. Internat. Vaccinium Symposium, Apr 10-14, Orlando, FL.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Vorsa, N, J Johnson-Cicalese. 2016. Breeding Northern Highbush Blueberry for Fresh Market Machine-Harvestability and Self-Fertility. Internat. Vaccinium Symposium, Apr 10-14, Orlando, FL.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Vorsa, N, G. Daverdin, S Fong, J. Polashock, J Zalapa. 2016. Fine Mapping of Fruit Rot-resistance and Organic Acid QTL in the American Cranberry. Internat. Vaccinium Symposium, Apr 10-14, Orlando, FL.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Vorsa, N, M Ehlenfeldt, R Martin, J Johnson-Cicalese, V. Kyryczenko-Roth. 2016 Self-Fertility of New Highbush Blueberry Cultivars. Blueberry Open House Mar 2016, Hammonton, NJ
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Vorsa, N. 2016. Opportunities with Next Generation Cultivars: Yield Potential and Disease Resistance. Atlantic Cranberry Management Course Apr 1-3. Prince Edward Island, Canada
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Vorsa, N. 2016. Genetic Erosion in Cranberry Beds. Atlantic Cranberry Management Course Apr 1-3, Prince Edward Island, Canada.
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Progress 10/01/14 to 09/30/15
Outputs
Target Audience:Target audience includes research scientists and extension professionals as well as cranberry and blueberry industry, growers, and processors. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?This project provided laboratory and field experience training for several undergraduate students, two graduate students, one postdoctoral associate, and technical staff. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Research results and implications were presented at scientific meetings including American Society for Horticultural Science - Northeast Region (January 2015), International Sympiosis Congress (July 2015), North American Cranberry Research & Extension Workers (August 2015), and 250th American Chemical Society (August 2015). In an effort to educate growers and extension personnel, presentations were made to several hundred growers at grower meetings and field days in New Jersey, Washington, Oregon, Quebec and British Columbia. Outreach activities included providing cultivar information to numerous blueberry and/or cranberry growers in NJ, MA, WI, OR, WA, including Atlantic Blueberry Co., Variety Farms, Pine Island Cranberry Co., Makepeace Cranberry, Cutler Cranberry, Lee Brothers, J.J. White, and Integrity Propagation. Tours were regularly provided to primary school students and their teachers to learn about cranberry and blueberry production, IPM, the impact of fruit rot, and plant breeding. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?In 2016, we will continue working on our blueberry and cranberry breeding objectives including the evaluation of: 1) advanced selections from previous breeding and selection cycles and 2) most recent breeding populations. Crosses will be made in the greenhouse in early spring, seedlings from last year's crosses will be grown out, and previous year's progeny will be field planted for evaluation. Progeny evaluation trials, advanced selection blocks, and grower trials (in NJ, OR, WI, BC and QC) will be evaluated throughout the growing season and fruit samples harvested. Promising selections will be propagated for establishment of future replicated trials. Laboratory evaluation of fruit chemistry and flavonoid profiles will be conducted. Cranberry progeny will be screened for fruit rot resistance. Genetic mapping work and identification of QTL will continue.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Objective 1 - Develop blueberry cultivars. In 2015, 14 crosses were made among advanced blueberry selections with desirable machine harvestability traits. Eight advanced blueberry selections were evaluated for self-compatibility, an important trait in large production fields, where the majority of the pollination is from self-pollination. Flower clusters were either self or cross-pollinated in the greenhouse and resultant fruit was evaluated for fruit set, berry size, seed count, and days until ripe. A few selections were identified as highly self-fertile. Seedlings from 2013 and 2014 crosses were grown out for field planting. Two new trials were planted in October: a replicated planting of 200 advanced selections at Marucci Center, Chatsworth, NJ and a progeny evaluation trial of 2680 seedlings from 36 crosses at Atlantic Blueberry Co., Hammonton, NJ. A machine-harvest trial planted in 2013, and over 1400 advanced selections were evaluated for early and late season, machine harvestability, and fruit quality. Objective 2 - Develop cranberry cultivars. In 2015, 93 cranberry crosses were made, including the next generation of crosses for improved fruit rot resistance (FRR), fruit chemistry traits, developing inbred lines, and other genetic studies. A progeny evaluation trial was planted in May 2015 at Chatsworth, NJ, consisting of 5' x 5' plots of 980 progeny from 14 crosses combining fruit rot resistance types. Another trial, planted in July 2015, consisted of replicated 10' x 20' plots of our top ten FRR selections. These selections had good FRR and yield potential and will be evaluated under reduced fungicide regimens, with the possibility of releasing one as a cultivar. Fungicides were withheld for a 2nd year from 2011 and 2012 plantings of 35 fruit rot-resistant crosses, in order to screen for resistance. Severe disease pressure occurred and the trials were evaluated for fruit rot and yield in August. Families segregated for FRR and a few promising progeny continued to show resistance. Over 2000 progeny, advanced selections and germplasm accessions were evaluated and 1 sq. ft. fruit samples were harvested from 611 plots in September and October to determine yield, fruit size, percent rot, and fruit chemistry traits (total anthocyanin, soluble solids, titratable acidity and proanthocyanidin). Trials of our advanced selections planted at cranberry growers in Washington, Oregon, Wisconsin, British Columbia, and Quebec were evaluated and samples harvested for yield and fruit quality traits. Another year of data was collected on a cranberry heat stress study. Simple sequence repeats (SSRs) were used for mapping populations segregating for FRR and organic acids. Genotyping by Sequencing (GBS) identified SNPs and a number of putative QTLs associated with FRR and levels of organic acids. Objective 3 - Flavonoid Profiles. Anthocyanin, proanthocyanidin and organic acid levels were evaluated in advanced cranberry selections from trials in NJ, WI, WA and OR. Samples were also collected from several breeding populations throughout the season and are being evaluated for four organic acids.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Schlautman, B, G Covarrubias-Pazaran, L Diaz-Garcia, J Johnson-Cicalese, M Iorrizo, L Rodriguez-Bonilla, T Bougie, T Bougie, E Wiesman, S Steffan, J Polashock, N Vorsa, J Zalapa. 2015. Development of a high-density cranberry SSR linkage map for comparative genetic analysis and trait detection. Mol Breeding 35:177 DOI 10.1007/s11032-015-0367-5
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Tadych, M., N Vorsa, Y Wang, MS Bergen, J Johnson-Cicalese, JF White, Jr. 2015. Interactions between cranberries and fungi: the proposed function of organic acids in virulence suppression of fruit rot fungi. Frontiers in Microbiology 6:835. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2015.00835
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Schlautman, B, D Fajardo, T Bouige, E Wiesman, J Polashock, N Vorsa, S Steffan, and J Zalapa. 2015. Development and validation of 697 novel polymorphic genomic and EST-SSR markers in the American cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon Ait.). Molecules 20:2001-2013. doi:10.3390/molecules20022001
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Wang Y, A Han, E Chen, RK Singh, CO Chichester, RG Moore, AP Singh and N Vorsa. 2015. The cranberry flavonoids PAC DP-9 and quercetin aglycone induce cytotoxicity and cell cycle arrest and increase cisplatin sensitivity in ovarian cancer cells. Int. J. Oncology 46: 1924-1934.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Johnson-Cicalese, J, J Polashock, J Honig, J Vaiciunas, DL Ward and N Vorsa. 2015. Heritability of Fruit Rot Resistance in American Cranberry. J Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 140(3):233242.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Fong, S, M Tadych, J Johnson-Cicalese, and N Vorsa. 2015. Relationship of Quinic and Benzoic Acid Levels with Fruit Rot Resistance in American Cranberry. NE-ASHS Annual Meeting, Newark, DE, 6-7 January.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Tadych, M, S Fong, Y Wang, M Bergen, J Johnson-Cicalese, N Vorsa, and J White. 2015. The Proposed Role of Virulence-Suppressive Compounds in Maintenance of Latency in Cranberry Fruit Rot Disease and Its Relevance to Endophytism. International Sympiosis Congress, Lisbon, Portugal, 12-18 July.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Fong, S, Y Wang, AP Singh, J White, J Johnson-Cicalese, N Vorsa. 2015. Chlorogenic Acids Contribution to Cranberry Fruit Rot Resistance. North American Cranberry Research and Extension Workers Conf., Bandon, OR, Aug 23-25.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Fong, S, M Tadych, J Johnson-Cicalese, N Vorsa. 2015 Relationship of Quinic and Benzoic Acid Levels with Fruit Rot Resistance in American Cranberry. North American Cranberry Research and Extension Workers Conf., Bandon, OR, Aug 23-25.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Wang, Y, J Johnson-Cicalese, A Singh, N Vorsa. 2015. Characterization and quantification of flavonoids and organic acids throughout fruit development in American cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) using HPLC and APCI-MS/MS. 250th American Chemical Society Meeting, Boston, MA, August 16-20.
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Progress 10/01/13 to 09/30/14
Outputs
Target Audience: Target audience includes research scientists and extension professionals as well as cranberry and blueberry industry, growers, and processors. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? This project provided laboratory and field experience training for several undergraduate students, two graduate students, one postdoctoral associate, and technical staff. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Research results and implications were presented at scientific meetings including North American Blueberry Research & Extension Workers (June 2104), American Society for Horticultural Science - Northeast Region (January 2014), and 2014 Plant and Animal Genome Conference, San Diego. In an effort to educate growers and extension personnel, presentations were made to several hundred growers at grower meetings and field Days in New Jersey, Washington, Oregon, Quebec and British Columbia. Outreach activities included providing cultivar information, e.g., DNA fingerprinting, pathogen identification,, to numerous blueberry and/or cranberry growers including Atlantic Blueberry Co., Variety Farms, Pine Island Cranberry Co., Makepeace Cranberry, Cutler Cranberry, Lee Brothers, J.J. White, Wisconsin, Oregon and Washington cranberry growers and Integrity Propagation. Tours were regularly provided to primary school students and their teachers to learn about cranberry and blueberry production, IPM, the impact of fruit rot, and plant breeding. In addition, our cranberry breeding project was presented at the "Cranberry Harvest Kickoff" at Whitesbog, NJ on Sept 27. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? In 2015, we will continue working on our blueberry and cranberry breeding objectives including the evaluation of: 1) advanced selections from previous breeding and selection cycles and 2) most recent breeding populations. Crosses will be made in the greenhouse in early spring, seedlings from last year's crosses will be grown out, and previous year's progeny will be field planted for evaluation. Progeny evaluation trials, advanced selection blocks, and grower trials (in NJ, OR, WI, BC and QC) will be evaluated throughout the growing season and fruit samples harvested. Promising selections will be propagated for establishment of future replicated trials. Laboratory evaluation of fruit chemistry traits will be conducted. Blueberry progeny will be screened for aphid resistance and cranberry progeny for fruit rot resistance. Genetic mapping work will continue.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Objective 1 - Develop blueberry cultivars. In 2014, 48 crosses were made among advanced blueberry selections with desirable machine harvestability traits. Eleven blueberry selections were evaluated for self-fruitfulness, an important trait in large production fields, where pollination is largely self-pollination. Flower clusters were either self or cross-pollinated in the greenhouse, and fruit set, berry size, seed set, and days to ripening were evaluated. A few selections were identified to be self-fruitful. Two new variety trials were planted: a replicated planting of 59 advanced selections in Oct. 2013 at Marucci Center, Chatsworth, NJ and a progeny evaluation trial of 2680 seedlings representing 36 crosses at Atlantic Blueberry Co., Hammonton, NJ in 2014. A trial planted in 2013 to evaluate suitability for machine-harvest was evaluated for establishment. Over 1400 advanced selections were evaluated for early and late season, machine harvestability, and fruit quality. Cuttings were made to evaluate rooting and propagating ability of the 81 best selections. These cuttings will be used in replicated plantings for evaluating yield, fruit characteristics, and machine harvestability, and for their potential as cultivars. Progeny from aphid-resistant V. darrowii (a southern evergreen blueberry species) x V. corymbosum hybrids backcrossed to productive highbush blueberry varieties were grown out for 2015 aphid screening trials. Aphids vector a number of blueberry viruses, so reduced aphid feeding could have profound effects on blueberry plant health and productivity. Objective 2 - Develop cranberry cultivars. In 2014, 94 cranberry crosses were made towards the following objectives: improved fruit rot resistance (FRR), enhanced fruit chemistry traits, insect resistance, development of inbred lines for genetic study, and other genetic studies. A progeny evaluation trial was planted in May 2014 at Chatsworth, NJ, consisting of 5' x 5' plots of 1759 progeny from 27 crosses combining genetic backgrounds of diverse fruit rot resistance types. This trial also includes replicated plots of our top ten FRR selections; these FRR selections have exhibited good yield potential and will be evaluated for possible cultivar release.To screen for fruit rot resistance fungicides were withheld from 2011 and 2012 field plantings of 35 fruit rot-resistant crosses. Severe disease pressure occurred and the trials were evaluated for fruit rot and yield in August. Families segregated for FRR and promising progeny were identified. Over 2000 seedlings, advanced selections and germplasm accessions were evaluated and 1 sq. ft. fruit samples were harvested from 568 plots in September and October to determine yield, fruit size, percent rot, and fruit chemistry traits (total anthocyanin, soluble solids, titratable acidity and proanthocyanidin). Trials of our advanced selections planted at cranberry growers in Washington, Oregon, Wisconsin, British Columbia, and Quebec were evaluated and samples harvested for yield and fruit quality traits. A 3rd year of data was collected on a cranberry heat stress study. Simple sequence repeats (SSRs) were used for mapping traits segregating for FRR and organic acids associated with fruit rot resistance. DNA extraction for Genotyping-by-Sequencing (GBS) analysis is now underway on these populations to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) for traits of interest. Objective 3 - Flavonoid Profiles. Fruit anthocyanin and proanthocyanidin levels were evaluated in advanced cranberry selections and cultivars from trials in NJ, WI, WA and OR. In addition, fruit samples were collected from a replicated variety trial (8 cultivars) over 8 harvest dates, July through October, to analyze 8 flavonols, 9 proanthocyanidins (principal antioxidant compounds that have been reported to be beneficial to human health), and 4 organic acids (two of which are associated with fruit rot resistance).
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Polashock J., Zelzion, E., Fajardo, D., Zalapa, J., Georgi, L., Bhattacharya, D., Vorsa, N. 2014.The American cranberry: first insights into the whole genome of a species adapted to bog habitat. BMC Plant Biol 2014, 14:165 doi:10.1186/1471-2229-14-165.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Vorsa, N and J Johnson-Cicalese. 2014. Self-fruitfulness of Rutgers advanced blueberry breeding selections. North American Blueberry Research and Extension Workers Conf., Atlantic City, NJ, July 24-26 (abstract).
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Vorsa, N., and J. Johnson-Cicalese. 2014. Self-fruitfulness of Rutgers advanced blueberry breeding selections. NE-ASHS Annual Meeting, 6-8 January 2014, Philadelphia. HortScience 49(9):S9 (abstract).
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Progress 08/12/13 to 09/30/13
Outputs
Target Audience: Target audience includes research scientists and extension professionals as well as cranberry and blueberry industry, growers, and processors. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? This project provided laboratory and field experience training for several undergraduate students, and technical staff. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Research results and implications were presented at scientific meetings including North American Cranberry Research & Extension Workers, American Chemical Society, and American Phytopathological Society. In an effort to educate growers and extension personnel, presentations were made to several hundred growers at Meetings and Field Days in New Jersey, Washington, Oregon, Quebec and British Columbia. Outreach activities included providing cultivar information to numerous blueberry and/or cranberry growers including Atlantic Blueberry Co., Variety Farms, Pine Island Cranberry Co., Makepeace Cranberry, Cutler Cranberry, Lee Brothers, J.J. White, and Integrity Propagation. In addition, tours were regularly provided to primary school students and their teachers to learn about cranberry and blueberry production, IPM, the impact of fruit rot, and plant breeding. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? In 2014, we will continue working on our blueberry and cranberry breeding objectives. Crosses will be made in the greenhouse in early spring, seedlings from last year’s crosses will be grown out, and previous year’s progeny will be field planted for evaluation. Progeny evaluation trials, advanced selection blocks, and grower trials (in NJ, OR, WI, BC and Qc) will be evaluated throughout the growing season and harvested. Promising selections will be propagated for replicated trialing. Laboratory evaluation of fruit chemistry traits will be conducted. Blueberry progeny will be screened for aphid resistance and cranberry progeny for fruit rot resistance. Genetic mapping work will continue.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Objective 1 – Develop blueberry cultivars. In 2013, 30 advanced blueberry selections were evaluated for self-compatibility, an important trait in large production fields, where the majority of the pollination is from self-pollination. Flower clusters were either self or cross-pollinated in the greenhouse and resultant fruit was evaluated for fruit set, berry size and days until ripe. A few blueberry selections were identified as highly self-fertile, with no differences found between the cross and self-pollinated flower clusters. A machine-harvest trial was planted with these same 30 selections, 15 plants of each, to be evaluated under mechanical harvesting conditions once established. Over 1400 advanced selections were evaluated for early and late season, machine harvestability, and fruit quality. Cuttings were made to evaluate rooting and propagating ability of the 75 best selections. These cuttings will be used in replicated plantings for evaluating yield, fruit characteristics, and machine harvestability, and for their potential as cultivars. Progeny from aphid-resistant V. darrowii x V. corymbosum hybrids backcrossed to productive highbush blueberry were grown out for aphid screening trials. Aphids vector a number of blueberry viruses, so reduced aphid feeding could have profound effects on blueberry productivity. Objective 2 – Develop cranberry cultivars. Three trials were established in Chatsworth, NJ in June 2013: 1) a progeny evaluation trial (5’ x 5’ plots of 940 progeny from crosses for yield and fruit chemistry), 2) replicated 10’ x 10’ plots of 30 advanced selections, and 3) 23’ x 90’ plots of 4 selections being considered for varietal release, to be used for fungicide and management trials. In order to screen for field fruit rot resistance (FFRR), fungicides were withheld for a 3rd year from a 2009 planting of 50 fruit rot-resistant crosses (1642 progeny). Severe disease pressure occurred and the trial was evaluated for fruit rot and yield in August. Families segregated for FFRR, resistance was found to be a heritable trait, and there was a good correlation between the three years of data. Overall, 3% of the progeny were highly resistant, while 50% were highly susceptible. A few progeny were identified with both good yield and FFRR. The top 10 progeny had a 3-yr mean percent rotten fruit of 35% or less, while the most resistant progeny had a 3-yr mean percent rot of only 16%, compared to 87% rotten fruit in Stevens, the industry standard. Seven of these top ten had 3-yr mean yields over 250g/ft2. These highly fruit rot-resistant progeny will now be evaluated in larger, replicated plots under reduced fungicide regimes, for potential varietal release. Over 1500 seedling plots and advanced selections were evaluated and 1 sq. ft. fruit samples were harvested from 300 plots in Sept. to determine yield, fruit size, percent rot, and fruit chemistry traits (total anthocyanin, soluble solids, titratable acidity and proanthocyanidin). Trials of our advanced selections planted at cranberry growers in Washington, Oregon, and Wisconsin were evaluated and samples harvested for yield and fruit quality traits. Two new replicated trials of 20 advanced selections were planted in Quebec and British Columbia. A 2nd year of data was collected on a cranberry heat stress study. Simple sequence repeats (SSRs) were used, for evaluating relationships among FFRR cranberry germplasm, and for mapping segregating FFRR populations. Objective 3 – Flavonoid Profiles. Anthocyanin and proanthocyanidin levels were evaluated in advanced cranberry selections from trials in NJ, WI, WA and OR.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Patten, K. Vorsa, N, Johnson-Cicalese, J., Donaldson, B. 2013. Field trials of advanced cranberry selections in Oregon and Washington. North American Cranberry Research and Extension Workers Conf., Quebec, Canada, Aug 25-28 (abstract).
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Johnson-Cicalese, J, N. Vorsa, J. Polashock. 2013. A high-yielding, fruit rot resistant variety: Is it possible? North American Cranberry Research and Extension Workers Conf., Quebec, Canada, Aug 25-28 (abstract).
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Vorsa, N. 2013. Fruit constituents that may play a role in cranberry fruit rot resistance. North American Cranberry Research and Extension Workers Conf., Quebec, Canada, Aug 25-28 (abstract).
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