conference schedule and program with abstracts - Horticulture ...
conference schedule and program with abstracts - Horticulture ...
conference schedule and program with abstracts - Horticulture ...
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O-55<br />
Characteristics of promising muscadine grape (Vitis rotundifolia Michx.): Selections from<br />
the University of Georgia (U.S.A) breeding <strong>program</strong><br />
Patrick Conner*<br />
<strong>Horticulture</strong> Department, Coastal Plain Experiment Station, University of Georgia, Tifton,<br />
Georgia, USA<br />
Corresponding author: pconner@uga.edu<br />
Muscadine grapes have been cultivated commercially in the southeastern United States since the<br />
middle of the 18th century for both fresh consumption <strong>and</strong> wine <strong>and</strong> juice production. The<br />
University of Georgia operates the oldest <strong>and</strong> largest breeding <strong>program</strong> dedicated to the<br />
improvement of the muscadine grape. Current goals of the breeding <strong>program</strong> include the<br />
development of new cultivars which combine large berry size <strong>with</strong> perfect flowers, earlier <strong>and</strong><br />
later maturing cultivars, berries <strong>with</strong> dry stem scars <strong>and</strong> edible skins, <strong>and</strong> increased cold<br />
hardiness. Details of eight new selections in comparison to st<strong>and</strong>ard cultivars are given in this<br />
paper. Five selections are targeted towards conventional fresh market production, two for organic<br />
production, <strong>and</strong> one for home garden <strong>and</strong> pick-your-own production. Three of the most<br />
promising selections; Ga. 1-1-48 (‘Fry’ × ‘Tara’), Ga. 5-1-38 (‘Supreme’ × ‘Tara’) <strong>and</strong> Ga. 5-1-<br />
45 (‘Supreme’ × ‘Tara’), are on track to be released as cultivars in the next three years. These<br />
three selections are suitable for commercial production because they have self-fertile flowers,<br />
large berry size, <strong>and</strong> a high percentage of dry stem scars.<br />
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