NCCC_old212: Small Fruit and Viticulture Research
(Multistate Research Coordinating Committee and Information Exchange Group)
Status: Inactive/Terminating
NCCC_old212: Small Fruit and Viticulture Research
Duration: 10/01/2011 to 09/30/2016
Administrative Advisor(s):
NIFA Reps:
Non-Technical Summary
Statement of Issues and Justification
Need, importance, and technical feasibility:
Small fruits, including strawberries, blueberries, table grapes, blackberries, raspberries, cranberries, and currants, are high value horticultural crops used in both fresh and processed fruit markets. The commodity value of these crops in U.S. production in 2007-2009 averaged over $5 billion (USDA National Ag Statistics, 2010). Wine grapes provide an additional $1.9 billion. In addition, grower profitability can still be realized with small plantings and relatively small investment inputs, thus making small fruits a suitable venture for many small farms. At least one commercial berry species is grown in every state. Despite high profitability and considerable grower interest, most states have less than 1,000 acres in small fruits. Few states have more than one berry crop researcher, and many have none. Due to the wide dispersal of berry crop researchers, it is critical that a venue be provided that fosters coordination and collaboration of small fruit horticulturists. Such collaboration is even more important as federal granting agencies require multi state, multi institutional, and multi-disciplinary approaches for successful funding.
Advantages:
Collaboration across states is needed to: 1) evaluate and exchange germplasm in a systematic way 2) develop protocols for testing and evaluating new selections 3) determine adaptability of new cultivars to environment and production systems (including climate change, extended season, out of season, organic) of new selections and cultivars 4) determine if new selections and cultivars are resistant to insect, weed, and disease pressure across a representative climatic host range 5) share research plans to avoid duplication and inefficient use of resources, and to foster multi institutional research.
Impacts:
The interaction of researchers in NCCC-22 enables exchange of up-to-date information on the latest research trends as well as problems encountered in regions and states. These interactions have resulted in improved small fruit germplasm using classical breeding and molecular linkages (Brevis et al. 2008; Kempler et al. 2005; Moore and Finn, 2007; Clark, 2010; Finn et al., 2010; Pattison et al., 2007), alternative production practices including novel fruits, extended season and sustainable agriculture systems (Thompson et al., 2009; Thomas et al., 2009; Larco et al., 2009), a clearer understanding of the health value and flavor of berries (Du et al, 2010a; 2010b; Wyzgoski et al., 2010; Cho et al., 2005; Wang et al., 2007; Moore et al., 2008; Weber et al., 2008), the identification of commodity-specific pest and new pest control strategies (Lewers et al., 2007; Hoashi-Erhardt et al., 2008), and discovery of underlying mechanisms in small fruit productivity (Stanton et al., 2007; Thompson et al., 2007; Black et al., 2008, Carter et al., 2006).
Objectives
-
Develop small fruit germplasm through cooperative breeding and evaluation programs .
-
Develop practices for small fruit production tailored for climatic and market needs of growers.
-
Explore the association between fruit constituents and human health impacts
Procedures and Activities
Develop small fruit germplasm and genetic markers that are adapted for specific needs such as season extension, efficient water use, organic production, increased storage life, increased flavor, ecological adaptation, through cooperative breeding and evaluation programs. Efforts will be fostered by the exchange of germplasm and cooperative studies to evaluate molecular marker selection, productivity, adaptability, and fruit characteristics of strawberry, blueberry, table grape, blackberry and other species.
Past examples: Germplasm exchange has occurred among the following programs that, in turn, evaluate genotypes for specific traits: C. Weber, NY, anthocyanin and pigment development in fruit (Weber et al., 2008; Moore et al. 2008) ; J. Luby, MN, cold-hardiness; J. Clark, AR, primocane fruiting blackberry; (Clark , 2008; Cho et al., 2005; Thompson et al., 2007; Stanton et al., 2007); K. Lewers, MD, fruiting habit and disease resistance (Lewers et al., 2007); J. Ballington, strawberry for extended season production (Ballington et al., 2008), J. Hancock, strawberry germplasm (Luby et al., 2008). Each of these is an important trait, yet no individual researcher has the capacity to screen for all of them. Moreover, development of molecular markers and maps have been the outcome of successful collaborative efforts among NCCC22 members.
Evaluation of germplasm across geographic locations to evaluate and confirm adaptability has occurred with Lewers (MD) (Lewers et al., 2007), Finn (OR) (Finn et al., 2010; Kempler et al., 2005), Weber (NY), Luby (MN), Hancock (MI) (Bradford et al., 2010), Dale (ONT), Moore (WA), Demchak (PA) (Takeda et al., 2008), Byers (MO) (Thomas et al., 2009), Fernandez (NC), Stafne (OK), and Clark (AR) (Thompson et al., 2007). New projects with cross geographic collaboration for environmental and extended season adaptability have been started with FL, NC, and CA. Two USDA grants (SCRI program) have been funded to explore blueberry genetics, production, harvesting, and antioxidants (2008); another SCRI grant was funded to mitigate increasing virus severity issues in Rubus (2009). Many of the PIs and collaborators on these grants are members of NCCC22.
2. Develop new or modified practices for small fruit production. These include off-season production of raspberries and strawberries, greenhouse strawberry production, strawberry plasticulture, integrated pest management and other systems (such as organic or sustainable), using reduced pesticide applications and enhancement of soil health, and identification of viruses and virus vectors in caneberries. Innovations in pruning and trellising of grapes, blackberries and blueberries will also be evaluated through cooperative multi-state research projects. A grant funded by USDA (OREI) for organic production systems for fresh and processed blackberries was recently funded (2010), as was a USDA SCRI grant for virus in blackberry (2009). Again, most of the PIs and collaborators on these grants are NCCC22 participants.
Past examples: Collaboration, information exchange, joint planning and parallel experiments have occurred among researchers using high tunnels and greenhouses for season extension (NY, IN, KS, PA, NC) (Ballington et al. 2008); managing strawberry replant disease (MI, MD, NY); evaluating cover crop rotations (IA, MO, NY); developing cultural practices for primocane-fruiting blackberries and novel harvesting methods for blackberry (AR, NY, IA, WVA, GA) (Thompson et al. 2009).
3. Explore how the fruit constituents of small fruits impact human health and ways in which small fruit can be tailored for specific applications, and flavor enhanced. Medical research has indicated that small fruits have health benefits beyond those previously documented for the nutrients vitamin C, calcium, and dietary fiber. Anthocyanins, the water soluble pigments found in small fruits, and other phenolic compounds, such as ellagic acid from strawberries and raspberries and pterostilbene and resveratrol from grapes and blueberries, have been found to act as effective antioxidants in the human body. These constituents can be affected by germplasm, environment, and postharvest handling.
Past collaborations: Perkins-Veazie (NC) (Perkins-Veazie et al., 2008; Weber et al., 2008; Moore et al., 2008), Clark (AR) (Cho et al., 2005), Scheerens (OH) (Wyzgoski et al., 2010), Lewers (MD) (Wang et al., 2007) have engaged in separate and cooperative studies of antioxidant capacity, phenolic content, vitamin C, dietary fiber, etc. to determine bioactive potential of berry cultivars. Important discoveries on the flavor of blackberries was spearheaded by Finn (OR) (Du et al., 2010a, 2010b).
Expected Outcomes and Impacts
- Coordination of Activities: Major concerns of berry growers, processors, marketers and scientists will be identified and discussed, and a multistate focus will be brought to bear on priority issues. This will lead to more efficient use of public funds when developing research, teaching and extension programs to address these concerns.
- Collaborative Research Projects: Exchange of information and ideas, often before formal publication, is an important committee activity. The interaction of group members leads to collaborative projects, stronger grant proposals, more robust publications, and new sources of specialized information. Ideas generated from one state project can be tested regionally and nationally. Such evaluations also enable innovations to be modified for site-specific use or to fit existing technology.
- Multi-state and Regional Germplasm Evaluation: Multi-state efforts in germplasm evaluation are a critical part of the NCCC-22 project. Standardized evaluation protocols and multiple site evaluation (environment X genotype studies) will provide important information on adaptability and cultivar performance.
- Information Exchange: Members of NCCC-22 cover a range of specialized disciplines, including breeding, molecular biology, whole plant physiology, postharvest physiology, pathology, entomology, ecology, production. Members are from industry, land grant colleges, and USDA, and are from the United States, The Netherlands, and Canada. This broad spectrum of participants encourages dialogue on key issues and cross-exchange of scientific viewpoints. Committee members often participate in the Small Fruit and Viticulture working group of the American Society for Horticultural Science, and the Southern Small Fruit Workers group, which helps further extend the influence of NCCC-22 activities.
Projected Participation
View Appendix E: ParticipationEducational Plan
Although this is a regional research project, many of the participants are actively involved in extension activities. Their research results and production recommendations are disseminated through their state cooperative extension service and in the case of our international collaborators, through their outreach organizations. Examples of national venues for presentations to growers groups include, the North American Strawberry Growers Association (NASGA), North American Blueberry Council, U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council, North American Raspberry and Blackberry Growers Association, Southern Small Fruits Research Consortium, North American Strawberry Researchers Conference, and North American Blueberry Research and Extension Workers Conference. Additionally, information will be made available by technical members through many regional and state growers meetings such as, the Great Lakes Fruit and Vegetable Exposition, Florida Strawberry Industry, Arkansas-Oklahoma Horticulture conference, the Mid Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Show, Southeastern US Fruit and Vegetable Conference, NC strawberry Growers Association, Florida Strawberry Growers Association, New England Fruit and Vegetable Conference, Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Convention, Oregon Berry Growers Conference and the Florida Horticultural Society meeting. Scientists in these meetings and other venues will provide insight and recommendations for research priorities through presentations, field days, newsletters, email, and websites on changes in legislation, upcoming issues, management of production, fertility, insects, diseases, frost protection, postharvest, and germplasm performance in uniform field trials. Some examples of format and opportunities for information transfer are: NC state web portal for blackberry and raspberry, field days in OH, NY, AR, MI, NC, FL, WA, OR for grape, strawberry, raspberry and blackberry growers. Members will contribute to newsletters for Southern small fruit consortium, NARBA and NASGA and state extension newsletters. Members will also participate in annual and semi annual meetings with presentations of research, interaction with growers for the NC strawberry growers association, NASGA, NARBA, Muscadine, Blueberry, etc. The general public will have access to information through magazine articles, bulletins and web sites regarding suitable germplasm for home gardens, nutritional links, and quality attributes.
Organization/Governance
Standard governance involving the annual election of a chair-elect
Literature Cited
Ballington, J.R., B. Poling and K. Olive. 2008. Day-neutral strawberry production for season extension in the midsouth. Hortscience 43:1982-1986.
Black, B., J. Frisby, K. Lewers, Takeda, F., and C. Finn. 2008. Heat unit model for predicting bloom dates in Rubus. HortScience 43:2000-2004.
Bradford, E., J.F. Hancock, and R.M. Warner. 2010. Interactions of temperature and photoperiod determine expression of repeat flowering in strawberry. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 135:102-107.
Brevis P.A., N. Bassil, J.R. Ballington, J.F. Hancock. 2008. Impact of wide hybridization on highbush blueberry breeding. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 133:427-437.
Carter, P.M., J.R. Clark, C. D. Particka, D.Y. Crowne, and D. Yazzetti. 2006. Chilling response of Arkansas blackberry cultivars. J. Amer. Pomol. Soc. 60:187-197.
Cho, M.J., L.R. Howard, R.L. Prior, and J.R. Clark. 2005. Flavonol glycosides and antioxidant capacity of various blackberry and blueberry genotypes determined by high-performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry. J. Sci. Food Agri. 85(13):2149-2158.
Clark, J.R. Eastern United States Table Grape Breeding. 2010. J. Amer. Pomol. Soc. 64:72-77.
Clark, J.R. Primocane-fruiting blackberry breeding. 2008. Hortscience 43:1637-139.
Du, X., C. Finn, and M.C. Qian. 2010a. Bound volatile precursors in genotypes in the pedigree of Marion blackberry (Rubus Sp.). J. Agric. Food Chem. 58:3694-3699.
Du, X.F., A. Kurnianta, M. McDaniel, C.E. Finn, and M.C. Qian. 2010b. Flavour profiling of Marion and thornless blackberries by instrumental and sensory analysis. Food Chem. 121:1080-1088.
Finn, C.E., B.C. Strik, B. Yorgey. 2010. Newberry Trailing blackberry. Hortscience 45:437-440.
Hoashi-Erhardt, W.K., Moore, P.P., G.E. Windom, P.R. Bristow. 2008. Field and greenhouse response of red raspberry genotypes to root rot Hortscience 43:1367-1370.
Kempler, C., H.A. Daubeny, B. Harding, and C.E. Finn. 2005. Esquimalt red raspberry. Hortscience 40(7):2192-2194.
Lewers, K. S, W.W. Turechek, S.C. Hokanson, J.L. Maas, J.F. Hancock, S. Serce, S. B.J. Smith. 2007. Evaluation of elite native strawberry germplasm for resistance to anthracnose crown rot disease caused by Colletotrichum species. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 132:842-849.
Luby, J.J., J.F. Hancock, A. Dale, and S. Serce. 2008. Reconstructing Fragaria x ananassa utilizing wild F-virginiana and F-chiloensis: inheritance of winter injury, photoperiod sensitivity, fruit size, female fertility and disease resistance in hybrid progenies. Euphytica 163:57-65.
Moore, P.P. and C.E. Finn. 2007. Cascade Bounty red raspberry. Hortscience 42:393-396.
Moore, P., P. Perkins-Veazie, C.A. Weber and L. Howard. 2008. Environmental effect on antioxidant content of ten raspberry cultivars. Acta Hortic. 777:499-504.
Pattison, J.A., S.K. Samuelian, and C.A. Weber. 2007. Inheritance of Phytophthora root rot resistance in red raspberry determined by generation means and molecular linkage analysis. Theor. App. Genetics 115:225-236.
Perkins-Veazie, P., J.K. Collins, and L. Howard. 2008. Blueberry fruit response to postharvest application of ultraviolet radiation. Postharvest Biol. Technol. 47:280-285.
Song, G.Q., Sink K.C., P. Callow, R. Baughan, J.F. Hancock. 2008. Evaluation of an herbicide resistant trait conferred by the bar gene driven by four distinct promoters in transgenic blueberry plants. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 133:605-611.
Larco, H., B. Strik, and D. Bryla. 2009. Establishing organic highbush blueberry production systems-the effect of raised beds, weed management, fertility, and cultivar. Hortscience 44:1120-1121.
Stanton, M.A., J.C. Scheerens, R.C. Funt, and J.R. Clark. 2007. Floral competence of primocane-fruiting blackberries prime-jan and prime-jan grown at three temperature regimens. Hortscience 42:508-513.
Takeda, F., K. Demchak, M.R. Warmund, D.T. Handley, R. Grube, and C. Feldhake. 2008. Rowcovers improve winter survival and production of western trailing 'Siskiyou' blackberry in the eastern United States. HortTechnology 18:575-582.
Thomas, A.L., P.L. Byers, and M.R. Ellersieck. 2009. Productivity and characteristics of American elderberry in response to various pruning methods. Hortscience 44:671-677.
Thompson, E., B.C. Strik, C.E. Finn. 2009. High tunnel versus open field: management of primocane-fruiting blackberry using pruning and tipping to increase yield and extend the fruiting season. Hortscience 44:1581-1587.
Thompson, E., B.C. Strik, J.R. Clark. 2007. Flowering and fruiting patterns of primocane-fruiting blackberries. HortScience42:1174-1176.
Wang, S.Y., K.S. Lewers, L. Bowman, M. Ding. 2007. Antioxidant activities and anticancer cell proliferation properties of wild strawberries. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 132:647-658.
Weber, C.A., P. Perkins-Veazie, P. Moore, and L. Howard. 2008. Variabiltiy of antioxidant content in raspberry germplasm. Acta Hortic. 777:493-498.
Wyzgoski, F., Paudel, L, Rinaldi, P.L., Reese, P.N., Ozgen, M., Tulio, A.Z. Jr., Miller, A.R., Scheerens, J.C. and J.K. Hardy. 2010. Modeling relationships among active components in black raspberry (Rubus occidentalis L.) fruit extracts using high-resolution 1H Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and multivariate statistical analysis. J. Agric. Food Chem. 58: 3407-3414.