U.S. Department of Agriculture
Agricultural Research Service
New Blueberry Cultivar
[Running time:  ~ 1:30]

Welcome and thanks for listening to focus on ag research from the Agricultural Research Service or A-R-S.  A-R-S is the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s chief scientific research agency.

If you like growing your own blueberries as well as eating them, a new blueberry plant may be just the right pick for you. ARS has received a patent for a variety called Nocturne. This blueberry incorporates germplasm from three different blueberry species, including one with extreme cold hardiness. Nocturne is a vigorous, winter-hardy, black-fruited plant. It’s ideal for homeowners and others who want to enhance their landscape.

The new blueberry was developed by scientists with ARS’s Genetic Improvement of Fruits and Vegetables Laboratory in Chatsworth, New Jersey. 
 
Nocturne bears fruit reliably in New Jersey, averaging 12 pounds per plant. Unripe fruit is a vivid red-orange, while ripe fruit is black and sweet. 

If you’re looking to add beauty to your yard, a tasty blueberry to include in your diet, or both—you may want to keep this new variety in mind. Nocturne should be available within the next 2 years. 

That’s our podcast for today. To learn more about this research, visit AgResearch magazine at www.agresearchmag.ars.usda.gov.