Location: Genetic Improvement for Fruits & Vegetables Laboratory
Project Number: 8042-21220-260-002-S
Project Type: Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Oct 1, 2024
End Date: Sep 30, 2025
Objective:
The funds will be used by the Cooperator to propagate ~160,000 runner tips of the new ARS strawberry cultivar USDA Lumina, which will be sent to Mid-Atlantic nurseries (New Jersey, Virginia, Pennsylvania) to make plug-plants required for the plasticulture production system used by growers in the Mid-Atlantic and southward.
Approach:
ARS will transfer 100 'USDA Lumina' virus-tested plants to Cooperator under an MTRA (Agreement No. 58-8042-4-182). Cooperator will propagate those plants in successive cycles to obtain ~160,000 runner tips. Cooperator will need a license to propagate tips of 'USDA Lumina' for potential sale to plug-plant producers when the patent is granted for 'USDA Lumina' (USDA Plant Patent DN P0020.23). Propagation will occur in a controlled environment with only artificial light.
