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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Corvallis, Oregon » Horticultural Crops Production and Genetic Improvement Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #379752
Research Project: Improved Fruit, Grape and Wine Products through Precision Agriculture and Quality Component Evaluation

Location: Horticultural Crops Production and Genetic Improvement Research Unit

Title: USDA-ARS-HCRU small fruit breeding program report to north central coordinating committee small fruits and viticulture (NCCC-212)

Author
item Hardigan, Michael
item Lee, Jungmin

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/12/2020
Publication Date: 11/15/2020
Citation: Hardigan, M.A., Lee, J. 2020. USDA-ARS-HCRU small fruit breeding program report to north central coordinating committee small fruits and viticulture (NCCC-212). Meeting Abstract. NCCC-212 meeting report October 27-28, 2020 virtual.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The report summarized updates on the development of improved small fruit releases, through USDA-ARS and cooperating Universities. It focused on progress made since the passing of Dr. Chad Finn. One accomplishment from the ARS-HCRU (Corvallis, Oregon breeding program and Parma, Idaho food chemistry laboratory) has been the release of ‘Eclipse,’ ‘Galaxy,’ and ‘Twilight’ blackberry cultivars. These thornless, semi-erect, high-quality blackberries are part of the Celestial series of releases from ARS-HCRU scientists in collaboration from researchers at Oregon State University and Nigde Omer Halisdemir University (Turkey). These three cultivars have lower red pigment (anthocyanin) levels compared to standard commercial trailing blackberries, with firm, dark fruit well suited for the fresh market. Celestial blackberry series plants are the first selections derived from both eastern and western North American blackberry germplasm. HCRU is currently gauging the merits of eight plants (3 blackberries, 1 red raspberry, 1 black raspberry, and 3 blueberries) against industry standard plants and previous releases from the breeding program for possible intellectual property protection.