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Abstract

The fruit breeding program of the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station was begun in 1964. Crops initially targeted for improvement were strawberry, grape, and blackberry. In 1966, projects were approved for the breeding of peaches, nectarines, and apples; blueberries were added in 1976. The overall objective of the fruit breeding program is to develop cultivars uniquely adapted to the soils and climate of Arkansas to maximize production efficiency and that produce high-quality fruits for effective market use. To date, 16 cultivars have been developed and released from this program (Table 1). Many of these have become major commercial cultivars, not only in Arkansas but also in many other states.

Abstract

Our fruit breeding program was initiated in 1964 to provide new cultivars to stimulate fruit production for Arkansas. To date, 3 blackberry, 2 strawberry, and 1 grape cultivars have been released; peach, nectarine, and apple releases are planned in the near future, and several selections of these crops are in advanced stages of pre-release testing. The overall objective of the breeding program is to develop disease resistent, high quality, cultivars adapted to the soils and climate of Arkansas.

Abstract

It would be a laborious task indeed to do justice to my title, on this 75th anniversary of the organization of our Society and just 78 years after the republication of Mendel's experiments, if we did not have the recent, excellent encyclopedia and gospel, the good news about fruit breeding — Advances in Fruit Breeding (14); and if Dr. J. N. Moore (21) had not presented an inspiring summary of breeding research with some of the “small” fruits, together with an optimistic yet, to my mind, very reasonable prognosis for achievements through breeding.

Abstract

Stone fruit breeding programs by the USDA have been a major source of improved peach and nectarine cultivars. A nearly complete turnover has occurred in locations, personnel, and cultivars in the 23 years since Havis reviewed these programs (15). It is appropriate to review the changes and note the progress that has been made in the last 2 decades.

Small fruit production in the southern United States has been impacted greatly by fruit breeders this century. This workshop, co-sponsored by the American Pomological Society, includes presentations from individuals who have contributed collectively over 150 years to small fruit and grape breeding. James N. Moore has conducted breeding at the University of Arkansas, developing 30 cultivars. His presentation on brambles outlines achievements and future opportunities for improvement. Arlen Draper has been involved with the development of 61 small fruit cultivars while working with the USDA-ARS with an emphasis on blueberry. His presentation focuses on blueberry breeding and provides insights into the future of new blueberry cultivar developments. Gene Galletta has conducted small fruit breeding at North Carolina State University and USDA-ARS and has been involved with the development of 50 cultivars. His presentation reflects on the history of strawberry breeding in the South and the challenges that lie ahead. Ron Lane has served as a fruit breeder and horticulturist at the University of Georgia Experiment Station at Griffin and his work has emphasized the development of muscadine grape cultivars. The past and future of muscadine and bunch grape breeding is discussed in his paper. Articles from all authors in this workshop will be published in Fruit Varieties Journal in 1997.

Mature seedling trees of pear (Pyrus communis and interspecific hybrids), and fruiting trees of peach and nectarine (Prunus persica), apricot (Prunus armeniaca), and pear were relocated during the dormant season using tree spades. During the growing season immediately following, some signs of drought stress were noticed but all trees grew well enough that they could be used as a source of budwood for limited propagation purposes. When drip irrigation was supplied, supplemented by overhead irrigation as required, normal growth and production resumed within two growing seasons of the move. Some tree losses (less than 10% of trees moved) were reported from one site where the soil type was Fox sand with very poor water holding capacity. These tree losses were attributed to an inadequate water supply to the root ball, even though the site was irrigated. Our experience has demonstrated the feasibility of relocating relatively large trees, which can be beneficial for germplasm conservation in a tree fruit breeding program. However, it is probably not economically viable to relocate such trees for commercial production.