Researchers at the Horticultural Crops Production and Genetic Improvement Research (HPCGIR) Unit in Corvallis, Oregon, are developing new cultivars of not just blueberry, but also blackberry, red raspberry, black raspberry and strawberry to meet the needs of growers in the Pacific Northwest.

Claire Luby, plant geneticist with HCPGIR: “In blueberry, we focus on improving the shelf life of fruit so that it reaches consumers with consistently better texture and flavor. This also means developing new types of blueberries that are easier to harvest using mechanical harvesting equipment.”

One of the largest challenges for Luby and her colleagues is developing a cultivar that is resistant to a disease known to be a scourge of the berry: blueberry shock virus. This virus has caused annual crop losses of 34-90% in the Pacific Northwest.

“We’re studying diverse blueberry plants to understand the genetic basis for blueberry shock virus, which can significantly impact yields for farmers,” she said. “Our hope is to use the insights from this project to develop new cultivars that are resistant, or at least more tolerant to, the disease.”

“The fruits that we focus on in this project are some of the most consumed fruits in the United States and contribute important nutritional benefits to consumers,” Luby said. The fruits are also economically important to the region, with Washington and Oregon being the nation’s top two producers.

Source - https://www.freshplaza.com