Impact of University of Arkansas Table Grape Genetic

Advances

John R. ClarkDistinguished Professor of Horticulture

Arkansas Fruit Breeding Location

• Weather• 1100 mm rain• -15C to 40C• A host of fungi, insects etc

Table Grapes in the United States

•There is California……..and then almost no other production

•Mediterranean vs continental climate•Winter hardiness limitations•Rain/diseases/fruit cracking/insects

• Local markets primarily for “eastern” table grapes• “eastern” grapes primarily slipskin, soft texture,

regional consumption

Grape Breeding in Arkansas

• Grape breeding effort began in 1964, Dr James N. Moore the founder

• Crossing and selection continued through 2013; selection testing continues now

• 2,032 total selections made through 2013 from hundreds of thousands of seedlings

• The dream was to create an eastern US table grape industry; but not based on V. viniferagermplasm only Dr. James Moore, 1970s

Grape Breeding in Arkansas – Cultivars Developed – The First Impact

• Venus – 1977

• Reliance – 1983

• Mars – 1985

• Saturn – 1989

• Sunbelt – 1996 (juice)

• Jupiter – 1999

• Neptune – 1999

• Victoria Red - 2010

• Hope – 2012

• Faith – 2012

• Joy – 2012

• Gratitude - 2012

• Opportunity – 2016 (wine)

• Enchantment – 2016 (wine)

• Compassion – 2017

‘Compassion’ – The Newest Arkansas Table Grape, Released 2017

• Continues the “inspiration” series after 2012’s ‘Hope’, ‘Faith’, ‘Joy’, and ‘Gratitude’

• Seedless

• A pinnacle of achievement in Arkansas for texture plus flavor, skin etc

Expanding the Arkansas Program Impact

• The blending of Vitis germplasm in Arkansas was unique due to:• Location; more moderate than

northern breeding locations but no Pierce’s Disease

• Allowed combinations of flavor, texture, skin thickness, seedlessness, berry size not done prior in the eastern US

• “California” quality difficult to achieve: climate limitations plus production limitations

‘Joy’ table grape

Expanding the Arkansas Program Impact: Cooperation with International Fruit Genetics

• David Cain, IFG breeder

• Cooperation began in 2002

• Combination of pure V. viniferagenetics with the Arkansas Vitishybrids

• A unique public and private cooperation

Expanding the Arkansas Program With International Fruit Genetics- Basis for Success

• In Arkansas, 40+ years of focus on improved texture and skin in hybrid grape germplasm; plus selecting for natural large fruit size, fruit cracking resistance, disease resistance; flavor variation was paramount

• Combined talents and products of many years of table grape breeding

Expanding the Arkansas Program With International Fruit Genetics- Basis for Success

• Genetic diversity in table grape germplasm is very important; crossing outside the highly used V. vinifera genetic base

• Timing: consumers in the US and world are interested in new products with unique traits: the primary trait is FLAVOR and diversity in flavor

Expanding the Arkansas Program With International Fruit Genetics: Impact in Products• Unique flavors – Cotton Candy

flavor from the Arkansas parent

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Expanding the Arkansas Program With International Fruit Genetics: Impact in Products• Elongated shapes

• Diversification of the market

• https://grapery.biz/index.php/our-grapes/tear-drops

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Expanding the Arkansas Program With International Fruit Genetics: Impact in Products• Additional flavors: Candy Hearts

and Candy Dreams

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https://ifg.world/images/candy-hearts.jpg

Expanding the Arkansas Program With International Fruit Genetics- Further Impacts

• Genetic diversity is like magic, continues to manifest in subsequent generations

• Interaction of genetics and environment in diverse locations

Grape Breeding in Arkansas -Accomplishments

• A range of local-market cultivars for growers

• Creation of unique germplasm particularly with flavors, shapes, adaptation traits

• Cooperation in the private sector to diversify breeding

• Support for the breeding program in breeding fees and patent royalties