Author
 |
Ledbetter, Craig |
|
Submitted to: HortScience
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Publication Acceptance Date: 4/11/2016 Publication Date: 7/5/2016 Citation: Ledbetter, C.A. 2016. ‘Valley Pearl’ table grape. HortScience. 51(6):772-774. Interpretive Summary: Table grapes are an important commodity in California agriculture, representing nearly 120,000 bearing acres in 2015. Over 100 million boxes are harvested annually in the industry, with shipment generally beginning in May and extending through the end of November. Consumers appreciate having a diverse selection of high quality table grapes throughout the ripening season. Development of new table grape cultivars is an important objective in the ARS fruit breeding program in Parlier, CA. Valley Pearl is the newest table grape cultivar bred and evaluated by ARS scientists. The new cultivar was released for propagation due to its overall productivity and naturally large berry size. Its spur fruitfulness lends itself well to mechanical pre-pruning, and larger berries can be produced with the application of a single gibberellic acid spray at berry set. Table grape growers will appreciate the ease with which Valley Pearl can be produced. Technical Abstract: ‘Valley Pearl’ is an early to mid-season, white seedless table grape (Vitis vinifera L.) suitable for commercial table grape production where V. vinifera can be grown. Significant characteristics of ‘Valley Pearl’ are its high and consistent fruit production on spur pruned vines and large round berries. The taste is neutral to very light muscat flavor when fully ripe. |
