ARS | Publication request: COLLECTION, EVALUATION AND INCORPORATION OF NEW RUBUS, VACCINIUM AND FRAGARIA GERMPLASM

Submitted to: Northwest Center for Small Fruit Research Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: January 1, 1997
Publication Date: N/A

Interpretive Summary: The objectives of the USDA-ARS (Corvallis, OR) small fruit breeding program's germplasm enhancement program are presented along with the results of research activity in the area of small fruit germplasm collection, evaluation and incorporation. The potential significance of this research to the industry is also presented.

Technical Abstract: A main objective of the USDA-ARS small fruit breeding program in Corvallis is to evaluate genetic variability within Rubus, Vaccinium, and Fragaria. New traits and superior individuals/populations are identified that are valuable to breeding programs. Once the variability for a trait is identified, it may be incorporated into breeding material. Rubus and Vaccinium species native to the Pacific Northwest and Asia are being evaluated. Superior germplasm of Asian Rubus has been incorporated into advanced breeding materials. The `Huachi' strawberry and native Rubus in Ecuador and Rubus, Vaccinium, and Fragaria from northeast China were collected in 1996. This new material will be planted in 1997 for evaluation.