Location: Fruit and Tree Nut Research
Project Number: 6042-21000-006-010-S
Project Type: Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Sep 1, 2025
End Date: Aug 31, 2029
Objective:
University of Georgia (Cooperator) and the Agricultural Research Service (ARS or Agency) desire to enter into this Agreement for the purpose of supporting research to be carried out at ARS and Cooperator facilities. ARS desires the Cooperator to provide goods and services necessary to conduct research of mutual interest within the Southeast Fruit and Tree Nut Research Laboratory. Objectives of this research are to 1) breed Peach rootstocks that are more resistant to Armillaria root rot than what is currently commercially available. Other areas of research include 2) horticultural aspects of rootstock production, 3) study of lesser peach problems like viral and bacterial diseases of peach. Lastly work will be done to also incorporate dwarfing rootstocks and alternative growth habits in contrast to the standard open vase plant architecture in attempt to reduce labor costs while increasing plant density in orchards.
Approach:
The Agency Location is engaged in research addressing Development of New Stone Fruit Cultivars and Rootstocks for the Southeastern United States. Under the authority of 7 USC 3319a, ARS desires to acquire goods and services from the Cooperator to further agricultural research supporting the independent interests of both parties. We (ARS) will conduct both designed crosses to study the genetic inheritance of traits discussed in the objectives. Open pollinated seeds will also be collected to supplement the crosses. Research will be conducted at the Southeast Fruit and Tree Nut Research Laboratory and possibly some cooperator sites in Georgia and South Carolina.