North American crop wild relatives of temperate berries (Fragaria L., Ribes L., Rubus L., and Vaccinium L.)

Authors: Hummer, Kim; Williams, Karen; Bushakra, Jill

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/30/2017
Publication Date: 3/15/2019
Citation: Hummer, K.E., Williams, K.A., Bushakra, J. 2019. North American crop wild relatives of temperate berries (Fragaria L., Ribes L., Rubus L., and Vaccinium L.). In: Greene S., Williams K., Khoury C., Kantar M., Marek L., editors. North American Crop Wild Relatives, Volume 2. Cham, Switzerland: Springer. p. 283-327. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-97121-6_9.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-97121-6_9

Interpretive Summary: The crop wild relatives of temperate berry species abound on the North American continent; >170 species are endemic in North America. The development and production of berry crops, such as strawberries, currants and gooseberries, raspberries and blackberries, blueberries, and cranberries, have global economic importance. The cultivated crops derived from these species have a total annual farm gate value of roughly $3.7 billion. Global strawberry production is more than twice the combined production of other temperate berry crops, though total berry production is on the rise. Berries are highly nutritious and positively impact consumer health and vitality. Significant North American genetic resources have contributed to the development and cultivation of these globally produced and consumed crops. The objective of this report is to discuss the North American crop wild relatives of the berry crops and their application to cultivation.

Technical Abstract: The crop wild relatives of temperate berry species abound on the North American continent; >170 species are endemic in North America. The development and production of berry crops, such as strawberries (Fragaria L.), currants and gooseberries (Ribes L.), raspberries and blackberries (Rubus L.), blueberries, and cranberries (Vaccinium L.), have global economic importance. The cultivated crops derived from these species have a total annual farm gate value of roughly $3.7 billion. Global strawberry production is more than twice the combined production of other temperate berry crops, though total berry production is on the rise. Berries are highly nutritious and positively impact consumer health and vitality. Significant North American genetic resources have contributed to the development and cultivation of these globally produced and consumed crops. The objective of this report is to discuss the North American crop wild relatives of the berry crops and their application to cultivation.