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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Parlier, California » San Joaquin Valley Agricultural Sciences Center » Crop Diseases, Pests and Genetics Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #430389
Research Project: Breeding Prunus and Vitis to Improve Disease Resistance, Fruit Quality, and Climate Change Adaptation

Location: Crop Diseases, Pests and Genetics Research

Title: ‘USDA-ARS Murray Muscat’: A new raisin grape variety

Author
item Riaz, Summaira
item Krugner, Rodrigo

Submitted to: HortScience
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/8/2026
Publication Date: 2/18/2026
Citation: Riaz, S., Krugner, R. 2026. ‘USDA-ARS Murray Muscat’: A new raisin grape variety. HortScience. 61(3). 580-581. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI19211-25.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI19211-25

Interpretive Summary: The Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture has released a new raisin grape, ‘USDA-ARS Murray Muscat’, that produces high-quality, seedless raisins with a distinct muscat flavor. This rain-tolerant variety combines high yields, spur-pruning capability for mechanized management, and strong performance under Australian drying practices. Multi-season trials confirmed productivity above 10 t/ha, consistent quality, and resilience, making it important for the raisin industry by reducing labor costs, improving sustainability, and expanding market opportunities with a unique, muscat-flavored product.

Technical Abstract: ‘USDA ARS Murray Muscat’ (Vitis vinifera L.), formerly tested as C88 89, is a seedless, high yielding, rain tolerant raisin grape with a distinct muscat flavor. Originating from a cross between ‘Tokay’ and ‘Sunmuscat’, it is notable for its high fruitfulness, spur pruning capability, and suitability for mechanized vineyard management. Initial evaluations in California showed excellent raisin quality but late ripening limited its use for natural drying. In Australia, however, the use of alkaline oil in water drying emulsions enabled successful production of light colored, muscat flavored raisins. Multi season trials demonstrated high productivity (>10 t/ha), rain tolerance, and favorable berry traits, confirming its potential as a commercial drying variety. The cultivar has been indexed by Foundation Plant Services, UC Davis, and is available for research purposes.