'Fingerprints' for Fruit and Nut Plants

摘要

We in horticulture should be more aware of the identity of the plants that we use. We appreciate scientists who can determine species and cultivars with their botanical knowledge and keen powers of observation. However, sometimes plant identity is more than meets the eye. For example, studies have shown that the 'Stevens' cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon Ait.) from New Jersey has a different genotype than that same cultivar in Wisconsin or Oregon. Recently growers in the Northeastern US planted a newly released strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duchesne ex Rosier) cultivar, but as the season progressed, the plants didn't seem to match the description. Moreover, the yield wasn't right. Identity might have been mixed up in the laboratory or nursery. Although nursery .people work hard to ensure that the plants they sell are correct, sometimes a dormant plant look-alike can be shipped by mistake. This past-winter we ordered an elderberry (Sambucus) but were sent a Viburnum. The branching pattern helped us figure out that mistake. Taxonomy is a process needing constant vigilance. Now we have new laboratory "fingerprinting" techniques that can help us out.