BIGGER AND BETTER cherries: WSU's scientists in genetics, genomics, and breeding are pooling their expertise to develop improved cherries

摘要

Washington State University's cherry breeder, Dr. Nnadozie Oraguzie, hopes to develop a suite of new varieties that don't have the shortcomings of today's leading varieties, such as susceptibility to powdery mildew. Two disease-resistant selections from WSU's cherry breeding program at the Irrigated Agriculture Research and Extension Center at Prosser show promise as commercial varieties because they produce high-quality fruit. Oraguzie said he's still collecting data on them but hopes to move towards release within a year. These would be the first varieties on the market that combine the traits of disease resistance and good eating quality. There are wild cherries with mildew resistance, but the fruit may be bitter or soften on the tree. The fruitof the two Prosser selections is actually better than of some existing varieties, he said.