In search of SUPERIOR APPLES: Washington State University scientists hope to develop apple varieties with novel traits

摘要

Tree fruit geneticist Dr. Cameron Peace is planting 2,500 trees in Wenatchee, Washington, that he expects will play a role in the development of superior apple varieties. The 4.5-acre apple long-term germ plasm block he is planting at Washington StateUniversity's Sunrise Research Orchard between Wenatchee and Quincy is part of an effort to widen the gene pool available to WSU's apple breeder, Dr. Kate Evans, and develop strategies for efficient application of DNA information into crop improvement to address the industry's needs and challenges. Peace, a geneticist with WSU in Pullman, has travelled the world looking for apple germ plasm that could be used in breeding to introduce desirable and exciting traits into new varieties.