2017 ASHS Annual Conference

The muscadine grape (Vitis rotundifolia Michx.) is a commercially cultivated specialty crop across its native range in the southeastern United States, but most consumers outside this region are unfamiliar with the crop. Muscadines (2n = 40) have smaller clusters and thicker skins than table grapes (V. vinifera L.) and other relatives in the subgenus Euvitis (2n = 38). However, muscadines have a number of desirable attributes including large berry size, a unique fruity aroma, adaption to the warm and humid southeastern climate, and natural resistance to a broad range of pests and diseases. Public breeding programs including those at the University of Georgia, University of Florida, and North Carolina State University have released many of the more important muscadine cultivars. The University of Arkansas has the newest public muscadine breeding program. The first muscadine crosses were made in 2007, and since then we have planted over 12,000 seedlings and made near 200 selections. Our most important breeding objectives focus on fresh-market cultivar development with major traits including disease resistance, adaptation, balanced fruity flavor, thinner skin, crisp non-slipskin texture, and better mouth-feel. Other selection targets include perfect flowers, large berry size, oblong shape, dry picking scar, cold hardiness, postharvest quality, and earlier and later maturing cultivars to extend the harvest season. We are also working towards the implementation of marker-assisted selection for flower type, fruit color, and a range of other characters in muscadine.