University of Florida Research on High Value Fruit Crops

1. University of Florida Research onHigh Value Fruit Crops Fred Davies, Horticulture David Sammons, Intl. Prog. University of Florida

2. Expertise With High Value Fruit Crops Annona Lychee Avocado Mango Banana Mamey Carambola Papaya Guava Passion Fruit Jackfruit Pitaya Longan Sapodilla

3. Current Areas of UF High Value Fruit Crops Research • Cultivar genetic conservation and evaluation – links to CG Priority 1B • Application of biotechnology tools to high value fruit crop improvement • Cultivar improvement – links to CG Priority 2D • Improved fruit quality and nutrition • Improved disease and pest resistance • Increased yield

4. Current Areas of UF High Value Fruit Crops Research • Improved cultural practices – links to CG Priority 3A • Improved yields • Improved fruit quality and nutritional value • Technology transfer to producers

5. UF Expertise in the Regeneration ofHigh Value Fruit Crops • Regeneration via embryogenesis • Cryopreservation of rare species

6. UF Expertise in High Value Fruit Crop Production Research • Physiology of adaptability to new regions • Methods of improving yields and fruit quality by cultural interventions • Irrigation of carambola and papaya • Pruning of annonas • Flower induction of lychee

7. UF Expertise in Multi-Disciplinary Research in High Value Fruit Crops Items below link to CG Systems Priorities 3A&5B • Assessment of ways to improve small farm income derived from high value fruit crops in India • Evaluation of methods to improve income and independence of women on small farms in India derived from production of high value fruit crops

8. Case Study of Research Success Solving the Papaya Ringspot Problem in Papaya

9. Papaya Ringspot Virus (PRSV) ~ Background ~ • PRSV is a major limiting factor in papaya production worldwide • Plants infected with PRSV become unproductive and die in a few years • Traditional breeding has been unable to solve the PRSV problem

11. Cooperative Multidisciplinary Research to Solve the PRSV Problem • Biotechnology -- plasmid transfer of PRSV resistance to high quality susceptible cultivar • Plant husbandry interventions -- study plant longevity, yields, and fruit quality in transformed plants over a 6-year period in the field • Release of improved material to local farmers

14. Potential UF Contributions to Future Research on High Value Fruit Crops • Evaluation of high value fruit crops within specific regions of the world, especially the neo-tropics • Selection of locally adapted cultivars and underutilized species of high value fruit crops

15. Potential UF Contributions to Future Research on High Value Fruit Crops • Assessment of the market potential of high value fruit crops • Conservation of underutilized high value fruit crop genetic resources