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UGA Blueberry Breeding: Developing and Sustaining an Industry. D. Scott NeSmith Dept. of Horticulture Univ. of Georgia Griffin, GA. UGA Blueberry Breeding Program Has Rich History. Program got small start in 1930’s Dr. W. Thomas Brightwell 1945, a visionary.
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UGA Blueberry Breeding: Developing and Sustaining an Industry D. Scott NeSmith Dept. of Horticulture Univ. of Georgia Griffin, GA
UGA Blueberry Breeding Program Has Rich History • Program got small start in 1930’s • Dr. W. Thomas Brightwell1945, a visionary. • Great example of long term impact of Ag research!!
Today • Today, program has research farms at Alapaha and Griffin.
Breeding to meet commercial industry challenges • Increased fruit size for blueberries • increased consumer acceptance • increased harvest efficiency
Breeding to meet commercial industry challenges • Early ripening varieties • higher market prices
Breeding to meet commercial industry challenges • Short ripening periods and later flowering times • decreases frost risk, reducing usage of overhead irrigation, saving water and energy
Breeding to meet commercial industry challenges • Increase fruit firmness • increases shelf life, long distant shipping • potential for mechanical harvest, saving labor
Ornamental Blueberries:Surround yourself with flavorful beauty!!
Summary • UGA blueberry breeding program is rich in history. • Blueberry variety development is a long term process. • Our breeding goals are aimed at solving ever-changing grower needs. • In addition to commercial blueberries, and program has expanded to include an ornamental component too. • Varieties are having significant and immediate impact in Georgia, across the U.S. and around the world.