Researchers On A Roll With New Blueberries: 2012 Florida Ag Expo Extended Coverage

Meadowlark blueberry

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Blueberries have become big business in Florida. Its success depends on fitting in a narrow market window. In order to hit the spot, having the right kind of fruit is key. Florida’s success in this area can be attributed to the work done by the UF/IFAS blueberry breeding program. During the 2012 Florida Ag Expo, Dr. James Olmstead, UF/IFAS assistant professor specializing in blueberry breeding and genetics, gave an update on the program’s progress.

According to Olmstead, the breeding program’s goals are focused on finding varieties with low-chill requirements, early maturity, disease tolerance, and fruit quality. Thanks to extensive research, it appears there are some new opportunities for Florida blueberry growers. Olmstead pointed out one area of promise is in better adaptation/lower-production cost. “For many years, the supply curve and demand curve for blueberries have been quite far apart. And they are getting much closer now,” he said. “As we move into the future, we’re going to have to be more efficient in how we grow blueberries.”
Part of this, he said, has to do with growing lower-chill varieties, working toward wider soil adaptation, and the reality that — at some point — mechanical harvest will be needed for fresh market fruit.

During the last half of his presentation, Olmstead pored over particulars of six new varieties, all named after birds: Bobolink, Chickadee, Flicker, Kestrel, Meadowlark, and Raven. Each sports unique characteristics providing promising options for future production area expansion. The newcomers of the bunch (Bobolink and Raven), however, are not being considered for Central Florida southward as they mature later and require higher chill requirements. “The release that has generated the most interest is Meadowlark,” Olmstead said. “It is the first variety that has a native blueberry Vaccinium species called sparkleberry in its background. Sparkleberries grow in soil types that normal blueberries won’t survive in. The hope is by using this is as a parent in the breeding program, we can begin to bring in those traits that make wild blueberries more adaptable.”

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