Unique Research Project Aims To Grow Better Muscadine Grapes
Texas A&M AgriLife is collaborating in a first-of-its-kind project to propagate new seedless muscadine grape varieties to benefit grape growers in Texas and beyond. The four-year, $7 million project, “Through the Grapevine: Developing Vitis x MuscadiniaWide Hybrids for Enhanced Disease Resistance and Quality,” is funded by a USDA National Institute Food and Agriculture grant.
The research involves the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, the University of Arkansas, the University of Georgia and several other institutions and agencies. Research and Extension efforts related to the project will be conducted and implemented with industry partners and stakeholders.
Improving the Muscadine Grape
Muscadine grapes are one of the 13 species of grapes native to Texas and the only native grape species that has been improved through breeding and selection. After more than 100 years of muscadine breeding, plant breeders developed the first seedless selections.
Muscadine grapes grow well in East Texas due to the area’s humid climate but are also successful in a variety of soil types, especially those that are pH neutral or slightly acidic. In addition to pest and disease tolerance, the grapes demonstrate good drought tolerance.
The grapes are typically large and ripen individually. While the skin is somewhat tough, the fruit is highly flavorful and popular for use in jams, jellies, and juices as well as home and commercial winemaking.
The overall project will involve more than 30 viticulturists, grape breeders, physiologists, food scientists and economists. Their efforts will support grape growers in propagating new seedless muscadine selections for trials across the Southeast U.S.
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Texas A&M AgriLife also will host two research vineyard sites in northeastern and southeastern Texas to evaluate new “fresh eating” or table selections as well as those for processing. One research trial will be planted at Thomas Ranch near Richards, which is operated by AgriLife Research. The other trial will be at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Overton. Muscadine grape trials in Texas will be planted in the spring 2025.
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