• New Muscadine Grape Selection Currently Being Tested

This is a new muscadine grape (Vitis rotundifolia) selection currently under test at MREC. It is self-fertile and high-yielding. It's other distinguishing characteristics are that the berries are large and develop on bunches (up to 16 berries per bunch). The flesh is firm when ripe, almost crunchy, and the skin is edible. It has a relatively mild fruity flavor (for a muscadine).

Whereas berries of conventional muscadine varieties are picked singly, it is envisioned that this variety will be harvested by clipping the bunch. Thus, berries will remain attached. Hopefully, the firm texture and attachment of berry to the stem will result in fruit that can be harvested ripe and still have a a longer shelf-life than current varieties. This will facilitate production and marketing of muscadine grape to a larger geographic region than is currently possible.

On-site field testing will continue for at least three years, after which the variety will be released to cooperators for commercial evaluation if acceptable results are obtained.

• Biorational Control of Pierce’s Disease of Grapevine

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