Michigan State University (MSU) was awarded a $14.4 million, four-year grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Specialty Crop Research Initiative, the largest grant the initiative has dispersed since its inception in 2007.
The researchers will combine emerging DNA sequences to hopefully improve the quality of apples, peaches, cherries and strawberries.
MSU Professor of Horticulture and RosBREED project leader Amy Iezzoni says the fruits were chosen based on their genetic similarities.
“We know their genetic makeup is very similar, and if we can understand the similarities in their genetic makeup and their difference we can understand what makes these fruits unique and how to make them better,” Iezzoni says.
This research could, for example, make a somewhat mealy apple crunchy.
“Our goal is to make varieties that will increase profitability for the industries, and that will be so good that the consumer will buy more each year,” she says.
Honeycrisp apples are an example of a fruit that’s been bred specifically for consumer tastes.
“Breeding fruit is very difficult and if we can speed this up, we may have the next generation of honeycrisps.”
The project involves scientists from 11 U.S. institutions, including MSU, Washington State University and the University of Minnesota; USDA labs; and six international partners from the Netherlands,South Africa, New Zealand, Chile, France and the United Kingdom.
Source: Amy Iezzoni, MSU
Ivy Hughes is the managing editor of Capital Gains and can be reached here.
Enjoy this story?
Sign up for free solutions-based reporting in your inbox each week.