Through the Grapevine
VITIS x MUSCADINIA
Developing Vitis x Muscadinia Wide Hybrids for Enhanced Disease Resistance and Quality
Muscadines may be the folksy American of the grape world, but they have many qualities like disease resistance and unique flavors that are desired in the more popular Vitis vinifera (bunch grapes) species. Likewise, Vitis vinifera — the species that most people eat as table grapes and drink in wine — has many characteristics desirable for muscadines, like thinner skin, a crispier texture and seedlessness. Our mission is to combine traits from these two species of grapes for improved disease resistance and enhanced consumer quality. We believe that introducing disease-resistant, high-quality cultivars will ultimately lead to a more resilient U.S. grape industry.
Our collaborative and transdisciplinary project team includes 31 U.S. Vitis and Muscadinia experts in grape genetics, breeding, and pathology from cultivar development programs; fruit quality experts including food science, postharvest storage, sensory, and analysis of aroma, flavor, and color attributes; agricultural marketing experts focused on consumer attitudes and behaviors for horticulture crops; and production and extension experts.
