Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/132109
New Varieties Promising WSU cherry selections An early variety is in the final stage of evaluation. by Melissa Hansen O ne selection showing promise in Washington State University's cherry breeding program is an early variety that has better fruit quality characteristics than the current Chelan variety. It could be commercially available as early as 2016. More than 25 advanced selections are in Phase 2 of the Washington State University's cherry breeding program. The early-season selection mentioned above has made it to Phase 3, the final evaluation step of the program. Although breeder Dr. Nnadozie Oraguzie declined to give many specifics about this elite selection, he described it as a suitable replacement for Chelan. The cross was made before he arrived, and it first fruited in 2009. "The grower advisory committee was so impressed by this selection when they first saw it—harvest date is similar to Chelan but fruit is larger, firmer without gibberellic acid application, and it's selffertile—that they said 'let's fast-track this and move it right into Phase 3,'" he said. Oraguzie said the early variety could be released by 2016, if all goes well and there are no surprises as data continue to be collected and evaluated. Promising selections in Phase 2 of the program include two with powdery mildew resistance and could be suitable for mechanical harvesting. CHERRY walks D uring the summer months, Dr. Nnadozie Oraguzie walks through the cherry breeding blocks on a weekly basis with a small team of cherry growers and industry representatives to evaluate fruit and look for those that stand out. Fruit breeder Oraguzie says the most exciting part of Washington State University's cherry breeding program are the weekly walk-throughs because that's when he sees the results of his work and receives feedback from growers. He welcomes cherry growers from Oregon and Washington to join in the weekly walks and sample fruit. "We want to get input from all growers and have buy-in from everyone in the industry," he said. Contact Oraguzie for a schedule of the weekly cherry fruit walks that begin in June by calling (509) 786-9271 or emailing him at: noraguzie@wsu.edu. —M. Hansen www.goodfruit.com While there was industry excitement several years ago regarding three powdery mildew-resistant varieties bred by a previous WSU breeder, Oraguzie said fruit quality of the selections, especially size and firmness, were lower than the threshold values developed for selections and they are not being considered for com- mercialization. However, the selections have been used as parents for additional powdery mildew-resistant crosses. The two powdery mildew selections in Phase 2 are offspring of the three earlier powdery mildew-resistant crosses that showed promise. C O L U M B I A B A S I N The genotype showing promise for mechanical harvesting matures after the Selah variety. Fruit of the selection are firmer and have a lower pedicel retention force than Selah. Selah is currently the leading cultivar for growers who are working with mechanical harvest and marketing stem-free cherries. • N U R S E R Y OuR V ARIETIES ARE Proven& Profitable Successful orchards start with productive future tree varieties. Columbia Basin Nursery offers a number of polular and proven tree varieties. If you will be planting soon, start your successful future now with a call to Columbia Basin Nursery. Call today for a complete listing and availability. PEARS APPLES CHERRIES Bartlett Columbia Red D'Anjou Comice Concorde® D'Anjou Forelle Golden Russet® Bosc Hailey Red™ Bartlett Noble Russet® Bosc Red Clapp Banning Red Fuji Blondee® Brookfield® Gala Buckeye® Gala Honeycrisp Jonastar® Jonagold Midnight® Red Spur Morren's®Jonagored Supra™ Pacific® Gala Ultima™ Gala Bing BlackPearl® Chelan™ Early Robin® Lapins Rainier Regina™ Santina™ Skeena™ Sweetheart Tieton® Van Sour Cherry Montmorency We offer over 100 Varieties of Apples, Apricots, Cherries, Nectarines, Peaches, Pears and Prunes & Plums. 800/333-8589 www.cbnllc.com GOOD FRUIT GROWER June 2013 27