MUSCADINE GERMPLASM EVALUATION IN THE GULF SOUTH

Abstract

Twenty-two muscadine (Vitis rotundifolia) cultivars wars planted in a 4-replication randomized complete block design to 1) accumulate elite germplasm 2) evaluate germplasm and catalog traits that are potentially useful in breeding programs for improving quality and reducing diseases of muscadines consumed as wine, unfermented products, or fresh fruit, and 3) identify cultivars that have acceptable fresh fruit quality. Harvest date ranged from 25 August 92 for 'Southland,' 'Sugargate,' and 'Summit' to 17 September 92 for 'Doreen,' and 'Watergate'. 'Magnolia,' 'Doreen,' 'Janebell,' 'Higgins,' 'Carlos,' and *Welder' produced the highest yields and 'Sugargate,' 'Black Beauty,' 'Fry Seedless,' 'Jumbo,' and 'Sweet Jenny' were the lowest yielding cultivars. The largest berries were produced by 'Black Beauty,' 'Sweet Jenny,' 'Sugargate,' 'Supreme,' and 'Jumbo'. 'Fry Seedless,' 'Nobel,' 'Welder,' 'Doreen,' 'Hunt,' 'Southland,' and 'Sterling' produced the smallest berries. Virtually no ripe rot was found on any cultivar. 'Doreen,' Fry Seedless,' 'Nobel,' 'Supreme,' and 'Welder' were practically free of all disease. The most promising fresh fruit cultivars were 'Supreme,' 'Sweet Jenny,' and 'Black Beauty'.