
More:
information on this research appears in Agricultural Research. . ARS Research Helps Blueberry
GrowersBy Tara
Weaver-Missick September 14, 2000
Thanks to research accomplishments at the
ARS Small Fruit
Research Station in Poplarville, Miss., farmers from Mississippi and other
Gulf Coast States have become a presence in the blueberry market. The Poplarville station has released six new blueberry varieties to date,
including Jubilee, Magnolia, Pearl River, Cooper and Gulfcoast, which are all
available commercially. Biloxi, the newest blueberry, was recently released in
honor of Biloxi, Mississippis 300th birthday. Typically, southern blueberry growers are small farmers who net about $2,000
an acre. The total blueberry acreage in Mississippi is about 1,800 acres, and
there are about 10,000 acres in the Gulf States region. Total U.S. production
of fresh and processed blueberries in 1999 was 180.2 million pounds, valued at
$156 million. ARS researchers help these farmers by
developing new varieties and improving cultural practices, pest control and
postharvest handling. ARS researchers are also investigating bee pollinators that may potentially
help the Southeasts blueberry production, given the lack of native
blueberry pollinators. The Osmia ribifloris bee, which is native to the western United
States, is a promising pollinator. In its native range, the bee gathers pollen
from manzanita, a shrub like tree with flowers that closely resemble those of
blueberries. Poplarville researchers are developing strategies for growers to
release and manage these bees. ARS researchers have also undertaken a new project in which they are
screening southern cultivated and wild berries, including blueberries, for
theirresveratrol-producing potential. Preliminary evidence suggests
resveratrol has anti-cancer properties and cardiovascular benefits. ARS is the chief scientific agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The blueberry
research in Mississippi is part of a nationwide program of horticulture
research within ARS. For more information on ARS research programs that affect
horticulture, see the list of "Crop Production, Product Value and
Safety" national programs at http://www.nps.ars.usda.gov More information on this research appears in the September issue of Agricultural Research magazine. Scientific contact: James M. Spiers, ARS Small Fruits Research
Laboratory, Poplarville, Miss.; phone (601) 795-8751, fax (601) 795-4965,
[email protected]. U.S. Department of Agriculture |