Results of fruit breeding in Baltic and Nordic States
2015
Ikase, L., Latvian State Inst. of Fruit-Growing, Dobele (Latvia)
The specific climate of Nordic and Baltic countries allows profitable and sustainable growing of various fruit and berry crops including rare and novel ones, but demands climate adapted cultivars. Fruit breeding in the region is targeted mostly at the local fruit market and has reached notable results in apple, pear, plum, cherry, blackcurrant and other crops. Modern pre-breeding research and breeding methods have been used with good results, first of all marker assisted selection (MAS). At the same time, the high competition from more southern regions has resulted in decrease or zero growth of fruit production in some countries and subsequent closing or temporarily stopping of breeding programs. The situation looks more promising with berry crops, especially these adapted exclusively to Northern climate, like Vaccinium and Rubus species. Novel crops include, first of all, Japanese quince (Chaenomeles japonica) and seabuckthorn (Hippophaë rhamnoides). Significant differences exist between Scandinavia with a long and uninterrupted history of fruit growing and the Baltic countries which started to develop modern fruit production only since 1990ties. Changes in consumer attitudes create increased demand for locally grown and organic fruits, as well as for more variety in cultivars, and hopefully may lead to increase in funding for breeding in future.
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