Breeding of New Seedless Table Grapes in Israel Conventional and Biotechnological Approach
2003
Perl, A. | Sahar, N. | Eliassi, R. | Baron, I. | Spiegel-Roy, P. | Bazak, H.
Seedless grapes are generally preferred by consumers for fresh consumption. The development of new seedless selections utilizing stenospermy, has been recognized as a key factor in Vitis vinifera breeding programs throughout the world. The Department of Fruit Tree Breeding and Genetic at the Volcani Center is actively involved in breeding of early and late seedless grapes. Special emphasis is given to the time of ripening, firmness, high sugar content, special aromas, loose and uniform bunches, natural big berries, good shelf life and reduced labor costs. We utilized advanced techniques for embryo rescue and hardening in order to improved the efficiency of our cross hybridization program. Several years ago we have developed, registered and released for commercial growth several new selections. Some of these cultivars were found to be rather promising: Results obtained from the testing of "Prime", "Mystery", Spring Blush and "Black-finger" under different climatic conditions in Chile, South Africa and Israel are presented. The role of the seeded East-European cultivar "Yantar" in the inheritance of early ripening will be discussed. In parallel to the conventional breeding studies, we have established a biotechnological approach for the improvement of table grapes. Using seed-coat and embryo specific promoters we have overexpressed the egg avidin in transformed grapes. Ablation of seeds indicated that avidin can be utilized successfully as a suicide gene.
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