Research in the lab focuses on small fruit breeding and genetics research and development of improved cultural practices for more profitable production of these crops. The primary goals of blueberry program are the development of improved rabbiteye and southern highbush blueberries through the use of intra and interspecific hybridizations and recurrent selection to improve vigor, productivity, fruit quality and earliness. Blueberry research is also being conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of herbicides, growth regulators, and frost protectants on these crops.
Muscadine grapes breeding is primarily focused on the development of productive, vigorous, disease resistant, fresh market muscadine grapes posessing thinner skins, melting flesh, high sugar content and increased neutraceutical values. Muscadine production research is also being conducted to evaluate the efficacy of growth regulators for use in developing seedless fruit and in increasing fruit size.
Research is being conducted to develop thornless blackberries with resistance to rosette disease (double blossom), the factor resulting in the greatest limitation to successful blackberry production in the Gulf Coast Region.
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