![David Ramming examines grapes ripening on a vine. Link to photo information](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20080925061427im_/http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/graphics/photos/apr06/k7721-2i.jpg) Horticulturist David
Ramming examines clusters of one of the many luscious grape varieties developed
by the grape-breeding team he heads at the San Joaquin Valley Agricultural
Sciences Center in Parlier, Calif. Click the image for more information
about it.
|
Stories about Ramming's
research: 1
| 2
| 3
|
ARS Honors Technology Transfer Winners
By Marcia
WoodMarch 7, 2007
WASHINGTON, Mar. 7Superb seedless grapes and a new
approach to safeguarding the flavor and texture of stored apples have garnered
top technology-transfer honors for scientists with the Agricultural Research
Service (ARS), the
U.S. Department of Agriculture's chief
in-house scientific research agency.
Horticulturist
David
W. Ramming and plant physiologist
James
P. Mattheis each won ARS' highest technology-transfer honor yesterday
during the agency's annual awards ceremony at USDA headquarters here.
"The award acknowledges the scientists' outstanding efforts to move
their research out of the laboratory and into the marketplace," said ARS
Administrator
Edward
B. Knipling.
Ramming pioneered the use of a sophisticated laboratory technique
known as embryo rescue to nurture the vulnerable, undersized embryos of
experimental seedless grapes into strong, new plants. Ramming and his team are
based at the
ARS
San Joaquin Valley Agricultural Sciences Center near Parlier, Calif.
"Dr. Ramming's expertise has resulted in popular new varieties of
delicious red, white and black seedless grapes for fresh-market sale," Knipling
said. "Many of the grapes ripen at times of the year when other, U.S.-grown
seedless grapes aren't available."
Mattheis directs investigations at the
ARS
Tree Fruit Research Laboratory at Wenatchee, Wash.
"Dr. Mattheis spearheaded studies that have reduced the use of
fungicides previously needed to protect stored apples from rots and other
problems," said Knipling. "At the same time, Dr. Mattheis' research has enabled
growers to better protect the flavor and texture of stored
applesincluding those that, with typical storage treatments, could lose
their appeal all too soon."
A sugarcane-processing expert, and members
of five research teams that worked on projects ranging from enhancing the shelf
life of melons to quelling fire ant invasions, also were honored at Tuesday's
ceremony. They are:
- ARS Sugarcane Variety Development Team, for breeding new,
high-yielding sugarcane plants that are becoming popular with Louisiana
growers. (Team members |
Research news: 1
| 2)
- The Melon Postharvest Quality Team, for creating a farmer-friendly
approach to enrich the calcium content, improve flavor and prolong the shelf
life of popular yet highly perishable melons such as cantaloupe and honeydew.
(Team members |
Research
news)
- Root
Zone Water Quality Model 2 Team, for improving and expanding a computerized
model now used by scientists worldwide to predict how tilling and other farming
practices affect the purity of runoff waterespecially that which ends up
in underground water supplies. (Team members |
Research news)
- Seafood Safety Team, for producing a reliable test that public
health laboratory staffers can use to help ensure that shellfish such as
oysters and clams are free of harmful viruses. (Team members |
Research news)