Cowart
Cultivar Information
Flower type = Self-fertile
Berry color = Black
Year introduced = 1960
Variety protection = Unpatented
History
'Cowart' was released in 1968 by B.O. Fry from the University of Georgia. 'Cowart' was selected from the cross 'Higgins' x Ga. 28 in 1960. Historically, 'Cowart' was an important cultivar because it combined good size and berry quality with self-fertile flowers. Many large muscadine plantings consisted of 'Cowart' as the pollenizer and 'Fry' as the primary cultivar.
Comments
'Cowart' has been an important cultivar in Georgia, but its relative importance has declined in recent years. Yield of 'Cowart' was relatively low in our test, especially for a self-fertile vine. Stem scars typically tear, making it difficult to sell for fresh fruit. Flavor is sweet and good, but the skin is tough. Berry size is only medium and no real disease problems were noted. Because of its small size and wet scar, I would not recommend 'Cowart' for commercial plantings, but it would be okay for home plantings.
Average Berry Quality in Tifton, GA Trials
| Cultivar | Berry weight (g) | Berry diameter (mm) | Soluble solids (%) |
| Cowart | 8.7 | 24 | 14.7 |
| Fry | 12.7 | 27 | 15.3 |
| Supreme | 17.7 | 31 | 13.9 |
Cultivar Attributes in Tifton, GA Trials
| Cultivar | Vine vigor | Leaf disease | Berry rot | % Full crop | Harvest period | Ripening | % Dry scar |
| Cowart | medium | slight | slight | 40% | midseason | even | 30% |
| Fry | medium | slight | slight | 70% | midseason | even | 30% |
| Supreme | medium | slight | none | 90% | midseason | uneven | 60% |