-
NeSmith, D Scott
Georgia Dawn ™: A New Super Early Blueberry
Summary
A new super early commercial blueberry variety named Georgia Dawn ™ has been developed after years of breeding. The new variety ripens fruit 7 to 12 days ahead of previous varieties, offering growers the chance to reach the market sooner.
Situation
Southern highbush blueberries continue to gain a significant share of the production acreage of commercial blueberries in Georgia. One of the major interests in the species is that it provides early ripening fruit, maturing around the first of May in South Georgia. Growers typically receive higher market prices for early season berries. In 2006, UGA released 'Rebel' (USPP 18,138), which rapidly became popular due to its fruit maturing the last week of April, which, provides berries 3 to 5 days ahead of previous standard varieties in South Georgia. However, if varieties having fruit that matured in mid-April were developed, this would extend the early season even more, which would bring even higher prices for growers.
Response
The University of Georgia Blueberry Breeding Program has accelerated development of blueberry varieties in the past 15 years to facilitate both commercial and home garden demands for new varieties. As many as 5000 new blueberry selections are produced and screened annually to obtain elite selections with highly desirable traits for advanced testing. These elite selections are then planted at multiple locations in Georgia, including on-farm test sites. The lengthy and detailed testing of selections and interaction with growers to obtain their input during the process helps to provide timely new varieties to enhance both commercial and home garden growers.
Impact
After several years of selecting and testing, 'Georgia Dawn ™' blueberry has been developed to offer the earliest maturing blueberry variety for commercial growers in South Georgia to date. When grown under suitable conditions using frost/freeze protection, 'Georgia Dawn ™' berries ripen in mid to late April, which is 7 to 12 days ahead of existing varieties being produced. This advancement in earliness can bring growers market prices some 50 to 60% higher depending on season and supply. While the major attraction of 'Georgia Dawn ™' is early fruit maturity, the new variety does have additional favorable attributes. In most evaluations, 'Georgia Dawn ™' had the best flavor as compared to the other varieties, especially as compared to 'Rebel'. 'Georgia Dawn ™' also has concentrated ripening, a good picking scar and good berry firmness. On a cautionary note, 'Georgia Dawn ™' flowers very early (mid February in South Georgia), therefore, frost/freeze protection is essential for the new variety to succeed. For information on 'Georgia Dawn ™' licensing and to obtain a list of licensed growers, contact UGARF's Technology Commercialization Office.
State Issue
Agricultural Profitability and Sustainability
Details
- Year: 2013
- Geographic Scope: Multi-State/Regional
- County: Spalding
-
Program Areas:
- Agriculture & Natural Resources
Author
Research Impact